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3.27 AVERAGE
3.27 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
On the positive side, this light hearted rom com had likable characters and a cute premise with the romance stemming from Perry and Jane both connecting through their mutual 6-months of house arrest.
While this had so much potential to be a 5 star book with those qualities, I found the entire “Frances Fitzroy (aka the nosy neighbor) plot line to be super convoluted. I didn’t find that it added much to the story and actually detracted from the romance.
I also didn’t feel any real chemistry between Jane and Perry. There wasn’t an “sexy dialogue” and it was missing the banter that characterizes all of the romances that I give 5 stars. It’s a must for me!
While this had so much potential to be a 5 star book with those qualities, I found the entire “Frances Fitzroy (aka the nosy neighbor) plot line to be super convoluted. I didn’t find that it added much to the story and actually detracted from the romance.
I also didn’t feel any real chemistry between Jane and Perry. There wasn’t an “sexy dialogue” and it was missing the banter that characterizes all of the romances that I give 5 stars. It’s a must for me!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
lighthearted
medium-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
First let me say that I was thrilled to read a book with a 39 year old female protagonist, particularly when her declining fertility wasn't a main plot line and she also didn't have her shit entirely together and things still turned out okay for her.
Aside from that highlight, I found the book generally enjoyable but a bit directionless. Based on a review I'd heard, I expected a romance or romantic comedy, but I didn't really get that vibe. I don't mean that the book lacked spice (though it was completely closed door), but rather that for most of the book I wasn't really sure there even was a romantic plotline. Perry and Jane were both confined to their apartment building on house arrest, and they set up an arrangement wherein Jane cooked for Perry several times a week, but I felt no romantic chemistry between them any time they were together. Even their 'friends with benefits' arrangement seemed a little clinical, and I wasn't convinced that either of them had feelings for each other almost right up untilPerry proposed to Jane . I found myself wondering at various points "Is this a book about Jane's career change to a chef/tik tok icon?"; "Is this a murder mystery about the lady who called the police on Jane and Noah"; and also "Are we going to see personal growth from Perry following his ill advised theft and subsequent firing?" In other words, I kind of found it to be a book where 'a bunch of stuff happens' not a love story, a coming of age story, or even a murder mystery. Not sure if this is just Lipman's style of writing, but I didn't find it particularly compelling, just a light fluffy read. Not sure I'll race to pick up another Lipman book when I'm in the mood for a romcom.
Made me giggle:
1:10:49: "Perry looked distinctly unhappy to be the recipient of a stranger's personal information."
Aside from that highlight, I found the book generally enjoyable but a bit directionless. Based on a review I'd heard, I expected a romance or romantic comedy, but I didn't really get that vibe. I don't mean that the book lacked spice (though it was completely closed door), but rather that for most of the book I wasn't really sure there even was a romantic plotline. Perry and Jane were both confined to their apartment building on house arrest, and they set up an arrangement wherein Jane cooked for Perry several times a week, but I felt no romantic chemistry between them any time they were together. Even their 'friends with benefits' arrangement seemed a little clinical, and I wasn't convinced that either of them had feelings for each other almost right up until
Made me giggle:
1:10:49: "Perry looked distinctly unhappy to be the recipient of a stranger's personal information."
Content Warnings
Minor: Deportation
Closed door romance