jenjen_0713 's review for:

Not Quite by the Book by Julie Hatcher
5.0
emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Julie Hatcher has knocked it out of the park on her first pass at Women’s Fiction. It’s not a genre I typically pick up, but Julie is one of my favorite author’s so I will follow her anywhere (Julie, please don’t ever venture into horror… I don’t think I could follow you down that path).

While I was dying for more romance, I loved the character growth/exploration of the main character: Emma Rini. I related to her character so much! I swear Julie was hiding under my bed and wrote this story based on my life lol J/k, but seriously…*looks under bed* “Julie, are you under here?”

The relationship growth between Emma and her parents, as well as, Emma and her sister was really profound. Not all problems were fixed in a day, but conversations were had and the trip to become her best Emily was a success even if it wasn’t in the ways Emma had intended. 

For a full review of my thoughts, watch Birdie and the Books’ discussion with the author here: https://www.youtube.com/live/EqwDC7sYYQw?si=N0yzjAWJMsmRz0Yb

Please Note: I received an advance copy for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley, Julie Hatcher, and Lake Union Publishing 🤓