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Will You Won't You Want Me?
Marjorie Plum never meant to peak in high school. She was Queen Bee. Now, 10 years later, she's lost her sparkle. At her bleakest moment, she’s surprised by renewed interest from a questionable childhood crush, and the bickering with her cranky boss—at a potentially game-changing new job—grows increasingly like flirtatious banter. Suddenly, she’s faced with a choice between the life she always dreamed of and one she never thought to imagine. With the help of a precocious 11-year-old tutee, who unknowingly becomes the Ghost of Marjorie Past, and a musician roommate, who looks like a pixie and talks like the Dalai Lama, Marjorie struggles with the ultimate question: Who does she want to be? Nora Zelevansky’s Will You Won’t You Want Me? is a funny, often surprising, novel about growing up when you are already supposed to be grown.
320 pages, Paperback
First published December 27, 2015
7 people are currently reading
2023 people want to read
About the author
Nora Zelevansky
4 books136 followersNORA ZELEVANSKY is the author of Will You Won't You Want Me?, Semi-Charmed Life and Competitive Grieving (out in paperback on May 10th, 2022!). Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, ELLE, Town & Country, the Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal and Vanity Fair, among others. She lives with her husband, two kids and enormous cat, Waldo, in Brooklyn, New York.
*BOOK CLUBS should reach out via IG or norazelevansky.com to have the author Skype or call in!
*BOOK CLUBS should reach out via IG or norazelevansky.com to have the author Skype or call in!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
May 9, 2016
I've really got to start paying closer attention to the descriptions of books before I enter giveaways. Here, I basically read the first line - Marjorie Plum never meant to peak in high school. - then clicked ENTER. Since I was once a lonely teenage nerd, (as opposed to the middle-aged nerd I am now), I've always been curious about people who were popular during those formative years. What happened after graduation? Did they continue to thrive and grow, or do they come to bemoan the fact that their best years are now behind them?
In this book, we meet Marjorie, whose nickname "Madge" evolved into "Madgesty," a moniker more befitting her high school queen status. Now 28-years-old, she's just been fired from a job she hated, and has, inexplicably, hooked up with a guy who smeared her reputation way-back-when. She's looking for a new direction in her life, oh, and also, a new apartment. Enter the quirky Fred, the manic-pixie-dream-girl, who will rock Marjorie's world.
Though it pains me to admit it, I think I'm just too damned OLD for this book. Then again, maybe a better writer could have made me care about the trials and tribulations of a twenty-something who makes bad choices. The plot, after all, seems pretty darned familiar - Zelevansky uses some sort of variation on third-person narration where we get to not only hear the thoughts of random, unimportant characters, but we also get backstories by the ton, including two entire paragraphs about a cab driver, including the fact that he has a newborn son, and that earlier in the day, he tripped over an orange safety cone. Since he never appears again in the book, WTF?
The one bright, shining spot in this book, and the ONLY reason it received three stars instead of two, is Marjorie's "accidental" tutoring of an 11-year-old girl. Madge gets to teach her how to be cool and relate to boys, unaware that she, herself, is being taught how become a grown-up and take responsibility for her own actions. Even though this plot device is as derivative as the rest of the book - see About a Boy - I liked the budding relationship, and I wish it hadn't been nudged aside for Madge's big love story.
There are no explicit sex scenes, so aside from some drug and alcohol use, this could easily pass for a young adult book.
I was curious enough to finish the book, but I was hoping the whole time that it wouldn't end the way I predicted it would. I really can't recommend this to anyone except perhaps a millennial who's looking for a light snack.
In this book, we meet Marjorie, whose nickname "Madge" evolved into "Madgesty," a moniker more befitting her high school queen status. Now 28-years-old, she's just been fired from a job she hated, and has, inexplicably, hooked up with a guy who smeared her reputation way-back-when. She's looking for a new direction in her life, oh, and also, a new apartment. Enter the quirky Fred, the manic-pixie-dream-girl, who will rock Marjorie's world.
Though it pains me to admit it, I think I'm just too damned OLD for this book. Then again, maybe a better writer could have made me care about the trials and tribulations of a twenty-something who makes bad choices. The plot, after all, seems pretty darned familiar - Zelevansky uses some sort of variation on third-person narration where we get to not only hear the thoughts of random, unimportant characters, but we also get backstories by the ton, including two entire paragraphs about a cab driver, including the fact that he has a newborn son, and that earlier in the day, he tripped over an orange safety cone. Since he never appears again in the book, WTF?
The one bright, shining spot in this book, and the ONLY reason it received three stars instead of two, is Marjorie's "accidental" tutoring of an 11-year-old girl. Madge gets to teach her how to be cool and relate to boys, unaware that she, herself, is being taught how become a grown-up and take responsibility for her own actions. Even though this plot device is as derivative as the rest of the book - see About a Boy - I liked the budding relationship, and I wish it hadn't been nudged aside for Madge's big love story.
There are no explicit sex scenes, so aside from some drug and alcohol use, this could easily pass for a young adult book.
I was curious enough to finish the book, but I was hoping the whole time that it wouldn't end the way I predicted it would. I really can't recommend this to anyone except perhaps a millennial who's looking for a light snack.
November 25, 2016
Copy received through NetGalley.
Will You Won't You Want Me at firsts sounds like a typical chick-lit book, but it's about so much more.
The story revolves around Marjorie Plum who is going through a transition in her life. Within a short period used-to-be-queen-bee loses her job, her beautiful Manhattan apartment, and a friend, but gains a few life lessons.
I am in love with this book, with the story, and especially with the developed characters. The plot is unique, completely unexpected, and oh-so entertaining.
To completely express how much I love this book, I am adding it to my physical copy wish-list.
Will You Won't You Want Me at firsts sounds like a typical chick-lit book, but it's about so much more.
The story revolves around Marjorie Plum who is going through a transition in her life. Within a short period used-to-be-queen-bee loses her job, her beautiful Manhattan apartment, and a friend, but gains a few life lessons.
I am in love with this book, with the story, and especially with the developed characters. The plot is unique, completely unexpected, and oh-so entertaining.
To completely express how much I love this book, I am adding it to my physical copy wish-list.
November 14, 2015
This was great. Review to come
January 11, 2016
***An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
Will you won't you want me is one of a kind book recommended for everyone going through transition time in your life and even if you're not through the so called growing pains you will be able to relate to Marjorie.
Marjorie Plum is a 28 years old woman who has been successful once, ten years ago she was little miss popularity in high school, but nobody really cares now and through the book she ends up realizing neither does she.
The book explores the dephts of discovering who you are and that some times the path is a little bit of a crossroad, you have to make decisions and in order to chose something you have to let other things go.
Where to live when you fight with your best friend who just happens to be your flat mate?
How to support yourself when you decide to stop taking your boss misstreatment and call her on it?
How to find a new career when you don't even know what you want to do?
Does love last forever?
Does friendship last forever?
Those are some questions Marjorie will be asking herself along the road as she tries to figure out who she really wants to be while dealing with a quirky new friend, an uptight but strangely charming new boss and tutoring a pre teen who makes Marjorie think of her old self.
Will you won't you want me is one of a kind book recommended for everyone going through transition time in your life and even if you're not through the so called growing pains you will be able to relate to Marjorie.
Marjorie Plum is a 28 years old woman who has been successful once, ten years ago she was little miss popularity in high school, but nobody really cares now and through the book she ends up realizing neither does she.
The book explores the dephts of discovering who you are and that some times the path is a little bit of a crossroad, you have to make decisions and in order to chose something you have to let other things go.
Where to live when you fight with your best friend who just happens to be your flat mate?
How to support yourself when you decide to stop taking your boss misstreatment and call her on it?
How to find a new career when you don't even know what you want to do?
Does love last forever?
Does friendship last forever?
Those are some questions Marjorie will be asking herself along the road as she tries to figure out who she really wants to be while dealing with a quirky new friend, an uptight but strangely charming new boss and tutoring a pre teen who makes Marjorie think of her old self.
December 16, 2015
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book. The author's writing style almost caused me to put the book down, but I'm glad that I didn't. This book is wicked funny and for anyone that has looked around and wondered "how in the hell did I end up here?" Loved this book and will be recommending it to others.
January 11, 2016
I was provided with an eARC of this book by NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin so that I could give an honest review
This book is about Marjorie Plum who used to be one of those popular kids at high school. She thought that since she was popular things would go right for her in the future, but she's wrong. Will You Won't You Want Me shows us Marjorie's struggles after being fired and how she coped with it.
This book is amazing. I love how it teaches us that popular people don't have a guarantee that they'll have a bright future. Things won't always go the way you want it and you have to deal with it.I also love how it made me laugh and how it made me attached.
Now there are some things that I didn't like. I didn't like that there was sort of an insta love, they had sex in the third chapter like what the?!! Another thing that I didn't like is the writing, I mean it's not that bad but I just can't understand it. There were parts that Nora connected with other stuff ((like stuff from all over the world)) it just didn't make sense.
Overall I still love the book, I would have given it 5 stars but the insta-love and writing stopped me. I definetely recommend other people to buy and read this when it gets released!! :))
This book is about Marjorie Plum who used to be one of those popular kids at high school. She thought that since she was popular things would go right for her in the future, but she's wrong. Will You Won't You Want Me shows us Marjorie's struggles after being fired and how she coped with it.
This book is amazing. I love how it teaches us that popular people don't have a guarantee that they'll have a bright future. Things won't always go the way you want it and you have to deal with it.I also love how it made me laugh and how it made me attached.
Now there are some things that I didn't like. I didn't like that there was sort of an insta love, they had sex in the third chapter like what the?!! Another thing that I didn't like is the writing, I mean it's not that bad but I just can't understand it. There were parts that Nora connected with other stuff ((like stuff from all over the world)) it just didn't make sense.
Overall I still love the book, I would have given it 5 stars but the insta-love and writing stopped me. I definetely recommend other people to buy and read this when it gets released!! :))
March 6, 2018
Have you ever lost a job, your apartment, and a friend all in like a day or two? Well, me either. HOWEVER, that's what happened to Marjorie Plum.
Once Queen Bee becomes a nobody real quick and boy does her life change. I really liked seeing how Marjorie was growing throughout the book. Yeah, crappy stuff happened to her and she eventually grew a back bone and stood up for everything that she wanted. Yeah, it also didn't work out for her but hey we all need to grow up some day, right?
This book was so funny, relatable, and really enjoyable. I could totally see myself rereading it whenever I need a pick me up. It also made me wonder what happened to all of the "popular" people from my high school.. like where are they now? Is this book secretly about their life? SO MANY QUESTIONS.
Once Queen Bee becomes a nobody real quick and boy does her life change. I really liked seeing how Marjorie was growing throughout the book. Yeah, crappy stuff happened to her and she eventually grew a back bone and stood up for everything that she wanted. Yeah, it also didn't work out for her but hey we all need to grow up some day, right?
This book was so funny, relatable, and really enjoyable. I could totally see myself rereading it whenever I need a pick me up. It also made me wonder what happened to all of the "popular" people from my high school.. like where are they now? Is this book secretly about their life? SO MANY QUESTIONS.
January 26, 2016
I have to start off by saying that what really caught my attention in the first place was this book's cover, and just like the array of colors present on it, Will You Won't You Want Me? is a novel full of funny, smart and angsty parts that are combined perfectly to form wonderful story about the pains of adulthood.
Told in 3rd POV, Will You Won't You Want Me? tells the story of Marjorie Plum. She's the former 'prom queen', the 'it-girl', who now is an unemployed 28 year old, forced to move to Brooklyn *what a shame that is for her* and share an apartment with a roommate. She soon realizes that being popular during your teen years, won't do you any good when thrown into the real world of adulthood.
This is not necessarily a romance, but a story about self discovery. Marjory is mystery; although she is incredibly smart and feisty, she seems to be so caught up in her past, that she can't let it go without putting up a fight. But with the help of her quirky roommate, an intelligent tutee and a boding new boss, she discovers that life holds more than you considered important when you were 18. Friendships aren't forever and love comes when you least expect it. If something is safe and convenient doesn't necessarily mean it's good. You have to explore all the possibilities and don't limit yourself to one choice.
Nora's writing is wonderful - I'm a fan of 3rd POV, and I was so happy to see it used in contemporary fiction. It's full of emotion, smart humor and with vivid descriptive elements that made me feel trapped in Marjorie's world, a world so real, that I never wanted to leave.
This is a book I'll definitely recommend to others.
***ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an HONEST review***
June 16, 2016
{Many thanks to NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Find more reviews at Plan to Happy.}
Let me just get it out of the way - how gorgeous is the cover of Will You Won't You Want Me? by Nora Zelevansky? By a stroke of luck, the interior is just as good.
This novel is a story we'd all love to hear from our own histories: what happened to the people who peaked in high school? How did they find their way in a world where they were no longer top dog? This is the story of Marjorie Plum, a young woman in New York who struggles with these issues, but in a vulnerable and self-aware way.
Will You Won't You Want Me? is beautifully written and full of humor, with Marjorie facing realistic situations and actually saying what she's thinking. It's so exhausting when women's fiction involves young people running around, hiding the ball, and bumbling around in awkward situations that could be explained with a simple sentence or two. Not so here.
If you like novels about a woman facing a time of transition, self-discovery, and the excitement and fear associated with open horizons, I highly recommend Will You Won't You Want Me?.
Let me just get it out of the way - how gorgeous is the cover of Will You Won't You Want Me? by Nora Zelevansky? By a stroke of luck, the interior is just as good.
This novel is a story we'd all love to hear from our own histories: what happened to the people who peaked in high school? How did they find their way in a world where they were no longer top dog? This is the story of Marjorie Plum, a young woman in New York who struggles with these issues, but in a vulnerable and self-aware way.
Will You Won't You Want Me? is beautifully written and full of humor, with Marjorie facing realistic situations and actually saying what she's thinking. It's so exhausting when women's fiction involves young people running around, hiding the ball, and bumbling around in awkward situations that could be explained with a simple sentence or two. Not so here.
If you like novels about a woman facing a time of transition, self-discovery, and the excitement and fear associated with open horizons, I highly recommend Will You Won't You Want Me?.
dnf
July 29, 2019 Copy kindly received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
DNF. I can tell, only a few pages into this, that this writing style is not for me. The book has great blurb, but the writing is not the type that I can get into. I'm sure plenty of others will love this though, as it does sound good, if this is your style of writing.
DNF. I can tell, only a few pages into this, that this writing style is not for me. The book has great blurb, but the writing is not the type that I can get into. I'm sure plenty of others will love this though, as it does sound good, if this is your style of writing.
March 19, 2016
Review posted on my blog,
Audrey's Bookcase
:
A huge thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy for reviewing.
I don't even know where to begin with this book. I loved it. So much. The story is about one Marjorie Plum: former Queen Bee, envied yet adored by all back in her high school heyday. Fast forward ten years, and she's working at a job she starts to despise more and more each passing day until the next thing she knows, everything goes to absolute s#!*, and she's just stuck.
If I had to choose one word to describe this book, it would be 'reflective'. When we're young, we think we have the world figured out and then some. We look to the future thinking that everything's going to stay constant. But then things happen and we experience and we learn; life's not actually that easy. A lot of us are afraid of change, so we avoid facing the reality that we're not always who we were in the past. When it comes down to it, rarely do things ever go as planned for everyone, and even the ones who seem to have everything can end up with nothing. One little factor can flip your world on its axis and make you feel like the universe is giving you the biggest middle finger ever known to man. Or like it's giving you a swift kick in the ass and telling you that no one gives a damn about who you were ten years ago. We're stuck asking ourselves stuff like "Now what?" and "What happened to me?" because life used to be so, so good. Like winning homecoming queen good. But like Miss Plum, sometimes we just have to place the proverbial tiara back into its glass case, stash it away into the memory box of our youth, and move on. I strongly believe there's a little Marjorie Plum in all of us.
It wasn't easy for her, though, as we learn throughout this colourful, quirky surprise of a book. She loses everything and walks in a disillusioned haze before realizing that it takes hard work and consideration of other people to truly make it in this world. But it's also about self-respect and she learns the hard way that even people she thought had her back for life either drag her down, or can be plain toxic and she's better off without them. It's also about not dismissing people who might not fit into your usual crowd; the most unassuming people can affect your outlook in the best ways possible.
This was more of a realization of one's self-worth rather than the whirlwind contemporary romance that I find myself drawn to as of late, though it didn't come up short in that area in the slightest. It was refreshing to read about a woman's journey to finding herself without focusing too much on her love life. It was even more refreshing to read a book about a 28-year-old woman who didn't have her life together yet, because that's okay. She eventually figures it out; things always work out if you truly want it to. This book perfectly showed that there's always potential to become the person you want to be, if you're willing to grow up and realize that the world moves forward whether you're ready for it or not.
I'm so excited for this book to be published and finally available for everyone to enjoy. Please, please, please. Don't pass this one up. I loved it so much that I'm already looking forward to getting a physical copy just so I can have it within arms reach whenever I feel like re-reading it. And so that I can hug it. Seriously.
A huge thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy for reviewing.
I don't even know where to begin with this book. I loved it. So much. The story is about one Marjorie Plum: former Queen Bee, envied yet adored by all back in her high school heyday. Fast forward ten years, and she's working at a job she starts to despise more and more each passing day until the next thing she knows, everything goes to absolute s#!*, and she's just stuck.
If I had to choose one word to describe this book, it would be 'reflective'. When we're young, we think we have the world figured out and then some. We look to the future thinking that everything's going to stay constant. But then things happen and we experience and we learn; life's not actually that easy. A lot of us are afraid of change, so we avoid facing the reality that we're not always who we were in the past. When it comes down to it, rarely do things ever go as planned for everyone, and even the ones who seem to have everything can end up with nothing. One little factor can flip your world on its axis and make you feel like the universe is giving you the biggest middle finger ever known to man. Or like it's giving you a swift kick in the ass and telling you that no one gives a damn about who you were ten years ago. We're stuck asking ourselves stuff like "Now what?" and "What happened to me?" because life used to be so, so good. Like winning homecoming queen good. But like Miss Plum, sometimes we just have to place the proverbial tiara back into its glass case, stash it away into the memory box of our youth, and move on. I strongly believe there's a little Marjorie Plum in all of us.
It wasn't easy for her, though, as we learn throughout this colourful, quirky surprise of a book. She loses everything and walks in a disillusioned haze before realizing that it takes hard work and consideration of other people to truly make it in this world. But it's also about self-respect and she learns the hard way that even people she thought had her back for life either drag her down, or can be plain toxic and she's better off without them. It's also about not dismissing people who might not fit into your usual crowd; the most unassuming people can affect your outlook in the best ways possible.
This was more of a realization of one's self-worth rather than the whirlwind contemporary romance that I find myself drawn to as of late, though it didn't come up short in that area in the slightest. It was refreshing to read about a woman's journey to finding herself without focusing too much on her love life. It was even more refreshing to read a book about a 28-year-old woman who didn't have her life together yet, because that's okay. She eventually figures it out; things always work out if you truly want it to. This book perfectly showed that there's always potential to become the person you want to be, if you're willing to grow up and realize that the world moves forward whether you're ready for it or not.
I'm so excited for this book to be published and finally available for everyone to enjoy. Please, please, please. Don't pass this one up. I loved it so much that I'm already looking forward to getting a physical copy just so I can have it within arms reach whenever I feel like re-reading it. And so that I can hug it. Seriously.
January 27, 2016
thank you netgalley for the e-ARC!<3
I think my problem with this book was the fact I hardly connected with the MC at all. I think third person was way too limited and didn't add much to her personality. However, that is not the author's fault at all! She wrote Majorie very well and very developed, I just had trouble connecting with her. It's a shame when that happens especially if a character is written well.
I also thought some of the "jokes" were meh/problematic.
BUT I did like how she made a lot of decisions regarding her future. How she grew out of her "I used to be popular in high school" high horse and finally started seeing life without those goggles of hers. I think it was very fitting and interesting to see her grow,but sadly, I just couldn't care as much I wanted to.
I also skimmed a bit, only because the description was so much, but I did like the characters and I LOVE how Majorie had a great friendship with another girl, Fred. It was really cute!!
Overall, I wish I liked this more, but alas.
I think my problem with this book was the fact I hardly connected with the MC at all. I think third person was way too limited and didn't add much to her personality. However, that is not the author's fault at all! She wrote Majorie very well and very developed, I just had trouble connecting with her. It's a shame when that happens especially if a character is written well.
I also thought some of the "jokes" were meh/problematic.
BUT I did like how she made a lot of decisions regarding her future. How she grew out of her "I used to be popular in high school" high horse and finally started seeing life without those goggles of hers. I think it was very fitting and interesting to see her grow,but sadly, I just couldn't care as much I wanted to.
I also skimmed a bit, only because the description was so much, but I did like the characters and I LOVE how Majorie had a great friendship with another girl, Fred. It was really cute!!
Overall, I wish I liked this more, but alas.
September 21, 2015
Nora Zelevansky deftly explores the ups and downs of a young woman learning that the first step toward real love lies in coming to love one's true self.
February 19, 2021
enjoyable but not particularly special. I admit I had high hopes for this one because I am OBSESSED with the title. I have to say it to myself multiple times every time I think it. To be honest I don’t really know what it has to do w the book but I still love it so much. cannot explain why!
diary/goodreads I write to you to say I have accidentally read ANOTHER book w a love interest named Gus 😭 and yes being grumpy was a personality trait! in my head gus looks like the guy who played mac on high fidelity (zoe kravitz edition obv) and mac (of the book) is roman roy. this feels right to me although I doubt anyone I know will read this and confirm.
anyways, plot: the people in marjorie’s life seemed to act mostly very out or proportion to marjorie’s mistakes. like it was just pretty over the top to me. I think the lesson we/Marjorie were supposed to learn in this book was that you have to take your life into your own hands and not just wait for happiness/success to come to you. but like... things still pretty much just fell into place for her at the end. she definitely had her struggles but basically only for like.. 2 months? maybe? this book really wanted you to know it was set in 2012, I guess the author must’ve felt that the obama/romney election was a real transitional period for America. which seems frankly insane to me now. the book did this weird thing where it was 90% marjorie’s pov but then would switch sort of randomly to another character’s perception of Marjorie for a really brief chunk. I found it disjointed and it came across as a cheap emotional shortcut for me. the only author that I will allow to write omniscient/rapidly switching POVs is king fredrik backman!!!! one more gripe: so like WHAT was the deal w Vera.... their 20yr friendship is just over now or what? maybe I’m just tired but I don’t feel that marjorie’s friendships w Vera and Pickles were really given enough attention. I get that they’re her old life and they didn’t really seem that great but still!
I guess I found the central predicament of feeling stuck in your life and trying to find yourself interesting and somewhat relatable. Marjorie had fun chemistry w Gus and to be honest I even think I get her thing w Mac. The tutoring scenes w Belinda were sweet even though it would be extremely concerning as a parent to find out that your child was being tutored by a non tutor who never explained the situation. overall I found this charming enough despite a variety of issues. books like this I always have more to say about the issues than the good parts but I think that’s just bc they stick out more.
another note: this book was released in 2016 but set in 2012 however there are a handful of instances of transphobic and ableist language that I found really offputting. it just struck me as very weird and not even sort of understandable given the time of release. like hello did we not all know better in 2012/16? I’m pretty sure that we did.
diary/goodreads I write to you to say I have accidentally read ANOTHER book w a love interest named Gus 😭 and yes being grumpy was a personality trait! in my head gus looks like the guy who played mac on high fidelity (zoe kravitz edition obv) and mac (of the book) is roman roy. this feels right to me although I doubt anyone I know will read this and confirm.
anyways, plot: the people in marjorie’s life seemed to act mostly very out or proportion to marjorie’s mistakes. like it was just pretty over the top to me. I think the lesson we/Marjorie were supposed to learn in this book was that you have to take your life into your own hands and not just wait for happiness/success to come to you. but like... things still pretty much just fell into place for her at the end. she definitely had her struggles but basically only for like.. 2 months? maybe? this book really wanted you to know it was set in 2012, I guess the author must’ve felt that the obama/romney election was a real transitional period for America. which seems frankly insane to me now. the book did this weird thing where it was 90% marjorie’s pov but then would switch sort of randomly to another character’s perception of Marjorie for a really brief chunk. I found it disjointed and it came across as a cheap emotional shortcut for me. the only author that I will allow to write omniscient/rapidly switching POVs is king fredrik backman!!!! one more gripe: so like WHAT was the deal w Vera.... their 20yr friendship is just over now or what? maybe I’m just tired but I don’t feel that marjorie’s friendships w Vera and Pickles were really given enough attention. I get that they’re her old life and they didn’t really seem that great but still!
I guess I found the central predicament of feeling stuck in your life and trying to find yourself interesting and somewhat relatable. Marjorie had fun chemistry w Gus and to be honest I even think I get her thing w Mac. The tutoring scenes w Belinda were sweet even though it would be extremely concerning as a parent to find out that your child was being tutored by a non tutor who never explained the situation. overall I found this charming enough despite a variety of issues. books like this I always have more to say about the issues than the good parts but I think that’s just bc they stick out more.
another note: this book was released in 2016 but set in 2012 however there are a handful of instances of transphobic and ableist language that I found really offputting. it just struck me as very weird and not even sort of understandable given the time of release. like hello did we not all know better in 2012/16? I’m pretty sure that we did.
April 19, 2016
This review was originally posted on www.125pages.com
I was intrigued by the synopsis of Will You Won't You Want Me?, then I saw post where they DNF it and then I grew worried. If they thought it was bad enough to stop reading it before the end, what was I getting into? Then I started reading it and my concern grew. Marjorie was pretty awful and so were her friends. Judgmental and still trying to live within their high school social circles, they made me dislike them. But then the story arc changed and the attitudes and superiority slowly melted away. I am happy to report that after the first few chapters the story became engrossing and I began to cheer for Marjorie. A former queen bee who has fallen from grace Marjorie Plum longs for the days when she ruled the school. Now ten-years past graduation she has a dead-end job and no romance prospects on the future. When her life goes from sad to desperate, Marjorie will need to re-examine her priorities and herself.
The plot of Will You Won't You Want Me? was cute, and while not super unique, had enough elements that worked that I could overlook the clichés. Nora Zelevansky's writing was great. It is a hard task to make a character unlikeable, then slowly morph them to likeable within the scope of a story and she accomplished it well. The pacing had a few bumps with some sections moving quickly then an abrupt change. The world Zelevansky created was for the most part well structured but a few areas were very NYC and as someone not familiar with the areas it was hard to picture. The emotions were also half and half. I think in crafting a character that you initially dislike then moving them on a different path your emotional tie may not kick in quickly. The characters were also a mix. In the beginning I liked no one, half way through I like about 60% and by then end I liked about 80% of the players.
Nora Zelevansky's Will You Won't You Want Me? was an interesting read. I was initially turned off by the characters and their attitudes, but then I was pulled into a journey of change and happily followed along. This is a quick read that mostly floated on the surface of emotions but was still worth the time. I think Zelevansky has talent and I will be interested to see what she does in the future.
Favorite lines - "Because I coasted. I did nothing to deserve the attention. But the joke was on me because it was fleeting, worthless. I kept waiting for something to make me feel special again, but I never did anything but mope. I thought maybe I had become less fabulous, but really people moved on because that’s what they do. I stayed in that horrible job, with a boss who literally threw things at me, because it never occurred to me that satisfaction isn’t about validation. You could wait a lifetime for that. I know. I waited a decade.”
Biggest cliché - But I was so popular!
Have you read Will You Won't You Want Me?, or added it to your TBR?This book was most likely received free from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I was intrigued by the synopsis of Will You Won't You Want Me?, then I saw post where they DNF it and then I grew worried. If they thought it was bad enough to stop reading it before the end, what was I getting into? Then I started reading it and my concern grew. Marjorie was pretty awful and so were her friends. Judgmental and still trying to live within their high school social circles, they made me dislike them. But then the story arc changed and the attitudes and superiority slowly melted away. I am happy to report that after the first few chapters the story became engrossing and I began to cheer for Marjorie. A former queen bee who has fallen from grace Marjorie Plum longs for the days when she ruled the school. Now ten-years past graduation she has a dead-end job and no romance prospects on the future. When her life goes from sad to desperate, Marjorie will need to re-examine her priorities and herself.The plot of Will You Won't You Want Me? was cute, and while not super unique, had enough elements that worked that I could overlook the clichés. Nora Zelevansky's writing was great. It is a hard task to make a character unlikeable, then slowly morph them to likeable within the scope of a story and she accomplished it well. The pacing had a few bumps with some sections moving quickly then an abrupt change. The world Zelevansky created was for the most part well structured but a few areas were very NYC and as someone not familiar with the areas it was hard to picture. The emotions were also half and half. I think in crafting a character that you initially dislike then moving them on a different path your emotional tie may not kick in quickly. The characters were also a mix. In the beginning I liked no one, half way through I like about 60% and by then end I liked about 80% of the players.
Nora Zelevansky's Will You Won't You Want Me? was an interesting read. I was initially turned off by the characters and their attitudes, but then I was pulled into a journey of change and happily followed along. This is a quick read that mostly floated on the surface of emotions but was still worth the time. I think Zelevansky has talent and I will be interested to see what she does in the future.
Favorite lines - "Because I coasted. I did nothing to deserve the attention. But the joke was on me because it was fleeting, worthless. I kept waiting for something to make me feel special again, but I never did anything but mope. I thought maybe I had become less fabulous, but really people moved on because that’s what they do. I stayed in that horrible job, with a boss who literally threw things at me, because it never occurred to me that satisfaction isn’t about validation. You could wait a lifetime for that. I know. I waited a decade.”
Biggest cliché - But I was so popular!
Have you read Will You Won't You Want Me?, or added it to your TBR?This book was most likely received free from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
February 18, 2016
The themes Nora Zelevansky writes about in Will You Won't You Want Me? are important. Self-growth and maturity. Communication. Coming of (an older) age. Disillusionment. All things that happen in your late 20s when evaluating your life and which direction it's heading in.
The main character, Marjorie, is basically having a midlife crisis at the age of 28. She isn't that popular high schooler that can just get by on her looks and status in life anymore. Her friends are moving forward in their lives (moving in with boyfriends, marriage, babies, job promotions, etc.) while Marjorie is stagnant.
But with a midlife crisis comes the ability to re-evaluate your life. Where are you? Have you accomplished what you set out to do? If not, how do you fix this? Or is this something you want to fix? Are the people in your life supporting you? Or are they dragging you down? All these questions are analyzed by Zelevansky through Marjorie's story.
This novel is really self-reflective and extremely relatable. It reflects a time in our lives not many people speak about. Not everyone has their life figured out by 28 and reading this helped me to realize that I don't necessarily need to have it figured out.
Of the major things I took away from this book, one quote really stuck with me- "The important thing is this: to be able, at any moment, to sacrifice what we are for what we could become."
I received an ARC from NetGalley. Receiving this ARC does not influence my opinion in any way.
The main character, Marjorie, is basically having a midlife crisis at the age of 28. She isn't that popular high schooler that can just get by on her looks and status in life anymore. Her friends are moving forward in their lives (moving in with boyfriends, marriage, babies, job promotions, etc.) while Marjorie is stagnant.
But with a midlife crisis comes the ability to re-evaluate your life. Where are you? Have you accomplished what you set out to do? If not, how do you fix this? Or is this something you want to fix? Are the people in your life supporting you? Or are they dragging you down? All these questions are analyzed by Zelevansky through Marjorie's story.
This novel is really self-reflective and extremely relatable. It reflects a time in our lives not many people speak about. Not everyone has their life figured out by 28 and reading this helped me to realize that I don't necessarily need to have it figured out.
Of the major things I took away from this book, one quote really stuck with me- "The important thing is this: to be able, at any moment, to sacrifice what we are for what we could become."
I received an ARC from NetGalley. Receiving this ARC does not influence my opinion in any way.
March 11, 2016
I received an advanced reader copy through Netgalley.
Will You Won't You Want Me? is very entertaining from the beginning. I could relate to the main character, Marjorie, a twenty-something attempting to become better at adulting and sometimes failing. She used to be the Queen Bee of high school - the most beautiful girl and everything came easy to her. After that, she became stuck in a dead end marketing job for many years and working for an evil employer before she was fired for writing an email to the CEO about how much she despised the product. After floating around for a while, making and breaking friendships, she starts to find her place in the world. She works as a tutor for a young girl and then finds herself working as an assistant at a film distribution company. Her boss, Gus, is a sexy, grouchy man whom she can't act professionally around - EVER - although she desperately wants to prove to him and herself that she is better than they both think. As they spend two weeks together, they learn things about each other and end up falling in love.
Overall, I loved the banter between Gus and Marjorie, the will they, won't they get together. Despite everything that happens between them, I was very satisfied with the ending.
Will You Won't You Want Me? is very entertaining from the beginning. I could relate to the main character, Marjorie, a twenty-something attempting to become better at adulting and sometimes failing. She used to be the Queen Bee of high school - the most beautiful girl and everything came easy to her. After that, she became stuck in a dead end marketing job for many years and working for an evil employer before she was fired for writing an email to the CEO about how much she despised the product. After floating around for a while, making and breaking friendships, she starts to find her place in the world. She works as a tutor for a young girl and then finds herself working as an assistant at a film distribution company. Her boss, Gus, is a sexy, grouchy man whom she can't act professionally around - EVER - although she desperately wants to prove to him and herself that she is better than they both think. As they spend two weeks together, they learn things about each other and end up falling in love.
Overall, I loved the banter between Gus and Marjorie, the will they, won't they get together. Despite everything that happens between them, I was very satisfied with the ending.
January 13, 2016
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
An enjoyable read!
Marjorie Plum was the most popular girl in high school but where is she 10 years down the road....this girl is lost and struggling to figure out who she is and where she belongs. You go on the ride with Marjorie as she navigates through friendships, relationships, and career paths. This story was very well written and interesting from start to finish.
An enjoyable read!
Marjorie Plum was the most popular girl in high school but where is she 10 years down the road....this girl is lost and struggling to figure out who she is and where she belongs. You go on the ride with Marjorie as she navigates through friendships, relationships, and career paths. This story was very well written and interesting from start to finish.
August 4, 2020
I loved this book so much! I didn't want it to end. I wanted to exist in its world just a little longer! It was fun to read, but also emotionally fulfilling, and the characters were engaging and realistic. I love the author's style so much! One of my favorite reads!
September 6, 2016
WILL YOU, WON’T YOU, WANT ME? Peaking Early Offers a Long Downhill Slide
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
Audiobook provided by publisher for review. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own except as noted.
I feel I like I have recently been sent several books about characters in Brooklyn and NYC who are somewhere between the first flush of youth and middle age. They all appear to be floundering. My question whether is said floundering a function of Manhattan, or the bridge which covers the span between NYC and Brooklyn, Brooklyn itself, the cost of living in Manhattan or the Burroughs? Perhaps it’s the lack of oxygen due to the traffic situation?
Whatever the reason, that geographic area needs to get its shit together before more fictional characters’ lives are needlessly destroyed. It is apparently the Bermuda Triangle of thirty somethings. I guess it is possibly caused by a lot of TV shows occurring in the area and that a lot of authors and publishers hoping for a mini-series in their future.
I could see a mini-series in this author’s future as her characters and the life situations in which they find themselves land them, in my mind anyway, somewhere between “Sex and The City” and “Mozart in the Jungle.” Even the prologue which consists of a story about a character in a flip book felt like the opening of a TV show — it was an evocative start but the link to the story was weak.
It may be the over-riding theme of the main character, Marjorie, “peaking back in high school” that trigger how I feel abut WILL YOU WON’T YOU WANT ME. It may be the problem of being smart and pretty and that everyone treats Marjorie like someone who is going to succeed so much that she forgets that succeeding requires more than her yearbook photo and a B.A. Peaking too early gives you a long time to fall down the hill.
A big thing in this story is that she supposedly is overly self-involved, flailing and immoral because she does one thing as a favor and then moves on, but continues with that particular favor. I don’t see her as immoral, which either demonstrates that I’m morally challenged or that this is an overblown incident.
That Marjorie’s greatest talent stems from having watched TV and movies with her father who is a media professor is a sad commentary on the educational system. Although I do contend that having watched a lot of TV in my youth made me so brilliant that I am now blogging for the price of a book.
The relationship angles in the story really did not seem appealing to me. Marjorie is a little too old to be falling back into bed with her old High School almost-boyfriend. And it is obvious where the story will go when she meets up with the guy who seems pretty simpatico with her but also a trifle wry.
I think there's a relevant link here to Jane Austen's PERSUASION. Not sure but it could be that Marjorie is the Anne Elliot character. Maybe.
I enjoyed the narration and story even though I felt like it was made for TV, and there is hope for Marjorie not really having peaked in High School at all. And, if there is hope for Marjorie there is hope for all young women without direction.
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
Audiobook provided by publisher for review. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own except as noted.
I feel I like I have recently been sent several books about characters in Brooklyn and NYC who are somewhere between the first flush of youth and middle age. They all appear to be floundering. My question whether is said floundering a function of Manhattan, or the bridge which covers the span between NYC and Brooklyn, Brooklyn itself, the cost of living in Manhattan or the Burroughs? Perhaps it’s the lack of oxygen due to the traffic situation?
Whatever the reason, that geographic area needs to get its shit together before more fictional characters’ lives are needlessly destroyed. It is apparently the Bermuda Triangle of thirty somethings. I guess it is possibly caused by a lot of TV shows occurring in the area and that a lot of authors and publishers hoping for a mini-series in their future.
I could see a mini-series in this author’s future as her characters and the life situations in which they find themselves land them, in my mind anyway, somewhere between “Sex and The City” and “Mozart in the Jungle.” Even the prologue which consists of a story about a character in a flip book felt like the opening of a TV show — it was an evocative start but the link to the story was weak.
It may be the over-riding theme of the main character, Marjorie, “peaking back in high school” that trigger how I feel abut WILL YOU WON’T YOU WANT ME. It may be the problem of being smart and pretty and that everyone treats Marjorie like someone who is going to succeed so much that she forgets that succeeding requires more than her yearbook photo and a B.A. Peaking too early gives you a long time to fall down the hill.
A big thing in this story is that she supposedly is overly self-involved, flailing and immoral because she does one thing as a favor and then moves on, but continues with that particular favor. I don’t see her as immoral, which either demonstrates that I’m morally challenged or that this is an overblown incident.
That Marjorie’s greatest talent stems from having watched TV and movies with her father who is a media professor is a sad commentary on the educational system. Although I do contend that having watched a lot of TV in my youth made me so brilliant that I am now blogging for the price of a book.
The relationship angles in the story really did not seem appealing to me. Marjorie is a little too old to be falling back into bed with her old High School almost-boyfriend. And it is obvious where the story will go when she meets up with the guy who seems pretty simpatico with her but also a trifle wry.
I think there's a relevant link here to Jane Austen's PERSUASION. Not sure but it could be that Marjorie is the Anne Elliot character. Maybe.
I enjoyed the narration and story even though I felt like it was made for TV, and there is hope for Marjorie not really having peaked in High School at all. And, if there is hope for Marjorie there is hope for all young women without direction.
April 28, 2016
Are you looking for a fun, fabulous and fearless female read? Then grab Will You Won’t You Want Me? by Nora Zelevansky. It’s the perfect pick for anyone at a crossroads in their lives who are questioning what are they doing or where should they be going? Perfect for new graduates or adults, we have all been there, looking for a little inspiration, Majorie Plum is the girl we all need in our lives. Zelevansky writes a funny, touching and romantic read that was impossible not to get sucked into.
Marjorie Plum was the popular girl in high-school. Beautiful and sought after with all the guys she was the “it girl”. Fast forward, high school is over and the real world has begun. She is at a good job, living in the city with her best friend Vera and living the good life until she loses her job, her best friend ditches her and the apartment for her boyfriend and Marjorie is forced to reevaluate her life. With no money and no direction of where to go she heads back to her parents to get their help and advice. Her Mom has a lead for a roommate looking for another roommate and so begins the relationship between Marjorie aka Madge and Fred, a little pip squeak of a girl who adds the perfect balance to Madge’s life. In the meantime Madge is also dealing with Mac, her old interest from high school who is still in love with her but she isn’t sure she is love with him. With Fred’s help and spirit, Madge starts to pick up the pieces to her life and move forward. For one Madge fills in for Fred in a tutoring job with little Belinda, “Belly”, who is trying to survive in the horrible trenches of middle school. Madge is the perfect person to help her come out of her shell and the two form an instant bond. Madge also meets Gus, who owns a film business with Fred’s brother. They decide to hire Madge temporarily to fill in for some administrative work. With all the piece starting to fall into place Madge is feeling accomplished and successful. But will it all work out in it the end? Is Mac the one true love for her or is there someone right in front of her who is truly her destiny? Madge’s journey may not be an easy one but she learns many lessons along the way and discovers she is stronger and smarter than she thinks she is.
I loved this book and think it’s the perfect read for anyone who needs a little direction in their life. Madge is in all of us. We have all been there before where we are questioning everything and feel as though nothing is going our way. She is the underdog who reminds us all that everything works out in the end and to be thankful for the people we meet and the experiences we have along the way. Zelevansky has a creative way of telling the story which made it that much more charming. I am excited to see what Nora has in store as this book is getting a lot of well deserved praise. Graduations are coming up and there is no doubt that this it the perfect gift!
Marjorie Plum was the popular girl in high-school. Beautiful and sought after with all the guys she was the “it girl”. Fast forward, high school is over and the real world has begun. She is at a good job, living in the city with her best friend Vera and living the good life until she loses her job, her best friend ditches her and the apartment for her boyfriend and Marjorie is forced to reevaluate her life. With no money and no direction of where to go she heads back to her parents to get their help and advice. Her Mom has a lead for a roommate looking for another roommate and so begins the relationship between Marjorie aka Madge and Fred, a little pip squeak of a girl who adds the perfect balance to Madge’s life. In the meantime Madge is also dealing with Mac, her old interest from high school who is still in love with her but she isn’t sure she is love with him. With Fred’s help and spirit, Madge starts to pick up the pieces to her life and move forward. For one Madge fills in for Fred in a tutoring job with little Belinda, “Belly”, who is trying to survive in the horrible trenches of middle school. Madge is the perfect person to help her come out of her shell and the two form an instant bond. Madge also meets Gus, who owns a film business with Fred’s brother. They decide to hire Madge temporarily to fill in for some administrative work. With all the piece starting to fall into place Madge is feeling accomplished and successful. But will it all work out in it the end? Is Mac the one true love for her or is there someone right in front of her who is truly her destiny? Madge’s journey may not be an easy one but she learns many lessons along the way and discovers she is stronger and smarter than she thinks she is.
I loved this book and think it’s the perfect read for anyone who needs a little direction in their life. Madge is in all of us. We have all been there before where we are questioning everything and feel as though nothing is going our way. She is the underdog who reminds us all that everything works out in the end and to be thankful for the people we meet and the experiences we have along the way. Zelevansky has a creative way of telling the story which made it that much more charming. I am excited to see what Nora has in store as this book is getting a lot of well deserved praise. Graduations are coming up and there is no doubt that this it the perfect gift!
May 15, 2016
I received the ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange of honest reviews. All opinions are mine.
Will You Won't You Want Me is about Marjorie, who at 28, suddenly found herself unemployed and also roommate-less when her roommate decided to move in her boyfriend. This, as you can imagine, got her feeling low as she felt that she had lost her place in the world. This book somehow surprised me in many ways possible. I was not sure if I would love it based on the writing style in the earlier chapters but once I got past the background story, it got good and it got good real fast. I was hooked to the story, wanting to know what will happen next to Marjorie and the people around her.
I love Marjorie in this book, eventhough at times she annoyed her when she repeated words for three times (sure, sure, sure. fine, fine, fine). It was hard to connect to her at first but as the story progresses along, I grew fond of her and rooted her along the way as she made her life's decision. I love seeing her grow from someone not so likeable and at times childish to someone who would actually grow up and do something that she actually loves.
This book is not touted as a romance book but I felt that Marjorie's relationship with Gus is adorable! I definitely love love love Gus (damn Marjorie, you're rubbing off on me!) and thought that he was the best thing ever in this book. I love how their relationship started and how it grows and 'ended'. I thought it was nice that eventhough there was a certain misunderstanding between them, they were quick to discuss and talk about it without it getting too long. The final one did drive a wedge between them but even then it was resolved pretty quickly (in terms of pages, I mean)
Another relationship that I love in this book is between Marjorie and Fred, her new roommate. I just love Fred and thought that when the author called her 'the pixie', she makes me want to hug Fred and just marvel at her tininess. She definitely makes a better friend than Vera ever did (and gosh, I want to wring Vera's neck so badly for being such an ungrateful friend!!) I also love the relationship between Marjorie and Belinda, the girl she tutored. She only appeared very sporadically throughout the book and that makes me wish that there are more. I couldn't help but feel that their part of the story ended way too soon and I can't help feeling that I was robbed from what could have been more. I do love the part where Marjorie read the story written by Belinda though and I even got tears in my eyes.
This book was a bit hard to get into at first but I assure you to just keep reading. It was funny, uplifting and just overall a very lovely tale of self-discovery, not only of yourself but of people around you and how much they affect you.
Will You Won't You Want Me is about Marjorie, who at 28, suddenly found herself unemployed and also roommate-less when her roommate decided to move in her boyfriend. This, as you can imagine, got her feeling low as she felt that she had lost her place in the world. This book somehow surprised me in many ways possible. I was not sure if I would love it based on the writing style in the earlier chapters but once I got past the background story, it got good and it got good real fast. I was hooked to the story, wanting to know what will happen next to Marjorie and the people around her.
I love Marjorie in this book, eventhough at times she annoyed her when she repeated words for three times (sure, sure, sure. fine, fine, fine). It was hard to connect to her at first but as the story progresses along, I grew fond of her and rooted her along the way as she made her life's decision. I love seeing her grow from someone not so likeable and at times childish to someone who would actually grow up and do something that she actually loves.
This book is not touted as a romance book but I felt that Marjorie's relationship with Gus is adorable! I definitely love love love Gus (damn Marjorie, you're rubbing off on me!) and thought that he was the best thing ever in this book. I love how their relationship started and how it grows and 'ended'. I thought it was nice that eventhough there was a certain misunderstanding between them, they were quick to discuss and talk about it without it getting too long. The final one did drive a wedge between them but even then it was resolved pretty quickly (in terms of pages, I mean)
Another relationship that I love in this book is between Marjorie and Fred, her new roommate. I just love Fred and thought that when the author called her 'the pixie', she makes me want to hug Fred and just marvel at her tininess. She definitely makes a better friend than Vera ever did (and gosh, I want to wring Vera's neck so badly for being such an ungrateful friend!!) I also love the relationship between Marjorie and Belinda, the girl she tutored. She only appeared very sporadically throughout the book and that makes me wish that there are more. I couldn't help but feel that their part of the story ended way too soon and I can't help feeling that I was robbed from what could have been more. I do love the part where Marjorie read the story written by Belinda though and I even got tears in my eyes.
This book was a bit hard to get into at first but I assure you to just keep reading. It was funny, uplifting and just overall a very lovely tale of self-discovery, not only of yourself but of people around you and how much they affect you.
April 19, 2016
Every once in a while I come across a book that is just a delight, one that is both comforting and unexpected. Will You Won't You Want Me is one of those books.
This is classified as a romance, and it is a romance. But it is also something else. It chronicles the struggles of adulting (and, as we all know, the struggle is real!) Marjorie is that person--one I think many can relate to--who believes she "peaked" in high school. Now, ten years later, she feels that her life has no direction. Zelevansky skillfully shows, instead of tells, us all exactly how unfulfilling Marjorie's life has become and how she knows what the problem is, but not how to solve it.
And there is a love triangle, which is sometimes a turn-off for me. Either it is set up with one person trying to decide between a "good" option and a "bad" option, or it just becomes a muddled mess of emotional angst. Here, however, it works. Partly because the Marjorie's two romances are kept separate and the one that fails, fails on its own merits--just as the one that succeeds, succeeds not because Majorie chose that option over the other option, but because she made a decision to pursue that relationship.
I loved Zelevansky's writing style--I'm not sure if this is her first book or not (oops...a check just showed that she has one other novel, which I will most likely be reading soon), but she is definitely an author to follow. The first thing that really pulled me in is the perspective, It is told in the 3rd person omniscient voice, but that is usually as some disembodied voice who just seems to know everything. Here, however, it is like someone (not any of the characters in the book) sits down with you and gossips out a whole juicy story about Majorie and her friends and family. I felt like I was in on the story, not just a reader on the outside.
Another area where Zelevansky shines is her ability to write place. Most of the book is set in New York City--which is where many writers would stop. Instead, Zelevansky creates the world of Manhattan and the world of Brooklyn and she brings the reader along with her into those worlds. When the action moves to the world of the wanna-be-but-not-yet Rich and Famous of Los Angeles, Zelevansky succeeds again. Admittedly, she might be relying a bit more on cliches here, but it is still entertaining and believable.
If I had to choose one word to summarize this novel, it would have to be "charming." Reading it was a delightful experience and this is a book I would recommend to anyone looking for a love story with a heroine who will win your heart.
I received an electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review. I received no other compensation for this post.
This is classified as a romance, and it is a romance. But it is also something else. It chronicles the struggles of adulting (and, as we all know, the struggle is real!) Marjorie is that person--one I think many can relate to--who believes she "peaked" in high school. Now, ten years later, she feels that her life has no direction. Zelevansky skillfully shows, instead of tells, us all exactly how unfulfilling Marjorie's life has become and how she knows what the problem is, but not how to solve it.
And there is a love triangle, which is sometimes a turn-off for me. Either it is set up with one person trying to decide between a "good" option and a "bad" option, or it just becomes a muddled mess of emotional angst. Here, however, it works. Partly because the Marjorie's two romances are kept separate and the one that fails, fails on its own merits--just as the one that succeeds, succeeds not because Majorie chose that option over the other option, but because she made a decision to pursue that relationship.
I loved Zelevansky's writing style--I'm not sure if this is her first book or not (oops...a check just showed that she has one other novel, which I will most likely be reading soon), but she is definitely an author to follow. The first thing that really pulled me in is the perspective, It is told in the 3rd person omniscient voice, but that is usually as some disembodied voice who just seems to know everything. Here, however, it is like someone (not any of the characters in the book) sits down with you and gossips out a whole juicy story about Majorie and her friends and family. I felt like I was in on the story, not just a reader on the outside.
Another area where Zelevansky shines is her ability to write place. Most of the book is set in New York City--which is where many writers would stop. Instead, Zelevansky creates the world of Manhattan and the world of Brooklyn and she brings the reader along with her into those worlds. When the action moves to the world of the wanna-be-but-not-yet Rich and Famous of Los Angeles, Zelevansky succeeds again. Admittedly, she might be relying a bit more on cliches here, but it is still entertaining and believable.
If I had to choose one word to summarize this novel, it would have to be "charming." Reading it was a delightful experience and this is a book I would recommend to anyone looking for a love story with a heroine who will win your heart.
I received an electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review. I received no other compensation for this post.
February 24, 2016
Review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley.
Madge has always had it easy in life or at least she used to. Since becoming an adult, she feels stuck or rather going downhill with a job going nowhere and a roommate who is about to abandon her and their decade-long friendship with only a few days notice.Without money, a house or even friends to count on, she needs to give up life in Manhattan for a room in Brooklyn and learn a new lifestyle. But when she has a chance of going back, maybe that was actually the best for her all along?
This was amusing. The style has singular marks, which both entertains you and makes you think of the situations depicted. Moreover, the problems present are very real for anyone in their late twenties or early thirties. Being the same age as Madge, even though I wasn't any Madgesty at school, I could certainly identify her line of thought. It wasn't full on drama, it did ring true.
Also, this story brings a love triangle. And the choice isn't only about the best man for Madge but the life that each of them means for her. None of them is the despicable character you'll immediately see as the one she should never go for, like so many books bring. I was actually as torn as Madge... Even though the author does eventually use some cliches to help you decide the best pick ("we don't share the same tastes!", "he never says what I need to listen!") I must say I was very glad at how she solved this. You'll need to read the book to know, of course.
All characters were more or less enjoyable. I wasn't too keen on Madge, even if I did identify myself with her dilemmas. At the same time, I never thought anything bad of her, as the description led me to fear, with the tiara reference. The minor characters had life of their own, and I would look forward to some of them, like Belinda and Madge's father.
The negative points: I repeat, I did like the style she used for the narration but her digressions would get too long and thus the book itself was longer than it needed (and I found myself skipping whole paragraphs). Contrasting, the ending was as sudden as a TV series given only one episode to close a 10-season worth of plot holes. (The author did manage to give closure, in my opinion, but all of a sudden everything was rushed out.)
This chick lit to the core, entertaining and quick to read. More like a 3.5, and I look forward to more from this author.
Madge has always had it easy in life or at least she used to. Since becoming an adult, she feels stuck or rather going downhill with a job going nowhere and a roommate who is about to abandon her and their decade-long friendship with only a few days notice.Without money, a house or even friends to count on, she needs to give up life in Manhattan for a room in Brooklyn and learn a new lifestyle. But when she has a chance of going back, maybe that was actually the best for her all along?
This was amusing. The style has singular marks, which both entertains you and makes you think of the situations depicted. Moreover, the problems present are very real for anyone in their late twenties or early thirties. Being the same age as Madge, even though I wasn't any Madgesty at school, I could certainly identify her line of thought. It wasn't full on drama, it did ring true.
Also, this story brings a love triangle. And the choice isn't only about the best man for Madge but the life that each of them means for her. None of them is the despicable character you'll immediately see as the one she should never go for, like so many books bring. I was actually as torn as Madge... Even though the author does eventually use some cliches to help you decide the best pick ("we don't share the same tastes!", "he never says what I need to listen!") I must say I was very glad at how she solved this. You'll need to read the book to know, of course.
All characters were more or less enjoyable. I wasn't too keen on Madge, even if I did identify myself with her dilemmas. At the same time, I never thought anything bad of her, as the description led me to fear, with the tiara reference. The minor characters had life of their own, and I would look forward to some of them, like Belinda and Madge's father.
The negative points: I repeat, I did like the style she used for the narration but her digressions would get too long and thus the book itself was longer than it needed (and I found myself skipping whole paragraphs). Contrasting, the ending was as sudden as a TV series given only one episode to close a 10-season worth of plot holes. (The author did manage to give closure, in my opinion, but all of a sudden everything was rushed out.)
This chick lit to the core, entertaining and quick to read. More like a 3.5, and I look forward to more from this author.
May 8, 2016
I was definitely interested in reading this book just because of the unusual title. I felt like I was picking the pedals of a flower while I was reading the title! I had never heard of author, Nora Zelevansky, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this book.
The main character of Will You Won't You Want Me is Marjorie Plum. In school, Marjorie was one of those popular girls and had a promising future in hand. Once she's out of school and doesn't have that persona to lean on, she's forced to be an adult.
Fast forward, high school is over and the real world has begun. Marjorie is at a good job, living in the city with her best friend, Vera and they are living the good life until Marjorie loses her job. Her decade-long relationship with her "bff" ends as Vera ditches her and the apartment for her boyfriend and Marjorie is forced to re-evaluate her life. Marjorie begins to feel that her life has no direction. The author shows readers exactly how unfulfilling Marjorie's life has become and how she knows what the problem is, but not how to solve it.
Without money, a house or even friends to count on, she needs to give up life in Manhattan for a room in Brooklyn and learn a new lifestyle. Exiled in Brooklyn with a girl named Fred as a roommate, she has to figure out a way to get her life back on track. She has to make some difficult choices along the way to discovering what really matters the most.
I love how the story of this book teaches us that popular people don't have a guarantee that they'll have a bright future. Things won't always go the way you want it and you have to deal with it. The author's use of the third person point of view writing in this book was perfect for telling this story. The range of emotions in this book and the detailed descriptions of the settings really gave us readers a great story that we can remember even after the book is finished.
Thanks to BookSparks for the advance reader's paperback copy of this book in exchange for my honest review as part of their April Showers Blog Tour -#itsrainingbooks!
The main character of Will You Won't You Want Me is Marjorie Plum. In school, Marjorie was one of those popular girls and had a promising future in hand. Once she's out of school and doesn't have that persona to lean on, she's forced to be an adult.
Fast forward, high school is over and the real world has begun. Marjorie is at a good job, living in the city with her best friend, Vera and they are living the good life until Marjorie loses her job. Her decade-long relationship with her "bff" ends as Vera ditches her and the apartment for her boyfriend and Marjorie is forced to re-evaluate her life. Marjorie begins to feel that her life has no direction. The author shows readers exactly how unfulfilling Marjorie's life has become and how she knows what the problem is, but not how to solve it.
Without money, a house or even friends to count on, she needs to give up life in Manhattan for a room in Brooklyn and learn a new lifestyle. Exiled in Brooklyn with a girl named Fred as a roommate, she has to figure out a way to get her life back on track. She has to make some difficult choices along the way to discovering what really matters the most.
I love how the story of this book teaches us that popular people don't have a guarantee that they'll have a bright future. Things won't always go the way you want it and you have to deal with it. The author's use of the third person point of view writing in this book was perfect for telling this story. The range of emotions in this book and the detailed descriptions of the settings really gave us readers a great story that we can remember even after the book is finished.
Thanks to BookSparks for the advance reader's paperback copy of this book in exchange for my honest review as part of their April Showers Blog Tour -#itsrainingbooks!
May 22, 2016
The blurb for this book really doesn't do it justice. It makes it seem as though this is a story about a washed up queen bee. When this is actually a story of someone, who has outgrown her past, and is trying to figure out who she is, and who she wants to be.
Marjorie finds herself, 10 years after high school ended, still crossing paths with her former schoolmates, still working in a PR job she acquired 9 years ago (and hates), still just coasting. All at once, her world is thrown into chaos. She loses her job, her best friend suddenly turns hostile, she loses her home, and she is now struggling with her personal identity. Her struggle brings some new and important people into her life: Belinda, Fred, Gus. While she is trying to make a new life, she keeps a foot in her old world by dating her high school friend.
I really enjoyed this book. I found Marjorie's journey and introspection quite enlightening. I could totally relate to her situation, as I think most people find themselves at a crossroads at some point in their lives. I have to say, this book was a lot of fun. This could have easily been very dramatic and angsty, but instead, it was presented in a humorous way. That is how I like my chick-lit! I laughed often, and I really enjoyed the tour of NYC and the current events that were peppered through out the story. I felt attached to many of the characters, and was very grateful for how Zelevansky tied up all the loose ends.
Overall: Fun, adorable read that made me chuckle and smile.
**I would like to thank Books a la Mode for this book, which I won through a contest.
Marjorie finds herself, 10 years after high school ended, still crossing paths with her former schoolmates, still working in a PR job she acquired 9 years ago (and hates), still just coasting. All at once, her world is thrown into chaos. She loses her job, her best friend suddenly turns hostile, she loses her home, and she is now struggling with her personal identity. Her struggle brings some new and important people into her life: Belinda, Fred, Gus. While she is trying to make a new life, she keeps a foot in her old world by dating her high school friend.
I really enjoyed this book. I found Marjorie's journey and introspection quite enlightening. I could totally relate to her situation, as I think most people find themselves at a crossroads at some point in their lives. I have to say, this book was a lot of fun. This could have easily been very dramatic and angsty, but instead, it was presented in a humorous way. That is how I like my chick-lit! I laughed often, and I really enjoyed the tour of NYC and the current events that were peppered through out the story. I felt attached to many of the characters, and was very grateful for how Zelevansky tied up all the loose ends.
Overall: Fun, adorable read that made me chuckle and smile.
**I would like to thank Books a la Mode for this book, which I won through a contest.
May 13, 2016
Will You Won’t You Want Me is the tale of Marjorie Plum and her realization that the adult world is not what she always thought it would be. We meet her when she is 28 and finally coming to terms with the idea the maybe being the “it girl” in high school doesn’t actually guarantee you a happy, sparkly, successful life. Marjorie is presented with a choice between the high school crush of her dreams or her new boss, which leads her to question the larger aspects of her life. Luckily, she meets some funny and interesting friends who help her along the way, but the question remains - who does Marjorie want to be?
Personally, having been one of the high school students more concerned with actually learning and doing well in school to get into a good college with scholarships, I loved the idea of a book where the popular girl from high school finally got her comeuppance. You either knew or were the girl in high school who always just had everything work out for her, and if you weren’t her, you were annoyed that all of your efforts could never get you the things that all came so easily to her. I enjoyed that the story arc allowed readers to travel along with Marjorie on her journey to personal discovery when she decides once and for all what type of adult she wants to be and what aspects of life she should truly value.
This book is funny, relatable, and charming, as are the characters. My only complaint is that the writing was a tad muddled at times, but overall I enjoyed Will You Won’t You Want Me and would definitely recommend it as a quick and light summer beach read.
*Disclaimer* I received a copy of this book from Booksparks in exchange for an honest review.
Personally, having been one of the high school students more concerned with actually learning and doing well in school to get into a good college with scholarships, I loved the idea of a book where the popular girl from high school finally got her comeuppance. You either knew or were the girl in high school who always just had everything work out for her, and if you weren’t her, you were annoyed that all of your efforts could never get you the things that all came so easily to her. I enjoyed that the story arc allowed readers to travel along with Marjorie on her journey to personal discovery when she decides once and for all what type of adult she wants to be and what aspects of life she should truly value.
This book is funny, relatable, and charming, as are the characters. My only complaint is that the writing was a tad muddled at times, but overall I enjoyed Will You Won’t You Want Me and would definitely recommend it as a quick and light summer beach read.
*Disclaimer* I received a copy of this book from Booksparks in exchange for an honest review.
April 19, 2016
This was so gloriously written. I am in love with Zelevansky's style and her voice, and I had a lot of fun reading this.
I was expecting a simple romance, but I was excited to get a whole lot of exploration and self-discovery as well as wit and political and social commentary. I loved the environment that the author built with separate worlds within New York and within Marjorie's younger and older self.
The characters were absolutely delectable to read about. From Belinda, an eleven-year-old with two moms who don't seem to get along, to Fred, a crazy musician roommate, I was delighted by the variety of people that Marjorie found herself falling around with.
This wasn't as much a romance as a kind of coming-of-age ten years later book, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The romantic tension was palpable, but well worth the payoff, and I loved seeing Marjorie's relationships and attractions going.
This had the feel of those high class New York City novels mixed with the naiveté of the regular person. Her exploration of the job market was depressing but realistic and again provided a lot of humour.
My favourite thing about this book truly was Zelevansky's style and how eloquently she wrote. This book mainly focused on Marjorie, but omniscient and threw in the best details about the most random of things that came as a delight and really added to the comedy of this book.
I highly recommend this for those who enjoy witty writing and women's fiction.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was expecting a simple romance, but I was excited to get a whole lot of exploration and self-discovery as well as wit and political and social commentary. I loved the environment that the author built with separate worlds within New York and within Marjorie's younger and older self.
The characters were absolutely delectable to read about. From Belinda, an eleven-year-old with two moms who don't seem to get along, to Fred, a crazy musician roommate, I was delighted by the variety of people that Marjorie found herself falling around with.
This wasn't as much a romance as a kind of coming-of-age ten years later book, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The romantic tension was palpable, but well worth the payoff, and I loved seeing Marjorie's relationships and attractions going.
This had the feel of those high class New York City novels mixed with the naiveté of the regular person. Her exploration of the job market was depressing but realistic and again provided a lot of humour.
My favourite thing about this book truly was Zelevansky's style and how eloquently she wrote. This book mainly focused on Marjorie, but omniscient and threw in the best details about the most random of things that came as a delight and really added to the comedy of this book.
I highly recommend this for those who enjoy witty writing and women's fiction.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2016
*I received an ARC of this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
Overall, an enjoyable read. Marjorie is a self-absorbed 20-something to whom things have always come easily. This book is all about her journey to find herself. While Marjorie was hard to like at some times, I could definitely relate to her struggle to become the person she wanted to be while she was still in close contact with so many people from her past.
One thing that I can't decide how I feel about is the way the author would randomly insert tidbits about random "extras" (like a cab driver or a couple Marjorie passed on the street) or about what was going on in the world. I think the idea was that while Marjorie was dealing with things that felt so important to her, everyone else was dealing with their own things, and there were much bigger problems going on in the world. I think I liked this, but at times it just seemed a bit much and took away from the story. (And I worry that some of the "pop culture" references will make less sense as time goes on, making the story harder to relate to 5-10 years from now.)
All that said.. I enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it to my friends, especially to read on the beach this summer.
Overall, an enjoyable read. Marjorie is a self-absorbed 20-something to whom things have always come easily. This book is all about her journey to find herself. While Marjorie was hard to like at some times, I could definitely relate to her struggle to become the person she wanted to be while she was still in close contact with so many people from her past.
One thing that I can't decide how I feel about is the way the author would randomly insert tidbits about random "extras" (like a cab driver or a couple Marjorie passed on the street) or about what was going on in the world. I think the idea was that while Marjorie was dealing with things that felt so important to her, everyone else was dealing with their own things, and there were much bigger problems going on in the world. I think I liked this, but at times it just seemed a bit much and took away from the story. (And I worry that some of the "pop culture" references will make less sense as time goes on, making the story harder to relate to 5-10 years from now.)
All that said.. I enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it to my friends, especially to read on the beach this summer.
July 18, 2019
Just won! So excited to receive my giveaway copy. Can't wait to read and review. =)
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Well, that was such a long time ago when I wrote how excited I was to read this... And I really was. BUT, I just didn't like the main character, Marjorie and when I can't connect with the MC, it's really difficult for me to enjoy the story.
I had to put this down multiple times. I mean I would pick it up, read a few pages here and there and then lose interest. I'd revisit it again after a few weeks or months and still I'd feel the same way. I just could not really get into the story. I liked the writing style and the plot (from what I've read so far) has its funny and entertaining moments, but I really didn't feel engaged or intrigued. I don't know if that would have changed if I actually finished the book. What I do know is that the story felt dreary and flat to me. I DNF'ed after about 30%
I'm quite sad that this book never really made me feel anything and I really don't like to DNF books, but this is just not my cup of tea.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via a Goodreads Giveaway. All thought sand opinons are my own.
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Well, that was such a long time ago when I wrote how excited I was to read this... And I really was. BUT, I just didn't like the main character, Marjorie and when I can't connect with the MC, it's really difficult for me to enjoy the story.
I had to put this down multiple times. I mean I would pick it up, read a few pages here and there and then lose interest. I'd revisit it again after a few weeks or months and still I'd feel the same way. I just could not really get into the story. I liked the writing style and the plot (from what I've read so far) has its funny and entertaining moments, but I really didn't feel engaged or intrigued. I don't know if that would have changed if I actually finished the book. What I do know is that the story felt dreary and flat to me. I DNF'ed after about 30%
I'm quite sad that this book never really made me feel anything and I really don't like to DNF books, but this is just not my cup of tea.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via a Goodreads Giveaway. All thought sand opinons are my own.
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