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One-Star Romance
A struggling writer is forced to walk down the aisle at her best friend’s wedding with the man who gave her book a very public one-star rating in this fresh romantic comedy from Laura Hankin.
Natalie and Rob couldn’t have less in common. Nat’s a messy artist, and Rob’s a rigid academic. The only thing they share is their devotion to their respective best friends—who just got engaged. Still, unexpected chemistry has Natalie cautiously optimistic about being maid of honor to Rob’s best man.
Until, minutes before the ceremony, Nat learns that Rob wrote a one-star review of her new novel, which has them both reeling: Nat from imposter syndrome, and Rob over the reason he needed to write it.
When the reception ends, these two opposites hope they’ll never meet again. But, as they slip from their twenties into their thirties, they’re forced together whenever their fast-track best friends celebrate another milestone. Through housewarmings and christenings, life-changing triumphs and failures, Natalie and Rob grapple with their own choices—and how your harshest critic can become your perfectly imperfect match.
After all, even the truest love stories sometimes need a bit of rewriting.
Natalie and Rob couldn’t have less in common. Nat’s a messy artist, and Rob’s a rigid academic. The only thing they share is their devotion to their respective best friends—who just got engaged. Still, unexpected chemistry has Natalie cautiously optimistic about being maid of honor to Rob’s best man.
Until, minutes before the ceremony, Nat learns that Rob wrote a one-star review of her new novel, which has them both reeling: Nat from imposter syndrome, and Rob over the reason he needed to write it.
When the reception ends, these two opposites hope they’ll never meet again. But, as they slip from their twenties into their thirties, they’re forced together whenever their fast-track best friends celebrate another milestone. Through housewarmings and christenings, life-changing triumphs and failures, Natalie and Rob grapple with their own choices—and how your harshest critic can become your perfectly imperfect match.
After all, even the truest love stories sometimes need a bit of rewriting.
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 18, 2024
About the author
Laura Hankin
6 books1,000 followersLaura Hankin is the author of HAPPY & YOU KNOW IT, A SPECIAL PLACE FOR WOMEN, and the upcoming THE DAYDREAMS. She's written for outlets like McSweeney's and HuffPost, while her musical comedy has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more. She lives in Washington, DC, where she once fell off a treadmill twice in one day. Contact her on Instagram/Twitter: @LauraHankin or Tiktok: @laura_hankin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,048 reviews
July 20, 2024
I loved how this book was written! Felt like a rom-com written by a literary fiction author—which was right up my alley! The characters reminded me of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow; frustrating but relatable and you never stop rooting for them! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5!
May 29, 2024
writing: fantastic | plot: fleshed out | ending: rob deserves better. fight me
my opinion
Wow. Laura Hankin can WRITE. This one is hard to rate because if not for two things, this is an uncontested banger. But I hated those two things so much that if the rest of the book had a similar vibe, this would've been a one star (ah, the irony). But since I stayed up until 2:30am reading this, and it was largely a banger, I'm going with a 4.
The cover and title may lead you to think this is gonna be a cute 'n fluffy romcom but nah, this takes you places emotionally. This is NOT a romance. It's about love—in all definitions of the word—but it's not overwhelmingly romantic. Rob and Natalie don't go on any dates, there's no wooing to be had. It's just emotional turmoil—mostly told with irreverence, but hitting the serious notes when needed—intermixed with flashes of personal success and growth. And I LOVED it. Very introspective, very raw, very fleshed out. Absolutely zero notes when it comes to the writing style, plotting, and storytelling structure.
To my surprise, the male characters in this book were top-notch. Rob was distinct, his background detailed, his behaviours believable, and most importantly, he was likeable. I loved how he stood up for Angus... Oh, Angus, you sweet summer child. He was what the booktok girlies call a golden retriever. His heart was the size of Canada. While we weren't given the same insight into his background, his voice and mannerisms shone clearly. #TeamAngus.
HOWEVERRRRRRR let me make this clear: the things I disliked about this book filled me with the same level of disdain as a Freida McFadden book recommendation does. While I enjoyed Rob and Angus, I wanted to put Natalie in the sturdiest of headlocks. Holy. F#^k. She was absolutely insufferable for 2 reasons:
1. Her obsession with her and Gabby's friendship was bizarre, bordering on creepy. Maybe it's because I've never had a lifelong friend (I'm deeply unlikeable if you couldn't tell), but Natalie's love for Gabby felt more than just platonic. Of course you're going to prioritize the person you legally contracted yourself to, share finances with, and perhaps went splitskis on a baby with, over your platonic female best friend. Grow UP. Unfortunately, she never addresses how whack ass her expectations of this friendship were despite them being so central to the book's main conflict.
2. She refused to take accountability for her shitty actions. I won't go into spoilers but I don't think she had a right to hold such an aggressive grudge against Rob for one-starring her book given his reason. Perfectly acceptable. Unlike you, he's a good friend who protects their bestie's feelings instead of trying to monopolize them.
And this brings me to the second "thing" I could not stand in this book. It felt like the author was using Natalie as a mouthpiece to air her grievances about those that give one star reviews. She accused them of "delighting in their cruelty" and being "basement dwellers living with their mom." Sure, Natalie, but stay with me for a moment. What if....... they just didn't like it and decided to share that opinion on a website intentionally designed for readers to post book reviews????? A hot take, indeed. In fact, Natalie wasn't just pressed about those dared to give her book a less than glowing rating, she was even annoyed with three-star reviews. It irks me to no end when authors try to publicly clap-back at "bad" reviews. Save that shit for your private group chats.
Wow, this turned into an essay. If you made it this far, I apologize. But also, thanks.
pros & cons
pros: exceptionally well-written, perfect balance of sarcastic, witty, and serious, robust story, main and secondary characters (except Natalie) were clearly drawn, loved the storytelling format, made me fuck up my sleep schedule because I couldn't stop reading
cons: Natalie needed to extract her head out of her ass, Rob should've ended up with Angus tbh, seemed like the author was using Natalie as a mouthpiece to tell us how she really feels about people who leave one star (and even three star) reviews
tysm Berkley for the arc 🫶
__
Check out my YouTube
my opinion
Wow. Laura Hankin can WRITE. This one is hard to rate because if not for two things, this is an uncontested banger. But I hated those two things so much that if the rest of the book had a similar vibe, this would've been a one star (ah, the irony). But since I stayed up until 2:30am reading this, and it was largely a banger, I'm going with a 4.
The cover and title may lead you to think this is gonna be a cute 'n fluffy romcom but nah, this takes you places emotionally. This is NOT a romance. It's about love—in all definitions of the word—but it's not overwhelmingly romantic. Rob and Natalie don't go on any dates, there's no wooing to be had. It's just emotional turmoil—mostly told with irreverence, but hitting the serious notes when needed—intermixed with flashes of personal success and growth. And I LOVED it. Very introspective, very raw, very fleshed out. Absolutely zero notes when it comes to the writing style, plotting, and storytelling structure.
To my surprise, the male characters in this book were top-notch. Rob was distinct, his background detailed, his behaviours believable, and most importantly, he was likeable. I loved how he stood up for Angus... Oh, Angus, you sweet summer child. He was what the booktok girlies call a golden retriever. His heart was the size of Canada. While we weren't given the same insight into his background, his voice and mannerisms shone clearly. #TeamAngus.
HOWEVERRRRRRR let me make this clear: the things I disliked about this book filled me with the same level of disdain as a Freida McFadden book recommendation does. While I enjoyed Rob and Angus, I wanted to put Natalie in the sturdiest of headlocks. Holy. F#^k. She was absolutely insufferable for 2 reasons:
1. Her obsession with her and Gabby's friendship was bizarre, bordering on creepy. Maybe it's because I've never had a lifelong friend (I'm deeply unlikeable if you couldn't tell), but Natalie's love for Gabby felt more than just platonic. Of course you're going to prioritize the person you legally contracted yourself to, share finances with, and perhaps went splitskis on a baby with, over your platonic female best friend. Grow UP. Unfortunately, she never addresses how whack ass her expectations of this friendship were despite them being so central to the book's main conflict.
2. She refused to take accountability for her shitty actions. I won't go into spoilers but I don't think she had a right to hold such an aggressive grudge against Rob for one-starring her book given his reason. Perfectly acceptable. Unlike you, he's a good friend who protects their bestie's feelings instead of trying to monopolize them.
And this brings me to the second "thing" I could not stand in this book. It felt like the author was using Natalie as a mouthpiece to air her grievances about those that give one star reviews. She accused them of "delighting in their cruelty" and being "basement dwellers living with their mom." Sure, Natalie, but stay with me for a moment. What if....... they just didn't like it and decided to share that opinion on a website intentionally designed for readers to post book reviews????? A hot take, indeed. In fact, Natalie wasn't just pressed about those dared to give her book a less than glowing rating, she was even annoyed with three-star reviews. It irks me to no end when authors try to publicly clap-back at "bad" reviews. Save that shit for your private group chats.
Wow, this turned into an essay. If you made it this far, I apologize. But also, thanks.
pros & cons
pros: exceptionally well-written, perfect balance of sarcastic, witty, and serious, robust story, main and secondary characters (except Natalie) were clearly drawn, loved the storytelling format, made me fuck up my sleep schedule because I couldn't stop reading
cons: Natalie needed to extract her head out of her ass, Rob should've ended up with Angus tbh, seemed like the author was using Natalie as a mouthpiece to tell us how she really feels about people who leave one star (and even three star) reviews
tysm Berkley for the arc 🫶
__
Check out my YouTube
June 18, 2024
Looks can be deceiving…
Based on the ADORABLE book cover and title, I expected a light, funny ROM COM, but this is more of a “life story” with MANY touching, heartfelt moments, and more depth than I expected!
Told in 7️⃣ parts, Part 1️⃣ opens in 2013 with an invitation to a birthday party, and each subsequent section, opens with a jump in time, and a NEW invitation to another “life affirming” event, until we reach Part 7️⃣ in 2021.
Natalie is a struggling writer and Gabby’s best friend.
Rob is a rigid Academic, and the best friend of Angus.
The only thing they share is their love and devotion to their respective best friends-recently engaged!
JUST as they are about to walk down the aisle as “Maid of Honor” and “Best Man” at Angus and Gabby’s wedding, Natalie finds out that Rob gave her newly published novel, Apartment 2F, the dreaded 1️⃣ ⭐️ review on Goodreads!!
Her book was described as the millennial perspective of a young woman living in NY, during the aftereffects of the recession, wondering if her generation could still find true love, a fulfilling career, and financial stability.
Could that description be any less enticing?!
And YET, her average rating, after fifty three reviews was respectable 4.3 ⭐️ UNTIL the latest review brought it TUMBLING down!
Rob, thought the book had opened strong, but when he got to page 2️⃣ 8️⃣-he was so incensed by “something” she wrote-that he posted his one star review-explaining how her star rating had dipped so precipitously!
Natalie is hoping that once they get through the wedding, she will NEVER again have to see Rob, but FATE (or more accurately-their best friends) will force them to co-exist on many more occasions as they celebrate many happy milestones from housewarmings to christenings, and a few “not so happy” over the course of the next eight years.
At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of this book, which didn’t start out as quite as expected, but by the middle of Part 2️⃣-I was HOOKED after reading one of my FAVORITE “grand gestures” EVER!!
And, by the time I had finished, this “enemies to lovers” romance-I was completely and utterly CHARMED! 💘
If you are looking for an entertaining romance with a FRESH, FUN format for this SUMMER, this one is BEACH BAG approved 🏖️
AVAILABLE NOW!!
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided by NetGalley! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Based on the ADORABLE book cover and title, I expected a light, funny ROM COM, but this is more of a “life story” with MANY touching, heartfelt moments, and more depth than I expected!
Told in 7️⃣ parts, Part 1️⃣ opens in 2013 with an invitation to a birthday party, and each subsequent section, opens with a jump in time, and a NEW invitation to another “life affirming” event, until we reach Part 7️⃣ in 2021.
Natalie is a struggling writer and Gabby’s best friend.
Rob is a rigid Academic, and the best friend of Angus.
The only thing they share is their love and devotion to their respective best friends-recently engaged!
JUST as they are about to walk down the aisle as “Maid of Honor” and “Best Man” at Angus and Gabby’s wedding, Natalie finds out that Rob gave her newly published novel, Apartment 2F, the dreaded 1️⃣ ⭐️ review on Goodreads!!
Her book was described as the millennial perspective of a young woman living in NY, during the aftereffects of the recession, wondering if her generation could still find true love, a fulfilling career, and financial stability.
Could that description be any less enticing?!
And YET, her average rating, after fifty three reviews was respectable 4.3 ⭐️ UNTIL the latest review brought it TUMBLING down!
Rob, thought the book had opened strong, but when he got to page 2️⃣ 8️⃣-he was so incensed by “something” she wrote-that he posted his one star review-explaining how her star rating had dipped so precipitously!
Natalie is hoping that once they get through the wedding, she will NEVER again have to see Rob, but FATE (or more accurately-their best friends) will force them to co-exist on many more occasions as they celebrate many happy milestones from housewarmings to christenings, and a few “not so happy” over the course of the next eight years.
At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of this book, which didn’t start out as quite as expected, but by the middle of Part 2️⃣-I was HOOKED after reading one of my FAVORITE “grand gestures” EVER!!
And, by the time I had finished, this “enemies to lovers” romance-I was completely and utterly CHARMED! 💘
If you are looking for an entertaining romance with a FRESH, FUN format for this SUMMER, this one is BEACH BAG approved 🏖️
AVAILABLE NOW!!
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided by NetGalley! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
June 30, 2024
3⭐
Genre ~ friendship fiction
Setting ~ New York & New Jersey
Publication date ~ June 18, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 400 (39 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 11 hours
Narrator ~ the author
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ 7 part story, slow burn, enemies to lovers, no steamage
Medical trigger warnings I'll hide ~
I've gotta give 1 star to the romance part of the story because it took ages and ages and ages for it to happen. Like I'm talking years. I'm boggled by the title actually. This is much more about friendships and one's life journey to figuring themselves out.
We have Natalie & Gabby who are bff's and Rob & Angus who are bff's. On Gabby and Angus's engagement night Natalie and Rob meet. And then they keep meeting again and again for milestones in Gabby and Angus's lives.
What a journey this is ~ we begin in May 2013 and end in May 2021. Each part has at least a year time jump, so it made it seem slow moving for me. I'd much rather read right along with the events as they play out and not be told what happened in the gap of time after the fact. Maybe that's just me.
I wasn't super impressed with any of the characters really, but the story itself has some relatability with all the life happenings. I can appreciate how sensitive topics were handled with care.
So, in conclusion, I liked the story well enough once I got my mindset out of this being a romance. But I feel that information should be given up front because if I'm being told this is a romance then I expect it for a lot more than just 6% of the book. Based on the cover, which I do like, and the title, I'd expect much more loving.
I seem to be in the minority with this one as the 4 and 5 stars are rolling in in abundance.
*Thanks to the author, Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
This is my 500th NG review! Whoop whoop!
Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ friendship fiction
Setting ~ New York & New Jersey
Publication date ~ June 18, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 400 (39 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 11 hours
Narrator ~ the author
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ 7 part story, slow burn, enemies to lovers, no steamage
Medical trigger warnings I'll hide ~
I've gotta give 1 star to the romance part of the story because it took ages and ages and ages for it to happen. Like I'm talking years. I'm boggled by the title actually. This is much more about friendships and one's life journey to figuring themselves out.
We have Natalie & Gabby who are bff's and Rob & Angus who are bff's. On Gabby and Angus's engagement night Natalie and Rob meet. And then they keep meeting again and again for milestones in Gabby and Angus's lives.
What a journey this is ~ we begin in May 2013 and end in May 2021. Each part has at least a year time jump, so it made it seem slow moving for me. I'd much rather read right along with the events as they play out and not be told what happened in the gap of time after the fact. Maybe that's just me.
I wasn't super impressed with any of the characters really, but the story itself has some relatability with all the life happenings. I can appreciate how sensitive topics were handled with care.
So, in conclusion, I liked the story well enough once I got my mindset out of this being a romance. But I feel that information should be given up front because if I'm being told this is a romance then I expect it for a lot more than just 6% of the book. Based on the cover, which I do like, and the title, I'd expect much more loving.
I seem to be in the minority with this one as the 4 and 5 stars are rolling in in abundance.
*Thanks to the author, Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
This is my 500th NG review! Whoop whoop!
Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
August 11, 2024
It's evident, my fellow book enthusiasts! I relished "Happy You Know It," and I absolutely adored "Daydreamers"! So, who could possibly prevent me from eagerly diving into another Hankin novel? This time, she's decided to whip up a delightful rom-com tailored precisely to my cravings—featuring the irresistible enemies-to-lovers trope. It's a theme that falls somewhere between the bane of my existence and a guilty pleasure I simply cannot resist.
Buckle up for a rollercoaster of hilarity, heartache, and unexpected romance in Laura Hankin's latest gem, "One-Star Romance." Hankin, known for her impeccable sense of humor, delivers a narrative perfectly tailored for the millennial reader, where jokes and dialogues seamlessly blend into an honest and relatable storytelling experience.
The premise is both cringe-worthy and utterly captivating: Natalie, an aspiring writer, and Rob, a rigid academic, find themselves as reluctant maid of honor and best man at their best friends' wedding. The twist? Rob had given Natalie's debut novel a brutal one-star review on Goodreads. Cue the awkwardness and tension.
While Hankin's previous works leaned towards women's fiction with a romantic subplot, "One-Star Romance" takes center stage as a full-blown romantic comedy. The characters might not win you over immediately, but that's precisely the point. Throughout the narrative, they undergo significant growth, and the well-executed time jumps help in showcasing their evolution.
This book is a delightful summer read, offering a perfect blend of romance, humor, and deeper reflections on friendship, adulthood, and the inevitability of change. The story navigates through different time periods, spanning years, flawlessly capturing the characters' growth and the dynamics of their relationships. Hankin weaves a tale that feels incredibly authentic, exploring themes of identity, career pursuits, enduring friendships, and the complexities of maturing in your mid-twenties.
The heart of "One-Star Romance" lies in its portrayal of human experiences. Natalie and Rob, the main characters, navigate the ups and downs of life, making decisions that not only shape their relationship but also impact those around them. The novel beautifully unfolds through poignant moments and witty dialogues, delving into conversations about chasing dreams, long-term friendships, and the inevitable The narrative shines a spotlight on Natalie, the struggling writer, and Rob, the career academic, as they grapple with their own dreams and ambitions. Despite initial clashes, their undying love for their best friends keeps pulling them back together, creating a dynamic that is both bitter and prideful.
The tension between Natalie and Rob reaches its peak when they are forced to spend more time together due to unforeseen circumstances. As truths unravel, the story takes a poignant turn, revealing that sometimes, our harshest critics can also be our most ardent admirers.
Overall, "One-Star Romance" is a well-crafted tale that seamlessly combines humor, romance, and deeper reflections on life's complexities. Laura Hankin's witty and heartfelt writing ensures that this book is not just a romance but a celebration of friendship, growth, and the beautifully messy journey of being human. Get ready to laugh, cry, and cheer for Natalie and Rob as they navigate the tumultuous path of love, one star at a time.
This four-star read is a must for anyone seeking an entertaining and thought-provoking escape into the world of modern romance.shifts that come with growing up.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me this heartwarming book's digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinions. I wholeheartedly enjoyed it!
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Buckle up for a rollercoaster of hilarity, heartache, and unexpected romance in Laura Hankin's latest gem, "One-Star Romance." Hankin, known for her impeccable sense of humor, delivers a narrative perfectly tailored for the millennial reader, where jokes and dialogues seamlessly blend into an honest and relatable storytelling experience.
The premise is both cringe-worthy and utterly captivating: Natalie, an aspiring writer, and Rob, a rigid academic, find themselves as reluctant maid of honor and best man at their best friends' wedding. The twist? Rob had given Natalie's debut novel a brutal one-star review on Goodreads. Cue the awkwardness and tension.
While Hankin's previous works leaned towards women's fiction with a romantic subplot, "One-Star Romance" takes center stage as a full-blown romantic comedy. The characters might not win you over immediately, but that's precisely the point. Throughout the narrative, they undergo significant growth, and the well-executed time jumps help in showcasing their evolution.
This book is a delightful summer read, offering a perfect blend of romance, humor, and deeper reflections on friendship, adulthood, and the inevitability of change. The story navigates through different time periods, spanning years, flawlessly capturing the characters' growth and the dynamics of their relationships. Hankin weaves a tale that feels incredibly authentic, exploring themes of identity, career pursuits, enduring friendships, and the complexities of maturing in your mid-twenties.
The heart of "One-Star Romance" lies in its portrayal of human experiences. Natalie and Rob, the main characters, navigate the ups and downs of life, making decisions that not only shape their relationship but also impact those around them. The novel beautifully unfolds through poignant moments and witty dialogues, delving into conversations about chasing dreams, long-term friendships, and the inevitable The narrative shines a spotlight on Natalie, the struggling writer, and Rob, the career academic, as they grapple with their own dreams and ambitions. Despite initial clashes, their undying love for their best friends keeps pulling them back together, creating a dynamic that is both bitter and prideful.
The tension between Natalie and Rob reaches its peak when they are forced to spend more time together due to unforeseen circumstances. As truths unravel, the story takes a poignant turn, revealing that sometimes, our harshest critics can also be our most ardent admirers.
Overall, "One-Star Romance" is a well-crafted tale that seamlessly combines humor, romance, and deeper reflections on life's complexities. Laura Hankin's witty and heartfelt writing ensures that this book is not just a romance but a celebration of friendship, growth, and the beautifully messy journey of being human. Get ready to laugh, cry, and cheer for Natalie and Rob as they navigate the tumultuous path of love, one star at a time.
This four-star read is a must for anyone seeking an entertaining and thought-provoking escape into the world of modern romance.shifts that come with growing up.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me this heartwarming book's digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinions. I wholeheartedly enjoyed it!
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June 18, 2024
…this was definitely a one star romance 😐 apparently this bad boy is out today, but i wouldn’t hold my breath!
the cover is so deceiving for WHAT! it’s not a romance, still def women’s fiction and i can’t even say the romance is a side plot. it’s a weird ass sally rooney wannabe (HER OWN WORDS. FROM THE BOOK.) like, 5 year situationship???? kinda??? they just keep each other on the back burner when they get lonely but never hookup.
i’ve seen so many haters of the fmc (i forgot her name) but tell me why she was the only one i liked 🧍🏻♀️she does in fact make questionable decisions and i was behind every one of them!!!! everyone in this book pissed me off in not EVEN an entertaining way and i firmly believe she deserved better for all those 5 years.
the cover is so deceiving for WHAT! it’s not a romance, still def women’s fiction and i can’t even say the romance is a side plot. it’s a weird ass sally rooney wannabe (HER OWN WORDS. FROM THE BOOK.) like, 5 year situationship???? kinda??? they just keep each other on the back burner when they get lonely but never hookup.
i’ve seen so many haters of the fmc (i forgot her name) but tell me why she was the only one i liked 🧍🏻♀️she does in fact make questionable decisions and i was behind every one of them!!!! everyone in this book pissed me off in not EVEN an entertaining way and i firmly believe she deserved better for all those 5 years.
August 6, 2024
4.5 stars
I will start by saying that I don't understand why the blurb states that this is a romantic comedy. It's definitely not. Even calling it a romance is a stretch. Personally, I was pleasantly surprised by what I got vs. what I expected. But I do feel that calling this story a rom-com does it a disservice. Those who prefer something closer to women's fiction won't pick it up, and those who are looking for something light, fluffy or smutty will be disappointed.
There are romantic elements here, but the story is so much more than that. It explores complex relationships between friends and family, adulthood, career choices and battling life's ups and downs, and it's deeper and more emotional than one would expect based on the cover.
The relationship between Natalie and Rob develops very slowly in the course of 10 years and it's mostly filled with animosity, starting with the fact that Rob rated Natalie's book one star. The only thing they have in common are their respective best friends. They lead their own lives and are in relationships with other people, and they only meet when their best friends celebrate something.
I can't even say that I particularly liked either of them at the beginning, but I very quickly became fully invested in their stories and their conversations. I loved their conversations. As they started to slowly grow fond of each other, but not without bumps in the road, so did I. The same goes for Rob's best friend Angus who slowly became my favourite character in this book.
TW:
I will start by saying that I don't understand why the blurb states that this is a romantic comedy. It's definitely not. Even calling it a romance is a stretch. Personally, I was pleasantly surprised by what I got vs. what I expected. But I do feel that calling this story a rom-com does it a disservice. Those who prefer something closer to women's fiction won't pick it up, and those who are looking for something light, fluffy or smutty will be disappointed.
There are romantic elements here, but the story is so much more than that. It explores complex relationships between friends and family, adulthood, career choices and battling life's ups and downs, and it's deeper and more emotional than one would expect based on the cover.
The relationship between Natalie and Rob develops very slowly in the course of 10 years and it's mostly filled with animosity, starting with the fact that Rob rated Natalie's book one star. The only thing they have in common are their respective best friends. They lead their own lives and are in relationships with other people, and they only meet when their best friends celebrate something.
I can't even say that I particularly liked either of them at the beginning, but I very quickly became fully invested in their stories and their conversations. I loved their conversations. As they started to slowly grow fond of each other, but not without bumps in the road, so did I. The same goes for Rob's best friend Angus who slowly became my favourite character in this book.
TW:
March 25, 2024
Thank you to @Berkleypub and @BerkleyRomance as well as Netgalley @Netgalley for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own.
This book had plenty of funny moments that just left me laughing out loud from the hilarity of them. I was really entertained when I was reading it. I felt that the writing was done really well, not only did it make me laugh, but it also made me feel all sorts of other emotions as well.
I loved how we got to experience so much of the characters’ lives by time traveling through key moments in their life. I think that this got to experience the full breadth of the relationship and what it was built on, and we were only able to do so because we were able to skip ahead. To me this was the ultimate way to experience the character’s and truly get to know them.
This is very slow burn romance, that kept me waiting almost too long, and it is closed door. I enjoyed the characters, though the main characters felt a little over the top at times. I love how in the beginning you don’t imagine them getting together, but by the end of the book I was rooting for them to just hook up already. This book was definitely a deep dive into the characters’ lives. The side characters were a lot of fun, and I enjoyed getting to know them all. While this book was most definitely a romance, it was also a tale of love between friends and how those relationships grow and evolve over time.
This book is perfect for beach side reading. It is pretty light though it does touch on some heavier topics such as the pandemic and cancer.
This will be posted on my blog closer to publication time.
This book had plenty of funny moments that just left me laughing out loud from the hilarity of them. I was really entertained when I was reading it. I felt that the writing was done really well, not only did it make me laugh, but it also made me feel all sorts of other emotions as well.
I loved how we got to experience so much of the characters’ lives by time traveling through key moments in their life. I think that this got to experience the full breadth of the relationship and what it was built on, and we were only able to do so because we were able to skip ahead. To me this was the ultimate way to experience the character’s and truly get to know them.
This is very slow burn romance, that kept me waiting almost too long, and it is closed door. I enjoyed the characters, though the main characters felt a little over the top at times. I love how in the beginning you don’t imagine them getting together, but by the end of the book I was rooting for them to just hook up already. This book was definitely a deep dive into the characters’ lives. The side characters were a lot of fun, and I enjoyed getting to know them all. While this book was most definitely a romance, it was also a tale of love between friends and how those relationships grow and evolve over time.
This book is perfect for beach side reading. It is pretty light though it does touch on some heavier topics such as the pandemic and cancer.
This will be posted on my blog closer to publication time.
July 10, 2024
i think that rob deserved better and his reason for his review was completely justified
angus was one of my favorite characters and i will die on that hill
the book was good but it just wasn’t what i was expecting and i disliked natalie but i liked her a lot more in the last 10 chapters but i felt like she needed therapy and to stop being so possessive and obsessive over gabby
angus was one of my favorite characters and i will die on that hill
the book was good but it just wasn’t what i was expecting and i disliked natalie but i liked her a lot more in the last 10 chapters but i felt like she needed therapy and to stop being so possessive and obsessive over gabby
January 17, 2024
ALL OF THE STARS! Is it mean to take so much pleasure in two characters bumbling their way through life? If so, call me a monster because I fell HARD for Natalie and Rob. These two imperfect idiots (in a lovable way) trying and failing to figure out this whole adulting thing were so real and relatable. Fat-out fun, laugh out loud funny, and voicey as hell! THIS BOOK IS A FREAKING DELIGHT.
In case it is not clear: this is ME grabbing YOU by the lapels and telling you YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK.
In case it is not clear: this is ME grabbing YOU by the lapels and telling you YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK.
April 20, 2024
Humorous, realistic, and loaded with feels for BFFs and finding the one you love to hate or is it hate to love…
~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the first time I have read this author, plus I love a great enemies-to-lovers story. I have to say that this author knocked it out of the park.
Told in seven different parts, this slow-burn romance takes on adulthood, best friends, and the dynamic that comes through growing and changing relationships.
Sometimes books that include a best friend’s narrative become a story about not being able to function without the other person. This story is not that at all.
While the friendships are long-term, we get to watch their growth and unfold that enemies-to-lovers dynamic. The chemistry is awesome!
Hankin brings a story that is delightful, funny, realistic, and loaded with lessons that maybe we can take note of in our own life choices.
One-Star Romance is a fresh and clean closed-door romance that felt like it took forever to develop but was so worth the wait.
~~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/one-star-rom...
~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the first time I have read this author, plus I love a great enemies-to-lovers story. I have to say that this author knocked it out of the park.
Told in seven different parts, this slow-burn romance takes on adulthood, best friends, and the dynamic that comes through growing and changing relationships.
Sometimes books that include a best friend’s narrative become a story about not being able to function without the other person. This story is not that at all.
While the friendships are long-term, we get to watch their growth and unfold that enemies-to-lovers dynamic. The chemistry is awesome!
Hankin brings a story that is delightful, funny, realistic, and loaded with lessons that maybe we can take note of in our own life choices.
One-Star Romance is a fresh and clean closed-door romance that felt like it took forever to develop but was so worth the wait.
~~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/one-star-rom...
June 26, 2024
I’ve heard some people ask what a reviewer means when they use the term “unlikable character.” Well, let me tell you what I mean in this instance for our main character, Natalie.
Natalie is very selfish, viewing her best friend as her number one priority in life and being completely annoyed by her best friend simply…growing up. Having a life. At one point when Natalie’s own career ambitions are failing, she even attempts to piggy back off her best friends successful career, and is annoyed when her friend isn’t jumping to help her out. Natalie also views her friends husband in a bad light, going so far as to write a fictional character based off of him. I was glad this work of fiction she wrote based off him was a failure.
Natalie is immature, I reiterate again how she was unaccepting of her best friend growing up and doing regular things like getting married and having a baby. Natalie isn’t growing up herself, so her best friend can’t either, in her mind.
Of course, I expect characters to have flaws and make mistakes. But when nearly every page shows ways in which the character needs to grow and mature, I cannot be on board with their eventual success. To be so horrid, and then redeem themselves, all within a few pages, is unrealistic. Yet all throughout the many years covered, Natalie is the same unlikable character.
So, I didn’t like this book. If you couldn’t tell.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
Natalie is very selfish, viewing her best friend as her number one priority in life and being completely annoyed by her best friend simply…growing up. Having a life. At one point when Natalie’s own career ambitions are failing, she even attempts to piggy back off her best friends successful career, and is annoyed when her friend isn’t jumping to help her out. Natalie also views her friends husband in a bad light, going so far as to write a fictional character based off of him. I was glad this work of fiction she wrote based off him was a failure.
Natalie is immature, I reiterate again how she was unaccepting of her best friend growing up and doing regular things like getting married and having a baby. Natalie isn’t growing up herself, so her best friend can’t either, in her mind.
Of course, I expect characters to have flaws and make mistakes. But when nearly every page shows ways in which the character needs to grow and mature, I cannot be on board with their eventual success. To be so horrid, and then redeem themselves, all within a few pages, is unrealistic. Yet all throughout the many years covered, Natalie is the same unlikable character.
So, I didn’t like this book. If you couldn’t tell.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
January 2, 2024
A confession: I'm incredibly superstitious about the first book I read at the top of every new year. I had a good feeling about One-Star Romance the second I saw the ARC synopsis, and sure enough, Laura Hankin's big foray into romance is spectacular.
It was also more than a bit meta to read a book where the protagonist is talking about the magic of an author articulating feelings you've been trying to dissect in your own life and doing it far better than you ever could. (How dare Laura Hankin somehow telepathically read my inner-most thoughts!!!!) I love this novel's exploration of friendship, life phases, complex familial relationships, and professional setbacks, in addition to the sweet progression of Natalie and Rob's bond. (It also doesn't hurt that my literary weakness is any romance that takes place over an extended period of time; I'm a weak bitch for a slow-burn march to a courtship!!!!)
Anyway, unlike Rob, I'm leaving a five-star Goodreads rating from the jump!
Content warning: Familial illness
It was also more than a bit meta to read a book where the protagonist is talking about the magic of an author articulating feelings you've been trying to dissect in your own life and doing it far better than you ever could. (How dare Laura Hankin somehow telepathically read my inner-most thoughts!!!!) I love this novel's exploration of friendship, life phases, complex familial relationships, and professional setbacks, in addition to the sweet progression of Natalie and Rob's bond. (It also doesn't hurt that my literary weakness is any romance that takes place over an extended period of time; I'm a weak bitch for a slow-burn march to a courtship!!!!)
Anyway, unlike Rob, I'm leaving a five-star Goodreads rating from the jump!
Content warning: Familial illness
June 22, 2024
No one-star rating from me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
On the night Angus Stoat proposes to Gabby Alvarez in a NYC midtown bar, Gabby’s best friend Natalie Shapiro meets Angus’ best friend Rob Kapinsky for the first time. Their banter is fun and flirtatious, there’s a definite vibe, but Natalie has a boyfriend and Rob has a plane to catch so they somewhat reluctantly part ways, but occasionally text over the next year and a half.
Their second meeting at Angus and Gabby‘s wedding is decidedly less friendly, in fact it’s downright hostile. Natalie now hates Rob because he had the nerve to give her first novel a one-star rating on Goodreads. Rob feels justifiably disappointed in Natalie after what he discovered she’d written on page 28.
But, over the years they keep crossing paths, unable to avoid each other because of their shared connection through their best friends. And every time they come into contact, they can’t help being drawn to one another, and unwittingly an attraction is growing between them. Will Natalie and Rob ever admit that they have feelings for one another?
Out of all the contemporary romantic comedies that I have rated five stars this year, and this includes Katherine Center’s, The Rom-Commers and Emily Henry’s, Funny Story, Laura Hankin’s, One-Star Romance is my top favourite for 2024. I would even go as far as to say that it’s one of my top romances of all time. I loved it! If I had to compare it to anything I would say that it shares commonalities with the Katherine Heigl 2010 movie, Life as We Know it, and the TV series Love Life (2020) starring Anna Kendrick.
One-Star Romance contained several of my most favourite romantic tropes including enemies to lovers, hate to love, slow-burn, forced proximity, forced to share a bed, love triangle, and open-door (although not quite all the way 😉). The book was sexy, sweet, emotional, touching, hilariously funny, and the author nailed every character's reactions, emotions, and dialogue in all situations. Due to the time jumps the plot never grew stale, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ways these brief windows into their various life stages furthered, stalled or derailed, and eventually cemented Natalie and Rob’s relationship. The timeline took place over a ten-year period (2013-2023) and also (briefly) included COVID. Natalie narrated more chapters than Rob with the occasional third-party chiming in.
I adored Natalie and Rob, both together and separately. Yes, Natalie was a hot mess at times, and she didn’t have her head screwed on as much as the other characters, and her harsh treatment of Angus was unwarranted, as was her possessive jealous streak towards Gabby, yet her flaws only endeared her to me more, and as someone who is also resistance to change, I found her hugely relatable. Furthermore, Natalie was only twenty-four at the beginning of the novel, so of course she didn’t have it all together.
Getting back to Angus, I adored him. How could anyone not love Angus, Natalie? 😡 I would be forever indebted to Laura Hankin if she wrote an Angus like character as a male romantic lead for a future plot. Not that Rob wasn’t amazing as well, I adored him just as much as Angus, but it was refreshing to enjoy a secondary romance as much as the main one. There was also a third romantic pairing that was all kinds of awesome as well but that one needs to remain under wraps.
One-Star Romance was also a novel about the enduring power of friendship – the highs and lows, the unwavering loyalty, the strain and toll of maintaining a close bond when one is out growing the other, and lives are moving in different directions – separated by geography, career, marriage and family.
The author read her own audiobook and if she ever decides she needs a back up career (based on this book my vote is no) she would definitely excel as a narrator of contemporary romances. Flawless!
Honestly, I never wanted this book to end, I even put off listening to the last 20% just to prolong it. Every moment I spent with these characters was gratifying, and I will definitely be re-reading this one to experience it all over again.
I cannot wait to pick up Laura Hankin’s backlist.
P.S. I adored Gabby and Angus’s invitations. They were so fun and unique. Not like the boring ones I come up with.
P.P.S. I suspected this was going to be a spectacular read when the author’s epigraph was a quote from Dodie Smith’s, I Capture the Castle.
On the night Angus Stoat proposes to Gabby Alvarez in a NYC midtown bar, Gabby’s best friend Natalie Shapiro meets Angus’ best friend Rob Kapinsky for the first time. Their banter is fun and flirtatious, there’s a definite vibe, but Natalie has a boyfriend and Rob has a plane to catch so they somewhat reluctantly part ways, but occasionally text over the next year and a half.
Their second meeting at Angus and Gabby‘s wedding is decidedly less friendly, in fact it’s downright hostile. Natalie now hates Rob because he had the nerve to give her first novel a one-star rating on Goodreads. Rob feels justifiably disappointed in Natalie after what he discovered she’d written on page 28.
But, over the years they keep crossing paths, unable to avoid each other because of their shared connection through their best friends. And every time they come into contact, they can’t help being drawn to one another, and unwittingly an attraction is growing between them. Will Natalie and Rob ever admit that they have feelings for one another?
Out of all the contemporary romantic comedies that I have rated five stars this year, and this includes Katherine Center’s, The Rom-Commers and Emily Henry’s, Funny Story, Laura Hankin’s, One-Star Romance is my top favourite for 2024. I would even go as far as to say that it’s one of my top romances of all time. I loved it! If I had to compare it to anything I would say that it shares commonalities with the Katherine Heigl 2010 movie, Life as We Know it, and the TV series Love Life (2020) starring Anna Kendrick.
One-Star Romance contained several of my most favourite romantic tropes including enemies to lovers, hate to love, slow-burn, forced proximity, forced to share a bed, love triangle, and open-door (although not quite all the way 😉). The book was sexy, sweet, emotional, touching, hilariously funny, and the author nailed every character's reactions, emotions, and dialogue in all situations. Due to the time jumps the plot never grew stale, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ways these brief windows into their various life stages furthered, stalled or derailed, and eventually cemented Natalie and Rob’s relationship. The timeline took place over a ten-year period (2013-2023) and also (briefly) included COVID. Natalie narrated more chapters than Rob with the occasional third-party chiming in.
I adored Natalie and Rob, both together and separately. Yes, Natalie was a hot mess at times, and she didn’t have her head screwed on as much as the other characters, and her harsh treatment of Angus was unwarranted, as was her possessive jealous streak towards Gabby, yet her flaws only endeared her to me more, and as someone who is also resistance to change, I found her hugely relatable. Furthermore, Natalie was only twenty-four at the beginning of the novel, so of course she didn’t have it all together.
Getting back to Angus, I adored him. How could anyone not love Angus, Natalie? 😡 I would be forever indebted to Laura Hankin if she wrote an Angus like character as a male romantic lead for a future plot. Not that Rob wasn’t amazing as well, I adored him just as much as Angus, but it was refreshing to enjoy a secondary romance as much as the main one. There was also a third romantic pairing that was all kinds of awesome as well but that one needs to remain under wraps.
One-Star Romance was also a novel about the enduring power of friendship – the highs and lows, the unwavering loyalty, the strain and toll of maintaining a close bond when one is out growing the other, and lives are moving in different directions – separated by geography, career, marriage and family.
The author read her own audiobook and if she ever decides she needs a back up career (based on this book my vote is no) she would definitely excel as a narrator of contemporary romances. Flawless!
Honestly, I never wanted this book to end, I even put off listening to the last 20% just to prolong it. Every moment I spent with these characters was gratifying, and I will definitely be re-reading this one to experience it all over again.
I cannot wait to pick up Laura Hankin’s backlist.
P.S. I adored Gabby and Angus’s invitations. They were so fun and unique. Not like the boring ones I come up with.
P.P.S. I suspected this was going to be a spectacular read when the author’s epigraph was a quote from Dodie Smith’s, I Capture the Castle.
June 17, 2024
Despite what seems like a rom-com'y cover and title, this is more in line with women's fiction as it's a story told over quite a few years, in a style that's almost ONE DAY-ish/YOU, AGAIN, with the characters popping in and out each other orbit but not being together for.. well, most of the book.
The pitch of ONE STAR ROMANCE is snappy and the moment itself didn't totally disappoint but there's definitely a lot more nuance involved in the act of leaving that one star and it's a situation that carries through almost right to the end. Additionally, this story tackles the ups and downs of life, the pitfalls of being a writer and working in academia, the evolution of relationships and friendships, grief, and more.
I'll admit, though, what kept me from bumping this up any higher (and I continually waffled on the half star) was the main female character, Natalie. While I do felt she had character development and had grown over the course of the story, including reaping some consequences for her actions, I just wish there had maybe been more grovelling, more apologies even. Maybe even a little more discussion about her investment in her best friend's life. We definitely touched on all these things but this wasn't a short book and I think we could've let these bits breathe a little more.
But everything else was pretty great. I really liked Rob, our romantic lead. I loved his bestie, Angus, who was definitely the dark horse of the whole experience. And finally there was Natalie's bestie Gabby who had an unexpected and incredibly emotional plotline that moved me to tears.
If you're looking for a story that doesn't take shortcuts, where the romance and happily ever after is hard earned, with plenty of bookish content and publishing references, you might want to give this one a try.
3.5 stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
The pitch of ONE STAR ROMANCE is snappy and the moment itself didn't totally disappoint but there's definitely a lot more nuance involved in the act of leaving that one star and it's a situation that carries through almost right to the end. Additionally, this story tackles the ups and downs of life, the pitfalls of being a writer and working in academia, the evolution of relationships and friendships, grief, and more.
I'll admit, though, what kept me from bumping this up any higher (and I continually waffled on the half star) was the main female character, Natalie. While I do felt she had character development and had grown over the course of the story, including reaping some consequences for her actions, I just wish there had maybe been more grovelling, more apologies even. Maybe even a little more discussion about her investment in her best friend's life. We definitely touched on all these things but this wasn't a short book and I think we could've let these bits breathe a little more.
But everything else was pretty great. I really liked Rob, our romantic lead. I loved his bestie, Angus, who was definitely the dark horse of the whole experience. And finally there was Natalie's bestie Gabby who had an unexpected and incredibly emotional plotline that moved me to tears.
If you're looking for a story that doesn't take shortcuts, where the romance and happily ever after is hard earned, with plenty of bookish content and publishing references, you might want to give this one a try.
3.5 stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
September 15, 2024
i am offcially announcing myself as president of the I-HATE-NATALIE club
July 3, 2024
I loved the combination of romance/women’s fiction/coming of age that this book encapsulates. There are a few LOL moments, but more heartfelt ones as we watch these characters grow, both within themselves and their relationships. And while it is a bit more focused on friendships, there is a very nice slow burn romance that is worth sticking around for.
🎧 I am absolutely blown away by Laura Hankin’s narration. Few fiction authors are able to narrate their own work in such a skilled manner and consequently, would wholeheartedly recommend reading this one with your ears to hear the story as Hankin herself recreates it.
Read if you like:
• enemies to friends to lovers
• forced proximity
• books about books and writers
• Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
🎧 I am absolutely blown away by Laura Hankin’s narration. Few fiction authors are able to narrate their own work in such a skilled manner and consequently, would wholeheartedly recommend reading this one with your ears to hear the story as Hankin herself recreates it.
Read if you like:
• enemies to friends to lovers
• forced proximity
• books about books and writers
• Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
Shelved as 'dnf'
July 6, 2024i always wonder how the title fits the book, i hope it's sarcastic in this case
-----------------
"... was Natalie actually looking for a romantic relationship with her or did she just want someone to replace her best friend who had clearly given her abandonment issues"
That about says it all I think (though not really, like at all) - DNF 35%
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"... was Natalie actually looking for a romantic relationship with her or did she just want someone to replace her best friend who had clearly given her abandonment issues"
That about says it all I think (though not really, like at all) - DNF 35%
June 6, 2024
Review coming soon.
June 18, 2024
Book of the Month billed this as a romance. Hankin herself refers to it as a romantic comedy.
It is neither.
Yes, there are romantic elements. Yes, the relationship between Natalie and Rob is a key element. However, the love of Natalie's life is...Gabby.
Gabby is who the central conflict of Natalie's story revolves around. Gabby is who Natalie thinks of first at virtually every turn. Gabby is the relationship Natalie is most concerned about throughout the book. Gabby is who Natalie is quite clearly in love with from the very first moment we see them together.
This obviously wasn't intentional. Hankin did not set out to write a novel about lesbian isolation and alienation in a heteronormative world and the ways in which heterosexual, patriarchal social milestones are inherently damaging to lesbians' sense of identity and self-worth. At least, I assume she didn't. It'd be a weird choice to then shop that as a romantic comedy.
Yet...that is what this is. At no point does Rob seem like a real romantic option from Natalie's point of view. He's there, she thinks about him sometimes, but never to the extent that she does Gabby. At best, Rob is positioned as her ticket out of marginalised solitude and into the respectable, suburban milieu.
This is all too bad because Natalie is clearly the love of Rob's life. While his backstory and character arc are given more depth and outside conflict, they also centre primarily around Natalie. Even when the two don't interact for months at a time, his thoughts are about Natalie. It results in an infuriating, lopsided narrative because while Rob's happiness is easy to cheer for, it is painfully clear that Natalie simply isn't capable of giving him what he wants.
All of this is without getting into the more technical aspects of writing craft, which Hankin seems to struggle with a bit. In particular, the roving third person structure doesn't differentiate character voices enough to easily tell when a chapter is from Rob's POV and when it's from Natalie's. The only semi-distinctive voice was the chapter or so from a third character's perspective, and even that is mostly just inference because she's the only person in the room.
I will say that Hankin seemed to do something a bit interesting in that the early chapters are written more like those of an inexperienced writer while the later ones are more polished. It's subtle, and I'd have to re-read to be absolutely sure it was intentional, but it was a quirk that lingered in the back of my mind as I read.
Sadly, one quirk is not enough to overcome a fundamental disconnect between what Hankin intended and what she actually wrote. If this had been billed as lesbian fiction...actually, I still probably would've given it one or two stars because it's no longer 1942, but I at least would have agreed that it had been categorised properly.
It is neither.
Yes, there are romantic elements. Yes, the relationship between Natalie and Rob is a key element. However, the love of Natalie's life is...Gabby.
Gabby is who the central conflict of Natalie's story revolves around. Gabby is who Natalie thinks of first at virtually every turn. Gabby is the relationship Natalie is most concerned about throughout the book. Gabby is who Natalie is quite clearly in love with from the very first moment we see them together.
This obviously wasn't intentional. Hankin did not set out to write a novel about lesbian isolation and alienation in a heteronormative world and the ways in which heterosexual, patriarchal social milestones are inherently damaging to lesbians' sense of identity and self-worth. At least, I assume she didn't. It'd be a weird choice to then shop that as a romantic comedy.
Yet...that is what this is. At no point does Rob seem like a real romantic option from Natalie's point of view. He's there, she thinks about him sometimes, but never to the extent that she does Gabby. At best, Rob is positioned as her ticket out of marginalised solitude and into the respectable, suburban milieu.
This is all too bad because Natalie is clearly the love of Rob's life. While his backstory and character arc are given more depth and outside conflict, they also centre primarily around Natalie. Even when the two don't interact for months at a time, his thoughts are about Natalie. It results in an infuriating, lopsided narrative because while Rob's happiness is easy to cheer for, it is painfully clear that Natalie simply isn't capable of giving him what he wants.
All of this is without getting into the more technical aspects of writing craft, which Hankin seems to struggle with a bit. In particular, the roving third person structure doesn't differentiate character voices enough to easily tell when a chapter is from Rob's POV and when it's from Natalie's. The only semi-distinctive voice was the chapter or so from a third character's perspective, and even that is mostly just inference because she's the only person in the room.
I will say that Hankin seemed to do something a bit interesting in that the early chapters are written more like those of an inexperienced writer while the later ones are more polished. It's subtle, and I'd have to re-read to be absolutely sure it was intentional, but it was a quirk that lingered in the back of my mind as I read.
Sadly, one quirk is not enough to overcome a fundamental disconnect between what Hankin intended and what she actually wrote. If this had been billed as lesbian fiction...actually, I still probably would've given it one or two stars because it's no longer 1942, but I at least would have agreed that it had been categorised properly.
September 21, 2024
definitely more women’s fiction than romance but cute, also natalie was DEFINITELY in love (romantically) with gabby in the beginning
May 11, 2024
The title says one star but I declare this a FIVE STAR ROMANCE. My third five star read of the year! Ive been obsessed with @laurahankin ‘s books since I read her first in 2020. She has a remarkable way of dropping you into a new world. This is a rom com about a writer who has to walk down the aisle in her best friends wedding with a guy who gave her book one star on Goodreads. But it’s also a beautiful and raw narrative on growing up and how our relationships change as we do. So much of this hit very close to home. Perfectly captures the crazy time that is your mid to late twenties and early 30s. Loved this sooooo so much.
June 8, 2024
I don’t understand how this book has an average of four stars. The protagonists are whiny, self-centered, egotistical, and just down right annoying. The plot is thin. The jumping every few years gives snapshots of these characters that does next to nothing for keeping the book interesting. I would give it zero stars if I could.
September 22, 2024
Four star not-actually-a-romance!
This book felt like it was written for me.
As if attending your best friend’s wedding as the maid of honour isn’t stressful enough, it has to be on the arm of the guy who gave your book a one-star review.
This has time jumps which accurately demonstrates the worry of growing older and feeling unaccomplished, left behind, afraid of the future. As someone who has turned 20 years old where my friends are starting to get jobs, finish their degrees, have long-term partners, even having a baby; I understand the feeling of not quite belonging. Of wondering how to transition to being an adult.
“I mean... There have been moments when I read something in a book that feels like it was written just for me. Like the author reached inside my brain, took all the thoughts I didn't know how to express, and put them into a perfect paragraph. And in those moments, I've felt so utterly connected to a person I didn't know that it made me think, 'Yes, the world can be hard, and people can be awful to each other. But there is also so much beauty in the fact that we can recognize each other like that.'" She diffled with her straw. "I want to be able to give that feeling to other people.”
I would NOT classify this as a romance. It is more of a contemporary lit fic studying Natalie’s life as she transitions from new adult to mid-30s feeling like everything is moving forward except her.
Yes, she makes some bad decisions, says some crappy things, jumps to conclusions; yet don’t we all?
A realistic portrayal of being/becoming a woman in the 21st century.
Bookstagram
This book felt like it was written for me.
As if attending your best friend’s wedding as the maid of honour isn’t stressful enough, it has to be on the arm of the guy who gave your book a one-star review.
This has time jumps which accurately demonstrates the worry of growing older and feeling unaccomplished, left behind, afraid of the future. As someone who has turned 20 years old where my friends are starting to get jobs, finish their degrees, have long-term partners, even having a baby; I understand the feeling of not quite belonging. Of wondering how to transition to being an adult.
“I mean... There have been moments when I read something in a book that feels like it was written just for me. Like the author reached inside my brain, took all the thoughts I didn't know how to express, and put them into a perfect paragraph. And in those moments, I've felt so utterly connected to a person I didn't know that it made me think, 'Yes, the world can be hard, and people can be awful to each other. But there is also so much beauty in the fact that we can recognize each other like that.'" She diffled with her straw. "I want to be able to give that feeling to other people.”
I would NOT classify this as a romance. It is more of a contemporary lit fic studying Natalie’s life as she transitions from new adult to mid-30s feeling like everything is moving forward except her.
Yes, she makes some bad decisions, says some crappy things, jumps to conclusions; yet don’t we all?
A realistic portrayal of being/becoming a woman in the 21st century.
Bookstagram
August 8, 2024
did the author write this just to complain about one star ratings on goodreads
(dnf at pg 151)
(dnf at pg 151)
July 10, 2024
Edit 6-30-2024
I originally gave this book 2 stars. But then I sat on it for a week and a half and you know what? I’ve 1-starred books for less egregious issues than I had with this one. So fuck it. ONE FUCKING STAR.
This is a book about a sad woman whose life is going absolutely nowhere. A woman who’s in love to the point of obsession with her female best friend but refuses to admit it, and instead gets jealous that said BFF has other people in her life to pay attention to besides her, so she writes a book about it and proceeds to make everyone around her uncomfortable for like, 10 whole ass years. All while being allergic to accountability.
I did NOT enjoy this book. I HATED Natalie. Rob (and Gabby, too!) Deserved sooo much better! Natalie needs a lot of therapy to learn how not to be a selfish, narcissistic cow.
Reader’s Notes:
That being said. Hankin's writing is pretty good. I can admire the craft while simultaneously disliking the creation. This author has promise. This book just... I don't think it was marketed appropriately. It comes off as a lighthearted enemies to lovers love story. And while the 2 main characters do somehow inexplicably end up together, it takes them more than a decade, 2 outside failed relationships, one of their parents getting dementia, a 3rd act break up that makes no sense, and a friend's serious medical diagnosis/surgery for it to happen. All while they go literal years without seeing each other in between.
This book is dark. Moody. And, for me, mostly infuriating. I tend to rate based on my enjoyment... and I didn't. Period.
I originally gave this book 2 stars. But then I sat on it for a week and a half and you know what? I’ve 1-starred books for less egregious issues than I had with this one. So fuck it. ONE FUCKING STAR.
This is a book about a sad woman whose life is going absolutely nowhere. A woman who’s in love to the point of obsession with her female best friend but refuses to admit it, and instead gets jealous that said BFF has other people in her life to pay attention to besides her, so she writes a book about it and proceeds to make everyone around her uncomfortable for like, 10 whole ass years. All while being allergic to accountability.
I did NOT enjoy this book. I HATED Natalie. Rob (and Gabby, too!) Deserved sooo much better! Natalie needs a lot of therapy to learn how not to be a selfish, narcissistic cow.
Reader’s Notes:
That being said. Hankin's writing is pretty good. I can admire the craft while simultaneously disliking the creation. This author has promise. This book just... I don't think it was marketed appropriately. It comes off as a lighthearted enemies to lovers love story. And while the 2 main characters do somehow inexplicably end up together, it takes them more than a decade, 2 outside failed relationships, one of their parents getting dementia, a 3rd act break up that makes no sense, and a friend's serious medical diagnosis/surgery for it to happen. All while they go literal years without seeing each other in between.
This book is dark. Moody. And, for me, mostly infuriating. I tend to rate based on my enjoyment... and I didn't. Period.
September 14, 2024
Nat & Rob are best friends of a newly engaged couple, when Natalie realizes that Rob gave her book a 1 star rating on GoodReads (on the nose?) and then they have to walk down the aisle together at their BFF's wedding. I loved this premise so much. I loved the banter and I found myself completely invested in this couple and the whole will-they, won't-they plot.
Things that I didn't love: slow to get going, hard to figure out what was happening initially, there was so much time between scenes and I found that mildly unbelievable that these two just wouldn't even talk to each other. I felt the trauma parts were a little manufactured to get our emotions invested and wasn't necessary.
Things that I didn't love: slow to get going, hard to figure out what was happening initially, there was so much time between scenes and I found that mildly unbelievable that these two just wouldn't even talk to each other. I felt the trauma parts were a little manufactured to get our emotions invested and wasn't necessary.
June 19, 2024
it took me a minute of sitting with this one to decide if I liked it or not but I've decieded that I LOVED this one.
TLDR: natalie is the maid of honor at her best friend's wedding and right before the ceremony she discovers that the best man who she is about to walk down the aisle with, rated her book one star. we then follow the next decade-ish of them in and out of each other's orbits because of their best friends
I definitely would not describe it as your typical romance book... but I don't know what I would describe it as... the first books that come to mind when I'm trying to think about how to talk about it are Funny lou Should Ask and Romantic Comedy. Not because of any Hollywood aspect but those feel like slightly more subtle romances that feature characters (specifically women) in their mid 30s spanning many years
I think I struggled with this book at first because of the nature of the characters at the beginning of the book and how (quite frankly) annoying and self-centered they were... but looking back it makes a lot of sense. when we meet these characters they're in their mid 20s and struggling (relatable) while pretending that have it totally together and all figured out (relatable) but are really just grappling for a sense of identity and purpose and security (RELATABLE) but we get to watch them grow up and slip into their thirties and we see how much their life and expectations for themselves evolves with time and how much of their 20-something selves and actions are a reflection of their own insecurities and a front for the imposter syndrome they were facing. we watch them live basically a thousand different lives juxtaposed against the simultaneous life trajectory and timeline and accomplishments of their best friends who are following a very traditional marriage -> promotions -> kids -> house in the subarbs kind of life
this book is so thoughtfully written and executed those underlying themes of identity and purpose and "milestones" and failure beautifully and it is something I both struggled to read (hit too close to home - I don't want to begin to think of how embarrassed my 36 year old self is going to be of current 26 year old me) and really appreciated as someone in my mid 20s grappling with a lot of the same insecurities and identity crisies who just wants to know everything is going to be okay. watching where natalie and rob end up, how dreams evolve, and how life finds a way of working out for the best felt like a security blanket in many ways. and watching these two meet then live a whole lot of life in order to become the people they needed to be to end up together was beautiful
TLDR: natalie is the maid of honor at her best friend's wedding and right before the ceremony she discovers that the best man who she is about to walk down the aisle with, rated her book one star. we then follow the next decade-ish of them in and out of each other's orbits because of their best friends
I definitely would not describe it as your typical romance book... but I don't know what I would describe it as... the first books that come to mind when I'm trying to think about how to talk about it are Funny lou Should Ask and Romantic Comedy. Not because of any Hollywood aspect but those feel like slightly more subtle romances that feature characters (specifically women) in their mid 30s spanning many years
I think I struggled with this book at first because of the nature of the characters at the beginning of the book and how (quite frankly) annoying and self-centered they were... but looking back it makes a lot of sense. when we meet these characters they're in their mid 20s and struggling (relatable) while pretending that have it totally together and all figured out (relatable) but are really just grappling for a sense of identity and purpose and security (RELATABLE) but we get to watch them grow up and slip into their thirties and we see how much their life and expectations for themselves evolves with time and how much of their 20-something selves and actions are a reflection of their own insecurities and a front for the imposter syndrome they were facing. we watch them live basically a thousand different lives juxtaposed against the simultaneous life trajectory and timeline and accomplishments of their best friends who are following a very traditional marriage -> promotions -> kids -> house in the subarbs kind of life
this book is so thoughtfully written and executed those underlying themes of identity and purpose and "milestones" and failure beautifully and it is something I both struggled to read (hit too close to home - I don't want to begin to think of how embarrassed my 36 year old self is going to be of current 26 year old me) and really appreciated as someone in my mid 20s grappling with a lot of the same insecurities and identity crisies who just wants to know everything is going to be okay. watching where natalie and rob end up, how dreams evolve, and how life finds a way of working out for the best felt like a security blanket in many ways. and watching these two meet then live a whole lot of life in order to become the people they needed to be to end up together was beautiful
August 21, 2024
Update: decided on a full 5 stars bc I can’t stop thinking about it and there’s nothing I’d change about this book
4.5 stars, possibly a full 5 but I need to sit on it. I loved this so much
4.5 stars, possibly a full 5 but I need to sit on it. I loved this so much
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April 14, 2024DNF 51%!
This is not my kind of book!!! I tried but I gave up
This is not my kind of book!!! I tried but I gave up
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