Reviews

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake

Only show reviews with written explanations

escheveria's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

bzliz's review

Go to review page

emotional 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

3.75

After reading Astrid’s book, I had no intention of continuing the series. Iris was by far my least favorite of the friend trio and I didn’t think I’d be able to stand her brash personality. However, I’m glad I read this. I had a good time and I gained a new appreciation for Iris hiding behind bravado and innuendos. Iris and Stevie work through a lot of personal issues to come out on the other side.

The reason I didn’t rate this higher is because I don’t think the way their loved ones treat them was resolved. Iris really needed to have a sit down with her family and explain to them that being single doesn’t make her less of a person and the way they treated her made her feel. Stevie had some resolution but the way Adri acted was completely out of line. It seems like it was pretty toxic and Adri was very controlling, which she’s continuing with Vanessa. I needed a good confrontation scene so Adri can start to turn her life around.

Content Warnings

leanneilles35's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny 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

4.5

whitesidebrandt's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful 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

4.75

bluebirdsongs's review

Go to review page

lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I'm shocked that no one once suggested Iris try therapy. It's a pet peeve of mine when lead characters in romance books could clearly benefit more from finding a new relationship with a therapist than a new love interest. 😅 Iris clearly needed to invest some time working on her sense of self-worth, and unfortunately she treated Stevie pretty poorly because of her own issues. I struggled to root for them as a couple, and the story fell flat as a result.

Also it didn't feel very believable that Iris could choose to write a romance novel on a whim and land a book deal, or choose to try out acting on a whim and land a leading role.

Also also what happened to the 'save the community theater' plot line? Oh right, that wasn't a plotline, just part of the very flimsy premise to have Iris and Stevie act opposite each other in Much Ado.

Also also also why were there something like 50 side characters elbowing for space on page?

I really enjoyed Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail but Iris Kelly Doesn't Date was all over the place.