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A review by viivacious
Never a Hero by Vanessa Len
adventurous
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
The first half of the book didn't work much for me. There was too much Nick in it, and Joan becomes an annoying character when she is alone with him. It feels repetitive, the constant reminded of how much she loves him, the different versions of him, mourning one moment and being horny the next, and since it was established since the previous timelines and their 'love's carries over, it feels forced. Sometimes it felt like the flow halted to focus on Nick and how perfectly Hollywood Heroic he is. It was annoying. I got it the first 100 times, no need to repeat it another 100. You really feel the absence of the other characters in the first half. Aaron and Ruth more than the others.
Once the group reforms it is slightly better, but their dynamic is a little boring without Aaron around. He does bring more life to the story when he joins up around the 60% of it. It does feel like Joan can exist, for a few moments at least, at peace with herself when she is around him, without that constant shame and guilt she seems to feel every time Nick opens his mouth, looks at her, or exists heroically in her vicinity.
I enjoyed the plot, but being mostly Nick for the first half really does drag the book down. I hope the 3rd one can have more balanced group time.
Once the group reforms it is slightly better, but their dynamic is a little boring without Aaron around. He does bring more life to the story when he joins up around the 60% of it. It does feel like Joan can exist, for a few moments at least, at peace with herself when she is around him, without that constant shame and guilt she seems to feel every time Nick opens his mouth, looks at her, or exists heroically in her vicinity.
I enjoyed the plot, but being mostly Nick for the first half really does drag the book down. I hope the 3rd one can have more balanced group time.