Text/Chat/Email

by Erin Mallory Long

Emily is 24 and trying to figure out, well, everything. She starts seeing Steve and falls for him instantly. Unfortunately, that requires conveniently pushing her longtime (and live-in) boyfriend, Brian, out of her mind. Not only does it ruin her relationship, but her secret boyfriend-situation drives a wedge between her and her best friend, Sam, as well. She turns to her co-worker and some new friends to try to figure it all out via Text, Chat and Email.

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 24, 2014

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Text/Chat/Email is a fun, witty, quick read, that will have you laughing out loud.

[Mrs. S · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Full disclosure: while I know the author, I bought the book on my own, and I have not been compensated for this review.)

Text/Chat/Email follows 24-year-old Emily as she navigates a romantic crisis: she's living with Brian, the guy she's been dating since high school, but she can't stop thinking about a guy she just met. And (hello, did you see where I said she's 24?) she does not handle it well. What I really loved about this book is how messy it is, in a way that often gets smoothed over in books and television. Sometimes people make bad choices, or weird choices, or just put off making choices, and the results are complicated and unpredictable and confusing. I also really appreciated the way that Emily's choices in one relationship affect her other relationships; nothing is neatly cordoned off. Reading Text/Chat/Email is like eavesdropping on someone at Starbucks, crossed with a Taylor Swift album (and let me be clear: those are two of my favorite things.)

Oh, and did I mention it's funny? Here's one of my favorite lines: "If you were looking at two sides of a coin, Brian would be the really shiny side that looked like hardly any homeless people had put it in their mouths." I also really enjoyed the interactions (in chat, because DUH, what do people do at their jobs all day?) between Emily and her co-worker Britney. Emily's deadpan responses to Britney's weird doofiness made me laugh out loud, but I really appreciated that Britney gets fleshed out a little more as the book goes along, so she isn't just a ditzy stereotype.

This book is solidly New Adult material, which means that there is some (totally realistic) language and drinking. There is not, however, the graphic sex that most articles on NA seem to think define the genre. This is a character-driven story about taking stock of yourself, owning your choices, and trying to make sense of adult life.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It's fast paced, easy to get through, and a lot of fun (I seriously read it in two sittings). It tells the story of Emily, a 24 year old who doesn't exactly have everything figured out. Through journal entries, text messages, chats and emails, we learn about Emily's disastrous affair that leads to the end of her seven year relationship. I think what this book does so well is tell a story in an honest, realistic way. Yes, Emily has flaws, she made a mistake and she has to face real consequences, just like any real person. And like most women, she turns the experience inward and (hopefully) learns from her mistake. The use of all these different types of communications made for a really fun and unique read. I think this would make a great summer beach read.

[Meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have followed EML for awhile on both Twitter and Tumblr so I might be a bit biased. Loved how quickly this read, while the story itself did not feel rushed. Cute story, I enjoyed the bounce between (obviously) text, chat and email. Can't wait to read more from Erin!

[Jen Westpfahl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the concept. And that's about the nicest thing I can say about it.

[Mina]

A good idea.

[Ryan Patricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart and funny!