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sunshower12's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
I found the main character annoying and narcissistic. She kept repeating over and over in different iterations the following statements:
1. I'm broke
2. I have no purpose in life or a life in general because I don't have a full time job as a journalist and am only able to get freelancing gigs.
3. I need to ace this article I've been contacted to write so I can get hired on full time and finally have a career. (She's ungrateful for the fact that she actually has two part time jobs because they're not in the field she went to school for.)
4. My mom and I are getting kicked out of our apartment because we can't afford the rent hike and OH NO WHAT WILL WE DO??? She HAS to get this full time writing job so that she and her Mom will have a place to live!!! (Doesn't take into consideration that she and her mother both work and have a great support system so they will definitely not end up homeless. Her mom doesn't seem to be worried about it but the main character constantly freaks out over it.)
Halfway through the book I was like OMG WE GET IT ALREADY. Not only that but every single time she has to make a purchase she has a meltdown because of financial anxiety and it just felt like I was reading her say and do the same things every five minutes.
On the topic of her narcissism- she gets upset every time she doesn't get what she wants, when things don't go her way, and when people aren't fawning all over her. She's also very cringe and thinks she is right about everything... case in point, holding her arms out in a bar anticipating hugs because she thinks people she barely knows are going to be upset that she's leaving a town she's been visiting for less than two weeks.... Then is put out when the people just kind of stare at her. Definite main character syndrome. And what's funny is that she is self aware and understands how she's acting but does nothing to try to change or be a better person. I cant stand her, I couldn't care less that she got her happy ending and her love interest annoyed me as well. I wasn't at all impressed by this book. The only saving grace is that the writing itself wasn't terrible.
1. I'm broke
2. I have no purpose in life or a life in general because I don't have a full time job as a journalist and am only able to get freelancing gigs.
3. I need to ace this article I've been contacted to write so I can get hired on full time and finally have a career. (She's ungrateful for the fact that she actually has two part time jobs because they're not in the field she went to school for.)
4. My mom and I are getting kicked out of our apartment because we can't afford the rent hike and OH NO WHAT WILL WE DO??? She HAS to get this full time writing job so that she and her Mom will have a place to live!!! (Doesn't take into consideration that she and her mother both work and have a great support system so they will definitely not end up homeless. Her mom doesn't seem to be worried about it but the main character constantly freaks out over it.)
Halfway through the book I was like OMG WE GET IT ALREADY. Not only that but every single time she has to make a purchase she has a meltdown because of financial anxiety and it just felt like I was reading her say and do the same things every five minutes.
On the topic of her narcissism- she gets upset every time she doesn't get what she wants, when things don't go her way, and when people aren't fawning all over her. She's also very cringe and thinks she is right about everything... case in point, holding her arms out in a bar anticipating hugs because she thinks people she barely knows are going to be upset that she's leaving a town she's been visiting for less than two weeks.... Then is put out when the people just kind of stare at her. Definite main character syndrome. And what's funny is that she is self aware and understands how she's acting but does nothing to try to change or be a better person. I cant stand her, I couldn't care less that she got her happy ending and her love interest annoyed me as well. I wasn't at all impressed by this book. The only saving grace is that the writing itself wasn't terrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcoholism
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer if you’ve read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You’re correct that I don’t really give starred reviews because I don’t like leaving them. Most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all.
Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not, regardless if I add stars or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
This started out promising and was sweet and fluffy enough, but I was so frustrated with how the FMC Adiba treated and talked about her love interest’s familial trauma and current family dynamic. I felt Adina’s advice and commentary on his situation were sheltered (which, fair— I get it because we all grow up differently), privileged, and a bit selfish. I understand wanting your partner to stand up for you but I felt the situation was much more nuanced than she was making it out to be.
I enjoyed the trope of a city girl coming to a small town, and the way that Schorr flipped the trope around by having her fall for yet another New Yorker like herself who was just visiting Pleasant Hollows. That was goofy, and indeed a lot of fun to watch unravel. I loved Adina’s best friend (maybe I’d like her book better) & I thought the love interest Finn was smooth & so brazen with his flirting lol.
The steam is fade to black so sexual content is very tame, just to set your expectations! Anyway, this felt like it was paying homage to Gilmore Girls and all the tv romcoms that are set in small towns, but having it be hilariously opposite of what the movies show.
Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not, regardless if I add stars or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
This started out promising and was sweet and fluffy enough, but I was so frustrated with how the FMC Adiba treated and talked about her love interest’s familial trauma and current family dynamic. I felt Adina’s advice and commentary on his situation were sheltered (which, fair— I get it because we all grow up differently), privileged, and a bit selfish. I understand wanting your partner to stand up for you but I felt the situation was much more nuanced than she was making it out to be.
I enjoyed the trope of a city girl coming to a small town, and the way that Schorr flipped the trope around by having her fall for yet another New Yorker like herself who was just visiting Pleasant Hollows. That was goofy, and indeed a lot of fun to watch unravel. I loved Adina’s best friend (maybe I’d like her book better) & I thought the love interest Finn was smooth & so brazen with his flirting lol.
The steam is fade to black so sexual content is very tame, just to set your expectations! Anyway, this felt like it was paying homage to Gilmore Girls and all the tv romcoms that are set in small towns, but having it be hilariously opposite of what the movies show.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Addiction
Minor: Death of parent, Sexism, and Sexual content
jackiepreston's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I wanted to like this book so much, but Adina felt naive and stupid in a bad way, not an endearing way, and Finn felt like a complete nonentity as a love interest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Sexual content
internationalreads's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
theespressoedition's review
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
Oh my goodness gracious, I feel as though this book was written just for me!
I've always, always been a fan of small-town stories. Romance or not, if a book, movie, or show takes place in a small town, you can almost guarantee that I'll be interested. I've watched Gilmore Girls more times than I can count, and I'm a sucker for a sweet holiday film set in a little village with a close-knit community. There's something so appealing about that lifestyle where everyone knows everyone and there's all sorts of cute and creative events happening each weekend. So, if you enjoy witty banter, sweet romance, and small towns - you're bound to love this book.
Needless to say, I instantly related with Adina. All she wanted was to escape Manhattan and find the emerging "small town story" in Pleasant Hollows. There was a desire to discover camaraderie, unearth the "corporate villain" who was breaking up the town by adding a giant apartment complex, and have a meet-cute with the town hottie. Cue the hilarity when Pleasant Hollows is really... anything but pleasant.
I laughed out loud constantly while reading As Seen on TV. There were so many moments that just had me rolling my eyes at Adi's naivety in relation to small towns - but of course, her dream to make those small town fantasies come to life was equally adorable and understandable. I can imagine that there will be so many people who will read this book and feel like they've been seen.
One of the things that was so much fun was how many small town pop culture references there were. Now, I didn't grow up watching Hallmark films, so the nods to the stories, characters, and actors from those movies went above my head a little bit. But even if you haven't seen a single Hallmark movie in your life, you'll still understand exactly what Adina wants to accomplish.
In addition to that, Adi's career ambitions were so phenomenal and inspiring. She wants to see her mom have a better life and be taken care of for once, rather than the reverse (which is what she's currently experiencing as a 25-year-old who lives with her mom). She's willing to do whatever it takes to crank out a fantastic story, despite not even respecting or liking the person she's working for. Her drive reminded me a lot of myself and I loved seeing how she worked through adversity to make something happen.
There were so many sweet moments filled with great depth throughout As Seen on TV. Between Adi's relationship with her best friend Kate (and their mutual love for small towns), the romance with Finn (and the more challenging topic of seeing him navigate his relationship with an alcoholic father), and the sweet mother-daughter friendship, my heartstrings were constantly being tugged.
This is a must-read, for sure. I truly can't recommend it enough!
I've always, always been a fan of small-town stories. Romance or not, if a book, movie, or show takes place in a small town, you can almost guarantee that I'll be interested. I've watched Gilmore Girls more times than I can count, and I'm a sucker for a sweet holiday film set in a little village with a close-knit community. There's something so appealing about that lifestyle where everyone knows everyone and there's all sorts of cute and creative events happening each weekend. So, if you enjoy witty banter, sweet romance, and small towns - you're bound to love this book.
Needless to say, I instantly related with Adina. All she wanted was to escape Manhattan and find the emerging "small town story" in Pleasant Hollows. There was a desire to discover camaraderie, unearth the "corporate villain" who was breaking up the town by adding a giant apartment complex, and have a meet-cute with the town hottie. Cue the hilarity when Pleasant Hollows is really... anything but pleasant.
I laughed out loud constantly while reading As Seen on TV. There were so many moments that just had me rolling my eyes at Adi's naivety in relation to small towns - but of course, her dream to make those small town fantasies come to life was equally adorable and understandable. I can imagine that there will be so many people who will read this book and feel like they've been seen.
One of the things that was so much fun was how many small town pop culture references there were. Now, I didn't grow up watching Hallmark films, so the nods to the stories, characters, and actors from those movies went above my head a little bit. But even if you haven't seen a single Hallmark movie in your life, you'll still understand exactly what Adina wants to accomplish.
In addition to that, Adi's career ambitions were so phenomenal and inspiring. She wants to see her mom have a better life and be taken care of for once, rather than the reverse (which is what she's currently experiencing as a 25-year-old who lives with her mom). She's willing to do whatever it takes to crank out a fantastic story, despite not even respecting or liking the person she's working for. Her drive reminded me a lot of myself and I loved seeing how she worked through adversity to make something happen.
There were so many sweet moments filled with great depth throughout As Seen on TV. Between Adi's relationship with her best friend Kate (and their mutual love for small towns), the romance with Finn (and the more challenging topic of seeing him navigate his relationship with an alcoholic father), and the sweet mother-daughter friendship, my heartstrings were constantly being tugged.
This is a must-read, for sure. I truly can't recommend it enough!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Cursing
readingwithmeredith's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Cursing
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