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jashanac 's review for:
Magnolia Parks
by Jessa Hastings
Enjoyment/Appreciation Level: mid-range
TL;DR:
I absolutely disagree with this being categorized as a "romance". It's focusing on the romantic relationship of a couple, yes. But it's not even a real relationship and it's NOT romantic in the slightest. I had a pretty fun time watching this toxic train wreck relationship, but also nothing much actually happens and it's pretty repetitive.
Also I recently discovered that this author is apparently pretty "problematic" in ways that irritate me quite a bit so I probably won't continue with the series because those annoyances put a pretty bad taste in my mouth toward her. If not for that I'd probably continue, just with library copies, because for what it is, it's a fun enough time that kept my interest.
Summary:
Magnolia & BJ, part of London's wealthy social elite, dated in teen years for five years, broke up after BJ cheated on Magnolia. Have continued a very toxic on-again-off-again hot mess situationship for three years now. He sleeps with other girls, she collects boyfriends to rub in his face.
Writing:
The overall writing style is pretty generic, but there are admittedly some lovely very melodramatic lines describing the toxic love between these two characters. The angst levels are on 10.
I could have done with A LOT LESS clothing descriptions and brand name drops, also. I get that it's part of Magnolia's "personality" but my god. I don't care.
There's one dress that gets mentioned as some super sexy omg drop dead gorgeous dress that stops everyone in their tracks to look at Magnolia... I looked up the dress... not sure why it was described like that because it's not very "sexy" at all nor especially striking??? I struggle to imagine a bunch of men with their mouths open staring due to this dress... But maybe I just don't understand fashion lol (it's the dolce and gabbana raffia mini dress )
Characters:
Terrible people with fancy paper bag personalities for the most part. Clearly very Chuck and Blair (Gossip Girl) coded, and I found them entertaining enough to read about, but also question why all these dudes are so obsessed with Magnolia. Because she's stupid gorgeous and rich and dresses well all the time, and is a social butterfly? Sure I guess! lol
BJ is the worst, truly. AND A HYPOCRITE OMGGGGGGGGGGG (re: the ending reveal). Him being soooo pissy about Christian and Magnolia when he KNEW WHAT HE DID?!?!?!
They're just crazy and need some pretty serious therapy, which is what made it entertaining for me.
Pretty much all of the characters felt pretty one dimensional, though. Obviously we get to know the intimate details about how Magnolia and BJ feel about each other, but that's the most we learn of them.
Didn't love how Magnolia's dad was described, either... as a "big burly" scary Black guy who is a philanderer and a shit dad... lil bit of yikes there I think.
Plot/Pacing:
I kind of rolled my eyes at BJ overdosing after a day & a half coke + champagne bender because I've partied in my day and have seen countless people abusing WAY MORE DRUGS THAN THAT with way more dangerous combos FOR SEVERAL DAYS ON END (music festivals & party people vegas vacations are a wild place lol) and never have seen an overdose. Not that it can't happen, everybody is different, but it just kind of screamed "someone who has no real idea about drug use writing about drug use" lol.
The plot is literally just BJ & Magnolia going back and forth in their train wreck of a situationship and hurting each other without every having a real conversation about anything ever... not much to the actual plot really. But I found it hard to look away from the wreck! haha
TL;DR:
I absolutely disagree with this being categorized as a "romance". It's focusing on the romantic relationship of a couple, yes. But it's not even a real relationship and it's NOT romantic in the slightest. I had a pretty fun time watching this toxic train wreck relationship, but also nothing much actually happens and it's pretty repetitive.
Also I recently discovered that this author is apparently pretty "problematic" in ways that irritate me quite a bit so I probably won't continue with the series because those annoyances put a pretty bad taste in my mouth toward her. If not for that I'd probably continue, just with library copies, because for what it is, it's a fun enough time that kept my interest.
Summary:
Magnolia & BJ, part of London's wealthy social elite, dated in teen years for five years, broke up after BJ cheated on Magnolia. Have continued a very toxic on-again-off-again hot mess situationship for three years now. He sleeps with other girls, she collects boyfriends to rub in his face.
Writing:
The overall writing style is pretty generic, but there are admittedly some lovely very melodramatic lines describing the toxic love between these two characters. The angst levels are on 10.
I could have done with A LOT LESS clothing descriptions and brand name drops, also. I get that it's part of Magnolia's "personality" but my god. I don't care.
There's one dress that gets mentioned as some super sexy omg drop dead gorgeous dress that stops everyone in their tracks to look at Magnolia... I looked up the dress... not sure why it was described like that because it's not very "sexy" at all nor especially striking??? I struggle to imagine a bunch of men with their mouths open staring due to this dress... But maybe I just don't understand fashion lol (it's the dolce and gabbana raffia mini dress )
Characters:
Terrible people with fancy paper bag personalities for the most part. Clearly very Chuck and Blair (Gossip Girl) coded, and I found them entertaining enough to read about, but also question why all these dudes are so obsessed with Magnolia. Because she's stupid gorgeous and rich and dresses well all the time, and is a social butterfly? Sure I guess! lol
BJ is the worst, truly. AND A HYPOCRITE OMGGGGGGGGGGG (re: the ending reveal). Him being soooo pissy about
They're just crazy and need some pretty serious therapy, which is what made it entertaining for me.
Pretty much all of the characters felt pretty one dimensional, though. Obviously we get to know the intimate details about how Magnolia and BJ feel about each other, but that's the most we learn of them.
Didn't love how Magnolia's dad was described, either... as a "big burly" scary Black guy who is a philanderer and a shit dad... lil bit of yikes there I think.
Plot/Pacing:
I kind of rolled my eyes at BJ
The plot is literally just BJ & Magnolia going back and forth in their train wreck of a situationship and hurting each other without every having a real conversation about anything ever... not much to the actual plot really. But I found it hard to look away from the wreck! haha
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Alcohol
Minor: Physical abuse