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A review by cathyo_113
Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Vanessa Price - the FMC - was a little too much for me. Here’s the thing, I respect the writing of the character in taking charge and having agency over her treatment for a potential disease that could kill her. My biggest issue is that she 1) assumes that by virtue of Adrian saying he’d watched a couple of her videos, she did not need to have a conversation with him about the potential for an ALS Diagnosis; and 2) I felt that she also set him up for failure in their relationship bc of the miscommunication above, and also in other ways she omitted info from him.
My other issue with Vanessa’s character is that she acted with what I perceive as cowardice toward the end of the book. Instead of having hard conversations or meeting the hard feelings head on, she runs. Literally escapes and leaves (almost) everyone.
Adrian Copeland - the MMC and cousin to Josh (from The Friend Zone) - needed therapy. And the author wrote that in at the last minute to lump in with the grand gesture at the end. But even with one month’s time of intensive therapy, such behavioral change may not always seem realistic. I also did not like the inclusion of the description of the benefits of psychotherapy in the epilogue. Should have been introduced sooner.
I felt that this book was slightly a redo of the Friend Zone, with a different major, life changing illness looming about the FMC’s head. Plus an MMC who was choosing to be with the FMC, in spite of it. I do think Adrian’s ultimatum was a dick move, but Vanessa withheld info and he could not act out a grand gesture and apologize.
I think I hate-read the remaining 75% because the 3rd act breakup was written in at that point. Why a 3rd break up at that point? It was so late in the story and took up space that could have better been used exploring therapy and other character development, as well as major declarations of love and support.
Also the ending in the epilogue only served to show that Vanessa should have seen a doctor sooner about her hand because it was serious, but not ALS.
I’m disappointed with this read because the last 40 pages gave me whiplash. I was only just processing Vanessa’s choice to leave when Adrian rushed in to make it an HEA.
My other issue with Vanessa’s character is that she acted with what I perceive as cowardice toward the end of the book. Instead of having hard conversations or meeting the hard feelings head on, she runs. Literally escapes and leaves (almost) everyone.
Adrian Copeland - the MMC and cousin to Josh (from The Friend Zone) - needed therapy. And the author wrote that in at the last minute to lump in with the grand gesture at the end. But even with one month’s time of intensive therapy, such behavioral change may not always seem realistic. I also did not like the inclusion of the description of the benefits of psychotherapy in the epilogue. Should have been introduced sooner.
I felt that this book was slightly a redo of the Friend Zone, with a different major, life changing illness looming about the FMC’s head. Plus an MMC who was choosing to be with the FMC, in spite of it. I do think Adrian’s ultimatum was a dick move, but Vanessa withheld info and he could not act out a grand gesture and apologize.
I think I hate-read the remaining 75% because the 3rd act breakup was written in at that point. Why a 3rd break up at that point? It was so late in the story and took up space that could have better been used exploring therapy and other character development, as well as major declarations of love and support.
Also the ending in the epilogue only served to show that Vanessa should have seen a doctor sooner about her hand because it was serious, but not ALS.
I’m disappointed with this read because the last 40 pages gave me whiplash. I was only just processing Vanessa’s choice to leave when Adrian rushed in to make it an HEA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Addiction
Moderate: Mental illness