By the Book
1.5 starsWhile browsing through the titles available on NetGalley, I came across this book. When I read the synopsis, I was intrigued (although I have to admit that the cover is what actually made me stop and notice the book - love the shoe!). Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.
Ellen Webster is, and has always been, a good girl. Always nice to people, and willing to help, even when it inconveniences her. One day, she she simply has had it with it all, and decides to follow the advice in a self-help book she found at the supermarket. After all, it's high time for her to actually put herself first.
One of the first things she does is to try and flirt with Jonah Blake, the handsome and mysterious man who is rumored to work for the FBI/CIA, or was it that he is mercenary?
Finally, things are going swell for her, until it crashes and burns.
The first chapter was really interesting and looked promising. And then Ellen started on her campaign. I get that she doesn't want to live her life putting other first (always), but she was simply cruel at times. There is no need to be brusque and curt to people, there are nicer ways of dealing with it all.
She went from one extremity to another. And that makes it hard to actually like her.
Then there's the relationship itself, that took a backseat to the process of Ellen discovering her inner strength in saying no to people. If the main story was more enjoyable, this wouldn't have been such a bad thing, but in here I really needed something to improve my opinion of the book.
Jonah looked like a nice guy, truly wish we learned more about what makes him tick. I mean, a guy with a job like his can truly be a delight to read about. :D
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.