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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
3 1/2 stars, rounding up to four because I love Rainbow Rowell. I think that this book's biggest fault right now is partly attributable to it being more than a decade old now and has some dated "humor" that falls very flat with me in 2018.
It's an adorkable romantic comedy, with adults working for a newspaper - a newspaper, do you remember those, during 1999 in the stressfully comedic run-up to the dreaded Y2K. Kids these days do not remember Y2K, when all of the computers in the world were supposed to turn against us because we'd stupidly only allowed two digits instead of four for the year field, and databases everywhere would think that instead of January 1, 2000, it would be January 1, 1000, and all heck would break loose as a result.
The book itself came out ten years later, but I love that Rowell sets her books in "recent history" time periods that I can remember and get nostalgic about the tech and trends of the time. Like this newspaper, first introducing email and the internet to its workforce. Clutch the pearls.
What nearly turned me off in this book came very early, first chapter in fact, and it was two of the three main characters glibly joking about one of them possibly being pregnant, and then joking about her child having fetal alcohol syndrome. I don't think a book today would go as far as this did, albeit through the characters, not the author, but mocking the facial features of people with FAS. I almost deleted the book off my Kindle. And . . . I'd used a full audible credit. I wanted to read this book. But I was that put off by it.
I went on Goodreads and read reviews by people I follow, and decided to power through. I'm glad that I did. And, I think if it were being written today, that wouldn't have been 'comedy' fodder for these two protagonists who were supposed to be likeable and funny and one of them is the heroine.
I waited a day, finished a different book, and gave it another try. I'm glad that I did, as I loved the universe, the characters, the plot, the central conflict. I just really didn't like that line of 'jokes'. So, this is not in the same league for me as Eleanor & Park, Fangirl, or Landline, all of which I adored. But, still very good and worth the read. I give you permission to skip the first chapter and read the blurb instead, as that will set you up plenty.
It's an adorkable romantic comedy, with adults working for a newspaper - a newspaper, do you remember those, during 1999 in the stressfully comedic run-up to the dreaded Y2K. Kids these days do not remember Y2K, when all of the computers in the world were supposed to turn against us because we'd stupidly only allowed two digits instead of four for the year field, and databases everywhere would think that instead of January 1, 2000, it would be January 1, 1000, and all heck would break loose as a result.
The book itself came out ten years later, but I love that Rowell sets her books in "recent history" time periods that I can remember and get nostalgic about the tech and trends of the time. Like this newspaper, first introducing email and the internet to its workforce. Clutch the pearls.
What nearly turned me off in this book came very early, first chapter in fact, and it was two of the three main characters glibly joking about one of them possibly being pregnant, and then joking about her child having fetal alcohol syndrome. I don't think a book today would go as far as this did, albeit through the characters, not the author, but mocking the facial features of people with FAS. I almost deleted the book off my Kindle. And . . . I'd used a full audible credit. I wanted to read this book. But I was that put off by it.
I went on Goodreads and read reviews by people I follow, and decided to power through. I'm glad that I did. And, I think if it were being written today, that wouldn't have been 'comedy' fodder for these two protagonists who were supposed to be likeable and funny and one of them is the heroine.
I waited a day, finished a different book, and gave it another try. I'm glad that I did, as I loved the universe, the characters, the plot, the central conflict. I just really didn't like that line of 'jokes'. So, this is not in the same league for me as Eleanor & Park, Fangirl, or Landline, all of which I adored. But, still very good and worth the read. I give you permission to skip the first chapter and read the blurb instead, as that will set you up plenty.
Very cute story. Started out kind of slow but the characters won me over. I really enjoyed the girls's email conversations as well as watching Lincoln grow and come out of his shell. 3.5 stars
*Spoiler Alert*
Cute story and concept. Started off strong however, the middle was lonnnng. Good ending! I wish he started dating Beth sooner in the story.
Cute story and concept. Started off strong however, the middle was lonnnng. Good ending! I wish he started dating Beth sooner in the story.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
I really enjoyed the email chains that were in the book, however, the main character's storyline was less to be desired. And then when the main character got with his 'dream girl', which was so weird, it was super unrealistic. I mean come on, making out in a theater without real words beforehand? No. Interesting story, weird love.
fast-paced
I love Rainbow Rowell's young adult titles, so I had high hopes for this one, and maybe that was part of the problem. It was a fine story, but the love story got into the creepy stalker territory, and the resolution was pretty far-fetched and ridiculous.
This book feels like a total 90s romantic comedy movie. It has the amount of 90s references and nostalgia your heart needs with keeping this love story modern! The structure of the book is great with email attachments (get it
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Meh. I appreciate the non traditional romance characters and the male perspective, but sure took a long time get things moving.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes