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A review by daytimebelle
Garnet Flats by Devney Perry
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This is a novel that ambitiously attempts to charm with its small-town romance but trips over its own clichés and falls face-first into predictability.
Let's start with the plot. The heroine returns to her quaint hometown after a devastating heartbreak. Of course, she immediately runs into her ex, the inexplicably perfect man who broke her heart. Because why wouldn’t he be there, lingering in the one-stoplight town of Garnet Flats, instead of, say, moving on with his life?
Speaking of the ex, the hero (unfortunately) spent years pining after the heroine, but instead of, oh, I don’t know, actually communicating with her or making a genuine effort to mend fences, he chooses to brood and wait for fate to shove her back into his orbit. When she does return, his grand strategy is a mix of passive-aggressive comments and over-the-top romantic gestures. Because obviously, the best way to win back someone’s heart is by being confusing and inconsistent.
The heroine, on the other hand, who is supposedly tough and independent, spends an inordinate amount of time either pining for her ex or engaging in melodramatic introspection. Her actions often defy logic, swinging from stubborn independence to inexplicable vulnerability at the drop of a hat. She oscillates between wanting to avoid her ex at all costs and throwing herself into situations where she’s bound to run into him. One minute she’s swearing off love forever, and the next she’s contemplating a future with the guy who shattered her heart. It’s like watching a soap opera character repeatedly walk into the same trapdoor. You know it’s going to happen, and you can’t look away even though you know it’s ridiculous.
The writing style itself isn't terrible. The writer has a way with words, sure, but even the most eloquent prose can't save a plot that's been done to death. You get the feeling she’s trying to capture that heartwarming, nostalgic vibe, but instead, it feels more like you’re being hit over the head with a sack of saccharine clichés.
If you’re a die-hard fan of small-town romances and can overlook a plot that’s more predictable than a girl being her mother's daughter, you might find some enjoyment here. For everyone else, maybe look for a book that’s a bit less... flat.
Let's start with the plot. The heroine returns to her quaint hometown after a devastating heartbreak. Of course, she immediately runs into her ex, the inexplicably perfect man who broke her heart. Because why wouldn’t he be there, lingering in the one-stoplight town of Garnet Flats, instead of, say, moving on with his life?
Speaking of the ex, the hero (unfortunately) spent years pining after the heroine, but instead of, oh, I don’t know, actually communicating with her or making a genuine effort to mend fences, he chooses to brood and wait for fate to shove her back into his orbit. When she does return, his grand strategy is a mix of passive-aggressive comments and over-the-top romantic gestures. Because obviously, the best way to win back someone’s heart is by being confusing and inconsistent.
The heroine, on the other hand, who is supposedly tough and independent, spends an inordinate amount of time either pining for her ex or engaging in melodramatic introspection. Her actions often defy logic, swinging from stubborn independence to inexplicable vulnerability at the drop of a hat. She oscillates between wanting to avoid her ex at all costs and throwing herself into situations where she’s bound to run into him. One minute she’s swearing off love forever, and the next she’s contemplating a future with the guy who shattered her heart. It’s like watching a soap opera character repeatedly walk into the same trapdoor. You know it’s going to happen, and you can’t look away even though you know it’s ridiculous.
The writing style itself isn't terrible. The writer has a way with words, sure, but even the most eloquent prose can't save a plot that's been done to death. You get the feeling she’s trying to capture that heartwarming, nostalgic vibe, but instead, it feels more like you’re being hit over the head with a sack of saccharine clichés.
If you’re a die-hard fan of small-town romances and can overlook a plot that’s more predictable than a girl being her mother's daughter, you might find some enjoyment here. For everyone else, maybe look for a book that’s a bit less... flat.