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A review by beate251
Life Derailed by Beth Merlin, Danielle Modafferi
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC. This was also one of the choices for the Amazon First Reads April 2025.
Remi Russell is editorial director of Sophisticate magazine and widow of David, a war correspondent who died three years ago in Ukraine due to a retaliatory strike by Russia that Republican senator Celeste Romero had ordered.
Now, Sophisticate is struggling and Jason Ashbloome is sent in to help it back on its feet with the help of AI programme MAUDE that he developed. Remi and Jason are given three months to prove themselves and to decide whether MAUDE is here to stay. Remi uses the programne to help her with dating app Spark! where she makes the acquaintance of doctor Noah. But is he all he seems?
This is an enemy to lovers romance that features a woman’s magazine, some great friends, an over the top Jewish mother, and an adorable dog. Grief looms large, but there are also some lighthearted scenes and doses of humor.
Unfortunately, I had a number of issues with the plot. The AI angle of course, as even the mere suggestion that AI has a place in journalism makes me irrationally angry. The Ukraine plot and US politics that are so far from what's really happening right now that it's laughable even suggesting a Republican helping Ukraine, plus repeatedly calling Celeste a monster because a war correspondent got caught up in an air strike. War correspondents know the risk and do it anyway. Sure, Remi was grieving, but she was upset with the wrong person.
Also, did we have to have so many cultural references? I like Bridgerton, but the mentions were endless. So, yes, I had a real problem liking this and wished the plot had been less in your face political when all was needed was a way to make the romance work.
Remi Russell is editorial director of Sophisticate magazine and widow of David, a war correspondent who died three years ago in Ukraine due to a retaliatory strike by Russia that Republican senator Celeste Romero had ordered.
Now, Sophisticate is struggling and Jason Ashbloome is sent in to help it back on its feet with the help of AI programme MAUDE that he developed. Remi and Jason are given three months to prove themselves and to decide whether MAUDE is here to stay. Remi uses the programne to help her with dating app Spark! where she makes the acquaintance of doctor Noah. But is he all he seems?
This is an enemy to lovers romance that features a woman’s magazine, some great friends, an over the top Jewish mother, and an adorable dog. Grief looms large, but there are also some lighthearted scenes and doses of humor.
Unfortunately, I had a number of issues with the plot. The AI angle of course, as even the mere suggestion that AI has a place in journalism makes me irrationally angry. The Ukraine plot and US politics that are so far from what's really happening right now that it's laughable even suggesting a Republican helping Ukraine, plus repeatedly calling Celeste a monster because a war correspondent got caught up in an air strike. War correspondents know the risk and do it anyway. Sure, Remi was grieving, but she was upset with the wrong person.
Also, did we have to have so many cultural references? I like Bridgerton, but the mentions were endless. So, yes, I had a real problem liking this and wished the plot had been less in your face political when all was needed was a way to make the romance work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War