Book: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
Genre: Chick Lit
Author: Claudia Carroll
Cover Critique:
Very sparkly and girly cover, apt for a chick lit. I HEART it!
Book Blurb:
Absence makes the heart grow fonder…doesn’t it? What happens when two people decide to take a year off…from each other? Annie and Dan were the perfect couple. But now the not-so-newly weds are feeling more like flatmates than soul mates and wondering where all the fun and fireworks went …When Annie lands her big break in a smash-hit show…that’s heading for the bright lights of Broadway she’s over the moon. Goodbye remote Irish village of Stickens and hello Big Apple! But with their relationship already on the rocks, how will Annie and Dan survive the distance? They’re hitting the pause button on their marriage. One year off from each other – no strings attached, except a date to meet at the Rockefeller Centre to decide their fate. Will they both turn up? Or is it too late for love? (Courtesy: Amazon.com)
Review:
Just like the bubbly cover and the witty title, I was expecting the novel to be full of laughs and a gripping read, as suggested by many reviews I read on Amazon (Now after finishing the novel, I am wondering how it got so many rave reviews). I bought this book in paperback thinking it would stay up on my shelf in the corner where I keep the books I like to read and savour again and again. But after reading the complete novel, I have to say I was disappointed to an extent. This is the first book I read of this author and it failed to impress me in a sense that I may not be impulsively buying any other novels of her.
It would be wrong to say that it is a total crap or utter waste of my time. I did enjoy the way she introduced the characters in the first chapter, putting a hilarious spin on a not-so-good situation: that Annie’s husband Dan does not give her the attention and affection which she deserves and demands. Since the novel is written from Annie’s point of view, you get the feeling that it does get boring after the second chapter, with her constant whining and grumbling about Dan’s time-crunch and workaholic attitude along with her complains that their in-laws who interfere a lot in her house, where she thinks that she should be the boss.
After the author establishes the basic plot, she does not take it further, her witty jokes and impulsive heroine are not enough to save the story from getting redundant in the middle and then utterly predictable near the end. The theme of long-distance relationship, was good to begin with but sadly, the writer did not fully explore it through Annie’s story. A mediocre read which lacked the depth and maturity of a skilful writer.
As far as the other characters are concerned, none of them were so unique or affable so as to stay with me after I finished the book. The only character which I found likable was of Jules, her sister-in-law, who in a way is Annie’s true friend. In my opinion, she is the only fully-sketched genuine character that left an impression on me, with her heart of gold, her immature but lively attitude and her quirks and flaws.
There are annoying slang words which the author keeps on using every third paragraph in the novel. I do not understand why she twists their spelling, for example, instead of “fuck off”, she uses, “feck off”, for the word “shit”, she writes “shite”. Does it have anything to do with the fact that Annie has Irish accent? Then there is the irritating recurring use of the words “anyway” and “anyroadup”, which spoils the reading fun and pissed me off totally!
I personally did not find the repeated mention of “constipated goat” and other aweful diseases (in relation to Dan’s work as a vet), to be pleasant. Maybe because I am not too fond of a hero who is a vet or to be honest a doctor, but that would be my personal choice, other readers may find it completely tolerable and even fun.
Overall, it was a mixed experience for me but since minuses outweigh the plus points of this book, I would have to say, it is not my cup of tea. I would prefer a Jill Mansell any day of the week for a quick session of light humor coupled with a strong grip on the story, than opting for this!
Review Girl Rating: 6/10
If you want to buy it and make your own opinion, click here.
If you have already read this book and have a different view, feel free to share. Not to mention, if you agree with me and enjoyed this review, make sure you let me know through your comment.
Thank you for the honest review. Sounds like a thumbs down.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the honest review. Will give this one a miss.
ReplyDeleteKomal,
ReplyDeleteHaven't read the book because I'm frighteningly masculine and only read chic lit by friends I adore like yourself. However, I think one can identify some flawed lit by its flawed premise.
The classic girl/boy lasting romance is tough to acheive, which is why so many hunger desperately for it and others give up on it. Hemingway said, "Those who can never have true love must of necessity deny its existence."
Most girls are smart enough to know that when a guy suggests your relationship spark might be reignited by including your sister that its time to show the idiot the door.
Likewise, freedom and relationship are awesome virtues but in constant tension. Extreme movement in either direction usually sacrifices some of the other.
So, the idea that distance and independence might be magical rejuvenators of a troubled relationship is about as likely as those gadgets on infomercials that promise to do the work while your muscles get the fitness benefits.
For everyone who claims seperation cured their relationship, I can show you someone who says they've been abducted by aliens. I also like the book's cover, and if I ever meet that girl on the windowsill, distance will be the last thing I'll propose.
Thanks Tine and Pandora for your honest remarks on my review!
ReplyDelete@Lyn: Very sharp comment, more like an insightful review of a girl/boy relationship, or should I say the one thing everyone craves for in life, "love". Yes, you are right, those who get it are lucky, but luckier are those who know how to "keep" it safely to themselves.
Again, to create balance between the two tangents, "freedom" and "relationship" is tough to achieve, but I have seen people who juggle between the two successfully, holding each of them under their hood and getting all the advantages of both. But it has to be noted that those people are either exceptionally clever or just plain lucky!
As for the girl on the windowsill, I can understand your temptation, LOL!:)
I have not read the book, and I don't plan to, especially in light of your review. What I would like to say is that reviews are invariably subjective, to a point. Honest reviewers like you do your best to see through the fluff of a book's promo and spin. And, as we well know, Amazon reviews are often a measure of canvassing and popularity more than merit. Some reviews, I hear, are even bought and paid for. All of which is to say, keep those honest reviews coming. Not everyone is going to agree on the merits of a book. A case in point: another reviewer I have much regard for (and I'm sure she's not alone) could not see what all the fuss was about 'The Help.'
ReplyDeleteI loved this, and having an Irish heritage, I enjoyed the Irish spellings and sayings used throughout, and thought it added to the 'feel' of the character.
ReplyDeleteThe reviewer who read this for my blog liked it, so to each their own. Sorry it was a disappointing read for you. It's frustrating when you have high expectations for a novel going into it.
ReplyDelete@Deborah: I so agree with you about some of Amazon reviews! As for "The Help", I have not read it yet and have no intent of reading it, not that I have any negative notion of it. It is just that if the book calls out to me (due to its story/plot), than I buy it, not because it is over-hyped and because "everyone" has read it!
ReplyDelete@Laura: I did not find "I do not befeckinglieve this"(QUOTE from the book) very befitting for the novel or the character! But again, as Melissa here said, each to their own, thanks for sharing your viewpoint. I welcome all comments as long as they are not offensive/irrelevant. Thanks for your feedback, dear!:)
Aw, I hate when a plot sounds promising but is not fleshed out by the author. :( Thanks for the honest review! I'll definitely be putting this one aside.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this book until now, and to be honest it doesn't sound that great. i love that you did an honest review, I always have trouble saying what I really think.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! (:
@Adriana: A good plot handled recklessly is a writing disaster. It depends on the writer how he/she builds the momentum so as to appeal to the readers.
ReplyDelete@Tabitha: Thanks for agreeing with me on this. Yes, I always do an honest review, otherwise there is no point of me running this blog!
I even got in a bit of trouble after I gave an author's book a true critique. I would not take her name for privacy reasons, but I think there are only few authors who take negative and positive feedback in the same stride. For most, constructive criticism does not even come as an option.
Though I feel that if a writer is open to logical and sound critique, he/she can improve his/her writing skills a lot, after all, the review is not just for readers, but also for writers who want to know what readers think about their book. That being said, I will also say that I do not agree to offensive review attacking an author, I truly believe that an author deserves respect for his/her work.
Thanks both of you for your feedback! Keep reading.