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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So let me get this straight…. An award winning successful photographer charges only $400 for a multi hour, fully edited boudoir shoot?
Ya lost me there.
Also, there was zero chemistry between the two MC’s the entire book.
This one fell FLAT.
Ya lost me there.
Also, there was zero chemistry between the two MC’s the entire book.
This one fell FLAT.
Madison is travel writer with a lot of miles behind her. When one of her positive reviews turns out to be a sham trip in disguise, she comes up with a scheme to be a "mystery shopper" of sorts to see what the reality of the experience is. To go undercover, she recruits her "GBF", gay best friend, to act as her partner.
I enjoyed this story. I liked the casual camaraderie of the two main characters and the absolute cluelessness of Madison toward the end. I did think her "bright idea" at the end was more than a little cringey and would've definitely changed that, but Toby's awesome and great.
I enjoyed this story. I liked the casual camaraderie of the two main characters and the absolute cluelessness of Madison toward the end. I did think her "bright idea" at the end was more than a little cringey and would've definitely changed that, but Toby's awesome and great.
Great friends to lovers book! Once again though I seem to be stuck in slow burn territory. I think the author did a great job bringing things along, but at one point the book just seemed to have too many fits and starts to it which is why I have it four stars.
Full Review:
I think I will definitely pick up a Phoebe MacLeod book in the future. I loved how she took the time to fully develop Madison. And it was great how she then used that to also give us readers insight into Toby as well. Their growing friendship was great to read about. The main reason why I did eventually have to reduce it by a star though was that I just thought the book started to run in place after a while. We also had the ridiculous thing that happened with them deciding to see each other "naked". Sorry, not sorry, it was dumb and I was like what is happening.
"Not the Man I Thought He Was" follows freelance travel writer Madison. We follow her during an awards night where she and her friend Toby win an award. And then later Madison wakes up with Toby in her bed trying to figure out what happened. The book then unwinds to almost a full year later with Madison being called in by an editor she has done work for before about a review of a hotel she did. Madison manages to pitch an idea about going back to an hotel and there's a suggestion that Toby (a very well known photographer who is also nearby) go along with her and they pose as a couple. From there the book follows them on some destinations, but also while they are both back in London living their lives.
I liked Madison. I liked that she had her close friend and kept her flat as her space and no men allowed. And I liked that she wasn't focused on finding a guy at all. Her growing friendship with Toby was also great to see and you get to see how they compliment each other.
The writing was very good I thought and there were a few times I cracked up. I already mentioned the flow issue, so won't belabor that.
I did think Madison and Toby had good chemistry.
A very solid romance!
Full Review:
I think I will definitely pick up a Phoebe MacLeod book in the future. I loved how she took the time to fully develop Madison. And it was great how she then used that to also give us readers insight into Toby as well. Their growing friendship was great to read about. The main reason why I did eventually have to reduce it by a star though was that I just thought the book started to run in place after a while. We also had the ridiculous thing that happened with them deciding to see each other "naked". Sorry, not sorry, it was dumb and I was like what is happening.
"Not the Man I Thought He Was" follows freelance travel writer Madison. We follow her during an awards night where she and her friend Toby win an award. And then later Madison wakes up with Toby in her bed trying to figure out what happened. The book then unwinds to almost a full year later with Madison being called in by an editor she has done work for before about a review of a hotel she did. Madison manages to pitch an idea about going back to an hotel and there's a suggestion that Toby (a very well known photographer who is also nearby) go along with her and they pose as a couple. From there the book follows them on some destinations, but also while they are both back in London living their lives.
I liked Madison. I liked that she had her close friend and kept her flat as her space and no men allowed. And I liked that she wasn't focused on finding a guy at all. Her growing friendship with Toby was also great to see and you get to see how they compliment each other.
The writing was very good I thought and there were a few times I cracked up. I already mentioned the flow issue, so won't belabor that.
I did think Madison and Toby had good chemistry.
A very solid romance!
Overall this book left me wanting. I almost didn't finish it. There was a lot of telling instead of showing. The characters lacked chemistry and the main character's motivation seemed disjointed the entire book--like I never really got to know her despite being in her head. Though the book was predictable, which isn't a problem as this genre is generally predictable, it wasn't believable and the author didn't lead me to the big twist--honestly I was as shocked as our main character. Would not recommend.
relaxing
medium-paced
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No