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toc's review against another edition
2.0
Sure, I read this book because I watched the TV show first. And, yeah, my son's in the restaurant biz so I figured this would be fun to listen to.
And I think it was? I mean, there may not be a single likable character in the book who gets more than a dozen lines. You may think you like some of these characters but you really don't. And it doesn't make any difference if you do or not. They live in New York City so they don't care.
All that said I don't think this is a book I'll actually recommend to anyone. If I run across someone who read it we may commiserate a bit. And I may not watch the next season of that TV show…
(man, even writing this review has become a bummer)
And I think it was? I mean, there may not be a single likable character in the book who gets more than a dozen lines. You may think you like some of these characters but you really don't. And it doesn't make any difference if you do or not. They live in New York City so they don't care.
All that said I don't think this is a book I'll actually recommend to anyone. If I run across someone who read it we may commiserate a bit. And I may not watch the next season of that TV show…
(man, even writing this review has become a bummer)
brennie192's review against another edition
5.0
So engaging, gorgeous prose, interesting and flawed characters. Loved it.
chrissssty's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A painfully accurate story of that mortifying period of life where heartbreak and ruin seems not only inevitable but deliberate.
The main character shields herself emotionally from what is presented to her (or “drinks the kool-aid”) and as a reader I felt swept along with her.
So much so that the revelations in the text that I should have seen coming shocked me, and felt like a personal betrayal.
It really unsettled me, but I will be recommending it ferociously. -.75 for an ending that felt like an injustice, though I’m sure it was the right one.
The main character shields herself emotionally from what is presented to her (or “drinks the kool-aid”) and as a reader I felt swept along with her.
So much so that the revelations in the text that I should have seen coming shocked me, and felt like a personal betrayal.
It really unsettled me, but I will be recommending it ferociously. -.75 for an ending that felt like an injustice, though I’m sure it was the right one.
rahmat22818's review against another edition
3.5
I think this is a solid 3.5
Here are some thoughts, not super coherent:
- Tess, the narrator, is pretty insufferable. And it feels like sort of the point, but also, not? Bc the story is heavily influenced by the authors life, so i’m unsure how much is intentional
- There was no plot, but there was still a meaningful through line of a story. If you’re more interested in character driven books it’s for you
- Has extreme 2016 vibes (not a bad or good thing)
- I really hated the sex scenes. Not bc they were sex scenes I just felt the were trying too hard or something
- In a world of prestige and a pretentious setting, I really enjoyed the very human realness of all the restaurant characters. And seeing the slow learning process of Tess
- Last thing, I love/hate the ending. I would’ve loved to get more answers about simone and jake, but also it feels realistic that we don’t
Here are some thoughts, not super coherent:
- Tess, the narrator, is pretty insufferable. And it feels like sort of the point, but also, not? Bc the story is heavily influenced by the authors life, so i’m unsure how much is intentional
- There was no plot, but there was still a meaningful through line of a story. If you’re more interested in character driven books it’s for you
- Has extreme 2016 vibes (not a bad or good thing)
- I really hated the sex scenes. Not bc they were sex scenes I just felt the were trying too hard or something
- In a world of prestige and a pretentious setting, I really enjoyed the very human realness of all the restaurant characters. And seeing the slow learning process of Tess
- Last thing, I love/hate the ending. I would’ve loved to get more answers about simone and jake, but also it feels realistic that we don’t
nicolezaj's review against another edition
3.0
wanted to read this because i was enamored by the tv version of this book. it’s sexy, spontaneous, very “fish out of water” surrounded by the allure of NYC. again, i’m a sucker for food/restaurant related books, but this was way too long with too aimless of a plot.
daniellegorman's review against another edition
4.0
perfect for girls who still get stress dreams about working in a shitty restaurant
also. something about people documenting the most traumatic year of their life in such mundane detail always soothes me idk
also. something about people documenting the most traumatic year of their life in such mundane detail always soothes me idk
elenapanyard's review
2.0
This book made me roll my eyes way too many times. There were some thought provoking bits but mostly this book was filled with the type of pretentious people that make me want to play Taylor Swift over their weird micro-genre band.
davismama2716's review against another edition
2.0
Eh. Didn't hate it... didn't love it. Probably wouldn't recommend it, but I wouldn't try to turn someone who wanted to read it away.
chefbex's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
leighgoodmark's review against another edition
4.0
The dialogue is too precious at times and the book sorely needs an adverb editor (I want this job-I will remove every pretentious adverb in your manuscript for a fee), but when she writes, just writes, the book is wonderful. You can feel what it's like to be in the kitchen of a restaurant like Union Square in a visceral way. Overlook the pretentiousness-it's worth the time.