Reviews

Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman

momgoose626's review

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

abbbyyya's review

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4.0

This book was a sweet story of finding yourself, accepting yourself, telling your parents to shove it, trying new things, meeting new people, etc. I think this is a great read for anyone trying to figure out their next move!

rochelle_e's review

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lighthearted relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

libwinnie's review

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2.0

Not as good as her other books, in my opinion.

ndbeyer's review

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4.0

A nice light-hearted romance. Loved the characters and their support of one another.

crillbobaggins's review

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

hayleybeale's review

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4.0

Back in the world of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, Abbi Waxman’s latest novel is packed with outrageously charming and witty characters who form their own community and help each other.

Laura Costello has moved to LA to take a graduate degree in Physical Therapy but also to get away from her family, her ex-fiancé, and the trauma of a car accident that nearly crippled her. After a fire at her apartment complex she finds herself taken under the wing of Polly, assistant at Nina Hill’s bookstore, and moving into a house in Hancock Park with 5 other people. One of these is Impossibly Handsome Bob, but Laura knows she is not yet ready for a romantic relationship but just wants to be friends.

This is such an easy read, full of characters that I want to be friends with and a setting that is 11 on the rosy-tint-ometer. Of course, the characters all have issues, some quite significant, but really there’s nothing that can’t be solved by talking with each other, seeing a therapist, and owning up to your feelings. This sounds a little glib and maybe the novel is too, but I don’t think the author intended it to be a serious treatise on mental health, merely a recognition that even the most apparently high functioning people can be covering up all sorts of insecurities.

But of course that’s not why I read this book, though it was an interesting detour. No, I was here for the funny, which there is plenty of, the smart and smartly dressed characters, and the idea that possibly somewhere life could be like this. The romance is more upfront and satisfying than in The Bookish Life and it is tucked into a world that is delightfully sweet but never saccharine.

Thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

beansbookclub's review

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4.0

I really want to give this like….3.75 stars. If you’re in the market for a heartwarming read, with sassy and satirical humor a la Jane Austen, and characters that nestle themselves in your heart even if they are super different from the characters you normally meet, I highly recommend this story—but start with The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, which is a Waxman book I give 4 stars. I enjoyed this one, but just a little less than Nina Hill—hence the 3.75. It left me smiling and blushing and that is what’s important. ❤️

danireys's review

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funny 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? Yes

5.0

ers407's review

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4.0

This was a solid 4 star read. I loved the writing style and jumping between characters. Each character was so vivid to me and leapt off the page. The problem I had, which was the same with Nina Hill, was how it slowed down so much towards the end. I did find Laura to be a much more enjoyable MC than Nina, who I actually grew to like in this. I look forward to the next from Waxman!