The Year of What If: A Novel

Carla Carter is the owner of a successful match-making agency and is on her way to the alter with a successful match for herself. Her fiancé, the board-game loving Tom, is surely strong enough to withstand the supposed family curse that has thwarted the women of her family in love for the last century. Unlike the logical Carla, the women of her family believe in things like curses and magic. They drag Carla to a fortune-teller in the weeks before her wedding, where Carla is informed “you met a man of great importance… he holds the key to your true happiness.” And so, Carla embarks on a whirlwind European tour, mirroring her gap year of years before, seeking affirmation that Tom really is her true match.

The Year of What If by Phaedra Patrick is a breezy, entertaining novel, a great beach read that takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of Europe. Carla makes a beautiful discovery about her family, the curse, and the power of opening ones’ mind. This warm-hearted, fun novel is wonderful escapist reading, perfect for sultry summer reading, or a warmup on long winter nights.