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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Woah. This one was a fascinating one for me, as it hit very close to home on a number of points (I’m in my late 30’s for one!).
At first I was lulled into a false sense of security, as we meet Tori and her apparently-perfect-but-not-totally life, as this seemed very much like Bridget Jones via social media instead of a Diary. There is a similar wry humour and deft touch with the reality of life as a woman: friendships, inner thoughts, public masks and so on.
What changed everything was my slow creeping awareness of the desperation beneath Tori’s smile. As she tweets and likes, sips wine and mouths platitudes, as a reader I became increasingly on edge. Holly Bourne manages to make Tori completely plausible in her denial while simultaneously letting you in on the truth and it is painfully real and intimate.
I became completely engrossed and invested in Tori’s life and choices and repeatedly begged her (out loud!) to just cry, ffs cry, it’s ok to cry when you’re sad, you’ll feel better! This as she constantly blinks back the tears, bites back her hurt and pastes on that Insta-grin.
Don’t get me wrong. This is definitely not a doom ‘n’ gloom book, and there were plenty of giggles and guffaws along the way, but this just not a frivolous look at levelling-up a bit. This is deeper and contains some hard truths for the reader as well as Tori: about changing relationships, facing our realities, and the gap between ourselves and even the closest of loved ones.
The easy recommendation is for women in their thirties, but I genuinely think there is a lot to enjoy here for any reader who is interested in real life truths vs social media legends.
'Being in your thirties is like a game of Snakes and Ladders. You may think you’re beating everyone, but you’re only one dice-roll away from falling down a snake and suddenly coming last.'
– Holly Bourne, How Do You Like Me Now?
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2018/06/10/how-do-you-like-me-now-holly-bourne/
At first I was lulled into a false sense of security, as we meet Tori and her apparently-perfect-but-not-totally life, as this seemed very much like Bridget Jones via social media instead of a Diary. There is a similar wry humour and deft touch with the reality of life as a woman: friendships, inner thoughts, public masks and so on.
What changed everything was my slow creeping awareness of the desperation beneath Tori’s smile. As she tweets and likes, sips wine and mouths platitudes, as a reader I became increasingly on edge. Holly Bourne manages to make Tori completely plausible in her denial while simultaneously letting you in on the truth and it is painfully real and intimate.
I became completely engrossed and invested in Tori’s life and choices and repeatedly begged her (out loud!) to just cry, ffs cry, it’s ok to cry when you’re sad, you’ll feel better! This as she constantly blinks back the tears, bites back her hurt and pastes on that Insta-grin.
Don’t get me wrong. This is definitely not a doom ‘n’ gloom book, and there were plenty of giggles and guffaws along the way, but this just not a frivolous look at levelling-up a bit. This is deeper and contains some hard truths for the reader as well as Tori: about changing relationships, facing our realities, and the gap between ourselves and even the closest of loved ones.
The easy recommendation is for women in their thirties, but I genuinely think there is a lot to enjoy here for any reader who is interested in real life truths vs social media legends.
'Being in your thirties is like a game of Snakes and Ladders. You may think you’re beating everyone, but you’re only one dice-roll away from falling down a snake and suddenly coming last.'
– Holly Bourne, How Do You Like Me Now?
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2018/06/10/how-do-you-like-me-now-holly-bourne/
I devoured this and I identified with so much of it but it lost a star for getting quite repetitive at points.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
medium-paced
It's a bit of a slow burner for me, but I definitely enjoyed it once I got going with it.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I fell in love with Holly Bourne after reading The Yearbook, and decided that I want to read more of her works. I bought this one without knowing what it was about, I just knew it was her debut adult novel.
I think she did a remarkable job with this book. I love how raw the emotions are, how frank the monologues are, how Bourne is able to put into beautiful words and comparisons of what some of us truly feel. I adore the banters in this book, just the way I adore the banters in The Yearbook - Bourne is just brilliant in that way.
But despite the writing being easy to read, I struggled with some of the characters in the book. The things that happened, the way the main character Tori let herself being gaslighted and abused emotionally. It frustrated me, especially since I could relate to some of them so much. I like the ending, but reading the book brought out some pain and tears which I did not expect, so I really couldn't give it a 5-star rating.
I think she did a remarkable job with this book. I love how raw the emotions are, how frank the monologues are, how Bourne is able to put into beautiful words and comparisons of what some of us truly feel. I adore the banters in this book, just the way I adore the banters in The Yearbook - Bourne is just brilliant in that way.
But despite the writing being easy to read, I struggled with some of the characters in the book. The things that happened, the way the main character Tori let herself being gaslighted and abused emotionally. It frustrated me, especially since I could relate to some of them so much. I like the ending, but reading the book brought out some pain and tears which I did not expect, so I really couldn't give it a 5-star rating.
This was difficult to read.
Tori was so irritating and, well, she always judges people. I mean, I do too, but not this much, not this prominently, not always. She was difficult to like, but not impossible. I found moments when I thought, oh yes, I like her character.
Sometimes it’s hard dropping a relationship of any kind that lasted that long. And I was keen to read her journey. And it was interesting and hard.
This was unfiltered which I truly enjoyed immensely and maybe, some time in the future I may appreciate it differently. I feel like it prepares me for what’s to come.
This was not the worst book, but not the best either.
Tori was so irritating and, well, she always judges people. I mean, I do too, but not this much, not this prominently, not always. She was difficult to like, but not impossible. I found moments when I thought, oh yes, I like her character.
Sometimes it’s hard dropping a relationship of any kind that lasted that long. And I was keen to read her journey. And it was interesting and hard.
This was unfiltered which I truly enjoyed immensely and maybe, some time in the future I may appreciate it differently. I feel like it prepares me for what’s to come.
This was not the worst book, but not the best either.
emotional
funny
Holly Bourne was a new author to me, I have never read any of her YA books and this was her debut adult novel back in 2018. I have seen a lot of mixed reviews about this one and I can understand why. I’m a 30 year old mother of two with a husband, a house, two dogs and my own business. I did everything that is mocked in this book and whilst some might find that irritating or feel laughed at I found I was actually laughing at myself!
I am your walking, talking 30 year old cliche and I love my life but I also love how on point Holly Bourne was. Whilst reading this book I found myself saying far too often I can’t believe I did that or yes that is definitely happening now! This books is honest, funny and highly relatable.
However I did find Tori slightly irritating. Whilst she was amusing, candid and confident she seemed to be unable to take control of any of her own decisions. Many a time I was shouting at her to get a grip and cut the cord that was attached to Tom. I think the character that I liked the most was Dee. She tried her best to remain as true to herself as possible and was ultimately a great friend for Tori.
I’m so pleased that I read this book at the age I am now. I’m secure enough in my life choices to be able to take this story with a pinch of salt, laugh at the cliches and enjoy what I ultimately thought was thought provoking writing. I just wish that I could read Tori’s self help memoir, I have a feeling it would give me the giggles. I also wouldn’t mind knowing what happens to Tori, where her next adventure takes her.
I am your walking, talking 30 year old cliche and I love my life but I also love how on point Holly Bourne was. Whilst reading this book I found myself saying far too often I can’t believe I did that or yes that is definitely happening now! This books is honest, funny and highly relatable.
However I did find Tori slightly irritating. Whilst she was amusing, candid and confident she seemed to be unable to take control of any of her own decisions. Many a time I was shouting at her to get a grip and cut the cord that was attached to Tom. I think the character that I liked the most was Dee. She tried her best to remain as true to herself as possible and was ultimately a great friend for Tori.
I’m so pleased that I read this book at the age I am now. I’m secure enough in my life choices to be able to take this story with a pinch of salt, laugh at the cliches and enjoy what I ultimately thought was thought provoking writing. I just wish that I could read Tori’s self help memoir, I have a feeling it would give me the giggles. I also wouldn’t mind knowing what happens to Tori, where her next adventure takes her.