A review by katekate_reads_
From the Corner of the Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein

2.0

Such mixed feelings about this one! For the first 100 pages, I was really loving this book and thinking it might be a 5 Star read. I’ve read a handful of books by members of President Obama’s staff and enjoyed them all but this one felt the most personal - like I was truly hearing the stories from a close friend who happened to work in the White House. I cried a few times from missing President Obama so much but I also laughed a number of times. However, then it began to feel more about the author’s relationship struggles and it got repetitive. As it continued and we see the author giving her writing as gifts and anxiously waiting for (and sharing with us) the praise she receives - over and over - my enthusiasm wanes even further. For me, this was a book that started at 5 stars and slid downhill as I read it. By the end, Beck moved from feeling like an interesting friend to someone I really have no interest in spending time with. There are some great phrases and stories I’m glad to have learned - maybe my frustration is as much with the editor as the writer. Nearly impossible to give this one a rating but ultimately going with 2 stars - “did not like”.