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A review by binreads
Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
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
1.75
Straight from my notes, 14% into this book I wrote: "So far it’s giving tumblr fan fiction..."
Upon finishing this, it solidified that thought. The writing was very much 'she said, he said, I laughed, he smiled'. No depth. No emotion. I could not feel anything for these characters.
The thing that irks me the most, is that the main character keeps alluding to a weekend with this 'hunk' of a movie star Gabe Parker, the weekend that everything changed...I mean it's legitimately what the whole book is about and yet when we finally find out what happens between them, it's boring and quite honestly, not juicy or suspenseful at all. Nothing like what I expected. Nothing that would actually be memorable.
Spoilers ahead for those who want specific examples that made me cringe:
Okay buckle up.
This is when I knew this book wasn't going to be my fave.
Chapter 3, Page 47:
When they're on the first interview and their food arrives. Chani puts her fries on her burger....and Gabe is somehow ASTONISHED by this? You mean to tell me, this country Montana man...never put fries on his burger? It's not even that concept, it's the way he responds. "I've never seen someone do that...God this is so good wow!" He even asks her "Like this?!" when he copies her putting his fries on his burger, almost like a child?
The author gives Gabe no credit or emotional depth, he's just a piece of meat to be gawked over. Even Chani does it herself throughout the entire book, mentioning his looks and yet nothing of his personality. Mentions his muscles, beard, gut vs. abs, and that's about it.
Mind you, these people do not know each other at all. They did one interview that sorta left them with some tension...but nothing makes me believe that TEN WHOLE YEARS later they would be interested in each other anymore, let alone in love. They have nothing in common besides slightly being in the same industry. Let's also remember that in most of their encounters, Chani and/or Gabe is drunk or drinking.
Also, what would make Gabe and Ollie trust this reporter right away? ESPECIALLY with something like a famous movie star's sexuality. It doesn't matter that Gabe feels like he 'knows' Chani just because he has read her blog/books. That means nothing. She owes these men nothing, and for Ollie to share such an intimate part of his life with a Hollywood reporter, he knew for maybe 5 hours before he came out to her is ridiculous.
So much of the novel is wasted. I wish we could've seen an actual relationship form before our eyes. It's all a surface level crush between two people that's disguised as a 'love story'. The summary is more interesting unfortunately.
"...this deliciously irresistible novel will have you hanging on until the last word." is written in the summary and yet Chani and Gabe hook up basically twice in the span of 10 years and both times are lackluster.
Upon finishing this, it solidified that thought. The writing was very much 'she said, he said, I laughed, he smiled'. No depth. No emotion. I could not feel anything for these characters.
The thing that irks me the most, is that the main character keeps alluding to a weekend with this 'hunk' of a movie star Gabe Parker, the weekend that everything changed...I mean it's legitimately what the whole book is about and yet when we finally find out what happens between them, it's boring and quite honestly, not juicy or suspenseful at all. Nothing like what I expected. Nothing that would actually be memorable.
Spoilers ahead for those who want specific examples that made me cringe:
This is when I knew this book wasn't going to be my fave.
Chapter 3, Page 47:
When they're on the first interview and their food arrives. Chani puts her fries on her burger....and Gabe is somehow ASTONISHED by this? You mean to tell me, this country Montana man...never put fries on his burger? It's not even that concept, it's the way he responds. "I've never seen someone do that...God this is so good wow!" He even asks her "Like this?!" when he copies her putting his fries on his burger, almost like a child?
The author gives Gabe no credit or emotional depth, he's just a piece of meat to be gawked over. Even Chani does it herself throughout the entire book, mentioning his looks and yet nothing of his personality. Mentions his muscles, beard, gut vs. abs, and that's about it.
Mind you, these people do not know each other at all. They did one interview that sorta left them with some tension...but nothing makes me believe that TEN WHOLE YEARS later they would be interested in each other anymore, let alone in love. They have nothing in common besides slightly being in the same industry. Let's also remember that in most of their encounters, Chani and/or Gabe is drunk or drinking.
Also, what would make Gabe and Ollie trust this reporter right away? ESPECIALLY with something like a famous movie star's sexuality. It doesn't matter that Gabe feels like he 'knows' Chani just because he has read her blog/books. That means nothing. She owes these men nothing, and for Ollie to share such an intimate part of his life with a Hollywood reporter, he knew for maybe 5 hours before he came out to her is ridiculous.
So much of the novel is wasted. I wish we could've seen an actual relationship form before our eyes. It's all a surface level crush between two people that's disguised as a 'love story'. The summary is more interesting unfortunately.
"...this deliciously irresistible novel will have you hanging on until the last word." is written in the summary and yet Chani and Gabe hook up basically twice in the span of 10 years and both times are lackluster.
Some moments made me smile don't get me wrong, I got through the book quick...and this may sound really harsh but this book basically a poorly written fan fiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Addiction
Moderate: Car accident and Drug use