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2.92 AVERAGE
2.92 AVERAGE
A YMMV Review!
My Very ’90s Romance by Jenny Colgan is the freaking funniest book I’ve read in a long time. I cannot tell you how many times I laughed-out-loud while reading about the antics of Holly, the flaky florist whose lips know no censor. However, before I continue and talk about the characters and the plot, I need to add a caveat before you run out to buy My Very ’90s Romance before reading to the end of the review. This book is definitely not for those who are easily offended, the political correctness police, or those striving to find the meaning of life in a book.
Onwards.
The best way I can think of to describe Holly is to think of Bridget Jones of the infamous diary and imagine that compared to Holly, Bridget is very well put together, stellar really with a solid life plan. Holly, however, is a trainwreck, a self-deprecating hot mess, a woman who could have been a brazenly funny ’70s comedian, an unambitious snarky teenager in a 28-year old plumpish body. She almost always says what she thinks for good or bad and yet, underneath, the reader gets glimpses of a bit of a fragile soul.
read more: http://saschadarlington.me/2019/03/13/review-of-my-very-90s-romance/
My Very ’90s Romance by Jenny Colgan is the freaking funniest book I’ve read in a long time. I cannot tell you how many times I laughed-out-loud while reading about the antics of Holly, the flaky florist whose lips know no censor. However, before I continue and talk about the characters and the plot, I need to add a caveat before you run out to buy My Very ’90s Romance before reading to the end of the review. This book is definitely not for those who are easily offended, the political correctness police, or those striving to find the meaning of life in a book.
Onwards.
The best way I can think of to describe Holly is to think of Bridget Jones of the infamous diary and imagine that compared to Holly, Bridget is very well put together, stellar really with a solid life plan. Holly, however, is a trainwreck, a self-deprecating hot mess, a woman who could have been a brazenly funny ’70s comedian, an unambitious snarky teenager in a 28-year old plumpish body. She almost always says what she thinks for good or bad and yet, underneath, the reader gets glimpses of a bit of a fragile soul.
read more: http://saschadarlington.me/2019/03/13/review-of-my-very-90s-romance/
Another reissue of an early Jenny Colgan to capitalize on her new popularity in America. It is ... not the greatest and pretty dated, as Colgan admits in the intro. But despite the cringes, it’s got some funny bits and as ever the completist, I’m glad to have read it.
This was a chatioc mess but it was a great distraction.
Because I generally enjoy this author I have started going back to read her earlier published books.
This was a very time-period type story. That probably did great when it was published. It still resonates with technology stuff now. But it does fall a little flat compared to her other characters who I adore. I did not feel I really enjoyed any of the main characters in this story - they all seemed to be very cut into categories with each one have a very set personality and characteristics. Sort of like how the Spice Girls all have personas....I felt each character had a specific role/personality to fill. Versus her typical characters who seem more like real people.
This was a very time-period type story. That probably did great when it was published. It still resonates with technology stuff now. But it does fall a little flat compared to her other characters who I adore. I did not feel I really enjoyed any of the main characters in this story - they all seemed to be very cut into categories with each one have a very set personality and characteristics. Sort of like how the Spice Girls all have personas....I felt each character had a specific role/personality to fill. Versus her typical characters who seem more like real people.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was pretty hilarious, like guffawing-with-my-headphones-in-while-the-people-around-me-stare-in-alarm hilarious. I liked the story a lot. I liked that Holly was always having to deal with her fuck-ups, and people called her on it. I liked that she didn’t get Addison in the end. I’m glad Claudia and Addison end up together.
From what I can tell, the general consensus of this book is that it is problematic. Josh’s “gay” behavior is a constant joke, as is Claudia’s appearance. I think the fact that Holly is a bit of an asshole in this regard makes her more believable as a character. She’s not a perfect, flawless character to whom bad things happen. She’s a jerk, and she learns she won’t always get her way. She also learns that who she thinks she wants may not be who she needs. I loved that Addison and Claudia had this long distance thing and that she conquers her agoraphobia to be with him in his time of need. The fact that he’s gorgeous and doesn’t forgo Claudia for a “more appealing” option because he sees her for who she is warms my heart.
This book seems to have originally been published in 2000, so I can guess it was written in 99, if not earlier. I think I was more lenient with the faux pas in this book because I knew it was written 20 years ago. Society has a long way to go, but the way we treated homosexuality and larger bodies 20 years ago is pretty different from how we treat it now. I think if these things were said in a book written today, I’d be a bit more salty. But I was able to shelf those issues and keep reading. Admittedly, the humor helped a lot.
This book is an enjoyable cotton candy read. It’s not going to stimulate a deep conversation about the human condition, but it’s funny as heck.
From what I can tell, the general consensus of this book is that it is problematic. Josh’s “gay” behavior is a constant joke, as is Claudia’s appearance. I think the fact that Holly is a bit of an asshole in this regard makes her more believable as a character. She’s not a perfect, flawless character to whom bad things happen. She’s a jerk, and she learns she won’t always get her way. She also learns that who she thinks she wants may not be who she needs. I loved that Addison and Claudia had this long distance thing and that she conquers her agoraphobia to be with him in his time of need. The fact that he’s gorgeous and doesn’t forgo Claudia for a “more appealing” option because he sees her for who she is warms my heart.
This book seems to have originally been published in 2000, so I can guess it was written in 99, if not earlier. I think I was more lenient with the faux pas in this book because I knew it was written 20 years ago. Society has a long way to go, but the way we treated homosexuality and larger bodies 20 years ago is pretty different from how we treat it now. I think if these things were said in a book written today, I’d be a bit more salty. But I was able to shelf those issues and keep reading. Admittedly, the humor helped a lot.
This book is an enjoyable cotton candy read. It’s not going to stimulate a deep conversation about the human condition, but it’s funny as heck.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes