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This Love Story Will Self-Destruct
This is the classic tale of boy meets girl: Girl…goes home with someone else.
Meet Eve. She’s a dreamer, a feeler, a careening well of sensitivities who can’t quite keep her feet on the ground, or steer clear of trouble. She’s a laugher, a crier, a quirky and quick-witted bleeding-heart-worrier.
Meet Ben. He’s an engineer, an expert at leveling floors who likes order, structure, and straight lines. He doesn’t opine, he doesn’t ruminate, he doesn’t simmer until he boils over.
So naturally, when the two first cross paths, sparks don’t exactly fly. But then they meet again. And again. And then, finally, they find themselves with a deep yet fragile connection that will change the course of their relationship—possibly forever.
Follow Eve and Ben as they navigate their twenties on a winding journey through first jobs, first dates, and first breakups; through first reunions, first betrayals and, maybe, first love. This is When Harry Met Sally reimagined; a charming tale told from two unapologetically original points of view. With an acerbic edge and heartwarming humor, debut novelist Leslie Cohen takes us on a tour of what life looks like when it doesn’t go according to plan, and explores the complexity, chaos, and comedy in finding a relationship built to last.
Meet Eve. She’s a dreamer, a feeler, a careening well of sensitivities who can’t quite keep her feet on the ground, or steer clear of trouble. She’s a laugher, a crier, a quirky and quick-witted bleeding-heart-worrier.
Meet Ben. He’s an engineer, an expert at leveling floors who likes order, structure, and straight lines. He doesn’t opine, he doesn’t ruminate, he doesn’t simmer until he boils over.
So naturally, when the two first cross paths, sparks don’t exactly fly. But then they meet again. And again. And then, finally, they find themselves with a deep yet fragile connection that will change the course of their relationship—possibly forever.
Follow Eve and Ben as they navigate their twenties on a winding journey through first jobs, first dates, and first breakups; through first reunions, first betrayals and, maybe, first love. This is When Harry Met Sally reimagined; a charming tale told from two unapologetically original points of view. With an acerbic edge and heartwarming humor, debut novelist Leslie Cohen takes us on a tour of what life looks like when it doesn’t go according to plan, and explores the complexity, chaos, and comedy in finding a relationship built to last.
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First published January 23, 2018
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About the author
Leslie Cohen
3 books125 followersLeslie Cohen was born and raised in New York. She studied fiction at Columbia University, and wrote a weekly music column for a newspaper in Colorado before working in publishing for several years. She is the author of This Love Story Will Self-Destruct and the forthcoming My Ride or Die.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 404 reviews
April 2, 2018
I just Loved This Love Story Will Self-Destruct ! I was intrigued from page 1 of the prologue and while the story had predictable elements, it was deeper and more relatable than I expected.
This is a story about Eve and Ben, college acquaintances via mutual friends, in their senior year at Columbia University. Besides having mutual friends, Eve and Ben are pretty different. The story follows them through their 20s - jobs, friendships, relationships, learning about themselves, and trying to answer some of life’s most challenging questions.
While the book can generally be described as contemporary fiction, and maybe even chick-lit by some, I got more from it. There were elements of tragedy in the story that I didn’t see coming. I liked all of the relationship dynamics throughout the book - family, siblings, friends, and romantic relationships. More than one that sounded a bit familiar.
”I used to have this fear of people leaving. I feared the discomfort, the sheer hurt of it and none of that happens without the beginning part. None of that happens if you don’t have that crucial beginning where you trust, you love, you hope, you rely...”
I enjoyed the writing in This Love Story Will Self-Destruct and also enjoyed both characters’ varying perspectives. I never disliked Ben, but he really grew on me as the story continued.
Maybe I loved the book because I felt so many of the story’s elements, as well as Ben and Eve’s feelings, were relatable. Maybe the predictable elements will turn some readers off from this level of enjoyment - I’m not sure, but I’m glad I read this one.
Thank you to Gallery Books for providing a copy of this book via giveaway, in exchange for an honest review.
This is a story about Eve and Ben, college acquaintances via mutual friends, in their senior year at Columbia University. Besides having mutual friends, Eve and Ben are pretty different. The story follows them through their 20s - jobs, friendships, relationships, learning about themselves, and trying to answer some of life’s most challenging questions.
While the book can generally be described as contemporary fiction, and maybe even chick-lit by some, I got more from it. There were elements of tragedy in the story that I didn’t see coming. I liked all of the relationship dynamics throughout the book - family, siblings, friends, and romantic relationships. More than one that sounded a bit familiar.
”I used to have this fear of people leaving. I feared the discomfort, the sheer hurt of it and none of that happens without the beginning part. None of that happens if you don’t have that crucial beginning where you trust, you love, you hope, you rely...”
I enjoyed the writing in This Love Story Will Self-Destruct and also enjoyed both characters’ varying perspectives. I never disliked Ben, but he really grew on me as the story continued.
Maybe I loved the book because I felt so many of the story’s elements, as well as Ben and Eve’s feelings, were relatable. Maybe the predictable elements will turn some readers off from this level of enjoyment - I’m not sure, but I’m glad I read this one.
Thank you to Gallery Books for providing a copy of this book via giveaway, in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2019
Have you ever read a book and when the conclusion came, you were honestly a peace with it. This love story will self-destruct was so calming and satisfying the whole way through that I for sure thought I would be let down by the departing words. But I was wrong, this book just left me in such a tranquil state of mind that was in awe.
It's exactly as the synopsis describes it to be, which was again oddly satisfying. This is the story of past acquaintances and what ifs. It was remarkably told through Eve and Ben point of view. Each very distinguishable in their own voice and expressions.
The characters are the most genuine and realistic bunch, and throughout the book, you can see how each member of this odd group of friends grows from college years to marriages and jobs. It was comforting to see these New Yorkers come and go through the storyline. I appreciated that Cohen didn't go for the usual instalove connection with her characters. You see their flaws, their weaknesses so to speak. The attitudes, the diversity of the friendships.
It funny when I think about it. My husband and my path crossed multiple times over the course of our lives before we actually met. Maybe that is why it resonated with me so much. I appreciated every part of this and how Cohen intriguingly manifested a relationship through the entwinement of some pretty pivotal points of their lives.
This is a book that can easily be enjoyed be enjoyed by 16-year-old teen girl worrying about her high school sweetheart and what maybe come of them to a woman of a more mature age looking for a heartwarmingly sweet, witty, lovely love story that has withstood the test of times.
It's exactly as the synopsis describes it to be, which was again oddly satisfying. This is the story of past acquaintances and what ifs. It was remarkably told through Eve and Ben point of view. Each very distinguishable in their own voice and expressions.
The characters are the most genuine and realistic bunch, and throughout the book, you can see how each member of this odd group of friends grows from college years to marriages and jobs. It was comforting to see these New Yorkers come and go through the storyline. I appreciated that Cohen didn't go for the usual instalove connection with her characters. You see their flaws, their weaknesses so to speak. The attitudes, the diversity of the friendships.
It funny when I think about it. My husband and my path crossed multiple times over the course of our lives before we actually met. Maybe that is why it resonated with me so much. I appreciated every part of this and how Cohen intriguingly manifested a relationship through the entwinement of some pretty pivotal points of their lives.
This is a book that can easily be enjoyed be enjoyed by 16-year-old teen girl worrying about her high school sweetheart and what maybe come of them to a woman of a more mature age looking for a heartwarmingly sweet, witty, lovely love story that has withstood the test of times.
June 10, 2018
THIS LOVE STORY WILL SELF-DESTRUCT is an all-consuming read. Leslie Cohen's debut rendered me completely useless on a snowy Sunday in April (yes, April. Spring is drunk). This book had the perfect balance of funny and light-hearted moments with depth and emotion. Highly recommended for seekers of "can't put it down" reads.
Eve and Ben meet in college in Columbia University. They're opposites but you know what they say about that, right? Eve is a free-spirited and artsy aspiring music journalist while Ben is an analytical engineering student. Despite meeting multiple times in college, Eve can't seem to hold onto his name. The reader is dropped throughout moments in their twenties. Flash-forward three years after they first meet, Eve works at a restaurant and is dating a guy who is more interested in the drugs part of "sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll." Even more time passes and they run into each other again, but this time sparks fly.
Eve's self-destructive behavior is the product of her troubled and tragic childhood. Her father walked out on her mom and sister and never looked back. Her mother perished in the 9/11 attacks. Her fear of abandonment and attachment has gotten her in trouble in past relationships. She always seems to pick the wrong guy, until Ben. Ben is the ying to her yang. He is well-adjusted, level-headed, and brings a sense of calm to her neurotic tendencies. I really loved them as a couple. I love Ben's patience with Eve and how supportive he is.
This book is very much about Eve coming to terms with her past but it's also a story of just how powerful the good kind of love can be. There was a part of Eve that identified with so completely. There is a scene that she experienced between her father that I connected with on such a personal level. I totally understood Eve's character and reluctance to jump into something completely due to fear.
New York City is a secondary character in this novel, pushing and pulling Eve in different directions. Her past is tethered to different parts of the city. When she moved away, the city called her back. Ultimately, she found herself in the city where she experienced so much pain. I really liked experiencing the culture and the landscape of the city.
It seems like my streak of finding great debuts continues into 2018. I read most of this book in one day because I simply couldn't put it down. Will Ben and Eve end up together or will Eve's propensity to self-sabotage ruin them? Cohen is a yet another author I'm going to keep an eye on.
* Thanks to Gallery books for proving me with an early copy for review. Receiving this book for free did not affect my review.
*** LINKS ABOVE CONTAIN AFFILIATES ***
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: This means that if you make a purchase through one of the links I may receive a small commission.
Read this Review • Website • 🔹FACEBOOK GROUP🔹 • Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest • Instagram • Subscribe by Email
****************
★★UPCOMING BOOK RELEASES★★
****************
Eve and Ben meet in college in Columbia University. They're opposites but you know what they say about that, right? Eve is a free-spirited and artsy aspiring music journalist while Ben is an analytical engineering student. Despite meeting multiple times in college, Eve can't seem to hold onto his name. The reader is dropped throughout moments in their twenties. Flash-forward three years after they first meet, Eve works at a restaurant and is dating a guy who is more interested in the drugs part of "sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll." Even more time passes and they run into each other again, but this time sparks fly.
Eve's self-destructive behavior is the product of her troubled and tragic childhood. Her father walked out on her mom and sister and never looked back. Her mother perished in the 9/11 attacks. Her fear of abandonment and attachment has gotten her in trouble in past relationships. She always seems to pick the wrong guy, until Ben. Ben is the ying to her yang. He is well-adjusted, level-headed, and brings a sense of calm to her neurotic tendencies. I really loved them as a couple. I love Ben's patience with Eve and how supportive he is.
This book is very much about Eve coming to terms with her past but it's also a story of just how powerful the good kind of love can be. There was a part of Eve that identified with so completely. There is a scene that she experienced between her father that I connected with on such a personal level. I totally understood Eve's character and reluctance to jump into something completely due to fear.
New York City is a secondary character in this novel, pushing and pulling Eve in different directions. Her past is tethered to different parts of the city. When she moved away, the city called her back. Ultimately, she found herself in the city where she experienced so much pain. I really liked experiencing the culture and the landscape of the city.
It seems like my streak of finding great debuts continues into 2018. I read most of this book in one day because I simply couldn't put it down. Will Ben and Eve end up together or will Eve's propensity to self-sabotage ruin them? Cohen is a yet another author I'm going to keep an eye on.
* Thanks to Gallery books for proving me with an early copy for review. Receiving this book for free did not affect my review.
*** LINKS ABOVE CONTAIN AFFILIATES ***
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: This means that if you make a purchase through one of the links I may receive a small commission.
Read this Review • Website • 🔹FACEBOOK GROUP🔹 • Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest • Instagram • Subscribe by Email
****************
★★UPCOMING BOOK RELEASES★★
****************
January 29, 2019
This love story will self-destruct tried so hard to be many things all at once and yet it failed miserably and spectacularly at being anything at all. I have never felt this indifferent towards a book; I have this blank space where this book should be. I didn’t care enough to DNF it and I didn’t care enough to read it without skimming parts of it. It was just so meh for me.
This love story will self-destruct in a NA romance novel that revolves around two college students and how they’ll fall in love à la when sally met harry style but it’s not really that good or interesting. There’s no romancing in this romance book, it’s just the story of a female protagonist being insufferable and doing stupid things while the male protagonist takes her back every time because I guess he loves her or something.
Not to mention, that it took 40% of the book for the two main characters to even like properly meet. Sure, they had an encounter when they just say one sentence to each other and then Ben disappears from the book and we’re stuck with her while she’s dating this other guy who is a complete asshole for nearly half of the book. And if that’s not enough to kill my patience, once she meets Ben, they look at each other, decide that they had a moment, proceed to talk about random shit and then start to make out; I mean, I really can’t with the romance in this book.
First, you make us wait for nearly half the book for the two main characters to even talk to each other and then you give us Insta-love or insta-connection with one look across the bar. I mean saying that this book is the definition of mediocrity isn’t exaggerating.
I already said that the female protagonist is insufferable but come to think of it so is the writing style, so is the plot and so is the romance. It’s abundantly clear that the book has no redeeming qualities for me, Even Ben who is a decent character has no common sense at all and it’s baffling to me why would he put up with everything the heroine does in this book, like this is too much, she’s too annoying, too immature, too self-centered and she cheats on him too with her asshole ex-boyfriend.
I also felt like the author was trying too hard to make her book seem deep and insightful but the writing style was forced and lack the depth the author clearly craved. I mean pages and pages of character trying to appear profound, quirky and deep didn’t really endear them to me or to their story and also the conversations that they have and they way some of them talk to each other was just not that good, people in their twenties don’t talk like that, I mean who even does?
Clearly, this book is not for me, I wasted my time reading it but I’m going to put it out of my mind and go pick something to enjoy.
This love story will self-destruct in a NA romance novel that revolves around two college students and how they’ll fall in love à la when sally met harry style but it’s not really that good or interesting. There’s no romancing in this romance book, it’s just the story of a female protagonist being insufferable and doing stupid things while the male protagonist takes her back every time because I guess he loves her or something.
Not to mention, that it took 40% of the book for the two main characters to even like properly meet. Sure, they had an encounter when they just say one sentence to each other and then Ben disappears from the book and we’re stuck with her while she’s dating this other guy who is a complete asshole for nearly half of the book. And if that’s not enough to kill my patience, once she meets Ben, they look at each other, decide that they had a moment, proceed to talk about random shit and then start to make out; I mean, I really can’t with the romance in this book.
First, you make us wait for nearly half the book for the two main characters to even talk to each other and then you give us Insta-love or insta-connection with one look across the bar. I mean saying that this book is the definition of mediocrity isn’t exaggerating.
I already said that the female protagonist is insufferable but come to think of it so is the writing style, so is the plot and so is the romance. It’s abundantly clear that the book has no redeeming qualities for me, Even Ben who is a decent character has no common sense at all and it’s baffling to me why would he put up with everything the heroine does in this book, like this is too much, she’s too annoying, too immature, too self-centered and she cheats on him too with her asshole ex-boyfriend.
I also felt like the author was trying too hard to make her book seem deep and insightful but the writing style was forced and lack the depth the author clearly craved. I mean pages and pages of character trying to appear profound, quirky and deep didn’t really endear them to me or to their story and also the conversations that they have and they way some of them talk to each other was just not that good, people in their twenties don’t talk like that, I mean who even does?
Clearly, this book is not for me, I wasted my time reading it but I’m going to put it out of my mind and go pick something to enjoy.
October 1, 2018
Thanks to the publisher for providing an e-arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
DNF @ 27%
Do you ever start a book and instantly get that sinking feeling in your gut because you know with every fiber of your being that you're just not gonna like it one bit?? I always feel absolutely horrible not finishing arcs, but when I don't care about characters at the 20% mark, I know I'm not going to care to see their journey to the end of the book.
Everything about This Love Story Will Self-Destruct grated on my nerves. It had that writing style I loathe in which everything in such a way to seem super deep, except it's really just incredibly shallow. It felt forced, like the author was trying to create sentences that could be pulled from the book and used as "deep" quotes to be plastered on some dreamy photo of a beach or sunset. This Love Story Will Self-Destruct not only had the fake-deep writing though, but also sections of paragraph that made little to no sense. I don't know if the author was trying to go for some sort of abstract style of describing things & events or what, but it didn't work for me in the slightest. At 3% in I was already struggling to keep up with the metaphors and descriptions.
And Eve. Oh, sweet lord, I had to deal with pages upon pages of Eve. Look, I love quirky characters. I love characters with depth and tortured pasts, who perform questionable actions because of it. But Eve. My god. I don't think I've ever hated a main character so quickly. She's the epitome of a quirky character gone wrong. Her past was traumatic, but leaves me hard-pressed to understand how it ended with her becoming such a scattered, brainless character. Her actions were irrational or incredibly dramatic, and even with being inside her head throughout almost 30% of the novel, I still don't feel like I ever got a good understanding of what drove her so forcefully to do the inane things she did.
Besides the writing and Eve, there were also a few other things that made me decide to toss this one aside. After reading others' reviews (god bless you people who made it through this), I learned that the real main love interest doesn't even appear again in the story until 50%. And yeahhh, there was no way I was going to make it until then with the asshole that was Eve's current boyfriend. Aside from that, I've also seen mention of Eve cheating which doesn't surprise me in the slightest but still makes me want to bang my head against the wall. I can only hope that one day we'll have romance novels without cheating.
Overall, This Love Story Will Self-Destruct was one of those books that was just not for me. Between the writing style, Eve's narration, and Eve herself, I was unable to drag myself to the halfway mark. I'm disappointed, because I feel like the characterization of those within the novel was strong (as annoying as they were), and there was a glimmer of potential throughout what I read. Unfortunately though, anything truly memorable and enjoyable failed to be executed.
*2 out of 5 stars*
DNF @ 27%
Do you ever start a book and instantly get that sinking feeling in your gut because you know with every fiber of your being that you're just not gonna like it one bit?? I always feel absolutely horrible not finishing arcs, but when I don't care about characters at the 20% mark, I know I'm not going to care to see their journey to the end of the book.
Everything about This Love Story Will Self-Destruct grated on my nerves. It had that writing style I loathe in which everything in such a way to seem super deep, except it's really just incredibly shallow. It felt forced, like the author was trying to create sentences that could be pulled from the book and used as "deep" quotes to be plastered on some dreamy photo of a beach or sunset. This Love Story Will Self-Destruct not only had the fake-deep writing though, but also sections of paragraph that made little to no sense. I don't know if the author was trying to go for some sort of abstract style of describing things & events or what, but it didn't work for me in the slightest. At 3% in I was already struggling to keep up with the metaphors and descriptions.
And Eve. Oh, sweet lord, I had to deal with pages upon pages of Eve. Look, I love quirky characters. I love characters with depth and tortured pasts, who perform questionable actions because of it. But Eve. My god. I don't think I've ever hated a main character so quickly. She's the epitome of a quirky character gone wrong. Her past was traumatic, but leaves me hard-pressed to understand how it ended with her becoming such a scattered, brainless character. Her actions were irrational or incredibly dramatic, and even with being inside her head throughout almost 30% of the novel, I still don't feel like I ever got a good understanding of what drove her so forcefully to do the inane things she did.
Besides the writing and Eve, there were also a few other things that made me decide to toss this one aside. After reading others' reviews (god bless you people who made it through this), I learned that the real main love interest doesn't even appear again in the story until 50%. And yeahhh, there was no way I was going to make it until then with the asshole that was Eve's current boyfriend. Aside from that, I've also seen mention of Eve cheating which doesn't surprise me in the slightest but still makes me want to bang my head against the wall. I can only hope that one day we'll have romance novels without cheating.
Overall, This Love Story Will Self-Destruct was one of those books that was just not for me. Between the writing style, Eve's narration, and Eve herself, I was unable to drag myself to the halfway mark. I'm disappointed, because I feel like the characterization of those within the novel was strong (as annoying as they were), and there was a glimmer of potential throughout what I read. Unfortunately though, anything truly memorable and enjoyable failed to be executed.
*2 out of 5 stars*
January 15, 2018
5+ Stars
Wow! This book surprised me in the best of ways. I was just browsing through Net Galley and the title is what got my attention. I was expecting a ring pop, something cute and yummy and instead I got a freaking Tiffany diamond!!! I love finding these hidden gems!
This reads like a coming of age story with quirky characters, subtle humor and there are so many layers of complexity in how these characters responded to both big and small life changing events. The book starts with Eve and Ben in their college days and follows them into their 20's. They meet several times during college but there is absolutely no interest on both sides. Just another person you are forced to make small talk with because you run in the same circles. Eve is actually in a very toxic relationship with someone else initially and you get to understand why she made some really bad decisions later.
Eventually while Eve is working as an aspiring music reporter and Ben is an engineer working on building the Freedom Tower, these two have a moment over a table of chicken wings and thus begins their romantic relationship. These two could not be any different. Ben is a logical guy, quiet and maybe considered boring. Eve is more quirky, emotional, unpredictable and a tad bit over dramatic. Her personality is probably the result of people walking out of her life in different ways and so she has huge trust issues. She does not believe in happily ever after and this leads to self-sabotaging her relationship with Ben.
I loved that this book was so WEIRD! The eccentricity of these characters balanced out the grave situations and life changes they went through. At one point Eve and Ben find out they are connected in a most shocking way. My emotions were in overload and I acutely felt Eve's pain. The fact that she dealt with her pain by personifying bread and writing songs about how a pair of gloves feel when one of them is lost just made her that more appealing to me.
I can't believe this is the author's debut novel. The writing was magnificent, complex and emotionally intelligent. I dare anyone to read this book and not be blown away. Highly recommended!
5+ Stars
Contemporary Romance/ Chick Lit
Heat Level: N/A
POV: Dual
HEA
ARC provided by publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review
COME FIND ME!
Wow! This book surprised me in the best of ways. I was just browsing through Net Galley and the title is what got my attention. I was expecting a ring pop, something cute and yummy and instead I got a freaking Tiffany diamond!!! I love finding these hidden gems!
This reads like a coming of age story with quirky characters, subtle humor and there are so many layers of complexity in how these characters responded to both big and small life changing events. The book starts with Eve and Ben in their college days and follows them into their 20's. They meet several times during college but there is absolutely no interest on both sides. Just another person you are forced to make small talk with because you run in the same circles. Eve is actually in a very toxic relationship with someone else initially and you get to understand why she made some really bad decisions later.
Eventually while Eve is working as an aspiring music reporter and Ben is an engineer working on building the Freedom Tower, these two have a moment over a table of chicken wings and thus begins their romantic relationship. These two could not be any different. Ben is a logical guy, quiet and maybe considered boring. Eve is more quirky, emotional, unpredictable and a tad bit over dramatic. Her personality is probably the result of people walking out of her life in different ways and so she has huge trust issues. She does not believe in happily ever after and this leads to self-sabotaging her relationship with Ben.
I loved that this book was so WEIRD! The eccentricity of these characters balanced out the grave situations and life changes they went through. At one point Eve and Ben find out they are connected in a most shocking way. My emotions were in overload and I acutely felt Eve's pain. The fact that she dealt with her pain by personifying bread and writing songs about how a pair of gloves feel when one of them is lost just made her that more appealing to me.
I can't believe this is the author's debut novel. The writing was magnificent, complex and emotionally intelligent. I dare anyone to read this book and not be blown away. Highly recommended!
5+ Stars
Contemporary Romance/ Chick Lit
Heat Level: N/A
POV: Dual
HEA
ARC provided by publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review
COME FIND ME!
March 24, 2023
I received a free advanced copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
4.5 stars
Before I start with a brief synopsis, I just want to say that the writing was superb. It is the author's debut novel and it was written with such care, I was very impressed.
We are introduced to Eve and her group of girlfriends as they navigate friendship and love in NYC. There are a group of guys who always seem to be just around, cue in Ben. Eve is anxious and over analyzes everything, that she feels most of her relationships are doomed from the start. Ben is not her typical type and also has a connection to her former life that she is not aware of; they have a moment and a series of meet-ups soon after lead to the story of Eve and Ben.
The characters are relatable and the dialogue is authentic, it felt very real. I felt very connected to Eve, and often as I read I would say "me too" when she was working through the feelings or thoughts in her head.
I read this book in 1 day, as I had to get to the ending to see what transpired. It was a quick, delightful read. I highly recommend.
4.5 stars
Before I start with a brief synopsis, I just want to say that the writing was superb. It is the author's debut novel and it was written with such care, I was very impressed.
We are introduced to Eve and her group of girlfriends as they navigate friendship and love in NYC. There are a group of guys who always seem to be just around, cue in Ben. Eve is anxious and over analyzes everything, that she feels most of her relationships are doomed from the start. Ben is not her typical type and also has a connection to her former life that she is not aware of; they have a moment and a series of meet-ups soon after lead to the story of Eve and Ben.
The characters are relatable and the dialogue is authentic, it felt very real. I felt very connected to Eve, and often as I read I would say "me too" when she was working through the feelings or thoughts in her head.
I read this book in 1 day, as I had to get to the ending to see what transpired. It was a quick, delightful read. I highly recommend.
July 16, 2019
The words got in the way of the story, if that makes sense. Some authors write sparingly, making every word count, and still manage to convey so much. Here, the action and the emotion were over-explained. I give this a 3.7 out of 5.
November 9, 2017
***ARC received for an honest review***
Have you ever grabbed a handful of brightly colored candies and tossed them in your mouth thinking "all right! m&m's!" only to discover you now have a mouthful of skittles? That's what this book did to me - an unexpected tart flavor with a surprising deliciousness. I thought I was going to get sugary sweet, but instead I got something to chew on.
A large portion of this book is about how Eve is neurotic and self-destructive and a hot mess. Cohen doesn't dip her toes in the crazy pool - she goes in with a cannonball. Eve has to be one of the most believable, relatable and all-around lovable characters I've met. During her bizarre inner-monologues I thought "cool. Leslie Cohen has been inside my head." I found a story and an author that allowed me to connect to the characters on this visceral cerebral level. There was little physical description of Eve or Ben - but their beautiful idiosyncrasies were there in vivid detail.
Ben is...okay, this is gonna sound rude. But Ben seems so incidental to the story...until he doesn't. I was all about Eve - riding the Crazy Train with my girl wondering "what's this guy doing here?" Til suddenly Ben felt like air - necessary. Cohen pulled the disparate strands of her multi-hued story from the air and weaved them together at the end - a bold tapestry of a story.
I am jittery. A worrier. An overachiever. My husband is my rock. My anchor. And this is a love story that reflects real life - Quirky. Mundane. Stressful. Brilliant. A couple of times the story was so painful I had to set the book down and walk around. Twice I read paragraphs out loud because I needed to experience the writing on more levels. And while I didn't cry I did get a little teary - more than once.
So yeah - not a romance. Not silly. Definitely way more book than indicated by the cover or the blurb.
Way more book than I anticipated - in the best way possible. If you're looking for a love that's not about throbbing members, glamorous women and unrealistic expectations but about cockroaches, pajamas and the *Potato Chip Incident* this is the story for you.
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Have you ever grabbed a handful of brightly colored candies and tossed them in your mouth thinking "all right! m&m's!" only to discover you now have a mouthful of skittles? That's what this book did to me - an unexpected tart flavor with a surprising deliciousness. I thought I was going to get sugary sweet, but instead I got something to chew on.
A large portion of this book is about how Eve is neurotic and self-destructive and a hot mess. Cohen doesn't dip her toes in the crazy pool - she goes in with a cannonball. Eve has to be one of the most believable, relatable and all-around lovable characters I've met. During her bizarre inner-monologues I thought "cool. Leslie Cohen has been inside my head." I found a story and an author that allowed me to connect to the characters on this visceral cerebral level. There was little physical description of Eve or Ben - but their beautiful idiosyncrasies were there in vivid detail.
Ben is...okay, this is gonna sound rude. But Ben seems so incidental to the story...until he doesn't. I was all about Eve - riding the Crazy Train with my girl wondering "what's this guy doing here?" Til suddenly Ben felt like air - necessary. Cohen pulled the disparate strands of her multi-hued story from the air and weaved them together at the end - a bold tapestry of a story.
I am jittery. A worrier. An overachiever. My husband is my rock. My anchor. And this is a love story that reflects real life - Quirky. Mundane. Stressful. Brilliant. A couple of times the story was so painful I had to set the book down and walk around. Twice I read paragraphs out loud because I needed to experience the writing on more levels. And while I didn't cry I did get a little teary - more than once.
So yeah - not a romance. Not silly. Definitely way more book than indicated by the cover or the blurb.
Way more book than I anticipated - in the best way possible. If you're looking for a love that's not about throbbing members, glamorous women and unrealistic expectations but about cockroaches, pajamas and the *Potato Chip Incident* this is the story for you.
For more reviews...
December 11, 2017
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Boy meets girl, girl doesn’t even acknowledge him on her radar, perhaps because he is reasonably safe, a little bland, not a bad boy? Eve is anything but stable, mature, she is a dreamer, waiting for her dreams to arrive and unfold themselves in front of her. She likes to think she is living life on the edge, but her own thoughts and insecurities keep tripping her up.
Ben is a young man who thrives on order in a chaotic world. He isn’t worthy of Eve’s notice until years later when their paths continue to cross long after they were “out in the world,” and even then, it isn’t some magically, eye-opening experience, but there is something. The pull of opposites attracting? Eve finally deciding to get off the crazy train and grow up just a little? Ben needing to add a pinch of chaos in his orderly world?
Funny how a character can irritate a reader, especially when she is so realistic, shallow, but far too realistic. Eve is that girl who wants to live life in the fast lane, complete with the drama, the bad choices and the ability to do it all in the shallow end of life. She has been damaged by her past, and it becomes her shield, her reason for why she is the way she is, which is often unappreciative (ie: her stepfather and her attitude towards the man).
I wanted to know more about Ben. Being less “volatile or quirky” doesn’t mean he isn’t just as complex.
Love is a funny thing, there is no rhyme or reason, it’s an attraction that just is. Real love doesn’t worry what others think, it isn’t life in the fast 24/7. Will Eve learn this before it is too late? Perhaps she will never find that “perfect love,” perhaps she will find what she needs as opposed to what she thinks she wants. Will Ben be there to cross her path one more time?
THIS LOVE STORY WILL SELF-DESTRUCT by Leslie Cohen is superbly written, there is no doubt that Ms. Cohen is a gifted wordsmith. She did evoke emotions from me, not sure all were good ones, but I was drawn in, partly because I needed to hope I could find that missing connection, that AHA moment when everything made sense and I could return to reality feeling settled, feeling I could like BOTH main characters. It didn’t happen, but maybe it’s just me, because I DO like Leslie Cohen’s sense of writing style, sharp, edgy and strong enough to create a world where not everyone feels warm and fuzzy.
I received an ARC edition from Gallery Books in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Gallery Books (January 23, 2018)
Publication Date: January 23, 2018
Genre: Fiction | Domestic Life
Print Length: 336 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Boy meets girl, girl doesn’t even acknowledge him on her radar, perhaps because he is reasonably safe, a little bland, not a bad boy? Eve is anything but stable, mature, she is a dreamer, waiting for her dreams to arrive and unfold themselves in front of her. She likes to think she is living life on the edge, but her own thoughts and insecurities keep tripping her up.
Ben is a young man who thrives on order in a chaotic world. He isn’t worthy of Eve’s notice until years later when their paths continue to cross long after they were “out in the world,” and even then, it isn’t some magically, eye-opening experience, but there is something. The pull of opposites attracting? Eve finally deciding to get off the crazy train and grow up just a little? Ben needing to add a pinch of chaos in his orderly world?
Funny how a character can irritate a reader, especially when she is so realistic, shallow, but far too realistic. Eve is that girl who wants to live life in the fast lane, complete with the drama, the bad choices and the ability to do it all in the shallow end of life. She has been damaged by her past, and it becomes her shield, her reason for why she is the way she is, which is often unappreciative (ie: her stepfather and her attitude towards the man).
I wanted to know more about Ben. Being less “volatile or quirky” doesn’t mean he isn’t just as complex.
Love is a funny thing, there is no rhyme or reason, it’s an attraction that just is. Real love doesn’t worry what others think, it isn’t life in the fast 24/7. Will Eve learn this before it is too late? Perhaps she will never find that “perfect love,” perhaps she will find what she needs as opposed to what she thinks she wants. Will Ben be there to cross her path one more time?
THIS LOVE STORY WILL SELF-DESTRUCT by Leslie Cohen is superbly written, there is no doubt that Ms. Cohen is a gifted wordsmith. She did evoke emotions from me, not sure all were good ones, but I was drawn in, partly because I needed to hope I could find that missing connection, that AHA moment when everything made sense and I could return to reality feeling settled, feeling I could like BOTH main characters. It didn’t happen, but maybe it’s just me, because I DO like Leslie Cohen’s sense of writing style, sharp, edgy and strong enough to create a world where not everyone feels warm and fuzzy.
I received an ARC edition from Gallery Books in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Gallery Books (January 23, 2018)
Publication Date: January 23, 2018
Genre: Fiction | Domestic Life
Print Length: 336 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
November 12, 2017
Let me start by saying I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an HONEST review.
That being said: I hated it. Eve was truly insufferable. She was a garbage person I could not stand from the beginning. At 37% (kindle) I had to force myself to keep going. Ben (our other lead) doesn’t even come into the story until the halfway point. Ben was a gem and didn’t get nearly enough of a plot or character development. When he entered the story, it was a relief because it meant dealing with Eve a little less. The fact that he tolerated her and put up with her (for lack of a better term) “quirks” boggles my mind.
And the italics. FOR THE LOVE, the italics. Pages and pages and pages of Eve’s thoughts in italics made me feel like I was losing my mind.
The writing was well done. I just really hated the story. I wanted to like it so much.
That being said: I hated it. Eve was truly insufferable. She was a garbage person I could not stand from the beginning. At 37% (kindle) I had to force myself to keep going. Ben (our other lead) doesn’t even come into the story until the halfway point. Ben was a gem and didn’t get nearly enough of a plot or character development. When he entered the story, it was a relief because it meant dealing with Eve a little less. The fact that he tolerated her and put up with her (for lack of a better term) “quirks” boggles my mind.
And the italics. FOR THE LOVE, the italics. Pages and pages and pages of Eve’s thoughts in italics made me feel like I was losing my mind.
The writing was well done. I just really hated the story. I wanted to like it so much.
June 20, 2023
Do you ever start a book and instantly get that sinking feeling in your gut because you know with every fiber of your being that you're just not gonna like it one bit??
I always feel absolutely horrible not finishing arcs, but when I don't care about characters at the 20% mark, I know I'm not going to care to see their journey to the end of the book.
Okay, I did skip to the end to see how they ended up, and I still didn’t like it.
Some reviewers did, though…so, if you are looking for a quirky story about two people who are friends, not, and then maybe more…so sorry I couldn't say more...
I always feel absolutely horrible not finishing arcs, but when I don't care about characters at the 20% mark, I know I'm not going to care to see their journey to the end of the book.
Okay, I did skip to the end to see how they ended up, and I still didn’t like it.
Some reviewers did, though…so, if you are looking for a quirky story about two people who are friends, not, and then maybe more…so sorry I couldn't say more...
December 20, 2017
Review to come.
Arc received in exchange for a review.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
Arc received in exchange for a review.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
May 8, 2018
More like 1.5.
I'm sorry, I hated this. I couldn't really stand either of them? And the relationship was skimmed over and all the flash forwards just made me feel like I didn't know them or their relationship at all.
Anyway, no thanks.
I'm sorry, I hated this. I couldn't really stand either of them? And the relationship was skimmed over and all the flash forwards just made me feel like I didn't know them or their relationship at all.
Anyway, no thanks.
January 30, 2018
Eve Porter has been through a lot. Her mother died tragically and her father left her and her sister when they were young. Due to this, she spends a lot of time worrying and observing things in order to protect herself. She dates a lot of toxic people and when she meets Ben, she assumes he is too nice, too boring, and far too perfect for her taste. But as the years go by, she runs into Ben again as they share some of the same college friends and there's definitely something there. Can Eve let herself date a "normal" guy? Can she allow herself to be happy? This novel is very reminiscent of When Harry Met Sally, which is one of my favorite movies, so I thoroughly enjoyed This Love Story Will Self-Destruct by Leslie Cohen.
Read the rest of my review here:
http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
Read the rest of my review here:
http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
November 12, 2017
That was messy & gritty & I loved it.
January 29, 2018
Not my thing. Found myself skimming.
October 3, 2023
This started off really slow. I listen to audiobooks at work and I was too busy to find another book to listen to. I’m so glad I was! Although it wasn’t until about 30% in, once I was invested, I was totally in.
Eve and Ben were total opposites who were always crossing paths but never connecting … until they do. I was rooting Eve on while she wrestled with her traumatic past, and really enjoyed watching their journey to and from each other. This felt like a real, realistic love story and I really enjoyed it. 💕
Eve and Ben were total opposites who were always crossing paths but never connecting … until they do. I was rooting Eve on while she wrestled with her traumatic past, and really enjoyed watching their journey to and from each other. This felt like a real, realistic love story and I really enjoyed it. 💕
November 21, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley, for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
First, the good. I really enjoyed how Ben and Eve each narrate the story. Their voices were distinct and I easily knew which character was telling the story. I also loved the way New York City was portrayed. It felt like I was really there. The writing in general was also really good. Cohen's style is enjoyable and easy to read.
Now, the not so good. The story itself just didn't work for me. It was hard to figure out how much time was passing in the story. We learn that Eve's mom died in the 9/11 attacks. Then we later learn that she was the secretary for Ben's dad. Ben figures this out and knows it's going to be a HUGE thing to tell Eve. And when he tells her she barely reacts. Which, is completely out of character. She has meltdowns about her socks missing their mates, but when Ben tells her his dad basically told her mom to wait in the second tower and if she had left when she wanted to she would've survived, Eve just tears up and they move on with their lives. Yes, she thinks about it later, but still not to the extent I expected from how her character had been painted.
Then Ben is just completely dull and boring. We never get to know him. He's very one dimensional and just in love with Eve. Until she kisses her ex-boyfriend, because of course she does. Could we have a love story where the girl doesn't cheat on the boy? Or how about if she does he doesn't forgive her. Eve is just another manic pixie dream girl in another predictable love story. I spent a lot of time rolling my eyes and saying, of course that's what she did.
I really wish the author had explored more of Ben's character for us. I also felt the whole 9/11 event was a character in itself and it wasn't given the weight it could have had. I loved the premise, but just didn't feel it was executed well.
First, the good. I really enjoyed how Ben and Eve each narrate the story. Their voices were distinct and I easily knew which character was telling the story. I also loved the way New York City was portrayed. It felt like I was really there. The writing in general was also really good. Cohen's style is enjoyable and easy to read.
Now, the not so good. The story itself just didn't work for me. It was hard to figure out how much time was passing in the story. We learn that Eve's mom died in the 9/11 attacks. Then we later learn that she was the secretary for Ben's dad. Ben figures this out and knows it's going to be a HUGE thing to tell Eve. And when he tells her she barely reacts. Which, is completely out of character. She has meltdowns about her socks missing their mates, but when Ben tells her his dad basically told her mom to wait in the second tower and if she had left when she wanted to she would've survived, Eve just tears up and they move on with their lives. Yes, she thinks about it later, but still not to the extent I expected from how her character had been painted.
Then Ben is just completely dull and boring. We never get to know him. He's very one dimensional and just in love with Eve. Until she kisses her ex-boyfriend, because of course she does. Could we have a love story where the girl doesn't cheat on the boy? Or how about if she does he doesn't forgive her. Eve is just another manic pixie dream girl in another predictable love story. I spent a lot of time rolling my eyes and saying, of course that's what she did.
I really wish the author had explored more of Ben's character for us. I also felt the whole 9/11 event was a character in itself and it wasn't given the weight it could have had. I loved the premise, but just didn't feel it was executed well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2019
*4.5 Stars
This book had me at the title. Anyone who knows me, knows that I tend to gravitate toward books that don’t take the easiest, smoothest paths. I want to be pulled into the lives of the characters and taken on their journey, and if it happens to break my heart in the process, then so be it.
Leslie Cohen’s debut novel was just what I was in the mood for. As soon as I finished reading it, I immediately went on a search to find out if she had any other books in the works. Yes, this book was that good!
I’m always drawn to characters that are quirky and walk to the beat of their own drum, and Eve was certainly a quirky character. I found myself smiling and laughing at some of her antics, but there was so much more to her. As the story progressed and more and more was revealed about Eve’s life, I was able to get a better understanding of the young woman that she was. She was an intriguing character who I found myself rooting for right from the beginning, and the more I got to know her, the more endearing she became. She didn’t always make the best choices or decisions. She was flawed and made her share of mistakes. She was attracted to people who were also flawed, and who had their own fair share of baggage and inner turmoil. Several times, I found myself shaking my head and thinking don’t do it, Eve.
Eve and Ben had been acquaintances for years, through mutual friends. There was never anything between them until they had a moment and connected. Ben was nothing like the men that Eve was used to dating. He wasn’t melancholy or stuck in his own head. He offered up a sense of safety that Eve hadn’t had for a long time. As much as I was on "Team Ben," I was wary of where their relationship could be heading. With Eve, nothing ever felt wholly secure, on solid ground, or written in stone. I always felt as though she could change her mind and turn on a dime with whatever idea popped into her head. She could sabotage a good thing by reasoning with herself that it would all be for the best in the long run.
This Love Story Will Self-Destruct was everything that I enjoy in a novel. I felt as though I was right there with the characters on the lively, colorful streets of New York City. It had all of the humor, heart, and depth that I crave in this genre. With a vibrant cast of characters and an all-consuming story that I was completely enamored with, I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this talented author.
This book had me at the title. Anyone who knows me, knows that I tend to gravitate toward books that don’t take the easiest, smoothest paths. I want to be pulled into the lives of the characters and taken on their journey, and if it happens to break my heart in the process, then so be it.
Leslie Cohen’s debut novel was just what I was in the mood for. As soon as I finished reading it, I immediately went on a search to find out if she had any other books in the works. Yes, this book was that good!
I’m always drawn to characters that are quirky and walk to the beat of their own drum, and Eve was certainly a quirky character. I found myself smiling and laughing at some of her antics, but there was so much more to her. As the story progressed and more and more was revealed about Eve’s life, I was able to get a better understanding of the young woman that she was. She was an intriguing character who I found myself rooting for right from the beginning, and the more I got to know her, the more endearing she became. She didn’t always make the best choices or decisions. She was flawed and made her share of mistakes. She was attracted to people who were also flawed, and who had their own fair share of baggage and inner turmoil. Several times, I found myself shaking my head and thinking don’t do it, Eve.
Eve and Ben had been acquaintances for years, through mutual friends. There was never anything between them until they had a moment and connected. Ben was nothing like the men that Eve was used to dating. He wasn’t melancholy or stuck in his own head. He offered up a sense of safety that Eve hadn’t had for a long time. As much as I was on "Team Ben," I was wary of where their relationship could be heading. With Eve, nothing ever felt wholly secure, on solid ground, or written in stone. I always felt as though she could change her mind and turn on a dime with whatever idea popped into her head. She could sabotage a good thing by reasoning with herself that it would all be for the best in the long run.
This Love Story Will Self-Destruct was everything that I enjoy in a novel. I felt as though I was right there with the characters on the lively, colorful streets of New York City. It had all of the humor, heart, and depth that I crave in this genre. With a vibrant cast of characters and an all-consuming story that I was completely enamored with, I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this talented author.
June 9, 2020
Made me cry, one of the most realistic portrayals of a relationship I've read. Recommend if you liked normal people
May 22, 2024
like fleabag (i.e a young woman with Issues™️) if fleabag was deeply unfunny, from new york and told you she was from new york 27483848 times by hurling place names at you, and frequently looked directly into the camera to tell you “i’m sooooo broken…. i’m just so fucked up and no one gets me…..”
very unserious book and characters. not gritty or deep just because 9/11 is a theme. the “quirky” voice was incredibly grating. so you might say i didn’t enjoy this one lol
very unserious book and characters. not gritty or deep just because 9/11 is a theme. the “quirky” voice was incredibly grating. so you might say i didn’t enjoy this one lol
January 15, 2018
Thanks so much to Netgalley, Gallery Books and Leslie Cohen for the opportunity to read and review her debut novel - loved it!
This is just an easy-to-read, sweet love story. Boy meets girl, life interferes story. Told in alternating voices of Eve, a damaged young woman trying to cope with her dad's desertion and her mom's death, and Ben, a logical, engineer type. They meet at Columbia University and continue to cross paths while each are moving on with their lives and other people. This story follows each of their paths and their eventual coming together.
I upgraded this to 5 stars because of how much I loved the characters, especially Ben. Eve was a funny, quirky character even while she was so insecure and untrusting. Ben is a structural engineer - and I'm married to one so I loved his own quirks and mannerisms, although so different from Eve's.
A great read - highly recommended!.
This is just an easy-to-read, sweet love story. Boy meets girl, life interferes story. Told in alternating voices of Eve, a damaged young woman trying to cope with her dad's desertion and her mom's death, and Ben, a logical, engineer type. They meet at Columbia University and continue to cross paths while each are moving on with their lives and other people. This story follows each of their paths and their eventual coming together.
I upgraded this to 5 stars because of how much I loved the characters, especially Ben. Eve was a funny, quirky character even while she was so insecure and untrusting. Ben is a structural engineer - and I'm married to one so I loved his own quirks and mannerisms, although so different from Eve's.
A great read - highly recommended!.
January 1, 2018
Title: This Love Story Will Self-Destruct
Author: Leslie Cohen
Publisher: Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"This Love Story Will Self-Destruct" by Leslie Cohen
My Thoughts....
This was a interesting read with Eve trying to find herself...being with the right person with a lots of drama issues that seemed to keep her so very unhappy. Then here comes Ben who seems to come in and out of Eves life. I liked how he seemed to have a order in his life where as Eve seemed to be all over the place with her many crazy issues. I found this story that went back and forth making we wonder would they ever come together and stay together? I found the title of this story really fitted the story as you will see how this author brings this all out for the reader. It was of great interest as the author brings in the subject of 9/11 so uniquely into this story. By the end of the read the reader will get a story of 'two unlikely people who finally find each other. Now, to know more you will have to pick up this good read and see how well this author brings it all out to the readers.
Author: Leslie Cohen
Publisher: Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"This Love Story Will Self-Destruct" by Leslie Cohen
My Thoughts....
This was a interesting read with Eve trying to find herself...being with the right person with a lots of drama issues that seemed to keep her so very unhappy. Then here comes Ben who seems to come in and out of Eves life. I liked how he seemed to have a order in his life where as Eve seemed to be all over the place with her many crazy issues. I found this story that went back and forth making we wonder would they ever come together and stay together? I found the title of this story really fitted the story as you will see how this author brings this all out for the reader. It was of great interest as the author brings in the subject of 9/11 so uniquely into this story. By the end of the read the reader will get a story of 'two unlikely people who finally find each other. Now, to know more you will have to pick up this good read and see how well this author brings it all out to the readers.
July 18, 2018
When I first heard about TLSWSD, I was totally into it. I read some great reviews and after reading the synopsis I was all in. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting but I found the story lacking. I can’t even say exactly what it was, I honestly just wasn’t invested. Eve in my opinion came off bratty and had some commitment issues. Totally understandable, but after a while it became repetitive. I can’t stand someone who continuously blames their past for why they are the way they are. Like if you want to change, change. It really is that simple, and Eve was all about blaming everything and everyone for why she was the way that she was. Ben, I liked. He was a little too nice, but he really was the perfect guy for Eve. I like that he was nice but he was still assertive and just didn’t let Eve get away with shit. He was honest, and I loved that about his character. Overall the story was OK. It just didn’t really hold my attention. For me, I just wasn’t emotionally invested in the characters or the story. I thought the writing was good, it was just not for me I guess.
January 28, 2018
I want to give a huge thank you to Netgalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book!
This Love Story Will Self-Destruct is about two people and their lives as they intertwine with one another. First we meet Eve, who is carefree and a dreamer. Then there's Ben, a straight forward hard worker that needs some form of order in his life. This novel goes through their experiences with each other from strangers, to friends, to maybe more.
To me this book was a solid three stars. Nothing less, nothing more. I was hoping for me that this would be a hidden gem, but no. I loved Ben, all throughout the book he was my favorite. Eve on the other hand, I couldn't stand at times. She was self centered and neurotic at times, but I guess that was the point of polar opposites in the book. Overall I liked this book and recommend it if you are looking for a When Harry Met Sally type of contemporary read.
This Love Story Will Self-Destruct is about two people and their lives as they intertwine with one another. First we meet Eve, who is carefree and a dreamer. Then there's Ben, a straight forward hard worker that needs some form of order in his life. This novel goes through their experiences with each other from strangers, to friends, to maybe more.
To me this book was a solid three stars. Nothing less, nothing more. I was hoping for me that this would be a hidden gem, but no. I loved Ben, all throughout the book he was my favorite. Eve on the other hand, I couldn't stand at times. She was self centered and neurotic at times, but I guess that was the point of polar opposites in the book. Overall I liked this book and recommend it if you are looking for a When Harry Met Sally type of contemporary read.
March 23, 2018
I hated this book. I never quit mid-way on books, but there were so many times I thought about just abandoning this audiobook because I couldn't stand to hear the whining any more. There's a mildly interesting plot twist involving 911, but other than that it's just a self-absorbed 20-something screwing up her life in various ways and then chastising herself in more self-absorption. Maybe reading the book would have been better (I had to listen to it on 1.5 speed because the reader was so slow and did the perfect impression of an annoying New York angsty-20-something that I couldn't handle it). I'm not sure why I stuck it out, there wasn't a this-was-all-worth-it surprise ending or anything to redeem the novel. If the plot and characters don't appeal to you early on, then I recommend aborting at your first hint of annoyance.
December 28, 2017
This book was not for me. There were some great moments, but I felt like it took too long to get the plot started. I felt there was too much telling vs. showing, which relies too heavily on the characters' voices. I had high hopes for this, but it left me wanting more.
October 3, 2017
I really enjoyed this romance of two different people who were friends but fell in love.
September 13, 2018
Das erste Drittel des Buches handelt eigentlich von Eve und ihrer Liebe zu Jesse. Und ich fragte mich wie da dieser Ben, der ebenfalls schon in Erscheinung getreten ist aber noch nicht wirklich auffiel, ins Bild passen soll.
Tut er aber wenig später doch, und das ganz gut. Zumindest tut er Eve gut. Dass sie auch in einer ganz anderen Beziehung eine Verbindung zueinander hatten, fand ich eine sehr gute Ergänzung zu der Geschichte.
Schade fand ich eigentlich, dass Eves Freundinnen so wenig vorkamen. Eigentlich nur ganz zu Beginn. Hat sie diese im Verlaufe ihrer Beziehung zu Jesse alle vergrault? Denn auch später hat sie, bis auf wenige Treffen, nicht wirklich viel mit ihnen zu tun; und lassen vor allem nicht erkennen dass ihnen irgendwas an Eve liegen würde.
Da taucht Bens Clique wesentlich häufiger auf.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Achtung:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ich habe das Buch an einem 9/11 zu Ende gelesen, was ich sehr passend finde. Immerhin hat dieses Datum ja eine besondere Bedeutung in dem Roman, und ich fand es sehr gut dass dieses Ereignis doch immer noch vorkommt in Romanen. Mir kommt es auch erst wie vorgestern vor, als ich die einstürzenden WTC im Fernsehen gesehen habe. Generell spielt die Stadt New York, und vor allem Manhatten, eine nicht unwichtige Rolle im Buch, was mir ebenfalls gut gefallen hat.
Tut er aber wenig später doch, und das ganz gut. Zumindest tut er Eve gut. Dass sie auch in einer ganz anderen Beziehung eine Verbindung zueinander hatten, fand ich eine sehr gute Ergänzung zu der Geschichte.
Schade fand ich eigentlich, dass Eves Freundinnen so wenig vorkamen. Eigentlich nur ganz zu Beginn. Hat sie diese im Verlaufe ihrer Beziehung zu Jesse alle vergrault? Denn auch später hat sie, bis auf wenige Treffen, nicht wirklich viel mit ihnen zu tun; und lassen vor allem nicht erkennen dass ihnen irgendwas an Eve liegen würde.
Da taucht Bens Clique wesentlich häufiger auf.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Achtung:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ich habe das Buch an einem 9/11 zu Ende gelesen, was ich sehr passend finde. Immerhin hat dieses Datum ja eine besondere Bedeutung in dem Roman, und ich fand es sehr gut dass dieses Ereignis doch immer noch vorkommt in Romanen. Mir kommt es auch erst wie vorgestern vor, als ich die einstürzenden WTC im Fernsehen gesehen habe. Generell spielt die Stadt New York, und vor allem Manhatten, eine nicht unwichtige Rolle im Buch, was mir ebenfalls gut gefallen hat.
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