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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a long one...I have thoughts...
It comes with a touch of surprise that "The Charlie Method," while showcasing glimpses of Elle Kennedy's familiar charm, didn't entirely resonate with me, a longtime admirer of her work. I'm still trying to pinpoint the exact reasons for this disconnect, and while I recognize the coming-of-age elements, they simply didn't click for me personally.
The story centers around Charlotte "Charlie" Kingston, a seemingly typical college senior navigating sorority life and biomedical engineering. Beneath the surface, however, lies a bolder alter ego, "Charlie," who engages with two intriguing men, Will and Beckett, on a dating app. Will, a laid-back politician's son burdened by secrets, and Beckett, a seemingly carefree Aussie with hidden depths, find themselves drawn to the same captivating woman. As their online connections transition to reality, the undeniable chemistry between the trio is palpable. Yet, their individual truths add layers of complexity to their evolving bond, transforming their initial physical attraction into something deeper and more meaningful.
One of the undeniable strengths of this novel lies in the character of Charlie herself. She's a confident and unapologetically authentic individual who knows her own mind. Kennedy skillfully layers her personality with the intricacies of her identity as a Korean-American adoptee navigating her roots. This poignant journey of self-discovery added a significant depth that I truly appreciated.
Furthermore, Charlie's relatable struggle with people-pleasing – her tendency to adapt to others' expectations and her eventual realization of its unsustainability – formed a powerful and resonant arc. I believe many readers will find a connection to Charlie's journey towards embracing her true self.
Beckett, with his initial golden retriever energy, presents as the fun-loving, perpetually joking Aussie. However, as the narrative progresses, the weight of past heartbreak he carries is revealed, adding a significant layer of vulnerability and making him all the more endearing. His struggle to open up emotionally only intensifies the reader's desire for his happiness. Beneath the seemingly carefree exterior lies a character grappling with genuine pain and trauma.
Will, in contrast, is quiet and reserved, projecting a calm and controlled demeanor that masks a complex inner world, particularly concerning his demanding politician father. I appreciated Will's role as the emotional anchor within the group, providing stability. While his reserved nature is evident, his moments of quiet strength and decisiveness truly shine, acting as a crucial element in the trio's dynamic.
A significant theme that resonated was identity. Each main character grapples with their sense of self. Charlie's search for her biological parents forms a central emotional journey, while Beckett's struggle to confront his past and Will's complicated relationship with his father further enrich this exploration. Kennedy effectively illustrates how our past and familial relationships shape us and the often-challenging process of discovering our authentic selves.
The romance is undeniably steamy, fueled by a palpable chemistry between Charlie, Will, and Beckett. However, what elevated the romance for me was its emotional evolution. The trio doesn't simply succumb to physical attraction; they navigate their individual personal growth and vulnerabilities before fully coming together. The intimacy that develops transcends mere lust, evolving into a space of vulnerability and mutual trust. While the spice is present, it's the emotional journeys of all three characters that lend the romance its authenticity and depth.
However, a significant point of contention for me was the "Virgin and the Blade" book within the book. I personally found this element jarring and felt it didn't contribute meaningfully enough to the overall narrative. While the book is substantial in length, the conclusion also felt surprisingly rushed. After the significant build-up and emotional investment, I longed for a more satisfying and developed resolution. The ending, unfortunately, felt somewhat abrupt. I will say, however, that the narrators did a commendable job of keeping me somewhat engaged throughout.
Overall, while "The Charlie Method" didn't perfectly align with my personal preferences within Elle Kennedy's impressive bibliography, I still found pockets of enjoyment. The book balances moments of spice and humor with genuine emotional depth, and the narrators' performances were a definite plus. While "The Graham Effect" remains my personal favorite in the series, this was a solid and entertaining addition, even if it didn't fully hit the mark for me. Elle Kennedy's talent for delivering fun and binge-worthy reads is undeniable, and despite my reservations, I still appreciated the journey.
It comes with a touch of surprise that "The Charlie Method," while showcasing glimpses of Elle Kennedy's familiar charm, didn't entirely resonate with me, a longtime admirer of her work. I'm still trying to pinpoint the exact reasons for this disconnect, and while I recognize the coming-of-age elements, they simply didn't click for me personally.
The story centers around Charlotte "Charlie" Kingston, a seemingly typical college senior navigating sorority life and biomedical engineering. Beneath the surface, however, lies a bolder alter ego, "Charlie," who engages with two intriguing men, Will and Beckett, on a dating app. Will, a laid-back politician's son burdened by secrets, and Beckett, a seemingly carefree Aussie with hidden depths, find themselves drawn to the same captivating woman. As their online connections transition to reality, the undeniable chemistry between the trio is palpable. Yet, their individual truths add layers of complexity to their evolving bond, transforming their initial physical attraction into something deeper and more meaningful.
One of the undeniable strengths of this novel lies in the character of Charlie herself. She's a confident and unapologetically authentic individual who knows her own mind. Kennedy skillfully layers her personality with the intricacies of her identity as a Korean-American adoptee navigating her roots. This poignant journey of self-discovery added a significant depth that I truly appreciated.
Furthermore, Charlie's relatable struggle with people-pleasing – her tendency to adapt to others' expectations and her eventual realization of its unsustainability – formed a powerful and resonant arc. I believe many readers will find a connection to Charlie's journey towards embracing her true self.
Beckett, with his initial golden retriever energy, presents as the fun-loving, perpetually joking Aussie. However, as the narrative progresses, the weight of past heartbreak he carries is revealed, adding a significant layer of vulnerability and making him all the more endearing. His struggle to open up emotionally only intensifies the reader's desire for his happiness. Beneath the seemingly carefree exterior lies a character grappling with genuine pain and trauma.
Will, in contrast, is quiet and reserved, projecting a calm and controlled demeanor that masks a complex inner world, particularly concerning his demanding politician father. I appreciated Will's role as the emotional anchor within the group, providing stability. While his reserved nature is evident, his moments of quiet strength and decisiveness truly shine, acting as a crucial element in the trio's dynamic.
A significant theme that resonated was identity. Each main character grapples with their sense of self. Charlie's search for her biological parents forms a central emotional journey, while Beckett's struggle to confront his past and Will's complicated relationship with his father further enrich this exploration. Kennedy effectively illustrates how our past and familial relationships shape us and the often-challenging process of discovering our authentic selves.
The romance is undeniably steamy, fueled by a palpable chemistry between Charlie, Will, and Beckett. However, what elevated the romance for me was its emotional evolution. The trio doesn't simply succumb to physical attraction; they navigate their individual personal growth and vulnerabilities before fully coming together. The intimacy that develops transcends mere lust, evolving into a space of vulnerability and mutual trust. While the spice is present, it's the emotional journeys of all three characters that lend the romance its authenticity and depth.
However, a significant point of contention for me was the "Virgin and the Blade" book within the book. I personally found this element jarring and felt it didn't contribute meaningfully enough to the overall narrative. While the book is substantial in length, the conclusion also felt surprisingly rushed. After the significant build-up and emotional investment, I longed for a more satisfying and developed resolution. The ending, unfortunately, felt somewhat abrupt. I will say, however, that the narrators did a commendable job of keeping me somewhat engaged throughout.
Overall, while "The Charlie Method" didn't perfectly align with my personal preferences within Elle Kennedy's impressive bibliography, I still found pockets of enjoyment. The book balances moments of spice and humor with genuine emotional depth, and the narrators' performances were a definite plus. While "The Graham Effect" remains my personal favorite in the series, this was a solid and entertaining addition, even if it didn't fully hit the mark for me. Elle Kennedy's talent for delivering fun and binge-worthy reads is undeniable, and despite my reservations, I still appreciated the journey.
I loved B&Lars ♡ it was so much more spicy than the others, and it makes sense since the guys had this particular need that brought them all together. I enjoyed very much. Can't wait for Blake and whomever will be her match (Caseeeeeeey! I can bet!)
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ok fine u got me this one was fun and idk why I'm so invested in this series lmao
But having a why choose in college is crazy work 💀 beck and charlie forever
Also, she's got a point with her charlie method 👀 my overthinkin' ass might just start doing it
But having a why choose in college is crazy work 💀 beck and charlie forever
Also, she's got a point with her charlie method 👀 my overthinkin' ass might just start doing it
This was a sweet conclusion to the series. As always with Elle this could have been a standalone but to get the full effect you’ll want to read the other two first.
Charlie is a brand new character to the series so it was fun to get to know her without any influence from the other books. Both the boys we’ve known before but we get a much closer look at them and their motivations.
There are laugh out loud moments and some very very sweet ones. Navigating a poly relationship is still relatively taboo and this felt like a honest mature take. All three characters had to be brave at different points and they dealt with that like the flawed humans they are.
There are three narrators in audio and it’s a duet so the conversations feel real, especially for the spicy parts.
The spice is SIZZLING. The trio dynamic really brings things up a notch and having three narrators makes it quite different. Lots of detail and a ton of variety. Plus there is a lot of love between the three of them.
Charlie is a brand new character to the series so it was fun to get to know her without any influence from the other books. Both the boys we’ve known before but we get a much closer look at them and their motivations.
There are laugh out loud moments and some very very sweet ones. Navigating a poly relationship is still relatively taboo and this felt like a honest mature take. All three characters had to be brave at different points and they dealt with that like the flawed humans they are.
There are three narrators in audio and it’s a duet so the conversations feel real, especially for the spicy parts.
The spice is SIZZLING. The trio dynamic really brings things up a notch and having three narrators makes it quite different. Lots of detail and a ton of variety. Plus there is a lot of love between the three of them.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes