A review by professional_malefail
Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi

adventurous challenging emotional funny reflective relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I had already read this book once. Like, half of it, so it was originally a DNF. I picked it up again because I saw it on the shelf of the library I was at.

At first, it seemed pretty average, more of a "kind of like it" type book. I wasn't too invested in the characters or what they had going on but as things progressed I liked the characters seperately; Penny as this awkward, despondent, and standoffish shell and Sam as this messy, confused, and bereft guy. I didn't really see the chemistry between them at all, more like them coincidentally being with each other at difficult periods of their lives - until the last few chapters.
I won't bring up the end, because I think it's better to not know it, but that kind of solidified the idea of their weird, makeshift romance. Still not a fan of the age gap, and I think Sam House needs to get his shit together, but ultimately they are cute in an awkward way. So if you like awkward, messy romances, it's a good read. 

Plus, imagining Penny in a dress with a jacket over it trying to seem appealing to Sam amuses me.

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