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A review by readerette
How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days by K.M. Jackson
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
If the author chose to write another story, particularly something not a romance, I'd be willing to read it. Her writing style is appealing and approachable, and I liked the super supportive best friend, Dawn, as well as True when he was still just a super supportive best friend, before the love stuff unfolded. I also appreciate the author's insertions of characters experiencing subtle racism in the text, since it's a good way to be put in those uncomfortable shoes for readers who don't regularly experience racism.
However, even as a homebody with some social anxiety who likes her routine, I could not connect with the very similar Lu. It was believable that she could have nursed this lifelong crush on a star, but to be as devastated as she was to hear a rumor that she never really got confirmed that he was getting married, which raised some unspecified fear for her... It was too bizarre.
Then True spent an inordinate amount of time gushing (internally) about Lu's body and her eyes and lips, which just made the love between them seem all the more immature and superficial, since Lu basically just drooled over his butt and lips and hair.
And the whole tracking down Keanu thing... So weird. Just a series of near misses with finding him, a predictable romance trope, a bunch of other run-ins with random movie stars, "Gary" the Keanu insider, and everyone just slathering on the praise about Keanu. I get it, he's her crush, and he is a Hollywood darling in real life too. But all of it was, again, too much.
The scene where she actually meets Keanu makes no sense to me. I think it was an attempt at Keanu's often pithy, laid-back engagement with fans and interviewers, but it didn't come together for me. And the surfing stunt, and why would True not just give her the necklace... And for Daniel to go from creepy capitalist rapey guy to all business just because Lu's agent came along, considering we really didn't need Daniel at all (and he'd have needed to not be a slimeball to be a serious competitor for True), just piled on.
I usually like a "will they/won't they" but this one was too disjointed and superficial for my taste, and Lu and True waffled way too many times for no reason at all. Like teens, not 40-somethings. Not what I was hoping for, and not what I like to read.
However, even as a homebody with some social anxiety who likes her routine, I could not connect with the very similar Lu. It was believable that she could have nursed this lifelong crush on a star, but to be as devastated as she was to hear a rumor that she never really got confirmed that he was getting married, which raised some unspecified fear for her... It was too bizarre.
Then True spent an inordinate amount of time gushing (internally) about Lu's body and her eyes and lips, which just made the love between them seem all the more immature and superficial, since Lu basically just drooled over his butt and lips and hair.
And the whole tracking down Keanu thing... So weird. Just a series of near misses with finding him, a predictable romance trope, a bunch of other run-ins with random movie stars, "Gary" the Keanu insider, and everyone just slathering on the praise about Keanu. I get it, he's her crush, and he is a Hollywood darling in real life too. But all of it was, again, too much.
I usually like a "will they/won't they" but this one was too disjointed and superficial for my taste, and Lu and True waffled way too many times for no reason at all. Like teens, not 40-somethings. Not what I was hoping for, and not what I like to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Racism and Sexual harassment