Customer Reviews

Was It Something I Said

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(23)

 

 

The author is obviously a great writer, she shows style and potential, but why did she invent the most incredibly obnoxious and shallow characters I've ever read? Justine was the worst one, she's someone I wouldn't be friends with if she were real. Barry was not any better. The only decent character there was Pipa, but hardly interesting. Don't bother reading this book---read In the Drink or Otherwise Engaged instead.

What a disappointment. The characters have absolutely no depth, they are all superficial, shallow, and worst of all--artifical. They were down right annoying! I didn't want to get to know them or delve futher into their situation.

If you run out of fire wood this winter, just use this book instead

My reader's radar failed me on this one! I really thought I'd bought a book that would be enjoyable and well-written, and for the first few pages it didn't disappoint, but then it became increasingly boring and confusing. I can't understand why someone with Ms. Block's level of education couldn't have done a better job with the chronology of this story. By the time I got to page 93, I was annoyed and frustrated with trying to figure out, from page to page, whether Justine was agonizing over Barry or Vince...and *when*! If she was thinking about Vince, were we backed up to her aborted romance/encounter with him and the resulting angst, or is she back in the present, fretting over this former lover(?) having entered her life again, as Barry's roommate? I am doing something I almost never do: I am quitting this book. Oddly enough, I have seen books much worse than this through to the end. But this one is especially frustrating and annoying because it is obvious that the author does have ability. I addition to the time-frame problem, most of the characters could have used a few more human qualities. Bombarding the reader with the characters' meanest and most disgusting thoughts does not automatically make for honest, realistic writing. The only person I like at all is Barry, because he seems to be the only one with a speck of warmth. Bottom line for this reader: too much work with too few rewards!

I really disagree with these poor reviews! This novel is interesting and fun. I liked how it showed the various, flawed characters' perspectives on evolving, modern relationships. Yeah, Barry, Justine, Pippa, and Vince are neurotic, everyday screw-ups. But I wasn't put off or bored by this. Their pitiful stumblings toward each other are more touching than annoying. I liked this book because it didn't spoonfeed me a sugar-spun, pre-packaged story of what modern romance should be. Each of these characters desparately wants to excel and be loved. And just when he or she thinks they have or will - BOOM! - reality hits them, in the form of the loved one's dirty underwear on the bathroom floor, or unexpected, incredibly pat conservative political analysis over the dinner table. Barry's odd and ongoing musings on how the musical and tempermental differences between John Lennon and Paul McCartney bear on his current predicament are a nice touch. In sum, I heartily disagree with the one-star reviews given here and recommend you give this book a try! It's light, it's fun; I'm looking forward to reading more work by this author.

Though the writer tried to make the characters realistic and portray an honest snapshot of the beginning phases of a relationship, she portrayed both of the characters as so painfully unlikable that they became repulsive.

That being said, why would anyone care if they actually find love together? It's about as appealing as a wet dog. As one reviewer said, please, do not waste your money.

I had a great time with this book. Justine and Barry, I know them both, and I understand them both. Vince, could have done without his point of view, but the rest of the characters, I could relate to all their feelings and inspirations and depressions. The author has captured the hearts and minds of those in 'confused' love. Confused love is the usual state of things and so it should be. No one can be certain and this novel captured the certainty of uncertainty. More!

The dialogue is worse than running your fingernails down a blackboard. No other book has caused me as much suffering as this one. Save your money. One star is one too many.

Never hearing of this author/book before, the title and cover caught my eye so I took a chance. I caught myself laughing out loud in the first chapter. Afterwards, I passed this book along to friends and everyone agreed it was great.

This book did not do anything for me. Both characters were so incredibly annoying, I found it a chore to read. I guess that's true love, they deserve each other.