Overall Grade: B
Tropes: single mom; pro baseball MMC; close proximity; he falls first; found family; bookish FMC
Rebecca Jenshak’s Spotlight, the fourth installment in her Holland Brothers series, presents readers with an emotionally engaging contemporary romance that balances predictable genre elements with meaningful character development. As an examination of second chances and the complexities of balancing personal dreams with familial responsibilities, the novel succeeds in delivering an accessible yet thoughtful narrative.
The plot centers on Olivia, a single mother who has resigned herself to a life without romantic partnership after numerous disappointments mainly attributed to her parental status. During a weekend getaway in New York, she encounters Flynn Holland, occupying the adjacent hotel room. Their connection is immediate and profound, culminating in a night of intimate conversation rather than physical passion. This approach offers a refreshing deviation from genre conventions wherein the MMC and FMC mix “business with pleasure.” The following morning, Olivia awakens alone and assumes abandonment, unaware that Flynn was urgently called away by his agent regarding negotiations with a major league baseball team. Upon his return, he discovers Olivia has departed, seemingly ending their brief encounter.
Months later, fate intervenes when they discover their social circles are interconnected. Olivia is the best friend of Flynn’s brother Archer’s fiancée. Flynn, having recently joined the struggling local MLB team, the Mustangs, as their rising star, pursues Olivia with determination. The narrative tension centers not on miscommunication or contrived obstacles, but on a genuine career dilemma: when Flynn receives an offer from his dream team, he must choose between professional aspiration and the newfound family connection he has established with Olivia and her daughter.
Jenshak demonstrates particular skill in character development through supporting figures. The presence of Olivia’s family, Gigi, Grandpa Earl, and Ruby, provides emotional scaffolding for her character while Earl simultaneously serves as a mentor figure for Flynn. This dual functionality in secondary characters reveals Jenshak’s narrative efficiency. Similarly, the inclusion of Flynn’s brothers from previous novels creates a sense of continuity within the series while enhancing the protagonist’s characterization.
The novel’s most compelling emotional sequence involves Flynn’s confrontation with his estranged father. Here, Jenshak elevates the narrative beyond typical romance conventions, integrating themes of generational trauma and the courage required to establish healthy boundaries. This scene exemplifies the author’s ability to weave multiple tonal elements into a cohesive whole.
Stylistically, Spotlight is accessible without sacrificing substance. Jenshak’s prose is direct and unpretentious, prioritizing narrative momentum over linguistic ornamentation. The novel never attempts to transcend its genre. Instead, it excels within established parameters, offering readers exactly what the contemporary romance format promises: emotional satisfaction, relatable conflicts, and an assured resolution.
While Spotlight does not revolutionize the romance genre, its straightforward approach to storytelling, combined with thoughtful character development and thematic exploration of family dynamics, results in a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. The novel’s greatest strength lies in its authenticity, both in its portrayal of single motherhood and in its examination of how
Spotlight represents a solid addition to Jenshak’s bibliography, demonstrating her consistent ability to craft emotionally resonant contemporary romance. Though it adheres closely to genre conventions without significant innovation, the novel’s well-developed characters and meaningful exploration of family relationships elevate it above many similar offerings in the contemporary romance landscape.
In love and romance,
Professor A
Professor Romance 