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A review by brianne_k
Too Good to Be Real by Melonie Johnson
3.0
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. This did not affect my rating.
*3/5*
Julia is a writer for what seems like a Buzzfeed or Cosmo type website, writing quizzes and lists. She is facing a potential lay-off and asks for chance to write the next ‘Take Me’ article and her boss agrees – with some googling, Julia finds a RomCom larp at a hotel in Wisconsin – Notting Hill. Julia and her friends Andie and Kat get to go and experience this game for its inaugural week.
This had so much going for it – I loved the rom-com throwbacks and call outs. I also really enjoyed Julia, Kat, and Andie’s friendship – their love for each other was true and awesome (the dick pic conversation had me actually laughing out loud “his penis looks like your shrimp” is the opening line of this book and what an opening line it is!)
The other players were memorable – Harry and Sally, Patrick and David, even the seagulls Bonnie and Clyde!
I also liked Luke, Penelope and Jay – although at times it felt like Jay didn’t have anything to do and was forgotten until the end to have a certain trope... which I didn’t love and while the hints were dropping everywhere, it still felt rushed and out of place.
Now to Luke and Julia.. I just don’t even know. I really liked them at first! The meeting on the beach, their sexy kiss in the woods “I was just looking at the, umm, log. It’s a very nice log. Very sturdy. Makes a very nice place to sit”. But the longer they withheld truths from each other, the more I didn’t care. And the ending again felt rushed and cobbled together. I love that Luke wasn’t the stereotypical chiseled and muscled hero, he had insecurities and hated exercise which I actually really appreciated.
Because we knew that Julia was hiding she was the reporter, the conflict felt forced. There were so many instances where she could have said something. And both hero and heroine lied to each other (which I didn’t love), Julia acted like Luke’s lie was horrible and didn’t even let him explain. Very frustrating.
The game itself was a delight – everyone is given an “identity” based on a romantic comedy (Meg Bryant, Bridget Johnson, etc.) and there were various activities you could pick to do – paintball, karaoke, baking, etc. - plus your romantic fantasy – get stuck on an elevator, be serenaded, etc. We get to see a few of these romcom classics play out. I would have loved to have seen even more!!
Overall, the writing was okay but I didn’t really believe in Julia and Luke’s love.
I would be interested in picking up more by this author though.
And now I want to watch some romcom’s!!
*3/5*
Julia is a writer for what seems like a Buzzfeed or Cosmo type website, writing quizzes and lists. She is facing a potential lay-off and asks for chance to write the next ‘Take Me’ article and her boss agrees – with some googling, Julia finds a RomCom larp at a hotel in Wisconsin – Notting Hill. Julia and her friends Andie and Kat get to go and experience this game for its inaugural week.
This had so much going for it – I loved the rom-com throwbacks and call outs. I also really enjoyed Julia, Kat, and Andie’s friendship – their love for each other was true and awesome (the dick pic conversation had me actually laughing out loud “his penis looks like your shrimp” is the opening line of this book and what an opening line it is!)
The other players were memorable – Harry and Sally, Patrick and David, even the seagulls Bonnie and Clyde!
I also liked Luke, Penelope and Jay – although at times it felt like Jay didn’t have anything to do and was forgotten until the end to have a certain trope... which I didn’t love and while the hints were dropping everywhere, it still felt rushed and out of place.
Now to Luke and Julia.. I just don’t even know. I really liked them at first! The meeting on the beach, their sexy kiss in the woods “I was just looking at the, umm, log. It’s a very nice log. Very sturdy. Makes a very nice place to sit”. But the longer they withheld truths from each other, the more I didn’t care. And the ending again felt rushed and cobbled together. I love that Luke wasn’t the stereotypical chiseled and muscled hero, he had insecurities and hated exercise which I actually really appreciated.
Spoiler
Because we knew that Julia was hiding she was the reporter, the conflict felt forced. There were so many instances where she could have said something. And both hero and heroine lied to each other (which I didn’t love), Julia acted like Luke’s lie was horrible and didn’t even let him explain. Very frustrating.
The game itself was a delight – everyone is given an “identity” based on a romantic comedy (Meg Bryant, Bridget Johnson, etc.) and there were various activities you could pick to do – paintball, karaoke, baking, etc. - plus your romantic fantasy – get stuck on an elevator, be serenaded, etc. We get to see a few of these romcom classics play out. I would have loved to have seen even more!!
Overall, the writing was okay but I didn’t really believe in Julia and Luke’s love.
I would be interested in picking up more by this author though.
And now I want to watch some romcom’s!!