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ahill33's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
trish_beautifulchaosreviews's review
5.0
I do not even know where to begin with my love for this book. A bit of background; I am the aging punk from the '80s--I discovered the Clash, Devo, Blondie, and The Ramones in 1979. I had my own Red Room-type bars that I saw bands like REM, Gang of Four, Mission of Burma, and Black Flag in. I actually crowd surfed at a Dead Kennedys show--purely by accident. But it was fun (DM me if you want details). This book was my 20s, and I loved every darn word of it. It was a big hug for me from page 1, and I cannot thank Kathryn Nolan enough for writing this true to what punk was like book.
Fiona and Max are so much what could have been the offspring of so many people I know. I enjoyed the reverse "odd child" of this story. Fiona being the hyper-driven, focused, organized achiever while her parents are the more free spirits believing in never giving in to the status quo and "working for the clampdown." Max, filled with wanderlust he thinks he inherited from his free-spirited mother, believes he never wants to be tied down. Thus we have these opposites meeting and falling and having to reset on all the notions they had about themselves.
The book's side characters, some we know, some we are just meeting, fill this story with love, wisdom, and humor. Mateo is that friend we all wish we had who will tell you the hard truths and love on you at the same time. Roxy is the best sister ever! Max and Fiona's feelings were so scary to them, and the slow burn build-up to their first passionate encounter was adorable to watch but so hot at the same time. I loved all the records. Records everywhere, and I am sure Fiona's copy of London Calling was the double LP vinyl. Thank you, Kathryn Nolan; I have had the entire London Calling album playing in my head for days. Back in the vinyl days, you couldn't just pick a song and play it; the art of listening to an LP was getting the ART behind the music. You listened to the entire album side one and side two (and three and four as in the case of London Calling). Train in Vain was not supposed to be on the album, so the first pressing of the album did not have it listed in the liner notes. It was in what was known as the reject groove. Train in Vain is still my favorite song by the Clash, and when I found that song, I played it repeatedly. So when Max and Fiona were saying this was their favorite, I thought of the lines of the song:
You say you stand
By your man
Tell me something
I don't understand
You said you loved me
And that's a fact
And then you left me
Said you felt trapped
Well some things you can't explain away
But the heart aches in me 'til this day (By The Clash, London Calling, CBS Records)
I can tell you when you read the Not the Marrying Kind; these lyrics will resonate with you. But Max and Fiona had to learn how to stop pigeonholing themselves. We all do this, being what we believe we are supposed to be instead of taking chances and trusting. I simply adored watching these two come to their senses. This book is a beauty; Max Devlin is everything. I want to be Fiona (or Roxy) when I grow up. And I really really need more Max and Fiona in my life.
Fiona and Max are so much what could have been the offspring of so many people I know. I enjoyed the reverse "odd child" of this story. Fiona being the hyper-driven, focused, organized achiever while her parents are the more free spirits believing in never giving in to the status quo and "working for the clampdown." Max, filled with wanderlust he thinks he inherited from his free-spirited mother, believes he never wants to be tied down. Thus we have these opposites meeting and falling and having to reset on all the notions they had about themselves.
The book's side characters, some we know, some we are just meeting, fill this story with love, wisdom, and humor. Mateo is that friend we all wish we had who will tell you the hard truths and love on you at the same time. Roxy is the best sister ever! Max and Fiona's feelings were so scary to them, and the slow burn build-up to their first passionate encounter was adorable to watch but so hot at the same time. I loved all the records. Records everywhere, and I am sure Fiona's copy of London Calling was the double LP vinyl. Thank you, Kathryn Nolan; I have had the entire London Calling album playing in my head for days. Back in the vinyl days, you couldn't just pick a song and play it; the art of listening to an LP was getting the ART behind the music. You listened to the entire album side one and side two (and three and four as in the case of London Calling). Train in Vain was not supposed to be on the album, so the first pressing of the album did not have it listed in the liner notes. It was in what was known as the reject groove. Train in Vain is still my favorite song by the Clash, and when I found that song, I played it repeatedly. So when Max and Fiona were saying this was their favorite, I thought of the lines of the song:
You say you stand
By your man
Tell me something
I don't understand
You said you loved me
And that's a fact
And then you left me
Said you felt trapped
Well some things you can't explain away
But the heart aches in me 'til this day (By The Clash, London Calling, CBS Records)
I can tell you when you read the Not the Marrying Kind; these lyrics will resonate with you. But Max and Fiona had to learn how to stop pigeonholing themselves. We all do this, being what we believe we are supposed to be instead of taking chances and trusting. I simply adored watching these two come to their senses. This book is a beauty; Max Devlin is everything. I want to be Fiona (or Roxy) when I grow up. And I really really need more Max and Fiona in my life.
chloeleah96's review
5.0
Utterly amazing
I adore all of Kathryns books, I love the way she writes and her slow-burn romance and this is no exception. There’s so much depth to her characters and she really touches on the worries I think a lot of us 20-something-year olds feel nowadays! Do we settle down? Do we explore the world? Panic and wing it? (Definitely the case!) and this story is no exception and I LOVE the Quinn/Cavendish cameos from Strictly Professional. Would 10/10 recommend!!
I adore all of Kathryns books, I love the way she writes and her slow-burn romance and this is no exception. There’s so much depth to her characters and she really touches on the worries I think a lot of us 20-something-year olds feel nowadays! Do we settle down? Do we explore the world? Panic and wing it? (Definitely the case!) and this story is no exception and I LOVE the Quinn/Cavendish cameos from Strictly Professional. Would 10/10 recommend!!
spookylittlegrrl's review
5.0
So good
I absolutely loved this book. Reminded me so much of my own upbringing. This book was sweet and funny and reminded me why I love music so much
I absolutely loved this book. Reminded me so much of my own upbringing. This book was sweet and funny and reminded me why I love music so much
hibiscusmama24's review
5.0
Oh my
Kathryn! You did not disappoint..This story was Amazing! Max is soooo adorably hot and Fi is a badass! LOVED their story and their family! Thank you!!!
Kathryn! You did not disappoint..This story was Amazing! Max is soooo adorably hot and Fi is a badass! LOVED their story and their family! Thank you!!!
carla_is_reading's review
4.0
4.5 steamy stars
This is a romance that falls right in my palette. You have a smart and sassy leading lady and a bad boy with a heart of gold.
Both are head strong and set in their ways. They agree to hook up no strings attached, then agree to take it further and date... Then a big life decision threatens to tear them apart.
Ugh but once you take them two apart nothing is right, this only solidifies how they belong together!! All the angst, the steam, the bad assery, mosh pit goodness, GAH! loved everything about this book!!
Go read it and gush with me!!!!
This is a romance that falls right in my palette. You have a smart and sassy leading lady and a bad boy with a heart of gold.
Both are head strong and set in their ways. They agree to hook up no strings attached, then agree to take it further and date... Then a big life decision threatens to tear them apart.
Ugh but once you take them two apart nothing is right, this only solidifies how they belong together!! All the angst, the steam, the bad assery, mosh pit goodness, GAH! loved everything about this book!!
Go read it and gush with me!!!!
hayleymeulenbroeks's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
Plot: 4
Characters: 5
Romance: 4
Enjoyment: 3
Other: 5
Characters: 5
Romance: 4
Enjoyment: 3
Other: 5
missmaj's review
5.0
Holy mother of Christ. Max fucking Devlin just ruined all men for me. I’m ready to divorce my husband for a fictional character.
inkiereads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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
5.0
The audiobook of Not The Marrying Kind was a reread, after reading this book the first time in December 2021. I’ve raved about the book before, and enjoying this story again through the audio was amazing! I’m still in love with Max and Fiona, they’re the absolute best <3