A review by abundanceofbooks
Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune, by Roselle Lim

3.0

While I appreciated so much of what this book did, it's ultimately not for me. I loved getting to know the neighbours and Natalie's history, but I wish there had been more of it. That was the story I wanted to hear, but instead it went toward magical realism. The one thing I cannot be generous about was the awful romance in here. It was not explained at all, their interactions were really uncomfortable, it was the most insta-love I've ever seen. I think a romance in this story should work really well, but there wasn't enough focus. Instead we tread the same plot threads over and over. There is so much potential (for me) in this story, but the author wanted to tell a different story, and that's fine by me.
Also, do not recommend the audiobook. Not sure if it was the narrator or the editing, but someone is a fan of looooong dramatic pauses. I kept increasing my speed until the pauses were less noticeable.