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fkshg8465's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Enjoyed this book enough. Most of the characters were hard to like, but I think it was to say no one is really easy to like once you get to know all their flaws. That’s why relationships are responsibility and require work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
batwoman411's review against another edition
3.0
Quick little romp of a book. What it is about the May/December coming of age story that is so irresistible? This book brought me back to Staying Up Late with Hugo Best, another story of the young female aspiring ____ who is smitten by the older and successful male ____. The older male mentor is flattered by the young woman’s admiration and uses it to bolster his flagging virility.
Unfortunately, we young women are not as important as we think to the older men who seduce us. This is a harsh lesson to learn, and possibly such a widespread lesson that authors like Erin Somers and Karen Dukess find a healthy audience for their warnings.
Unfortunately, we young women are not as important as we think to the older men who seduce us. This is a harsh lesson to learn, and possibly such a widespread lesson that authors like Erin Somers and Karen Dukess find a healthy audience for their warnings.
susansdg's review against another edition
2.0
What a colossal waste of time, I am so glad I got it from the library and did not spend money on it.
Nothing is resolved, the protagonist/narrator is an idiot and every cliche is utilized.
Nothing is resolved, the protagonist/narrator is an idiot and every cliche is utilized.
nelesnotes's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
It took me, I would say, half the time, to get invested in the story and most of the time I was rolling my eyes at the clichés and the protagonist. But maybe I was annoyed at and with her, because even though I did not want to relate to her actions, she was still relatable in some naive and frustrating way, that I probably don't really want to see in myself but which is probably somewhere there. Besides all the clichés of the affair, I still found the description of Eve's feelings and perspectives about Henry understandable, although they didn't really make me feel sorry for her just once.
Anyway it was only towards the end, that I felt like the story got more interesting and a bit more of what I was hoping for, bringing up some twists, I honestly did not really see coming. If I would want to, I could think a lot more and deeper about the story, how the beliefs of our parents can shape our future, how much success in creativity is based on talent and how much is work and effort. How do healthy relationships and families look like, how real and honest are specific (professional) "admireable" circles, and do you maybe have to make some mistakes, in order to learn from them and sometimes just start over somewhere else again ?
So the take away thoughts are probably what I enjoyed most, I just wished they were a bit more the topic and not just prominently the long, dragging relationship. I expected a bit more I guess.
Anyway it was only towards the end, that I felt like the story got more interesting and a bit more of what I was hoping for, bringing up some twists, I honestly did not really see coming. If I would want to, I could think a lot more and deeper about the story, how the beliefs of our parents can shape our future, how much success in creativity is based on talent and how much is work and effort. How do healthy relationships and families look like, how real and honest are specific (professional) "admireable" circles, and do you maybe have to make some mistakes, in order to learn from them
So the take away thoughts are probably what I enjoyed most, I just wished they were a bit more the topic and not just prominently the long, dragging relationship. I expected a bit more I guess.
gilmoreguide's review against another edition
2.0
Eve is in an entry level job at a publishing company. She wants to be a writer, but can’t seem to make any headway into actually writing. When she is passed over for promotion, she takes a job working for a well-known writer for The New Yorker. The work is interesting as is the new proximity to famous writers and the literary crowd found in summertime Cape Cod. She thinks she getting her life figured out, until it’s clear she’s not.
The Last Book Party is one of those kryptonite novels for me—it has book in the title and is about the world of publishing and writers. Sadly, it is one more example of why I have got to have more self-control when presented with shiny trigger words. It’s not a bad book, but it has no surprises and lots of clichés. Eve is young but not so young she has an easy excuse for falling prey to the whole older-wiser-mentor scenario.
Dukess’s writing is good so while this is not a novel of twists or depth it is just right for a very quick light summer read. I look forward to seeing if she ups her creativity game with her next novel.
The Last Book Party is one of those kryptonite novels for me—it has book in the title and is about the world of publishing and writers. Sadly, it is one more example of why I have got to have more self-control when presented with shiny trigger words. It’s not a bad book, but it has no surprises and lots of clichés. Eve is young but not so young she has an easy excuse for falling prey to the whole older-wiser-mentor scenario.
Dukess’s writing is good so while this is not a novel of twists or depth it is just right for a very quick light summer read. I look forward to seeing if she ups her creativity game with her next novel.
kelseysej's review against another edition
3.0
Terrific premise, but everything--characters, plot, descriptions, etc.--fell a little flat and felt a little underdeveloped.
rebeccalm's review against another edition
2.0
This book certainly had the feel of a light summer beach read - very easy to get through. A bit of romance and a bit of scandal.
Overall the characters were okay, but there really wasn't much plot other than relational developments between several characters. It didn't feel like enough to keep the whole thing together, but there are a few unexpected twists and turns by the end.
Overall the characters were okay, but there really wasn't much plot other than relational developments between several characters. It didn't feel like enough to keep the whole thing together, but there are a few unexpected twists and turns by the end.
thishannah's review against another edition
No better time or place to read this than while on summer vacation from your publishing job in Cape Cod. This was a light and breezy book that managed to feature multiple romantic affairs without ever feeling trashy (probably because of all the literary references).
andreanourse's review against another edition
3.0
I am going to attempt to review this book without giving away too much.
What I loved about this story was to rawness of emotion. Eve is a strong character. She’s a little lost and unknowingly seeking the acceptance and approval of her family. She’s eager to be seen and wanted. The combination of these lead to some questionable, cliché decisions.
The Last Book Party kept me engaged but I so wish it hadn’t been so predictable. The ending did leave me completely satisfied. Honestly, nothing makes me happier than a real ending. You know, the kind of ending that you could see happening in your own life or a friend’s? That’s my idea of a perfect ending.
What I loved about this story was to rawness of emotion. Eve is a strong character. She’s a little lost and unknowingly seeking the acceptance and approval of her family. She’s eager to be seen and wanted. The combination of these lead to some questionable, cliché decisions.
The Last Book Party kept me engaged but I so wish it hadn’t been so predictable. The ending did leave me completely satisfied. Honestly, nothing makes me happier than a real ending. You know, the kind of ending that you could see happening in your own life or a friend’s? That’s my idea of a perfect ending.
mlandershatt's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted more from this book - characters felt under developed and writing was simple in places.