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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Book Boyfriend is about twin sisters who couldn’t be more different if they tried! Clara is scattered brained and flamboyant, always looking for her next adventure whereas Jemma is quieter, and content with her friends and books. Jemma had always felt overshadowed by Clara’s exuberance as a child and they didn’t really get on. I could understand why Jemma was frustrated that people always thought they’d have a special bond just because they were twins. For a large part of the book, although she was a fun character to read about, I found Clara just as annoying as Jemma did. But you’ll be pleased to know that she grew on me!
A tv adaptation of Jemma’s favourite romance novel, Too Good To Be True, sparks potential love interests for both. Jemma was obsessed with the book and had multiple copies and, as many book lovers will understand, was very worried that the adaptation wouldn’t do the book justice. She was also furious that the title had been changed to Book Boyfriend. I loved reading all the notes she was receiving from an unknown enthusiast, as they communicated through a borrowed copy of the library book. Very romantic! I had great fun all the way through trying to guess who her very own ‘book boyfriend’ might be. There were several candidates and I’ll say no more than he turned out to be one of the people I thought he might be!
There was also a bit of a mystery surrounding Clara who had gone off to live in America then unexpectedly arrived home again. What had happened in America and why had she fled home? She becomes obsessed with the actor playing the lead character in the Book Boyfriend tv adaptation and convinced he is the man for her. It was so funny reading about her attempts to find him and casually bump into him!
With the chapters bouncing between the sisters’ points of view plus occasional chapters from a mystery narrator (gosh!), I found Book Boyfriend to be a very fast paced read. Although I’m probably well past the target audience age for this one, I found it hugely entertaining, laugh-out-loud funny with great character development and a perfect ending.
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Was fairly disappointed by this book. I was really intrigued by the concept however it ended up being a lot more focused on the sisters’ relationship than any romance. Not sure if this was my fault but it definitely seemed to be selling itself as a romance. The characters weren’t particularly likeable, Which I was able to excuse when I thought they were around 21-22. When I realised they were 28 I was SO shocked... Final point: I could not decide who this book was aimed at. The language / characters ages suggest an adult audience, but the writing style reminded me of books for pre-teens like dork diaries etc… I didn’t enjoy the ‘text speak’ style writing. For me I prefer this to be used only when characters are actually texting, not in their actual speech.
The ending was quite sweet and I did end up liking the couples.
Overall, it wasn’t a terrible read. At times it got a laugh out of me and I can see somebody else enjoying it. It just wasn’t mia cuppa tea (HA)
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Book Boyfriend is about fraternal twins, Jemma and Clara, who are complete opposites and not close at all. When Clara bounces back into Jemma’s life after 5 years in New York, their relationship is put to the test in several ways. Clara is a force of nature – big, loud and proud, Jemma is quieter and seemingly measured so they clash. A lot. Jemma is exchanging notes with a mystery man via a library book – her “book boyfriend” whilst Clara has decided that a hot TV actor only needs to meet her, and he’ll fall madly in love with her.
It’s brilliant, so funny and I laughed out loud loads! Clara is a bit cringe, and I genuinely wanted to “swipe at her with a rolled-up newspaper” as I told Lucy in an Insta message. The book is told from both the sister's points of view, so you get a well-rounded story. The supporting cast are all brilliant too and I especially loved the brilliantly named Buffy – slay – and her disdain for everything and everyone.
Another classic from Lucy, I devoured this over a couple of days. It has all the makings of a rom com film from the 90s - although the book will always be better right Jem?
It’s brilliant, so funny and I laughed out loud loads! Clara is a bit cringe, and I genuinely wanted to “swipe at her with a rolled-up newspaper” as I told Lucy in an Insta message. The book is told from both the sister's points of view, so you get a well-rounded story. The supporting cast are all brilliant too and I especially loved the brilliantly named Buffy – slay – and her disdain for everything and everyone.
Another classic from Lucy, I devoured this over a couple of days. It has all the makings of a rom com film from the 90s - although the book will always be better right Jem?
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fraternal twins Jemma and Clara could not be more different. Clara is outgoing, flighty and adventurous but also kind of a hot mess. Jemma on the other hand is studious, quiet and an introvert who prefers books to people but is also kind of judgy. For the past 5 years Clara has been living across the pond in New York and Jemma is living with housemates Harry and Selma near their mums' house. But when Clara suddenly decides to move back home, she finds that their mum has moved in her fiancé and her daughter, and so the twins must become housemates for the first time in years.
Jemma's favourite book, Too Good To Be True, is about to become a TV series and Clara quickly becomes obsessed with tracking down the male lead and making him fall in love with her. Jemma on the other hand has been checking out the same copy of the book from the library for years, but someone else has started reading it too and now they're leaving her notes! Who is Jemma's mystery person? And will Clara manage to hunt down the actor without looking deranged?
Book Boyfriend is told from the POVs of Jemma and Clara, with some chapters from The Narrator which is quite fun. The characters are really funny (Bum Hair song anyone?) but the cultural references got me the most. They're often dry and witty, but more than anything they're really relatable. I particularly liked the "BBC Pride and Prejudice is the best adaptation" conversation too! It's a great read and I enjoyed it even more than Lucy Vine's previous books.
Jemma's favourite book, Too Good To Be True, is about to become a TV series and Clara quickly becomes obsessed with tracking down the male lead and making him fall in love with her. Jemma on the other hand has been checking out the same copy of the book from the library for years, but someone else has started reading it too and now they're leaving her notes! Who is Jemma's mystery person? And will Clara manage to hunt down the actor without looking deranged?
Book Boyfriend is told from the POVs of Jemma and Clara, with some chapters from The Narrator which is quite fun. The characters are really funny (Bum Hair song anyone?) but the cultural references got me the most. They're often dry and witty, but more than anything they're really relatable. I particularly liked the "BBC Pride and Prejudice is the best adaptation" conversation too! It's a great read and I enjoyed it even more than Lucy Vine's previous books.
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes