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A review by saarahnina
Good Catch by Jennifer Bardsley
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
I was reading this book for what feels like a long time.
It was a romance, of the kind that Hallmark tries to emulate. I liked the author’s in-depth focus on aspects aside from the romance, different characters, because it helped to add more layers and substance. When the external elements are just brushed across too thinly, it becomes cheapened and like a more procedural romance. The author instead carried this through the story, and it was meaningful.
One of my big qualms I have with Hallmark* that they quickly churn out films and usually what occurs are a few big oversights. For instance, the romance is too directly tied to time and place that you feel the couple will not last if they weren’t always thrown together or when they no longer need each other. And the romance and the bond they created happens at the end or is shown for such a short time. In Good Catch however, Hallmark’s mistake does not exist, the author shows she values her characters and their contributions to the story and the characters who fall in love do so deeply rather than superficially ‘in the moment.’
I valued the discussion of working hard to make a living, an adult character who had dyslexia, talk of family businesses, finding a life partner, dating and also what appeared to be relatable/understandable problems and dramas.
Where the book fell short was I had some quibbles with the final scene with the character of Goldie. It was unnecessary and rather too ridiculous to be believable or taken seriously by most readers (in my opinion.) I felt somewhere also was a bit of a lack of imagination with the story- it didn’t have to be rushed to the point that the character sees a future almost immediately with a man she only is just beginning to know. I know that people say this happens in real life and I liked that she was open and trusting but it felt like there could have been another way to convey the same. It didn’t have to also be repeated so often.
I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own and completely honest.
* I do like Hallmark films and watch them when I want something that I can enjoy without getting too bogged down in the details. Ask me for recommendations if you’d like some! I do think the older ones are better than their new films.
It was a romance, of the kind that Hallmark tries to emulate. I liked the author’s in-depth focus on aspects aside from the romance, different characters, because it helped to add more layers and substance. When the external elements are just brushed across too thinly, it becomes cheapened and like a more procedural romance. The author instead carried this through the story, and it was meaningful.
One of my big qualms I have with Hallmark* that they quickly churn out films and usually what occurs are a few big oversights. For instance, the romance is too directly tied to time and place that you feel the couple will not last if they weren’t always thrown together or when they no longer need each other. And the romance and the bond they created happens at the end or is shown for such a short time. In Good Catch however, Hallmark’s mistake does not exist, the author shows she values her characters and their contributions to the story and the characters who fall in love do so deeply rather than superficially ‘in the moment.’
I valued the discussion of working hard to make a living, an adult character who had dyslexia, talk of family businesses, finding a life partner, dating and also what appeared to be relatable/understandable problems and dramas.
Where the book fell short was I had some quibbles with the final scene with the character of Goldie. It was unnecessary and rather too ridiculous to be believable or taken seriously by most readers (in my opinion.) I felt somewhere also was a bit of a lack of imagination with the story- it didn’t have to be rushed to the point that the character sees a future almost immediately with a man she only is just beginning to know. I know that people say this happens in real life and I liked that she was open and trusting but it felt like there could have been another way to convey the same. It didn’t have to also be repeated so often.
I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own and completely honest.
* I do like Hallmark films and watch them when I want something that I can enjoy without getting too bogged down in the details. Ask me for recommendations if you’d like some! I do think the older ones are better than their new films.