For those who want a blissful, tropically-set romantic comedy that feels like a warm hug mixed with a whiff of sunscreen, look no further than Books & Drinks. Making its World Premiere at the 2024 Santa Barbara Film Festival, Books & Drinks stars Jackson Rathbone, who you may remember as Jasper from the Twilight series, playing a charismatic bookstore owner who unexpectedly finds himself receiving a windfall of funds leading to an introspective journey toward self-realization, confidence, and joy. Books & Drinks, directed by Geoffrey Cowper, is a fun and lighthearted affair that brings out the best in its cast, and the most of its on-set location.

The next best thing to winning the lottery would be inheriting a mansion in the Caribbean. It’s a dream scenario that knocks thirty-something David (Rathbone) off of his feet when he is given this unexpected news by his mother. In a somewhat hilariously dark manner, David’s mom drops the bombshell that his father, who she always claimed died when David was a baby but, in reality, had just recently passed away, left David a house worth $2 million in the Dominican Republic. David has no plans to uproot his life in Brooklyn and move to the Caribbean but sees that house as a means to revive his flailing Brooklyn-based independent bookstore.

David decides, with support from his fiance Maria (Nashla Bogaert), that he will travel to the DR and sell his father’s house, but upon his arrival, it becomes evident that David’s dad wasn’t just the mansion owner, but also a big deal in this small community. The house staff, who were close to his father, pay their condolences while also trying to seduce David so that he’ll become attached and not sell the house. As it turns out, the only thing that seduces David is the realtor Rachel (Clara Lago), a beautiful, bubbly brunette who very clearly sparks David’s interest.

Over a couple of weeks, David and Rachel grow close, bonding over their drive and passion for life. She encourages him not to give up on his bookstore dreams and helps him come up with clever ways to attract customers. She has the idea–which personally, sounds pretty amazing– to create signature cocktails inspired by authors like a Bloody Mary for Stephen King or an absinthe-based drink for Oscar Wilde. It’s at this moment that David falls for Rachel and her generous, creative spirit. You can make an educated guess about halfway through the film as to where the story is headed, and while a few curveballs are sprinkled in, there is a predictable sweetness that feels reminiscent of comforting old-school rom-coms.

The central message in Books & Drinks is to follow one’s intuition to not give up on your dreams. It’s a fun way to spend 94 minutes. Plus…the mansion is total eye candy, which may or may not have enticed me to look up similar properties on Zillow, just for fun.