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3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
1 star
It's been awhile since I finished this and I'm trying to catch up on all of my reviews that I've been putting off.
I didn't like this for a couple of reasons.
1/ The writing style, it was a weird mixture of over and under-written and undeveloped. It felt like the author was trying too hard to make the characters seem deep and profound, but all it left me was annoyed and irritated.
2/ The time jumps made the story more difficult to follow and it felt like the time jumps were meant to keep the reader at an arms length.
3/ Eve & Ben. It was like they were ripped straight out of the pages of John Green book because Eve's whole manic pixie dream girl shtick and Ben ends up being the sap who falls in love with her.
It's been awhile since I finished this and I'm trying to catch up on all of my reviews that I've been putting off.
I didn't like this for a couple of reasons.
1/ The writing style, it was a weird mixture of over and under-written and undeveloped. It felt like the author was trying too hard to make the characters seem deep and profound, but all it left me was annoyed and irritated.
2/ The time jumps made the story more difficult to follow and it felt like the time jumps were meant to keep the reader at an arms length.
3/ Eve & Ben. It was like they were ripped straight out of the pages of John Green book because Eve's whole manic pixie dream girl shtick and Ben ends up being the sap who falls in love with her.
Unfortunately this was nothing special :/ Typical story of a girl who is too 'emotionally damaged' to be in a relationship, but finds the right guy who was there all along, helps her have some revelation about her life, and makes her happy even though they're 'total opposites'.
Do you ever start a book and instantly get that sinking feeling in your gut because you know with every fiber of your being that you're just not gonna like it one bit??
I always feel absolutely horrible not finishing arcs, but when I don't care about characters at the 20% mark, I know I'm not going to care to see their journey to the end of the book.
Okay, I did skip to the end to see how they ended up, and I still didn’t like it.
Some reviewers did, though…so, if you are looking for a quirky story about two people who are friends, not, and then maybe more…so sorry I couldn't say more...
I always feel absolutely horrible not finishing arcs, but when I don't care about characters at the 20% mark, I know I'm not going to care to see their journey to the end of the book.
Okay, I did skip to the end to see how they ended up, and I still didn’t like it.
Some reviewers did, though…so, if you are looking for a quirky story about two people who are friends, not, and then maybe more…so sorry I couldn't say more...
3.75 stars (Can I do that?)
Thoroughly enjoyed her writing style. A kind of rambly stream-of-consciousness that makes the prose and descriptions feel very sincere and genuine. Not at all surprised to read post-script that the author's bio closely matches Eve's. No one can write descriptions with such nuance and peppered with NYC's delightful little idiosyncracies in a way that gives it so much depth without actually having lived in the city.
For the sake of offering a critique, I wish there was more dialogue. It moved too quickly from scene to scene. So much time passes between chapters that I feel like I don't get enough time to experience being with Eve and Ben. Also, Ben's internal narrative was well fleshed out and carried a suitably different flavour to Eve's (Which I fully appreciate how difficult this is to do when write from multi perspectives) but his internal personality didn't quite match his external.
Thoroughly enjoyed her writing style. A kind of rambly stream-of-consciousness that makes the prose and descriptions feel very sincere and genuine. Not at all surprised to read post-script that the author's bio closely matches Eve's. No one can write descriptions with such nuance and peppered with NYC's delightful little idiosyncracies in a way that gives it so much depth without actually having lived in the city.
For the sake of offering a critique, I wish there was more dialogue. It moved too quickly from scene to scene. So much time passes between chapters that I feel like I don't get enough time to experience being with Eve and Ben. Also, Ben's internal narrative was well fleshed out and carried a suitably different flavour to Eve's (Which I fully appreciate how difficult this is to do when write from multi perspectives) but his internal personality didn't quite match his external.
Wow you guys. Is Gallery books sure this is Leslie Cohen's debut novel? In all seriousness this book was written will outstanding talent. I didn't know about this book right away. I actually got it as an email from NetGalley. Most of the time, I dismiss these types of emails, but for some reason I clicked on this one and I immediately fell in love. I went on to request it right away. I couldn't wait to get some time to read this. Once I did..I was HOOKED. So thank you NetGalley, Gallery Publishers, Simon&Schuster, and whomever else involved. I absolutely loved this novel.
Okay, so obviously with the synopsis we meet Eve and Ben. In actuality they aren't together until maybe 30-40% of the book. While a part of me is always anticipating the immediate romance between characters, I actually enjoyed the character buildup of Eve. I didn't enjoy her involvement in drug use (I'm just not that type of person...) but I get some people are and I respected that for the story's sake. I really felt like we were witnessing Eve grow up and adapt to who she was truly meant to be. I do wish we had that sense of closure between Eve and her biological dad like we did between Eve and her step-dad, but that definitely was not a deal-breaker for me.
I feel like TLSWSD touches deep in the heart of us somewhere. The dramatics really ground this book and give it that "real" moment, those "real" feelings, and that "raw" emotion that gives us that "ah ha!" moment.
Anyways, TLSWSD was quirky, fun, passionate, funny, and at times dramatic when it needed to be. The cover is enticing, the character development of Eve was superb, the funny cute quotes (which I can't quote at this time) were super cute and funny. It gave us something to life the spirits of some of the heaviness inside. This book was great.
Would I recommend this book to a friend? You better believe I would.
I may have connected with this book because I feel like I can relate to Eve in a way. When I read books like this, it's always easy to throw yourself in one's shoes. Eve made that easy for us to do because she is a girl, on her own, struggling to become who she wants to be in a world that has made it difficult to do. She makes mistakes, she makes rash judgments, she owns up to them, she tries to make herself better. She tries. She's determined. A brilliant way to read of "coming of age" if you will.
This wasn't a book about Ben..or he would be on the cover. This book wouldn't be called This Love Story Will Self Destruct, it would be called something like This Love Story Won't Be Allowed To Self Destruct.. Ben wasn't some overbearing guy who made Eve feel like she had to be someone she wasn't. They saw each other throughout college, but never really had the opportunity to know one another. Once they do, it was so normal for them to be in company of themselves that it felt normal. Ben didn't ask Eve to change, didn't keep her from anything. He truly let her be herself and grow! I loved that. GO BEN!
This Love Story Will Self-Destruct Releases January 23, 2018! Make sure you pencil this release in because it is one you won't want to forget. A great start to your New Year!
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend you Guys!
Much Much Much Love,
DauntlessReading
Okay, so obviously with the synopsis we meet Eve and Ben. In actuality they aren't together until maybe 30-40% of the book. While a part of me is always anticipating the immediate romance between characters, I actually enjoyed the character buildup of Eve. I didn't enjoy her involvement in drug use (I'm just not that type of person...) but I get some people are and I respected that for the story's sake. I really felt like we were witnessing Eve grow up and adapt to who she was truly meant to be. I do wish we had that sense of closure between Eve and her biological dad like we did between Eve and her step-dad, but that definitely was not a deal-breaker for me.
I feel like TLSWSD touches deep in the heart of us somewhere. The dramatics really ground this book and give it that "real" moment, those "real" feelings, and that "raw" emotion that gives us that "ah ha!" moment.
Anyways, TLSWSD was quirky, fun, passionate, funny, and at times dramatic when it needed to be. The cover is enticing, the character development of Eve was superb, the funny cute quotes (which I can't quote at this time) were super cute and funny. It gave us something to life the spirits of some of the heaviness inside. This book was great.
Would I recommend this book to a friend? You better believe I would.
I may have connected with this book because I feel like I can relate to Eve in a way. When I read books like this, it's always easy to throw yourself in one's shoes. Eve made that easy for us to do because she is a girl, on her own, struggling to become who she wants to be in a world that has made it difficult to do. She makes mistakes, she makes rash judgments, she owns up to them, she tries to make herself better. She tries. She's determined. A brilliant way to read of "coming of age" if you will.
This wasn't a book about Ben..or he would be on the cover. This book wouldn't be called This Love Story Will Self Destruct, it would be called something like This Love Story Won't Be Allowed To Self Destruct.. Ben wasn't some overbearing guy who made Eve feel like she had to be someone she wasn't. They saw each other throughout college, but never really had the opportunity to know one another. Once they do, it was so normal for them to be in company of themselves that it felt normal. Ben didn't ask Eve to change, didn't keep her from anything. He truly let her be herself and grow! I loved that. GO BEN!
This Love Story Will Self-Destruct Releases January 23, 2018! Make sure you pencil this release in because it is one you won't want to forget. A great start to your New Year!
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend you Guys!
Much Much Much Love,
DauntlessReading
You need to read this book! I just can't recommend this opposites attract, slow burn romance story enough. I was intrigued by the blurb because hey, I love angst. But Ms. Cohen delivered so much more. This Love Story Will Self-Destruct is an expertly written, clever, poetic and heartfelt story of a young women coming of age in the early to mid two thousands. From the very opening pages I was captivated. The prologue sets a tone of anticipation and once I started I simply couldn't conceive of doing anything else with me time.
Columbia University senior Eve is surrounded by a small group of friends who are diverse, at times kindred spirits to her, but most certainly always highly entertaining. Eve's life is fascinating. She struggles with deep rooted fear all while trying to figure out what she wants out her life. She knows what she wants to dowork as a music journalist, but as you'd expect, she struggles to break into the industry via the NYC workforce of 2007. She experiences laughter and heartache and comes to a realization about the lack of opportunity, so takes a chance and uses a well timed opportunity to rebuild her confidence.
Eve is one of those endearingly flawed characters that you can't help but root for. She's very observant and she's has thoughts that are slightly judgmental. Normally that would put me off a character but as you we get to know Eve, it just feeds into her quirks. She's introspective and because of her upbringing and her family situation, she's incredibly guarded and at times, she's her own worst enemy.
Ben has been in and out of her life, but very much on the peripheral. As the story progresses Ben and Eve are brought together and the timing seems right. Thus we have the start of the love story. It's an uphill battle for both of them, but Ben is patient with Eve, and he's incrediby romantic. He just seems to get her and he gives her the stability that allows her to be her quirky and adorable self. But she is impulsive, she lets self-doubt and the fear of rejection get the the best of her, and mistakes are made. I literally gasped "Oh Eve - you silly girl"...
One thing that really makes this story work how Cohen develops her characters, especially with Eve's backstory. She intersperses flashbacks of Eve growing up and the distress she feels about her broken family, her sister, her mother and even the father that abandoned them. Then there's a zinger of a connection between Ben and Eve that I would never have seen coming.
One can never know about the editing process, but I thought the author and whomever she works with to craft the plot, did a stellar job. I connected with Eve, I connected with Ben, I even connected a bit with Jesse. The timeline is executed to perfection and became a rare "reading experience" for me. Lest I sound so serious, it is a fun read too. I felt like I was traveling the subway, having coffee and out for drinks with this dynamic group of friends.
I am mightily impressed with Ms Cohen's words. Eve and Ben wormed there way right into my heart. Ben is just so charming and levelheaded as we got to know him I couldn't help but think how much I liked him for her. Yes, her. Because Eve really is the star of the story. Her anxiety bled off the pages, making my heart race. I really can't wait to see what comes next from this outstanding debut author. 5++ Stars and a #MustRead recommendation!!
*I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Columbia University senior Eve is surrounded by a small group of friends who are diverse, at times kindred spirits to her, but most certainly always highly entertaining. Eve's life is fascinating. She struggles with deep rooted fear all while trying to figure out what she wants out her life. She knows what she wants to dowork as a music journalist, but as you'd expect, she struggles to break into the industry via the NYC workforce of 2007. She experiences laughter and heartache and comes to a realization about the lack of opportunity, so takes a chance and uses a well timed opportunity to rebuild her confidence.
Eve is one of those endearingly flawed characters that you can't help but root for. She's very observant and she's has thoughts that are slightly judgmental. Normally that would put me off a character but as you we get to know Eve, it just feeds into her quirks. She's introspective and because of her upbringing and her family situation, she's incredibly guarded and at times, she's her own worst enemy.
Ben has been in and out of her life, but very much on the peripheral. As the story progresses Ben and Eve are brought together and the timing seems right. Thus we have the start of the love story. It's an uphill battle for both of them, but Ben is patient with Eve, and he's incrediby romantic. He just seems to get her and he gives her the stability that allows her to be her quirky and adorable self. But she is impulsive, she lets self-doubt and the fear of rejection get the the best of her, and mistakes are made. I literally gasped "Oh Eve - you silly girl"...
One thing that really makes this story work how Cohen develops her characters, especially with Eve's backstory. She intersperses flashbacks of Eve growing up and the distress she feels about her broken family, her sister, her mother and even the father that abandoned them. Then there's a zinger of a connection between Ben and Eve that I would never have seen coming.
One can never know about the editing process, but I thought the author and whomever she works with to craft the plot, did a stellar job. I connected with Eve, I connected with Ben, I even connected a bit with Jesse. The timeline is executed to perfection and became a rare "reading experience" for me. Lest I sound so serious, it is a fun read too. I felt like I was traveling the subway, having coffee and out for drinks with this dynamic group of friends.
I am mightily impressed with Ms Cohen's words. Eve and Ben wormed there way right into my heart. Ben is just so charming and levelheaded as we got to know him I couldn't help but think how much I liked him for her. Yes, her. Because Eve really is the star of the story. Her anxiety bled off the pages, making my heart race. I really can't wait to see what comes next from this outstanding debut author. 5++ Stars and a #MustRead recommendation!!
*I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I liked the alternate narration, the setting of NYC, and the fact that it spans a decade. However, Eve was annoying and Ben was boring and I didn't particularly care about their story.
This review is really more of a 4.5 because I went back and forth between a 4 and a 5 for a very long time. This book was different than I thought it was going to be from the description and the start of it, I imagined a lot more ships passing in the night college moments, but then was entirely fine with where it went in a shocking turn of events for me. I just really liked Eve and Ben and their relationship and how they explored it and one another and I legit said out loud, "Oh, sh*t" upon reading what came after their bagel breakfast, which is the highest form of praise I can give to something. I would read so much more about the two of them and their friends and their lives. I would really prefer if this was a TV series that ran for multiple seasons as well.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
This is a book that I enjoyed towards the middle and the end. But the beginning is where I struggled. The main character is in a unhealthy relationship and she isn't really happy with where her life is going at the moment, but she doesn't seem to know how to change it. Instead of going on about how I don't like this part of the book I'm going to fast-forward to the parts I did like.
The middle of the book is where she starts taking control of her life and figures out what she wants and how to get that, plus she finally wants to get into a healthy relationship! (I know we all have unhealthy relationships, but as soon as we meet her ex I knew he was not good and just wanted that portion of the book to be over.) This is where we meet Ben whose job I found fascinating. Ben and Eve while dysfunctional at times grow and learn together. We see them go through so much and surprisingly I really enjoyed a lot of it. How they both were connected from a young age as well and didn't even know it was something new for me. This is also the first book I've ever read where the characters lost someone in 9/11 so to read that and to see how it affected both of them was something new for me as well.
Even though this is new adult, there were no sex scenes, sex is mentioned as well as drug use and a lot of drinking.
This is a book that I would not normally read, but I am glad I decided to try it out and got out of my comfort zone for a change.
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This is a book that I enjoyed towards the middle and the end. But the beginning is where I struggled. The main character is in a unhealthy relationship and she isn't really happy with where her life is going at the moment, but she doesn't seem to know how to change it. Instead of going on about how I don't like this part of the book I'm going to fast-forward to the parts I did like.
The middle of the book is where she starts taking control of her life and figures out what she wants and how to get that, plus she finally wants to get into a healthy relationship! (I know we all have unhealthy relationships, but as soon as we meet her ex I knew he was not good and just wanted that portion of the book to be over.) This is where we meet Ben whose job I found fascinating. Ben and Eve while dysfunctional at times grow and learn together. We see them go through so much and surprisingly I really enjoyed a lot of it. How they both were connected from a young age as well and didn't even know it was something new for me. This is also the first book I've ever read where the characters lost someone in 9/11 so to read that and to see how it affected both of them was something new for me as well.
Even though this is new adult, there were no sex scenes, sex is mentioned as well as drug use and a lot of drinking.
This is a book that I would not normally read, but I am glad I decided to try it out and got out of my comfort zone for a change.
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