TITLE: Holding Out For A Hero
AUTHOR: Victoria Van Tiem
GENRE: Chick-Lit, Contemporary Romance
PUBLISHING DATE: January 14, 2016 by Macmillan
AMAZON | GOODREADS | BARNES & NOBLE
Their love survived the 80s. She wished she hadn’t.
A funny, bitter-sweet romantic dramedy set to an 80’s soundtrack, proving first love never truly dies…
Libby London fell in love in with the 80s, came of age in the 90s, and now, in the 21st Century, she’s completely falling apart… Her New York City fashion sensibility is more ‘vintage tragedy’ than ‘retro babe’ and might just be what’s holding her back in all matters of life and love… At least that’s what her well-meaning friends think. They’ve staged a #80sIntervention in an effort to bring Libby bang up-to-date. But how do you move forward when the one you love holds you in the past?
Between her dreaded birthday party, friend’s madcap ambush, and being forced to relocate her Pretty In Pink thrift shop, Libby’s nearing the end of the rope… If her therapist isn’t quick, it could be a literal one.
Book Review
Wow, did this book give me more than what I thought it would.
I didn’t think I would come to love Holding Out For A Hero as much as I do right now. It’s quite hard to explain why without giving out spoilers, but I’ll try as best as I can!
The #80sIntervention
I was a bit hesitant while reading this book because I knew I wouldn’t understand most of the 80s references that could possibly be mentioned in it. Of course, my assumption was correct, but that doesn’t mean it made me dislike the book.
I don’t think you’ll need to know anything about the 80s to love Holding Out For A Hero. Actually, it might even help give you suggestions on what you could look for if you want to know anything about it, though most of the references were from 80’s music and movies.
And as for the #80sIntervention thing, I kind of loved Libby’s friends and how they thought it could help Libby get over the 80s, even though she kept on asking them to stop. I adore how much Dora and others cared about their friend, and knew that Libby should move on or else nothing better will come out of her life. I mean, that’s what friends are for, right?
The Characters
At first, I didn’t feel any attachment to Libby. But halfway through the book–and after knowing stuff about her previous life–I came to sympathize with her. She wanted to move on, but she also didn’t want to forget anything. She was stuck in the 80s because she felt responsible for that accident, and I kind of understood her points.
I liked that she was trying her best to support her friends’ intervention thing because she didn’t want to disappoint them and stuff, even though she wanted it to stop the moment it started.
Also, I kind of loved Dora. She’s always so cheerful and energetic, even though she got on Libby’s nerves sometimes.
And as for Jasper, I loved him the moment I was introduced to him in the book. Of course, I already knew he’d be the love interest in the end, because it was so obvious. But even so, I liked that he was the root of the #80sIntervention plan. He’s that I’ll-always-be-there-for-you kind of guy in books, and how can that be not charming?!
The Plot
I really loved the dark theme hidden in this book. It was something I was suspecting but wasn’t sure of before it was revealed halfway through the story. I didn’t even know this book would be the kind to have that kind of thing in it when I read the synopsis, but that was exactly the reason why I loved Holding Out For A Hero–it surprised me. Of course, there were other times when I could guess what was about to happen, but that didn’t put me off much at all.
The “Dates”
I enjoyed reading Libby’s “dates” and how funny everything turned out! Of course, it was terrible on her part, but for me, it was quite hilarious. I still hate her “criminal” date though. That was some douche-y thing to do if you ask me. Good thing he was unfortunate enough to take home Bluebeard. HAH. Serves you right.
If I could pick, I’d have to say I loved Libby’s “brain” date the most. It’s funny how everything turned out, although the fact that Dora had to lie about Libby being “you know” was a bit over-the-top. Even so, it made things funnier, so I don’t really mind.
(Of course, if I could really pick, I’d choose the “Basket Case.” *winks*)
Overall, I enjoyed reading Holding Out For A Hero. It was a light read (except for that dark theme I mentioned, which you’ll have to find out for yourself because I don’t want to spoil anyone. *evil grin*) and definitely gave me the laughs. It’s surely book you’d want to try out if you love a good, funny book with a bit of ups and downs here and there.
You can find Holding Out For a Hero here.
Guest review contributed by Mara Was Here. Mara Was Here is a book blog that reviews books–mostly YA–and talks about anything bookish, as well as publishing discussion posts and other features.
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