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mkkusek 's review for:
Just My Type
by Falon Ballard
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The premise of this story was cute, and overall it was an entertaining read, but I REALLY had to suspend my disbelief for a lot of it. I know rom-coms aren't realistic in the first place, but this one had some major issues that pulled me out of the story:
1. The fact that this contest was part of Lana and Seth's job - especially given the highly personal nature of some of the task items (like having a one-night stand or remaining abstinent). Hello HR violations! I know this company is small and doesn't seem to have an HR department, but how could Natasha not be worried about getting sued by an employee for putting Lana and Seth in these situations (regardless of whether or not they agreed, but there was definitely some coercion at play). Props that at least Lana's therapist pointed this all out....
2. Lana's work life/environment. I can't pretend to know about the relaxed attitudes Californians may or may not have as to when they start work (but really? 10 am???), but also, the story makes it sound like Lana is a full-time employee paid to write a single article a week...and that's it. And she doesn't even post her own articles? That's more like a freelancer than anything. For a company of that size, she would absolutely be wearing many hats and drowning in work and would not be having all these lazy mornings and relaxed visits to the office.
3. Speaking of the work environment, I think the most unbelievable thing of all was that Lana was literally the only person in the entire company who was usually in a relationship and her colleagues all "lived vicariously through her." If anything, it would be the opposite, where everyone is already married/committed and there's one single person, especially in a company that small. I could see this setting up sequel potential, especially for Tessa and Rob, but still.
That said, I really liked the dynamic between Lana and Seth. And the way the challenges played out was really enjoyable to read, though I do take issue with some of the things on Lana's list, because I could never figure out how "having a one-night stand" and "kissing a stranger" are meant to help you "be okay with being alone." Like...those are literally the opposite of being alone.
Lana herself was a mixed bag for me. I loved that she was nerdy and definitely identified with her writer self, but it was hard to read her constantly making bad decisions EVEN WHEN SHE KNEW THEY WERE BAD IN THE MOMENT. It might have been easier to stomach if she weren't constantly saying things like, "I already know this about my situation, but I'm going to set that aside until a later time and continue down this bad path I don't really want."
Seth, on the other hand, was a stand-up guy. No notes. I also really enjoyed his epigraphs at the start of certain chapters - honestly more than Lana's!
1. The fact that this contest was part of Lana and Seth's job - especially given the highly personal nature of some of the task items (like having a one-night stand or remaining abstinent). Hello HR violations! I know this company is small and doesn't seem to have an HR department, but how could Natasha not be worried about getting sued by an employee for putting Lana and Seth in these situations (regardless of whether or not they agreed, but there was definitely some coercion at play). Props that at least Lana's therapist pointed this all out....
2. Lana's work life/environment. I can't pretend to know about the relaxed attitudes Californians may or may not have as to when they start work (but really? 10 am???), but also, the story makes it sound like Lana is a full-time employee paid to write a single article a week...and that's it. And she doesn't even post her own articles? That's more like a freelancer than anything. For a company of that size, she would absolutely be wearing many hats and drowning in work and would not be having all these lazy mornings and relaxed visits to the office.
3. Speaking of the work environment, I think the most unbelievable thing of all was that Lana was literally the only person in the entire company who was usually in a relationship and her colleagues all "lived vicariously through her." If anything, it would be the opposite, where everyone is already married/committed and there's one single person, especially in a company that small. I could see this setting up sequel potential, especially for Tessa and Rob, but still.
That said, I really liked the dynamic between Lana and Seth. And the way the challenges played out was really enjoyable to read, though I do take issue with some of the things on Lana's list, because I could never figure out how "having a one-night stand" and "kissing a stranger" are meant to help you "be okay with being alone." Like...those are literally the opposite of being alone.
Lana herself was a mixed bag for me. I loved that she was nerdy and definitely identified with her writer self, but it was hard to read her constantly making bad decisions EVEN WHEN SHE KNEW THEY WERE BAD IN THE MOMENT. It might have been easier to stomach if she weren't constantly saying things like, "I already know this about my situation, but I'm going to set that aside until a later time and continue down this bad path I don't really want."
Seth, on the other hand, was a stand-up guy. No notes. I also really enjoyed his epigraphs at the start of certain chapters - honestly more than Lana's!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship