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A review by casey_sunshine
Not in My Book by Katie Holt
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read a digital ARC of this book. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley.
This book was so charming! I was ready to give it a rave review but then at 90% there was a breakup (which I hate) that felt really melodramatic and unsatisfying.
The premise is cute. MFA classmates become enemies via aggressively critiquing each other’s work; the professor forces them to write their novel together as punishment; it’s an enemies-to-lovers romance novel that very obviously follows their own budding friendship and eventual romantic relationship; it all falls apart.
There were a lot of sweet moments and great snappy dialogue—enemies to lovers is usually good for that. There’s a scene where they are co-writing a sex scene for the book (they have not yet had sex IRL) and the tension is *perfect*. The telegraphing from their novel to their relationship got a little predictable—but it’s a romance novel so knowing what’s coming is not a dealbreaker.
Still, I convinced myself that the signs were wrong, that the breakup wasn’t coming, but I was lying to myself. Being unwilling to listen to him—after all the words they’d exchanged—didn’t ring true to me. So, I liked 90% of this book. :)
Ifa third-act breakup is your favorite, you’ll love this book, lol.
This book was so charming! I was ready to give it a rave review but then at 90%
The premise is cute. MFA classmates become enemies via aggressively critiquing each other’s work; the professor forces them to write their novel together as punishment; it’s an enemies-to-lovers romance novel that very obviously follows their own budding friendship and eventual romantic relationship; it all falls apart.
There were a lot of sweet moments and great snappy dialogue—enemies to lovers is usually good for that. There’s a scene where they are co-writing a sex scene for the book (they have not yet had sex IRL) and the tension is *perfect*. The telegraphing from their novel to their relationship got a little predictable—but it’s a romance novel so knowing what’s coming is not a dealbreaker.
Still, I convinced myself that the signs were wrong, that the
If
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Death of parent