Nothing Like Paris (Amy Jo Cousins)
Personal note, Amy Jo Cousins seems to have penchant to use some words (in this series anyway, since it's VERY noticeable for me) that just irk me -- namely "kid" or "kids" (seriously, it has probably become my second hatred word, because it sounds condescending and should not be used for people with small age-gap!) and baby as endearment (GAH!). So I did my own editing by deleting those words in order to enjoy my reading reading. Yep, I was reading the heavily redacted version!
....
Anyway, I still wanted to give this book a chance mainly because of the theme: second chance (a.k.a. reunited with old lovers) and redemption. I mean, Jack returned home with his tail behind his legs to finally face the only one who only meant anything for him felt right up my alley! Besides, I didn't finish Off Campus. I stopped after around 2/3rd because it had too many of my personal pet peeves. So I don't really know this Jack Tarkington. He comes to me in a blank state, only by reputation that I gathered from this story.
I was having back and forth moments while reading this book, between enjoying it, wanting to knock these characters' heads against in other, and feeling rather bored in the middle... I did think that Jack and Miguel's history as pretty compelling to read. There was once sentence that Cousins wrote here that just 'spoke volumes' to me -- it had something to do with a little short story I wrote years and years ago with similar situation of the hero leaving the heroine behind --
Jack had his own baggage (an alcoholic mother, anger because Mike didn't want to follow their dream to get out of the town). And Mike wasn't exactly happy (content maybe, happy, not so much) because there were some things that happened in his own personal life. All in all, I was sucked in the drama, even if at times I thought their arguments were repetitive. Both had their reasons to be upset with one another.
In the end, I felt that Jack was the one who learned the most about this situation, the one willing to compromise and finding solutions to work things out. While Mike was stubbornly clinging to being able to get angry with Jack for leaving and to get the upper hand. At that moment, I was pretty annoyed with Mike and I almost at the end of my patience. I loved that scene where Mike was being confronted by his father -- a scene that was a bit predictable but I welcomed it nonetheless.
So, yes I have my issues and pet peeves ... but I was also able to finish this (unlike book #1) which should count for something. Some scenes shine, some scenes feel like fillers -- especially those that were written as excuses for sexy times. What can I say, I am not one who demands sex scenes. Most of the times I skim those anyway, especially when I feel that they're just there as 'compliments' and not as 'reward'. But yes, I'm a sucker for reunited lovers trope, and extra kudos must be given since this story made me found " Wagon Wheel " by Old Crow Medicine Show on Youtube which had quickly becoming my most played song of the week.
I thought that Amy Jo Cousins wrote two shorter stories that I enjoyed a lot ... however in terms of her full length novels, sadly to say I haven't been that impressed.
....
Anyway, I still wanted to give this book a chance mainly because of the theme: second chance (a.k.a. reunited with old lovers) and redemption. I mean, Jack returned home with his tail behind his legs to finally face the only one who only meant anything for him felt right up my alley! Besides, I didn't finish Off Campus. I stopped after around 2/3rd because it had too many of my personal pet peeves. So I don't really know this Jack Tarkington. He comes to me in a blank state, only by reputation that I gathered from this story.
I was having back and forth moments while reading this book, between enjoying it, wanting to knock these characters' heads against in other, and feeling rather bored in the middle... I did think that Jack and Miguel's history as pretty compelling to read. There was once sentence that Cousins wrote here that just 'spoke volumes' to me -- it had something to do with a little short story I wrote years and years ago with similar situation of the hero leaving the heroine behind --
"“What for? I was never going to stay, and you? You were never going to leave, were you?”"
Jack had his own baggage (an alcoholic mother, anger because Mike didn't want to follow their dream to get out of the town). And Mike wasn't exactly happy (content maybe, happy, not so much) because there were some things that happened in his own personal life. All in all, I was sucked in the drama, even if at times I thought their arguments were repetitive. Both had their reasons to be upset with one another.
In the end, I felt that Jack was the one who learned the most about this situation, the one willing to compromise and finding solutions to work things out. While Mike was stubbornly clinging to being able to get angry with Jack for leaving and to get the upper hand. At that moment, I was pretty annoyed with Mike and I almost at the end of my patience. I loved that scene where Mike was being confronted by his father -- a scene that was a bit predictable but I welcomed it nonetheless.
So, yes I have my issues and pet peeves ... but I was also able to finish this (unlike book #1) which should count for something. Some scenes shine, some scenes feel like fillers -- especially those that were written as excuses for sexy times. What can I say, I am not one who demands sex scenes. Most of the times I skim those anyway, especially when I feel that they're just there as 'compliments' and not as 'reward'. But yes, I'm a sucker for reunited lovers trope, and extra kudos must be given since this story made me found " Wagon Wheel " by Old Crow Medicine Show on Youtube which had quickly becoming my most played song of the week.
I thought that Amy Jo Cousins wrote two shorter stories that I enjoyed a lot ... however in terms of her full length novels, sadly to say I haven't been that impressed.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
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