Wait for It

McKinlay (Paris Is Always a Good Idea) delivers a disappointing rom-com. After Annabelle Martin’s ex-husband unexpectedly re-proposes, Annabelle realizes she needs a clean break—and a graphic design job at her best friend’s company in sunny Phoenix is the perfect fit. But her new digs in the guest house of a beautiful mansion come with their own issues: her crotchety landlord has a long list of rules and prefers to communicate via passive-aggressive notes rather than meeting in person. Aggravated by these restrictions, Annabelle blatantly breaks rules hoping to draw him out of seclusion. When this plan works, she’s shocked to discover her landlord is the young, gorgeous Nick Daire. Nick withdrew from the public eye after a stroke that weakened his legs and occasionally made it necessary for him to use a wheelchair. Despite his reluctance to socialize and painfully depicted self-hatred, Nick feels drawn to his vibrant tenant. When Nick’s sister asks for help with a business venture and Annabelle is tasked with bringing in a big client, their needs align, forcing the pair to work together. McKinlay’s writing is punchy, but the rushed romance strains belief and Nick’s disability is often insensitively handled. These unfortunate flaws outweigh the chemistry between the central couple. [em]Agent: Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Aug.) [/em]