I actually really liked the premise and the forced proximity combined with the laidback tone was working for me for the first 25-30%. Unfortunately for both of them, they’re stuck together for better or worse, and that puts a wrench in both of their plans. Mack is an American husband and father whose marriage is falling apart, and his time on the island is meant to give him some space and distance. But when she arrives on the island, things don’t go as planned, and Cleo finds herself sharing a room with a stranger. So when her boss sends her to a remote island to marry herself – acknowledge that she’s okay being single – Cleo isn’t sure what to think. She’ll be turning 30 very soon, and it’s put a lot of things into perspective for her. The story follows Cleo, a British woman who writes about her dating life for a living. Which is unfortunate, because I loved the premise and I was really getting into the forced proximity before things ventured into a gray area. Perhaps if it had been a slower burn and that element had resolved itself (much) sooner, I could’ve enjoyed the story more, but it definitely put a damper on the whole thing for me. That made for many uncomfortable moments, and I just couldn’t root for this couple. He’s married, and while currently estranged from his wife, the status of their relationship is up in the air until the final pages… and this isn’t a slow burn. For me, the main issue is that this hero isn’t actually available.
So while it’s well done for women’s fiction, it’s a disappointment for those of us who were expecting what was advertised – a romance. I consider this women’s fiction for a number of reasons, and the overall tone is heartfelt, emotional, thoughtful.
There’s a quote on the cover of this book that calls it a romantic comedy, but it’s neither comedic nor a true romance.
0 kommentar(er)
