A review by savoringstories
The Love Season by Elin Hilderbrand

challenging dark sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

MY RATING BREAKDOWN
Initial Response: 1.75 ⭐️
Characters: 1.75 ⭐️
Relationship B/n Characters: 2 ⭐️
Setting: 3.5 ⭐️
Plot: 2 ⭐️
Writing: 3.5 ⭐️
Pacing: 2⭐️
Did this make sense? 2 ⭐️
Staying Power: 1.5 ⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 2 ⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 2.2 ⭐️

THE NOT-SO GOOD
Where to even begin. Hildebrand tries to dip her toes into queerness with these characters but it all just feels a bit unsettling and slightly unhinged. The big reveal, why one character has become a recluse, is disturbing to say the least. 

THE GOOD
I enjoyed running into some familiar names, for example The Beach Club was previously owned by a character in this novel, Daniel Knox. Little Easter eggs like that are why I choose to try to read everything an author has written. Hildebrand does a really great job at setting the scene in this novel. I enjoyed exploring various foods and locales, especially Morroco. 

OVERALL
This was a painful read. If I had read this first in my Hilderbrand journey, it would have been my last.