teaandspite's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure this book knows what it wants to be. It's marketed as a romance, but the romance is in a lot of ways secondary to the characters' separate growth arcs. There's more space given to the main girl's employment struggles than her developing relationship with the guy.
At the same time, the romantic plot does take up more space than would be usual for a slice of life book or most chick lit. It's got a number of hallmarks of a coming of age story, but the characters are in their 30s. It seems to be trying to be everything at once which means it disappoints on all fronts.
Part of this is likely due to the author's background. In a TV series the multiple plot arcs and quirky background characters would work well together. No one expects a TV show to be exclusively about one thing anymore, especially not romance. But books are not television. They have different conventions and, unless you're writing a 1,000 page doorstop, usually lend themselves better to tighter plotting than television requires. This Time Next Year lacks that central focus. Which is too bad because the characters and their individual stories are interesting. They just don't come together in a satisfying way
At the same time, the romantic plot does take up more space than would be usual for a slice of life book or most chick lit. It's got a number of hallmarks of a coming of age story, but the characters are in their 30s. It seems to be trying to be everything at once which means it disappoints on all fronts.
Part of this is likely due to the author's background. In a TV series the multiple plot arcs and quirky background characters would work well together. No one expects a TV show to be exclusively about one thing anymore, especially not romance. But books are not television. They have different conventions and, unless you're writing a 1,000 page doorstop, usually lend themselves better to tighter plotting than television requires. This Time Next Year lacks that central focus. Which is too bad because the characters and their individual stories are interesting. They just don't come together in a satisfying way
rgaiovnik's review against another edition
2.0
This whole book was mildly infuriating. I thought we had gotten passed the rom-com premise of pushing something more when someone establishes that they just want a friendship- for whatever reason.
medgerton15's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
stellies's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nearlywriting's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
3.75
sonoraslater's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
guardianofthebookshelf's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
crackingspines37's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bibliophile_394's review against another edition
3.0
This book had its moments that were really promising, but even more moments that I found lacking. I wish there was a bigger reveal that they had been missing each other every year. This would make a great movie though and perhaps that layer of remembrance would be there.