This reads like it was originally written as a romance, but then the writer changed her mind at the last minute and made it a finding-yourself story iThis reads like it was originally written as a romance, but then the writer changed her mind at the last minute and made it a finding-yourself story instead. It makes for an incredibly unsatisfying read.
Romantically because the bulk of the story was spent alternately on Avery's career and on her romantic relationships, giving the impression that the romantic relationships are actually important. Narratively in general because the sudden switch (view spoiler)[to realising the phone booth was trying to send her to her former best friend rather than her ex-boyfriend (hide spoiler)] results in emotional whiplash. A character that was basically not touched on other than the occasional side reference becoming central to the narrative in the last act is god fucking awful writing. It cheapens everything that happened in the previous 3/4 of the book and everything that waps up in the final 1/4.
I get what the writer was going for, but this was not a good way of doing it. No one likes a narrative bait and switch, especially outside mystery, thriller, and horror. Plot twists, when done well, should be readily apparent when thinking back over a story, not come entirely out of nowhere....more
I can't recommend this, but it wasn't quite bad enough to warrant a single star. Barely.
Basically, it's predictable, but not in a nice, comforting sorI can't recommend this, but it wasn't quite bad enough to warrant a single star. Barely.
Basically, it's predictable, but not in a nice, comforting sort of way; the characters are alternately terminally stupid and completely insufferable (except the honourary parents, they're pretty decent); pacing is slow, and writing is generally unengaging. It's in that not-bad-but-not-good-either category where there's nothing to really get excited about, but also not much to actively criticise. It's just generally bleh....more
I normally expect very little from Amazon FirstReads books because their offerings usually run to the "how was this ever published" side of things, buI normally expect very little from Amazon FirstReads books because their offerings usually run to the "how was this ever published" side of things, but this was actually a lot of fun.
Loved both Maxine and Teddy. Maxine is an ADHD disaster after my own heart. I did not know I had a dominant professor kink, but thanks to Teddy, I now do. Their relationship is fun, engaging, and develops in a way that is both natural and completely hilarious.
The side characters are equally great, from comic book villain Hercules to the bar room trivia pals and fellow quiz show contestants. The Hercules sub-plot was on the obvious side, but since this isn't a mystery it's not all that big of a deal.
Pacing was good, ending was fun, sex scenes were about 75% worth reading. The staircase scene borders on dub-con in a way I don't think was really intended. Overall, a fun read that's just missing that little extra bit of something to put it into 5-star territory....more
This was a cute read. It's trying a bit too hard with the attempts at inclusivity and diversity and the dialogue is often cringetastic (take it from aThis was a cute read. It's trying a bit too hard with the attempts at inclusivity and diversity and the dialogue is often cringetastic (take it from a nearly 40-year-old who went back to school and ended up surrounded by 18-year-olds: not one of them talks like that), but for a fluffy read it's perfectly fine. A bi demi gamer love interest is a nice change of pace, even if the discussion of orientation did get rather heavy-handed. Pacing is reasonable enough, characters are likeable (and relatable to introverts everywhere), the central misunderstanding is fun to read. Not an amazing book, but not a bad one either. I'll probably pick up another by Yardley at some point....more
Loading...
