A review by readingwithmelodie
Dear Adam by Kelsey Whitney

3.5

3.5 stars

i really liked the synopsis and the story definitely delivers, it just felt like it was missing that little *something*

while I usually enjoy tropes and quirkiness, I felt like this one was just a bit too forced, I wish we got to see Aly’s personality build up a bit more instead of being thrown everything in one go. I think everyone was trying too hard to be different it just felt the same. I’m bad at picking up if an authors showing or telling, but I have a feeling there was a *lot* more telling than showing here 

the whole texting this was also not fleshed out at all, I loved that premise and I do wish it was explored more and had more nuance to the overall plot. it reminded me of mr wrong number, it’s hard not to compare the two, but this wasn’t executed as well. like Aly saying it was betrayal and it hurt her over and over again isn’t really convincing me. TELL ME WHY ALY 

the pacing was a bit weird at the end, maybe it’s just me taking a short break in the middle but I swear we went from semi flirting straight to confessions and dating within a chapter and the unavoidable breakup that every romance be seems to have at 80% of the way in, then suddenly life decisions happen and what the heck happened and boom, the I love yous. the WHIPLASH. and I finished the book with so many questions too

I did really like the start of the book, I binged about a good third of it in one sitting, it was just the ending that was wild 

this book vaguely gives me the cheat sheet vibes, so if you liked that book, i would definitely recommend this one! I did also rate the cheat sheet the same 3.5 stars as this because it just wasn’t my vibe (I know lots of people don’t mind it but adult books with childlike writing just isn’t my thing, and unlike genres, it’s hard to know if a book has it until you’re into it) but that doesn’t mean it’s not someone else’s vibe 

overall I don’t want this to be or sound like a bad review, because it wasn’t an unpleasant reading experience (and trust me, I’ve had those and this is definitely not that), it just wasn’t fleshed out enough to be a standout or memorable read, but definitely something fluffy to enjoy when you don’t want to think too hard

thank you to netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review

and quick spoiler warning for below





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anyone else find the dog pregnancy totally unexpected and weird?? it did not need to be there and the more I think about it the less I liked that plot