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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I really don’t know how to feel about this book…. The writing was good and I enjoyed the story for the most part, but all of the drama was contained to the last 60 pages! The ending was too rushed and also left a couple of things hanging. The way one of the “villains” was handled was a bit too cartoonish to be believable. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Hooboy, this is good and also really hard to get through at times. I think if you've had friends (or been the person) who keeps making excuses and forgiving someone for character flaws that maybe seem innocuous at the time, it makes it difficult to read this. Many people who have not been in the situation would not understand and might consider the character annoying or even stupid, when in fact it's such a common occurrence that this is a very realistic interpretation of a relationship of that caliber.
Even aside from that, there are some great side characters, awesome backstory, a cool setting (IKEA!), lots of queer representation, and realistic depictions of things like PTSD, depression, maybe even OCD (though these are speculations on my part, as it's not actually stated).
This book gets VERY intense the last 75%ish and kind of turns from a romance to a thriller and reminds me a lot of The Loneliest Girl in the Universe. I think that that book did a better job of it--this one feels like it drags on a little too much in the middle and might have benefited from being a little shorter. But it was still pretty damn good.
Even aside from that, there are some great side characters, awesome backstory, a cool setting (IKEA!), lots of queer representation, and realistic depictions of things like PTSD, depression, maybe even OCD (though these are speculations on my part, as it's not actually stated).
This book gets VERY intense the last 75%ish and kind of turns from a romance to a thriller and reminds me a lot of The Loneliest Girl in the Universe. I think that that book did a better job of it--this one feels like it drags on a little too much in the middle and might have benefited from being a little shorter. But it was still pretty damn good.
Fun, quirky, really good build up of protagonist realizing relationship is dodgy. Lots of themes, thought the grief and work environment were well done. I needed more depth of character
interesting take on contemporary society's obsession with work, self-help and self-improvement, despite having no infrastructure for those who are genuinely suffering from mental distress! i just wish there wasn't such a slow buildup in the first two-thirds of the book, and that the ending wasn't so rushed, tho.
also the whole Good Guys storyline is unfortunately very real and very apropos to male online spaces today… so i did see the plot twist coming from a mile away
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
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:
Complicated
I had a hard time rating this because this book was very slow, but I surprisingly enjoyed it! I think there was supposed to be a deeper meaning behind everything, but the overall story was easy to follow and fun to read. This is a good palette cleanser after a few intense books!
When I say I was surprised by this book, I was genuinely amazed by how well crafted its story and characters were and how all of this care led to an almost perfectly played twist. While it can be guessed early on, it makes so much sense given what had been established that it still packs a punch even when you have an idea of where it's going.
Thank you to Mariner Books and authors Laura Blackett & Eve Gleichman for a copy of your novel in exchange for a fair and honest review. My book club thanks you for the set!!!
I really didn't know what to expect. Loved the book sleeve color and unique design but other than that, I went in blind. This IKEA like company sets the stage for an over-worked, schedule driven engineer who has such a trauma ridden past that it is affecting every part of her life. With the start of a new CEO, Ava's life gets turned upside down. She starts to live life again but is this really what she wants? I don't want to give away spoilers, but the authors do a great job of keeping the storyline moving in ways you don't expect.
On the theme table sits: minimalism, digital psychotherapy, self-help, routine, anxiety, depression, PTSD, friendship, and even something there for dog-lovers. Is it a rom-com, satire or thriller? You decide yourself on this quirky novel.
I really didn't know what to expect. Loved the book sleeve color and unique design but other than that, I went in blind. This IKEA like company sets the stage for an over-worked, schedule driven engineer who has such a trauma ridden past that it is affecting every part of her life. With the start of a new CEO, Ava's life gets turned upside down. She starts to live life again but is this really what she wants? I don't want to give away spoilers, but the authors do a great job of keeping the storyline moving in ways you don't expect.
On the theme table sits: minimalism, digital psychotherapy, self-help, routine, anxiety, depression, PTSD, friendship, and even something there for dog-lovers. Is it a rom-com, satire or thriller? You decide yourself on this quirky novel.
A satirical look at an IKEA-type company and a product designer, Ava, who works there, this odd book did not work for me. Ava suffers a horrific loss and a romance with her new boss opens her up to coming out of the funk she's been in since that loss. Yet a certain plot point tweaks this seemingly fun and redemptive book of healing and growth into a thriller-type book that ends with little closure. Maybe I missed what I was supposed to get out of the send-ups of the IKEA-like company or the corp culture or the bro-culture that were intended, but I just ended up being underwhelmed at the end. Ava, after all the loss she suffered, wasn't redeemed or didn't really "grow." The rushed ending seems to indicate that she is finally open to loving and growing again, but it didn't feel earned. Overall, I was disappointed with this one.