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hazelfizz 's review for:
Not Quite by the Book
by Julie Hatcher
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Perfectly fun and adequate chick lit romance, especially for the cottagecore fans. Clearly the final new name for the bookstore was the working title / pitch for this novel in the first place (I thought of it myself partway through, except that she was failing unlike the French Cooking memoir).
But listen, there were quite a few accuracy/immersion stumbling blocks I had with this setting and main character.
But listen, there were quite a few accuracy/immersion stumbling blocks I had with this setting and main character.
- Dickinson did not attend Amherst college, but Mt Holyoke, about a modern half-hour south.
- Amherst wasn't even coëd until 190 years later.
- When was this written? Certainly before the recent TV series. Pretty sure the conversation about Emily Dickinson's love interests -- in the greater Northampton region for goodness' sake -- currently includes her sister-in-law Susan.
- Michael at the bookstore was gay. Maybe Paul too. Why do non-queer novels sometimes have this blind spot?
- Again, when written or how old is the author? The house has gas and electric and running hot water, but the protagonist never once addresses or tries to listen to radio, recordings, or downloaded music or podcasts.