snoober 's review for:

Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan

4.25

challenging funny reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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i don't know if this was the intent of the book but what i took away from it are mostly implied positions that i align with ava, the narrator, on. one of them is that loving women is scary and difficult, so it's best to not let a woman know you love her until she loves you. second, it's so easy to stay with a man who treats you moderately badly and who you don't particularly like. it is less scary to do that than to risk emotional vulnerability with a strong, wonderful woman who you very much enjoy being with.

i know that the end of the novel is unclear on whether she actually runs off with edith or goes to the airport with julian until the very end, and i really feel that way about life. i would stick with a man who doesn't make me happy until i'm sure a woman who does actually wants me. the made me think about how much a miserable man's attention is worth compared to a cool woman's. 

anywayyyyyy i think the main character is a pretty bad person and i related to her a lot. this was upsetting to realize. there were some funny jokes in this book too. in other news, i am starting couple's counseling with my bf next week