488 reviews for:

Not Quite by the Book

Julie Hatcher

3.43 AVERAGE

natmag22's review

4.0

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Very sweet book even if it was a bit far-fetched.

delwithit's review against another edition

2.75

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Cute but ultimately a little boring. 

tmullins1030's review against another edition

lighthearted

mattiehiles's review

3.75

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

somechelsea's review

2.5

fast-paced

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

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I’m not sure why I bothered to finish this one, to be honest. Characters felt flat, plot was thin and could have been entirely wrapped up with three conversations, and in general it was just boring and repetitive. 

Somehow the thing that really got me was

the tacked on magazine article plot near the end. The interview and photoshoot went live on the magazine website later the same day?? And at the very end: Emma sadly thinks that she was once Davis’ first call when he got good news… yeah, girl, you were his first call one time. When the news was about the house you were staying in. Not exactly a tragic collapse of a stable relationship.

sejones's review

4.25

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ladyrevan35's review

5.0

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

samihaaaka's review against another edition

1.0

slow-paced

jenreads92's review against another edition

4.25

hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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The main character was very insightful. I liked how she was honest with herself and how she sat with her uncomfortable feelings. She took responsibility for her adult choices but wasn’t a doormat either. And her ability to forgive herself and others is aspirational. If only living life were as easy as reading about it. But I truly enjoyed her growth and insights. The romance was a sloooooooow burn and didn’t hit all of the right notes for me, but the ending was sweet. And her relationship with her sister was fun to watch in the last few chapters. All that said, dear lord who would want to emulate Emily Dickinson’s life? I’d rather stick my head in the oven. The bit about the bunnies reminded me of the Covid lockdown. Smile. I watched the bunnies and squirrels, too. It was a sweet read. 

classicpleek's review against another edition

4.0

hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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