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A review by paulineerika
Read Between the Lines by Rachel Lacey
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
Just . . . meh. I had somewhat high hopes for this book after I read the synopsis. Plus, within the first few chapters, it was very clear that there was an homage to You've Got Mail going on (right down to the name of the dog) and I love that movie, Tom Hanks's later manipulation notwithstanding. So it had a lot going for it.
I was glad when the homage wrapped up pretty quickly, because I was afraid the whole mystery crush thing would last the entire book, which would have been a drag. And I really did enjoy the initial uncertainty between Rosie and Jane about whether they could be in a relationship or not. I actually thought Rosie was being pretty reasonable in trying to set boundaries. Unfortunately, that conflict was quickly overcome and then we get a lot of Rosie and Jane IN LURRRRRVVVVVVVEEEEE. Which, again, not too bad, but it really seemed to go on and drag without much of a point, except to show us that they are totally hot for each other all the time. Then, out of the blue, you get the third-act breakup which felt so forced and unnecessary. Again, meh.
The writing also felt a little simplistic and juvenile at times. Not every action needs to be explained, not every like/dislike needs to be told to us. Just let the characters be.
Overall, some bright points, but the pacing was off, the conflict felt forced, and the writing couldn't make up for it.
I was glad when the homage wrapped up pretty quickly, because I was afraid the whole mystery crush thing would last the entire book, which would have been a drag. And I really did enjoy the initial uncertainty between Rosie and Jane about whether they could be in a relationship or not. I actually thought Rosie was being pretty reasonable in trying to set boundaries. Unfortunately, that conflict was quickly overcome and then we get a lot of Rosie and Jane IN LURRRRRVVVVVVVEEEEE. Which, again, not too bad, but it really seemed to go on and drag without much of a point, except to show us that they are totally hot for each other all the time. Then, out of the blue, you get the third-act breakup which felt so forced and unnecessary. Again, meh.
The writing also felt a little simplistic and juvenile at times. Not every action needs to be explained, not every like/dislike needs to be told to us. Just let the characters be.
Overall, some bright points, but the pacing was off, the conflict felt forced, and the writing couldn't make up for it.