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the_bookish_chimera 's review for:
Love in Focus
by Lyla Lee
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
“You don’t have to be this flawless goddess to date me
I discovered Love in Focus through its audio version, and I absolutely loved the narrators’ work on it. They gave life to the characters, even to the LI (which was more difficult, see below), and made the listening easy.
Unfortunately, some “misspokes” from the LI at the beginning of the book about their first relationship made it difficult for me to get completely invested in this story, especially as it isn’t truly addressed later. That was a disappointment, especially regarding the book’s dedication. I loved how the characters’ origins shaped some of their difficulties in the relationship and their breakup, then in their evolution.
What I don’t understand, however, is the author’s choice to write Gemma 1st person and Celeste 3rd (but still “focalised”). It got me out of the story most of the time and didn’t help to have empathy for Celeste (even though that feeling was softened by the narrator), and I truly couldn’t find why the author made this decision.
That’s a pity because the story was cute and has some of my fav’ tropes, like second chances, forced proximity roommates, or a photographer as MC. Speaking about this, the article Gemma and Celeste have to work on together was especially cute, and all these moments when they interview diverse couples –and (re)assess their own relationship– were my absolute fav in the book, as finally feelings made all their sense.
Thank you to the author and Hachette audio for the ALC. My opinions are my own.
I discovered Love in Focus through its audio version, and I absolutely loved the narrators’ work on it. They gave life to the characters, even to the LI (which was more difficult, see below), and made the listening easy.
Unfortunately, some “misspokes” from the LI at the beginning of the book about their first relationship made it difficult for me to get completely invested in this story, especially as it isn’t truly addressed later. That was a disappointment, especially regarding the book’s dedication. I loved how the characters’ origins shaped some of their difficulties in the relationship and their breakup, then in their evolution.
What I don’t understand, however, is the author’s choice to write Gemma 1st person and Celeste 3rd (but still “focalised”). It got me out of the story most of the time and didn’t help to have empathy for Celeste (even though that feeling was softened by the narrator), and I truly couldn’t find why the author made this decision.
That’s a pity because the story was cute and has some of my fav’ tropes, like second chances, forced proximity roommates, or a photographer as MC. Speaking about this, the article Gemma and Celeste have to work on together was especially cute, and all these moments when they interview diverse couples –and (re)assess their own relationship– were my absolute fav in the book, as finally feelings made all their sense.
Thank you to the author and Hachette audio for the ALC. My opinions are my own.