from my notes app, because the friend i borrowed this from had yet to read it and they follow me. read 2 november 2024.
4: chastity. my god. there’s a very specific kind of humor romcom writers like to employ in their writing8: the glory of small things is so funny. it’s that tweet… things that are small12: banter already? it’s cute but petty in a flirty way, so i feel it jumps ahead so far right after they have such a bristly interaction. “night” “best” “x” ???- i know the zutara girls and dramione girls will love this book
13: description of libby is soooo this type of book. also the pop culture references when describing charlie and libby… might as well just attach your moodboard16: “making my sister laugh is a shot of serotonin straight into my heart. or brain? probably brain. serotonin in your heart is probably not a good thing.” UGHHHHH this quirky thought process is Not appealing to me21: actually this writer is good at what she does. these characters mean nothing to me and don’t feel like real people but thats the POINT. people read these books to self-insert or chara-insert into the blandest characters in the world and use their imaginations to enrich the story. or thats at least my working thesis24: MC is a caricature of a career woman. at least she’s self aware but it’s just ugh… my idea of a career woman does not have this tone of voice29: if this woman is so smart and urban why tf did she wear heels to travel. are you an idiot31: i feel like when i was younger, shared femininity (two girly friends, sisters, mother/daughter, with slightly different flavors) felt achievable in a future way, or even in a present way as friends n i were discovering makeup, but now that im older it really doesn’t… cross my mind ever. i dont know anyone who wears fancy underwear. skincare products r just a part of life. books as luxury?32: oh so she had sneakers. girl33: the thing about bea and tala is cute and poignant.33: the “(my namesake)” OKAYYYY OKAY GOD. YOU DON’T HAVE TO EXPLAIN EVERY EASTER EGG- i think what bothers me about this is that i feel condescended to as a reader – they assume i’m easily amused and amazed by small connections like “named after romance movie director every girl loves.” it’s likely an effort at characterizing the mom, but again, i feel nothing for any of these people.
39: im baffled by the email exchange they’re having. plus the venmo. i just cannot suspend disbelief. although “this costs 99 cents………..” was funny42: OKAYYYYY WE GET IT50: the dream was good68: oh it’s cute that he’s from there. i should have anticipated it but i did not.- “not why does the cook drink” was funny
74: charlie thinking the book excerpt is good… lmaooooo ok sir. your enthusiasm feels unrealistic. man written by a woman fr75: the flirting is fun but again. who are these people. and this is so fast.78: i fucking hate these combo words the author makes. scowting. i could kill you- his hand catches her chin?? THIS IS YOUR FIRST FRIENDLY INTERACTION. that’s bold in a way that raises my hackles lol
87: whoa wait. that first meeting was two years ago? i missed the timeskip at the beginning of the next chapter. probably because nora only tells her sister about that guy breaking up with her two years later????? what??- ohhhh it was another guy who broke up with her. ugh. see these characters r truly just their tropes… forgettable…
- tells her about his dad then she makes it about herself.
94: first kiss and groping already… straight allo people are crazy- wait so is he working at the bookstore…?
- ok i got an explanation
141: charlie neurodivergent was not on my bingo card for this book but i kinda dig it166: secret surprise is… a town hall? weird168: “if you tell dusty to cut a bunch of stuff, but don’t make it clear what’s working, you risk losing the good stuff.” nice observation!170: lion?????? the moment is funny171: the sunflower thing seems out of place. weirdly decisively romantic when she’s still warring with her feelings201: the stuff about her wanting all the info before she commits.. reading the last page of the book… ok maybe i felt attacked- getting a little bored
238: MS GREEN MENTION- done!!!! i liked it.