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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I would have given it a four but it bogged down in the middle while Mat and Ava broke up. Was first amused by STADA culture but got to be a bit much. Very surprised by ending. I didn't see it coming.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read this if you: like romance, nyc, or realistic dating shenanigans.
Don’t read this if you: are turned off by queer media, romance, depression/grief references.
Don’t read this if you: are turned off by queer media, romance, depression/grief references.
This book was unique and inspiring. When I first opened the book, it captured my attention. The characters, the plot and the writing style were something I had not read before. As I got farther into the story and the book, I did lose a bit of interest because it seemed as if the plot was not building anymore and took a stagnant pause. After I came back to the book a little while later, I was able to finish it. I was glad I did because it helped me understand the ending. Overall, I had a great time reading the book. It was funny, witty, and had a suspenseful twist which I enjoy a lot. My favorite genre to read is psychological thrillers. There was friendship and heartbreak and trust which made the read relatable. The cover was really cute and simple. The story is catered towards a certain audience what with the corporate culture vibes and the entitlement. But I enjoyed the book overall!
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think I liked the book on its own but I would never call it a romance or a light-hearted read. I imagine this is a marketing discrepancy but this book is actually a look into how abusers pray on the vulnerable, stalking, and really no romance whatsoever.
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was intrigued by the title of this book and went in blind.
Ava Simon works at STÄDA as an engineer (think: IKEA) and is currently developing a product called The Very Nice Box. She is very rigid in her thinking, breaking her days up into manageable "units" and we discover that this is a coping mechanism from when she was recovering from a car accident that killed her parents and fiancée Andie.
STÄDA hires Mat Putnam who will be Ava's new boss and turns the place into a typical millennial workplace. I do love the satire in this. Ava and Mat accidentally hit it off eventually resulting in them being in a relationship.
I really loved the character of Ava and her way of thinking. Mat gave me sort of Andrew Tate vibes, except maybe not as extreme! I didn't trust him from the beginning.
Where this fell a bit for me was with the pacing. It took a while for me to get into the box, it felt like I was sailing along for a while until the last quarter when we hit the little twist. I like that it was essentially a romcom with a bit of thriller mixed in too!
Ava Simon works at STÄDA as an engineer (think: IKEA) and is currently developing a product called The Very Nice Box. She is very rigid in her thinking, breaking her days up into manageable "units" and we discover that this is a coping mechanism from when she was recovering from a car accident that killed her parents and fiancée Andie.
STÄDA hires Mat Putnam who will be Ava's new boss and turns the place into a typical millennial workplace. I do love the satire in this. Ava and Mat accidentally hit it off eventually resulting in them being in a relationship.
I really loved the character of Ava and her way of thinking. Mat gave me sort of Andrew Tate vibes, except maybe not as extreme! I didn't trust him from the beginning.
Where this fell a bit for me was with the pacing. It took a while for me to get into the box, it felt like I was sailing along for a while until the last quarter when we hit the little twist. I like that it was essentially a romcom with a bit of thriller mixed in too!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I didn't know what to expect going into this book. I didn't know what to expect 50 pages into this book. I didn't know what to expect until almost the end of this book- and I loved every minute. Satirical, witty and thrilling, The Very Nice Box introduces us to Ava - single, lonely, and ultimately the hero of a story she wants no part of. Ava's orderly world as an engineer at an Ikea-like furniture company is thrown for a loop when she finds herself unexpectedly enraptured by her new boss, Mat. Reeling from years of grief, Ava starts to discover who she really is. Unexpected from beginning to end, this will appeal to fans of Gail Honeyman and Ruth Ware- an unlikely combination, to be sure.
I really enjoyed The Very Nice Box. The writing is fresh and interesting. The story feels so true to life. I'm not going to lie though but I enjoyed this ending so much more.