AJ lives in a small Massachusetts town, writing fan fiction based off an improv comedy show that starred a reclusive actress who lives in her town where she's working at a video rental store. She dreams of leaving Massachusetts to be a writer. One day her peaceful work life is shattered when Noah Drew of the HOLLYWOOD DREWS walks in and starts working next to her. They have an immediate bond, but one day Noah disappears. When they meet up again as adults, what is going to happen with these two?
Interesting characters: AJ is interesting. Noah is a dick who won't communicate. I cannot with Noah. Also, I cannot with "woe is me, being famous is so hard."
But you know what's really not interesting to me? The whole idea that you will just immediately feel a connection. The whole instalove thing? The whole fated to be together thing? It's not interesting. Good relationships are built on way more than how good someone smells. (Although, to be scrupulously honest with you, my husband smells sooooo good. But it was not instalove for us.) I just don't want people out there who haven't fallen in love to think that if it doesn't happen the second you make eye contact, there's no chance. There is a chance! GIVE IT A CHANCE.
Believable conflict: Yes, there would be conflict if one of the people in the relationship keeps running away whenever tough conversations have to happen. Sometimes you have to get through tough shit to get to the good shit, but HOW WOULD HE EVER KNOW THAT?
Emotional tension: Sure, sure. There's a lot (too much?) of will they or won't they in this book.
Happily ever after: Hm. That's an interesting question and I think it would definitely depend on your definition of happy. I'll say that I would probably categorize this under literary fiction rather than romance if I had to shelve it at the non-existent NGS bookstore.
****************
There were a number of tropes here I didn't love, but I did read it all, so that's something, right? 3.5/5 stars
****************
(Note about page numbers. I accidentally ordered the large print edition of this book from the library. I used to feel terrible when I did that because I was taking it away from someone who really needs it, but let me tell you - the large print is AMAZING. I am officially old. Anyway, I'm going to give chapter numbers instead of page numbers.)
Line of note:
Most people did not have hidden depths; they had hidden shallows. (Todd's Coverage, Episode 5)
This is so cynical, but I laughed anyway.
Hat mention (why hats?):
...producing a crochet needle and a hat he was making for baby Claire. (New York, New York January 9, 2012)
****************
Do you feel guilty if you accidentally order the large print? What does happily ever after mean to you in a romance novel?
This is such a buzzy book and I will probably read it at some point! I agree with you about insta connection. I mean, sure. It can happen. But as I head into my 28th year with my husband, I think it's just so much more than how sexy you think someone is, smell, etc.
ReplyDeleteIs it buzzy? I wonder why. Interesting. The book world is so interesting.
DeleteNope. I don't believe in love at first sight. I mean you can find someone attractive, but that's not love, and it irritates me when movies and books promote that way of thinking. This book sounds annoying.
ReplyDeleteNo, I wouldn't feel guilty for ordering the large print! As a matter of fact maybe I should try it sometime, ha.
The large print was amazing. I mean, it does mean the book is larger and heavier, so that might be a downside for some people, but being able to just read it without any eyesight correction was amazing!
DeleteI started to really appreciate large print a few years ago, so I don't need to wear readers to see the text. I don't feel guilty about getting the large print from the library, as very often there will be a lot more holds on the regular print version anyway, so why wouldn't I get in the shorter line? Book size is a good point, though; I remember when I worked in a bookstore and a new Tom Clancy book would come out, where the regular version was big and the large print was huge.
ReplyDeleteSome people have hidden shallows!!!! Hahaha, I love that.
ReplyDeleteI rarely check out physical books from the library, so I have never had the experience of ordering a large print edition... but oh boy I can see how it would be a TREAT not to squint at the pages!
I think the very first audiobook I ever listened to is an instalove, and I really liked it. (One Day in December, by Josie Silver) Generally though, I am not a fan of that trope, it’s stupid. Instant attraction is one thing, but as you said, love takes work and really getting to know a person, warts and all.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it might be good, but if the guy is that much of an ass I probably won’t bother.
I accidentally ordered a book on Amazon that was large print, and it was kind of awesome.
My great grandmother read large print Westerns back in the day and now I read my kindle with a quite large font. Apples, trees. Love at first site is not a thing but attraction at first smell helps!
ReplyDeleteI’m reading this next after I finish ‘Good People’ which Julie just reviewed. I have heard good things about this book but have to suspend a lot of disbelief to get behind instant connections.
ReplyDelete