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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
This book has such a sweet and cozy premise and is a great palate cleanser or reading slump cure: after her beloved grandmother passes, Mallory inherits a charming beachside cottage, with the added responsibility of caring for her grandfather. I was immediately drawn in by the potential for a heartfelt, quiet story about grief, connection, and self-discovery.
One of the highlights for me was Mallory’s relationship with her grandfather. Their interactions were tender, warm, and often quite moving and easily my favorite part of the book. I loved watching that bond grow as they navigated life without her grandmother, and those scenes added real emotional depth to the story.
That said, I struggled a bit with Mallory as a character. For someone in her mid-twenties, she came across as surprisingly immature at times. Her motivations were often unclear, and her impulsive choices and reluctance to take responsibility made it difficult for me to connect with her. While I appreciated that she was written as a deeply introverted and flawed person, some of her actions felt more frustrating than relatable.
Overall, An Introvert’s Guide to Life and Love offers a heartwarming, introspective story with strong themes of family, personal growth, and finding comfort outside your comfort zone. While I didn’t fully connect with the main character, I think this book will resonate with those who are looking for a gentle, low conflict story about learning to open your heart, even when it's scary.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren Appelbaum, and Forever for the eARC of this book.
One of the highlights for me was Mallory’s relationship with her grandfather. Their interactions were tender, warm, and often quite moving and easily my favorite part of the book. I loved watching that bond grow as they navigated life without her grandmother, and those scenes added real emotional depth to the story.
That said, I struggled a bit with Mallory as a character. For someone in her mid-twenties, she came across as surprisingly immature at times. Her motivations were often unclear, and her impulsive choices and reluctance to take responsibility made it difficult for me to connect with her. While I appreciated that she was written as a deeply introverted and flawed person, some of her actions felt more frustrating than relatable.
Overall, An Introvert’s Guide to Life and Love offers a heartwarming, introspective story with strong themes of family, personal growth, and finding comfort outside your comfort zone. While I didn’t fully connect with the main character, I think this book will resonate with those who are looking for a gentle, low conflict story about learning to open your heart, even when it's scary.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren Appelbaum, and Forever for the eARC of this book.
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In some ways this is exactly what I think of for women’s fiction - following a woman’s life and personal growth. Throughout the book, Mallory is learning to deal with grief (passing of her grandma), new responsibility (taking care of her grandfather), and embracing change (living in Florida, meeting someone, figuring out what she wants in her work-life).
However, I never really connected with Mallory herself, she came across immature and not willing to take responsibility in her life. She complains she feels life a failure on the work front in her family, but are also doesn’t try at her job and seems to skate by (e.g., forgetting she has work, lying to her boss, not paying attention in meetings). She is said to be an introvert but comes across more paralyzed by self-consciousness (e.g., at the bar age wants there patrons to talk to her, she chats up the barista). And she doesn’t seem to appreciate her grandma giving her the house, instead focus on money (which she could better adored if she didn’t shop online so much).
Thank you to Lauren Appelbaum, Forever, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
medium-paced
4.25
This was so much more than I thought it was going to be. I loved it. Marllory works in tech. Everyone else in her family is a lawyer. She thought she was going to go down that path to but it end up not working out. Instead, now she works remotely She also has a shopping addiction. When her grandmother passes and she inherit a cottage with a stipulation that she doesn’t sell it and she takes care of her grandfather she ends up going down to Florida for a visit….and to renovate it for rental.
We get a heartwarming story of reconnection with a grandfather. A love story with the person who is her property manager. And just a funny and overall heartwarming time. I really loved that we had lots of time with her and her grandfather. I loved the writing, the is my first Lauren Appelbaum. And this looks like it is her second book. I will definitely be checking out the other book and watching for subsequent works that this author put out.
Thank you to Forever for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was so much more than I thought it was going to be. I loved it. Marllory works in tech. Everyone else in her family is a lawyer. She thought she was going to go down that path to but it end up not working out. Instead, now she works remotely She also has a shopping addiction. When her grandmother passes and she inherit a cottage with a stipulation that she doesn’t sell it and she takes care of her grandfather she ends up going down to Florida for a visit….and to renovate it for rental.
We get a heartwarming story of reconnection with a grandfather. A love story with the person who is her property manager. And just a funny and overall heartwarming time. I really loved that we had lots of time with her and her grandfather. I loved the writing, the is my first Lauren Appelbaum. And this looks like it is her second book. I will definitely be checking out the other book and watching for subsequent works that this author put out.
Thank you to Forever for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such a good read!! I couldn’t put it down, there was just something about it. I loved how there was a dual focus of both romance and finding yourself. I loved Mallory and Daniel’s relationship and I absolutely loved Mallory and her grandpa’s relationship too! I thought that this book did a good job of highlighting the after effects of the pandemic while still maintaining the lighter nature of a romance book. Definitely check this one out when it releases!
Thank you Forever and NetGalley for the advanced copy! All opinions are my own.
Thank you Forever and NetGalley for the advanced copy! All opinions are my own.
3.5 ⭐️
If you’re expecting a cozy, small beach town romance, this is not the book. While there is romance, it’s the subplot. This story’s primary focus is Mallory’s personal growth and her building meaning and loving connections with people.
This book hit home in more than one way since I’m an introvert. I related to Mallory’s social awkwardness and her inner monologue of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, excessive spending habits, and overthinking. I loved watching her battle herself and learn how to build connections with people and live a little.
The writing did feel immature and chunky. There were also odd assumptions and stereotypes that threw me off.
Example: Mallory learned Daniel was a vegetarian and her response was, “Wow. I’m surprised. You seem so...” I don’t even know what I’m going to say. Manly? Floridian?”
😂 Manly? All because he doesn’t like meat, he’s not manly?
And although I really appreciated & related to Mallory’s behavior, there were times that she was too impulsive, erratic, and all over the place. With this plus the writing style, I felt like I was reading more of a diary than a story. Plus, it gave me whiplash.
Nevertheless, I liked this book and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a quick, emotional cozy read 💕
Thank you, NetGalley & publishers for my gift ARC ☺️
If you’re expecting a cozy, small beach town romance, this is not the book. While there is romance, it’s the subplot. This story’s primary focus is Mallory’s personal growth and her building meaning and loving connections with people.
This book hit home in more than one way since I’m an introvert. I related to Mallory’s social awkwardness and her inner monologue of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, excessive spending habits, and overthinking. I loved watching her battle herself and learn how to build connections with people and live a little.
The writing did feel immature and chunky. There were also odd assumptions and stereotypes that threw me off.
Example: Mallory learned Daniel was a vegetarian and her response was, “Wow. I’m surprised. You seem so...” I don’t even know what I’m going to say. Manly? Floridian?”
😂 Manly? All because he doesn’t like meat, he’s not manly?
And although I really appreciated & related to Mallory’s behavior, there were times that she was too impulsive, erratic, and all over the place. With this plus the writing style, I felt like I was reading more of a diary than a story. Plus, it gave me whiplash.
Nevertheless, I liked this book and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a quick, emotional cozy read 💕
Thank you, NetGalley & publishers for my gift ARC ☺️