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faerybookish's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This is not a romantic comedy. I read it because the description made it sound like a rom-com. Something sweet and light and inspiring. I loved the idea of a diary filled with suggestions for a "perfect year". Instead, I got a dark, challenging read, filled with subjects that really needed a TW. This is also a translated novel and that may have contributed to the disconnect.
This story isn't really about a man who goes out for a run and finds a mysterious diary with daily prompts for a "perfect year. Yes, that happens, but that's the least of it. This story is about a very privileged man, white, cishet, wealthy, healthy, attractive. Who is also deeply disconnected from his own emotions and treats most people around him poorly. I can read unlikable characters and sometimes even enjoy them. But I had a hard time rooting for or emotionally investing in Jonathan's personal growth because I kept thinking about all the harm he had done. His motivation was also very focused on him enjoying his life more, with only the last minute conflict with his love interest addressing the harm he had caused others. And the resolution to that conflict did not feel satisfying.
The pace was odd, most of the book takes place in january, and then when we start moving out of january we jump huge chunks of time to get to the end of the year before the end of the book. It felt rushed and disconnected in the last third because of this. It also left the romance feeling quite rushed, especially considering what Hannah (the love interest) had been through. In fact there was some of the most awkward insta-love I've read in this book, more than once! And the plot twists, which there were a few, felt both predictable and out of nowhere. I could tell where a few of these reveals were going, but we got there so quickly with almost no build up that it was jarring.
Is there anything I did enjoy? I did enjoy reading a book set in Germany, I don't know that I've read very many and I felt very immersed in the setting which worked well to support the characters and the story. A couple side characters, Leopold and Sarasvati were pretty interesting and I would have enjoyed spending more time with them.
This story isn't really about a man who goes out for a run and finds a mysterious diary with daily prompts for a "perfect year. Yes, that happens, but that's the least of it. This story is about a very privileged man, white, cishet, wealthy, healthy, attractive. Who is also deeply disconnected from his own emotions and treats most people around him poorly. I can read unlikable characters and sometimes even enjoy them. But I had a hard time rooting for or emotionally investing in Jonathan's personal growth because I kept thinking about all the harm he had done. His motivation was also very focused on him enjoying his life more, with only the last minute conflict with his love interest addressing the harm he had caused others. And the resolution to that conflict did not feel satisfying.
The pace was odd, most of the book takes place in january, and then when we start moving out of january we jump huge chunks of time to get to the end of the year before the end of the book. It felt rushed and disconnected in the last third because of this. It also left the romance feeling quite rushed, especially considering what Hannah (the love interest) had been through. In fact there was some of the most awkward insta-love I've read in this book, more than once! And the plot twists, which there were a few, felt both predictable and out of nowhere. I could tell where a few of these reveals were going, but we got there so quickly with almost no build up that it was jarring.
Is there anything I did enjoy? I did enjoy reading a book set in Germany, I don't know that I've read very many and I felt very immersed in the setting which worked well to support the characters and the story. A couple side characters, Leopold and Sarasvati were pretty interesting and I would have enjoyed spending more time with them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Chronic illness, Suicide, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship