Just the Way You Are by Lynsey James
on May 8, 2015
Genres: Romance, New Adult, Women’s Fiction
Format: Kindle
Source: Netgalley
Four Stars
Dear Ava,How do you start writing a letter to someone, six years after breaking their heart?
Ava is unlucky in love as well as in life. The new office bitch has landed the dating column Ava wanted, and she can’t remember the last time she had a second date. It’s a good thing she has best friends Max and Gwen to pick up the pieces.
Deep down, Ava knows the reason why one date never turns into two – she’s in love with someone else. Someone she’s never even met.
It all started six years ago, with a letter from a secret admirer, Mr Writer…but then they suddenly stopped and Ava was heartbroken.
Now the letters have started again and Ava knows it could mean winning back the dating column at work. This time she’s determined to unmask Mr Writer…and find out once and for all if he’s Mr Right or Mr Very Definitely Wrong!
Ava Clements has a bad history with love and marriage. Her mom has been married seven times and her last boyfriend moved to Hong Kong to get away from her. Writing the wedding column for Sleek magazine just adds insult to injury. Ava doesn’t believe in happy endings as she never had hers. Six years ago Ava had a secret admirer, Mr. Writer, whose letters made her fall in love and when their planned meeting never happened she turned away from love. Now the letters have started again. Can Ava believe in the possibility of love and have her own happy ending?
The Good –
- This was a nice shift from the formulaic romance – Girl and Boy meet, fall in love, something happens to pull them apart then they find a way to get back together. In this story Girl and Boy never meet but fall in love. It added a nice twist that made me stay up till 2 a.m. to finish the book.
- Ava was well fleshed out and her world felt real.
- The story had solid pacing. When a big event happens two/thirds of the way through, the remainder does not feel forced but well drawn out.
The In-Between –
- Ava’s best friends were not as well fleshed out despite being prominent characters. I found their back stories and current lives a little hazy.
- An animosity between Ava and a co-worker felt forced to ensure a conflict.
The Bad –
- A situation with Ava’s bosses was bizarre and never really resolved.
All in all this was a good, solid debut by Lynsey James. I read it in one sitting and it brought to mind Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella. I would recommend this as a great summer pool side read.
Check out Just the Way You Are here.
This review contributed by 125 Pages. Laura is an addict. She reads 5-8 books a week. In addition to writing her own book reviews, she frequents other book review and blogger sites for just that little bit more.
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