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bekkabergamot's review
medium-paced
3.0
I want to thank @readforeverpub for sending me an ARC of <i>As Seen on TV</i>. As a Jewish reader, it means so much for publishers to seek out readers from the communities represented in books! I love the book cover 😍🤩 and the clever title.
The book had its highs and lows for me. Firstly, I thought the Jewish representation was great in the book, as was the concept of found family. I found the MC, Adina Gellar to me a likable heroine. I appreciated her gumption in pursuing a career in journalism while she balances her side hustles. While she has some growing up to do, I found her to be in the position that many of my peers were in: having a parental safety net. In fact, the awesome relationship she has with her mom had me a bit jealous, but that's neither here nor there.
The Gilmore Girls concept ends there, as Adi finds that the small town she plans on writing about is no Stars Hollow. I did like that twist. I really liked how the more that Adi discovered the town didn't meet her expectations she was able to realize what she had been overlooking in NYC.
I also enjoyed were Adi's meet cutes with Finn Adams. What could have been a fairly successful cozy romance with a dash of heat became muddied with an unnecessarily complicated conflict. The conflict really changed the entire tone of the book for me and while the ending got it mostly back on track it left me wondering how I would rate it.
While this book had its ups and downs for me, I so appreciated the chance to read it. Read it if you like: NYC, small towns, real life, found family, love stories.
The book had its highs and lows for me. Firstly, I thought the Jewish representation was great in the book, as was the concept of found family. I found the MC, Adina Gellar to me a likable heroine. I appreciated her gumption in pursuing a career in journalism while she balances her side hustles. While she has some growing up to do, I found her to be in the position that many of my peers were in: having a parental safety net. In fact, the awesome relationship she has with her mom had me a bit jealous, but that's neither here nor there.
The Gilmore Girls concept ends there, as Adi finds that the small town she plans on writing about is no Stars Hollow. I did like that twist. I really liked how the more that Adi discovered the town didn't meet her expectations she was able to realize what she had been overlooking in NYC.
I also enjoyed were Adi's meet cutes with Finn Adams. What could have been a fairly successful cozy romance with a dash of heat became muddied with an unnecessarily complicated conflict. The conflict really changed the entire tone of the book for me and while the ending got it mostly back on track it left me wondering how I would rate it.
While this book had its ups and downs for me, I so appreciated the chance to read it. Read it if you like: NYC, small towns, real life, found family, love stories.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
laurasalwaysreading's review
lighthearted
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
Minor: Death of parent
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
thewordsdevourer's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
*thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
a lighthearted romance whose last few chapters rly elevate it. i wouldnt say that as seen on tv is funny to the point of reaching the com in romcom, but it def has its cute moments.
tbh im not entirely endeared to the characters. for some i find their characterization to be a lil awkward, and our heroine adina is too vapid for me--there's a difference between being quirky and being (stupidly) naive. i feel like 25 is a suitable age for ppl not to assume that everything they see on tv reflects reality..but that's apparently not the case here, as it forms the very premise of this book.
the first 60% is also a lil too droll for me, as we see adina going thru the same thought processes over and over and over, whether it be in terms of her writing assignment, realizations abt the town, or feelings for finn. the story could be tightened up a lil more as well; currently some parts are unnecessary and could def be cut out for better pacing.
despite it all, i do like this book. adina's journey towards her final pleasant hollow article is satisfying; i rly like the consent casually portrayed; finn isnt an asshole (is that a low bar?); and the romance is quite cute in the last couple chapters. recommending this for anyone looking for a quick romance read.
a lighthearted romance whose last few chapters rly elevate it. i wouldnt say that as seen on tv is funny to the point of reaching the com in romcom, but it def has its cute moments.
tbh im not entirely endeared to the characters. for some i find their characterization to be a lil awkward, and our heroine adina is too vapid for me--there's a difference between being quirky and being (stupidly) naive. i feel like 25 is a suitable age for ppl not to assume that everything they see on tv reflects reality..but that's apparently not the case here, as it forms the very premise of this book.
the first 60% is also a lil too droll for me, as we see adina going thru the same thought processes over and over and over, whether it be in terms of her writing assignment, realizations abt the town, or feelings for finn. the story could be tightened up a lil more as well; currently some parts are unnecessary and could def be cut out for better pacing.
despite it all, i do like this book. adina's journey towards her final pleasant hollow article is satisfying; i rly like the consent casually portrayed; finn isnt an asshole (is that a low bar?); and the romance is quite cute in the last couple chapters. recommending this for anyone looking for a quick romance read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Death of parent
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