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isabelbrieler's review against another edition
2.0
this was... *checks notes*
yep, the most batshit thing I've ever read
it's sort of like...the notebook? but on about a million tons of crack and including chapters from points of view of both a cow and a piece of paper (actually the paper gets two chapters)
yep, the most batshit thing I've ever read
it's sort of like...the notebook? but on about a million tons of crack and including chapters from points of view of both a cow and a piece of paper (actually the paper gets two chapters)
openallnight's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars for me
I listened to the Audible and thought the narration was awesome (5 Stars)... it really added whimsy to the silliness that LJ Shen added. I listened to it over 2 days pretty much non-stop between life activities.
Overall, a decent read. There were plenty of things about the h that drove me crazy but that might just be ME and so I won't review rant about her. There was drama angst that could have been cured by you know... TALKING... but really, what's the fun in that? ha! So if you are on board for a funny, sometimes silly, a little tragic and a lot of angsty between two NA characters that act their age? You will enjoy In the Unlikely Event.
I listened to the Audible and thought the narration was awesome (5 Stars)... it really added whimsy to the silliness that LJ Shen added. I listened to it over 2 days pretty much non-stop between life activities.
Overall, a decent read. There were plenty of things about the h that drove me crazy but that might just be ME and so I won't review rant about her. There was drama angst that could have been cured by you know... TALKING... but really, what's the fun in that? ha! So if you are on board for a funny, sometimes silly, a little tragic and a lot of angsty between two NA characters that act their age? You will enjoy In the Unlikely Event.
lmrivas54's review against another edition
4.0
Second chance and crazy and totally irreverent, is what this book is. Even Napkins and Chocolate Bars had a chance to share their POV’s in this book. We get a POV version from all fronts about what happens to this couple who imprinted on each other when they met, wrote a marriage contract on a paper napkin, and meet again eight hears later. History catches up with them and finds them still in love as always, but heavily invested in secrets, hidden desires and misconceptions that threaten to keep them apart.
Aurora Belle Jenkins travelled to Ireland to visit her father’s tomb. All her life she wanted contact with her father, but her mother always denied her this. She received letters and gifts but no personal contact. After visiting her father’s grave, a priest sends her to Malachy Doherty for more information on her father. Once she gets to where he busks in Drury Street, she’s mesmerized by his presence.
“I’ve never seen someone like him before. He is beautiful, true, but that’s not what stands out to me. He is radiant. It’s like his presence has a presence. He sucks the air out of everything in his vicinity, making it impossible not to look at him. Malachy is tailor-made for a huge, colossal heartbreak.”
They spend a scant 24 hours together, visit her half-sister Kathleen who gives her nothing except hostility, they spend the night together, and she leaves for the US, to college life. Fast forward eight years, she’s a photographer, he’s a famous songwriter, they meet in New York and he hates her guts.
When they separated eight years ago, she was gutted, and it took her years to move on, but she never got over him completely. Now she has a boyfriend, and Malachy arrives to make demands on her time. She’s forced to travel to Ireland for two months to photograph a documentary on the writing process of a rock music album. And here is where everything goes crazy and wild.
Malachy hates her and wants revenge. There are a lot of secrets so we’re kept in the dark for a long while. Meanwhile, he’s being a jerk, she’s trying to get the job done, the rock star who is supposed to be singing the songs that Malachy writes is a drug addict that’s constantly bent and acting crazy. The action gets complicated by the hour until it starts to clear up. Meanwhile, we’re treated to chapters with the POV’s of everything and everyone they come in touch with, including: a cow, a napkin, dead people, chocolate bars, all the current characters and some secondary actors. It’s like a POV free for all!
One thing is constant throughout the book: Mal and Rory love each other, and literally climb over others in order to be together. They have a rocky relation with many people against them and more importantly, a lot of secrets. Everyone in the village knows about Rory except her. I got annoyed at all the secrecy and letting her stew in ignorance. I also felt that Mal overdid it in the jerk department, and Rory was a liiiittle too forgiving. Even so, they had such a huge connection and pull to each other that it was impossible for them to stay mad for long.
“The idea that I’ve been sick with guilt over everything I hadn’t told her, everything I couldn’t say—promised not to tell her—makes me want to laugh now. Yes, I kept things from Aurora. But she went the extra mile and ripped things from me.”
This was a wacky but yummy read, hugely entertaining and at times a bit annoying because of the secrets and undeserved hostility towards Rory from some village inhabitants.
Aurora Belle Jenkins travelled to Ireland to visit her father’s tomb. All her life she wanted contact with her father, but her mother always denied her this. She received letters and gifts but no personal contact. After visiting her father’s grave, a priest sends her to Malachy Doherty for more information on her father. Once she gets to where he busks in Drury Street, she’s mesmerized by his presence.
“I’ve never seen someone like him before. He is beautiful, true, but that’s not what stands out to me. He is radiant. It’s like his presence has a presence. He sucks the air out of everything in his vicinity, making it impossible not to look at him. Malachy is tailor-made for a huge, colossal heartbreak.”
They spend a scant 24 hours together, visit her half-sister Kathleen who gives her nothing except hostility, they spend the night together, and she leaves for the US, to college life. Fast forward eight years, she’s a photographer, he’s a famous songwriter, they meet in New York and he hates her guts.
When they separated eight years ago, she was gutted, and it took her years to move on, but she never got over him completely. Now she has a boyfriend, and Malachy arrives to make demands on her time. She’s forced to travel to Ireland for two months to photograph a documentary on the writing process of a rock music album. And here is where everything goes crazy and wild.
Malachy hates her and wants revenge. There are a lot of secrets so we’re kept in the dark for a long while. Meanwhile, he’s being a jerk, she’s trying to get the job done, the rock star who is supposed to be singing the songs that Malachy writes is a drug addict that’s constantly bent and acting crazy. The action gets complicated by the hour until it starts to clear up. Meanwhile, we’re treated to chapters with the POV’s of everything and everyone they come in touch with, including: a cow, a napkin, dead people, chocolate bars, all the current characters and some secondary actors. It’s like a POV free for all!
One thing is constant throughout the book: Mal and Rory love each other, and literally climb over others in order to be together. They have a rocky relation with many people against them and more importantly, a lot of secrets. Everyone in the village knows about Rory except her. I got annoyed at all the secrecy and letting her stew in ignorance. I also felt that Mal overdid it in the jerk department, and Rory was a liiiittle too forgiving. Even so, they had such a huge connection and pull to each other that it was impossible for them to stay mad for long.
“The idea that I’ve been sick with guilt over everything I hadn’t told her, everything I couldn’t say—promised not to tell her—makes me want to laugh now. Yes, I kept things from Aurora. But she went the extra mile and ripped things from me.”
This was a wacky but yummy read, hugely entertaining and at times a bit annoying because of the secrets and undeserved hostility towards Rory from some village inhabitants.
winemakerssister's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this novel is a roller coaster of emotion and angst. It's filled with lies and good intentions and many that are not so good. And honestly, that's the sort of thing that will normally keep me away from some books. I'm generally not a fan of angst and extreme emotion. But when it's so beautifully written and compelling, I feel quite differently.
This is the story of Mal and Rory and lots and lots of star-crossed love. But it's worth hanging in there through all the high emotion. No spoilers; 'nuff said.
And I loved the little aside notes from the other characters. The napkin, the neighbor's cow, the rock star... And they were especially fun in the audio book because they were narrated by Shane East and Muffy Newtown (Erin Mallon).
Cover: I don't really have feelings about it one way or the other.
Narration: Generally wonderful, especially the notes. But I wasn't a big fan of Savannah Peachwood's portrayal of Mal.
Hogwarts Sorting Hat: Tricky. I'm sorting Rory into Ravenclaw and Mal into Slytherin.
Themes: NYC, rural Ireland, song writers, star-crossed lovers, good intentions and bad intentions, family
This is the story of Mal and Rory and lots and lots of star-crossed love. But it's worth hanging in there through all the high emotion. No spoilers; 'nuff said.
And I loved the little aside notes from the other characters. The napkin, the neighbor's cow, the rock star... And they were especially fun in the audio book because they were narrated by Shane East and Muffy Newtown (Erin Mallon).
Cover: I don't really have feelings about it one way or the other.
Narration: Generally wonderful, especially the notes. But I wasn't a big fan of Savannah Peachwood's portrayal of Mal.
Hogwarts Sorting Hat: Tricky. I'm sorting Rory into Ravenclaw and Mal into Slytherin.
Themes: NYC, rural Ireland, song writers, star-crossed lovers, good intentions and bad intentions, family
bookhoarder76's review against another edition
2.0
Oh my how I wanted to love this book and I was thinking it was going that way and then...two words....chocolate bar. UGH I just can't get past that. I tried to stop and give it a break for a few days then go back because I SO LOVED the book up until that point. But I honestly think that and a few other things just ruined it for me. I loved how it ended though so I'm giving it 3 stars.
sharshell's review against another edition
5.0
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
I absolutely loved Unlikely Event. It hit so many emotions throughout the story, one page being brought to tears and the next laughing out loud. Those are some of my favorite reads the ones that make you feel as you read their story and Shen did it amazingly.
Mal and Rory had off the charts chemistry. There was so much angst and sexual tension between them was perfect. This story is so unique compared to anything I've read from Shen. She is quickly becoming a go to author. I highly recommend you one clicking this one it is so worth the roller coaster Shen takes you on.
I absolutely loved Unlikely Event. It hit so many emotions throughout the story, one page being brought to tears and the next laughing out loud. Those are some of my favorite reads the ones that make you feel as you read their story and Shen did it amazingly.
Mal and Rory had off the charts chemistry. There was so much angst and sexual tension between them was perfect. This story is so unique compared to anything I've read from Shen. She is quickly becoming a go to author. I highly recommend you one clicking this one it is so worth the roller coaster Shen takes you on.
ashleyhosack1's review against another edition
5.0
Stop what you’re reading and grab this book!!!
steamy as ever and I loved the story line! The chocolate bar has the best day ever and please let me know what you think :)
steamy as ever and I loved the story line! The chocolate bar has the best day ever and please let me know what you think :)
jazmin's review against another edition
dnf @30%
- the characters have ZERO chemistry despite them saying they do??
- i hate the male main character
- no. just no
- the characters have ZERO chemistry despite them saying they do??
- i hate the male main character
- no. just no
_bookish_kristy_'s review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Likely stars
I truly enjoyed this story. Loved the chemistry between King Mal and Princess Rory. Their banter was enlightening. Plenty of emotions throughout the book. And of course can’t not mention that one particular scene! Best. Day. Ever.
I truly enjoyed this story. Loved the chemistry between King Mal and Princess Rory. Their banter was enlightening. Plenty of emotions throughout the book. And of course can’t not mention that one particular scene! Best. Day. Ever.
amgirl22657's review against another edition
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5