Jackson, K.M. How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days. Forever, 2021. ISBN 978-1538703502 336 pp. $15.99

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What a fun romp of a book! While I am not personally a Keanu Reeves mega-fan of his acting work, Speed was awesome, he is very pretty to look at, and lives his life in a very cool, down-low, non-celebrity kind of way, so I definitely related to Bethany Lu’s crush. Okay, obsession; she is certain Keanu is The One for her and is devastated to find out he’s engaged to be married in 90 days! With the help of her best friend, can she stop the wedding, meet her soulmate, and convince him to marry her instead? And still complete the required pieces for her upcoming art show and not sell out to The Man who comes offering a too good to be true deal?

Bethany comes with some baggage that may be the reason behind her focus on the unattainable and avoidance of a real relationship: she lost her brother tragically, and Cole’s best friend–economics professor True –has become one of her best friends too BUT she refuses to acknowledge their simmering attraction. And True (aptly named!) nobly accompanies Lu to a variety of locations to try to track down the celebrity crush of the woman he’s in love with.

Told in alternating points of view, the fast paced story takes us from New York to New Mexico, Las Vegas and California, amusement parks, bungee jumping, and with close brushes with celebrities. The Black protagonist doesn’t shy away from racial issues and brings her voices concerns about Black artists and their work being undervalued by those who don’t understand the ancestral legacy. She also stands up to someone who makes a pass at her really well.

Clever chapter headings (Break Point, Much Ado, Rush Rush, A Walk in the Clouds) become an homage to Keanu’s body of work, and alongside plot points like a hard and fast deadline, surfing, and a vineyard, all serve as Easter egg for Keanu fans. And the banter-y language, pop-culture droppings, and gently poking at the NYC restaurant scene are highlights of the writing.

I received an advance reader’s review copy of #HowToMarryKeanuReevesIn90Days from #NetGalley.