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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
Blah blah blah, architecture, proper name, backstory stuff.
This was cute! In a lower angst romcom instalove and insta "I'm pining for only you" kind of way. Loved that both leads were older (late 30s-40 iirc).
There's some office assholes, very cute family dynamics, and a smitten man.
This was cute! In a lower angst romcom instalove and insta "I'm pining for only you" kind of way. Loved that both leads were older (late 30s-40 iirc).
There's some office assholes, very cute family dynamics, and a smitten man.
I really, really, really wanted to love this. The storyline sounded so promising, a Black woman succeeding in the very male dominated field of architecture falling in love! Unfortunately, I really didn't like it and ended up not finishing the book (which barely ever happens).
I really wanted to love Ari but instead found her annoying and not very nice to the people close to her. Porter I liked better but one of the issues of the novel to me was that their was barely any distinction between their voices. In those cases where I stopped reading mid chapter, it took me a little while to figure out whose chapter I was in because their voices were so similar. Does a straight man in their 40s really think "be still my beating heart" when seeing a beautiful woman? I know it's possible but I'm using this as an example... Also, I only knew they were in their 40s from reading some raving reviews before starting this book, which I thought was great, unfortunately the way they were portrayed, they might as well have been in their 20s and I (mid-30s) wanted to tell them to grow up.
Also, a lot of the dialogues felt very unrealistic, like the one where Porter speaks to his brother in the restaurant. Instead of us learning about their background, their grandfather and their youth through the narrative or through Porter thinking about it, his brother tells their story. But they have both lived it, it's not something that would be explained to someone who was part of it, making it feel fake. Almost as if the author was trying to set the scene but not being able to find a way to do so in a way that feels natural.
Another issue was the timeline, in some places it's extremely slow and in other places it skips a few weeks, taking away all that would have happened in-between but assuming that the relationship has progressed in a certain way.
It's almost like the ideas were all great, which is why I am giving it two stars rather than one, but its execution didn't work out. Or maybe it could have done with a good editor, I don't know.
I really wanted to love Ari but instead found her annoying and not very nice to the people close to her. Porter I liked better but one of the issues of the novel to me was that their was barely any distinction between their voices. In those cases where I stopped reading mid chapter, it took me a little while to figure out whose chapter I was in because their voices were so similar. Does a straight man in their 40s really think "be still my beating heart" when seeing a beautiful woman? I know it's possible but I'm using this as an example... Also, I only knew they were in their 40s from reading some raving reviews before starting this book, which I thought was great, unfortunately the way they were portrayed, they might as well have been in their 20s and I (mid-30s) wanted to tell them to grow up.
Also, a lot of the dialogues felt very unrealistic, like the one where Porter speaks to his brother in the restaurant. Instead of us learning about their background, their grandfather and their youth through the narrative or through Porter thinking about it, his brother tells their story. But they have both lived it, it's not something that would be explained to someone who was part of it, making it feel fake. Almost as if the author was trying to set the scene but not being able to find a way to do so in a way that feels natural.
Another issue was the timeline, in some places it's extremely slow and in other places it skips a few weeks, taking away all that would have happened in-between but assuming that the relationship has progressed in a certain way.
It's almost like the ideas were all great, which is why I am giving it two stars rather than one, but its execution didn't work out. Or maybe it could have done with a good editor, I don't know.
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I felt like the story was looooong but I also couldn't put it down. I love reading about 40-somethings, smashing, food and as an architect, kudos for the realistic depiction aside from the design schedule. They must have hired a million interns to go from schematic to bid documents in 2 weeks or whatever. Didn't matter because it didn't detract from the romance and character development. I LOVED the words about Greer. He slithered. That cracked me up. I think we all know a person who slithers. Excited to read more from Tati and I really hope there is more food involved.
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
DNF at 15% because I don’t want the conflict parts with smarmy Greer.
medium-paced
I wanted to like this more than I did. I liked the characters, but the story is trying to fit too much in and is all over the place. No idea was developed fully. It was almost a DNF for me.
But....it's her first book. I may give her next one a try.
But....it's her first book. I may give her next one a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual harassment
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book would have been much better if the partners got ran over by an 18-wheeler on I-20