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The Accidental Bachelor
Finn McCallister has serious doubts about his career. The receptionist in his coastal California real estate office wears her wetsuit to work, and his eccentric boss lectures in Pidgin: Braddah Finn, tell dem kook clients to pound sand! As the last of his friends to find a customer for his surname, hungover from one singles-bar karaoke of "Heat of the Moment" too many, Finn senses his personal life, too, is circling the drain.
In an attempt to outrun his insecurities, Finn trains for a marathon and literally collides with doe-eyed veterinarian Kim, who awakens primal feelings dormant since Phoebe Cates graced the halls of Ridgemont High. As Finn gains momentum from this new relationship, he attempts to rehabilitate his toxic best friend, Carmichael, whose marriage has flatlined. Still playing point guard from their high school basketball glory days, Carmichael plans a guys' weekend in the one city diametrically opposed to rehabilitation--Las Vegas.
An epic desert battle of Finn's morals versus Carmichael's impulses results. In combat, Finn slips back into a Members Only jacket, reunites with a (now clothing-optional) prom date, clubs with a Saved by the Bell alum, and stages the ultimate 80s-tribute concert. In the heat of the moment, in a last-stand effort to save a friend, Finn risks destroying his own future.
In an attempt to outrun his insecurities, Finn trains for a marathon and literally collides with doe-eyed veterinarian Kim, who awakens primal feelings dormant since Phoebe Cates graced the halls of Ridgemont High. As Finn gains momentum from this new relationship, he attempts to rehabilitate his toxic best friend, Carmichael, whose marriage has flatlined. Still playing point guard from their high school basketball glory days, Carmichael plans a guys' weekend in the one city diametrically opposed to rehabilitation--Las Vegas.
An epic desert battle of Finn's morals versus Carmichael's impulses results. In combat, Finn slips back into a Members Only jacket, reunites with a (now clothing-optional) prom date, clubs with a Saved by the Bell alum, and stages the ultimate 80s-tribute concert. In the heat of the moment, in a last-stand effort to save a friend, Finn risks destroying his own future.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2013
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329 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 21, 2014
Finn McCallister is in his mid thirties, single, nice guy, and slowly approaching more than one cross-road in his life. He first lost one of his best friends and has difficulties in overcoming the loss. He changed his job as a result, and then needs to figure out his own motivation and choices in life and why he made them. His brother, a drug-addict and single father becomes his responsibility, by his own choice, and he meets a girls which changes his approach to everything he wanted or believed in.
It is the first book of this kind that I read and I liked the idea. The writing was well-done. The theme of the book was interesting. Getting to read the mind of a single metro-man who still has a moral compass of some sorts, who feels the need to connect with the people around him, was a good experience.
I would have starred it higher if there was more drama, excitement, suspense, or something, which raised the entertainment value of the book to me. And the ending was sort of a cliffhanger, which was a pity. It also reminded me too much of the outrageous 'The Bachelor Party Vegas 1 & 2 movies and with the endless adding of song lyrics to the prose, as a sort of background, with many movie quotes added to the tale, it really bombed out for me as a free standing book. I cannot remember all the titles of the movies in the same genre, but it did water down the soul of this book: four friends on a high school spring-break adventure to Vegas in their mid thirties. All too familiar.
I liked the idea of the book though. Very much so. It is a spotlight on the average modern man and the challenges, dreams as well as emotions they have to deal with.
The title can be debatable. In the end he proved not to be an 'accidental' bachelor at all. But it might prove differently in retrospect. I liked the flawed, interesting, contemporary characters in the story.
It is the first book of this kind that I read and I liked the idea. The writing was well-done. The theme of the book was interesting. Getting to read the mind of a single metro-man who still has a moral compass of some sorts, who feels the need to connect with the people around him, was a good experience.
I would have starred it higher if there was more drama, excitement, suspense, or something, which raised the entertainment value of the book to me. And the ending was sort of a cliffhanger, which was a pity. It also reminded me too much of the outrageous 'The Bachelor Party Vegas 1 & 2 movies and with the endless adding of song lyrics to the prose, as a sort of background, with many movie quotes added to the tale, it really bombed out for me as a free standing book. I cannot remember all the titles of the movies in the same genre, but it did water down the soul of this book: four friends on a high school spring-break adventure to Vegas in their mid thirties. All too familiar.
I liked the idea of the book though. Very much so. It is a spotlight on the average modern man and the challenges, dreams as well as emotions they have to deal with.
The title can be debatable. In the end he proved not to be an 'accidental' bachelor at all. But it might prove differently in retrospect. I liked the flawed, interesting, contemporary characters in the story.
August 13, 2013
I'm sure there are some people who may enjoy this book, but I am not one of them. It is advertised as a humor novel, and I found very little humor in it. The whole idea of a group of mid-thirties men still living in their high school days is hard to understand. All of the music lyrics sprinkled throughout the book were more of a filler to me than anything else. I am also not a marathon runner, so the long narrative during a race was, again, not something that enhanced the book to me.
I am sure that the ending is a device used by some authors, but I am the kind of reader that likes a happy ending with closure.
Some of the characters were very likeable and some of the situations were humorous and sometimes touching, but I was expecting a humor novel with a happy ending!
I am sure that the ending is a device used by some authors, but I am the kind of reader that likes a happy ending with closure.
Some of the characters were very likeable and some of the situations were humorous and sometimes touching, but I was expecting a humor novel with a happy ending!
October 22, 2019
Not very funny, though it held my interest for about half the book. Ends abruptly, as though the author couldn't quite figure out how to end the story - or the up any of the threads of the plot. Disappointing.
May 28, 2024
3rd times a charm
Of course I liked this writing so nuch I've read it three times. As a child stu?k in translate between the end of the baby boomers and the beginning of gen x this felt like reading an adventure from my life.
Of course I liked this writing so nuch I've read it three times. As a child stu?k in translate between the end of the baby boomers and the beginning of gen x this felt like reading an adventure from my life.
January 17, 2018
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
September 1, 2018
Good
Good read, drags a bit, here and there, could probably have condensed the story and it would have been just as good. Enjoy.
Good read, drags a bit, here and there, could probably have condensed the story and it would have been just as good. Enjoy.
April 16, 2020
Was a little wierd.
August 9, 2021
Strong message, not so strong a story.
Not sure how young you would have to be to identify with this story. Really wonder. I did not, but appreciated the lessons
Not sure how young you would have to be to identify with this story. Really wonder. I did not, but appreciated the lessons
May 15, 2013
For fans Jonathan Tropper, Nick Hornby or David Nichols,get this book - you will enjoy it. Like those authors, Holsten sets up his characters and develops them to the point where you can believe the circumstances they find themselves in. They are funny - sometimes I was laughing out loud on airplanes - but believable. The scenes from Las Vegas in the book reminded me of the dumb things some of my friends might have done - but those are good for laughs but don't take over the story. The central plot about Finn's self-discovery is good and keep you entertained until the end. And the ending is thoughtful - more like real life in that it is not neatly tied up but leaves some room for interpretation.
January 14, 2014
Overall this was an enjoyable book. I was intersted to see what happened, but to keep me from really enjoying the book was frustration with Finn. He just had a hard time understanding life, yet had a great perspective on everyone elses. It was confusing at times to figure out who was speaking. While I know that Kenny was a close friend that died I never really understood why he was their moral compass. Figuring out what Duke had to say at times was also confusing. An enjoyable read, but probably more for men than women.
July 10, 2013
oh dear, very tedious of quite a long time in the beginning. nearly gave up but persevered as I like to think that every book redeems itself. the story got a bit more interesting about 60% way through. until then, it was no accident that Finn was the accidental bachelor!!
October 5, 2014
This book had it's funny and touching moments, but failed to deliver in the end. I kept expecting some grand ending, but it was very sudden and dissatisfying. It's almost ended with a cliff-hanger, except I don't really care to find out what happens next.
August 3, 2013
In this book:
* Running
* Male bonding, appropriate and less so
* Surfing
* Hawaiian slang
* Real estate agents
* Creepy doll eyes
* Southern CA
* Coping with the death of a friend
It's a pretty decent beach read.
* Running
* Male bonding, appropriate and less so
* Surfing
* Hawaiian slang
* Real estate agents
* Creepy doll eyes
* Southern CA
* Coping with the death of a friend
It's a pretty decent beach read.
February 8, 2014
I started to put this book down so many times. I continued reading and there were a few interesting chapters, those where he actually interacted with others, rather than living In His own head and thoughts.
April 27, 2015
It may not be amazing to everyone but I loved every aspect of the book. Being an 80's kid was a key part to enjoyment. Enjoyed the City Slicker angle of being at a certain point in your life. I found it a good book is just so many ways.
June 17, 2013
So I've tried reading this one and just can't get into it. In fact I started reading a whole other book and have already finished. Just don't keep my attention!
June 20, 2013
I just couldn't get into this book. I felt the story wasn't developed well and it couldn't hold my interest.
September 22, 2013
Very good.
August 18, 2013
Hmmm. I really thought this book would redeem itself. It did not. No closure on quite a few story lines
January 11, 2015
Excellent book, horrible ending. Was enjoying it so much only to ultimately regret wasting my time.
November 22, 2013
I found it very sweet, funny and i liked the characters. The plot was fairly simple, but it was more about the inner growth of the main character than what happens to him.
December 10, 2013
Jonathan Tropper-esque. Witty and entertaining and with a 'slightly off' sense of humor which made the book thoroughly entertaining.
May 10, 2014
This was a strange book.....who is the target audience?
July 30, 2014
The main character, Finn, is likeable enough. But a coming-of-age story of four men in their thirties is just sad.
December 24, 2014
yikes
I think I might be missing the last 50 pages..... The sudden ending was a cop out - could have done a lot better
I think I might be missing the last 50 pages..... The sudden ending was a cop out - could have done a lot better
January 24, 2016
This was a pretty good book. Insightful, funny. I got a lot more than I expected.
September 13, 2014
Love all the pop culture references.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews