lololovesthings's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
2.5 stars.
"Let's Get Quizzical" by Kelly Ohlert has a decent story, but lacks the chemistry, backstory, and emotion to be successful. I felt nothing for the main characters, Charlotte and Eli. They dated in high school until he broke her heart and broke up with her. Little did Charlotte know that it all boiled down to a miscommunication, which could have been easily rectified with some minor talking. Eli, babe, if you know you love someone.....maybe just talk to them honestly???? I guess that'd be too obvious! Years later, they are thrust together once again on a game show called Brain Battle where they have both been chosen as contestants. One thing leads to another, and they are forced to be partners, eventually reconnecting for a second-chance, forced proximity quiz show romance. Even knowing they share history together, there is no chemistry between the two of them. I *love* quiz shows and was looking forward to this book being fantastic because of its fairly original premise, but it's not very good because Eli and Charlotte are both incredibly boring characters. I like the random facts they both drop, but that's as interesting as they get. They are both in their 30s, but act much younger and much more immature. Charlotte is insanely critical and not easy to care for because she seems to lack empathy and compassion for anyone but herself. The overall pacing is bad and the writing is choppy, which are both problems I had with Ohlert's first novel. I kept hoping this book would get better, but it didn't. Skip this one.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kelly Ohlert, and Alcove Press for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for my review.
"Let's Get Quizzical" by Kelly Ohlert has a decent story, but lacks the chemistry, backstory, and emotion to be successful. I felt nothing for the main characters, Charlotte and Eli. They dated in high school until he broke her heart and broke up with her. Little did Charlotte know that it all boiled down to a miscommunication, which could have been easily rectified with some minor talking. Eli, babe, if you know you love someone.....maybe just talk to them honestly???? I guess that'd be too obvious! Years later, they are thrust together once again on a game show called Brain Battle where they have both been chosen as contestants. One thing leads to another, and they are forced to be partners, eventually reconnecting for a second-chance, forced proximity quiz show romance. Even knowing they share history together, there is no chemistry between the two of them. I *love* quiz shows and was looking forward to this book being fantastic because of its fairly original premise, but it's not very good because Eli and Charlotte are both incredibly boring characters. I like the random facts they both drop, but that's as interesting as they get. They are both in their 30s, but act much younger and much more immature. Charlotte is insanely critical and not easy to care for because she seems to lack empathy and compassion for anyone but herself. The overall pacing is bad and the writing is choppy, which are both problems I had with Ohlert's first novel. I kept hoping this book would get better, but it didn't. Skip this one.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kelly Ohlert, and Alcove Press for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for my review.
tangerinereads's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
nobookmark_noproblem's review
4.0
Let’s Get Quizzical
Kelly Ohlert
Pub Date: October 17, 2023
Let’s Get Quizzical by Kelly Ohlert was a super enjoyable second chance romance book, filled with lots of random trivia and facts that I just loved!
Charlotte loves to watch game shows with her family. Not only that, but she loves to apply to be on game shows. When she is finally selected to appear on Brain Battle, she never expected to see Eli, her ex-boyfriend, competing on the show at the same time. After Eli broke her heart in high school, with no explanation, he’s the last person Charlotte wants to see. The two can’t avoid one another after they are paired to compete together on the show. From there, others start to take notice that they have some type of history and the ratings for the show shoot through the roof! Can the two continue make it to the next round and win money that both of their families so desperately need? Or will their relationship and a Brain Battle scandal get in their way?
I really enjoyed how both Eli and Charlotte had a complex family dynamic that was the main drive for wanting to win money by competing on the show. I also loved watching their relationship unfold throughout the book! I found myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions. This was a super cute read and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a second chance romance!
Read if you like:
Kelly Ohlert
Pub Date: October 17, 2023
Let’s Get Quizzical by Kelly Ohlert was a super enjoyable second chance romance book, filled with lots of random trivia and facts that I just loved!
Charlotte loves to watch game shows with her family. Not only that, but she loves to apply to be on game shows. When she is finally selected to appear on Brain Battle, she never expected to see Eli, her ex-boyfriend, competing on the show at the same time. After Eli broke her heart in high school, with no explanation, he’s the last person Charlotte wants to see. The two can’t avoid one another after they are paired to compete together on the show. From there, others start to take notice that they have some type of history and the ratings for the show shoot through the roof! Can the two continue make it to the next round and win money that both of their families so desperately need? Or will their relationship and a Brain Battle scandal get in their way?
I really enjoyed how both Eli and Charlotte had a complex family dynamic that was the main drive for wanting to win money by competing on the show. I also loved watching their relationship unfold throughout the book! I found myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions. This was a super cute read and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a second chance romance!
Read if you like:
chucks_library's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Charlotte loves quiz shows and applies to go on her favourite to raise money to cover her grans medical bills. Eli needs money to cover his and his fathers debt so he goes on the show. They get paired together and have history- they were high school sweethearts that ended badly.
I found this book enjoyable but missing something to make it great. i found it a bit unrealistic that Charlotte has held onto a grudge for sooo many years only to forgive him within a week. I found Charlotte to be a bit hard to route for as she is so one track minded, I know we get character growth about this but again just personally found it annoying. I loved Eli he had a lot of character growth and was interesting. There is a lot of side stories as well from ill gran, dad dealing with parole, corrupt quiz show and a grandfather coming back into the picture. Its cute story that just missed the mark with me.
I found this book enjoyable but missing something to make it great. i found it a bit unrealistic that Charlotte has held onto a grudge for sooo many years only to forgive him within a week. I found Charlotte to be a bit hard to route for as she is so one track minded, I know we get character growth about this but again just personally found it annoying. I loved Eli he had a lot of character growth and was interesting. There is a lot of side stories as well from ill gran, dad dealing with parole, corrupt quiz show and a grandfather coming back into the picture. Its cute story that just missed the mark with me.
ascher3's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
zasou_reads's review
3.0
Charlotte has a chance to compete on her favorite trivia game show, and she's over the moon. But when she arrives on set, Eli, her high school first love, at least until their shattering breakup is one of the contestants, and they get paired up. And the public loves their bickering.
This is an enemies to lovers, second chance romance. The whole game show premise of this book was super fun. I did not like, however, the premise of the second chance for Eli and Charlotte and whta happened over a decade ago (and the fact that they never talked again for over a decade over this). And Charlotte came across as selfish most of the time. If you want a quick read full of fun facts, this one is for you!
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is an enemies to lovers, second chance romance. The whole game show premise of this book was super fun. I did not like, however, the premise of the second chance for Eli and Charlotte and whta happened over a decade ago (and the fact that they never talked again for over a decade over this). And Charlotte came across as selfish most of the time. If you want a quick read full of fun facts, this one is for you!
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
lizzuplans's review against another edition
3.5
When I saw this book, I was immediately attracted by the fun cover (with cute punchy colours) and the adorable punny title.
The story itself was a bit lacking.
LOVED that this is a quiz show romance and I loved all the various fun facts. A really refreshing take on the romcom genre.
I do wish the author would have tightened up the book. There were random moments that only distracted from the story (weird old car in LA, chlorine in the pool, etc.) as well as plot lines that were partly relevant but also not really (Kenneth, Lucky).
Regarding Kenneth, I was very happy Charlotte called him out on not being sorry but only being sorry he got caught.
Charlotte and Eli were believable and I bought their ex-friends/lovers to lovers arc. There could have been better communication but that is usually the case in romance books.
And I just wish I will be someone’s final answer in the future. Cute!!!!!!
3.5 stars rounded up because of the title and cover.
I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.
The story itself was a bit lacking.
LOVED that this is a quiz show romance and I loved all the various fun facts. A really refreshing take on the romcom genre.
I do wish the author would have tightened up the book. There were random moments that only distracted from the story (weird old car in LA, chlorine in the pool, etc.) as well as plot lines that were partly relevant but also not really (Kenneth, Lucky).
Regarding Kenneth, I was very happy Charlotte called him out on not being sorry but only being sorry he got caught.
Charlotte and Eli were believable and I bought their ex-friends/lovers to lovers arc. There could have been better communication but that is usually the case in romance books.
And I just wish I will be someone’s final answer in the future. Cute!!!!!!
3.5 stars rounded up because of the title and cover.
I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.
karifaye's review
adventurous
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25