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A review by theglossreview
Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
2.0
2.5 stars ⭐️⭐️✨ Good writing, terrible representation and a flailing plot.
Julia Whelan’s writing is wonderful and there are a few lovely quotes to treasure in “Thank you for listening.”
The plot starts with a bang! The first quarter seems like a fantastic setup and the book was on track for a 4 - 4.5 star rating. However, after the 25% mark, the plot deteriorates into a mess and teeters our into nothingness. I considered not finishing it, but stuck with it on order to write a fair review.
The worst aspect was the representation of the main character’s struggles. The portrayal of the accident and its (emotional) aftermath is lacking depth and realism. In fact, the portrayal might be considered offensive to someone who’d really suffered from such an accident and consequences. The main character’s reaction, and the reactions of the people close to her, are deeply inappropriate to the situation. They might have been appropriate to a far more MINOR accident with MINOR consequences. As it is, the insensitive comments and accusations (that the main character should just “finally” deal with it and get over it, move on in her career, is holding herself back etc.) are sickening.
Similarly, ALL of the characters are insensitive to the current difficulties and bad news in the main character’s life. They seem to have ZERO sense of tact. I wish they’d had their priorities straight. The romance feels like the least urgent and dramatic plot thread of all. The family subplots are far more loaded. The highest potential was seen in the friendship between Swan and A - love, history, tragedy and envy could have collided spectacularly. And yet — nothing. The friendship is absent for most of the book and literally “pops up” every now and then.
Sadly, the potential for a 4 - 4.5 star book was squandered. Without the writing and the good quotes it would have been rated 2 stars at most. I’m willing to go up to 2.5 stars for the writing.
Julia Whelan’s writing is wonderful and there are a few lovely quotes to treasure in “Thank you for listening.”
The plot starts with a bang! The first quarter seems like a fantastic setup and the book was on track for a 4 - 4.5 star rating. However, after the 25% mark, the plot deteriorates into a mess and teeters our into nothingness. I considered not finishing it, but stuck with it on order to write a fair review.
The worst aspect was the representation of the main character’s struggles. The portrayal of the accident and its (emotional) aftermath is lacking depth and realism. In fact, the portrayal might be considered offensive to someone who’d really suffered from such an accident and consequences. The main character’s reaction, and the reactions of the people close to her, are deeply inappropriate to the situation. They might have been appropriate to a far more MINOR accident with MINOR consequences. As it is, the insensitive comments and accusations (that the main character should just “finally” deal with it and get over it, move on in her career, is holding herself back etc.) are sickening.
Similarly, ALL of the characters are insensitive to the current difficulties and bad news in the main character’s life. They seem to have ZERO sense of tact. I wish they’d had their priorities straight. The romance feels like the least urgent and dramatic plot thread of all. The family subplots are far more loaded. The highest potential was seen in the friendship between Swan and A - love, history, tragedy and envy could have collided spectacularly. And yet — nothing. The friendship is absent for most of the book and literally “pops up” every now and then.
Sadly, the potential for a 4 - 4.5 star book was squandered. Without the writing and the good quotes it would have been rated 2 stars at most. I’m willing to go up to 2.5 stars for the writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail