Scan barcode
k8readstoday's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mwa2022's review
2.0
Giving this book any stars is difficult. It’s a train wreck from start to finish. The scenes are not well developed in the beginning. They jump quickly from month to month and when things are descriptive the subject matter is trivial. Once the drama gets going I got somewhat sucked in when both acknowledged they were train wrecks and both into the NSA FWB deal.
Then comes Philip... he seems honestly like the only sane character in this whole travesty. He’s respectful of her emotions and space but Stacey just gets annoyed without openly communicating with him.
It’s about this time when she mentions she’s in a relationship that the double standard trope manifests. Tommy accuses Matt of being controlling and manipulative of his daughter. But god forbid Stacey try to refuse his advances and suddenly he’s telling her to keep her side pieces (I.e. Philip the innocent victim caught in the dysfunctional crossfire. Seriously people if you’re not digging someone just fucking tell them and don’t string them along while being a cheating bitchass) to herself; especially when he knows his flings are public knowledge even if he doesn’t bring them up personally? No loser you do NOT have a say in women’s relationships when your precious ego is hurt; especially when you’re a playboy angry prick.
And don’t get me started on the sexual abuse. Say it with me: NO MEANS NO! Just because she always ends up falling into bed with you doesn’t give you the right to stake your claim and go all 50 Shades of Possessive Douchebag on someone.
I couldn’t keep my thoughts in any longer and I’m writing this before even finishing it but I’m at the point where she actually attempts some self respect but I don’t have any empathy for her. She neglects her kids and all of her friends who aren’t parents just think she can up and leave whenever she wants? What the actual fuck... She claims to be a feminist but really never actually speaks up for herself. In no way am I victim blaming but there were plenty of times where she could’ve easily called out the hypocrisy of Tommy’s behavior or not gotten into the situation in the first place.
Shit has hit the fan and I predict that they’ll end up finding their way back to each other. In no way shape or form should this be romantically glorified for anyone let alone classified as a YOUNG ADULT FICTION! Jesus young minds don’t need to see this as normal coveted behavior. My mental energy is drained and I don’t have much more to add. Just, don’t read this! I don’t know which way is up anymore....
Also everyone is a god damned alcoholic in this story... and Jenny is the only one who makes sense in this disaster.
Okay fine I will give her the fact that everyone comes to terms with their dysfunction in the end. Still problematic.
Then comes Philip... he seems honestly like the only sane character in this whole travesty. He’s respectful of her emotions and space but Stacey just gets annoyed without openly communicating with him.
It’s about this time when she mentions she’s in a relationship that the double standard trope manifests. Tommy accuses Matt of being controlling and manipulative of his daughter. But god forbid Stacey try to refuse his advances and suddenly he’s telling her to keep her side pieces (I.e. Philip the innocent victim caught in the dysfunctional crossfire. Seriously people if you’re not digging someone just fucking tell them and don’t string them along while being a cheating bitchass) to herself; especially when he knows his flings are public knowledge even if he doesn’t bring them up personally? No loser you do NOT have a say in women’s relationships when your precious ego is hurt; especially when you’re a playboy angry prick.
And don’t get me started on the sexual abuse. Say it with me: NO MEANS NO! Just because she always ends up falling into bed with you doesn’t give you the right to stake your claim and go all 50 Shades of Possessive Douchebag on someone.
I couldn’t keep my thoughts in any longer and I’m writing this before even finishing it but I’m at the point where she actually attempts some self respect but I don’t have any empathy for her. She neglects her kids and all of her friends who aren’t parents just think she can up and leave whenever she wants? What the actual fuck... She claims to be a feminist but really never actually speaks up for herself. In no way am I victim blaming but there were plenty of times where she could’ve easily called out the hypocrisy of Tommy’s behavior or not gotten into the situation in the first place.
Shit has hit the fan and I predict that they’ll end up finding their way back to each other. In no way shape or form should this be romantically glorified for anyone let alone classified as a YOUNG ADULT FICTION! Jesus young minds don’t need to see this as normal coveted behavior. My mental energy is drained and I don’t have much more to add. Just, don’t read this! I don’t know which way is up anymore....
Also everyone is a god damned alcoholic in this story... and Jenny is the only one who makes sense in this disaster.
Okay fine I will give her the fact that everyone comes to terms with their dysfunction in the end. Still problematic.
katykelly's review
5.0
Impressive debut, a story of a complex relationship that rings true
You might think it's a Mills and Boon story - poet is called to Hollywood to make her book into a film, meets the star, lust and passion take over - but it's absolutely NOT that.
This is intelligent, witty, layered and demonstrates a relationship that is not perfect, people that are just that - human - and a slightly un-average twosome, but one you take to.
I didn't warm easily to Stacey (I hated her reliance on alcohol), but appreciated her academic intelligence, her poetry and work, her efforts as a single mother and widow. She is asked to work on a script of her poetic work as it transitions to a movie, and ends up meeting and working with the star and one of the produces, movie star Tommy.
In some ways, it has a 'Notting Hill' feel, as an everyday woman meets a celebrity and gets under his skin. Their relationship is not an easy one though - they may sleep together but they don't develop as a couple, they don't become intimate in other ways, both have other relationships going on at the same time.
The story takes us through the process of conditioning the script, casting and shooting the film, all the way to Oscar night, while Stacey goes back and forth from her mid-country home to LA.
Tommy is both frustrating and adorable - the 'man-whore' film star who is clearly struck by the writer, he is smart and a developed character that changes through the story subtly.
Both get good backstories, with Tommy's teenage daughter who has her own issues that Stacey mentors Tommy with, and Stacey's fatherless boys grieving a dead father. There are plenty of issues here for them all to work through. Plenty of 'monsters' outside of the main plot to give meaning to the title.
It all connects up well, and I love the insight and 'backstage' look at Hollywood scriptwriting.
A smart read, one I got sucked into - I really want to both read Stacey's book and see Tommy's film! Great writing from a debut author, and I hope it one day becomes a film itself.
You might think it's a Mills and Boon story - poet is called to Hollywood to make her book into a film, meets the star, lust and passion take over - but it's absolutely NOT that.
This is intelligent, witty, layered and demonstrates a relationship that is not perfect, people that are just that - human - and a slightly un-average twosome, but one you take to.
I didn't warm easily to Stacey (I hated her reliance on alcohol), but appreciated her academic intelligence, her poetry and work, her efforts as a single mother and widow. She is asked to work on a script of her poetic work as it transitions to a movie, and ends up meeting and working with the star and one of the produces, movie star Tommy.
In some ways, it has a 'Notting Hill' feel, as an everyday woman meets a celebrity and gets under his skin. Their relationship is not an easy one though - they may sleep together but they don't develop as a couple, they don't become intimate in other ways, both have other relationships going on at the same time.
The story takes us through the process of conditioning the script, casting and shooting the film, all the way to Oscar night, while Stacey goes back and forth from her mid-country home to LA.
Tommy is both frustrating and adorable - the 'man-whore' film star who is clearly struck by the writer, he is smart and a developed character that changes through the story subtly.
Both get good backstories, with Tommy's teenage daughter who has her own issues that Stacey mentors Tommy with, and Stacey's fatherless boys grieving a dead father. There are plenty of issues here for them all to work through. Plenty of 'monsters' outside of the main plot to give meaning to the title.
It all connects up well, and I love the insight and 'backstage' look at Hollywood scriptwriting.
A smart read, one I got sucked into - I really want to both read Stacey's book and see Tommy's film! Great writing from a debut author, and I hope it one day becomes a film itself.
finalgirlfall's review
2.0
i remember rating this book so low because the love interest reminded me of one of my perpetrators in his mannerisms.
fschulenberg's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Really needed a break from slower, more emotional books. And this did that! I really enjoy reading less serious, less realistic romances once in a while.
However, there were some serious concerns I had about this book. Namely, the sex scenes are almost always initiated non-consensually. If this became a plot point later ... like how Tommy was a monster himself - I see the reason why the author wrote them this way. Unfortunately, it never evolved into a larger point, leaving me feeling like these sex scenes were written without consent in mind - which is just terrible. Also, the characters seem to drink every night without any serious consequences, what was with that? These more serious issues seemed to undermine the lightness of this beach-read type plot.
However, there were some serious concerns I had about this book. Namely, the sex scenes are almost always initiated non-consensually. If this became a plot point later ... like how Tommy was a monster himself - I see the reason why the author wrote them this way. Unfortunately, it never evolved into a larger point, leaving me feeling like these sex scenes were written without consent in mind - which is just terrible. Also, the characters seem to drink every night without any serious consequences, what was with that? These more serious issues seemed to undermine the lightness of this beach-read type plot.
caseysilk's review
4.0
It's funny when I finished this book I was not running around recommending it to everyone. But a few days later I find that I am missing this book. The editor who recommended this book to me said the writer was like Jojo Moyes with an edge and I would have to say if you take Me Before You out of the equation then I could agree with that statement. If you are looking for an edgy romance book with a lot of Hollywood then this is the book for you.
clare_tan_wenhui's review
2.0
It was the "Frankenstein" concept that had lured me into reading this, but there was hardly any delving into this, apart from being a mere plot device for the movie project between the two protagonists. Meanwhile, I found the "monstrosity" of the two protagonists Stacey and Tommy less that of something fearful, and more of something annoying, such that I was so utterly uninvested whether they ended up together or not.