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A review by mo_reads_more
Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I actually thoroughly enjoyed this book. Normally second chance romance isn't my go to trope, but for some reason, I can't explain it, this one worked for me. While I did enjoy it, I will admit there were definitely parts that I made me lose interest.
For one, Ryan's secret definitely did not need to happen. I was thinking most of the book the conflict would be Ryan finding Kara's list of how to seduce him and he would think she was just using him the whole time. Granted, this was brought up, but it was brushed over so fast. Ryan's secret was just pointless and I didn't really feel that much angst from it. Like it could've been anyone and it just had to be the woman that Kara was so insecure about the first time they broke up? That's ridiculous, they could've just made it a random girl and it still would have hit as hard. Also, Ryan handled the situation terribly, and yet I completely understand his reasoning. I get he was close to Kara in a way that he thought would never happen again, and that would make me scared to say anything. Granted, his secret was a big deal and he definitely should have tried harder than he did to stay away, or at least keep things platonic until he went home and figured everything out. Then, the way he argued his side was stupid also. He got so defensive and even blamed Kara for things that were definitely not her fault. I was proud of Kara standing up for herself, so I knew the author was aware of how douchy Ryan was being. This is also another thing on Ryan's end that felt kind of realistic though. Like I can totally see someone in the situation saying stupid stuff in the heat of the moment, when you are desperate to keep the person you love. So while I hated the secret in itself, I didn't mind how it was presented, if that makes any sense at all?
One thing I did really like was the humor between Ryan and Kara. They were so funny together. You could tell there was a point where they were really close and it made me root for them. I was blindsided by the secret so I was actually so excited when they were finally getting closer again. Yea I just liked both characters a lot.
Going back to the whole secret thing; I hate that trope in books so much. Like when that was the root of their problems for the first break up, the betrayal would be so much worse the second time around, when it's actually reality. It made me dislike Ryan more, but the way he made up for it wasn't bad. I was so happy he waited to try and see her in person. He gave her her space, tried one last time, and admitted that was going to be the only time he tried and then he would leave her be, accepting her decision. In this sense, I liked Ryan again, but it was still a messy situation I feel like didn't need to happen. It was also weird her friends were so OK encouraging her to go back to him, especially knowing the whole story. I feel like friends would not do that lol, but whatever I guess. I do believe that people can change and I think the author did a good job of making Ryan work for it and accepting his mistake. That's why I would put this book slightly higher than a 3. For tropes I don't like, this book handled them pretty well.
For one, Ryan's secret definitely did not need to happen. I was thinking most of the book the conflict would be Ryan finding Kara's list of how to seduce him and he would think she was just using him the whole time. Granted, this was brought up, but it was brushed over so fast. Ryan's secret was just pointless and I didn't really feel that much angst from it. Like it could've been anyone and it just had to be the woman that Kara was so insecure about the first time they broke up? That's ridiculous, they could've just made it a random girl and it still would have hit as hard. Also, Ryan handled the situation terribly, and yet I completely understand his reasoning. I get he was close to Kara in a way that he thought would never happen again, and that would make me scared to say anything. Granted, his secret was a big deal and he definitely should have tried harder than he did to stay away, or at least keep things platonic until he went home and figured everything out. Then, the way he argued his side was stupid also. He got so defensive and even blamed Kara for things that were definitely not her fault. I was proud of Kara standing up for herself, so I knew the author was aware of how douchy Ryan was being. This is also another thing on Ryan's end that felt kind of realistic though. Like I can totally see someone in the situation saying stupid stuff in the heat of the moment, when you are desperate to keep the person you love. So while I hated the secret in itself, I didn't mind how it was presented, if that makes any sense at all?
One thing I did really like was the humor between Ryan and Kara. They were so funny together. You could tell there was a point where they were really close and it made me root for them. I was blindsided by the secret so I was actually so excited when they were finally getting closer again. Yea I just liked both characters a lot.
Going back to the whole secret thing; I hate that trope in books so much. Like when that was the root of their problems for the first break up, the betrayal would be so much worse the second time around, when it's actually reality. It made me dislike Ryan more, but the way he made up for it wasn't bad. I was so happy he waited to try and see her in person. He gave her her space, tried one last time, and admitted that was going to be the only time he tried and then he would leave her be, accepting her decision. In this sense, I liked Ryan again, but it was still a messy situation I feel like didn't need to happen. It was also weird her friends were so OK encouraging her to go back to him, especially knowing the whole story. I feel like friends would not do that lol, but whatever I guess. I do believe that people can change and I think the author did a good job of making Ryan work for it and accepting his mistake. That's why I would put this book slightly higher than a 3. For tropes I don't like, this book handled them pretty well.