The Missed Connection

Second chances are a surefire romance staple, but like most Tia Williams creations, The Missed Connection comes with several twists. At the heart of this funny New York City rom-com lies a dilemma: Is Sasha Cruz's one who got away a wealthy man of mystery, or the scruffy hot detective she hired to find him? Former private investigator Wes Dane once saved hotshot casting director Sasha Cruz from a stalker, but their messy attraction complicated the encounter in a way that left both parties shaken. Now Sasha wants Wes to find the dashing man she met on a first-class flight to Paris. They haven’t seen each other in years, and Wes wants no part of this case. Their first encounter ended his stint with his family agency, and he’s much happier as a chef on the rise. And yet, Wes still can’t say no to her. An attractive, witty and single thirtysomething woman in Brooklyn with an Emmy under her belt, Sasha should be in her prime. But she’s been in a self-imposed exile for the last several years, thanks to the lingering fears and anxiety disorder brought on by her encounter with the stalker. After a nearly yearlong sabbatical from work and trading her beloved brownstone for a secure door-attended building, Sasha has an opportunity to change her life for the better. She just booked ”the splashiest commercial in her career as a casting director” for a major beauty brand and compounded that win with a surprisingly memorable in-flight flirtation with an intriguing and obviously wealthy Italian man who travels the world for a living. The only problem is they were involuntarily separated at the airport before exchanging names and contact information. Their missed connection turns into a brilliant, frothy quest complicated by Sasha’s combustible attraction to the guy who’s supposed to help her reconnect. As they pursue the sultry stranger, Sasha finds her attention increasingly torn between that quixotic romantic pursuit and her incontrovertible attraction to the maddeningly sexy but reticent former detective. Both Wes and Sasha struggle with their attraction and personal insecurities while uncovering intriguing new facts about the enigmatic man from first class. By balancing the plot-driven shenanigans and relatable emotion, Williams crafts a delicate sweet spot within her novel. It’s where the dramedy queen’s trifecta of humor, heat and ingenuity really shines. Though complex and emotionally affecting, The Missed Connection is at times somewhat unbelievable. However, it's hard not to love this fluffy and quirky rom-com confection.