I picked up Carpe dieum because of a quote I came across online. It caught my attention and made me curious enough to start the book. And yes, choosing a book based on a quote, a reel, or a short excerpt is completely valid. That curiosity is often how readers discover new stories.
However, what I do not believe in is reading an entire book just for one scene I saw in a reel or a quote I found on YouTube or Goodreads. That does not feel fair to me as a reader. My time matters, and I would much rather invest it in a book I genuinely enjoy than push through hundreds of pages of something I cannot emotionally connect with, understand, or even comprehend the purpose of.
I tried to give Carpi dieum a fair chance. Even when the first few chapters did not work for me, I pushed through, hoping it would get better. Unfortunately, it did not. The writing felt immature and oddly childish. There are too many good books out there to force myself through something that does not resonate with me at all.
I have read my fair share of books. But I strongly believe that if you are not enjoying the first chapter, or if the story does not spark interest early on, then it simply is not for you. And that is okay. The healthiest thing a reader can do is stop and move on to the next book.
The much praised chemistry between the bodyguard and the actress might work wonderfully for other readers, and I can see why the premise appeals to many. But for me, the foundation was not laid well enough for me to care about the characters or their connection.
So, Carpi diem is a DNF for me.
Maybe in the future, if I come across it again, curiosity might push me to give it another try. But for now, I would rather move on to books that feel meaningful, engaging, and emotionally rewarding from the very beginning.