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Not Dressed
Fans of Nick Hornby, Matthew Norman, and Jonathan Tropper will delight in this romantic comedy of how love goes wrong--and right--when you're a twenty-something still figuring out how to adult.
Jake, an architectural designer pushing thirty, is stuck in a job he hates. He's spent the last two years overworked and underpaid in the dark basement of Burnham & Modine. He and his coworkers get through the day pulling pranks and gambling on how long interns will last.
Lindsay loves her job as the producer for a talk radio show. She jumps at the chance for a better time slot, even though it means she and Jake are now working different hours. Worse, she expects Jake to teach her what he learns in a ballroom dancing class she can no longer attend just so they'll look good at his sister's wedding. Already hurt by Lindsay's prioritization of her career over their relationship, Jake feels betrayed when he accidentally discovers that to help pay the bills she's been moonlighting--as a nude model.
Kaylee is Jake's new partner at dance class. She's a cute and free-spirited Trekkie geek who's trying to figure her life out after going from high school valedictorian to college dropout. Soon Jake and Kaylee are spending more time together off the dance floor than on it ... and the state of being 'not dressed' just might be contagious.
Jake, an architectural designer pushing thirty, is stuck in a job he hates. He's spent the last two years overworked and underpaid in the dark basement of Burnham & Modine. He and his coworkers get through the day pulling pranks and gambling on how long interns will last.
Lindsay loves her job as the producer for a talk radio show. She jumps at the chance for a better time slot, even though it means she and Jake are now working different hours. Worse, she expects Jake to teach her what he learns in a ballroom dancing class she can no longer attend just so they'll look good at his sister's wedding. Already hurt by Lindsay's prioritization of her career over their relationship, Jake feels betrayed when he accidentally discovers that to help pay the bills she's been moonlighting--as a nude model.
Kaylee is Jake's new partner at dance class. She's a cute and free-spirited Trekkie geek who's trying to figure her life out after going from high school valedictorian to college dropout. Soon Jake and Kaylee are spending more time together off the dance floor than on it ... and the state of being 'not dressed' just might be contagious.
364 pages, Hardcover
First published February 18, 2020
32 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Hanover
5 books63 followersI’m Matthew Hanover. By day, I’m just an ordinary forty-something marketing professional just trying to earn a paycheck.
But, by night (and on weekends) I write novels. My novels are contemporary fiction / romantic comedies. I originally set out to just write one novel I had in my head and realized I had more stories to tell. So far, I’ve written three novels, and a fourth one is on the way!
Read more at his blog at MatthewHanover.com or follow him on Twitter @MatthewHanover.
But, by night (and on weekends) I write novels. My novels are contemporary fiction / romantic comedies. I originally set out to just write one novel I had in my head and realized I had more stories to tell. So far, I’ve written three novels, and a fourth one is on the way!
Read more at his blog at MatthewHanover.com or follow him on Twitter @MatthewHanover.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
January 14, 2020
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader along with a spiffy Q&A with the author.
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Jake Evans is our protagonist—he's a decent enough guy, who could probably use some maturing (which means he's like 90% of guys in their twenties). He's got a great girlfriend (although the relationship seems a bit rocky when we meet him) and is second-guessing his chosen career (partially because he has a horrid employer, and partially because architecture isn't the career he thought it would be). There are signs that he'd be a pretty fun guy to hang out with, but when the book opens he's got a pretty good-sized cloud over his head between the girl and the gig.
Lindsay's his long-time girlfriend. She works in radio and is very passionate about her job. She's enjoying a little bit of success, and has a hard time relating to Jake's struggles. She's the producer and in-all-but-name on-air sidekick to a Boston-area conservative talk show host, who calls her "Lefty Lindsay." (don't worry, politics are absent from the book!) At least when the book opens, I really didn't see why the two of them were a couple. There's a good chance that neither of them rembered at that point, either, it had been so long.
Two things about their relationship provide most of the initial conflict for the plot. First, due to some financial hits they've taken recently, Lindsay has taken some modeling gigs to make some extra money. She did it back in college, which was recent enough that she still had connections. Why didn't Jake do something to make extra money? He's having a hard enough time finding a replacement full-time job that it didn't seem like a good idea to try to add another job search to his plate. Besides, Lindsay's moonlighting is profitable enough. What she neglects to mention to Jake is that this modeling is for art classes at a local college. And, well, none of these artists-in-training are working on fashion degrees—clothing gets in the way of what they're learning to draw/paint/sculpt. Jake's an open-minded kind of guy, except when it comes to this, it's not pretty when he finds out (although it's a pretty amusing scene for readers when he does).
Meanwhile, Jake's sister's wedding is coming up and Lindsay has decided the two of them need to learn to dance before it. Besides, it's a fun activity for the two of them—they never go out mid-week anymore, and their relationship could use a boost. So she signs them up for a dance class, and then tells Jake about it after she paid for it, so he pretty much has to agree to it, but isn't really that interested. So she basically promises him sex if he goes. Which pretty much seals the deal. But then Lindsay's show gets moved to a new (and better) time slot. So, in addition to not being able to make the class, the couple will hardly see each other during the week. Her plan is that Jake will go, and then on the weekend, teach her the moves (he insists on getting his payment in advance for this).
Jake hates this new plan, and is convinced that he's going to be stuck dancing with the instructor (after he and the reader meets this instructor, no one thinks this is going to be fun for him). Thankfully, just before class starts, Kaylee walks in. You read her opening dialogue up above. She's a few years younger than Jake, taking some time out from college to figure out what she wants to do with her life, and is a major geek. She's almost a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, but doesn't fit the category in a few ways (I'm only using that term because I'm afraid this post is getting too long and I want to pick up the pace). She's also my favorite character of 2020 so far (granted, that would mean more if it wasn't January 13th).
Kaylee and Jake strike up a nice little friendship during the class, and pretty soon, he's going so he has an excuse to hang out with her. The two of them are fun together—she's socially awkward and embarrassed to be herself, Jake tries to shake her out of that, and even encourages her to let her Geek-Flag fly (even if he doesn't get any of it). Meanwhile, she's encouraging about his job hunt (as opposed to Lindsay, who mostly nags or wants him to find a way to succeed where he is), and gets him to be a little less angst-y about his life. I like Jake more when he's in friend with Kaylee-mode over guy with Lindsay-mode. But what do I know? I have a tendency to pick people the protagonists don't in these situations (I won't provide examples because I'd expose myself to too much ridicule).
The one last bit of Jake's life we need to talk about is his job. It's horrible. He has a nice group of work-friends who band together for mutual support (and complaints), but the atmosphere at work is toxic, and their superiors would be enough to turn anyone against their chosen field. For example, in the first chapter, Jake's two-year anniversary with the company happens and he asks his boss about scheduling his annual review (which will hopefully involve a raise, which he could really use). His boss stammers and suggests an alternate date, nine months away. Yeah, Jake's bad attitude toward work makes a little sense, doesn't it?
I worked as a draftsman at an architecture firm some years ago, and while the atmosphere there wasn't at all what Jake experienced, Hanover did do a great job of capturing the kind of work and personalities that I saw—which doesn't really match the typical depiction of architects in fiction. I liked that bit of realism. (I asked Hanover about that in an upcoming Q&A, but I haven't read his responses yet, looking forward to seeing where that authenticity came from).
Getting back to Jake's life—what we have here is a stagnant (at best) relationship that's got a couple of pretty big things to work through; a job situation that needs addressing; and a new friend that is really the only positive thing in his life. Jake's life is basically begging to be shaken up, is Kaylee going to help instigate that?
There's something about Hanover's style that I can't express, but I wish I could. This book (like last year's Not Famous) is effortless to read. When I started this book, it was late in the day and I thought I'd just stick a toe in the water, maybe read about 10% of it. Before I knew it, I was about a third into the book (and were it not for the time of day, I'd have probably finished it in one sitting!). It's funny, it's sweet, it's infectious, it's engaging as anything I can remember. I cared about these characters and got invested in their lives faster than I typically do.
Jonathan Tropper tends to have certain character types that show up in every novel—particularly the wise sister/friend-who-might-as-well-be-sister* (many authors do this kind of thing, I know, but Tropper is who I thought of when I was reading this book). Hanover shows signs of the same thing—sisters play a big role in both of his novels to date. He doesn't use them the same way that Tropper does, don't get me wrong, but his male protagonists are more honest and open about their emotional lives because of sisters. This is neither good or bad, it's just a trait that he may have—it's something I'll be looking for next time. (again, see the Q&A for more on this topic). I like that there's someone who can draw this out of a character without the need for alcohol, drugs or trauma—also, that he bares his soul first to someone who isn't a love interest.
* There are other types that Tropper utilizes constantly, too, if I ever get around to my big re-read of his corpus, I'll end up compiling a chart.
There's a bit of conventional wisdom discussed here that I didn't know before reading this book.
Four chapters later:
I counted someone telling that to Jake four times (with at least one more allusion). Is this really a thing that everyone thinks/says? I may need to cancel some of my daughter's plans for the next 20 years...
I'd forgotten that Hanover had said there'd be a link between Not Famous and this book. It's small, and if you haven't read his other novel, you won't miss anything. But if you have, you'll enjoy the brief catch-up you get about the lives of the protagonists of that novel. It brought a big grin to my face.
There was a slight flavor of Nick Hornby wanna-be-ness to Not Famous that's not present here. Instead, what Hanover has done is take that same voice and put it to use telling a story that's all him (while being the kind of thing that Hornby readers will appreciate). I do think that Hanover could go a bit deeper in his characterizations (I have very little sense about Jake apart from work/Lindsay) and his plots could add a little more complexity. I'm looking for a few degrees of depth/complexity, not much. But that doesn't stop me from loving this world and characters, and it doesn't keep me from encouraging you all to grab this book when it releases next month.
This heart-warming tale about being who you are and finding acceptance for it is a real winner. Adorkable, irresistible, and just fun—Not Dressed is sure to please. I don't know what Not Description is next for Hanover, but I'm already eager to read it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion and this post. I appreciate the book, but it didn't sway what I had to say.
---
“Hey there, Jake. This should be fun, right?”...
“I guess,” I say.
“You don’t sound too excited,” she says as she takes a hair tie off her wrist and pulls her disheveled hair back into a ponytail.
“Yeah, well. I’m not good at dancing.”
“Obviously! That’s why you’re here. Same as me. I’m probably just as bad as you. But we’ll learn together, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra,” she says.
“I…have no idea what that means.”
“It’s from Star Trek…Actually, Star Trek: The Next Generation. It means we’ll work together to solve a common problem. In this case, the problem is learning how to dance.”
“I gotcha. So, you’re like…a Trekkie?”
“Was my sweatshirt not a big enough clue?”
“No, I just—”
“You’re not a Star Wars fan, are you? If you are, you’ll have to find a different partner.”
Jake Evans is our protagonist—he's a decent enough guy, who could probably use some maturing (which means he's like 90% of guys in their twenties). He's got a great girlfriend (although the relationship seems a bit rocky when we meet him) and is second-guessing his chosen career (partially because he has a horrid employer, and partially because architecture isn't the career he thought it would be). There are signs that he'd be a pretty fun guy to hang out with, but when the book opens he's got a pretty good-sized cloud over his head between the girl and the gig.
Lindsay's his long-time girlfriend. She works in radio and is very passionate about her job. She's enjoying a little bit of success, and has a hard time relating to Jake's struggles. She's the producer and in-all-but-name on-air sidekick to a Boston-area conservative talk show host, who calls her "Lefty Lindsay." (don't worry, politics are absent from the book!) At least when the book opens, I really didn't see why the two of them were a couple. There's a good chance that neither of them rembered at that point, either, it had been so long.
Two things about their relationship provide most of the initial conflict for the plot. First, due to some financial hits they've taken recently, Lindsay has taken some modeling gigs to make some extra money. She did it back in college, which was recent enough that she still had connections. Why didn't Jake do something to make extra money? He's having a hard enough time finding a replacement full-time job that it didn't seem like a good idea to try to add another job search to his plate. Besides, Lindsay's moonlighting is profitable enough. What she neglects to mention to Jake is that this modeling is for art classes at a local college. And, well, none of these artists-in-training are working on fashion degrees—clothing gets in the way of what they're learning to draw/paint/sculpt. Jake's an open-minded kind of guy, except when it comes to this, it's not pretty when he finds out (although it's a pretty amusing scene for readers when he does).
Meanwhile, Jake's sister's wedding is coming up and Lindsay has decided the two of them need to learn to dance before it. Besides, it's a fun activity for the two of them—they never go out mid-week anymore, and their relationship could use a boost. So she signs them up for a dance class, and then tells Jake about it after she paid for it, so he pretty much has to agree to it, but isn't really that interested. So she basically promises him sex if he goes. Which pretty much seals the deal. But then Lindsay's show gets moved to a new (and better) time slot. So, in addition to not being able to make the class, the couple will hardly see each other during the week. Her plan is that Jake will go, and then on the weekend, teach her the moves (he insists on getting his payment in advance for this).
Jake hates this new plan, and is convinced that he's going to be stuck dancing with the instructor (after he and the reader meets this instructor, no one thinks this is going to be fun for him). Thankfully, just before class starts, Kaylee walks in. You read her opening dialogue up above. She's a few years younger than Jake, taking some time out from college to figure out what she wants to do with her life, and is a major geek. She's almost a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, but doesn't fit the category in a few ways (I'm only using that term because I'm afraid this post is getting too long and I want to pick up the pace). She's also my favorite character of 2020 so far (granted, that would mean more if it wasn't January 13th).
Kaylee and Jake strike up a nice little friendship during the class, and pretty soon, he's going so he has an excuse to hang out with her. The two of them are fun together—she's socially awkward and embarrassed to be herself, Jake tries to shake her out of that, and even encourages her to let her Geek-Flag fly (even if he doesn't get any of it). Meanwhile, she's encouraging about his job hunt (as opposed to Lindsay, who mostly nags or wants him to find a way to succeed where he is), and gets him to be a little less angst-y about his life. I like Jake more when he's in friend with Kaylee-mode over guy with Lindsay-mode. But what do I know? I have a tendency to pick people the protagonists don't in these situations (I won't provide examples because I'd expose myself to too much ridicule).
The one last bit of Jake's life we need to talk about is his job. It's horrible. He has a nice group of work-friends who band together for mutual support (and complaints), but the atmosphere at work is toxic, and their superiors would be enough to turn anyone against their chosen field. For example, in the first chapter, Jake's two-year anniversary with the company happens and he asks his boss about scheduling his annual review (which will hopefully involve a raise, which he could really use). His boss stammers and suggests an alternate date, nine months away. Yeah, Jake's bad attitude toward work makes a little sense, doesn't it?
I worked as a draftsman at an architecture firm some years ago, and while the atmosphere there wasn't at all what Jake experienced, Hanover did do a great job of capturing the kind of work and personalities that I saw—which doesn't really match the typical depiction of architects in fiction. I liked that bit of realism. (I asked Hanover about that in an upcoming Q&A, but I haven't read his responses yet, looking forward to seeing where that authenticity came from).
Getting back to Jake's life—what we have here is a stagnant (at best) relationship that's got a couple of pretty big things to work through; a job situation that needs addressing; and a new friend that is really the only positive thing in his life. Jake's life is basically begging to be shaken up, is Kaylee going to help instigate that?
There's something about Hanover's style that I can't express, but I wish I could. This book (like last year's Not Famous) is effortless to read. When I started this book, it was late in the day and I thought I'd just stick a toe in the water, maybe read about 10% of it. Before I knew it, I was about a third into the book (and were it not for the time of day, I'd have probably finished it in one sitting!). It's funny, it's sweet, it's infectious, it's engaging as anything I can remember. I cared about these characters and got invested in their lives faster than I typically do.
Jonathan Tropper tends to have certain character types that show up in every novel—particularly the wise sister/friend-who-might-as-well-be-sister* (many authors do this kind of thing, I know, but Tropper is who I thought of when I was reading this book). Hanover shows signs of the same thing—sisters play a big role in both of his novels to date. He doesn't use them the same way that Tropper does, don't get me wrong, but his male protagonists are more honest and open about their emotional lives because of sisters. This is neither good or bad, it's just a trait that he may have—it's something I'll be looking for next time. (again, see the Q&A for more on this topic). I like that there's someone who can draw this out of a character without the need for alcohol, drugs or trauma—also, that he bares his soul first to someone who isn't a love interest.
* There are other types that Tropper utilizes constantly, too, if I ever get around to my big re-read of his corpus, I'll end up compiling a chart.
There's a bit of conventional wisdom discussed here that I didn't know before reading this book.
"You realize that dancing is basically foreplay, right?”
“So I’ve heard.” [Jake replies]
Four chapters later:
“Because dancing is, like, totally foreplay, you know.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that?” [Jake asks]
I counted someone telling that to Jake four times (with at least one more allusion). Is this really a thing that everyone thinks/says? I may need to cancel some of my daughter's plans for the next 20 years...
I'd forgotten that Hanover had said there'd be a link between Not Famous and this book. It's small, and if you haven't read his other novel, you won't miss anything. But if you have, you'll enjoy the brief catch-up you get about the lives of the protagonists of that novel. It brought a big grin to my face.
There was a slight flavor of Nick Hornby wanna-be-ness to Not Famous that's not present here. Instead, what Hanover has done is take that same voice and put it to use telling a story that's all him (while being the kind of thing that Hornby readers will appreciate). I do think that Hanover could go a bit deeper in his characterizations (I have very little sense about Jake apart from work/Lindsay) and his plots could add a little more complexity. I'm looking for a few degrees of depth/complexity, not much. But that doesn't stop me from loving this world and characters, and it doesn't keep me from encouraging you all to grab this book when it releases next month.
This heart-warming tale about being who you are and finding acceptance for it is a real winner. Adorkable, irresistible, and just fun—Not Dressed is sure to please. I don't know what Not Description is next for Hanover, but I'm already eager to read it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion and this post. I appreciate the book, but it didn't sway what I had to say.
August 25, 2021
This book was just as great as the other one. I liked how Emma was in this book, too. It offered a glimpse of her character from a friend standpoint.
January 6, 2020
If like me you weren't overly keen on Matthew Hanover's last book, please do not give up on this author, this book is so much better. I said in my review of his last book that the first 30 percent was a struggle, in this book I was hooked from the start. Each character had something I could relate to, and I found myself asking several times throughout the book, what would I do in this situation? How would I handle it?
Not Dressed address relationships, work and friendship. Just what sacrifices would you make for your career? Do you stereotype people and then end up surprised? Is there only one thing bonding you and your friendship group? If thats gone, would there be anything left?
Even if you dont ask all these questions when reading this book, you can just enjoy it as a book written about relationships from a man's point of view. I believe Matthew Hanover calls it "lad-lit".
Over all a fantastic book, especially for "geeks". I cant wait to see what Matthew Hanover writes next.
Not Dressed address relationships, work and friendship. Just what sacrifices would you make for your career? Do you stereotype people and then end up surprised? Is there only one thing bonding you and your friendship group? If thats gone, would there be anything left?
Even if you dont ask all these questions when reading this book, you can just enjoy it as a book written about relationships from a man's point of view. I believe Matthew Hanover calls it "lad-lit".
Over all a fantastic book, especially for "geeks". I cant wait to see what Matthew Hanover writes next.
December 14, 2021
This is the perfect book to read if you are looking for something light with an uncomplicated storyline and relatable characters. A little bit slow at the beginning, but overall a super enjoyable read.
April 8, 2021
This book was a little difficult for me to get into in the beginning but I am glad I persisted!
Matthew Hanover has quite clearly got an understanding for "misfits" - and aren't we all one? He spins a delightful and quirky tale with a few laugh out loud moments. The central characters share the same views of not being entirely happy with their lives but unsure of how to make anything better until one young lady comes along and challenges their (and our) views on just what we should settle for.
Matthew Hanover has a promising future as a novelist, displaying empathy for his characters.
This book would be ideal for teens or young women. It is optimistic and quirky. An easy and uplifting read.
Matthew Hanover has quite clearly got an understanding for "misfits" - and aren't we all one? He spins a delightful and quirky tale with a few laugh out loud moments. The central characters share the same views of not being entirely happy with their lives but unsure of how to make anything better until one young lady comes along and challenges their (and our) views on just what we should settle for.
Matthew Hanover has a promising future as a novelist, displaying empathy for his characters.
This book would be ideal for teens or young women. It is optimistic and quirky. An easy and uplifting read.
Read
June 6, 2020Jake is a in a dead-end job, he hates going to work. He is living with a radio producer. When she asks him if he will go to dance glasses so they can dance at her sister’s wedding he doesn’t fancy it, but for her says he will. Then she changes radio slot and he goes alone. He pairs up with a girl that changes his life and his thoughts. It is a great read. You can see this on the big screen.
I loved the descriptions of his workplace and his work mates.
It’s another one of those books that’s crying out for a sequel.
Matthew Hanover has written two books and i hope he doesn't stop there
he has a real talent
I loved the descriptions of his workplace and his work mates.
It’s another one of those books that’s crying out for a sequel.
Matthew Hanover has written two books and i hope he doesn't stop there
he has a real talent
May 18, 2021
A book that is easy to read, with characters we can identify with. It highlights struggles within developing relationships and the decisions of whether to maintain those existing relationships and work situations (regardless of the unhappiness that this might bring) or break free from them. Loved reading it.
October 7, 2021
Thank you Voracious Readers for a copy of this book! I enjoyed this book but it had a slow start. The whole part one was basically explained in the prologue. The pace started to pick up in the second half and the final part made for a great ending. It’s the typical “everything in my life sucks” but just one thing goes right and it spirals into a great life outcome for the main character. I do plan on reading more from this author because the story telling was great.
May 31, 2021
Really enjoyed getting to know the characters in this book. And enjoyed the ending for a change....
June 2, 2021
It was my first book by this author
I enjoyed the book but it was a slow start.. i felt like it was taking forever for me get past the first half. I usually finish reading a book within hours.. but maybe its because i moved house and was exhausted and havent been able to read as fast as usual.
But i did enjoy the second half.. the storyline was good.. and i liked Kaylee a whole lot more than Lindsay.
Looking forward to reading another book by this author
❤️❤️
I enjoyed the book but it was a slow start.. i felt like it was taking forever for me get past the first half. I usually finish reading a book within hours.. but maybe its because i moved house and was exhausted and havent been able to read as fast as usual.
But i did enjoy the second half.. the storyline was good.. and i liked Kaylee a whole lot more than Lindsay.
Looking forward to reading another book by this author
❤️❤️
February 4, 2022
Here is a solid second book! So engaging and fun to read. Love Kaylee so much! A real page turner for me. Just a lovely story with some flawed but genuine people trying to make their way in life and love.
May 5, 2021
Stuck in a dead end job, a relationship that is not meant to last, and now coerced into attending a dance class...alone. Who knew meeting his new dance partner could lead to a new life?
I liked the plot and characters of this book but it didn't connect with me on an emotional level.
I liked the plot and characters of this book but it didn't connect with me on an emotional level.
May 21, 2020
I had high hopes for this novel after reading “Not Famous”, which was one of my favorite books I’ve read in a long time. Matthew Hanover did not disappoint. It took me a few chapters to really get hooked in, but once I did I couldn’t put it down. The one complaint I have about the story is that the main character, Jake’s, inner conflict with his soon to be ex girlfriend Lindsay ended sooner into the book than I expected. However, that lead me to believe there would be a twist with Kaylee, and while there technically was, just with her family and not with Jake, it was refreshing to see the author take an angle of showing two people help each other in life through the love they have for each other. I definitely recommend this if you’re a fan of the genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2021
Even though it doesn't seem pacey it was easy to get immersed and I ended up reading this within 3-4 days.
I liked the characters and the story, as it was very relatable. Many of us have been in situations where work colleagues make a bad job more bearable. Sometimes like in the main character's life everything seems to just be hard work: job, career prospects, finances and relationships. But it's a really easy book to get into and enjoyable.
I could almost imagine it as a Netflix movie.
My favourite character was Kaylee who comes across so well as an attractive nerdy geek girl. There were loads of SNG (Star Trek Next Gen) references too which I liked. It was the blurb describing this character which attracted me to read the book alongside that sense that sometimes the career path you're on is the wrong one.
It's the first book I've read in quite a while which was written by a male author and I enjoyed the different perspective.
Having said that there were a few things I didn't enjoy.
The first and most important was the issue with the text. It could seriously benefit from a good proofread/edit as there were loads of missing words which made it difficult to read.
The story is narrated by Jake, the main character, who seems to be a little too fixated on sex and refers to being rewarded with sex or make up sex which was rather uncomfortable. I kind of let it go though thinking, well maybe that's the way this male character is supposed to be but it makes him less likeable.
The title appears to relate to one incident which is also uncomfortable - the main character's live-in girlfriend takes a second job as a nude artists' model but doesn't tell Jake about it. The discussions about her choosing to pose nude appear to be really odd where Jake seems to think only he has a right to her body and should control her choices. Again this is rather uncomfortable until Jake discusses the situation with a female work colleague and the issue of trust and intimacy is discussed rather than nudity per se but it would have been good to see a defence of some kind and less prudishness.
I liked the characters and the story, as it was very relatable. Many of us have been in situations where work colleagues make a bad job more bearable. Sometimes like in the main character's life everything seems to just be hard work: job, career prospects, finances and relationships. But it's a really easy book to get into and enjoyable.
I could almost imagine it as a Netflix movie.
My favourite character was Kaylee who comes across so well as an attractive nerdy geek girl. There were loads of SNG (Star Trek Next Gen) references too which I liked. It was the blurb describing this character which attracted me to read the book alongside that sense that sometimes the career path you're on is the wrong one.
It's the first book I've read in quite a while which was written by a male author and I enjoyed the different perspective.
Having said that there were a few things I didn't enjoy.
The first and most important was the issue with the text. It could seriously benefit from a good proofread/edit as there were loads of missing words which made it difficult to read.
The story is narrated by Jake, the main character, who seems to be a little too fixated on sex and refers to being rewarded with sex or make up sex which was rather uncomfortable. I kind of let it go though thinking, well maybe that's the way this male character is supposed to be but it makes him less likeable.
The title appears to relate to one incident which is also uncomfortable - the main character's live-in girlfriend takes a second job as a nude artists' model but doesn't tell Jake about it. The discussions about her choosing to pose nude appear to be really odd where Jake seems to think only he has a right to her body and should control her choices. Again this is rather uncomfortable until Jake discusses the situation with a female work colleague and the issue of trust and intimacy is discussed rather than nudity per se but it would have been good to see a defence of some kind and less prudishness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2020
Not Dressed is a funny and charming story about finding love, fandom, and being true to yourself. Matthew Hanover has assembled a stellar cast of loveable characters who will make you laugh out loud and embrace your inner geek.
Jake is an architect, but he’s not sure if he wants to continue to work for his less than competent firm. The only thing that gets him through the day is the cadre of co-workers who are just as fed up with his boss as he is. Things with Jake and his work-obsessed girlfriend are starting to take a turn. She signs them up for ballroom dance lessons, much to his chagrin, then bails on him when her work schedule changes.
Enter Kaylee, Jake’s new dance partner, a perpetual student who hasn’t quite found her niche in the world. Kaylee is also a Sci-Fi fangirl, especially the world of Star Trek. They become fast friends, despite all of the cultural touchstone differences between them.
Jake is horrified to learn how his girlfriend, Lindsay, is earning extra cash to pay for unexpected bills. The difference in opinion on how appropriate it is for her to do this further drives a wedge between them. This only adds fuel to the fire in budding feelings for Kaylee.
Hanover does a masterful job of not letting Kaylee turn into the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. This story is more about her finding the one thing that will bring fulfillment to her life than it does with Jake’s professional and personal struggles. There is a genuine bond between the two, built on respect and their support for finding their dreams.
Once again, Matthew Hanover excels in his first-person inner monologue. It’s descriptive, humorous, and real. The narrative is woven together in a way that is seamless and a joy to read.
Jake is an architect, but he’s not sure if he wants to continue to work for his less than competent firm. The only thing that gets him through the day is the cadre of co-workers who are just as fed up with his boss as he is. Things with Jake and his work-obsessed girlfriend are starting to take a turn. She signs them up for ballroom dance lessons, much to his chagrin, then bails on him when her work schedule changes.
Enter Kaylee, Jake’s new dance partner, a perpetual student who hasn’t quite found her niche in the world. Kaylee is also a Sci-Fi fangirl, especially the world of Star Trek. They become fast friends, despite all of the cultural touchstone differences between them.
Jake is horrified to learn how his girlfriend, Lindsay, is earning extra cash to pay for unexpected bills. The difference in opinion on how appropriate it is for her to do this further drives a wedge between them. This only adds fuel to the fire in budding feelings for Kaylee.
Hanover does a masterful job of not letting Kaylee turn into the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. This story is more about her finding the one thing that will bring fulfillment to her life than it does with Jake’s professional and personal struggles. There is a genuine bond between the two, built on respect and their support for finding their dreams.
Once again, Matthew Hanover excels in his first-person inner monologue. It’s descriptive, humorous, and real. The narrative is woven together in a way that is seamless and a joy to read.
March 16, 2021
I received this book through Voracious Readers.
I was not sure about this book when I first decided to read it but once I started I found myself compelled to finish it, I wanted to see where their journey would take them and how things would end up.
Jake hates his job, his boss is awful and his girlfriend is so busy trying to progress in her own career that he may as well not exist. He knows he needs to change things in his life if he wants it to get better, but he has job security, friends at work he likes and he has been with his girlfriend so long that he is not sure it is worth upsetting their relationship over a rough patch. A new dance class and his girlfriends unexpected side job might just set him on a new path.
I quite liked this story, the ups and downs and learning that if you want things to change in your life, then maybe you need to take a step off the comfortable path and take a risk trying something new, no matter how scary it is.
I liked Kaylee, with her geekiness, awesome wardrobe and insecurities. I liked how their relationship started off and the journey they took from who they were before they met, to who they became afterwards. I liked the jokes in the office between Jake his coworkers, the never ending line of interns and even though that moment with the rat caught me by surprise I can’t quite seem to forget it.
I was not sure about this book when I first decided to read it but once I started I found myself compelled to finish it, I wanted to see where their journey would take them and how things would end up.
Jake hates his job, his boss is awful and his girlfriend is so busy trying to progress in her own career that he may as well not exist. He knows he needs to change things in his life if he wants it to get better, but he has job security, friends at work he likes and he has been with his girlfriend so long that he is not sure it is worth upsetting their relationship over a rough patch. A new dance class and his girlfriends unexpected side job might just set him on a new path.
I quite liked this story, the ups and downs and learning that if you want things to change in your life, then maybe you need to take a step off the comfortable path and take a risk trying something new, no matter how scary it is.
I liked Kaylee, with her geekiness, awesome wardrobe and insecurities. I liked how their relationship started off and the journey they took from who they were before they met, to who they became afterwards. I liked the jokes in the office between Jake his coworkers, the never ending line of interns and even though that moment with the rat caught me by surprise I can’t quite seem to forget it.
February 23, 2020
Jake is an architectural designer and his live-in girl friend is a radio personality. Jake had been out of work for three months so he agrees to a job he doesn’t want, thinking it is just temporary. Flash forward two years and he is still working there, only his relationship with his girlfriend is strained. Like a snowball rolling down the hill, changes start happening, bigger and faster.
This is a romantic comedy about being true to yourself and finding your passion. The characters were well crafted, with dynamic personalities complete with foibles and strengths. The storyline flows smoothly and at a good rate. The characters continued to grow and develop, finding themselves and each other along the way. The storyline is full of surprise, humour, great dialogue and a wonderful narrative, all serving to engage the reader and hold their interest until the end. True love is accepting, honest and putting the other’s needs before their own. This is a heartwarming romance novel that leaves you feeling positive.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a romantic comedy about being true to yourself and finding your passion. The characters were well crafted, with dynamic personalities complete with foibles and strengths. The storyline flows smoothly and at a good rate. The characters continued to grow and develop, finding themselves and each other along the way. The storyline is full of surprise, humour, great dialogue and a wonderful narrative, all serving to engage the reader and hold their interest until the end. True love is accepting, honest and putting the other’s needs before their own. This is a heartwarming romance novel that leaves you feeling positive.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 10, 2020
I was under the impression that this was a romcom of sorts but unfortunately for me this book fell flat on both the rom and the com. For starters Jake and Lindsay's relationship was cringeworthy, especially how Jake handled the whole thing. Kaylee was a bit of fresh air but the way she kept self demeaning was off putting. There were also some edits that need to be made but as my copy is an ARC, I'm hopeful those will be corrected before it goes live. There were still some redeeming things with this read...a few chuckles were to be had and the characters, relationships and life situations depicted in this read truly come across very realistic. I can completely see these exact situations happening in real life. Overall, not really what I was expecting but still a pretty good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 3, 2020
I was a fan of his first book, so I was excited for this one. The growth was evident early in how connected I was to the characters. In his last book the characters were well written, but one of the main characters was so sweet it was easy to feel protective of her. This time around they felt more on the same wavelength which led to a more balanced experience as a reader. His signature sense of humor is still intact, along with the witty dialogue that hooked me the first time around. What you’ll find is a well written story that���s entertains and perfectly mirrors that awkward stage of growing into an adult.
August 21, 2021
Your typical feel-good romance novel, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! I loved how Matthew allowed his characters to be true to who they are, unashamed of self-expression, and go after what they wanted, even if this meant stepping out of their comfort zone. It sends a good message to readers that it’s never too late to make a change for happiness, sometimes risks are worth taking. I did find the story a bit long and dragged out, the story developed quite slowly. Other than that, it was an easy read. The ending was well written, a classic happily ever after.
October 25, 2021
This is my first read from Matthew Hanover, thanks to Voracious Readers.
I’m appreciative to the author for sending me a copy, I really enjoyed it.
Very relatable in many ways which definitely captured me as the reader.
Written as a romantic comedy I enjoyed the humorous aspects of Jakes character and laughed through those awkward moments Jake encountered with Kaylee.
I appreciate all genres of books I have received from authors through Voracious Readers, but this particular one worked really for me just from the first glimpse.
I would recommend this book to my fellow readers.
I’m appreciative to the author for sending me a copy, I really enjoyed it.
Very relatable in many ways which definitely captured me as the reader.
Written as a romantic comedy I enjoyed the humorous aspects of Jakes character and laughed through those awkward moments Jake encountered with Kaylee.
I appreciate all genres of books I have received from authors through Voracious Readers, but this particular one worked really for me just from the first glimpse.
I would recommend this book to my fellow readers.
February 24, 2020
Jake's an architectural designer and his live-in girlfriend, Lindsay, is a radio personality. He's on a job that was supposed to be temporary but somehow it didn't and it's draining him, and somewhere along the way his relationship seems to be on the rocks.
It's awfully realistic in the way it portrays relationships, the characters, and life situations.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It's awfully realistic in the way it portrays relationships, the characters, and life situations.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 5, 2020
not Dotlh rap vISIQ tIv
Join Jake on his 29th year as he figures out his life other peoples .
Loved fangirl Kaylee- although at one point did believe she was going to be a stalker / then I felt there was secret she was hiding!
The ref to book one Ali Campbell and guys .
Out of the 2 preferred book 1 , although this is great read
Well done Fella
Join Jake on his 29th year as he figures out his life other peoples .
Loved fangirl Kaylee- although at one point did believe she was going to be a stalker / then I felt there was secret she was hiding!
The ref to book one Ali Campbell and guys .
Out of the 2 preferred book 1 , although this is great read
Well done Fella
June 6, 2021
I struggled to get into this book at the beginning.. but I kept reading and actually really got into it..
I really enjoyed Kaylee and her story and felt she was a real delight, Jake really comes into his own as the story progresses.
Would recommend reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only
I really enjoyed Kaylee and her story and felt she was a real delight, Jake really comes into his own as the story progresses.
Would recommend reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only
July 9, 2021
A nice easy to read romance with quite a few twists along the way. Humorous in places the story follows the life of the main character and the group of people he is closest to. The story may encourage the reader to take a closer look at his/her o win life choices which is not always a bad thing.
I received a complimentary copy from Voracious Readers Only in return for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy from Voracious Readers Only in return for an honest review.
October 20, 2021
So the storyline has been really slow thus far. But I had to provide a rating before I even finished the book because this book needs to be properly edited. The amount of typos and grammatical errors is appalling!! Some are so obvious I don’t know how they were missed. For me it really affects the flow and ease of reading the novel.
June 3, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this funny , charming book which once got going was hard to put down . Loved all the characters and found them all easy to relate to . The ending certainly leaves you wanting more .
October 30, 2021
A novel exploring sense of identity, other peoples’ perceptions and how they affect one’s actions and self consciousness. Received as complimentary copy from the author via Voracious Readers Only in return for an honest review.
November 11, 2021
I got a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
I did enjoy this book, it was a really easy read. But it had one major issue, the Kaylee character. She was so unbelievably written, I was cringing through her scenes.
I did enjoy this book, it was a really easy read. But it had one major issue, the Kaylee character. She was so unbelievably written, I was cringing through her scenes.
July 4, 2021
I was enthralled in the book. I liked the characters in the book and their very normal lives. I could not put the book down.
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