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2.92 AVERAGE
2.92 AVERAGE
DNF. Maybe it's just my age showing, but I found this book to be frustrating. I'm too old to keep reading books I don't like. Holly was extremely annoying and I had no sympathy for her. I felt the same about Cogan's first book "Amanda's Wedding", but I really enjoyed a much later book "The Little Shop of Happy-Ever-After".
It appears that the early books that are set in flats (apartments for us Americans) are not my cup of tea. That is an extremely personal opinion, but reading in general is personal preference. I'm going to read Jenny Colgan's newer books and work my way backwards until I reach the point of my personal annoyance. I like the author -- just not her early stuff.
It appears that the early books that are set in flats (apartments for us Americans) are not my cup of tea. That is an extremely personal opinion, but reading in general is personal preference. I'm going to read Jenny Colgan's newer books and work my way backwards until I reach the point of my personal annoyance. I like the author -- just not her early stuff.
Cute book about flower shop worker and her roommates in Britain / falling in love and one roommate who was in a coma
PREFACE: I picked this book because of the title and the cover. At no point does this book have anything to do with the nineties, whether in music or culture or setting or clothing. It feels entirely unrelated and misleading! How I wish this was a story involving pink combat boots and grunge. Be warned, other readers - you won't find 90s or even romance here.
Yipes, this was not good.
The good: The audiobook version has a very enjoyable narrator.
The bad: Our heroine is a whiny loser with no actual drive to change anything in her life, and keeps ending up in awful situations only to beg to be rescued from them by her hapless, pushover friend. She owns up to this in the first chapter of the book, saying that since her parents divorced as a teenager, she's chosen to believe that life isn't fair and none of it is ever her fault. She comes off as not very bright, as well as unmotivated. (facepalm)
Fast forward a bit to Holly getting immediately infatuated with her mysterious, introverted new roommate, Addison - simply because he's good looking. Not shared interests or viewpoints or good conversation... she thinks he's gorgeous and starts building him up as her soulmate and the person she's going to marry. Throughout the book, she pursues him one-sidedly, which was awkward and uncomfortable to read. The knowledge that he has an online girlfriend doesn't bother her at all. In fact, she can't stop calling her fat and deformed and other defamatory things, which felt gross.
She sort of has a few dates with this other guy named Finn, but they also have nothing in common and no chemistry. Again, it felt a little one-sided... and then she threw him over the moment she thought Addison might be remotely interested in her.
I realize this book isn't new, but shaming a women for her weight and looks and being super jealous of other women is so over, okay? Everything that had to do with Claudia, the animosity between Holly and almost every other female character... I know for a fact that good chick lit exists, and this shit tanks.
p.s. I forgot the overt bi-phobia about her "girly" flatmate and whether or not he might be into other guys.
Yipes, this was not good.
The good: The audiobook version has a very enjoyable narrator.
The bad: Our heroine is a whiny loser with no actual drive to change anything in her life, and keeps ending up in awful situations only to beg to be rescued from them by her hapless, pushover friend. She owns up to this in the first chapter of the book, saying that since her parents divorced as a teenager, she's chosen to believe that life isn't fair and none of it is ever her fault. She comes off as not very bright, as well as unmotivated. (facepalm)
Fast forward a bit to Holly getting immediately infatuated with her mysterious, introverted new roommate, Addison - simply because he's good looking. Not shared interests or viewpoints or good conversation... she thinks he's gorgeous and starts building him up as her soulmate and the person she's going to marry. Throughout the book, she pursues him one-sidedly, which was awkward and uncomfortable to read. The knowledge that he has an online girlfriend doesn't bother her at all. In fact, she can't stop calling her fat and deformed and other defamatory things, which felt gross.
She sort of has a few dates with this other guy named Finn, but they also have nothing in common and no chemistry. Again, it felt a little one-sided... and then she threw him over the moment she thought Addison might be remotely interested in her.
Spoiler
Then there is this weird turn of events where she tries to kiss Addison at the top of the cliff and he's so surprised/horrified that he loses his balance and falls off and ends up in a coma. Didn't see that coming, not that it enhanced the story for me... Holly tells everyone in the hospital that she's Addison's girlfriend, even though he has one and has literally NEVER SHOWN INTEREST IN HER. What the fuck? You can't claim someone is your partner just because they aren't awake to contest it.I realize this book isn't new, but shaming a women for her weight and looks and being super jealous of other women is so over, okay? Everything that had to do with Claudia, the animosity between Holly and almost every other female character... I know for a fact that good chick lit exists, and this shit tanks.
p.s. I forgot the overt bi-phobia about her "girly" flatmate and whether or not he might be into other guys.
Although I finished it, I could not get past the fat shaming in this book, so unnecessary (always). The title suggested a different story than was told. It was enough that I have no desire to read anything else by this author (even though I enjoyed a different title by them).
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
This is the worst book I’ve ever read. The FMC is the worst person I could ever imagine having to spend time with. Honestly, I wouldn’t wish this book on my worst enemy.
weird ending! not sure how i feel about it, could have been set up better. but ok, loved the characters
DNF @22%
I loved the writing style, but I just couldn’t get past not like long the FMC. I decided to read the reviews here and I’m glad I did. It turns out this doesn’t have an ending or plot that I’ll like at all.
Saying that, I’m going to give this author another shot. I really did enjoy the style of writing.
I loved the writing style, but I just couldn’t get past not like long the FMC. I decided to read the reviews here and I’m glad I did. It turns out this doesn’t have an ending or plot that I’ll like at all.
Saying that, I’m going to give this author another shot. I really did enjoy the style of writing.
I liked the way this book ended enough to give it back an entire star. That being said, HOLY PROBLEMATIC BOOK, BATMAN! Holly is a super judgemental bitch, and just pretty all-around unlikelable.
This book is soooo fatphobic, it makes my physically ill. Even this misleading blurb!
"Holly and her friends make desperate attempts to connect with Addison, drag him away from his fiercely possessive girlfriend, Claudia, and get him to communicate with the real world." Holly spends most of the book trying in her weird, delusional way to hook up with Addison DESPITE THE FACT that he says he has a girlfriend, and she makes (NUMEROUS) disparaging remarks about Addison's girlfriend because she's fat. ALSO, Addison makes huge strides to come out of his shell and he tells Holly is because Claudia has encouraged him to be more social and get out more. So no, Holly and her friends are not making desperate attempts to connect with Addison and drag him away from his fiercely protective girlfriend - HOLLY is making desperate attempts to hook up with a guy who already has a girlfriend, while said long-distance girlfriend is incredible supportive despite her own crippling battle with agoraphobia. HOLLY IS A BITCH. /mic drop
Also, she cavalierly uses guys she doesn't even like, and the way she treats Finn is abominable despite that fact that 1) he's clearly THE MOST ADORABLE NERDBOY and 2) they have the cutesty and best chemistry. She is just ... UGH. Yuck. There is also a lot of homophobic ribbing of Josh, who may or may not be straight/CIS, and the handling of Josh and his gender/sexuality was just ... not done well.
I liked the way this book resolved (for the most part...) and I'm glad I stuck with it and kept reading, but it is VERY problematic. I'd have liked to see Holly go through some realization of what a horrible person she is and maybe some self-growth, but we don't really see that... or maybe not go around making disgusting comments about peoples' weight all through the book (both about Claudia and about Dr. Flowers...) Actually, Holly basically makes disparaging, snotty observations about everyone she encounters, which is rich since she very much does not have her shit in order.
"But wait, why did you rate this 3 stars?" you may be asking.
Reasons I did like this book:
* Finn
* God
* Chali
* Finn & Addison nerd-bonding
* Nurse Stephen in general
* Dr. Flower's enjoyment of Chali's band
* God again (he was really funny, ok?)
* Finn some more (Team Finn)
So mostly side characters that saved the day, as the main character just didn't float my boat. Hooray for great side characters, though!! But if it weren't for God and Finn, this would have been a 2 star read,and if not for the other side characters (and that party scene with Finn & Addison, as well as Finn's scenes with Holly that made me not HATE HER GUTS) I'd probably have DNF'd this one... :/
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss + for review.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
This book is soooo fatphobic, it makes my physically ill. Even this misleading blurb!
"Holly and her friends make desperate attempts to connect with Addison, drag him away from his fiercely possessive girlfriend, Claudia, and get him to communicate with the real world." Holly spends most of the book trying in her weird, delusional way to hook up with Addison DESPITE THE FACT that he says he has a girlfriend, and she makes (NUMEROUS) disparaging remarks about Addison's girlfriend because she's fat. ALSO, Addison makes huge strides to come out of his shell and he tells Holly is because Claudia has encouraged him to be more social and get out more. So no, Holly and her friends are not making desperate attempts to connect with Addison and drag him away from his fiercely protective girlfriend - HOLLY is making desperate attempts to hook up with a guy who already has a girlfriend, while said long-distance girlfriend is incredible supportive despite her own crippling battle with agoraphobia. HOLLY IS A BITCH. /mic drop
Also, she cavalierly uses guys she doesn't even like, and the way she treats Finn is abominable despite that fact that 1) he's clearly THE MOST ADORABLE NERDBOY and 2) they have the cutesty and best chemistry. She is just ... UGH. Yuck. There is also a lot of homophobic ribbing of Josh, who may or may not be straight/CIS, and the handling of Josh and his gender/sexuality was just ... not done well.
I liked the way this book resolved (for the most part...) and I'm glad I stuck with it and kept reading, but it is VERY problematic. I'd have liked to see Holly go through some realization of what a horrible person she is and maybe some self-growth, but we don't really see that... or maybe not go around making disgusting comments about peoples' weight all through the book (both about Claudia and about Dr. Flowers...) Actually, Holly basically makes disparaging, snotty observations about everyone she encounters, which is rich since she very much does not have her shit in order.
"But wait, why did you rate this 3 stars?" you may be asking.
Reasons I did like this book:
* Finn
* God
* Chali
* Finn & Addison nerd-bonding
* Nurse Stephen in general
* Dr. Flower's enjoyment of Chali's band
* God again (he was really funny, ok?)
* Finn some more (Team Finn)
So mostly side characters that saved the day, as the main character just didn't float my boat. Hooray for great side characters, though!! But if it weren't for God and Finn, this would have been a 2 star read,and if not for the other side characters (and that party scene with Finn & Addison, as well as Finn's scenes with Holly that made me not HATE HER GUTS) I'd probably have DNF'd this one... :/
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss + for review.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter