496 reviews for:

Not Quite by the Book

Julie Hatcher

3.43 AVERAGE

christinastentzel's review against another edition

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

maldamom's review against another edition

3.75

inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-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

crysgjust's review against another edition

3.25

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This was probably more of a 3.25 to 3.5 in rating. I like how the book started, the dynamics in Emma’s family making her feel bitter and resentful for being left out as the only single one of the bunch. I’ve never seen miscommunication run through a whole family quite like this, but it made sense. I loved Cecily, her bff, and how she really saw Emma. When she finally realized Emma had misconstrued love as something you get in exchange for labor you did and not just freely given, Cecily helped Emma this was one of her biggest issues. I liked seeing Emma think about herself for a change and say something to her family about how she was feeling. She started to make change to be happier and found that she did t really need to be like Emily. 

I will admit I did see her original goal of becoming more Emily, being alone and giving up on love, as silly. Especially since it’s a romance book, but I will say I didn’t exactly root for Davis and her. He wasn’t great and was constantly untruthful. It was one thing after another with him and he couldn’t tell her the truth and she just forgave him and fell in love more. I think it could have been just as good of a story without the romance and more about Emma’s growth and change, to make herself happy.

jobrien13's review against another edition

2.75

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This book dragged on for me and the ending was too rushed. The writing was decent, but overall not a big fan. 

ropers16's review

4.0

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

belladonna230622's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

kitty44's review

3.0

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: Yes

kwag923's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

cortney326's review

4.0

funny lighthearted fast-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

itsbooksforever's review

5.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

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Loved being on the adventure with Emma as she discovered who she was away from her busy life!