A review by paiges_on_pages
Eastern Standard by Sierra Spencer

dark reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

While the premise of "Eastern Standard" by Sierra Spencer held promise, I found the abundance of Taylor Swift references distracting and, at times, excessive, and this is coming from a Swiftie! Although the playlist and titles are a fun choice, it also leaks into the dialogue, making the interactions between characters feel unrealistic and veering towards a Hallmark movie style with a bit of plagiarism. 

The storyline itself has so much potential, exploring the challenges of having a New York mindset while stuck a New England small town, and at the same time grieving what could have been. However, the characters and overall narrative seemed somewhat lacking in depth, rendering the experience a bit two-dimensional. 

I did love the flashbacks to New York and “Before”, which allow to reader to delve into Olivia's emotions, offering insight into her internal conflicts. While the book fell short for me, it would be a good story for those who appreciate shorter small-town tales that include some spice, some heartbreak, and a lot of drama!
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