If you’re searching for an honest Dolly All the Time review, you’ve come to the right place. I love discovering romantic comedies that combine humor, heart, and memorable characters, and Dolly All the Time absolutely delivers. From laugh-out-loud moments to meaningful family relationships and a romance that feels genuine, this book quickly became one of my favorite summer reads. Here’s why I couldn’t stop listening.

From Amazon:

Dolly Brick has never met a problem she couldn’t solve. Not when her mom left when she was twelve, and not at thirty-nine when she moves with her son back to Whitfield, Rhode Island, for the summer to keep her dad and brother from losing the family home.

So when she comes across Stewart Whitfield—annoyingly handsome scion of the Whitfield family—with a flat tire and at the wrong end of a very public, very humiliating breakup, it’s in her nature to help. But Stewart’s proposed arrangement ends up being more than either of them bargained for, because as public dinners and high-society benefits turn into sunset boat rides and kisses that hit her bloodstream like a ghost pepper, Dolly starts to feel something more than helpful. She’s never relied on anyone besides herself—can she really start now?

My Dolly All the Time Review

When kindergarten teacher, customer service phone rep, and occasional Uber driver Dolly Brick finds out her dad may lose the family home where he cares for her brother who sometimes forgets to wear pants, she packs up her 13-year-old son and heads for Whitfield, Rhode Island, to help out.

Dolly has been the family fixer since her mother abandoned the family after a car accident which left Dolly’s brother, Christopher, with a traumatic brain injury. The family business is a fish store/restaurant in desperate need of repairs. After her mom left, Dolly not only helped with deliveries and the restaurant, but also kept things running at home while caring for her brother.

When she returns, she steps back into her role, while also worrying about repairs needed to the house after a small fire and her son, who was having problems fitting in at school in Boston.

One day, while riding her bicycle to make a delivery at the home of the town’s namesake family, she stumbles upon a car with a flat tire. Stewart Whitfield may be the brains behind his family’s business empire, but he has no clue how to change a tire. After Dolly changes the tire, paparazzi snap a photo that later appears throughout social media, claiming she is Stewart’s new love interest.

Stewart, who was the victim of a humiliating public breakup with his fiancée, approaches Dolly with a business venture: date him for the summer in exchange for enough money to solve all her family’s problems.

What I Loved About Dolly All the Time

I had a hard time turning this book off. Y’all know I love a good audiobook, and this one was so good. Of course, it was read by Julia Whelan, and she’s the queen of audiobooks.

I love the subtle humor in the book. Suddenly, in the middle of things, Dolly’s phone will ring and she has to become the customer service rep for the small sports company she works for. She deals with the interruptions and calls with typical Dolly flair. She is efficient and funny. Then it’s back to the story. In audio form, this comes across very well and adds to Dolly’s charm.

Dolly is so relatable and likable. She is just a working mom doing her best to provide for her child, Gus, with her low-paying job and as many side hustles as she can handle. She lives in Boston but still feels responsible for her dad and disabled brother in Whitfield, Rhode Island. She is kind, funny, caring, and loved by everyone.

Stewart is very handsome, rich, and a workaholic. He is so focused on his family’s business and preventing a takeover by his uncle and brother that he has trouble maintaining relationships.

What I loved most about this book is the character development—not just of the main characters but of the side characters as well. Throughout the book, as the main characters progress and change, so do the side characters.

Dolly’s brother, Christopher, is such a lovable guy and, with Dolly’s encouragement, learns to step out of his comfort zone. Gus, Dolly’s 13-year-old son, starts to make meaningful friendships and begins to believe in himself.

Dolly has a wonderful best friend and confidant in Naomi, the best listener and advice giver. She’s funny, kind, and honest.

But one of my favorite side characters was Stewart’s sister, Busy. You would expect her to be suspicious, protective, and wrapped up in her world of luxury. She was just the opposite. She loved Stewart fiercely and was his confidante and protector. Because of this, she was so kind, loving, and protective of Dolly. She was such a strong character.

I also loved that while this was a fake dating trope, the relationship development did not seem fake. This was very well written and drew me in quickly. I laughed at Dolly’s humor and Stewart’s complete naïveté about how the “real” world operates.

A Few Things That Didn’t Work for Me

I didn’t care for how the last conflict played out. I can’t say too much without giving it away. But if someone truly cares for you, I’m not sure they would have reacted in this way.

Stewart’s family, with the exception of Busy, are exactly what you would imagine them to be. Although even they show growth in the end.

The truth is, I don’t recommend books if there is a lot I don’t like about them, so this part is, again, very short.

Final Thoughts on Dolly All the Time

This book was truly one that was hard to turn off. It’s a great summer read, and I’d stick it in my beach bag every day! I’m probably going to read it again because it makes me smile and laugh out loud. Dolly’s banter is natural and funny, as are all the conversations in the book.

If you love a good rom-com, you will love Dolly All the Time.

If you’re looking for a feel-good romantic comedy, Dolly All the Time deserves a spot on your reading list. This Dolly All the Time review comes with an enthusiastic recommendation for readers who enjoy fake dating romances, witty dialogue, lovable characters, and stories filled with heart. Whether you’re headed to the beach, relaxing by the pool, or curling up on the couch, this is one book that’s difficult to put down.