This book was a light, refreshing read. For the scores of books that had a setting in the 18th century era, what I rally liked about this book was tha...moreThis book was a light, refreshing read. For the scores of books that had a setting in the 18th century era, what I rally liked about this book was that less emphasis was placed on carnal activities between the 2 protagonists and more on the non-lustful development of their romance. I have always find this form of narration of romance more interesting, more believeable and much, much more romantic. Kudos for this book not ending on my no-politer-word-for-porn shelf. One selling point of this book is that its writing style is quite different from what I have ever read. This book focuses on hyperbole, with the plot bordering on ridicule and slapstick. Not a single character is spared from the author's sadistic humour. More often that not I have cringed and laughed out loud simultaneously. While I must must admit that I am not a fan of such brain-cell-depleting, humour, the narrative style of the author was good enough to draw me in to the storyline, and kept me sufficiently hooked so as to finish the book in an entire sitting, absurdity or not. That said, I do have a few strictly personal opinions on the book which I think could have been improved on. However, not only are these comments strictly a matter of personal opinion, they are also relatively minor and do not really affect the quality of this book in any way.
1. The plot is hardly original. While reading this book, famous tales such as My Fair Lady, Anastasia and Pocahontas 2 come to mind. Because of that, the story was rather predictable. However, such a plot could never ever go wrong, especially when a female reader is concerned. Who doesn't like an underdog-turned-ms-perfect story? It sure makes me feel less hopeless of my own disposition. Especially my love life haha
2. This is, again, my personal opinion, but I did not find the main character, Penelope, as endearing as I would have liked to have. While I did appreciate her for her lively mind, originality and her unpredictability, sometimes her eccentricity got onto my nerves. Many times did my eyebrows shoot up to my hairline in horror/shock/utter disbelief. I do believe there is a limit as to how much eccentricity and ignorance to basic etiquette can be found to be endearing. Furthermore, I felt that her luck was more often than not smiling down her most of the time. Her good qualities, while existent, was highly overrated by the other characters (again, THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION). However, i did like Lady Anne, Penelope's good good friend, and her story very much. No spoilers here, but you'd have to read the book to find out.
3. I did hope that more insight was given as to the lifestyles an cultures of the characters during that era. I felt that the setting did not play an important role at all in improving the storyline much. And a peek into the era then would have been an excellent form of escapism. As rather little reference was made to the settings and the plot of the story, it was insufficient for me to reach an epiphany/hypnosis while reading this book.
On the whole though, it was a fantastic, light, and entertaining read. I definitely recommend it.(less)
Hehe quite a nice read that left me giggling long after reaching the end of the book. This book is one of those with a really ordinary plot but actual...moreHehe quite a nice read that left me giggling long after reaching the end of the book. This book is one of those with a really ordinary plot but actually executes. Which is great, really, since I thought I was done with shallow chick-lit. Afterthoughts: I love the author's realistic writing which actually makes even the most non-gullible readers believe that even the most ordinary and plain people stand a chance against hotshots. And a guy willing to change for the love of his life - omigosh, how sweet is that? Better yet, the author makes the male hottie in this book, Reid, seem that he actually wants to DO it, to be a better person. Phew, such faith and optimism in not only our male counterparts, but also the entire human race! Gosh, this book is polluting my mind and putting impossible thoughts in my head. Warning to readers that haven't reached the dead end yet: I believe that the chances of you becoming the female protagonist of such a story is really REALLY low, unless the guy has the most impeccable sense of judgement and taste. It, IS possible, though extremely unlikely (I mean, come on, let's just be realistic here), and I wouldn't ever bank on it, and neither should you. That's what I love about books - in your own world, the perfect is possible. In Good For You, perfection pretty much comes alive.(less)
OMG. I feel like I've just watched a horror film of Snow White and her Prince Charming landing in the final season of Gossip Girl. Oh, the bitching! T...moreOMG. I feel like I've just watched a horror film of Snow White and her Prince Charming landing in the final season of Gossip Girl. Oh, the bitching! The love triangles! The suffocating romance!(less)
In my world of rainbows and flying ponies, I think should tell you a bit about myself. 1. I like stories with happy endings. BLISSFUL, PERFECT happy en...moreIn my world of rainbows and flying ponies, I think should tell you a bit about myself. 1. I like stories with happy endings. BLISSFUL, PERFECT happy endings. I don't care what turmoil or whatever shit that happens in the middle, the ending has to be laden with sugar and icing. 2. I like stories where the main girl is kick-ass cool. Someone who is independent and relies on her own instead of some guy who is, for whatever reason, doing the dirty job for the girl. 3. Of course, a kick-ass girl should also be accompanied with a competent, if not an equally cool guy. A guy to even be cool enough when he's not with the girl. 4. All conflict (and I love them to be in generous handfuls. Seconds please!) between guy and girl has to be resolved. Preferably through shooting witty comments at each other. No stubbornness please! Both parties should have a proper, sensible cause to fight head-over-heels for. 5. Lastly, I am a strong advocate that chemistry, romance, love ...... DO NOT EQUATE TO SEX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately, the last point for me overrides the first, second, third and fourth point.
Does this book pass the test? Almost! If only..... (please refer to fifth point above) So basically, I was toggling between giving this book 2 or 3 stars. Thanks to the generous servings of kissing, groping, making out, I rest my case at 2 stars.
This book is actually a likeable read for me. The characters are memorable, the plot is competent, the conflict is always present. However, I wonder if this book's settings is in Mars. Let me tell you why: The main character, Anna, and her brother, Jackson, murder for a living. A very posh living, for that matter. What happens to the police? When do they step in, and how is it possible that not a single member of the police force worldwide step in to solve these murder cases? For me, I have faith in the police force, and the forces of justice, that we have on planet Earth. Another point of contention- Anna and Jackson are good guys. They only murder bad people. Considering how they effectively prevent the(-ir) world from over-population, one might wonder whether the world is really such a bleak, grey, hopeless place. And oh! I wonder whether the leading man, Gabriel, is in love with Anna or Anna's ass, from what i get out of this book. What do Anna and Gabriel do when they first get to know each other? Make out. What do they do when they celebrate Anna's birthday? Make out. What do they do to overcome jetlag on a plane? Make out. What do they do when they try to apologise to each other? Jump on a trampoline!!! No, sorry, typo error, the answer was making out. My bad. I reiterate: this book is not bad due to flawed characters, storyline, or execution. My criteria for a good book are just not tuned into this book's favour, that's all. It is a shame, really. It was a good read, a guilty pleasure even. I guess I'll have to stick to Barney and fairytales.
*****
Ok, after a few days, I find myself rereading parts of this book. Really addictive. A book that keeps me hooked deserves credit for it. I'm adding a star to its name. It deserves it. Maybe sometimes (my) rules ARE meant to be broken.(less)
I hate sad endings. Happy endings are a must for me. So what happens when a book has, practically, NO ending? It's pissing off!!!!!!!!! And that's becaus...moreI hate sad endings. Happy endings are a must for me. So what happens when a book has, practically, NO ending? It's pissing off!!!!!!!!! And that's because the book's good, you just have to know the ending. You can just see a good one coming. So you can guess my surprise and shock when I flipped the page and read ..."if you like this book, please...." out of nowhere when the last page should have NOT been what it is. But with a book like this, I doubt that this book could ever have a satiable ending. With the turn of every page, the story gets better and better, more exciting, more captivating. Nobody would want to put down the book EVER, if possible. I would give this book 3.5 stars, since in my rulebook of awarding stars to books, a good book MUST have a happy ending (emphasis on the "ending"). This book didn't have one. But merely 3 stars is too harsh for a book that i didn't put down once i picked it up. So 4 stars it is.(less)
All I can say is, after coming from such a dysfunctional household, I think that focusing a tad too much on Emma's love life till it eclipses the real...moreAll I can say is, after coming from such a dysfunctional household, I think that focusing a tad too much on Emma's love life till it eclipses the real conflict in the story. Mostly what happens is that most of the pages are catered to Em's love-life (which is what most readers would want, I guess) but when she reaches home what happens is that she just takes a few beatings as if they are thrown at her haphazardly not from her aunt, but rather, the author. It's almost as if that since Em is such a typical Mary-Sue character - perfect GPA, fantastic in sports, impeccable love life - the author throws in rather out-of-the-blue and unconvincing scenes intended to bring Em back to earth and for readers to strike a chord with her pathetic (not really) life. I would have loved it if the author focused a bit more on her family and her, I mean, "Emma Thomas is hiding a terrible secret", isn't that what's the book should be about? With regards to how Emma deals with her broken family, all I can say is: "Emma, go get counselling". To me, her stoic way of dealing with this issue (I won't spoil the book for you) does not make me admire her for her selflessness, I think it's stupid, and is unnecessarily ruining her best friends' lives as well as they get ridden down by her own problems that they should not have had to bear so heavily. If you like reading about selfless friends and boyfriends who forgive you no matter what you FREAKING DO, then this book is for you.(less)
I don't know what to think of this book really. It's like realising last minute that you got on the wrong roller-coaster ride - without knowing what t...moreI don't know what to think of this book really. It's like realising last minute that you got on the wrong roller-coaster ride - without knowing what to expect from it. Warning for new readers: Don't expect any explanation about anything in this book. Literally. If a dragon suddenly comes out of nowhere, you are going to ACCEPT that a dragon came out of nowhere. LITERALLY. Well then, having said that, this book ain't too bad. I enjoyed myself, stole a few laughs (because like seriously? the scenes are so out of place it's ridiculous) and really adored the characters. Then again, a nice background information and adequate explanation would have been nice.(less)
(Strictly) In my opinion: No plot. No depth. No chemistry. No surprises. Just lots of, um.... physical contact and communication, if you get what I mwan. He...more(Strictly) In my opinion: No plot. No depth. No chemistry. No surprises. Just lots of, um.... physical contact and communication, if you get what I mwan. Heaps and heaps of it.(less)
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