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bethkneee's review against another edition
I thought that the incorporation of linguistics with the backdrop of such a culturally rich setting could've had so much potential. Not to mention the relationship dynamic that the writer was trying to portray. Yet the character was simply intolerable. It felt like reading the internal monologue of a "pick-me" (I don't particularly like using that phrase however I would suppose it is the best way to describe this character). I felt like the story really just fell flat with its ridiculous portrayal of romance.
joanna_barcicka's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laura_fenwick's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
artbreakerbookclub's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
apotofhoney's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
christygsp's review against another edition
Sounded like an interesting premise but I was so utterly distracted by the juvenile writing that I barely made it past page 2.
I’m sorry, but we spent almost that many pages lamenting on people not pronouncing her name correctly… but her doing NOTHING about it except to silently resign herself to the fact (you can actually correct people in the moment you know).
Then we met the Italian boy.. oh sorry, man… who wasn’t like anyone else - unless of course you count almost every single “cool guy” Italian love interest in every romance movie ever made.
Yeah this was just not it for me and I laughed, rolled my eyes and gave up all within the span of ten minutes.
I’m sorry, but we spent almost that many pages lamenting on people not pronouncing her name correctly… but her doing NOTHING about it except to silently resign herself to the fact (you can actually correct people in the moment you know).
Then we met the Italian boy.. oh sorry, man… who wasn’t like anyone else - unless of course you count almost every single “cool guy” Italian love interest in every romance movie ever made.
Yeah this was just not it for me and I laughed, rolled my eyes and gave up all within the span of ten minutes.
thaleiatriestoread's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mazza57's review against another edition
1.0
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is Goodrich's debut novel and seems at least to be Semi autobiographical or else she has simplybeen precocious enough to name her MC after herself. She does create a really good image of Naples, its architecture and its residents Told in both narrative and epistolary emails the latter did at least break up the ennui of the former.
It is said that novels that create strong reactions are those that you remember for a long time. This may be true but not necessarily for the right reasons. This novel is like being in your flat listening to someone upstairs playing the same record for the nth time - a record you don't hat but don't particularly like either. The narrative is repetitive over and over Heddi is let down by the inability of Pietre to commit, to break away from his family, to actually do something. The characters are lifeless and unlikeable. I find little in the novel to make me think i would read something else from this author.
It is said that novels that create strong reactions are those that you remember for a long time. This may be true but not necessarily for the right reasons. This novel is like being in your flat listening to someone upstairs playing the same record for the nth time - a record you don't hat but don't particularly like either. The narrative is repetitive over and over Heddi is let down by the inability of Pietre to commit, to break away from his family, to actually do something. The characters are lifeless and unlikeable. I find little in the novel to make me think i would read something else from this author.
uhhlexiconic's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Between an inert romance that doesn't grab and a framing device that doesn't enrich the story, Lost in the Spanish Quarter has no substance.
zacharypolendo's review against another edition
3.0
It was fine. They say write about what you know, and reading the author's biography it was clear that's exactly what she did. I kept wondering if this was a fanfiction for herself or if this was a real experience of the author's? She named the Lead character after herself, lived in the same places, and even moved to New Zealand just like the author.
I was immediately drawn to this book because of how beautiful the cover was! I'm a sucker for a good romance in any novel.
I struggled with this book because the beginning was really confusing. They met somehow right before the start of the novel and were drawn to each other because... I still have no idea. He had a mixed tape just at the ready? The time jumps were interesting. The e-mail exchanges kept me reading. I'm not entirely sure if my interest would have been kept without it. Characters appeared and disappeared without any just or cause. Some minor story lines added nothing to the novel.
Her description of the places they visited was fantastic! I hope to encounter these sights someday. I can't say I'd recommend this book, but I really can't say that i wouldn't.
I was immediately drawn to this book because of how beautiful the cover was! I'm a sucker for a good romance in any novel.
I struggled with this book because the beginning was really confusing. They met somehow right before the start of the novel and were drawn to each other because... I still have no idea. He had a mixed tape just at the ready? The time jumps were interesting. The e-mail exchanges kept me reading. I'm not entirely sure if my interest would have been kept without it. Characters appeared and disappeared without any just or cause. Some minor story lines added nothing to the novel.
Her description of the places they visited was fantastic! I hope to encounter these sights someday. I can't say I'd recommend this book, but I really can't say that i wouldn't.