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A review by sikonat
Hot Desk by Zara Stoneley
2.0
From crime to romance, the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns provide for an interesting and rich backdrop for authors. In ‘The Hot Desk’, Zara Stoneley uses it as the backdrop to her co-workers with a past history-to-lovers romance.
Sadly this book does not live up to the promise and left me bereft, as I loved the premise and generally like Zara Stonely's books.
Jamie and Alice share a kiss at Reading Festival before Jamie is swept away by the crowd. Its not until a few years later, they both begin their first day at the same company.
The book is begins the first day back at work after a COVID-19 lockdown ends. Alice returns to the office only to discover a cost-cutting exercise has lead their employer to rent half the floorspace with employees now sharing a desk some days and working from home the other.
For the anxious Alice, this is her worst nightmare. She's unable to speak her mind to her family, housemates and co-workers, so found working from home a nightmare. The only place she could exert control is over her desk, which has become a de facto 'home' for her treasured trinkets. For Jamie, this is his dream come true as he loved working from home.
The main issue I have with this book is one repeated in her previous books (especially 'The First Date', 'The Dog Sitter' 'Four Christmases and a secret') - repetitious, unnecessary inner monologues by the heroine, partricularly in the first couple of chapters. It's really noticeable when listening to the audiobooks. Most of the chaper could've been cut, with the rest turned into a dialogue. I ended up skimming the first chapter of Alice trying to get to the office in time for the team meeting because I already got the gist - she's anxious and can't say no to her housemates or family.
However the biggest part that made this book an almost DNF for me was the revelation involving Jamie before limping towards a rushed resolution. I thought it was an unfuriating and unncessary trope that bordered on a deux ex machina to push the characters apart before their inevitable reunitification. I saw the clue earlier and really hoped it wasn't going to go there but sadly it did. I ended up skimming the revelation, fall out before it’s rushed resolution. Its a lazy trope seen in lots of cheesier American romance novels that I detest.
Given this book is set in our COVID-19 pandemic world, it was such a missed opportunity. I realise some people are still traumatised by it (as I write this review I am in lockdown #6), but if you're going to use the pandemic as the backdrop then commit to it. For instance why not weave in things like mask wearing and distancing? Given how the pandemic has kept couples apart, it could've been used to great effect here. The book acts like the pandemic is over (which is fine, it’s fiction) but that just seems like a cop out especially given London had a few lockdowns. Alternatively the seriousness of her ex bf could’ve been woven in better too. He was increasingly unhinged.
The best bits where Alice and Jamie slowly forming a friendship via post-it notes. It had so much potential to go somewhere but it took so long to get to that part then the aforementioned fizzled of a plot development before a rushed resolution that was an anti-climax.
I am still a fan of Zara Stoneley and will read her next novel with an open mind, however for this book I was so disappointed I had to cancel my pre-order.
Thank you One More Chapter/Harper Collins and Netgalley.
Sadly this book does not live up to the promise and left me bereft, as I loved the premise and generally like Zara Stonely's books.
Jamie and Alice share a kiss at Reading Festival before Jamie is swept away by the crowd. Its not until a few years later, they both begin their first day at the same company.
The book is begins the first day back at work after a COVID-19 lockdown ends. Alice returns to the office only to discover a cost-cutting exercise has lead their employer to rent half the floorspace with employees now sharing a desk some days and working from home the other.
For the anxious Alice, this is her worst nightmare. She's unable to speak her mind to her family, housemates and co-workers, so found working from home a nightmare. The only place she could exert control is over her desk, which has become a de facto 'home' for her treasured trinkets. For Jamie, this is his dream come true as he loved working from home.
The main issue I have with this book is one repeated in her previous books (especially 'The First Date', 'The Dog Sitter' 'Four Christmases and a secret') - repetitious, unnecessary inner monologues by the heroine, partricularly in the first couple of chapters. It's really noticeable when listening to the audiobooks. Most of the chaper could've been cut, with the rest turned into a dialogue. I ended up skimming the first chapter of Alice trying to get to the office in time for the team meeting because I already got the gist - she's anxious and can't say no to her housemates or family.
However the biggest part that made this book an almost DNF for me was the revelation involving Jamie before limping towards a rushed resolution. I thought it was an unfuriating and unncessary trope that bordered on a deux ex machina to push the characters apart before their inevitable reunitification. I saw the clue earlier and really hoped it wasn't going to go there but sadly it did. I ended up skimming the revelation, fall out before it’s rushed resolution. Its a lazy trope seen in lots of cheesier American romance novels that I detest.
Given this book is set in our COVID-19 pandemic world, it was such a missed opportunity. I realise some people are still traumatised by it (as I write this review I am in lockdown #6), but if you're going to use the pandemic as the backdrop then commit to it. For instance why not weave in things like mask wearing and distancing? Given how the pandemic has kept couples apart, it could've been used to great effect here. The book acts like the pandemic is over (which is fine, it’s fiction) but that just seems like a cop out especially given London had a few lockdowns. Alternatively the seriousness of her ex bf could’ve been woven in better too. He was increasingly unhinged.
The best bits where Alice and Jamie slowly forming a friendship via post-it notes. It had so much potential to go somewhere but it took so long to get to that part then the aforementioned fizzled of a plot development before a rushed resolution that was an anti-climax.
I am still a fan of Zara Stoneley and will read her next novel with an open mind, however for this book I was so disappointed I had to cancel my pre-order.
Thank you One More Chapter/Harper Collins and Netgalley.