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A review by monalyisha
Work in Progress by Kat Mackenzie
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
I thoroughly enjoyed this literary, travelogue romance with a UK setting. I mean, how could a book that features attendance at the Whitby Goth Festival with a bus-full of totally game octogenarians be anything other than delightful? Castles; sheep; dreamy, historical libraries; British slang; and cream tea only richen the pot.
I have some complaints, however…
First, the conflict hinges upon a stupid, avoidable misunderstanding. I hate this trope. I understand that Alice is traumatized by her cheating ex and is, therefore, more liable to jump to conclusions. But it’s nothing that a little transparency and communication couldn’t have solved. Just talk to each other!
Furthermore, the MC & love interest’s relationship begins with an absolutely ridiculous, stilted level of grudge-holding and sauciness. She at least pokes fun at herself (and her moods) from time to time, like when she compares herself to Veruca Salt. Alice quips, “I had always thought of myself as a mature sort of person —an adult, surely —but somehow, in front of this man and his stupid smirk, I was no more self-possessed than Veruca Salt…Annoyingly, he walked off before I got a chance to make any other stupid objections or demand that my father buy me the whole chocolate factory.”
Additionally, there’s a sprinkling of unnecessary exclamation points (which I know is rich coming from me!), along with references to “fat thighs”, JK Rowling (sans critique), and some gendered language. However, the book also contains LGBTQ representation, lots of heart, quirky jokes, a main character named Alice Cooper (hilarious), and innumerable nods to books much-adored by bibliophiles everywhere!
I liked it a whole lot more than my nitpicking suggests.
I have some complaints, however…
First, the conflict hinges upon a stupid, avoidable misunderstanding. I hate this trope. I understand that Alice is traumatized by her cheating ex and is, therefore, more liable to jump to conclusions. But it’s nothing that a little transparency and communication couldn’t have solved. Just talk to each other!
Furthermore, the MC & love interest’s relationship begins with an absolutely ridiculous, stilted level of grudge-holding and sauciness. She at least pokes fun at herself (and her moods) from time to time, like when she compares herself to Veruca Salt. Alice quips, “I had always thought of myself as a mature sort of person —an adult, surely —but somehow, in front of this man and his stupid smirk, I was no more self-possessed than Veruca Salt…Annoyingly, he walked off before I got a chance to make any other stupid objections or demand that my father buy me the whole chocolate factory.”
Additionally, there’s a sprinkling of unnecessary exclamation points (which I know is rich coming from me!), along with references to “fat thighs”, JK Rowling (sans critique), and some gendered language. However, the book also contains LGBTQ representation, lots of heart, quirky jokes, a main character named Alice Cooper (hilarious), and innumerable nods to books much-adored by bibliophiles everywhere!
I liked it a whole lot more than my nitpicking suggests.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer and Infidelity