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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
dnf at 18%.
I just couldn’t really get into this book, there wasn’t much of a spark between the two characters and their *connection* was really only described/told to us, as opposed to it being clear through their interactions, and while i could have powered through, i just didn’t really want to :(
I just couldn’t really get into this book, there wasn’t much of a spark between the two characters and their *connection* was really only described/told to us, as opposed to it being clear through their interactions, and while i could have powered through, i just didn’t really want to :(
4.25 STARS
Love it when I see someone drop a banger of a book for their debut!! I had so much fun with this book, first of all I was literally thinking I would love to see more older couples finding love and both MCs are in their fourties. The writing was great I thought Tati Richardson did a great job writing both POVs. As someone who knows basically next to nothing about architecture I found learning about that super interesting.
The romance was so sweet, Porter is a definite cinnamon roll! Also, based on the first 15 ish percent of the book I thought I knew how Porter and Ari’s relationship would play out but I was pleasantly surprised by how it unfolded. Ms Tati Richardson knocked it out of the park with that ending!! Just had to knock the rating down for a slower start but can’t wait to see what else the author decides to write.
Love it when I see someone drop a banger of a book for their debut!! I had so much fun with this book, first of all I was literally thinking I would love to see more older couples finding love and both MCs are in their fourties. The writing was great I thought Tati Richardson did a great job writing both POVs. As someone who knows basically next to nothing about architecture I found learning about that super interesting.
The romance was so sweet, Porter is a definite cinnamon roll! Also, based on the first 15 ish percent of the book I thought I knew how Porter and Ari’s relationship would play out but I was pleasantly surprised by how it unfolded. Ms Tati Richardson knocked it out of the park with that ending!! Just had to knock the rating down for a slower start but can’t wait to see what else the author decides to write.
Ari second guessing everything and pushing Porter away truly got on my nerves at times. She needed to communicate better.
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Such a cute rom com! Very great debut and the writing was phenomenal. Sometimes the actions of the characters seemed immature and I dislike miscommunication, especially with real grown folks! I overall loved the book and can’t wait to read more by this author
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Tati Richardson's The Build Up truly lives up to its name, building a slow but stead burn (of sorts) between our main characters and love interests. Without saying much, from the very beginning, there is a spark of attraction between our main characters, something that is never lost once it is introduced to us.
While I did feel that the pacing in some ways felt like a slow burn, especially in the beginning, I found that my listening experience really picked up at around the halfway mark in the book. Events and revelations seemed to happen much more quickly by then, which I think made the reading experience fly right on by.
I appreciate Richardson's delving into ideas of grief, family dysfunction and dynamics, alcoholism, misogynoir, and fatphobia. Providing levels of depth and dimension to Ari and Porter, along with what shaped them and the decisions that they make. Porter's characterization especially is book boyfriend swoon worthy, as he is both not afraid to expose his innermost self for Ari and vigorously defend her if need be. Conversely, Ari has a charm about her in her best of moments, that you can't help but smile to.
That said, for them to be in their 40s, some of their interactions with each other, and others, left room to be desired. Obviously immature adults exist, however these two are never characterized that way. So, some of the choices or lack thereof, sometimes felt odd and out of place, considering.
All in all, The Build Up was a fun read and one that I could see myself diving into all over again in the future.
While I did feel that the pacing in some ways felt like a slow burn, especially in the beginning, I found that my listening experience really picked up at around the halfway mark in the book. Events and revelations seemed to happen much more quickly by then, which I think made the reading experience fly right on by.
I appreciate Richardson's delving into ideas of grief, family dysfunction and dynamics, alcoholism, misogynoir, and fatphobia. Providing levels of depth and dimension to Ari and Porter, along with what shaped them and the decisions that they make. Porter's characterization especially is book boyfriend swoon worthy, as he is both not afraid to expose his innermost self for Ari and vigorously defend her if need be. Conversely, Ari has a charm about her in her best of moments, that you can't help but smile to.
That said, for them to be in their 40s, some of their interactions with each other, and others, left room to be desired. Obviously immature adults exist, however these two are never characterized that way. So, some of the choices or lack thereof, sometimes felt odd and out of place, considering.
All in all, The Build Up was a fun read and one that I could see myself diving into all over again in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Death of parent, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Fatphobia, Grief, Car accident
Minor: Body shaming
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A