REVIEW: DNF AT 22%
Argh!! I am SO bummed. Seriously. I like Natasha Madison. I've read a few of her books, and I've been able to smile throughout them and enjoy them because her writing is simple, her stories are easy and fun. Shockingly enough, I couldn't make it through this one. The number of issues I had didn't make this an easy or fun read.
Predictable: my gosh, I could tell you what was going to happen before it happened, based on what had just happened. I don't want to know what's going on. I want to be mesmerized and taken on a journey of twists and a story that makes me gasp, makes me feel, and makes me need to know what happens next. I should not be sitting here saying, oh....yeah, that's gonna happen.
Drama: enough with the OTT drama. It's frustrating when a story is propelled by the drama instead of the growth of the characters and the storyline that is unfolding. When said drama is leading the charge in giving me the rundown, it loses its effectiveness and this time it was just too much for me.
Formulaic: she definitely followed a "tried and true" storyline with this one. It was too much because I didn't get anything new out of it. Nothing kept me turning the pages or coming back for more. I guess you could file this under predictable, but it read like a manual on how to write a cheesy love story with a new man that all of the sudden is alpha and all over you and how you raise your kid. Orrrr, because we are a single mommy, every issue that could possibly go wrong will go wrong, but never fear - the new boyfriend will take care of you, even though you're going to push him away. Cue the stubbornness. I just wanted something new and refreshing and I didn't get that.
Writing: while it wasn't baaad, it wasn't her normal, easy flow. It felt stilted....almost hitched and slightly cautious, and that doesn't read like a normal Natasha Madison book for me. Equal parts forced and drama laden, this one was just not my favorite of hers.
This is really hard for me because I hate when an author I've enjoyed has a book I can't even make it through. I'm pretty positive it had everything to do with the lack of angst and real emotion. I struggled simply because it wasn't original and the predictability of the entire storyline was pretty basic, which didn't push me to keep going. I'm sad to say it just didn't pull me in and hold my attention. I'm just a frustrated reader because this one was going to be awesome...and it just didn't hit that spot. Clearly, this is a
me
thing because it is getting rave reviews and readers are loving it.
~BEE
No giveaway for a DNF review