Book Review: Missed Connections

I was ecstatic to receive early access to Missed Connection (now available for purchase) and dived in! These days romance novels are a bright spot in a bleak world, and I admittedly read it in doses and used this story as a bit of escapism from a dreary world. All that means is that I need to up my game and dive back into more worlds created by Tia Williams and other Black women who realize that love is a universal salve. This story took on many twists and turns, and both main characters went on journeys together and apart that made for a cohesive story with a happy and satisfying ending.

Wes Dane, our dashing imperfect detective turned chef, and Sasha Cruz, our lovely casting extraordinaire heroine who is actively trying to return to normalcy after a traumatic series of events bring her and Wes crashing into each other’s lives and hearts. One thing about this story that was extremely refreshing was the use of modern references. Missed Connection will be one that serves as an amazing time capsule of where we are in 2026, including the after-effects of the pandemic, social media, and methods of problem solving and information gathering. I read so many period pieces that I enjoy, but feeling like I am reading a book by a millennial for a millennial brought me joy.

Tia also explored themes concerning mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder, stalking, and medication. Although we could have an entire novel about both of their upbringings alone, Wes and Sasha felt perfectly imperfect. Their journey was not rushed and not fairy-tale because face it, you can only have so many stories that play out in ways that make you roll your eyes. I love stories where the characters learn more about themselves while teaching one another. Organic beginnings and friendship are pillars that are important in my own relationships, so it was refreshing to read this version of a love story.

It was initially a bit jarring later in the book to jump from perspective to perspective during a couple of instances in which both Wes and Sasha were in a place with other characters, but Tia’s writing style and the character’s established communication styles made it easy to follow. I also wish we would have gotten to sit with the outcome of a major part of the story toward the end. The last few chapters felt a bit rushed. Also, Sasha’s journey in this story feels a bit more complete than Wes, but we get the essence of where they go from the ending of the story and that is enough to hang on and wonder where they go from here.

I recently learned about real life missed connection efforts from a story Colman Domingo told about how he met his partner by a glance at Walgreens and a similar group helped them find each other. The whimsical feeling of a chance meeting changing a life and not letting it go quietly was captured perfectly in this story. Now there are so many love stories for me to root for! Tia truly captures risk and reward in a way that feels real and grounded.

Check out Tia Williams’ latest masterpiece and support a small local bookstore!