A review by hello_lovely13
The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements, Onjuli Datta

emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I clicked with the writing style right away. It is so genuine, honest, and realistic. I was surprised a bit by the structure as I didn't expect a dual POV. Basically, there are two main reveals in the book (one in the 1/3 mark, the other at 3/4 mark), and the POVs switch at those moments. At first I was unsure how I would feel about this because I didn't expect to be Leo's perspective for so long (I thought it would switch back to Win's once Leo's recap of events occurred). However, I ended up liking it because it avoided the trap of it being too repetitive. If it remained with Win's perspective the entire time, then it would have been hearing about how angry she is about the same thing over and over. Win's character, with her values, personality, and priorities, was set up extremely well in the first third of the book that when we switched to Leo's, I don't think we were missing out on how Win was feeling or thinking because it was established so effectively. Also, this book really tackles the nuance of being a public figure having to deal with racism in Hollywood, and one of the main gripes that Win has with Leo is that, as a rich white man, he doesn't really get why she acts the way she does, even when she explains it (he believes it to be much more black and white than what the reality is), so, with her experiences and perspective already established, we get to see Leo gradually start to understand it without her holding his hand about it. There could have been more in-depth explorations of Win's experience as a POC public figure, with all the pressures and expectations, but it does a good job touching on the topic. (Of course, a white person discovering how bad and complicated racism really is for POC is a bit overdone, but it is interesting with the complications of the celebrity aspect and done well.) Win and Leo's chemistry is palpable, and the authors do a good job avoiding easy fixes, allow things to have consequences, and letting the characters' fears and insecurities have weight that aren't just thrown to the side for the sake of a happily ever after (it does end happily, but it is done in a realistic way that respects the complicated nature of the situation).
Wow, did I hate Lila. She was just rude and mean in such a flippant way that usually pissed me off. I could not believe that the first twist was that Leo was SECRETLY MARRIED. Based on the content warnings, I genuinely thought that he was going to have cancer (it ended up being her mother and father, and that was done well and respectfully), and that they were going to have to navigate their real budding feels springing from their fake relationship while having to deal with the fact that he was dying. This completely shifted my expectations, and it definitely became less cliche than I was anticipating in a way that was quite interesting.
Win's relationship with her mother, as well as her grief of her father was quite interesting. I admired that Win's relationship with her best friend Shift allowed her to be called out for her behavior in a loving and honest way. This sometimes occurs with Leo (about how Win, because of her circumstances as a POC in the public eye and having to deal with that pressure and responsibility, can make her act quite selfish), but oftentimes when Leo addresses it, it pokes directly on her sore spots, while with Shift (while they both are speaking from a place of hurt) speaks with honesty and not the intention to hurt her (not that Leo necessarily was, but Shift acted in a more thoughtful and kind way in these situations). Leo's family wasn't explored too much, but was interesting nonetheless.
Gum's behavior at the wedding, though I get it from a protective sibling perspective, pissed me off. It was unnecessarily cruel. I guess by the epilogue he changed his tune, but the way he behaved is not something I could easily get over.
I wasn't as obsessed with the book as I initially was after the first reveal, but I was still interested because there is so much nuance to the book. At times, Win sort of reminded me of Nina Riva from Malibu Rising, both definitely the most interesting characters in their respective books (also, they struggle with fame (though at times for different reasons), have complicated relationships with their parents, and, though they are the main character, they are not always the main focus of their books). Overall, well done and honest, though not necessarily as in-depth about race if the perspective purely remained in Win's perspective (still well done, though).
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