What do you think?
Rate this book
The One #5
The Visitor
Maybe it’s true: love is just around the corner. But in this bittersweet true story, what’s a hopefully romantic New York City woman to do when that corner is three thousand miles away?
One cold, lonely night, Manhattan writer Dodai Stewart meets a charming stranger on an internet dating site. He’s sexy. He’s smart. He’s funny. There’s an instant spark. And one unavoidable catch: adorable Marco lives in San Francisco. So how far is Dodai willing to go, and how much will she sacrifice, to find that elusive One she’s heard so much about? Cross-country travel, emotional outbursts of love, and time will inevitably tell.
Dodai Stewart’s The Visitor is part of The One, a collection of seven singularly true love stories of friendship, companionship, marriage, and moving on. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single sitting, with or without company.
38 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2019
290 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
June 19, 2022
Super annoying and self centered main character.
August 18, 2019
Minor spoilers ahead!
This is, for most of the way through, a cute story about a cross-country romance. At the end, Author Dodai Stewart shows her true colors as a "City Girl". A City Girl is a breed of woman that I grew very familiar with, having been born and raised in The Bronx. City Girls clamor for true love, they crave it, they pine away for it, they daydream of it.....but, in the end, City Girls are too in love with their urban lifestyle to actually bend an inch to make a relationship work. City Girls can't go on a date without bringing along the posse of gay men that they surround themselves with at all times, and cannot fathom why any straight man would not love staying out until all hours every night hitting up drag clubs and karaoke bars. Ultimately, they are straight women who cling to gay men because they're too scared to actually have a real one-on-one relationship. Stewart strings this poor guy along, but rejects him because he wears knockoff sneakers, which goes against her street Adidas creed, which SHE CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN TO HIM. He also never heard of CBGBs, but she's too cool to tell him what it is, she just resents him for not knowing. (Native New Yorker tip: CBGBs was a filthy shithole, where you could probably contract all sorts of diseases just by walking into the place. The legend is a lot better than the reality.)
Check back in a few years, when all of Stewart's gay friends will be happily married, and she will be an old spinster haunting drag clubs alone. I hope this poor schlub that she strung along and rejected realizes what a bullet he dodged.
This is, for most of the way through, a cute story about a cross-country romance. At the end, Author Dodai Stewart shows her true colors as a "City Girl". A City Girl is a breed of woman that I grew very familiar with, having been born and raised in The Bronx. City Girls clamor for true love, they crave it, they pine away for it, they daydream of it.....but, in the end, City Girls are too in love with their urban lifestyle to actually bend an inch to make a relationship work. City Girls can't go on a date without bringing along the posse of gay men that they surround themselves with at all times, and cannot fathom why any straight man would not love staying out until all hours every night hitting up drag clubs and karaoke bars. Ultimately, they are straight women who cling to gay men because they're too scared to actually have a real one-on-one relationship. Stewart strings this poor guy along, but rejects him because he wears knockoff sneakers, which goes against her street Adidas creed, which SHE CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN TO HIM. He also never heard of CBGBs, but she's too cool to tell him what it is, she just resents him for not knowing. (Native New Yorker tip: CBGBs was a filthy shithole, where you could probably contract all sorts of diseases just by walking into the place. The legend is a lot better than the reality.)
Check back in a few years, when all of Stewart's gay friends will be happily married, and she will be an old spinster haunting drag clubs alone. I hope this poor schlub that she strung along and rejected realizes what a bullet he dodged.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2020
The love story of a woman and a city. It reminded me a bit of Carrie Bradshaw and Sex in the City at times though. I did like the ultimate message here though that being single is not something to be ashamed of and when you know it's not working with someone, own it, instead of just staying in a relationship that really does not fit who you are at that time in your life.
Stewart tells a story of how she met a guy via app and then started a long distant relationship with him. He lives in California, she is in New York. And of course we get all the relationship highs and lows, but one thing comes shining through, how much she loves New York. New York of course is always one of the cities that women proclaim to love and just get. But honestly, I have been there and besides doing the High Line and going to St. Patrick's Cathedral, 30 Rock, and Times Square, I was pretty meh about the city. I think the cities that have resonated the most with me have been Pittsburgh, Alexandria, San Francisco, and Baghdad. That is something that Stewart gets exactly right I thought, when you find that city that calls you and makes you think home, it's a special thing.
Stewart tells a story of how she met a guy via app and then started a long distant relationship with him. He lives in California, she is in New York. And of course we get all the relationship highs and lows, but one thing comes shining through, how much she loves New York. New York of course is always one of the cities that women proclaim to love and just get. But honestly, I have been there and besides doing the High Line and going to St. Patrick's Cathedral, 30 Rock, and Times Square, I was pretty meh about the city. I think the cities that have resonated the most with me have been Pittsburgh, Alexandria, San Francisco, and Baghdad. That is something that Stewart gets exactly right I thought, when you find that city that calls you and makes you think home, it's a special thing.
August 27, 2019
Dodai Stewart is a very talented writer. Her prose about NYC had me pining to go back to my home state for a visit to one of my favorite cities in the world; her description of San Francisco reminded me of the city that I visited many years ago and how it is just so...different from the rest of California.
...and probably the whole US.
After a series of failed relationships, Stewart decides to dip her toes into the world of online dating. Soon she finds herself entranced by the charismatic Marco (obviously not his real name) and soon she finds herself visiting him and wishing they weren't exactly polar opposites, living in polar opposite cities.
While The Visitor is a quick read, it seemed to drag on and on at times as Stewart managed to name drop as much as possible, and refused to even consider compromising with the man she professed to love. There was a slight hint of materialistic things being extremely valuable, but that could just be my interpretation.
This wasn't my favorite of the four shorts that I've read so far in Amazon's The One collection of seven stories that are about different types of love that each author has experienced in their life.
...and probably the whole US.
After a series of failed relationships, Stewart decides to dip her toes into the world of online dating. Soon she finds herself entranced by the charismatic Marco (obviously not his real name) and soon she finds herself visiting him and wishing they weren't exactly polar opposites, living in polar opposite cities.
While The Visitor is a quick read, it seemed to drag on and on at times as Stewart managed to name drop as much as possible, and refused to even consider compromising with the man she professed to love. There was a slight hint of materialistic things being extremely valuable, but that could just be my interpretation.
This wasn't my favorite of the four shorts that I've read so far in Amazon's The One collection of seven stories that are about different types of love that each author has experienced in their life.
August 31, 2021
Girl meets boy on internet. Girl judges boy for wearing knock-off Adidas shell-toes and not being from New York, like her. For real New Yorkers, nothing is more important than New York, and this particular protagonist is super-obsessed with materialism and “status,” such as getting into the right parties, photo shoots with Nick Cannon, vintage mink coats, and a bunch of other nonsense that’s completely meaningless, if not outright offensive, to down to earth non-New Yorkers like me. For our New York loving protag, it’s NY night life and guest lists all the way— and that’s WAY more important than love! Bottom line, if you’re super into New York and aren’t put off by self-important, shallow protagonists, this book might be your jam. Otherwise, maybe watch a Sex and the City rerun and call it good.
September 22, 2022
The author/character sounds like an annoying self-centred brat who thinks the world revolves around her and her tiny apartment in New York. If it wasn't a short read, this would definitely have ended up as a DNF on my end.
November 15, 2025
Uggh, this was a slog to get through. I enjoyed Stewart’s writing style but girl, stop wasting this man’s time and just date a New Yorker!! 🙄
August 21, 2019
This is a short story in yet another Amazon Collection, The One. The collection seems to focus on love and romance, including love for one's children, pets, as well as romantic partners.
"The Visitor" is a story of modern love over technology but it's primarily a story of finding love for oneself. I enjoyed Dodai Stewarts lyrical language and found the story relate-able. I will be seeking out other books by this author.
I always enjoy these Amazon Collections as the stories are short and easily digested over your morning coffee, a lunch break, or (as is often in my case) right before nodding off to bed. You get a short sampling of an authors work, and I have found a few new favorite authors I otherwise wouldn't have found through reading these.
"The Visitor" is a story of modern love over technology but it's primarily a story of finding love for oneself. I enjoyed Dodai Stewarts lyrical language and found the story relate-able. I will be seeking out other books by this author.
I always enjoy these Amazon Collections as the stories are short and easily digested over your morning coffee, a lunch break, or (as is often in my case) right before nodding off to bed. You get a short sampling of an authors work, and I have found a few new favorite authors I otherwise wouldn't have found through reading these.
November 7, 2021
My least favorite Amazon Original story so far.
Whoops! This is actually non-fiction, so not sure what to think.
An immature, spoiled, selfish woman who has lacked for nothing her entire life decides to embark on a long-distance relationship with predictable results.
She also seems to have a drinking problem.
I found it superficial and a kind of Sex and the City on steroids.
It seemed unrealistic; it's possible the narrator was unreliable, but she seemed mostly to act like a child.
Whoops! This is actually non-fiction, so not sure what to think.
An immature, spoiled, selfish woman who has lacked for nothing her entire life decides to embark on a long-distance relationship with predictable results.
She also seems to have a drinking problem.
I found it superficial and a kind of Sex and the City on steroids.
It seemed unrealistic; it's possible the narrator was unreliable, but she seemed mostly to act like a child.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2022
I'm not sure where I expected this story to go. The conclusion feels bitter-sweet, to me, at least. But the author seems happy.
Poor Marco - he obviously didn't see that coming. It sounds like he was making assumptions, and you know what they say about assumptions ---
Poor Marco - he obviously didn't see that coming. It sounds like he was making assumptions, and you know what they say about assumptions ---
October 15, 2020
Prime Read. 1 star: I wish I had DNF’d.
Here’s why:
- The writing was extraordinarily clunky and descriptive.
- This is a very American story (something which doesn’t typically appeal to me as a reader): set in NYC (a city which, apparently, is the best place in the world??? 🥴🤮), love with a capital L like you see it in the movies, disgusting levels of internalised capitalism (the love interest doesn’t “get” the main character because he wears the “wrong” trainers and wants a LAWN not a PENTHOUSE), and an obnoxious attitude on a whole new level.
- The central character - is it a character? I hope it is, and not a memoir - was somebody who I just couldn’t stand. I know people like this exist in real life but I make a point of avoiding them. Obnoxious, self-righteous, completely lacking in self-awareness, and honestly just a total snob.
- I continued reading because I’ve been in a couple of long distance relationships and so I was curious how this one might pan out. I thought it might say something interesting or thought provoking about long-distance relationships. I also liked Marco and the moments of romance between the two characters were kinda sweet, so I wanted it to work out.
In case you’re wondering what to expect: “Seeing him in NYC, with his bad sneakers and worse sense of direction, magnified how he ultimately didn’t fit.” & “Marco was not in New York, not from New York, and he didn’t understand, relate to, or value New York, at least not the way I did.”
You’re welcome, I saved you 25 minutes of reading.
Here’s why:
- The writing was extraordinarily clunky and descriptive.
- This is a very American story (something which doesn’t typically appeal to me as a reader): set in NYC (a city which, apparently, is the best place in the world??? 🥴🤮), love with a capital L like you see it in the movies, disgusting levels of internalised capitalism (the love interest doesn’t “get” the main character because he wears the “wrong” trainers and wants a LAWN not a PENTHOUSE), and an obnoxious attitude on a whole new level.
- The central character - is it a character? I hope it is, and not a memoir - was somebody who I just couldn’t stand. I know people like this exist in real life but I make a point of avoiding them. Obnoxious, self-righteous, completely lacking in self-awareness, and honestly just a total snob.
- I continued reading because I’ve been in a couple of long distance relationships and so I was curious how this one might pan out. I thought it might say something interesting or thought provoking about long-distance relationships. I also liked Marco and the moments of romance between the two characters were kinda sweet, so I wanted it to work out.
In case you’re wondering what to expect: “Seeing him in NYC, with his bad sneakers and worse sense of direction, magnified how he ultimately didn’t fit.” & “Marco was not in New York, not from New York, and he didn’t understand, relate to, or value New York, at least not the way I did.”
You’re welcome, I saved you 25 minutes of reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2019
Though I've not had a coast-to-coast long distance relationship like the author, I found so much of her story to be easy to relate to. Or, maybe not her story necessarily, but her. I don't think society ever makes it easy for women who are single, and I don't think there enough stories about people feeling content and happy with being single, simply loving and living for themselves. I want more stories, like Stewart's, that celebrates being in capital-L Love with our own lives.
August 6, 2019
This one just didn't do much for me. Too much name dropping and use of words three times in a row was irritating irritating irritating to me.
August 14, 2024
Sorry this just felt like an essay from a creative writing course. I know it's her life so it's a bit harsh to say but I just found it a bit whingy. That being said it is about putting yourself first, it just didn't have depth or originality and I felt like she obviously thought she is the only one that does have thoughts about not wanting the picture perfect life. I even debated giving this 1 star it's not really two but I can't put 1.5
December 26, 2024
Great short story about finding love and I mean true love. It told from the FMC perspective and very well written. It based in NY if that interests you.. very interesting the ups and downs one could have with one’s self.. Great for a quick read..
July 5, 2025
This is a short story about a New York City girl longing for true love. She meets a San Francisco guy who checks all the boxes. There is trips back and forth, there's declarations of Love. Reality check, she discovers that the love she needs is from herself and the embrace of the city she Loves.
September 28, 2021
This short story was written in 2019 there is absolutely no excuse for this. I will attach my highlight because I will not say his name.
July 28, 2025
#5 in “The One” series. Nonfiction short stories about real relationships. This one also didn’t do much for me, probably my least favorite so far. Not that it’s bad, it just wasn’t that interesting.
September 14, 2021
Finding You
A short book about figuring out who you are and what you want out of life. When you know who you are, the things you want out of life falls right into place.
A short book about figuring out who you are and what you want out of life. When you know who you are, the things you want out of life falls right into place.
August 19, 2019
Was I anxious? Absolutely. But I also felt like there was a giant pulley clothesline strung between us, across the nation, ideas hung with clothespins and jerkily ferried back and forth from his mind to mine.
Something stirring. Something like, I like the stuff you like and you like the stuff I like and you also like some stuff I don’t like, but I like hearing you talk about it.
Seeing him in NYC, with his bad sneakers and worse sense of direction, magnified how he ultimately didn’t fit. He was like a fun, colorful, tie-dyed, beaded crop top bought on vacation in Jamaica: theoretically yes, but actually no. You can bring it home, sure, but you can’t make it work in New York. It just doesn’t make sense.
Deep down, I think part of me resented Marco for being in love with me when I wasn’t yet in love with myself, when I felt so far from the person I had potential to be: How dare he love this half-formed lump of clay? How dare he love this diamond in the rough? I believed I hadn’t yet begun to sparkle, and it was my job, not his, to chip away the clouded, jagged rubble. I had the tools; I just needed to start using them.
Something stirring. Something like, I like the stuff you like and you like the stuff I like and you also like some stuff I don’t like, but I like hearing you talk about it.
Seeing him in NYC, with his bad sneakers and worse sense of direction, magnified how he ultimately didn’t fit. He was like a fun, colorful, tie-dyed, beaded crop top bought on vacation in Jamaica: theoretically yes, but actually no. You can bring it home, sure, but you can’t make it work in New York. It just doesn’t make sense.
Deep down, I think part of me resented Marco for being in love with me when I wasn’t yet in love with myself, when I felt so far from the person I had potential to be: How dare he love this half-formed lump of clay? How dare he love this diamond in the rough? I believed I hadn’t yet begun to sparkle, and it was my job, not his, to chip away the clouded, jagged rubble. I had the tools; I just needed to start using them.
August 4, 2019
The Visitor is about a woman who turns to online dating after failing to find love in NYC, and soon begins a romantic, cross-country relationship with a man from San Francisco.
August 29, 2019
Awakening of the understanding of oneself. This books shows how look and want something or someone all our lives, but deep down we already have what it takes to make us full. There are times when we have to search and reach out to see that every thing we need and want it right there with us every day.
September 18, 2019
Not impressed.
October 9, 2023
Enjoyable and quick. I like Amazon collections for that reason.
June 4, 2020
A love of New York, a love of one's own potential - and a love of a person on the other side of the country
At the outset of this tale - Dodai Stewart has done what so many people want to do -
She has found her place in New York.
She has friends, a career - and she is moving things forward on all fronts. She interviews celebrities and other people, and writes about them.
She has a small apartment, but it is basically a place to sleep before heading back out again.
There is no complaints on her part about New York.
There is not even a line along the lines of 'New York was great, but it was wearing on me.'
She loves New York, and loves her life, and wants to continue with both New York and her life. That is it.
She wants one more thing though - a partner.
And she finds a partner across the country
She is on a dating site and boom - she finds the person with whom she clicks, physically and emotionally and mentally and everything else.
He lives in San Francisco though.
What follows is what happens when this happens.
The relationship moves forward, one visit at a time.
She visits him, he visits her.
And then, they have to make a decision.
Through it all, Dodai pays respect to New York, and her own potential
She loves New York, and can not give it up.
And I say she loves her own potential, rather than her own self because - she has given us books like this. We all benefit and get to read her words.
To paraphrase Martin Amis -
And yes, Dodai Stewart has a very strong sense of her self, and is not necessarily willing to push it away for a relationship.
A picket fence mean you have to give a few things up, and no - she was neither willing to give up her beloved New York, nor her ability to write great tales like this one.
So I don't consider Dodai in love with her self, but rather in love with her potential - because she's not just sitting around and eating sushi - she is giving the world great tales like this one.
So we all benefit - and whatever the case, I highly recommend this great tale.
At the outset of this tale - Dodai Stewart has done what so many people want to do -
She has found her place in New York.
She has friends, a career - and she is moving things forward on all fronts. She interviews celebrities and other people, and writes about them.
She has a small apartment, but it is basically a place to sleep before heading back out again.
There is no complaints on her part about New York.
There is not even a line along the lines of 'New York was great, but it was wearing on me.'
She loves New York, and loves her life, and wants to continue with both New York and her life. That is it.
She wants one more thing though - a partner.
And she finds a partner across the country
She is on a dating site and boom - she finds the person with whom she clicks, physically and emotionally and mentally and everything else.
He lives in San Francisco though.
What follows is what happens when this happens.
The relationship moves forward, one visit at a time.
She visits him, he visits her.
And then, they have to make a decision.
Through it all, Dodai pays respect to New York, and her own potential
She loves New York, and can not give it up.
And I say she loves her own potential, rather than her own self because - she has given us books like this. We all benefit and get to read her words.
To paraphrase Martin Amis -
Accusing a writer of egotism is like accusing a boxer of pugilism
And yes, Dodai Stewart has a very strong sense of her self, and is not necessarily willing to push it away for a relationship.
A picket fence mean you have to give a few things up, and no - she was neither willing to give up her beloved New York, nor her ability to write great tales like this one.
So I don't consider Dodai in love with her self, but rather in love with her potential - because she's not just sitting around and eating sushi - she is giving the world great tales like this one.
So we all benefit - and whatever the case, I highly recommend this great tale.
May 12, 2021
In Love with the Illusion, the Fraud of Reality
Dodai Stewart's pining memoir of her searching for and wanting to find "The One" in whom all happiness centers (the 5th installment of "The One" short story series) describes her own self-discovery of what she really wants from life.
This insightful true story illustrates how easy it is to not know what we really want and for what we are willing to sacrifice everything else to have. Filtering out false dreams from real dreams forces one to make choices that automatically make it impossible to pursue other dreams with less intrinsic value. Perhaps accepting what we don't really want after all is what makes us mature, genuinely alive, and ultimately fulfilled. Still, having only one life means leaving the "other road" we might have taken, and all choices will always have questions and regrets if we allow ourselves to consider them honestly.
This quick, thought-provoking read will like create more questions than it answers, and the author's compelling storytelling is written to have only one plausible ending. Still, I felt a sense of poignant loss from the author's haphazard validation of choosing path that might not end with the same jubilant exuberant with which she is now projecting herself. But perhaps too for Dodai Stewart, it's more about the thrill of the chase, the unknowns of the journey, the shared experiences with other travelers, rather than the final destination if ever achieved.
Lots to think about with this short reading adventure. I did appreciate having the author's own narration in the accompanying Audible voice companion. Perhaps hearing the author's own word in her own voice is why it felt a bit too real, too haunting.
Well written, well performed, well worth considering.
Dodai Stewart's pining memoir of her searching for and wanting to find "The One" in whom all happiness centers (the 5th installment of "The One" short story series) describes her own self-discovery of what she really wants from life.
This insightful true story illustrates how easy it is to not know what we really want and for what we are willing to sacrifice everything else to have. Filtering out false dreams from real dreams forces one to make choices that automatically make it impossible to pursue other dreams with less intrinsic value. Perhaps accepting what we don't really want after all is what makes us mature, genuinely alive, and ultimately fulfilled. Still, having only one life means leaving the "other road" we might have taken, and all choices will always have questions and regrets if we allow ourselves to consider them honestly.
This quick, thought-provoking read will like create more questions than it answers, and the author's compelling storytelling is written to have only one plausible ending. Still, I felt a sense of poignant loss from the author's haphazard validation of choosing path that might not end with the same jubilant exuberant with which she is now projecting herself. But perhaps too for Dodai Stewart, it's more about the thrill of the chase, the unknowns of the journey, the shared experiences with other travelers, rather than the final destination if ever achieved.
Lots to think about with this short reading adventure. I did appreciate having the author's own narration in the accompanying Audible voice companion. Perhaps hearing the author's own word in her own voice is why it felt a bit too real, too haunting.
Well written, well performed, well worth considering.
June 29, 2022
"Is he the One or do I want him to be the One because I want the One?"
- kindle unlimited short story
- set in NYC a year after 9/11
- fmc is 29/30
- finds 'love' in another zip code through a dating website
I really don't know how to feel about this one. It's set in NYC and the fmc is very passionate about city life which I could relate to, being a huge city girl myself - but this came across so superficial and egocentric, sorry. (Like, not liking the guy because of his knock off sneakers? Get a grip)
She finds what she thinks is love though an online dating website, and he lives on the west coast (San Francisco) - which leads to a very insta-lust, heightened, long distance situation.
It wasn't sustainable or realistic.
The main takeaway I got from this was that the fmc needed to stay single. She was looking for substance or something to fill the voids but ultimately needed to learn to love herself instead of having someone else fill those gaps for her.
Also wasn't a fan of the writing style and the use of three's: "ill ill ill", "kiss kiss kissing", "yes yes yes", "blah blah blah".
QUOTES:
"Instead of wading into the waves from the shore, I'd jumped right into a deep, unknowable sea."
"I thought it was Love. It felt like Love, or something very close to it. But it was something else. Infatuation? Folie a deux? Distraction? Temporary insanity? Simultaneous limerence? Or perhaps it was truly capital L Love, and the problem was that my understanding of that word, of that emotion, was flawed, unrealistic, delusional, and immature from the start."
"I was expecting Love to magically lift me up and out of an emotional funk - but that was work I had to initiate myself."
- kindle unlimited short story
- set in NYC a year after 9/11
- fmc is 29/30
- finds 'love' in another zip code through a dating website
I really don't know how to feel about this one. It's set in NYC and the fmc is very passionate about city life which I could relate to, being a huge city girl myself - but this came across so superficial and egocentric, sorry. (Like, not liking the guy because of his knock off sneakers? Get a grip)
She finds what she thinks is love though an online dating website, and he lives on the west coast (San Francisco) - which leads to a very insta-lust, heightened, long distance situation.
It wasn't sustainable or realistic.
The main takeaway I got from this was that the fmc needed to stay single. She was looking for substance or something to fill the voids but ultimately needed to learn to love herself instead of having someone else fill those gaps for her.
Also wasn't a fan of the writing style and the use of three's: "ill ill ill", "kiss kiss kissing", "yes yes yes", "blah blah blah".
QUOTES:
"Instead of wading into the waves from the shore, I'd jumped right into a deep, unknowable sea."
"I thought it was Love. It felt like Love, or something very close to it. But it was something else. Infatuation? Folie a deux? Distraction? Temporary insanity? Simultaneous limerence? Or perhaps it was truly capital L Love, and the problem was that my understanding of that word, of that emotion, was flawed, unrealistic, delusional, and immature from the start."
"I was expecting Love to magically lift me up and out of an emotional funk - but that was work I had to initiate myself."
February 1, 2022
Tired of being single, Dodai Stewart gives online dating a whirl. The best match ends up being a man who lives across the country in San Francisco. They have a nice time talking and their relationship builds one visit at a time… until it crashes down. Dodai admits she would never leave New York and she no longer wishes to pretend about those potential futures.
I’m a bit torn on this addition to Amazon’s The One collection. I am fine with a general message about we are allowed to love ourselves, a city, or the condition of being single rather than a specific romantic partner. I worry I had to add all this context to the piece myself. The writing itself is pretty good, but I couldn’t invest in it. Despite it being a quick story, I phased out and had to reread sections. And ultimately with such a short biographical style piece, it is impossible to separate my feelings for the protagonist and the work itself. Here Dodai presents herself as superficial and uncompromising. She is not honest with her partner and blames him for the problems he refuses to solve when he doesn’t even know them. She worries about knock off fashion instead of companionship. She doesn’t present external pressures trying to force her into a person she wasn’t (and thus we can’t take her resolution as an empowered moment of rebellion/victory). I don’t particularly like her and I don’t have strong feelings on the story beyond that.
I’m a bit torn on this addition to Amazon’s The One collection. I am fine with a general message about we are allowed to love ourselves, a city, or the condition of being single rather than a specific romantic partner. I worry I had to add all this context to the piece myself. The writing itself is pretty good, but I couldn’t invest in it. Despite it being a quick story, I phased out and had to reread sections. And ultimately with such a short biographical style piece, it is impossible to separate my feelings for the protagonist and the work itself. Here Dodai presents herself as superficial and uncompromising. She is not honest with her partner and blames him for the problems he refuses to solve when he doesn’t even know them. She worries about knock off fashion instead of companionship. She doesn’t present external pressures trying to force her into a person she wasn’t (and thus we can’t take her resolution as an empowered moment of rebellion/victory). I don’t particularly like her and I don’t have strong feelings on the story beyond that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2023
Listened to the audiobook. I was drawn into but was sort of sad at the end - but i guess everyones HEA is not the same for everyone. It was honest and had some good quotes - sucy as being in love with the idea of the one and needing to love yourself first. Nothing out of the ordinary topic wise as im sure there are stories of women who like being single,including people you meet in your everyday life. I liked her writing - she knows a lot - a lot of detail and pop culture references so some things I had to look up. She seems to have am awesome life- a lot of meeting of cool people and doing what she wants to do her way which is something most don't have a chance to experience. Some things I could relate to such as when you travel somewhere new and someone needs to show you - you don't have that connection with people. And that's hard to find - someone who's on the same beat as you. Interesting listen and it talked about some truths for some in this day and age.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2023
Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. January 2002.
Dodai decides to revamp her online dating profile. She works at a teen magazine, and has a very active social life. Dodai is 29, and claims to believe in Love with a capital L.
One positive is her reminiscing of New York City. In the beginning of the book, the author has a vibrance and a joie de vivre in her approach to the City that those of us who’ve lived there can 1000% relate to.
Dodai meets a fellow quirky, nerdy soul in a man on Nerve.com—Marco in San Francisco.
The immediate online connection is the real deal.
The story is actually quite beautiful—until it isn’t.
It’s fine to have your own singular dreams, but dropping a big fat deuce on someone else’s is not cool. Especially when that other person is someone you allegedly love. The turn towards the end just makes this whole thing come off as bitchy and petty. Sometimes we reap what we sow.
Do you ever read a book where the narrator just makes you feel…icky? Yeah. This is that.
Dodai decides to revamp her online dating profile. She works at a teen magazine, and has a very active social life. Dodai is 29, and claims to believe in Love with a capital L.
One positive is her reminiscing of New York City. In the beginning of the book, the author has a vibrance and a joie de vivre in her approach to the City that those of us who’ve lived there can 1000% relate to.
Dodai meets a fellow quirky, nerdy soul in a man on Nerve.com—Marco in San Francisco.
The immediate online connection is the real deal.
The story is actually quite beautiful—until it isn’t.
It’s fine to have your own singular dreams, but dropping a big fat deuce on someone else’s is not cool. Especially when that other person is someone you allegedly love. The turn towards the end just makes this whole thing come off as bitchy and petty. Sometimes we reap what we sow.
Do you ever read a book where the narrator just makes you feel…icky? Yeah. This is that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews