What do you think?
Rate this book
Her Turn
Addie Snyder's first novel is becoming an overnight sensation. Unprepared for being thrusted in the limelight, she is desperate to shelter her brother, Owen, who has Down syndrome. After her father abandoned them when Owen was just a baby, she is his sole guardian after her mother passed away. She must protect him from the harsh world, but how can she do that with public events coming up? An unlikely ally in her cold and emotionless publicist, Jameson Ford. As a former Navy Seal, Jameson has his own demons, but there is something about Addie that defrosts his icy wall. Together, they navigate the twists and turns as her book becomes a world-wide phenomenon.
Her life becomes even more complicated when her long-lost father arrives threatening to take Owen away from her and her distant relatives trying to hoard in on Addie's success. But, through the drama, Addie maintains her humor while popping chocolate kisses as if they were Xanax and seeking solace behind her computer creating stories that fill her soul. Even though all of her dreams are coming true, no one can prepare her for what lies ahead. It's true when they say, be careful what you wish for.
Her life becomes even more complicated when her long-lost father arrives threatening to take Owen away from her and her distant relatives trying to hoard in on Addie's success. But, through the drama, Addie maintains her humor while popping chocolate kisses as if they were Xanax and seeking solace behind her computer creating stories that fill her soul. Even though all of her dreams are coming true, no one can prepare her for what lies ahead. It's true when they say, be careful what you wish for.
288 pages, ebook
First published January 21, 2021
7 people are currently reading
353 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 129 reviews
December 24, 2020
DNF-ed at 20%
I wish I could've got into this but I simply couldn't feel the characters and even though I appreciated the idea of the plot (so many good ideas!) I couldn't get over some verbal tics that slightly irritated me :(
I wish I could've got into this but I simply couldn't feel the characters and even though I appreciated the idea of the plot (so many good ideas!) I couldn't get over some verbal tics that slightly irritated me :(
January 29, 2021
Her Turn by Allison Jones is a contemporary romance novel where we see our main character, Addie Snyder, who is a writter and has recently been laid off from her job.
She is now a freelance writer and her first novel is about to be released. Her mother recently died and has left her a good amount of money. Her nephew Matthew and his wife are both looking for the same money from Addie.
I picked up this book because of the creative and innovative blurb and the plot. The plot seems to be promising but the narrative is just very new born and not written properly. I felt like Addie was a very underdeveloped character.
Some of the words and sentences used in this book are quite offensive. She stays with Owen, who has down syndrome, and nowhere in the book this has been acknowledged properly. There were so many childish errors which makes the book off.
_____
Thank You to NetGalley and Publisher for sending me eARC in exchange for a honest opinion.
She is now a freelance writer and her first novel is about to be released. Her mother recently died and has left her a good amount of money. Her nephew Matthew and his wife are both looking for the same money from Addie.
I picked up this book because of the creative and innovative blurb and the plot. The plot seems to be promising but the narrative is just very new born and not written properly. I felt like Addie was a very underdeveloped character.
Some of the words and sentences used in this book are quite offensive. She stays with Owen, who has down syndrome, and nowhere in the book this has been acknowledged properly. There were so many childish errors which makes the book off.
_____
Thank You to NetGalley and Publisher for sending me eARC in exchange for a honest opinion.
January 4, 2021
I really wanted to like this book. The blurb sounded so good! Unfortunately this book did not do it for me. I made it less than 20% through before I knew I was going to hate it, but my need for completion drove me to finish the whole thing. As usual, I have thoughts. I will start with the main characters and move on to the writing/plot. Buckle up because this is going to be a long one.
I may have been all of five pages in before I said, out loud, "Oh, my gods. This lady needs to be in some intensive therapy." That overwhelming feeling did not go away throughout the book. Therapy is there for a reason. Addie is loaded. There's absolutely no reason she should not have a good therapist on speed dial. She needs to work through her issues. Pronto. Addie continuously refers to herself as "an extroverted introvert" and says "Its a thing. Look it up." It is not a thing. Being an introvert does not mean you are shy. There are many outgoing introverts. Being an introvert means that you recharge by being alone. Being an extrovert means that you recharge by being with people, usually specifically people you love. That may be a small thing for me to nit pick, but it was just one of the many things that got under my skin. Addie also breaks the fourth wall. When this is done well, it's a lovely literary tactic. (see C.S. Lewis in the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe) Unfortunately this is not done well.
Addie has a stylist forced upon her (Enter the stereotypical gay.), which she complains about the entire time. The woman hates herself, hates the way she looks, and can't be bothered to put on a real pair of pants or a shirt without stains for television appearances without whining the whole time. Somehow, magically, after the first meeting with George (The gay stylist) they are best friends. The first meeting is awkward, but she likes him. That's it. There is no nuance to them becoming friends, it is just awkward first meeting to absolute best friends. She goes from not knowing him to relying on him for emotional support in every situation. As soon as the TV appearances are over, he is never mentioned again. Poof. No more gay best friend. Addie is also a size 12, but constantly down about being fat. First of all, enough with the fat shaming. Second of all, girl, a twelve isn't even fat! "A curvy twelve" is just about average sized. She isnt even the only one that does it, she has a date with a guy and he says he's "into chubby chicks" and thought she would be easy and he wouldn't have to compete for her attention because even though she's gorgeous, she's chubby. I literally cannot even. Addie was just not a heroine I could fall in love with. It's hard to read a book when the main characters are obnoxious. Addie is obnoxious.
Jameson is the name of the hero. It is hard for me to call him a hero, honestly. Toxic masculinity here is off the charts. When his buddy is checking in on him because he is suffering with PTSD, he says something along the lines of "What is this a lifetime movie? Enough about feelings!" And then later the same friend (obviously a better man than he is) asks again, how are you doing? - earnestly, over a pint in a pub- and this bitch straight up says "We're gonna grow vaginas if we don't stop talking about feelings. Lets talk about sports!" It was honestly like a caricature of how men talk. Again, people do not talk like that in real life. I live in the deep south. My husband is a grizzly, outdoorsy, manliest of manly, Appalachian man, but guess what? He's still a person! He would literally never talk this way. It was honestly just so unrealistic to me.
Jameson says at one point that he feels responsible for Addie. Addie is forty something years old. She is a (mostly) competent adult. She has been caring for her brother for most of her life. Assumedly she knows how to handle herself. She might be an insecure mess that needs therapy, but it got my hackles up when he said that. Responsible for her! Gtfo of here with that patriarchal bull crap. Speaking of patriarchal bull crap, here is another gem from Jameson. "Women are always attracted to me, but today the field holds no appeal." *vomit noises* One last reason to hate Jameson. He finds out some blockbuster information about Addie's family, but doesn't tell her. He's "protecting" her. Of course he is. How could a 40 year old woman possibly be expected to know what is good for herself and her brother. How could a 40 year old woman possibly process any negative information. Better save that from the little woman. No need to worry her pretty little head about it. *More vomit noises*.
The writing is very juvenile. Upon occasion I am willing to overlook this when the story is great and the characters are engaging. Everyone has to start somewhere, and it is often fun to sort of watch authors come into their own. (As an example, I thought the Suzanne Collins' writing in the first Hunger Games book was juvenile, but 1. That book's target audience is readers much younger than I. and 2. The story was awesome. Easy to overlook in that case. Not so in this case.) The dialogue is straight up inconceivable. People do not speak that way. It gets a bit smoother as the book goes on, but the beginning is unbearable.
A MAJOR issue I took with the writing is that the author made sure to make every villain call or refer to the brother as retarded. I absolutely cannot abide this. I know that the author knows better because according to her GoodReads profile, she has a son that was born with Down Syndrome. That just really made me furious. We already know they are bad people. Owen, the brother, is the best, most realistic character in the entire book. I have no complaints about him. I do want to point out that the author makes Addie say "Owen is my greatest teacher" at least 25 times throughout. We get it. I'm sure raising him has taught you a lot, but is it truly necessary to say it 25 times?
This book was just a terrible roller coaster and I wanted off the whole time. Not my cup of tea.
I have to go read a palette cleanser after that mess.
https://ssshwearereading.wordpress.co...
I may have been all of five pages in before I said, out loud, "Oh, my gods. This lady needs to be in some intensive therapy." That overwhelming feeling did not go away throughout the book. Therapy is there for a reason. Addie is loaded. There's absolutely no reason she should not have a good therapist on speed dial. She needs to work through her issues. Pronto. Addie continuously refers to herself as "an extroverted introvert" and says "Its a thing. Look it up." It is not a thing. Being an introvert does not mean you are shy. There are many outgoing introverts. Being an introvert means that you recharge by being alone. Being an extrovert means that you recharge by being with people, usually specifically people you love. That may be a small thing for me to nit pick, but it was just one of the many things that got under my skin. Addie also breaks the fourth wall. When this is done well, it's a lovely literary tactic. (see C.S. Lewis in the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe) Unfortunately this is not done well.
Addie has a stylist forced upon her (Enter the stereotypical gay.), which she complains about the entire time. The woman hates herself, hates the way she looks, and can't be bothered to put on a real pair of pants or a shirt without stains for television appearances without whining the whole time. Somehow, magically, after the first meeting with George (The gay stylist) they are best friends. The first meeting is awkward, but she likes him. That's it. There is no nuance to them becoming friends, it is just awkward first meeting to absolute best friends. She goes from not knowing him to relying on him for emotional support in every situation. As soon as the TV appearances are over, he is never mentioned again. Poof. No more gay best friend. Addie is also a size 12, but constantly down about being fat. First of all, enough with the fat shaming. Second of all, girl, a twelve isn't even fat! "A curvy twelve" is just about average sized. She isnt even the only one that does it, she has a date with a guy and he says he's "into chubby chicks" and thought she would be easy and he wouldn't have to compete for her attention because even though she's gorgeous, she's chubby. I literally cannot even. Addie was just not a heroine I could fall in love with. It's hard to read a book when the main characters are obnoxious. Addie is obnoxious.
Jameson is the name of the hero. It is hard for me to call him a hero, honestly. Toxic masculinity here is off the charts. When his buddy is checking in on him because he is suffering with PTSD, he says something along the lines of "What is this a lifetime movie? Enough about feelings!" And then later the same friend (obviously a better man than he is) asks again, how are you doing? - earnestly, over a pint in a pub- and this bitch straight up says "We're gonna grow vaginas if we don't stop talking about feelings. Lets talk about sports!" It was honestly like a caricature of how men talk. Again, people do not talk like that in real life. I live in the deep south. My husband is a grizzly, outdoorsy, manliest of manly, Appalachian man, but guess what? He's still a person! He would literally never talk this way. It was honestly just so unrealistic to me.
Jameson says at one point that he feels responsible for Addie. Addie is forty something years old. She is a (mostly) competent adult. She has been caring for her brother for most of her life. Assumedly she knows how to handle herself. She might be an insecure mess that needs therapy, but it got my hackles up when he said that. Responsible for her! Gtfo of here with that patriarchal bull crap. Speaking of patriarchal bull crap, here is another gem from Jameson. "Women are always attracted to me, but today the field holds no appeal." *vomit noises* One last reason to hate Jameson. He finds out some blockbuster information about Addie's family, but doesn't tell her. He's "protecting" her. Of course he is. How could a 40 year old woman possibly be expected to know what is good for herself and her brother. How could a 40 year old woman possibly process any negative information. Better save that from the little woman. No need to worry her pretty little head about it. *More vomit noises*.
The writing is very juvenile. Upon occasion I am willing to overlook this when the story is great and the characters are engaging. Everyone has to start somewhere, and it is often fun to sort of watch authors come into their own. (As an example, I thought the Suzanne Collins' writing in the first Hunger Games book was juvenile, but 1. That book's target audience is readers much younger than I. and 2. The story was awesome. Easy to overlook in that case. Not so in this case.) The dialogue is straight up inconceivable. People do not speak that way. It gets a bit smoother as the book goes on, but the beginning is unbearable.
A MAJOR issue I took with the writing is that the author made sure to make every villain call or refer to the brother as retarded. I absolutely cannot abide this. I know that the author knows better because according to her GoodReads profile, she has a son that was born with Down Syndrome. That just really made me furious. We already know they are bad people. Owen, the brother, is the best, most realistic character in the entire book. I have no complaints about him. I do want to point out that the author makes Addie say "Owen is my greatest teacher" at least 25 times throughout. We get it. I'm sure raising him has taught you a lot, but is it truly necessary to say it 25 times?
This book was just a terrible roller coaster and I wanted off the whole time. Not my cup of tea.
I have to go read a palette cleanser after that mess.
https://ssshwearereading.wordpress.co...
December 26, 2020
dnf-ed around the 30% mark
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
The writing is just not for me. This is a story set up to be an adult rom com but the writing is so juvenile, the prose is just painful to read. Being inside these characters' heads is not fun when they all act incredibly similar (really unlikable), some perspectives in the book made no sense too cause it adds nothing to the plot and does not help build the main characters, like Why do I need to know what her cousin-in-law is thinking if the main character already gave us a summary of what kind of person she is.
It's a lot of tell and no show which makes it really hard to feel connected or sympathize with any of these characters. The main character would just tell us "this is my cousin-in-law. She married my cousin who is an ass, oh and she is also a kleptomaniac." The constant use of short sentences really undercuts any of the effect, it just reads as really choppy. The prose is also really awkward and just unrealistic, like no human being talks or acts this way, it is written so cartoonish-ly bad to show the readers 'this is a bad person!' that it made me laugh. It feels like a series of made up scenarios in the shower compiled into a book with a weak plot.
Overall, the writing is just not for me which is disappointing cause the description sounded really interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
The writing is just not for me. This is a story set up to be an adult rom com but the writing is so juvenile, the prose is just painful to read. Being inside these characters' heads is not fun when they all act incredibly similar (really unlikable), some perspectives in the book made no sense too cause it adds nothing to the plot and does not help build the main characters, like Why do I need to know what her cousin-in-law is thinking if the main character already gave us a summary of what kind of person she is.
It's a lot of tell and no show which makes it really hard to feel connected or sympathize with any of these characters. The main character would just tell us "this is my cousin-in-law. She married my cousin who is an ass, oh and she is also a kleptomaniac." The constant use of short sentences really undercuts any of the effect, it just reads as really choppy. The prose is also really awkward and just unrealistic, like no human being talks or acts this way, it is written so cartoonish-ly bad to show the readers 'this is a bad person!' that it made me laugh. It feels like a series of made up scenarios in the shower compiled into a book with a weak plot.
Overall, the writing is just not for me which is disappointing cause the description sounded really interesting.
January 20, 2021
ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an open and honest review.
Contemporary Romance : ⭐️⭐️.5
Publication Date January 21st 2021
I want to start by saying I did enjoy this book (I had to power through at some points) the sibling dynamic between Addie and Owen was honestly the single best part of the book. The Downs representation was lovely; having Owen be his own solid character with a personality all his own was absolutely refreshing. Addie being a single never married woman in her 40's was also something I was drawn too. Sadly I was let down in a lot of ways. The switching of perspectives felt forced and often unnecessary. Addie being portrayed as a slob over and over again began to grate on my feelings toward her. She was more often than not self deprecating and whiny. She often was rather rude in her thoughts of other females and always made it seem like they were looking down their nose at her even in a two second interaction. I also didn't like George being brought in as a kind of just a gay savior... he lacked depth and seemed to only be used to save her from her slovenly ways and ogle men and make her feel good about herself. Grievously I have to say I was left just wanting more from Addie.
So in the end I was left wanting more and knowing that the story could have been better.
Contemporary Romance : ⭐️⭐️.5
Publication Date January 21st 2021
I want to start by saying I did enjoy this book (I had to power through at some points) the sibling dynamic between Addie and Owen was honestly the single best part of the book. The Downs representation was lovely; having Owen be his own solid character with a personality all his own was absolutely refreshing. Addie being a single never married woman in her 40's was also something I was drawn too. Sadly I was let down in a lot of ways. The switching of perspectives felt forced and often unnecessary. Addie being portrayed as a slob over and over again began to grate on my feelings toward her. She was more often than not self deprecating and whiny. She often was rather rude in her thoughts of other females and always made it seem like they were looking down their nose at her even in a two second interaction. I also didn't like George being brought in as a kind of just a gay savior... he lacked depth and seemed to only be used to save her from her slovenly ways and ogle men and make her feel good about herself. Grievously I have to say I was left just wanting more from Addie.
So in the end I was left wanting more and knowing that the story could have been better.
January 24, 2021
I started off really liking and enjoying this book.
Addie has written her own book and she is living in an apartment with her brother Owen who has Down Syndrome.
She has sent her manuscript off to her publishing/well-connected friend Nina and all of a sudden, when the book is published, Addie is hailed as a media superstar and is needed for book tours, radio broadcasts and television appearances.
Addie has enjoyed a quiet life up until now, even if it has been bereft of much parental love. Her Dad scarpered shortly after her brother was born and since her mother's death, the two siblings have stuck together. Addie doesn't believe in herself and yet she is a feisty and funny individual, her love for and determination to protect Owen an endearing quality.
The story is basically a romantic tale between Addie and publicist Jameson. There are parts that appealed to the lover of love stories in me, but overall there were too many American based colloquialisms that ended up in a repetitive loop that, at the beginning I barely noticed, and by the end were rather irritating.
It isn't a straightforward relationship between the 40 somethings and in fact there's a huge question mark over whether there will be a relationship at all as both are running from their emotions and scared to admit they might be falling for one another. The 1970 born, raised on ladybird classics, where the damsel in distress is always rescued by the handsome prince and they live happily ever after, idealist in me, did swoon somewhat at Jameson's protectiveness of Addie and Owen. Not at all the right stance to admit to, and certainly not in front of my own girls, but this is an honest review!
So, in summary, plenty that did appeal, and I liked the way that there were a fair few obstacles on life's rose-petal strewn path, with an interesting mystery surrounding Addie's cousin's wife and a senator. These aspects kept me turning the pages, but ultimately, by the finish, I was more out of love with the book than I was in love. Maybe my young teenage self would have liked it more.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review before publication.
Addie has written her own book and she is living in an apartment with her brother Owen who has Down Syndrome.
She has sent her manuscript off to her publishing/well-connected friend Nina and all of a sudden, when the book is published, Addie is hailed as a media superstar and is needed for book tours, radio broadcasts and television appearances.
Addie has enjoyed a quiet life up until now, even if it has been bereft of much parental love. Her Dad scarpered shortly after her brother was born and since her mother's death, the two siblings have stuck together. Addie doesn't believe in herself and yet she is a feisty and funny individual, her love for and determination to protect Owen an endearing quality.
The story is basically a romantic tale between Addie and publicist Jameson. There are parts that appealed to the lover of love stories in me, but overall there were too many American based colloquialisms that ended up in a repetitive loop that, at the beginning I barely noticed, and by the end were rather irritating.
It isn't a straightforward relationship between the 40 somethings and in fact there's a huge question mark over whether there will be a relationship at all as both are running from their emotions and scared to admit they might be falling for one another. The 1970 born, raised on ladybird classics, where the damsel in distress is always rescued by the handsome prince and they live happily ever after, idealist in me, did swoon somewhat at Jameson's protectiveness of Addie and Owen. Not at all the right stance to admit to, and certainly not in front of my own girls, but this is an honest review!
So, in summary, plenty that did appeal, and I liked the way that there were a fair few obstacles on life's rose-petal strewn path, with an interesting mystery surrounding Addie's cousin's wife and a senator. These aspects kept me turning the pages, but ultimately, by the finish, I was more out of love with the book than I was in love. Maybe my young teenage self would have liked it more.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review before publication.
December 22, 2020
ARC provided by NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.
DNF
I couldn't connect with the characters, the story, the romance. I appreciate the representation (her brother having Down Syndrome, her being curvy), but other than that, there wasn't much else going on for this book. The writing fell flat, the characters were off, the instant attraction/hate wasn't doing it for me. And just the fact that she called her vagina her "hoo-ha"....that was the breaking point for me. Thanks but no thanks.
Overall, while the blurb seemed promising, the actual content did not deliver. This was not at all what I was expecting from this one.
DNF
I couldn't connect with the characters, the story, the romance. I appreciate the representation (her brother having Down Syndrome, her being curvy), but other than that, there wasn't much else going on for this book. The writing fell flat, the characters were off, the instant attraction/hate wasn't doing it for me. And just the fact that she called her vagina her "hoo-ha"....that was the breaking point for me. Thanks but no thanks.
Overall, while the blurb seemed promising, the actual content did not deliver. This was not at all what I was expecting from this one.
January 15, 2021
I really wanted to like this book and I did like some of it . The writing style is chatty and full of (oft repeated) slang and phrases which are ok at first but which become wearing after the first couple of times. I did like the bulk of the story about Addie and her brother (who has Down's syndrome) . The book tour seemed too good to be totally believable and the relationships could have been fleshed out better. Great that this book shows Down's syndrome in a positive way.
Addie is quite naive and the stuff about family relationships seemed a bit far fetched. All in all though, I was rooting for Addie and her brother.. The book was not bad, but with a couple of tweaks could be better.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
Addie is quite naive and the stuff about family relationships seemed a bit far fetched. All in all though, I was rooting for Addie and her brother.. The book was not bad, but with a couple of tweaks could be better.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
March 4, 2021
The only thing that I like about this novel is the friendship between Addie and her friends. Her relationship between Addie and her Down Syndrome brother. I mean gosh they are soooo cute!!
Addie hates herself. She feels insecure because her mom always complain bout her weight . I did understand her a little bit. I mean the hate herself part. And goshh why she keep mentioning her private part? That is freaking annoying phewww
Thank you Netgalley, publisher abd author for Her Turn ARC!
Addie hates herself. She feels insecure because her mom always complain bout her weight . I did understand her a little bit. I mean the hate herself part. And goshh why she keep mentioning her private part? That is freaking annoying phewww
Thank you Netgalley, publisher abd author for Her Turn ARC!
Read
December 8, 2024DNF Gave up at 77%
I really wanted to love this book. I thought the cover was cute, and the synopsis really appealed to me as a woman in a similar age bracket. Sadly there was very little to enjoy about the actual writing or storyline.
Billed as a romantic comedy, there is practically zero chemistry between the leads and even less comedy. The chapters are so short that there is no opportunity to build any momentum, and whoever thought it was a good idea to have so many POVs? There are at least two that are completely unnecessary.
This is a story bursting with over-used stereotypes, repetition and an irritatingly over-familiar 'chatty' writing style, akin to a blog post (which, in hindsight having researched the author, makes sense). Sadly it doesn't work here at all.
Addy, the protagonist constantly refers to herself as forty something, even when talking to her friend. It's just such a weird way to talk about yourself. Every other line in the story is tell: her reactions; her thoughts. There's virtually zero show in the entire book, and what there is is SO overloaded with childish adjectives And behaviour that as a 'forty-something' woman it made me cringe. Addy's supposedly an avid reader, yet has the vocabulary of a twelve year old.
All of the characters feel paper thin, the plot thinner still. The love interest, a publicist (and ex navy seal - because sure, that's a natural progression for ex-forces, right?) is SO tragically underdeveloped and frankly unbelievable that it made me roll my eyes on numerous occasions.
Addy waking up with him in her bed and zero real dialogue between them? Ludicrous. I've honestly read better fan fiction. Much, MUCH better. Which brings me to the dialogue. Most of it sounds like robots conversing with each other. Where is the nuance? Where are the contractions?
To sum up, although I always try to find some positives, even when i'm not enjoying a book, this time I really struggled. Even the cover I loved so much feels like it's for a different book as the people on the cover aren't the people in this book!
Not for me.
I really wanted to love this book. I thought the cover was cute, and the synopsis really appealed to me as a woman in a similar age bracket. Sadly there was very little to enjoy about the actual writing or storyline.
Billed as a romantic comedy, there is practically zero chemistry between the leads and even less comedy. The chapters are so short that there is no opportunity to build any momentum, and whoever thought it was a good idea to have so many POVs? There are at least two that are completely unnecessary.
This is a story bursting with over-used stereotypes, repetition and an irritatingly over-familiar 'chatty' writing style, akin to a blog post (which, in hindsight having researched the author, makes sense). Sadly it doesn't work here at all.
Addy, the protagonist constantly refers to herself as forty something, even when talking to her friend. It's just such a weird way to talk about yourself. Every other line in the story is tell: her reactions; her thoughts. There's virtually zero show in the entire book, and what there is is SO overloaded with childish adjectives And behaviour that as a 'forty-something' woman it made me cringe. Addy's supposedly an avid reader, yet has the vocabulary of a twelve year old.
All of the characters feel paper thin, the plot thinner still. The love interest, a publicist (and ex navy seal - because sure, that's a natural progression for ex-forces, right?) is SO tragically underdeveloped and frankly unbelievable that it made me roll my eyes on numerous occasions.
Addy waking up with him in her bed and zero real dialogue between them? Ludicrous. I've honestly read better fan fiction. Much, MUCH better. Which brings me to the dialogue. Most of it sounds like robots conversing with each other. Where is the nuance? Where are the contractions?
To sum up, although I always try to find some positives, even when i'm not enjoying a book, this time I really struggled. Even the cover I loved so much feels like it's for a different book as the people on the cover aren't the people in this book!
Not for me.
January 5, 2021
*Thank you to Books Go Social, Allison Jones and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review*
The premise of Her Turn is so catchy and interesting. Unfortunately, the book was not. Addie is a 40 something woman, never married, who takes care of her 30 year old brother with Downs Syndrome. She has just finished her Novel, which she has worked on for many years and it is an overnight sensation. She is thrust into a world of limousines, makeup artists, surly publicists (who also act as a bodyguard, concierge and personal assistant), and glamourous book signings that seem like galas. There is a somewhat contrived storyline of her cousin-in-law trying to extort money from her and her publicist falling in love with her and her long lost Father coming into her life.
I wanted to love this book. I really did. Plus size woman publishes a novel, which is an instant bestseller. But Allison Jones so badly needed an Editor for this book. The writing is somewhat Juvenile but more importantly, as the reader, I couldn't understand some of the things that went on. For example, the attraction between Addie and her publicist. They have literally nothing in common but fall in love with each other. They barely talk to each other. At all. Addie is a hot mess and acts like she is 20 but she is in her 40s. I understand her quirkiness. But this is a women who has survived so much but has zero maturity. As the reader, again, I didn't get it.
The Author needs to give us some background on the characters instead of snippets here and there. The reader wants to know why Addie is attracted to Jameson and vice versa. After reading the entire book, I didn't even know what Addie's bestseller novel was about.
The premise of Her Turn is so catchy and interesting. Unfortunately, the book was not. Addie is a 40 something woman, never married, who takes care of her 30 year old brother with Downs Syndrome. She has just finished her Novel, which she has worked on for many years and it is an overnight sensation. She is thrust into a world of limousines, makeup artists, surly publicists (who also act as a bodyguard, concierge and personal assistant), and glamourous book signings that seem like galas. There is a somewhat contrived storyline of her cousin-in-law trying to extort money from her and her publicist falling in love with her and her long lost Father coming into her life.
I wanted to love this book. I really did. Plus size woman publishes a novel, which is an instant bestseller. But Allison Jones so badly needed an Editor for this book. The writing is somewhat Juvenile but more importantly, as the reader, I couldn't understand some of the things that went on. For example, the attraction between Addie and her publicist. They have literally nothing in common but fall in love with each other. They barely talk to each other. At all. Addie is a hot mess and acts like she is 20 but she is in her 40s. I understand her quirkiness. But this is a women who has survived so much but has zero maturity. As the reader, again, I didn't get it.
The Author needs to give us some background on the characters instead of snippets here and there. The reader wants to know why Addie is attracted to Jameson and vice versa. After reading the entire book, I didn't even know what Addie's bestseller novel was about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2021
I did finish this one but I skimmed it towards the end. I didn't care for the protagonist and really don't believe that there would be this much hubub for a first time author to warrant a publicist, town car and security team. The characters were unbelievable and while she was writing from different points of view, they started to sound the same.
** Also, there was a scene where Jameson got felt up lady TSA agents.. My brother is a TSA agent and women wouldn't be assigned to a man to do the body check when going through security... and there certainly wouldn't be two... This scene annoyed me and made me further question the authors writing.
** Also, there was a scene where Jameson got felt up lady TSA agents.. My brother is a TSA agent and women wouldn't be assigned to a man to do the body check when going through security... and there certainly wouldn't be two... This scene annoyed me and made me further question the authors writing.
December 29, 2020
[Thanks Netgalley for the ebook. This review is my honest opinion but just another opinion, you should read this book and judge it by yourself]
Este libro no hay por donde cogerlo. Primero, es que ni parece un libro, parecen unas secuencias contadas por unos robots que enumeran las cosas que les pasan de un modo aséptico y sin emociones. Después, todo lo que ocurre es un despropósito por completo. Situaciones irreales, relaciones que se establecen sin ningún tipo de motivo, comportamientos sin pies ni cabeza... Es un libro lleno de personajes horribles con los que no puedes conectar. Me llamó la atención por la portada colorinchi (lo sé, lo sé!!!, he vuelto a caer en la trampa) y porque un personaje tiene síndrome de Down y pensé que sería bonito ver su relación con la protagonista y cómo encajaba en la historia. Bueno, ni él salva la función, básicamente porque, como todos los demás, no aporta nada. Viendo las reseñas de GR me alegro de, al menos, poder dar una opinión basada en haberlo leído entero y no haberlo abandonado, pero menuda lectura para terminar el año 🤦🏼♀️
Este libro no hay por donde cogerlo. Primero, es que ni parece un libro, parecen unas secuencias contadas por unos robots que enumeran las cosas que les pasan de un modo aséptico y sin emociones. Después, todo lo que ocurre es un despropósito por completo. Situaciones irreales, relaciones que se establecen sin ningún tipo de motivo, comportamientos sin pies ni cabeza... Es un libro lleno de personajes horribles con los que no puedes conectar. Me llamó la atención por la portada colorinchi (lo sé, lo sé!!!, he vuelto a caer en la trampa) y porque un personaje tiene síndrome de Down y pensé que sería bonito ver su relación con la protagonista y cómo encajaba en la historia. Bueno, ni él salva la función, básicamente porque, como todos los demás, no aporta nada. Viendo las reseñas de GR me alegro de, al menos, poder dar una opinión basada en haberlo leído entero y no haberlo abandonado, pero menuda lectura para terminar el año 🤦🏼♀️
January 5, 2021
I sadly couldn't give more than two stars to this book because of the romance that didn't do it for me. There was no tension between the two love interests, their dialogue did not feel natural, and their interest felt forced and fake. There was also a lot of repetition in this book; I feel like I've read the same 20 sentences/expressions over and over again.
On the positive side, found myself snickering a lot while reading. The author has a great sense of humor. I also did love the representation in this book. I loved that there was both disabled representation and body diversity. On that last point, though, I wish that the author wouldn't have tried to diminish every woman in the book who was thin. I would've preferred it if the main character was comfortable in her skin, but also did not disrespect the people who were skinnier than her...
On the positive side, found myself snickering a lot while reading. The author has a great sense of humor. I also did love the representation in this book. I loved that there was both disabled representation and body diversity. On that last point, though, I wish that the author wouldn't have tried to diminish every woman in the book who was thin. I would've preferred it if the main character was comfortable in her skin, but also did not disrespect the people who were skinnier than her...
July 2, 2023
"Her Turn" by Allison Jones presents an intriguing premise with the potential for an engaging story, but ultimately falls short in execution. While the idea of a young author's rise to fame and her determination to protect her brother holds promise, the novel fails to deliver on its potential, resulting in a disappointing reading experience.
The character of Addie Snyder, the aspiring author who finds herself thrust into the limelight, initially sparks interest. Her dedication to shielding her brother Owen, who has Down syndrome, is commendable, and the complexities of their relationship offer an opportunity for emotional depth. However, Jones fails to fully explore this dynamic, leaving the reader craving a deeper understanding of their bond and the challenges they face together.
The introduction of Jameson Ford, the cold and emotionless publicist turned unlikely ally, feels clichéd and lacks authenticity. The romance that develops between Addie and Jameson is underdeveloped and lacks the necessary chemistry to make it believable. The potential for emotional growth and healing through their connection is squandered, leaving their relationship feeling forced and uninspiring.
The novel's plotline, which involves Addie's long-lost father and distant relatives vying for her success, is rife with missed opportunities. Rather than delving into the complexities of these relationships and the potential conflicts they could bring, the narrative falls into predictable and unoriginal territory. The resolution of these conflicts feels rushed and lacks the depth needed to truly engage the reader.
Furthermore, the humor that is supposed to serve as a source of relief in the midst of the chaos falls flat. Addie's reliance on popping chocolate kisses as if they were Xanax feels contrived and fails to elicit genuine laughter or empathy from the reader. The attempts at humor come across as forced and detract from the overall impact of the story.
The writing style in "Her Turn" is competent but lacks the finesse and depth needed to truly captivate readers. The prose feels formulaic and fails to evoke the emotions necessary to fully immerse oneself in the story. The pacing is inconsistent, with moments of slow development interspersed with rushed resolutions that leave the reader wanting more.
In conclusion, "Her Turn" by Allison Jones is a disappointing novel that fails to live up to its potential. Despite an intriguing premise and the promise of a heartfelt exploration of family and fame, the execution falls flat. The underdeveloped characters, lackluster romance, and missed opportunities for emotional depth contribute to a lackluster reading experience. Regrettably, "Her Turn" does not deliver on its initial promise, resulting in a subpar novel that fails to leave a lasting impression.
The character of Addie Snyder, the aspiring author who finds herself thrust into the limelight, initially sparks interest. Her dedication to shielding her brother Owen, who has Down syndrome, is commendable, and the complexities of their relationship offer an opportunity for emotional depth. However, Jones fails to fully explore this dynamic, leaving the reader craving a deeper understanding of their bond and the challenges they face together.
The introduction of Jameson Ford, the cold and emotionless publicist turned unlikely ally, feels clichéd and lacks authenticity. The romance that develops between Addie and Jameson is underdeveloped and lacks the necessary chemistry to make it believable. The potential for emotional growth and healing through their connection is squandered, leaving their relationship feeling forced and uninspiring.
The novel's plotline, which involves Addie's long-lost father and distant relatives vying for her success, is rife with missed opportunities. Rather than delving into the complexities of these relationships and the potential conflicts they could bring, the narrative falls into predictable and unoriginal territory. The resolution of these conflicts feels rushed and lacks the depth needed to truly engage the reader.
Furthermore, the humor that is supposed to serve as a source of relief in the midst of the chaos falls flat. Addie's reliance on popping chocolate kisses as if they were Xanax feels contrived and fails to elicit genuine laughter or empathy from the reader. The attempts at humor come across as forced and detract from the overall impact of the story.
The writing style in "Her Turn" is competent but lacks the finesse and depth needed to truly captivate readers. The prose feels formulaic and fails to evoke the emotions necessary to fully immerse oneself in the story. The pacing is inconsistent, with moments of slow development interspersed with rushed resolutions that leave the reader wanting more.
In conclusion, "Her Turn" by Allison Jones is a disappointing novel that fails to live up to its potential. Despite an intriguing premise and the promise of a heartfelt exploration of family and fame, the execution falls flat. The underdeveloped characters, lackluster romance, and missed opportunities for emotional depth contribute to a lackluster reading experience. Regrettably, "Her Turn" does not deliver on its initial promise, resulting in a subpar novel that fails to leave a lasting impression.
February 23, 2021
1.5 stars
Good idea, bad development.
I don't know what to say, other than to agree with a good part of the reviews of this book. A pity, because I wanted me to like the book, especially for the addition of a brother with Down Syndrome, which is not something very common that appears. I think no one could even come close to the fantastic tv series "Life Goes On".
And this is NOT a rom-com. It has no humor. I did not find humor in it. Despite all the foolish attempts. The type of language used is not to my liking either. And she repeats herself using her 'lady parts' over and over again, even with bad taste, I would say.
My lady parts clap in agreement. Traitorous bitches.
So I count:
16 veces lady parts
5 lady bits
7 hoo-ha
This sounds to me that the author wanted to write a serious novel and then I ended up wanting to do a romance because they are more fashionable or something like that. The tone is totally off, largely bitter and resentful.
But the biggest problem lies in the way it is written. The phrases sound forced and disconnected. The characters do things without context, like falling in love, and how friends are mentioned (the typical gay stylist just met. Or when MC says that the brother is his best friend what?). There is no development in any character, and it becomes an example of what saying and not showing affects a story, making it lose meaning and veracity and connection with the readers. Also the MC is ex-military with PSTD, but he never shows it anywhere in the novel, why use that then?
I hope the author can continue to develop his craft, and that he gets a better beta reader or editor for his next novel.
+Digital ARC gently provided by Netgalley and publishers in exchange for an honest review+
Good idea, bad development.
I don't know what to say, other than to agree with a good part of the reviews of this book. A pity, because I wanted me to like the book, especially for the addition of a brother with Down Syndrome, which is not something very common that appears. I think no one could even come close to the fantastic tv series "Life Goes On".
And this is NOT a rom-com. It has no humor. I did not find humor in it. Despite all the foolish attempts. The type of language used is not to my liking either. And she repeats herself using her 'lady parts' over and over again, even with bad taste, I would say.
My lady parts clap in agreement. Traitorous bitches.
So I count:
16 veces lady parts
5 lady bits
7 hoo-ha
This sounds to me that the author wanted to write a serious novel and then I ended up wanting to do a romance because they are more fashionable or something like that. The tone is totally off, largely bitter and resentful.
But the biggest problem lies in the way it is written. The phrases sound forced and disconnected. The characters do things without context, like falling in love, and how friends are mentioned (the typical gay stylist just met. Or when MC says that the brother is his best friend what?). There is no development in any character, and it becomes an example of what saying and not showing affects a story, making it lose meaning and veracity and connection with the readers. Also the MC is ex-military with PSTD, but he never shows it anywhere in the novel, why use that then?
I hope the author can continue to develop his craft, and that he gets a better beta reader or editor for his next novel.
+Digital ARC gently provided by Netgalley and publishers in exchange for an honest review+
February 2, 2021
Forty year old Addie has spent her life taking care of her little brother Owen, born with Downs Syndrome and her cold and uncaring mother after their father abandoned them shortly after Owen's birth. Now her mother passed away, leaving her a fortune and allowing her to live her dream of writing a novel. But when her book is published, Addie's boring life is turned upside down. All of a sudden she's forced on a book tour where her comfy yoga pants and t-shirts are abandoned for more uncomfortable but fashionable attire. And worst of all is the grumpy and brooding publicist, Jameson, who follows her around everywhere. One minute they're drawn by attraction, the next he's pushing her away. When her crazy relatives start popping up everywhere expecting a handout, it's all Addie and Jameson can do to control the chaos.
I thought this book was cute and funny. I loved Addie's brother and his sunny outlook and childish humor and the way the other characters in the book relate to him. And you can just feel the frustration and resignation Addie has toward her horrible cousin and his wife. I thought the ending was a little bit rushed but overall the book was good.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I thought this book was cute and funny. I loved Addie's brother and his sunny outlook and childish humor and the way the other characters in the book relate to him. And you can just feel the frustration and resignation Addie has toward her horrible cousin and his wife. I thought the ending was a little bit rushed but overall the book was good.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
December 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this story but there were a few things that bugged me enough that I couldn’t give it 4 stars. We finally have a strong, single/never married female character over 40 and the author made her a drunk slob. I am sick to death of these tropes that women only wear slogan t-shirts and yoga pants because they can’t dress themselves and they get drunk on wine every night! Also, what is with every female character needing a gay fashion savior? Addie didn’t know George for two seconds before suddenly they are best friends?! The switching of POVs was more of a hindrance than a help. P.S. The cover doesn't depict Addie at all!
I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2020
Addie is an admirable main character who loves and wants to take care of her brother Owen, who has Down's Syndrome. The book does a good job with their relationship. I really wanted to like this book, but it was hard to get through because it's supposed to be a romance, but it wasn't ever really romantic. The basic trope was there--Navy Seal, ornery male type. But the heart wasn't really there for me, and then the plot go out of control with her father. I think overall, the book tried to do too much, and it would have been better just concentrating on Addie being a good sister.
January 13, 2021
Was not able to finish this book, had to DNF about 20% of the way through. It has a great premise, and I liked the representation of having an older, single woman as narrator. Unfortunately, the writing was juvenile and the dialogue was unrealistic and stilted. Most of the writing is written in a very explanatory way, info-dumping and telling instead of showing.
February 25, 2021
Unfortunately this book just didn’t do it for me at all, I was bored, the characters weren’t sympathetic, just a big no for me.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
January 10, 2021
DNFing at 10%
I just cant get into it and I have other things to read so ✌🏼
I just cant get into it and I have other things to read so ✌🏼
April 28, 2025
My Rating - 2.5/5
This book started from 10 years back when Addie's mother died and left her and her brother, Owen alone. Her mother never loved them; she practically ignored her son because he had down syndrome and criticized Addie all the time. Anyway, in present time, Addie lost her job and decided to write a book. Hence started all the drama in her life. Her being famous, meeting Jameson, their newfound relationship, drama that comes with being a public figure, family drama and her cousin-in-law, Dorothy's jealousy. Later, everything turned out good. She got her HEA with Jameson alongside her brother and friends.
My Feelings -
Quotes -
-"If you want to make your mark on the world, be true to yourself. Don't follow the pack. Lead them."
-"The life you created with Owen isn't a lie. That's your foundation, Addie."
This book could be so much better.
This book started from 10 years back when Addie's mother died and left her and her brother, Owen alone. Her mother never loved them; she practically ignored her son because he had down syndrome and criticized Addie all the time. Anyway, in present time, Addie lost her job and decided to write a book. Hence started all the drama in her life. Her being famous, meeting Jameson, their newfound relationship, drama that comes with being a public figure, family drama and her cousin-in-law, Dorothy's jealousy. Later, everything turned out good. She got her HEA with Jameson alongside her brother and friends.
My Feelings -
Quotes -
-"If you want to make your mark on the world, be true to yourself. Don't follow the pack. Lead them."
-"The life you created with Owen isn't a lie. That's your foundation, Addie."
This book could be so much better.
February 7, 2021
Beginning with the death of her narcissistic mother 10 years prior to establish some context, Addie is fired from her job and uses the experience to motivate her to achieve her dream of finishing her novel. 3 months later, Addie’s novel takes the world by storm and for someone who is used to living a bit of a hermit’s life decked out in tights with pocket chocolate, the limelight isn’t something she’s comfortable with, or indeed has the wardrobe habits to seamlessly navigate. Naturally, a publicist and stylist are hired to support her through the adventures, including book signings, launch parties and press conferences. And of course, her publicist Jameson, aka ex-military guy immediately grabs her attention, whilst George provides her with some fashion lifelines and a solid friendship that ensues. On the side, Addie is being extorted by her cousin Matthew and his wife Dorothy who are painted as poor adult versions of the super popular kids in high school – and who obviously haven’t grown out of the entitlement their previous social status afforded them. As Addie is thrust further up the celebrity ladder, she desperately tries to ensure her number one priority is protecting her younger brother Owen who has Down Syndrome and who she has full guardianship of whilst at the same time navigating some serious family issues that comes as a result of her sudden fame and the cash that goes along with it.
Throughout, the narrative voice was a little unclear, vacillating from first person perspective to moments of second person narrative wherein the characters would break out and seemingly comment to the audience. At times this didn’t work and served to confuse the focus a little as each of the characters by and large sounded the same. This was also evident in the dialogue and at times it was a little confusing whose chapter and perspective was being explored. Interestingly, there would be some moments wherein tension was created relatively effectively leading up to an event but then the event itself would be skipped and in it’s place a simple recount or a description of how the characters felt about the event rather than letting it unfold naturally. Ultimately, this was a little infuriating, as there was some solid potential in the plot and action kernels despite their unbelievability and weak execution. For the most part, Addie was likeable enough, as was Jameson, Owen, Nina and the other minor characters irrespective of their similar construction, and the romance that developed was relatively solid. Sadly, the sexual references and language used to describe genitals was a little bizarre and didn’t really mesh with the age bracket of the characters or the complexity of their lives. Summarily, Addie’s turn turned out to be far more complex than she bargained for and whilst there were occasional moments throughout that oozed potential, narrative style and characterisation prevented Her Turn from hitting the mark.
Throughout, the narrative voice was a little unclear, vacillating from first person perspective to moments of second person narrative wherein the characters would break out and seemingly comment to the audience. At times this didn’t work and served to confuse the focus a little as each of the characters by and large sounded the same. This was also evident in the dialogue and at times it was a little confusing whose chapter and perspective was being explored. Interestingly, there would be some moments wherein tension was created relatively effectively leading up to an event but then the event itself would be skipped and in it’s place a simple recount or a description of how the characters felt about the event rather than letting it unfold naturally. Ultimately, this was a little infuriating, as there was some solid potential in the plot and action kernels despite their unbelievability and weak execution. For the most part, Addie was likeable enough, as was Jameson, Owen, Nina and the other minor characters irrespective of their similar construction, and the romance that developed was relatively solid. Sadly, the sexual references and language used to describe genitals was a little bizarre and didn’t really mesh with the age bracket of the characters or the complexity of their lives. Summarily, Addie’s turn turned out to be far more complex than she bargained for and whilst there were occasional moments throughout that oozed potential, narrative style and characterisation prevented Her Turn from hitting the mark.
December 23, 2020
Allison Jones, in her romantic comedy, “Her Turn,” explores the idea that sometimes what we wish for isn’t really what we need. Furthermore, in the protagonist’s case, money doesn’t make problems go away, it actually exacerbates them.
Forty and single, Addie Snyder has just lost the freelance columnist job she’s had for the past 10 years following her mother’s death. Although it isn’t really a financial hardship, she struggles to care for her sole sibling, Owen, a 30-year-old with Down Syndrome. Addie has been designated Owen’s guardian since her mother’s illness and because their father left when Owen was born. Addie channels her energy into making her dream to write a novel come true. Her book, “Finding The Light,” is a success and, although it solves some of her problems, it contributes to other problems.
I really struggled with this book! I didn’t find the ‘comedy’ funny at all, maybe crass humour at best. I also couldn’t identify/connect with any of the characters. I found Addie nauseating and if I had one more chapter that included the words “made my lady bits fist bump” one more time, I was going to close the book unfinished. This wasn’t for me. I hope others can identify with the characters and find it comedic. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. It had so much potential and was a wonderfully unique plot. Despite my disappointment, one positive thing was that Owen’s character was a delight. Seeing as the author has a son with Down Syndrome, I didn’t expect any less.
Thank you to Allison Jones, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Forty and single, Addie Snyder has just lost the freelance columnist job she’s had for the past 10 years following her mother’s death. Although it isn’t really a financial hardship, she struggles to care for her sole sibling, Owen, a 30-year-old with Down Syndrome. Addie has been designated Owen’s guardian since her mother’s illness and because their father left when Owen was born. Addie channels her energy into making her dream to write a novel come true. Her book, “Finding The Light,” is a success and, although it solves some of her problems, it contributes to other problems.
I really struggled with this book! I didn’t find the ‘comedy’ funny at all, maybe crass humour at best. I also couldn’t identify/connect with any of the characters. I found Addie nauseating and if I had one more chapter that included the words “made my lady bits fist bump” one more time, I was going to close the book unfinished. This wasn’t for me. I hope others can identify with the characters and find it comedic. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. It had so much potential and was a wonderfully unique plot. Despite my disappointment, one positive thing was that Owen’s character was a delight. Seeing as the author has a son with Down Syndrome, I didn’t expect any less.
Thank you to Allison Jones, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2021
I don't know how I feel about about this book. I liked the idea and the plot, and the "mistery" about Addie's past and Dorothy's involvement in it. That's what kept me reading until the end. But there is something about the characters and the story that doesn't resonate with me. They seem too far fetched and fake. There are some expressions that are used too many times and that I found irritating in the end (bitches, my lady parts, my lady bits etc..)
All in all it's a nice book, but could have been better with less repetitions and more rounded characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
All in all it's a nice book, but could have been better with less repetitions and more rounded characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2021
Her Turn by Allison Jones follows 40 something writer, Addie Snyder as she finds herself unemployed after the death of her emotionally abusive mother. Addie decides to take this time to write the great American novel. As she sends her novel out into the world, her book begins to gain attention and becomes wildly successful. Enter Jameson, the publicist/ex-Navy Seal, a.k.a the Silver Fox.
From their first meeting, Jameson feels a spark for Addie, and as they spend more and more time together on her book tour, the more their feelings grow for each other. Unfortunately, Jameson, being ever the professional, is determined to keep things strictly professional between the two. Until one night when something not so professional happens.
Jameson begins to create distance between himself and Addie, but all the while trying to keep a handle on the ever-growing problems that have arisen with her new fame. The relatives are coming out of the woodwork to try and get their hands on what they feel they deserve from Addies new fortune and they have begun a tangled web of blackmail, bribery and a quest to destroy Addie at all costs.
Rating:2.5/5
Tv rating: PG-13
Some Language, Innuendos and Thematic scenes
Otherwise, Clean.
Slo00000w burn
Let's start with the book dedication. Not something that I normally read or pay attention to but the one for this book was pretty spectacular. Honestly, I loved it and was willing to give it a 5 star rating just for that alone. However, with a dedication like that, you needed a better book to back up that middle finger. I say this with enjoying for the most part the book...ok the middle of the book. The beginning and the end were choppy and need to go through editing probably a few more times to make the book amazing.
On the actual book, the story had a Better off Ted (The TV Show) quality to it where, the characters routinely talk to the reader like they are friends being retold an interesting story. I liked that about the book and thought it was a somewhat unique way to draw the reader into the story.
There is a lot of jumping in time in the beginning and end of the book. It starts with the death of her mother, jumps 10 years, then jumps 3 months, then jumps 9 months and then the story starts to form when she starts to see the success from her book. It was jarring and made it so that the story did not flow. It felt like the writer rushed through the beginning and the end and only gave the middle of the book meat. A few more times through with editing, remove the POV of Matthew and Dorothy, the author could've added a bit of story and not made the book to much longer. As the story is, it’s only 288 pages. They should've developed the story more and added another 100 pages to the book.
I felt that there was to many POV’s in this book. It really should’ve been just Jameson and Addie. The other POV’s were unnecessary and could have easily been edited out if the author had shown us what Dorothy and Matthew were up to instead of telling us.
Character wise, I did like Addie. She was fun and quirky with a fun sense of humor; However, I really couldn't reconcile her with a 40 something women. I felt like she was a 20 something with low self-esteem, and a few quirks that drove me a little crazy. Like, she apparently didn't own clothes without stains on them and lived in yoga pants.
Jameson, is a wounded soul who suffers from PTSD from his time as a Navy Seal. With a fierce loyalty and drive to protect the people that he cares about, Addie and her brother Owen quickly become people that he is determined to protect at all costs. I might say too quickly. When Jameson and Addie first meet, he is sizing her up and saying how she doesn't measure up and then suddenly, sparks. In the same paragraph...Just like that. No No No. There needed to be more of a buildup and an awakening to how amazing she is.
Owen was adorable, and my favorite character in the book. He was written perfectly.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. It was a quick read. I liked the characters, well, except Matthew and Dorothy, but I’m sure that was intentional. I do hope that we will find out what happens with Nina and Harrison in the future.
From their first meeting, Jameson feels a spark for Addie, and as they spend more and more time together on her book tour, the more their feelings grow for each other. Unfortunately, Jameson, being ever the professional, is determined to keep things strictly professional between the two. Until one night when something not so professional happens.
Jameson begins to create distance between himself and Addie, but all the while trying to keep a handle on the ever-growing problems that have arisen with her new fame. The relatives are coming out of the woodwork to try and get their hands on what they feel they deserve from Addies new fortune and they have begun a tangled web of blackmail, bribery and a quest to destroy Addie at all costs.
Rating:2.5/5
Tv rating: PG-13
Some Language, Innuendos and Thematic scenes
Otherwise, Clean.
Slo00000w burn
Let's start with the book dedication. Not something that I normally read or pay attention to but the one for this book was pretty spectacular. Honestly, I loved it and was willing to give it a 5 star rating just for that alone. However, with a dedication like that, you needed a better book to back up that middle finger. I say this with enjoying for the most part the book...ok the middle of the book. The beginning and the end were choppy and need to go through editing probably a few more times to make the book amazing.
On the actual book, the story had a Better off Ted (The TV Show) quality to it where, the characters routinely talk to the reader like they are friends being retold an interesting story. I liked that about the book and thought it was a somewhat unique way to draw the reader into the story.
There is a lot of jumping in time in the beginning and end of the book. It starts with the death of her mother, jumps 10 years, then jumps 3 months, then jumps 9 months and then the story starts to form when she starts to see the success from her book. It was jarring and made it so that the story did not flow. It felt like the writer rushed through the beginning and the end and only gave the middle of the book meat. A few more times through with editing, remove the POV of Matthew and Dorothy, the author could've added a bit of story and not made the book to much longer. As the story is, it’s only 288 pages. They should've developed the story more and added another 100 pages to the book.
I felt that there was to many POV’s in this book. It really should’ve been just Jameson and Addie. The other POV’s were unnecessary and could have easily been edited out if the author had shown us what Dorothy and Matthew were up to instead of telling us.
Character wise, I did like Addie. She was fun and quirky with a fun sense of humor; However, I really couldn't reconcile her with a 40 something women. I felt like she was a 20 something with low self-esteem, and a few quirks that drove me a little crazy. Like, she apparently didn't own clothes without stains on them and lived in yoga pants.
Jameson, is a wounded soul who suffers from PTSD from his time as a Navy Seal. With a fierce loyalty and drive to protect the people that he cares about, Addie and her brother Owen quickly become people that he is determined to protect at all costs. I might say too quickly. When Jameson and Addie first meet, he is sizing her up and saying how she doesn't measure up and then suddenly, sparks. In the same paragraph...Just like that. No No No. There needed to be more of a buildup and an awakening to how amazing she is.
Owen was adorable, and my favorite character in the book. He was written perfectly.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. It was a quick read. I liked the characters, well, except Matthew and Dorothy, but I’m sure that was intentional. I do hope that we will find out what happens with Nina and Harrison in the future.
February 17, 2021
Her Turn by Allison Jones is a contemporary romance. Addie Snyder’s first novel is becoming an overnight sensation. Unprepared for being thrust in the limelight, she is desperate to shelter her brother, Owen, who has Down syndrome. After her father abandoned them when Owen was just a baby, she is his sole guardian after her mother passed away. She must protect him from the harsh world, but how can she do that with public events coming up? An unlikely ally in her cold and emotionless publicist, Jameson Ford. As a former Navy Seal, Jameson has his own demons, but there is something about Addie that defrosts his icy wall. Together, they navigate the twists and turns as her book becomes a world-wide phenomenon. Her life becomes even more complicated when her long-lost father arrives threatening to take Owen away from her and her distant relatives trying to hoard in on Addie’s success. But, through the drama, Addie maintains her humor while popping chocolate kisses as if they were Xanax and seeking solace behind her computer creating stories that fill her soul. Even though all of her dreams are coming true, no one can prepare her for what lies ahead. It’s true when they say, be careful what you wish for.
Her Turn is a book that started with great potential, lost me, and then almost brought me back. I thought that the emotional drama and stakes that the story began with had me wondering what was going to happen, curious about family secrets, and eager to know more. The marketing as a bookish romantic comedy did not really fit with that opening, or most of the book either. Once the story got moving along I almost put it away. I am not an author, certainly not a published novelist. However, I have worked in libraries with two, and talk to several online regularly. A debut novel- unless by a already famous individual- does not get the fanfare, interviews, and publicist even if your agent is a friend. Yes, an independently wealthy author could very well make some of these things happen, but a debut author that would happily dodge the spotlight would not get this treatment. I know authors on their second or third series, already established and popular in their genre, that do not come close to getting this kind of attention. This disconnect made it really hard for more to get lost in the story and empathize with Addie in many situations. Maybe that is why I could not really connect with the characters. There are regular comments about Jameson's PTSD and Addie's emotional issues- but most of the time it felt like a reminder to readers that so and so has these issues, but rarely did they have any role to play in the actual story. The majority of actual use of Addie's issues were found in her internal monologues, which I guess were what were supposed to make this a comedy. While some of it was funny, it felt unnecessary most of the time. I did like that readers got to see a bit of the thought process for the secondary character- it made their actions and interactions more believable in the context of the story. There were some good character moments, some good twists, but I felt like maybe the author tried to put too much into one book.
Her Turn is a romance that I had some issues with, but think other readers might enjoy more.
Her Turn is a book that started with great potential, lost me, and then almost brought me back. I thought that the emotional drama and stakes that the story began with had me wondering what was going to happen, curious about family secrets, and eager to know more. The marketing as a bookish romantic comedy did not really fit with that opening, or most of the book either. Once the story got moving along I almost put it away. I am not an author, certainly not a published novelist. However, I have worked in libraries with two, and talk to several online regularly. A debut novel- unless by a already famous individual- does not get the fanfare, interviews, and publicist even if your agent is a friend. Yes, an independently wealthy author could very well make some of these things happen, but a debut author that would happily dodge the spotlight would not get this treatment. I know authors on their second or third series, already established and popular in their genre, that do not come close to getting this kind of attention. This disconnect made it really hard for more to get lost in the story and empathize with Addie in many situations. Maybe that is why I could not really connect with the characters. There are regular comments about Jameson's PTSD and Addie's emotional issues- but most of the time it felt like a reminder to readers that so and so has these issues, but rarely did they have any role to play in the actual story. The majority of actual use of Addie's issues were found in her internal monologues, which I guess were what were supposed to make this a comedy. While some of it was funny, it felt unnecessary most of the time. I did like that readers got to see a bit of the thought process for the secondary character- it made their actions and interactions more believable in the context of the story. There were some good character moments, some good twists, but I felt like maybe the author tried to put too much into one book.
Her Turn is a romance that I had some issues with, but think other readers might enjoy more.
January 6, 2021
Thank you for the opportunity to read this e-book in exchange for an honest review, Netgalley! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Her Turn follows the story of Addie Snyder who's a woman in her forties who ends up getting her book published, and becomes an overnight sensation. Besides being a writer, Addie's also the sole caretaker of her little brother, Owen, who has Down's Syndrome, and has been since her mother got sick ten years prior and passed away. Thanks to a lifetime of being criticized by her mother, Addie fears not being good enough, and we see her struggle with the anxiety of being in the limelight. This is when we are introduced to our love interest, Jameson Ford, a former Navy Seal, and her new publicist. He's stoic and unemotional, struggling with his own demons, and of course, Addie cannot stand him - no matter how attractive he is. But we see his tough exterior start to crack as he gets to know Addie better and tries to help her through events that come up in her life that make her wonder if she really is cut out to be a household name.
Something I enjoyed about this book was the relationship between Addie and her brother Owen, and how fiercely protective she is of him, especially when bad-intended people in their lives try to take advantage of his disability. I also liked that we were given a plus sized character (even if she was a size 12, and that should hardly be considered plus size in my opinion!) It was also great that Addie is a woman in her forties - something that definitely makes this book stand out since we usually see romance heroines in their twenties, maybe early thirties, so it was a nice change to what I usually read.
The book was difficult to get through, however, because of the back and forth between point of views. I personally prefer one point of view, maybe two at most, but we weren't getting insight into just Addie and Jameson's heads, but the heads of the antagonists/secondary characters as well, which I thought was a little unnecessary. And while I did like that we had a plus sized protagonist, I wasn't a fan of how she was portrayed as not knowing how to dress and being a sloppy person - it's a stereotype in real life that is unfair, and I thought it was one thing about Addie that I didn't like, besides referring to her "lady parts" whenever she felt attracted to Jameson.
All in all, this book wasn't really for me. I think it lacked in some areas and the build up between Addie and Jameson could've been a little more angsty and filled with sexual tension - but I'm a person who really loves when there's so much tension that it's a relief when characters are finally unable to stay away from each other and give into their desires. I didn't feel connected enough to the characters when they did fall in love - but some people might disagree with me, and that's the great thing about books - what one person may not like, another person may fall absolutely in love with.
Her Turn follows the story of Addie Snyder who's a woman in her forties who ends up getting her book published, and becomes an overnight sensation. Besides being a writer, Addie's also the sole caretaker of her little brother, Owen, who has Down's Syndrome, and has been since her mother got sick ten years prior and passed away. Thanks to a lifetime of being criticized by her mother, Addie fears not being good enough, and we see her struggle with the anxiety of being in the limelight. This is when we are introduced to our love interest, Jameson Ford, a former Navy Seal, and her new publicist. He's stoic and unemotional, struggling with his own demons, and of course, Addie cannot stand him - no matter how attractive he is. But we see his tough exterior start to crack as he gets to know Addie better and tries to help her through events that come up in her life that make her wonder if she really is cut out to be a household name.
Something I enjoyed about this book was the relationship between Addie and her brother Owen, and how fiercely protective she is of him, especially when bad-intended people in their lives try to take advantage of his disability. I also liked that we were given a plus sized character (even if she was a size 12, and that should hardly be considered plus size in my opinion!) It was also great that Addie is a woman in her forties - something that definitely makes this book stand out since we usually see romance heroines in their twenties, maybe early thirties, so it was a nice change to what I usually read.
The book was difficult to get through, however, because of the back and forth between point of views. I personally prefer one point of view, maybe two at most, but we weren't getting insight into just Addie and Jameson's heads, but the heads of the antagonists/secondary characters as well, which I thought was a little unnecessary. And while I did like that we had a plus sized protagonist, I wasn't a fan of how she was portrayed as not knowing how to dress and being a sloppy person - it's a stereotype in real life that is unfair, and I thought it was one thing about Addie that I didn't like, besides referring to her "lady parts" whenever she felt attracted to Jameson.
All in all, this book wasn't really for me. I think it lacked in some areas and the build up between Addie and Jameson could've been a little more angsty and filled with sexual tension - but I'm a person who really loves when there's so much tension that it's a relief when characters are finally unable to stay away from each other and give into their desires. I didn't feel connected enough to the characters when they did fall in love - but some people might disagree with me, and that's the great thing about books - what one person may not like, another person may fall absolutely in love with.
January 20, 2021
***Review taken from my blog meglovesreading.wordpress.com***
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for sending me an eARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review!
I am so confused by this book. It's labeled as "Romance," but where was the romance? Our main couple Addie and Jameson kiss ONE TIME early on and then later they're like "I love you!" There seemed to be no build whatsoever. I really didn't care if the two got together in the end or not because the "instalove" just wasn't realistic for me.
The whole "plot twist" element of this book is dumb as well. Once you get a hint that there might be a plot twist, you immediately know what the plot twist is if you've been paying any attention to the book. It's so predictable, but it also came out of nowhere. It's one thing to get a plot twist in a mystery or thriller novel, but a romance novel?
Before I get to my biggest complaint about the book, I would like to say that I really appreciated the representation that came with Addie's brother, Owen. Owen has Down Syndrome which is something that is rarely depicted in books and other forms of media. In the acknowledgments at the end, the author said the character of Owen was inspired by her son who also has Down Syndrome which I think is so sweet!
My biggest complaint about this book is that it sounds like it was written by a 13-year-old on Wattpad. I read a lot of things on Wattpad in my youth, and quite a few of them were so much better than this book and were published online for free. The entire book was telling instead of showing (which is a big no-no in all forms of media), Addie's stylist George was one giant gay stereotype, and the characters kept breaking the fourth wall which made me extremely uncomfortable.
The final chapter of the book is obviously a gateway for a spin-off with Nina and Harrison and I will not be reading it. This book is just another reason why I believe the romance genre isn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for sending me an eARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review!
I am so confused by this book. It's labeled as "Romance," but where was the romance? Our main couple Addie and Jameson kiss ONE TIME early on and then later they're like "I love you!" There seemed to be no build whatsoever. I really didn't care if the two got together in the end or not because the "instalove" just wasn't realistic for me.
The whole "plot twist" element of this book is dumb as well. Once you get a hint that there might be a plot twist, you immediately know what the plot twist is if you've been paying any attention to the book. It's so predictable, but it also came out of nowhere. It's one thing to get a plot twist in a mystery or thriller novel, but a romance novel?
Before I get to my biggest complaint about the book, I would like to say that I really appreciated the representation that came with Addie's brother, Owen. Owen has Down Syndrome which is something that is rarely depicted in books and other forms of media. In the acknowledgments at the end, the author said the character of Owen was inspired by her son who also has Down Syndrome which I think is so sweet!
My biggest complaint about this book is that it sounds like it was written by a 13-year-old on Wattpad. I read a lot of things on Wattpad in my youth, and quite a few of them were so much better than this book and were published online for free. The entire book was telling instead of showing (which is a big no-no in all forms of media), Addie's stylist George was one giant gay stereotype, and the characters kept breaking the fourth wall which made me extremely uncomfortable.
The final chapter of the book is obviously a gateway for a spin-off with Nina and Harrison and I will not be reading it. This book is just another reason why I believe the romance genre isn't for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews