A review by xakyr
The Benefits of Bad Decisions by Lisa Suzanne
3.0
FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE AUTHOR. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF ME! RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!
This is my first time actually reading this author's work, though I have picked up several of her books previously. Unfortunately for me, this was not a good introduction to her work!
First of all, it's actually interconnected to at least two other of the author's works, if not more, and this interconnection is not readily discernible from the blurb or titling of the book. For me, that's an automatic strike, because my OCD neurosis is bad enough that I have to read all stories in the universe previous to the current read, or else my enjoyment of the current read is spoiled. Thankfully, the interconnection in this book is done in such a way that the reader knows that more has happened in the universe, but it doesn't impact this story overmuch, though my OCD was still making me itch about reading the other books first.
Setting that issue aside, right from the get go, the book set me on edge in a bad way with the events that took place in chapter 1. I immediately formed a bad opinion of Zoey, and that didn't change easily. She does begin to grow in the story, though, and my opinion of her was gradually rising. Then, about 75% into the book, we get to know the WHY of the events of Chapter 1, and that's when everything goes to crap. I felt that 25% was not enough to fully delve into everything that was happening, and subsequently I had the sense of being rushed through the ugly parts. I thought Brody put Zoey on a yo-yo after the accidental reveal, and it wasn't a good one. I really wanted to have Zoey just punch Brody in the nuts and walk away from him for good, he was being that much of a jerk about the whole situation! I did like how the Ugly Situation from Chapter 1 was handled, though, because it was handled in such a way to help empower other women that might find themselves in a similar situation.
The book did a wonderful job of building the relationship between Brody and Zoey, and I actually felt really connected and invested in their relationship! The "Aww!" moment at the end of the book really pulled it out for me, to the point where I felt more comfortable giving this a 3 star rating. I'm definitely willing to give the author's work a second chance after that!
This is my first time actually reading this author's work, though I have picked up several of her books previously. Unfortunately for me, this was not a good introduction to her work!
First of all, it's actually interconnected to at least two other of the author's works, if not more, and this interconnection is not readily discernible from the blurb or titling of the book. For me, that's an automatic strike, because my OCD neurosis is bad enough that I have to read all stories in the universe previous to the current read, or else my enjoyment of the current read is spoiled. Thankfully, the interconnection in this book is done in such a way that the reader knows that more has happened in the universe, but it doesn't impact this story overmuch, though my OCD was still making me itch about reading the other books first.
Setting that issue aside, right from the get go, the book set me on edge in a bad way with the events that took place in chapter 1. I immediately formed a bad opinion of Zoey, and that didn't change easily. She does begin to grow in the story, though, and my opinion of her was gradually rising. Then, about 75% into the book, we get to know the WHY of the events of Chapter 1, and that's when everything goes to crap. I felt that 25% was not enough to fully delve into everything that was happening, and subsequently I had the sense of being rushed through the ugly parts. I thought Brody put Zoey on a yo-yo after the accidental reveal, and it wasn't a good one. I really wanted to have Zoey just punch Brody in the nuts and walk away from him for good, he was being that much of a jerk about the whole situation! I did like how the Ugly Situation from Chapter 1 was handled, though, because it was handled in such a way to help empower other women that might find themselves in a similar situation.
The book did a wonderful job of building the relationship between Brody and Zoey, and I actually felt really connected and invested in their relationship! The "Aww!" moment at the end of the book really pulled it out for me, to the point where I felt more comfortable giving this a 3 star rating. I'm definitely willing to give the author's work a second chance after that!