Date Like a Woman

 

Date Like a Woman was written by Kai Nicole and published on 15 April 2017.

“This is the dating book Millennial women have been waiting for. It offers a fresh non-sexist perspective on dating and gives women the strategies they need for dating success. This book will revolutionize dating for women everywhere.”

I was provided a complementary copy of Date Like a Woman to review. It in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion/review of the book.

I am who this book is marketed towards.

Single? Check.

Have tried (and failed) at dating? Check.

Millennial? Check.

And on that topic of millennials, I have a great quote from Eliza Schlesinger’s Elder Millennial comedy special on Netflix:

“‘Tell us your ways! We wish to be betrothed as well! Secrets. Tell us. Be a girl’s girl.’ There’s no secret, just so we’re clear. Don’t buy the books, don’t buy the hype. Don’t listen…there’s no secret, okay? And if there was a secret, I would have fucking used it. There’s no secret. There’s no special magic to it. I’m never going to be like, ‘Gather round, ladies. Off the 405 lies a toad hole…you must go to it!”

And that pretty much sums up Date Like a Woman. I’ll admit, there are some good nuggets of wisdom here: the ‘feast or famine’ section made a lot of sense, and I did find myself nodding along with the explanation of how men are competitive.

I’ll also admit that I had (and am having) difficulties trying to cobble up a review. Unfortunately, this book is just lacking content. It’s like trying to judge a glass of water – only so much can be said. Date Like a Woman is only 170 pages, and most of that is repeated words and “this will be focused on more in section X”. And on the topic of repetition, the amount of times I read the same thing on the same page right after one another is tiresome. It’s even more tiresome when random things are bolded to make it seem like it’s brand new information. Consider the passage below:

“If you have low self-esteem, you really need to focus on yourself instead of dating. Having low self-esteem attracts abusive personality types. Bring in an abusive relationship will only make your self-esteem worse. You must first repair any self-esteem issues before you start dating. Low self-esteem is like a homing beacon to asshole and douchebag types of men. They also have low self-esteem and in turn will make you feel bad to make themselves feel better. I highly recommend that if you are dealing with low self-esteem that you seek help from a professional counsellor. Counselling is very helpful. Once you work through your self-esteem issues you will be much happier and in a much better position to date. The truth is you will never be happy dating if you are not already happy with yourself.” (p.43)

That, if you weren’t counting, used the word self-esteem EIGHT times in a paragraph with ten sentences. (Not to mention one of those sentences is “counselling is very helpful” — water is also wet, but you don’t need me to tell you that). It’s hard to read a book when it’s constantly chattering like a broken record for 170 pages. Then, when it goes on to say, “remember when I mentioned X?” you just have to set the book down. Do I remember the thing mentioned five pages ago ten different times? Yeah, I do.

Another thing I struggled with is the constant message of standards and having “no expectations” (a fact that is, of course, bolded). Nicole suggests that no matter the date, being open is important. It’s not about the monetary value. And sure, there’s truth to that. Dates don’t have to be expensive to be fun. But then she goes on to say, “Do you really feel that you are too good to eat at a certain place? Do you feel that you are so special…? You need to assess what insecurities are deep down inside of you.” (61). But honestly? There is no shame in standards. There is no shame in going “no, I don’t want to eat there”. Because honestly? If you want to date me and try to take me to McDonald’s our first time out so we can split a cheeseburger off the value meal, we’re parting ways. No insecurities here, just plain, old-fashioned snobbery.

Also, this book doesn’t want you to read it. Seriously – let me list the people who are told to put the book down:

• Married people
• People looking for marriage
• Pretty much everyone who doesn’t have any interest in just casually dating

That’s a huge chunk of the population. No one likes being told to go away (“seriously, put [this book] down” one line says. “Save your money” another one suggests). Somehow the exclusion presented makes the premise of the book just seem mean. I can only imagine the number of people who were willing to give this book a chance only to read “this book is not for you” and put it down. Dating and romance self-help books are not rare. If you tell someone not to read your book, they won’t.

There are also a few spelling issues here and there along with formatting problems.

So overall, while Date Like a Woman isn’t necessarily filled with bad advice, it’s just not filled with anything I haven’t read before. You’re probably better off reading a Cosmo magazine and letting Elder Millennial play in the background.

2 out of 5 stars.

*Blurb by Goodreads.

Redway Acres: Book Three – Martha

Redway Acres: Book Three – Martha was written by Trish Butler and published 27 February 2017.

“Set in early 1800s, England…

Martha Hopwood, who lives with her sisters and parents in Cambridgeshire, meets a gentleman named Mr. Samuel Woodhead, a friend of Alexander Harker of Eastease in Lincolnshire.

Mr. Woodhead takes up residence at the nearby estate of Copperbeeches and pursues Martha both in Cambridgeshire and at Eastease, when her family is invited to visit there.

His sudden departure from Eastease, when all were still asleep, prompts Martha to consider an alternative future. Martha pursues her independence, until the return of the gentleman who stole her heart, and upon whom her family’s financial future may depend.

In a time when a woman could not be married and independent, Martha Hopwood has to consider where her true future lies.

This is the third book in the Redway Acres series. The others are Book 1 – Helena and Book 2 – Maria.”

I was provided a complementary copy of Martha to review. It in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion/review of the book.

There is something comforting about Redway Acres. Truthfully, it seems like a strange thing to say, if only because many parts of the books themselves are not in any way comforting. There is death, assault, amputation, body shame, heartbreak; the list goes on. In the 1800s, where women are objects and the horses are treated with more respect, it is very easy to lose any sort of hope for these women.

Especially after book two.

Martha is the first book of the Redway Acres series to move beyond romantic relationships and touch on something deeper. In my eyes, Martha is the first character of the series that really carries the book with no other outside help. Helena had Nathaniel as well as Gennie while Maria had Harriet and Mr Brooks. On the other hand, Martha spends almost the entire book alone, and the novel is better off because of it. Without another person to lean on, Martha becomes perhaps the most dynamic and well-rounded character of the entire Redway Acres cast. She is ambitious, tough, logical, and demanding. No other female character in this series has been so evenly matched with the men. Martha neither views herself as being above nor below the various male characters. While Helena’s approach towards men can at times come across as haughty, Martha is able to deliver opinions and suggestions with tact and class.

This equality brings about my favourite aspect of the entire novel: friendship, pure and simple. No other Redway Acres book came close to touching upon a platonic friendship between a male and female character the way Martha did.  Though frowned upon, Martha and Nathaniel strike up the most unlikely of correspondences. Over the span of years they write to each other and divulge information no one else – not even family, friends, or lovers – knows. It was the source of my tears not once, but twice. There is something so powerful and raw about watching two characters that offer nothing to each other but ingenuous companionship thrive under the circumstances that plague the 1800s aristocracy.

One other thing about Martha that stands out is the pure deviation it has from its predecessors. Instead of balls and horses and the general stagnation of staying on location in Redway and Eastease, Martha takes the reader outside the normal stables and beyond. Martha’s shop is a sight to behold that offers readers a chance to let their imaginations run with colours, fabrics, and cuts. Such a great change is needed in the Redway series to keep it fresh and lively.

While continuity is important, the continuity of mistakes from one Redway book to the next is less satisfying. Ranging from simple to head-scratching, a reader will run into issues such as…

The music ended and all the attention of the dancers and other guests was captured the lavish meal available. (84)

He says she loves him, but she says will not marry anyone. (229)

Sooth his heart. (229)

“I have too say, that I did not hold the love I see between the two of you, “for Mr Woodhead…” (233)

Let me tell you a of something. (344)

There is something deeply unsatisfying when these mistakes (and many more) are present in a published novel. This is also the second copy – a copy that has been further edited – that I’ve received. How many times must Martha be published before these issues are rectified?

On a less technical note, I also have qualms with the way certain scenes are portrayed. Specifically, the seating arrangements for meals. This is something I’ve had in my notes for every Redway book so far. Quite honestly, I just don’t care who sits in what specific seat. It might not have been a big deal had it been subtly added in between dialogue and other descriptions, but the seating arrangement essentially has its own paragraph at the start of each dinner scene. This grinds the story to a halt while my mind tries – and usually fails – to put over a dozen people into specific seats.

Also, while it is important to the overall storyline, the pity party for Martha seems to run a bit rampant in the first quarter of the novel. She is constantly berated for her weight, size, single-ness, and when not single, her taste in men. It wouldn’t be a terrible issue if Martha didn’t spend a good chunk of the book ruminating on it and rehashing scenes the reader had just witnessed themselves. Martha’s isolation was written well, but having the same issues presented constantly makes it harder to sympathize.

Finally, on a very spoiler-ish – and vain – note, Martha marries Tommy Smithson. Her name then becomes Martha Smithson. Or, as I began to call her, Marge Simpson.

4 out of 5 stars.

*Blurb by Goodreads

 

Redway Acres: Book Two – Maria

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.

If you would like to read the review without spoilers, please go to Goodreads (here), where I have tagged major plot points under spoiler tags.

Trigger Warning: This review contains references to sexual assault and may be disturbing to readers,

Redway Acres: Book Two – Maria was written by Trish Butler and published 16 July 2016.

“Set in 1800s England, Maria Wyndham is the younger and more vivacious, twin stepdaughter of the late Lieutenant Mark Wyndham.

After their mother’s death, she and her sister, Harriet, move to Eastease in Lincolnshire, and become wards of the lieutenant’s friend, Alexander Harker, and his cousin, Nathaniel Ackley.

Just in time for ball for the twins’ sixteenth Birthday, a friend of their stepfather and guardians, Robert Davenport, arrives to lavish them with gifts and to dance.

Family and friendship bonds are pushed to the limit, as Maria’s story plays out. She finds her strength of will to survive and pursue the happiness of true love.

Maria’s silliness and love of life, often hide her intelligence and loyalty, in this story of sisters, and a girl, too soon pushed into the world of a woman.”*

I was provided a complementary copy of Maria to review. It in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion/review of the book.

It was both a pleasure and an honour to dive back into the world of Redway Acres. The entire crew is back and kind of better. Of course, because this is a novel (and series) filled to the brim with drama, the smooth sailing doesn’t last very long.

In all honesty, I underestimated Butler.

The twists (yes, there are multiple) in this novel were sublime. There’s no way to convey my thoughts without actually saying the twist:

Maria dies.

Or, specifically, Harriet-as-Maria dies.

Yes, there is a The Parent Trap twist here, which made for a very confusing scene. Maria has a tryst with Robert Davenport, who then runs off to whisk away her twin Harriet. When Davenport turns out to be abusive in more ways than one, a desolate Harriet runs back home to Eastease. It is then revealed that Harriet and Maria were actually…well…not Harriet and Maria. While Harriet ran, Maria assumed Harriet’s identity, leaving Eastease to believe Maria ran off while Harriet stayed home.

Confusing?

Harriet leaves Eastease with Davenport.

Maria, back at Eastease, assumes Harriet’s identity.

Harriet (now Mrs Davenport) returns to Eastease.

Harriet and Maria officially switch identities to make Davenport think he actually ran off with Maria, not Harriet, prompting an annulment.

So now Maria is Harriet and Harriet is Maria.

So, Harriet-now-Maria is viciously murdered by her husband, while pregnant. Helena then performs an impromptu C-section and cuts the unborn baby out of Harriet-now-Maria. This leaves Maria-as-Harriet as the sole surviving twin. Thus, only Harriet is alive.

If you were wondering what prompted me to explain the entire situation to you, it’s because of my above statement: I underestimated Butler.

Trish.

Butler.

Went.

There.

After Nathanial merely losing his leg in the first novel when it seemed like he was close to losing his life, I formed a (very wrong) assumption that Butler was not an author willing to kill off the characters she had crafted. Each character was painstakingly built up in the first two novels, and it would be a pretty terrible thing if one of them were to die.

And they did.

I’m amazed, really. the twist was so unexpected that I put the book down and walked away. The tragedy of real-Harriet’s death was simply shocking. There are some people in this world who rarely see a stroke of good luck in their lives, and real-Harriet is a perfect representation of that. To see a character so nuanced and so completely forlorn is disheartening. Books are not reality, but Redway Acres as a series mirrors life in such a way that you can’t help but hurt for the characters as if they were human. The Wyndham women die young. There is no other way to put it.

Keeping on that dark track, Maria faces darker demons than it’s predecessor. Redway Acres is no stranger to sexual assault and rape. Keeping on that theme, statutory rape is a prominent issue featured in Maria. At first, I was unsure of the portrayal. It seemed glamorized, with fine food, freshly picked wildflowers, and promises of the future. So I was skeptical. But, ever the voice of reason, Helena steps in to tell Harriet that she was taken advantage of, all while relaying her own past. It was a bright spot in the novel, and the attention brought to such a serious issue was handled with grace and the utmost seriousness. I’m so, so grateful for the portrayal. The book was elevated because of it.

Sexuality is also addressed in Maria. As the novel is set in the 1800s, anything or anyone that deviated from the straight and narrow (with an emphasis on the ‘straight’), it could be very easy to allow homophobia to run rampant. (S): The main antagonist in Maria happens to be a gay man. Thankfully, since correlation does not always equal causation, Davenport’s sexuality is merely another addition to his character, the same way Helena has red hair and Nathanial is missing a leg. Butler has taken the best of the 1800s and injected modern opinions into it without them ever feeling out of place or preachy.

Also, Butler knows how to write a sex scene. That’s all.

Unfortunately, there are minor technical issues in Maria that need to be addressed, such as:

His staff had, done a superb job. (47)

“I need that one two, please.” (185)

She had collapse upon arrival. (263)

Or even and early death. (268)

At one point, the Harriet and Maria names do get switched up incorrectly. It makes sense, considering the whole situation is twister for the mind, but it does need to be addressed. (227, 259)

Also, at one point the Colonel was referred to as a “colonial” which had me laughing much harder than I care to admit. Even thinking about it now has me giggling.

And while I’m on the topic of the colonial Colonel, I never thought I’d be able to get enough of him and Helena. However, I was wrong. The couple is incredible, and I’ll always have a soft spot for them, but the book is called Maria for a reason. At times, the Helena and Nathanial show seemed to overshadow the simple beauty of the rest of the story.

In fact, while I was a total champion of the romance in Helena, the main relationship in Maria didn’t have me convinced. Mr Brooks, the local preacher, is too stuffy to enjoy. He is completely uncomfortable with any part of the female body, and his juvenile reactions to certain situations was just generally strange. Nathanial goes so far as to give Brooks “the talk”, which caused secondhand embarrassment all around. While I suppose it could have been construed by some as cute and endearing, I just found it to be mortifyingly awkward. Going from a more-than-competent Nathanial (who’s talent is shown multiple times in this book) to a bumbling Brooks was a tough transition.

There was also a little romance between two of the older patrons of the Redway Acres/Eastease family. I’m not opposed to more romance, but this one was rushed and felt totally out of place. I never had any interest in Dom and Mrs Hubbard as characters, so seeing them together and falling in love (extremely quickly, I’ll add) just never felt genuine. (S): I suppose it worked out in the end, as Mrs Hubbard acted as a wet nurse for the late Harriet, but that was the only valuable part of the relationship. Also, Dom’s colloquialisms made his dialogue a bit of a chore to read. I found myself waiting for the scenes to end. It’s kind of like getting an ad in the middle of your Youtube video. You understand why it’s there, but you really hope the ‘skip’ button pops up.

Finally, to wrap up my “cons” on a more trivial note, Hopwood and Woodhead are two last names used frequently in the story, and it’s very confusing to differentiate.

I’m not someone who typically finds the second book of a series better than the first, but Maria proved me wrong on many different accounts. I can’t wait to crack open the third book, and I also never want to open it so I’ll always have more of Redway Acres to read. This is a series that always has me coming back for more.

4 stars out of 5.

*Blurb by Goodreads

The Beach House

The Beach House was written by Sterling Keyes and published on 27 December 2017.

“Recently separated, Charlotte Winters is eager to start over. After the death of her father, she comes back home to Shimmer Pointe Beach and must decide to either, keep the family beach house, or sell it to the handsome and adventurous, Theo Glenn. Can Charlotte come to peace with her past? Will Theo follow his heart and take a chance on love?”*

I was provided a complementary copy of The Beach House to review. It in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion/review of the book.

The first thing you’ll notice about The Beach House is that there is a mistake on the very first line of the very first page. So, if you are a person who likes to read the first few pages of a book in the store before you buy it, you’ll most likely be putting this one back on the shelf. It is a shame, of course. There are definitely good points in this short novella. Still, a mistake at literally the earliest possible point is off-putting.

With that being said, The Beach House is, naturally, a perfect beach read. It is short, sweet, and packed with moments that had me laughing out loud. With less than one hundred pages, Keyes manages to weave a strong storyline with enough drama and humour that you can easily finish the novella in one sitting.

While the humour and drama are integral to the success of The Beach House, the best part hands down is the chemistry between Charlotte and Theo. In so few pages, Keyes establishes a deep and meaningful connection between the two without it coming off as too forced. Of course, the short story makes everything a bit rushed, sort of like a feel-good Disney movie. Unrealistic, yet you find yourself rooting for the couple that met a week ago and have suddenly fallen in love. However, unlike Disney movies, the sexual tension between Charlotte and Theo is always hot and heavy.

As I mentioned before, there are mistakes sprinkled all throughout the novella, such as:

Charlotte Winters paid the driver, got out of the taxi, and took deep breath. (1)

He’d very swiftly put the ball in her quart. (23)
(I actually laughed out loud at that sentence when I first read it.)

There are also a lot of misplaced commas that break up the flow of paragraphs.

Overall, The Beach House is a cute little novella that will sit nicely in your carry-on or purse, perfect for those moments when you need to kill a few minutes.

3 out of 5 stars.

*Blurb by Goodreads.

 

 

 

 

Behind Frenemy Lines

 

Behind Frenemy Lines was written by Chele Pederson-Smith and was published 6 March 2017.

“Twists, trysts, but who to trust? When you’re a spy in love, sometimes not even yourself…
When White House threats unearth a Hollywood scandal and presidential cover-up, the administration enlists the help of LINK–an unknown division of the NSA. Enter Galaxy O’Jordan, feminist crusader and secret agent with a shady past. Swearing off love while trying to mend a broken heart, it’s just her luck she’s paired with chivalrous hunk Lee Clancy, surveillance specialist. It’s not long before they’re smitten, despite their best efforts to play it cool. Gal gives him a run for his money and vice versa, as they peruse clues and calamities amid suspicion and a percolating chemistry they can’t deny. Suddenly the case veers off track. Do they really have each other’s back or is one of them about to plunge it with a dagger?”*

I was provided a complementary copy of Behind Frenemy Lines to review. It in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion/review of the book.

Spy romances are my guilty pleasure. There, I said it. Give me a solid romance, an action scene or two, a compelling mystery, and I’ll be hooked.

Behind Frenemy Lines has the beginnings of this.

Perhaps the best moments of this book are when it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Lee and Galaxy have a rapport that is organic and interesting, to say the very least. The “will they or won’t they?” is only heightened by dramatic White House basements, romantic office trysts, and dumbwaiter escapades. It is these crazy, fantastical moments when Behind Frenemy Lines really shines. Their relationship was flawed and unhealthy, but so engaging that you can’t help but root for them. Seeing two competent spies constantly sneak behind each other’s back and sweep apartments, coats, and examine toilet tanks was wildly entertaining.

When the first mentioning of a possible love child between JFK and Marilyn Monroe surfaced, I checked out for a bit. I’ve done my research on Monroe – I’ve got a bunch of books on my shelf to prove it. Monroe struggled with severe endometriosis for her entire life. She loved children, and if she had ever conceived one successfully, there is no way she would have kept it secret. That being said, when a book is as out there as this one, some suspension of belief is definitely allowed. It actually became quite fun to imagine Marilyn’s child as a deranged dog walker, and secret passages in all the White House rooms. A random cake arrives and no security examines it, then it explodes? Sure! Galaxy stabs her partner with a chemically-laced heel? Amazing! It was so wonderfully wacky that I devoured the first half.

Unfortunately, this is all a moot point, because the fun adventures were just a coverup for the real crime.

Which is where things get sticky.

Once I finally got on board with the baby scandal (and I really did! I was excited by it!), the entire book took a turn. The scandal was merely a coverup for the most overused, boring kind of crime used in books.

Art thievery.

Ugh.

To me, there is nothing more tedious than reading about someone taking priceless art and replacing it with a dupe. I’ve been reading these kinds of crimes ever since I was nine and Nancy Drew found jailbirds etching lines into the corners of their paintings to communicate with the outside world. It’s overly simplistic. At least when Fitzy was a stuttering, unhinged mess introducing a date to his mom on a movie screen, I could get behind the craziness. This is where my main issue comes about — Behind Frenemy Lines just isn’t sure what it wants to be. A humorous, romance-driven novel? A dark, serious spy one? A Marilyn Monroe history one? (Yes, there actually is an entire recap of her movie Some Like It Hot, which is pretty pointless to readers). It seemed like Behind Frenemy Lines was on board with the first description until the final forty pages, where things fall apart.

This novel has what I can only describe as a Scooby Doo ending. All the characters gather in one room, reveal every single plan and angle they each had, the villains are revealed, and everything is solved. No real clues ever point to the ending, either. A red herring (or blonde bombshell, in this case) is just not as effective when it starts to be foiled near the tail-end of the book. All the dots connect, but it’s so muddled and jumbled that when the book ended, I just sat there for a moment and went, “what?” Characters that are barely mentioned have overly-large roles and a random assortment of clues somehow piece together to form a full picture (or painting, I guess). So many angles are given and taken away again. Galaxy was a Russian assassin, but don’t worry – it’s never really relevant except to tie her to Viktor. She also has a child, but no one really gives a damn. (After all, it’s not like Anya is the secretly Anastasia Romanov’s descendant, which actually would have fit with the other craziness in this book).

There are also some general errors with regards to formatting and grammar, which is unfortunate.

“You’re a softie, typical woman,” “I know someone who’s not a softie,” Gal purred. (107)

“Yes, is it,” (114)

Overall, I definitely don’t regret reading Behind Frenemy Lines. It’s a good time, and can definitely be read in one sitting. If you ever need to take your mind off of things, or just want a decent mystery to pass the time, Behind Frenemy Lines is the book for you.

3 out of 5 stars.

*Blurb by Goodreads.

 

 

When it Hits You

When it Hits You was written by Nicki Elson and published 25 January 2017, though it was originally released in 2015 under the title Vibrizzo.

“Lyssa Bates doesn’t need a man. The twenty-six-year-old financial analyst is more than fulfilled by her career, friends, and a ready supply of double-A batteries. Her relationship with Hayden King is purely professional—and that’s how she intends to keep it. But accidental kisses in Dallas, all-nighters in Chicago, and hot tub confessions in Baltimore mess with her head and shake her resistance. Especially when he turns his charms full on her.”*

I was given a complementary copy of When it Hits You to review. It in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion/review of the book.

Not every book on this earth was made to be a life-altering, earth-shattering, break-your-heart whirlwind. Such an example is When it Hits You, written by Nicki Elson. Middle-aged Lyssa battles common enough themes, such as an overbearing mother and boy (or lack thereof) troubles. Elson writes with quick humour, presenting a character and a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s no groundbreaking revelations here – much of the plot and characterization has been seen before, and will be seen again. 

However, that doesn’t mean it was a bad book. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a little lighthearted romance, as far as I’m concerned! It was a quick read for me, and if I had the time to properly sit down with it, I would’ve finished it in one sitting with no problem. It’s that kind of book – you know what to expect, but even when you put down the book, you’re satisfied. 

Lyssa is another woman who’s satisfied in this book – but not with men. She begins to develop a relationship of sorts with her vibrator, so much so that it is actually the ruination of her long-term relationship. I applaud Elson for tackling sexual pleasure from a woman’s perspective – it’s rarely mentioned (even in passing) in female-driven novels, but Elson delves deeper into the subject, usually effectively.

The actual writing of the book was usually very entertaining – I actually laughed at “Somewhere along the way, she got “lei’d”. It’s these puns that present the book as an ebullient read you’d take to the beach. The banter between Lyssa and Hayden was realistic and charming, even if Hayden’s character sometimes flip flopped between two extremes. 

By the middle of the novel, I too has fallen for Hayden’s charms, and again I commend Elson for writing a character so well that I actually went from hating him to loving him by the epilogue. Lyssa’s pragmatic approach to all of her problems was also refreshing – too often we get caught up in the emotional side of a character. Lyssa’s logical personality was honestly just…really amazing.

However, there were some problems I had with the book. First of all, the typos. This is a published book that shouldn’t have those kinds of small mistakes. That being said, there weren’t too many and so it didn’t impact the overall reading experience.

Also, while I enjoyed Elson’s writing and dialogue between characters, sometimes someone will say something completely out of left-field that just doesn’t fit with their overall characterization. Take Lyssa’s sadistic thought of her mother:

“Squeeze until Mommy turned blue. Squeeze until that larynx could never again spew its torturous revelations”.

Whoa. Sure, Lyssa’s character is generally witty and totally hilarious, but that was a tad (or maybe more) ridiculous. I can tell there is meant to be humor there, but it didn’t translate well. While Lyssa’s contempt for her family is made very clear throughout the novel, the reader understands that truly, deep down, she loves her family. So wanting to choke her mother with the string of a violin? Harsh. It’s a very descriptive few sentences, but in this case, there was no need for it. Other parts of the book lacking a strong description/effective word use (such as using vignettes to describe the outdoors) could have used a description as lush as “that larynx could never again spew it’s torturous revelations”.

In addition, the time-hopping in When it Hits You can seem kind of confusing. Holidays come right after one another, leaving little downtime for both Lyssa and the reader. By the time we’ve been exhausted by her Thanksgiving disaster, suddenly it’s Christmas and her nieces/nephews are smoking fake cigarettes (though I will admit that part was actually hysterical. Gateway candy!). The time jumping and sometimes confusing work that Lyssa and Hayden do tend to muddle parts of the novel.

Finally, the texting style of this book might prematurely age it – everyone  I know (and text) uses sentences that, while usually clipped, have all the words spelled out fully. ‘C’ and ‘U’ just aren’t used anymore, and as time goes on, these abbreviated words will seem really out of place in an otherwise timeless story.

Overall, did I absolutely love it? Not totally. But I definitely didn’t hate it either! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to people looking for a light and sometimes unpredictable read to occupy them for a few hours. Not everything you read has to be dark and heavy – When it Hits You is a fine example of this.

While I think the book could have used some fine-tuning, I’d definitely read future books penned by Ms Elson.

Three out of five stars.

* Blurb by Goodreads