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A review by marie_thereadingotter
The Spare Room by Laura Starkey
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was cute. There was a lot about Rosie that I related to, like the way her family treated her. (The biggest difference is I wasn't a doormat about it.)
I liked Aled as a character, but I wish this were a dual-POV book so we could know what was going on in his mind during the story. We don't get to know him very well, making it seem like Rosie was impressed by the bare minimum of being treated with general respect. He seemed like a genuine guy, but it was also basic respect and care. Which is fine, and to Rosie's character might have seemed like "above and beyond" levels.
The ending felt a little rushed, and some parts were a little predictable. The third-act break-up and the "proposial" misunderstanding were the most obvious things to happen. I would've preferred a different reason for it to happen over something I guessed about halfway through the book. But overall, I enjoyed this quick read. The spice is "Closed door", for those who like to know the spice levels of books.
The one thing I didn't like about this book is the miscommunication trope. It bothers me less when characters are younger, like when I used to read YA contemporary or YA in general, because kids are less likely to talk things out, "big emotions" and all.
But ya'll are in your 30s and can't talk about anything? Being hurt in the past is a better reason to talk than not to, in my opinion. Being clear about what you want or expect and what you don't want or expect is better, and will ensure that you can't or won't get hurt again. Authors really need to find a better trope to use to break characters up if they really feel the need to. Nobody likes miscommunication tropes.
I liked Aled as a character, but I wish this were a dual-POV book so we could know what was going on in his mind during the story. We don't get to know him very well, making it seem like Rosie was impressed by the bare minimum of being treated with general respect. He seemed like a genuine guy, but it was also basic respect and care. Which is fine, and to Rosie's character might have seemed like "above and beyond" levels.
The ending felt a little rushed, and some parts were a little predictable. The third-act break-up and the "proposial" misunderstanding were the most obvious things to happen. I would've preferred a different reason for it to happen over something I guessed about halfway through the book. But overall, I enjoyed this quick read. The spice is "Closed door", for those who like to know the spice levels of books.
The one thing I didn't like about this book is the miscommunication trope. It bothers me less when characters are younger, like when I used to read YA contemporary or YA in general, because kids are less likely to talk things out, "big emotions" and all.
But ya'll are in your 30s and can't talk about anything? Being hurt in the past is a better reason to talk than not to, in my opinion. Being clear about what you want or expect and what you don't want or expect is better, and will ensure that you can't or won't get hurt again. Authors really need to find a better trope to use to break characters up if they really feel the need to. Nobody likes miscommunication tropes.