Until I Saw Your Smile

J.J. Murrray is back at it again with this tale of love and this time at all happens in a little coffee shop in Brooklyn. Matthew McConnell is a recovering corporate laywer who is trying to get back into the dating scene; after being left by his girlfriend Joy. From the moment that I read this you start to feel a little bad for Matt. Joy has left him for a foreign exchange teacher and has taken almost everything in his apartment. Including the food in the fridge, the towels in the bathroom and his crappy microwave. All this leads him to call up a former coworker for his first date from hell. After being scared off by a certain womans condom collection he wanders into Smith's Sweet Treats & Coffee; and in enters Angela its pretty owner who instantly feels the need to chat Matt up. She gets a kick out of his bad date stories. As the story goes on Matt continues to have bad dates; one with a recently released felon, a Christian woman lusting after her pastor and a woman that feels the need to bring her bestfriend on the date. After each date from hell he goes back to Angela's coffee shop and devours her houseblend coffee and treats. Its not until he goes on his final date from hell that he begins to really see Angela. He is deteremined to breakthrough her defenses and boy oh boy does that take a lot of work. Angela has a lot of reasons to mistrust him. Mainly she thinks he is a player but also she is hiding a pretty big secret that makes opening up to someone really hard. As things move on Angela slowly falls in love too and opens up to Matt. They become not only partners in business but eventually in life. What I Loved about this book: Angela and Matt's relationship was extremely realistic, funny and loving. Murray told this story almost completely from Matt's prespective. You get to see him fall in love slowly and want to build something lasting with Angela. Matt makes sure to follow her lead; and by doing so he gains her trust and love in return. Also, for a romantic comedy (of sorts) J.J. Murray doesn't over do it with sex. He adds just enough at the right time, and its sweet and loving and beautiful. Also, Murray touches on some really heavy issues in this book. Which I can't reveal because that would lead to a huge spoiler (and I don't want to ruin this book for anyone). Favorite Quotes: 1) "Who lies about dropping six grand on a dress with a first, middle and last name? For six grand, it had better have a social security number and give you a tax break for living in your closet" 2) Matthew to Warrick: "I look forward to meeting you face to face, or are you to much of a coward? You like hiding in alleys and preying on defenseless women. Really, Warrick. Calling you a pussy would be a compliment." I give this book 5 Stars and would gladly recommend it to anyone that enjoys a class boy meets girl romance.

This was an interesting book. I was at first going to give it a five but then thought it was overly long and would have given it a three. The ending was very satisfactory, however and that brought it up to a four plus. Two things: 1) how could she call one of person's that liked her boyfriend a mongrel when if she married her boyfriend that they would have mixed children? I know she was upset, but .... 2) why say in the book that the boyfriend only liked people of color? Why could the person like people of all colors and it just happened that the person he loved had a darker complexion?

I have fallen in love with JJ Murray and his writing. Its real and full of all that makes relationships work. No fake perfection or false declarations of love and rightness beyond the truth of humanity. There is a wide range of emotion throughout this story that drew me in. There is darkness at some point in everyone's life and it all matters. It shapes how we love and interact with others. I liked that his love stories are not rushed and you get to know the people in the stories. No craziness beyond getting to know each other. It starts by one encounter and then the promise of getting to know each other. Not in two weeks or two months but in real time. Time spent getting to know each other and the people in their lives, good and bad.

Awesome! Another wonderful book by this author, J.J. Murray. From beginning to end the reader is in profound thought and amazing scenery as the minds eye brings the authors words to life. It’s like you’re at a theater watching as the characters lives play out and flows from this book! Ava was not defeated nor a victim but triumphant at the trial of her attacker, so much so that he decided to change his plea. Guilty!!!

I really did enjoy did this book. But I was very disgusted with the vulgar words. I am not a fan of those. Besides that it was a very profound story and very funny at the beginning.

J J this was by far your best book yet in my opinion. I loved the pace of the relationship growth. I loved the suspense of the drama. I loved the comedic cadence. This was a complete novel. Your writing growth definitely shines here.

The plot of this book was a lawyer who liked some color fell for this women who own a coffee shop. She had been attacked one night at the store and had never been out since. He made her take her time walking one block left and two blocks right until he got her going out. They got caught in a snow storm and the guy came back to attack her again. This is a great story and I would advise anyone to read this story. In the end she goes to court and give her version of the attack and ends up with the lawyer.

I always enjoy this author. His characters are likeable, but fallible. The stories deal with real subjects with a touch of humor. I have all of his fiction work. In this story you have a wounded but strong heroine and a quirky hero who is seeking seeking love over and over only to be surprised to find it with his confidante. You will like these characters.The story treats a very real subject - PTSD, seriously, sensitively, and with a touch of love. I eagerly await his next release.

JJ you have become one of my favourite authors. A masterpiece , such realistic writing style. This story is classy and intriguing, well developed with an amazing and memorable cast of characters. Lots of laugh out loud moments, lots of heart pounding moments and lots of love and honesty. Beautifully detailed, poignant, I just could not put it down yet I did not want it to finish. A breathtaking adventure that grabbed hold of my heart and would not let go. I absolutely loved this book and have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending it. Thank you J J Murray 😁