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bradshk14's review
4.0
I bought this at an event supporting local writers a few years back, and have since become a reporter at a Bay Area weekly. After finally reading it, a lot of the story resonated with me and I think the author did a great job at capturing newsroom dynamics and the motivations of its reporters.
juliaeditrix's review
5.0
Well, first things first -- I wrote this, so I'm bound to think it's wonderful! (I'm prejudiced, obviously.) While this isn't Jane Austen, it's a sassy, contemporary, somewhat spicy tale that captures the angst and ambiguity of being single in America in the 21st Century. Which is, in many ways, something like being single in England in the 1800s. I won't spoil it for you, but rest assured that Veronika has her day, and gets a scoop, and is on to other adventures...soon!
critterbee's review
3.0
This is the first tale in the new, very spicy series about Veronika Layne, reporter on fire with strong views about what is right and what is not. This book sets up her current situation and introduces major characters, as well as involving some sizzling romance and more than a touch of her romantic fantasies. Veronika herself the main focus of this book. And she is an entertaining character.
In this instance, Veronika's employer, a loved local paper, is bought by a large, advertorial-heavy media group. Suddenly, instead of covering breaking news, she is regulated to sparkly features about pets and puff pieces glorifying local advertisers. While her job is not a casualty, her idealistic way of life may become one. Trying to keep her journalistic integrity intact, she investigates suspicious actions being undertaken by one of her new newspaper's major advertisers.
The story felt a bit rushed at times, and I would have liked a bit more of the local land development story. Overall, this is an enjoyable, and definitely a spicy, read. I am interested in following up with the next installment to discover in what direction the author is going to take Veronika.
**eARC netgalley**
In this instance, Veronika's employer, a loved local paper, is bought by a large, advertorial-heavy media group. Suddenly, instead of covering breaking news, she is regulated to sparkly features about pets and puff pieces glorifying local advertisers. While her job is not a casualty, her idealistic way of life may become one. Trying to keep her journalistic integrity intact, she investigates suspicious actions being undertaken by one of her new newspaper's major advertisers.
The story felt a bit rushed at times, and I would have liked a bit more of the local land development story. Overall, this is an enjoyable, and definitely a spicy, read. I am interested in following up with the next installment to discover in what direction the author is going to take Veronika.
**eARC netgalley**
rachelcus's review
3.0
This book was a 3.5 stars for me.
The story started off a bit rocky for me; I didn't instantly feel connected to the character and was only mildly interested in the story that was unfolding. Though once the book got off to a more secure start I enjoyed it quite a bit overall. However, there were many elements that I simultaneously liked and disliked. For example, the steamy sex scenes. They added a little spice to the story, but weren't really necessary. I felt like they were more of a cop-out for developing Veronika than they were really a legitimate story element.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that all in all the storyline itself was very intriguing, but the main character felt flat to me. I don't think I can honestly rate this as one of my favorites, but I would read a second installment.
[Review also posted on LibraryThing as part of Early Reviewers]
The story started off a bit rocky for me; I didn't instantly feel connected to the character and was only mildly interested in the story that was unfolding. Though once the book got off to a more secure start I enjoyed it quite a bit overall. However, there were many elements that I simultaneously liked and disliked. For example, the steamy sex scenes. They added a little spice to the story, but weren't really necessary. I felt like they were more of a cop-out for developing Veronika than they were really a legitimate story element.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that all in all the storyline itself was very intriguing, but the main character felt flat to me. I don't think I can honestly rate this as one of my favorites, but I would read a second installment.
[Review also posted on LibraryThing as part of Early Reviewers]
jennievh's review
5.0
Wow! Exciting buildup to a great finish that leaves you wanting more (no worries, there's a #2 already published and possibly more!), with sex scenes that are the epitome of steamy. Fun to read references to our little Island City, too!
bookishheather's review
3.0
Chick lit isn't really my thing. Heck, fiction isn't even really my thing. The sex and romance-focused bits may have made me roll my eyes, but there's a lot to like about Veronika Layne Gets the Scoop!
Veronika is a young professional who regularly compares her moral compass compass to how she's paying the bills. She's a more tattooed version of me, making breakfasts with Field Roast vegan sausage and biking her way around town. Veronika finds herself assigned to the senior citizen and pet beat for a syndicate of "community" papers, but she's sitting on a big story. A story that will not please one of her employer's advertisers.
The main story doesn't go exactly where you think it will, which keeps it engaging. Along Veronika's journey readers get a peek into a journalist's life, corporate media issues, SF bay area history, tribal issues, and more. In the last several pages, I felt anxious along with Veronika as she tried to piece together some crucial information, with formerly cooperative sources suddenly shutting her out. At a certain point I was convinced she was going to quit her job and start a new independent paper—empty bank account be damned. (She doesn't.)
Sprinkled between the more interesting themes listed above, there were also some sex scenes and romance stuff. Because how could chick lit be categorized as such without these? But at least this chick lit was far smarter and well-written than Bridget Jones's Diary or other passages I've read and then retched so hard I couldn't continue reading.
I would totally ride bikes with Veronika Layne.
Veronika is a young professional who regularly compares her moral compass compass to how she's paying the bills. She's a more tattooed version of me, making breakfasts with Field Roast vegan sausage and biking her way around town. Veronika finds herself assigned to the senior citizen and pet beat for a syndicate of "community" papers, but she's sitting on a big story. A story that will not please one of her employer's advertisers.
The main story doesn't go exactly where you think it will, which keeps it engaging. Along Veronika's journey readers get a peek into a journalist's life, corporate media issues, SF bay area history, tribal issues, and more. In the last several pages, I felt anxious along with Veronika as she tried to piece together some crucial information, with formerly cooperative sources suddenly shutting her out. At a certain point I was convinced she was going to quit her job and start a new independent paper—empty bank account be damned. (She doesn't.)
Sprinkled between the more interesting themes listed above, there were also some sex scenes and romance stuff. Because how could chick lit be categorized as such without these? But at least this chick lit was far smarter and well-written than Bridget Jones's Diary or other passages I've read and then retched so hard I couldn't continue reading.
I would totally ride bikes with Veronika Layne.
alexcanread's review
2.0
Not the most compelling read, the romance was....not romantic? Out of the blue but also completely predictable?
Not my cup of tea.
Not my cup of tea.
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