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exquisite_tragedy's review against another edition
2.0
TW: alcoholism, loss of a loved one
I have very, very mixed feelings about this book. On paper this looked like a perfect read for me - An emotional romance about a man overcoming grief/shame while caring for his son with ASD.
Things I liked:
-The interactions between Ellen & Harrison
-The portrayl of music therapy
-Flint's sassy and outspoken secretary
Things I didn't like:
-LITERALLY EVERYTHING ELSE
I felt literally zero chemistry between Flint and Ellen, which made it very hard for me to root for them. I think the renting drama was supposed to create some sort of hate to love vibes, but it felt so contrived and unnecessary. Like the secretary said at one point, you're getting mad at her for playing music upstairs when she told you the she was going to play music upstairs? It didn't make sense to me. Ellen also gave off way too many manic pixie dream girl vibes for my liking. Like, homegirl is so quirky because she hums all the time and has pet rats.
Let's just talk about the elephant in the room...I HATE THE UNPLANNED PREGNANCY TROPE!!! I hate it with every fiber of my being. Had I known that it was going to be in here, I definitely would have passed on this one. I don't like how the pregnancy was the only reason why Flint and Ellen decided to act like adults and actual have a conversation. Without the pregnancy, I really don't see any reason why they would have worked through their differences and gotten together which is frustrating to me.
I also thought that were so many random plot points thrown in at random with no particular development/resolution. For example, it was mentioned that Ellen's mom died in a plane crash and we had the one scene where Ellen was anxious about getting on a plane...but then it was never really mentioned or addressed again? I would have liked a little more time exploring that and the impact that it has had on Ellen and her father. There was the one interaction between Flint and Heidi's mother, however it also felt oddly thrown in and never revisited.
I would have liked more insight/backstory on how Flint addressed his alcoholism in the years following his wife's death. I think it would have helped me to understand his character a little better, but that just might be me having worked as a social worker and substance abuse counselor for many years.
Had I been reading this physically I likely would have DNFed it, but the audiobook was very well done and helped me get through it. Despite my problems and frustrations with this, I did like Jewel E Ann's overall writing style and would consider picking up more books from her in the future. I just might need to do a little more research beforehand to get a better idea of the tropes/TWs being used.
I have very, very mixed feelings about this book. On paper this looked like a perfect read for me - An emotional romance about a man overcoming grief/shame while caring for his son with ASD.
Things I liked:
-The interactions between Ellen & Harrison
-The portrayl of music therapy
-Flint's sassy and outspoken secretary
Things I didn't like:
-LITERALLY EVERYTHING ELSE
I felt literally zero chemistry between Flint and Ellen, which made it very hard for me to root for them. I think the renting drama was supposed to create some sort of hate to love vibes, but it felt so contrived and unnecessary. Like the secretary said at one point, you're getting mad at her for playing music upstairs when she told you the she was going to play music upstairs? It didn't make sense to me. Ellen also gave off way too many manic pixie dream girl vibes for my liking. Like, homegirl is so quirky because she hums all the time and has pet rats.
Let's just talk about the elephant in the room...I HATE THE UNPLANNED PREGNANCY TROPE!!! I hate it with every fiber of my being. Had I known that it was going to be in here, I definitely would have passed on this one. I don't like how the pregnancy was the only reason why Flint and Ellen decided to act like adults and actual have a conversation. Without the pregnancy, I really don't see any reason why they would have worked through their differences and gotten together which is frustrating to me.
I also thought that were so many random plot points thrown in at random with no particular development/resolution. For example, it was mentioned that Ellen's mom died in a plane crash and we had the one scene where Ellen was anxious about getting on a plane...but then it was never really mentioned or addressed again? I would have liked a little more time exploring that and the impact that it has had on Ellen and her father. There was the one interaction between Flint and Heidi's mother, however it also felt oddly thrown in and never revisited.
I would have liked more insight/backstory on how Flint addressed his alcoholism in the years following his wife's death. I think it would have helped me to understand his character a little better, but that just might be me having worked as a social worker and substance abuse counselor for many years.
Had I been reading this physically I likely would have DNFed it, but the audiobook was very well done and helped me get through it. Despite my problems and frustrations with this, I did like Jewel E Ann's overall writing style and would consider picking up more books from her in the future. I just might need to do a little more research beforehand to get a better idea of the tropes/TWs being used.
kerithesmutslut's review against another edition
5.0
I’m leaving my original review at the bottom to prove how much an audio narrator can make or break a book for me. I only got through 15% before dnfing last year, but thankfully gave this book another shot. This time I physically read it and had a much better experience.
DNF at 15% -Nope can’t do it. This book isn’t for me. It’s cringy as fuuck. The audiobook is just as cringy- the female narrator sounds like a valley girl in heat.
DNF at 15% -Nope can’t do it. This book isn’t for me. It’s cringy as fuuck. The audiobook is just as cringy- the female narrator sounds like a valley girl in heat.
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
At times ok, relationship between Flint and Ellen moved way to fast, drama with her ex husband was unnecessary just like length of book.
meggie82461's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars ✨
This book has been around for a couple years so I’m not going to spend much time reviewing it. I will say that I really liked it, which says a lot because I don’t always love the tropes involved. The stars of this book were Ellen, the heroine (who any man would be beyond lucky to have) and Harrison, Flint’s 12 year old son with mild autism. I know we’re not using the term Asperger’s anymore, but it is used in the book because it was published a few years ago. Harrison often stole the show with his straightforward declarations, and I loved it.
Truthfully, what made this great was in the details. The dialogue and the personalities, mostly. The overall plot was standard, but the rest was above average. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I will definitely pick up another book by this author, since this was my first of hers.
This book has been around for a couple years so I’m not going to spend much time reviewing it. I will say that I really liked it, which says a lot because I don’t always love the tropes involved. The stars of this book were Ellen, the heroine (who any man would be beyond lucky to have) and Harrison, Flint’s 12 year old son with mild autism. I know we’re not using the term Asperger’s anymore, but it is used in the book because it was published a few years ago. Harrison often stole the show with his straightforward declarations, and I loved it.
Truthfully, what made this great was in the details. The dialogue and the personalities, mostly. The overall plot was standard, but the rest was above average. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I will definitely pick up another book by this author, since this was my first of hers.
letinicole's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
4.0
Ellen and flint
mrsherrera's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Vomit
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Car accident
Minor: Child abuse
choya's review against another edition
1.0
This is a TERRIBLE book. It stared at great but sporalled out of control. This book was a waste of time
heavenlyi's review against another edition
5.0
“Sometimes the world ends and forgets to take you with it.”
I look forward to a new Jewel E Ann book with the greatest of anticipation. There is a reason she is one of my favorite authors. Look the Part delivered on my expectations and then some. It’s my first 6-Star read of the year. I laughed, I cried...my heart soared and hurt in equal measure. The FEELS!!! This had ALL THE FEELS!!!
I can’t say enough about Jewel’s writing. She gives us humor and angst all wrapped up in a delicious, unputdownable package, that I couldn’t help but devour from cover to cover in one sitting. Right from the prologue, you know there are going to be some heavy hitting issues, but it’s never heavy handed. And while there is angst, it’s never over the top or forced.
The characters, Flint and Ellen, are so real. I loved them and their chemistry together. Ellen pushes all of Flint’s buttons in the best possible way. They both need each other to heal the scars of the past.
Books like Look the Part are the reason I read romance. Love stories that leave us with a resounding echo of what love can do, how it can heal and transform lives. And I can’t forget to mention there are pet rats!!! I totally want my own now lol This is definitely one of my most favorite books EVER!
“I’m going to love you so hard, time won’t matter. Distance won’t matter. All you’ll feel when you take each breath...is my love.”
I look forward to a new Jewel E Ann book with the greatest of anticipation. There is a reason she is one of my favorite authors. Look the Part delivered on my expectations and then some. It’s my first 6-Star read of the year. I laughed, I cried...my heart soared and hurt in equal measure. The FEELS!!! This had ALL THE FEELS!!!
I can’t say enough about Jewel’s writing. She gives us humor and angst all wrapped up in a delicious, unputdownable package, that I couldn’t help but devour from cover to cover in one sitting. Right from the prologue, you know there are going to be some heavy hitting issues, but it’s never heavy handed. And while there is angst, it’s never over the top or forced.
The characters, Flint and Ellen, are so real. I loved them and their chemistry together. Ellen pushes all of Flint’s buttons in the best possible way. They both need each other to heal the scars of the past.
Books like Look the Part are the reason I read romance. Love stories that leave us with a resounding echo of what love can do, how it can heal and transform lives. And I can’t forget to mention there are pet rats!!! I totally want my own now lol This is definitely one of my most favorite books EVER!
“I’m going to love you so hard, time won’t matter. Distance won’t matter. All you’ll feel when you take each breath...is my love.”
reeyabeegale's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this book was light and steamy, but it’s not, it deals with heavy topics (calling it dramatic sounds offensive somehow) — though it’s not exactly discussed in lengthy details. The book has that lingering feeling of loss and sadness, which took me by surprise.
I liked this book, but not enough to give it a higher rating than I did now. I can’t pinpoint exactly what feels off about it, except for the fact that their love started out hot and cold (if that even makes sense). I’m stopping this review right here because my brain cannot function well while writing this review.
Nonetheless, I still recommend this book. It’s a good story and it’s realistic. It’s my first book by Jewel E. Ann, and I enjoyed Flint and Ellen’s story so I think I’ll check out some of her other books as well.
I liked this book, but not enough to give it a higher rating than I did now. I can’t pinpoint exactly what feels off about it, except for the fact that their love started out hot and cold (if that even makes sense). I’m stopping this review right here because my brain cannot function well while writing this review.
Nonetheless, I still recommend this book. It’s a good story and it’s realistic. It’s my first book by Jewel E. Ann, and I enjoyed Flint and Ellen’s story so I think I’ll check out some of her other books as well.