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Trying
Mandy thinks the most interesting thing about herself is her boyfriend, Cal. He makes her proud, not because he's anything special, but because they've just taken the step of moving across the country and getting a grown-up apartment, the start to sharing what she hopes will be the rest of their lives. Cal, though, really moved for work, a government project he can't tell Mandy about. So instead, they spend their time together wandering the city, work-secrets lofting between them as they sip cheap drinks during happy hour specials. Yeah, they have a simple, happy, big-city life, but it's one Mandy loves. Or so she thinks.
Cal's secret job deals in classified information, knowledge so powerful and dangerous that the government has found a unique way to make sure no one person knows too it's poisonous in large doses. Unfortunately for some, like Cal, it's also addictive. The more Mandy learns about Cal's work, the more she realizes how much of him she has already lost. Unless she can figure out how to save him, the same intellectual curiosity that made him so attractive when she was just a student and he was her professor is the same thing that might tear them apart forever.
Cal's secret job deals in classified information, knowledge so powerful and dangerous that the government has found a unique way to make sure no one person knows too it's poisonous in large doses. Unfortunately for some, like Cal, it's also addictive. The more Mandy learns about Cal's work, the more she realizes how much of him she has already lost. Unless she can figure out how to save him, the same intellectual curiosity that made him so attractive when she was just a student and he was her professor is the same thing that might tear them apart forever.
188 pages, Paperback
First published December 4, 2012
218 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 7, 2013
An impressive debut novel, with an interesting premise and, most importantly for me, a lot of nice turns of phrase and use of language. The descriptions are vivid and precise without being overwhelming, and the concept is fun. It says "Romance" on the back as it's category which I think is too much of a pigeon hole, it's just a novel about people in a broader and nicer sense of what a novel can be. Also fun to be reminded of some lovely places in DC from my time there so long ago, which really popped beautifully in the telling.
SPOILER ALERT:
The only thing I left confused about is, why was Cal actually dating Mandy in the first place? Or in the second place? Or agreeing to move with her to DC or pursuing their relationship at all? I never understood that and it never made sense to me in the scope of things, though it didn't prevent me from enjoying the book, it nagged at me.
SPOILER ALERT:
The only thing I left confused about is, why was Cal actually dating Mandy in the first place? Or in the second place? Or agreeing to move with her to DC or pursuing their relationship at all? I never understood that and it never made sense to me in the scope of things, though it didn't prevent me from enjoying the book, it nagged at me.
March 14, 2013
This is the same review I posted on Amazon: I haven't read many romances, and I wasn't sure what to expect from one built within a sci-fi framework, but this novel kept me interested throughout. Gale balances multiple POVs and maintains the readers interest with sharp, bouncy prose. The central allegory creates stakes well beyond a break-up, which develops a bond between the reader and the various narrators. It's a very enjoyable read and a great buy.
June 28, 2013
**I received this book as a first reads giveaway**
This starts off with a fairly common/believable premise. A couple is graduating college, finding jobs, and moving to a new city together. The stage is set early on that one person is more committed to the relationship, while the other is committed to "life/employment goals" so to speak. You know there is bound to be conflict which always makes things entertaining. While this is listed as being part of the romance genre, it really moves away from a typical girly chick lit book. I think that the author does a good job of moving the story along without standing still at any given point for too long. This is a short book in and of itself, and had i actually sat down to read, I would have finished in maybe 2 or 3 hours. I felt that there is an appropriate level of character and plot development, without either coming out of balance. The method in which the story was told is also fairly unique- chapters alternate viewpoints of the different characters. While this method isn't entirely unique, it really worked well for this story. I would like to see more from this author in the future, ideally something longer, that had the "time" to get into a more in-depth story line/plot. Overall, good read, would pass it along to a friend.
This starts off with a fairly common/believable premise. A couple is graduating college, finding jobs, and moving to a new city together. The stage is set early on that one person is more committed to the relationship, while the other is committed to "life/employment goals" so to speak. You know there is bound to be conflict which always makes things entertaining. While this is listed as being part of the romance genre, it really moves away from a typical girly chick lit book. I think that the author does a good job of moving the story along without standing still at any given point for too long. This is a short book in and of itself, and had i actually sat down to read, I would have finished in maybe 2 or 3 hours. I felt that there is an appropriate level of character and plot development, without either coming out of balance. The method in which the story was told is also fairly unique- chapters alternate viewpoints of the different characters. While this method isn't entirely unique, it really worked well for this story. I would like to see more from this author in the future, ideally something longer, that had the "time" to get into a more in-depth story line/plot. Overall, good read, would pass it along to a friend.
July 20, 2014
I won the book as a first reads giveaway. When I received it, I saw that it clearly states romance on the back of the book. Most romance books are though enjoyale, somewhat predictable. You will find none of that here. Great mix of sci-fi meets romance without all of the fluff. Very original. Truly a bright future awaits this author. When is her next book coming out? I'm in.
May 3, 2013
My bestfriend received this as a goodreads giveaway. I look forward to reading it and will leave my thoughts. I enjoyed this otherworldly love story. I loved the way Gale told the story and the attention given to detail. I was sad but pleasantly surprised with Cal. I look forward to a promising future for this writer.
August 6, 2015
I got this book for free via a GoodReads contest. I REALLY enjoyed it! it wasn't a normal love triangle, nor was it a normal story...I just really enjoyed it. looking forward to another from this author :)
Want to read
December 11, 2012The description of Trying piqued my curiosity so I decided to enter the first-reads giveaway and to my surprise I was a winner! Looking forward to reading this book.
December 10, 2012
This book is well written and very interesting. It is a bit of a romance but not like the typical Chic-lit books out there. Great book to curl up on the couch and avoid the cold weather.
September 11, 2014
Great writing-- story was pretty good. Finished in one sitting.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews