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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*** I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion ***
Not Quite By the Book is a really charming read but to be honest, it was a little slow for me. This book follows Emma Rini who runs her family’s bookstore but is feeling overworked and overwhelmed so to takes herself on vacation down the road to a quaint town to get in touch with her more creative, chill side and tries to sort of reinvent herself.
It’s a lot of emotional back and forth and while the writing and storyline are solid, I found it slightly “plodding” along at times while Emma tries to weigh the pros and cons of her existence. Maybe this hit too close to home, hahaha!
There is a touch of romance from the local heartthrob, Davis, who is everything he should be!
This is for sure one of those cozy little reads that I will be recommending to all of my book-loving friends!
Not Quite By the Book is a really charming read but to be honest, it was a little slow for me. This book follows Emma Rini who runs her family’s bookstore but is feeling overworked and overwhelmed so to takes herself on vacation down the road to a quaint town to get in touch with her more creative, chill side and tries to sort of reinvent herself.
It’s a lot of emotional back and forth and while the writing and storyline are solid, I found it slightly “plodding” along at times while Emma tries to weigh the pros and cons of her existence. Maybe this hit too close to home, hahaha!
There is a touch of romance from the local heartthrob, Davis, who is everything he should be!
This is for sure one of those cozy little reads that I will be recommending to all of my book-loving friends!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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:
Complicated
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was moderately enjoyable. Has a you’ve got mail storyline, and while I love the movie it’s a problematic fav and if done IRL (or not as well written) it’s actually pretty creepy. Additionally the FMC is often dumb (although ditto her family) and being a “spinster” by 30 feels ridiculous (or much more rural coded). There were multiple individual scenes that were entertaining they were the main thing that kept me reading.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Painfully predictable cozy that either rips off or pays homage to You've Got Mail. MMC is wooden and FMC is likeable but trite. The Emily Dickenson sub-plot was clever and the Amhurst setting is ripe for a sequel with Cecily and Clayton.
slow-paced
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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