Whoa

Whoa. Alexandra Warren. 2020. 101 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.]

Whoa is a spin-off that I wasn’t sure would be coming, but was ready to read as soon as it did. DJ Whoa and Mali were introduced in Oops as a friend and sibling, respectively, of Maverick. It was clear there was a little bit going on with the two, and Whoa picks up with them front and center.

Mali has her mind on her business and everything else comes in second. She’s at the helm of a popular and growing online boutique, but takes a chance on a blind date when set up by her intern. To the shock of her and her date Walter — pka DJ Whoa — they already know of each other, through her twin Maverick. Their chemistry is off the charts, and the extended first date is only the first example.

With Whoa, Warren takes a pointed look at how career ambitions help or hinder relationship building. For Mali and Walt, they initially connect on how hard they go to create notable careers. Unfortunately, the biggest wrench for Mali and Walter is exactly that. With Mali also being a few years younger than Walt, there’s plenty of room for conflict in their budding relationship when he’s navigated his career grind a bit longer than she has. Warren uses this to have an honest conversation about expectations and life milestones and what has to be sacrificed along the way.

With this being a sequel, you’re treated to appearances from Camryn and Maverick. But for me, the show-stealer really was Mali’s assistant/intern Jamie. She’s the reason Mali goes on the date, and she’s there to playfully instigate along the way. Jamie is as much a voice of reason as she is hypeman, so I enjoyed every scene where she made an appearance.

Whoa is a great follow-up to Oops. This book happens concurrently with Oops, so while you don’t have to read it before this, there are a lot of spoilers.