Reviews - Not Quite by the Book

491 reviews for:

Not Quite by the Book

Julie Hatcher

3.44 AVERAGE

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

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

mvalila0630's review against another edition

2.75

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

jjems55's review against another edition

4.0

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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: No

elizabethkroberts's review against another edition

2.5

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I really wanted to like this book. The premise was good, but completely lacking in the right emotional details to make it work. And so many unnecessary or wrong details that distracted from the story it could have been.