The Designated Friend: Your Next Designated Read

Hadley Dawson had it all planned out—from romantic, one-roomed cabins to single hotel rooms, she had the perfect couple getaway in the books. But when she catches her boyfriend cheating, her swoony road trip is hopelessly foiled.

…unless she can find someone to go with her.

Braxton Rawls has been in love with Hadley since childhood. When Hadley asks him to go on the trip with her, he agrees, setting forth on a mission to finally make her his girlfriend.

After reading Drew Taylor’s The Politics of Christmas, I knew I was going to fall in love with her second book, The Designated Friend. And by golly was I right! This book is definitely one of my favorite reads of 2022. With lovable characters, comical lines, and such a precious plot, The Designated Friend is easily a 10/10, highly recommend read.

I absolutely loved Hadley and Braxton’s chemistry. They complimented each other so perfectly, and they were both super respectful of each other’s beliefs and pasts. But, at the same time, they also could bounce jokes off of each other while also doing some serious flirting.

The plot is so incredible, and Drew did a phenomenal job at incorporating heavier topics while also weaving in light-hearted aspects. Hadley comes from a troubled past—an addict of a mother, an absent father, a history of alcohol, and even a brief mention of sexual abuse. These are things she carries with her very closely, things that often haunt her present though they remain in her past. Throughout the book, she begins to embrace hope, and Braxton is a lovely aid in doing so.

On the other hand, Braxton also bears some heavy grief. After losing his mother, he does face the sting of death. But he finds his hope in God and chooses to seek Him through all of it.

Together, Hadley and Braxton find out the true meaning of love, hand in hand and side by side.

My favorite thing about The Designated Friend, however, was the underlying story of redemption. I definitely wouldn’t consider The Designated Friend a Christian fiction book by any means, but Hadley does wrestle a bit with her value and identity, and Braxton is a pretty solid Christian. Ultimately, Hadley does become curious about God, and it is implied that she begins to pursue Him.

Their love story is by far one of the sweetest I have read! Drew did such a beautiful job at keeping things clean, too! Her stories are all so sweet and swoon-worthy and always appropriate. It’s hard to find writers nowadays that have such great values, and I’m so grateful to have found such a talented writer that keeps love clean.

The Designated Friend releases on OCTOBER 1ST, 2022!

It’s not too late to preorder your copy now!