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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What I love about a Lucy Vine romance is that, more often than not, the main focus of the book isn't really romance at all. Sure, it's a theme throughout the book. But at the heart of most of her books is a sense of self-discovery - where our protagonist often goes through a massive bout of self-reflection and growth over a period of time. And Seven Exes is no exception, though I will say it takes this concept to a truly intense place.
Esther gets the idea after drunkenly reading an article in a magazine. The idea is we all have the same seven relationships that, for whatever reason, didn't work out, and revisiting those relationships could lead us to finding this mystical being often referred to a "The One". Now, I likely don't have to tell you that this is a spectacularly terrible idea, but when you're day drunk on cheap wine, just about anything and everything sounds rather brilliant.
Esther, with the assistance of her best friends and roommates, Louise and Bibi, embarks on her journey to reach out to her seven exes in the hopes that, now with tiime gone by, one of them could be The One. Of course, nothing goes quite that smoothly, and nothing is quite as it seems.
And though there are some moments of pure hilarity through this book, it also touches on some really intense subjects, a couple that affected me greatly. The way Esther processes these moments - and how they've played a part in the rest of her life - is not a unique experience. I felt that these moments were represented with raw emotion, and incredible vulnerability. And it really made me feel for Esther all the more.
Esther's journey started with one goal - to find her way to The One - but it ended up being something else entirely. Her journey really was one of self-discovery and growth, and that's what I appreciate most about it. Through her own experiences, and all the ups and downs, her relationships with her friends also grow all the stronger. And there are really few things I appreciate more in a romance than a solid support network, and solid friendships.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Quick read. Good for something lighthearted before bed.
Not my vibe. There was a lot going on and I got confused with the male names.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Normally I wait 50 pages to dnf a book, but my goodness, I can't stand Esther. Insipid, uninspired, shallow. At 29! This feels like a bunch of teens talking in their bedroom, not roommates with real jobs and friendships. I read through chapter 1. Annoyed I bought the book since it was quite expensive at the time.
These are not the characters I enjoy. This is not the depth I find appealing. Another dnf but it'll clear space on my shelf at least.
These are not the characters I enjoy. This is not the depth I find appealing. Another dnf but it'll clear space on my shelf at least.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes