A review by kfmcf
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Like this author, WHMS is really important to my journey as an enjoyed of romance. So I was going to go into this really skeptical, there was just no way around that.
Did I hate it? No. Did I love it? No. It was fine. It was interesting to more or less genderbend it, sure, but Ari is so much more insufferable than Harry ever was. And Josh was so grumpy which didn't make any sense if he was supposed to be the Sally? Not really a problem by any means but I wanted more layers to them. I did really enjoy Ari's fluid sexuality and how it was just a part of her and never really made a focus (because bi people just, ya know, exist and are people).
I think the book was good until act three and then it fumbled. I don't believe they would or should get back together (not a spoiler, it's romance) and was kind of rooting for them to not in a lot of ways. They hadn't even TALKED in like a year. It didn't make sense. The amount of time that Harry and Sally don't talk is like...a month.
The thing about WHMS that is my absolute favorite bit about it is Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fischer's characters and development of their relationship. The side characters are vital for driving them forward and also showing them a healthy and vibrant relationship (minus the wagon wheel coffee table). I don't think this was done very successfully here. Some of the side characters are alright (Rad is fine) but her improv guy and her sister were like caricatures. They didn't balance the leads out, they just added more drama.
Lastly, my biggest complaint about this book is that we don't really get much time with them as FRIENDS. They're trying to sleep with each other almost immediately and that's not the point. I wanted to see why they liked each other and tbh I never really felt like I got that. It felt really surface level in their attraction and I wish I could have felt the chemistry more. (Also the rapid inner chapter POV switches could be really jarring)
I want to see the author do something that's not a retelling next. I don't think I'll read another Ephron. ALSO someone earlier posted but some of the author's choices were...interesting (specifically using "Me Too-ed" as a verb...just...yikes). Banter was fun, but there were many moments of being yanked out of the story by word choices.
Did I hate it? No. Did I love it? No. It was fine. It was interesting to more or less genderbend it, sure, but Ari is so much more insufferable than Harry ever was. And Josh was so grumpy which didn't make any sense if he was supposed to be the Sally? Not really a problem by any means but I wanted more layers to them. I did really enjoy Ari's fluid sexuality and how it was just a part of her and never really made a focus (because bi people just, ya know, exist and are people).
I think the book was good until act three and then it fumbled. I don't believe they would or should get back together (not a spoiler, it's romance) and was kind of rooting for them to not in a lot of ways. They hadn't even TALKED in like a year. It didn't make sense. The amount of time that Harry and Sally don't talk is like...a month.
The thing about WHMS that is my absolute favorite bit about it is Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fischer's characters and development of their relationship. The side characters are vital for driving them forward and also showing them a healthy and vibrant relationship (minus the wagon wheel coffee table). I don't think this was done very successfully here. Some of the side characters are alright (Rad is fine) but her improv guy and her sister were like caricatures. They didn't balance the leads out, they just added more drama.
Spoiler
actual spoiler - why the HELL did his mom send her to DC? it's never explained? Why did she think it was good? And it's all just fine? The DC thing in and of itself was really contrived and unnecessary imoLastly, my biggest complaint about this book is that we don't really get much time with them as FRIENDS. They're trying to sleep with each other almost immediately and that's not the point. I wanted to see why they liked each other and tbh I never really felt like I got that. It felt really surface level in their attraction and I wish I could have felt the chemistry more. (Also the rapid inner chapter POV switches could be really jarring)
I want to see the author do something that's not a retelling next. I don't think I'll read another Ephron. ALSO someone earlier posted but some of the author's choices were...interesting (specifically using "Me Too-ed" as a verb...just...yikes). Banter was fun, but there were many moments of being yanked out of the story by word choices.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Death of parent