“Knock knock!”
“Um… Who’s there?”

Yeah. That was me, on my last date. Before you feel sorry for me
you should know that I was the one telling the jokes. Jokes as in
plural, because I didn’t stop with just one. Of course not.

Hi, I’m Chloe Scott. The most awkward single girl in the city.
But I’m going to get it together. I am.

I’m going to learn how to date like a grown up.
I’m going to have an orgasm not given to myself.
I’m going to fall in love and live happily ever after.

Right after I get out of this interrogation room.

Trust Jana Aston to make me laugh, again. Trust is the latest full-length novel from Ms. Aston about the group of friends we meet in Wrong. The story focus is on Chole and Boyd who have a unique dating experience that is often funny, sometimes uncertain, and always entertaining. It is hard to believe that Jana just started her writing career last year. Her stories are so good, and, for me, Trust is Ms. Aston’s best book to date.

Chole is a dating mess. She is trying to meet her dream guy via internet dating services. Some of the men she meets have potential and some make her run regardless Chole is a bumbling fool when dating. On one of her dates her potential boyfriend is arrested and Chole is questioned by Boyd Gallagher, FBI agent extraordinaire and Sophie’s brother. Neither one of them realizes their connection to Sophie until they meet again, a couple days later, after the birth of Sophie’s daughter.

Boyd recognizes Chole’s social anxiety and approaches her with a proposition. He needs a date for a family wedding. Boyd doesn’t want to invite a woman in his little black book because it gives the wrong signal to the girl and his family, or so he says. Instead, he wants to help Chole practice her dating skills by playing the role of his girlfriend. Practice makes perfect. Chole agrees because Boyd blackmailed her, so to speak. He promised to never tell her friends that he arrested her date.

Trust is an all-around fun read. The story is told in alternating, first-person point of views of Chole and Boyd. The book is fast paced, and once you pick it up, it is impossible to put the book down—especially if you like to laugh. Chole is so funny. She is a second-grade teacher and excellent with her young students. Unfortunately, when she is dating she fumbles and starts telling silly, second-grade friendly knock, knock jokes.

Boyd is a sweetheart. I love how he sees past the bumbling right into Chole’s soul. He “handles” her fear of dating in a way that allows a friendship to grow. When Chole realizes she is dating she panics as only Chole can. I cringe on her behalf and wonder if she is going to screw it up. Fortunately, Boyd is tenacious.

The writing is good. The dialog flows so smoothly and realistically. Trust is also a good love story. What’s not to love. I will be recommending this book to all my family and friends. It makes me smile, and I will put it on my list of books to read again when I need a pick-me-up.

Jana says this is the last book about this group; that makes me sad. It feels like there are more laughs hidden somewhere for the ladies. That said, I’m looking forward to what she is planning for her next book. If you are a fan of romantic comedies that make you laugh out loud, you must get Trust NOW.

4.5 STAMPS