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ramhist 's review for:
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill
by Abbi Waxman
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I went from a five star review to three stars to four stars over the course of reading this novel. Waxman details the ins and outs of life in a particular corner of LA in a way that reminds me of Jane Austen — affectionate toward her characters and still sharply observant. The development of one plot strand, Nina’s relationship with her newly discovered family, is on the whole well done, though I would have liked her to spend more time on it. The romance, however, is where this book loses a star. It seems superfluous and it’s really not clear what brings these two together besides lust and a common interest in trivia. Throw in an incident that is presented as a turning point in their nascent relationship where Nina publicly apologizes even though Tom is also in the wrong (and where it’s not clear Nina actually carries any blame), and the happily ever after seems, to say the least, unearned. Waxman’s writing is strong enough for me to read more of her work, though I’ll be keeping an eye on the romantic plot lines.