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A review by jelkebooks
Final Offer by Lauren Asher
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
After quite enjoying the first two books in the series I have been so excited to read this one. Especially because this book is the one in the series I have seen the most glowing reviews for. However, this book just REALLY didn't work for me. I mean, it isn't a terrible book. It was quite a quick read, it had its fun moments, but there was one BIG element I just hated.
That is our female main character. I really despised her. For most of the book I thought she was fine enough but there were some parts to her that gave me an ick. For example I thought it was odd how she kept saying in her inner monologue that she would be there for Cal's recovery if he wanted her there, but then she keeps pushing him away again and again. Not a single part of her actions showed me she even wanted him to feel better. It seemed like she rather enjoyed punishing him instead. However, it wasn't too bad, but then the third act conflict happened and her actions are abismal. I don't want to say too much because of spoilers but basically the whole third act conflict is Alana getting mad at Cal for a situation she completely made up in her head, and punishing him over and over again even when she has multiple things pointing to the truth. Her actions in that part of the book just made me DESPISE her so much, and put those early actions that gave me a slight ick in a way more negative light. So yeah, I hated her personally but also nothing in this book actually convinced me that Alana actually loved Cal.
Cal was a fine enough character. I found him a bit blant but in a better book it wouldn't bother me so much. His journey throughout the book wasn't my complete favourite. Even though the ultimate message of the book is that you can only kick your addiction if YOU wanted to do it for you, the way things went down still gave me the vibe of "love can heal everything". I don't know. It just seemed really odd, and a bit off to me. Like I said this book doesn't fully give off that message but it does come a bit too close to comfort for me personally.
It's also a small town romance, which I typically love but I HATED the townspeople in this as well. I just think they felt like they came straight out of a bad cartoon. The way they all just dunked on Cal and pretended like he was the most evil person to ever exist because he *checks notes* dumped his girlfriend at the height of his battle with addiction. It just seemed so odd to me. I'm not saying they should have treated him like a hero. I get why they were apprehensive of him because they are so protective of Alana but the extends these people went to just felt evil, and not real. I kept thinking he must have done something else that was WAY worse, but that reveal just never came.
The romance was also just really lackluster to me. They had some cute moments, especially when Alana's daughter was involved. However, the only basis for their feelings is the fact that they were in love with each other several years ago. We don't get any flashbacks to see them fall in love. We don't get any developement present day. It just felt extremely lackluster. Add to that my previous complaints about feeling like Alana has a deep hatred for Cal instead of loving him, I just didn't buy it AT ALL.
That is our female main character. I really despised her. For most of the book I thought she was fine enough but there were some parts to her that gave me an ick. For example I thought it was odd how she kept saying in her inner monologue that she would be there for Cal's recovery if he wanted her there, but then she keeps pushing him away again and again. Not a single part of her actions showed me she even wanted him to feel better. It seemed like she rather enjoyed punishing him instead. However, it wasn't too bad, but then the third act conflict happened and her actions are abismal. I don't want to say too much because of spoilers but basically the whole third act conflict is Alana getting mad at Cal for a situation she completely made up in her head, and punishing him over and over again even when she has multiple things pointing to the truth. Her actions in that part of the book just made me DESPISE her so much, and put those early actions that gave me a slight ick in a way more negative light. So yeah, I hated her personally but also nothing in this book actually convinced me that Alana actually loved Cal.
Cal was a fine enough character. I found him a bit blant but in a better book it wouldn't bother me so much. His journey throughout the book wasn't my complete favourite. Even though the ultimate message of the book is that you can only kick your addiction if YOU wanted to do it for you, the way things went down still gave me the vibe of "love can heal everything". I don't know. It just seemed really odd, and a bit off to me. Like I said this book doesn't fully give off that message but it does come a bit too close to comfort for me personally.
It's also a small town romance, which I typically love but I HATED the townspeople in this as well. I just think they felt like they came straight out of a bad cartoon. The way they all just dunked on Cal and pretended like he was the most evil person to ever exist because he *checks notes* dumped his girlfriend at the height of his battle with addiction. It just seemed so odd to me. I'm not saying they should have treated him like a hero. I get why they were apprehensive of him because they are so protective of Alana but the extends these people went to just felt evil, and not real. I kept thinking he must have done something else that was WAY worse, but that reveal just never came.
The romance was also just really lackluster to me. They had some cute moments, especially when Alana's daughter was involved. However, the only basis for their feelings is the fact that they were in love with each other several years ago. We don't get any flashbacks to see them fall in love. We don't get any developement present day. It just felt extremely lackluster. Add to that my previous complaints about feeling like Alana has a deep hatred for Cal instead of loving him, I just didn't buy it AT ALL.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Grief
Minor: Miscarriage