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Shaun's Reviews > True Believer
True Believer (Jeremy Marsh & Lexie Darnell, #1)
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Picked this up at a consignment shop. I was familiar with some of Sparks' other books which have been adapted into films, but had never read anything by him.
This was okay. Sparks has a talent for creating interesting and substantial characters (at least when they're not being annoyingly silly), and the writing is fine.
The story here isn't bad, either...or at least not all bad. Unfortunately, certain elements border on sappy-you-got-to-be-kidding-me. ***News Flash*** Intelligent women don't find guys who profess their love after 2 days and a roll in the hay as romantic or attractive. To the contrary, we think it's a little creepy. It doesn't make our hearts pitter-patter or our cheeks flush red.
If only he had stretched the relationship out, I think it might have been more believable and more satisfying.
Overall, an easy read with some redeeming qualities but that also panders to cliches and stereotypes. That said, I purchased the second book in the series at the same consignment shop, and I'll read it at some point. I'd also read something else by this author when I'm in the mood for sappy and predictable.
This was okay. Sparks has a talent for creating interesting and substantial characters (at least when they're not being annoyingly silly), and the writing is fine.
The story here isn't bad, either...or at least not all bad. Unfortunately, certain elements border on sappy-you-got-to-be-kidding-me. ***News Flash*** Intelligent women don't find guys who profess their love after 2 days and a roll in the hay as romantic or attractive. To the contrary, we think it's a little creepy. It doesn't make our hearts pitter-patter or our cheeks flush red.
If only he had stretched the relationship out, I think it might have been more believable and more satisfying.
Overall, an easy read with some redeeming qualities but that also panders to cliches and stereotypes. That said, I purchased the second book in the series at the same consignment shop, and I'll read it at some point. I'd also read something else by this author when I'm in the mood for sappy and predictable.
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Reading Progress
February 20, 2015
–
Started Reading
February 20, 2015
– Shelved
February 22, 2015
–
Finished Reading
February 24, 2015
– Shelved as:
read-in-2015
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Caroline
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Feb 23, 2015 07:50AM
Gosh that last sentence is damning! :O)
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Caroline wrote: "Gosh that last sentence is damning! :O)"Ha, ha...well, you know, sometimes sappy and predictable is okay...seriously. It's like watching a movie of the week on TLC. It's comfortable and familiar and great for just vegging out because it doesn't require (actually discourages) too much thought or introspection.
No - I totally understand where you are coming from. Similarly, I have weird demands of my bedtime reading. Most of all the job of bedtime books is to make me want to go to sleep! They can't be boring in the sense that they are badly written, but they must definitely press my snooze button, rather than stimulate. In fact I very seldom review my bedtime reading books, because my criteria for liking them is so peculiar.....
You're review made me laugh! This seems to be a theme in many of his books! That whole instant connection thing. I like his writing, but what helped me the most in understanding his style and that "you've got to be kidding me" thing is reading his memoir/adventure with his brother book called "Three Weeks With My Brother." While not the most eloquent title, this book really put his writing into perspective for me. His books are quite sappy sometimes, but after reading this book, I felt like I understand that he TRULY is like that, it's not just for the "AHHHHH- how sweet" factor that so many romance novels try (unsuccessfully) to induce. And it seems to be based on early life experiences. Anyway, if you ever have the desire to read more of his books, you'll know that he comes by it honestly.
You're review made me laugh! This seems to be a theme in many of his books! That whole instant connection thing. I like his writing, but what helped me the most in understanding his style and that "you've got to be kidding me" thing is reading his memoir/adventure with his brother book called "Three Weeks With My Brother." While not the most eloquent title, this book really put his writing into perspective for me. His books are quite sappy sometimes, but after reading this book, I felt like I understand that he TRULY is like that, it's not just for the "AHHHHH- how sweet" factor that so many romance novels try (unsuccessfully) to induce. And it seems to be based on early life experiences. Anyway, if you ever have the desire to read more of his books, you'll know that he comes by it honestly.
Cindy wrote: "You're review made me laugh! This seems to be a theme in many of his books! That whole instant connection thing. I like his writing, but what helped me the most in understanding his style and that ..."That's all very interesting. I had no idea. As I mentioned in the review, I have seen some of his more popular titles adapted to the big screen (years ago), but this was my first experience reading one of his books. I still have not picked up the second book in this series, but I will eventually. I didn't hate this and sometimes "sappy" is just what the doctor ordered.
