My Wingman
Tessa King
Independently Published (2025)
ISBN: 979-8998716805
Reviewed by Ada Jenkins for Reader Views (07/2025)
Clover is devastated to unexpectedly lose her platonic soulmate and best friend, Elliot. With the death of her mother at birth, combined with the steady decline of her grandmother’s health due to the onset of dementia, she is no stranger to grief and heartache. Forced to re-evaluate her life and at a crossroads, Clover takes a trip to the charming town of Franklin, Tennessee. However, encountering old ghosts is never easy, and she must learn to live and laugh again in order to move forward.
With characters who tug at your heartstrings and strong emotional resonance, My Wingman by Tessa King is an enchanting, inspirational novel. There is an otherworldly, almost ethereal quality to the writing, with Clover oftentimes spotting signs of angels in her surroundings—such as the stained-glass windows in the church she enters in Franklin, and the monument of a young angel she encounters as a child. This recurring motif acts as a symbol of hope and spiritual guidance, stemming from forces beyond human understanding or control.
Despite passing away in the early stages of the book, Elliot’s influence and continuing presence are at the heart of this poignant story. In life, he acted as Clover’s wingman and best friend; now that he’s gone, she has to adapt and start afresh. The non-linear narrative structure oscillates back and forth between past and present, offering the reader key insights into Clover’s relationship with Elliot before he died. This creates suspense, which keeps the reader hooked throughout the story.
King has a talent for creating three-dimensional, relatable characters. Clover’s grief is palpable, yet her determination to forge her own path amid adversity is admirable. Her complex relationship with Elliot is explored in heartrending detail, and the narrative is infused with a sense of loss and longing. Clover’s interactions with Elliot’s flirtatious playboy brother, Everett, are equally engaging. Unlike Elliot, Everett is hard to read; his feelings toward Clover are a constant source of intrigue. Other characters—such as free-spirited roommate and close friend, Reese, and upbeat café owner, Sadie, along with her cute daughter, Poppy—broaden the narrative, offering Clover opportunities for friendship, healing, and a fresh start.
With its detailed emotional reflection and focus on self-transformation, My Wingman will undoubtedly appeal to fans of women’s fiction. A close first-person point of view provides compelling and intimate insights into the central protagonist’s thoughts and feelings. This allows us to identify with Clover, rooting for her all the way.
Heartfelt and moving, My Wingman will stay with you long after the final page. Written with a magical, gossamer touch, this is a story not to be missed by those who believe in the power of fate and promise of love. Poignant and tender, yet also cozy and uplifting, Tessa King’s romance novel will transport you to a new celestial realm.