Again, the couple’s inherent conflict writes itself. Erik is also an architect, but he represents Big Business and consumptive competition in the high rise building in which their two companies are headquartered. Surprisingly, we learn Sadie considers Erik to be kind, albeit duplicitous – and predictably on the heels of that knowledge, learn she’s the superstitious drama queen of the group. Second chances aren’t my typical go-to because I figure if you get to the point where you break up, just be done, you know? But from the get-go we learn Sadie and the Viking hunk she’s stuck in a powerless elevator with, Erik Nowak, had a brief moment of sexy time that ended before it ever had time to blossom. Sadie the ecologically sustainable engineer is up next, and her story is just okay. Ultimately, after much internal waffling, their love finds a way to a quick, happy resolution. There’s a requisite period of chafing wherein Liam and Mara react like oil and water before we learn that Liam is actually a good guy, and the greatest conflict comes into play because neither is willing to give an inch until miles appear between them. Layered on top are Liam’s corporate lawyer gig for ‘Big oil’ and Mara’s environmental scientist stint at the EPA, which ensures this enemies-to-lovers rom-com writes itself. In the first story, Mara sets the tone for the compendium with her observation of post-graduation and heading out to start your adulting life in different fields and different cities: “ FaceTime becomes as necessary as oxygen.” I was worried, because Mara opens the story on FaceTime with her lady squad, worried about the fact that the house she inherited is partially owned by a hot attorney in his early thirties, who may or may not know that Mara now owns the other half of his home in DC. On the other, it’s a tedious crowdsourcing approach to making decisions. On the one hand, it’s a testament to strong relationships between friends. Hazelwood has built a trio of friends who are totally reliant on one-another. Some readers may think that novellas are less bang for your buck, but the reality is that they’re just as complex to write as a novel (all the same elements as plot, characterization, conflict, and resolution, but in a tighter space). But since I’m a fan of novellas, that wasn’t an issue for me. When I grabbed a copy of Ali Hazlewood’s Loathe to Love You, I didn’t realize it was three connected novellas rather than one full-length novel.
0 kommentar(er)
