THINGS THAT BREAK US by Michelle Heard

 2* lacks feels, authenticity and emotions. Quite a trite, dated read, sadly. 

I don't think I've ever read a Montlake book that's been less than a 3* read. I thought this would be chock full of emotions, but sadly, this fell way below the mark.

Nova came across as having low self-esteem and confidence and desperately in need of therapy and being single for a while. And I didn't buy that she'd been in one abusive relationship, had gotten out of it, only to be stupid enough to get into another and stay in it. And all this, despite being solidly in love with Easton for 14 years, allegedly. Hmm. 

10yo Lainie got over her mum's passing far too quickly and was back doing retail therapy after a short timeout. And 14 instances of "my sweet girl" got grating. 

Easton? Ugh, not at all believable or lead material. He's meant to be a suave hotshot actor worth $700m but asks for no kissing scenes in a movie. And he'll never act in a romance. In 2025. He makes proclamations about dating Nova before even talking to her about dating her. He announces that his presence at a bake sale table will mean they'll sell out. Rachel has just died, and he tries to joke "If you tell anyone I cried like a baby, my career as an actor is over." And he growls. Omg, didn't that get laughed out of romances a decade or so ago? 

Ugh. This was such an inorganic tale, I should have DNF'd it about 1/3 in.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Montlake for my reading pleasure.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ALWAYS YOU AND ME by Dani Atkins

5* Even though I don't believe in HEAs anymore, this book had me crying because of THAT ending. I'm going to try and review without spoilering, but ugh, I started the book almost in tears and ended it in actual tears, and with hope that sometimes love does last.  This book is so much more than a second chance at love. It's about loving, and being loved by, flawed characters whose lives with each other had their time, and when that time was gone, the love continued. Like Finn and Matt by Charlie Winters, this is a book I loved but won't ever read again. A part of me can't believe the author went there with the ending, but another part of me, the romantic-but-hurt part, wants to believe in the power of everlasting love.  ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my reading pleasure. 
Read more

HER BEAUTIFUL LIFE by Brianna Labuskes

4* What a read. Started off with something mundane, turned into something totally shocking. I wasn't sure I'd like this tale of a former roomie/bestie going to interview a trad wife, some 10/11 years after their lives diverged, following a fallout, for a celebrity piece. I was a bit surprised at the lack of awkwardness and tension between the former friends, and didn't expect the tension from the actual eventual source. I absolutely didn't expect the plot, which was really, really well done, if you can cope with the plotting, the (occasionally) flawed rationale, the not-really-likable journalist/writer, Holland, and the iceberg-type trad wife, Cat/Catriona. Add in various very, very good red herrings (staff, scared kids, a creepy teen, a domineering husband, a mysterious death - still not clarified at the end, cops that don't have big-city cop instincts or mistrust, mental health, a possible psychopath), and you have a very, very well-done, well- dovetailed tale tha...
Read more

THE FIX by Mia Sheridan

4* Wasn't prepared for that opener, but a good tale, especially as an intro to this author. The opener to this tale is brutal but leads to an ultimately happier event 11 years down the line. I wasn't expecting what I read, so it was a bit of a shocker, although it was great to see both Cami's mental strength and her physicality saving her. I think the author did well to skip the years in between, not dwelling on the pain, trauma and loss.  The tale does need a bit of a dose of suspension of disbelief that in only 2 days, Cami and Rex saved the day, but then again his past, expertise and contacts made things believable.  The ending is a big of a POW! The kind of thing that can only happen in America with their ridiculous gun laws. But, the victim deserved it. And, if only there were more hot mics IRL in 2025 USA, and if only people were prepared to find their big girl and big boy pants and speak up. Sorry, I digress, but there's just so much that's wrong with that co...
Read more