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A review by gracefullypunk
Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Lee Stone is hard to love, but easy to leave. At least, Stoner thinks this about herself. Her drinking, smoking, and sexing might put some readers off, but it's both tied to a past event that changed her life . . . and, quite frankly, something plenty of 30 year old women do. I appreciate genuine flaws in a character, even when it means they're often not likeable.
But the thing is, Stoner IS likeable, as evidenced by the solid group of friends that stick around and show up. It's just that it's her passion that makes people like her, not her niceness or sweetness -- how refreshing. Even better that this passion is tied to the climate crisis and general social justice. The author did a great job working these in without making you feel like you're reading the news or a textbook.
Yeah, most of us might read romance to escape the horrors of the world, but I see nothing wrong with a strong female lead trying to challenge those horrors. More of this, please.
But the thing is, Stoner IS likeable, as evidenced by the solid group of friends that stick around and show up. It's just that it's her passion that makes people like her, not her niceness or sweetness -- how refreshing. Even better that this passion is tied to the climate crisis and general social justice. The author did a great job working these in without making you feel like you're reading the news or a textbook.
Yeah, most of us might read romance to escape the horrors of the world, but I see nothing wrong with a strong female lead trying to challenge those horrors. More of this, please.