Any Girl Who Loves The Beatles Is Bound To Break Your Heart

by Nick Pollack

SOMETIMES THE LAST THING YOU WANT, IS THE THING YOU NEED MOST.

Across the crowded terminal at Sydney Airport, disillusioned travel blogger, Grant Ryder, spies touring English musician, Nina Taylor, steal a bottle of vodka, and impulsively, he steps into the resulting melee, to help her avoid arrest.

When this chivalrous act causes Grant to miss his flight, he’s forced to take a last minute job chaperoning his new least favourite person around the city he’s grown to hate, to cover the cost of a new flight, twenty four hours later.

As the straight-laced Grant chases the free-spirited Nina across town, he becomes increasingly uncertain if he’ll actually make it, as he’s drawn into the string of petty crimes she's tallying up, en route to her gig that night.

Once their initial animosity melts away as they bond over music, heartbreak and dad jokes, Grant sees Sydney through Nina’s eyes, and in the process, he gains a new appreciation for his home, and - by reconnecting with the past he was running from - a new hope for himself.

As their twenty four hours together draws to a close, neither star-crossed stranger will find it easy to say goodbye to the other.

A love story in the tradition of ‘Roman Holiday’, 'High Fidelity' and ‘Before Sunrise’.

Genres: Music

233 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2017

About the author

Nick comes to writing through a visual lens, spending most of his career directing short films & commercials in Australia.

Romantic thriller ‘Pack Only What You Need’ is his second fiction title for adult readers, the first being a comedy romance ‘Any Girl Who Loves The Beatles Is Bound To Break Your Heart’, published in 2017.

In addition, he regularly writes novels and screenplays for the children & family market. He has written three books for middle-grade readers, a wish-fulfillment fantasy ‘The Magician’s Raincoat’ and the first two books in a series titled ‘Zodee Ack, My Imaginary Foe’, with a fourth due in late 2020.

He has collaborated on a Christmas adventure script called ‘AKA Nick Claus’ with screenwriter Diane Drake ('What Women Want', ‘Only You’), and is currently working on screenplays for several new family films to be released in 2020.

He's particularly proud to have received an Australian Director's Guild award for directing commercials, and he is in pre-production on several feature film projects. His recently completed short feature ‘And Though The Music Ended, We Danced On Through The Night’, premiered at the Napa Valley Film Festival and collected accolades at over a dozen international festivals.

Reviews

[Sharon Mariampillai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy from the author, in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Nick Pollack for the opportunity to read your book. This was a good read. I thought it was a good story. Also, I thought the main characters were okay. I did not love them, but I did not hate them as well. I liked Grant a bit more than Nina. The ending was a bit disappointing. I thought that there would be more to the story. Hopefully there is another book to complete the story. I can't wait to see what Nick Pollack has in store next. Overall, an okay read.

[✦ Maica ✦ · Rating 1 out of 5]

First, I would like to thank the author, Nick Pollack, for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This novel used a unique writing style that I couldn't get into. It contained mostly dialogues. The hard part was there was so much going on in this book, but because of the writing, I had no idea what it was.

I had trouble connecting with any of the characters. Nina and Grant must be in their mid to late twenties but they acted like children and it wasn't just them, it was everybody! I find it hard to believe that they could be that immature.

Here's an example:
'Wow. OK, you know what... you've won me over. I'll do it.'
'Really?'
'NO!'

Are you 5 years old?

Nina was a problematic character. She stole and even fought with a toddler. That is not something anybody, especially in her position, should do. Grant also has some major anger issues. I know he's hurting but control your temper, mate!

Overall, I think one of the main reasons why I couldn't get into this book was because of the writing style. I just wasn't used to reading books in mostly dialogues.

[Nandini Prasad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before I start with the review I would like to make a promise to myself, here publicly. I promise that one day I'll write a book and title it 'Any Girl who loves One Direction is bound to break your heart'(If the author, Nick Pollack has no issues with it). I already have a story in mind which has nothing to do with this one. Because of this public proclamation, I'll have to write the book. Now, that we have this out of the way, lets talk about the book.

The writing style was very unique and distinctive and takes a while to get use to. The book is written in form of dialogues and thoughts of the two main leads. I have read books written just in dialogues (like 'Confession of a Gay Disney Prince' which is my favorite book in the entire cosmos and AHHHH!!! sorry I got distracted) but those books have some sort of detailing and marks when they change narrative, but this one didn't. You have to understand by the dialogues and thoughts what is happening.

'I'm Grant'
'Hi Grant. Hanna.'
'Nice to meet you Hanna. so, umm, I...look, I don't know if you're seeing anyone - and by the absence of a ring on your finger I'm guessing - hoping - that you're not married either... So I was wondering and I know this a bit forward, but maybe you know, I could grab your phone number so I could call you at some time to hang out and go see- or you know, get something to eat- doesn't have to be around here- or it could be, you know, whatever's good for you- I'm happy to do that too you know-Japanese or- not Japanese maybe you hate that I know some people do some love it- others... So, you know, it would be great to get your number and see you. Around. Again. You know, if you wanted to. Could be fun. At least for a while. But of course, everything is finite. Eventually, the thing you really liked about that person becomes the thing that you despise. And next thing you're spending more time spitting chips at each other than- well the good stuff- and then you end up wondering what you ever saw in that person, to begin with... so maybe we should just save each other a bucket of money, time, heartache & helter skelter and just cut to the breakup now- but I don't know. What do you say ?'

Now there is something really witty about this book. The issues it deals with are those we all face at some point of our lives. These are important problems because we often find ourselves completely alone in them. This book shows how much it can affect someone and how devastating the consequences can be.

The truth is often found in humour

I can never agree more with this statement. The fact that this book is a rom-com lets it encompass a lot of truths that if told straight off are really hard to face.

Now according to me what went wrong with this book.

'Nina, get down! Please!'
'Come on Local, live a little'

I hate these "Live a Little" statements. I just hate them. Not just here but everywhere I find them. Lets get something straight. I didn't like Nina Taylor. Like at all. Its not that I do not like free spirited characters. I love them. They show the very beauty of life. But there is a thin line between being free spirited and being utterly obnoxious.

'Did you ever do something just for the sake of doing it?'
'Did you ever do something with more than a second's forethought?!'
'Generally not.'

Well, Nina Taylor was clearly the latter for me. She was flippant and even annoying at times. This is definitely not how normal people behave. She seemed more like a little kid than a grown up adult.
Grant Ryder was definitely better but a bit vague.

I can see the inner light coming back on within him, as he realizes that his friends love him. He sees that he can be happy again

Now, there were a lot of emotions in this book. But they seemed to be floating on the surface. They felt very shallow.

And we walk from his circle of friends, his hand clutching mine. Like it's the most natural thing in the world. My god, am I... falling for him?! I'd be lying if I didn't say...... a little... maybe.

And the real problem I had with this book. Now, if I would have been telling this story, Nina and Grant would find peace. They would became friends, share their problems and find solutions. Grant would have grown bit happy and free and Nina would turn more mature. The next day they would have bit adieu say ta ta bye bye and leave, carrying a piece of each other in their hearts. BUt not fall in love.

It was just a day. Twenty four hours, that's it. Love doesn't form that soon. It can't. I know it can't So why do I feel like I've lost something I'll never get back?

Grant couldn't get over a break up after year but suddenly does when he meets and fall in love with a girl he met 12 hours ago. Nina just had a breakup with the guy whom she was with since last 3 years and there are no thoughts about him. What is wrong man? All of this would have gone so so good without this. And I definitely did not like the ending. It was too much. Too many things suddenly solved in one night which couldn't be solved all over the year. It was so weird.

OK brain, you don't like me and I don't like particularly like you, but let's put aside our differences for tonight only and help each other out. Then I promise we can go back to despising each other tomorrow, OK?

Humour was fine at times but sometimes extremely childish.

Don't live to regret the things you never said

This is definitely my favorite quote from the book.

2 stars

[Oishee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author, Nick Pollack for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.

So, first things first, the writing style. It is very confusing as is it in a conversational form with no real seperation between Nina and Grant's POVs.(Seriously, at first I thought why is the flight attandent calling a guy miss?)Also, the style describes situations way too much instead of describing how the characters feel at those particular situations.

I'm trying not to judge Nina and the truth is, I kind of like her free-spirited personality. but there are times where she is overpoweringly obnoxious and not likeable at all. For example that food fight scene. Freedom is truly not about causing other people discomfort. Nina's character lacks depth and mental maturity and is definitely not the Awesome heroine I expected from the book.

Grant is all over the place. He is an alcoholic and a drug addict, and all because of a woman who was cheating on him the entire time?Wow. Talk about getting your heart broken by the wrong person. He does collect himself throughout the book though, and I feel like he has more of a distinct personality (and sanity) than Nina.

The plot is as cliche as you will ever read, A heart-broken guy falling for a girl who has been in a long-term relationship until recently. The emotions are described rather shallow Still, I did enjoy the adventures and the silliness of this book.

Overall, if you are looking for a light weekend read, you can pick up this book. But if you are looking for a mind-blowing tale that leaves you thinking about it for days after, this one's a miss.

[Tom Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Using rhythmic prose and clever dialogue, Pollack draws us into a cracked and twisted world through the eyes of his protagonists Grant and Nina. Set in current day Sydney the book is an emotional rollercoaster filled with twists and turns as it explores ugly and beautiful sides of love and human nature. Pollack’s humorous and unapologetic style draws the reader subtly into a deeper philosophical provocation that will leave you pondering your own life choices and relationships. A beautifully written and moving story.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I thought that it was a cute little contemporary that is perfect for summer. The characters were mostly very developed, although some were possible lacking depth. The writing style was good- it wasn't too strenuous to read and flowed well. Overall, I thought that the book was really good

[Sara Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much that I devoured it in one day! Nick Pollack needs to write so many more books. This is a truly beautiful book that would make for an amazing movie! I would love to see this come to life on the big screen!

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A whirlwind day of ups and downs, plus plenty of (purposefully) cheesy jokes and Beatles song references. It is a quick read and worth it. While the book jacket referenced the Before Sunrise movie series, this book is less philosophical on relationships, writing and music, and instead a back and forth between strangers getting to know each other.

[Cheyenne Sioux · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Nick Pollack, for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This novel was written in a style of writing that I just could not grasp ahold of and connect with.

The story was written using mostly choppy dialogue that made it hard to decipher between which characters were presently speaking. This made the read hard to comprehend and I found myself constantly going back to figure out what was going on within the story and when the setting and characters speaking had changed.

'No Problem. I'll just wait downstairs'
'Good. You do that.'
'OK, I'm going downstairs now. I'll just be waiting down at the bottom of the stairs.'
'Downstairs. Yes there's a good lad.'
'I'll be down those stairs. Those ones just over there. Down, not up mind you, downstairs. So you know where to find me?'
'Upstairs right got it.'
'No, no downstairs.'
'Roger.'
'No. Grant, do you think I should maybe draw you a map of where I'll be?'
'I think I should be OK. Its Upstairs, right?'
'No, no down. Downstairs. How about I come in and draw you a map? Might be best.'
'Just go! I'll be up soon.'
'Down!'
'Down down yes down. BYE'
Silly boy.
Silly cute boy.

Example: Here is just one case of the awkward back and forth banter between the two characters where you really cannot see who is talking until Nina says Grants name halfway through dialogue.

I never felt a real connection to either Nina or Grant, they both were supposed to be in their twenties but they acted childish and it felt like they were maybe thirteen.

Nina was reckless, she was constantly getting herself and Grant into trouble. They ran from the police countless times and she just had no sense of self control when it comes to being logical. Her character reminded me of so many different characters from movies I've seen and other stories I've read, so I felt a really cliché vibe to her throughout this story as well and it made connecting with her hard.

Grant had his issues as well. I felt like he was whiny and always wallowing in his self pity for the first half of the book. He recently went through a break up so it makes some sense however the break up happened a while ago and the way Grant acts you would think it happened just yesterday. He also presented some major anger issues throughout the story and really probably should have that checked out or at least calm down a little.


Overall, I think the main reason I couldn't grasp this book was the dialogue, it was just too confusing and the way the characters acted towards one another just took away from the story.

[Arshi Imtiyaz · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book's premise was exciting. And if you saw my star rating, you'd know there's a "but" coming. The story may have been acceptable, but the writing slaughtered any hope this book had of success. Several chapters went by in just dialogue and it was very difficult to keep track of who was saying what. Perhaps a screenplay would've suited the author better.

Honestly, I would not recommend this to anyone.