Hello and welcome to book club, everyone! GJ here, warning all of you that Spring is officially here in the US and my entire city is covered in pollen. I'm not exaggerating when I say that last week, my concrete front porch was green. When it rained Saturday, I saw a trail of neon yellow washing away. Load up on honey, tea and tissues and remember that your K95masks can also be used for this.
The Pollening is here and it takes no prisoners, friends.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's and CHARLOTTE STEIN FOR SENDING ME THIS ARC! *SCREAMS* Ahem, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
So, about 2 years ago, I reviewed Stein's When Grumpy Met Sunshine and had an absolute blast with it. I'm pretty sure I annoyed friends and family with my enthusiasm for it. I actually didn't know she was planning a sequel until she announced it on twitter. So imagine my surprise when Stein sent me the ARC for it. Yes, this is me humble bragging but it's also letting you know how serious I am about this book. This was my light at the end of the tunnel that was 2025. It's that real.
I'm sorry it's taken so long but long story short, the past 6 months stole my lunch money and stuffed me in a locker but I'M HERE NOW!
Synopsis according to GJ: Connie has a problem. A very large, mustachioed, way-too- nice-to-be-true problem named Henry Samuel Beckett. Initially skittish of the cheery American, she soon discover Beck's secret: His coworkers think that he's married and he's been lying this whole time. Connie soon finds herself protective and fascinated by this shockingly sincere man and when confronted with his workplace bully, Connie introduces herself as Beck's wife.
Now, on their way to a 2-week long writer's retreat, Connie and Beck have to pretend to be a happy married couple. But despite her cool exterior, Connie feels drawn out by Beck's sincerity and feel the desire for something new? Maybe it's the desire to stop being the person people expect her to be. To finally embrace her authentic self and to allow herself to want something more?...To keep staring at Beck's fantastic thighs? Seriously, were those there this whole time?????
Review:
I'm going to try my hardest not to compare this book to its predecessor, "When Grumpy Met Sunshine" too much in this review. Yes, the two book have similar fake dating plots (Which our girl, Connie lampshades by calling it "Just One Bed 2: Electric Boogaloo"). It also have the rapid-fire quips and the quick discovery of a kindred spirit between our leads. Something that I love about Stein's work is how deftly she shows that to be loved is to be seen. I've only read two of her books but both have had me giggling and clutching my e-reader with breath-taking paragraphs.
Digging deeper though, My Big Fat Fake Wedding has such a different vibe to me. When I read WGMS, I literally screamed "Madam, there's only so far 'Such a good friend' can go! You both are killing me!". Alfie and Mabel so quickly drop the mask they've worn for most of their lives and easily fall in sync with each other. This book, on the other hand, gave me similar feelings to watching animal rescue videos? HEAR ME OUT!
You know what videos I'm talking about. Where people rescue a dog or cat that's clearly been neglected and is all dingy, maybe even has babies they're protecting. You're filled with a John Wick level rage as you watch them go to their foster home and hide under a bed for the first week there. Then you see them come out their shells and bloom into the adorable little goober they were always supposed to be in their adorable pajamas. Yeah, that's how I feel when I see Beck and Connie. Beck's just a tall cinnamon roll of a man and I want to give him the softest sweaters while I decimate everyone who's wronged him.
Ditto with Connie. As a plus sized nerd, I fully remember the toxic advice of hiding everything remotely nerdy or even interesting about yourself. "No one likes a book worm, don't blabber on about yourself. Conceal, don't feel". It's honestly to the point where she's even been hiding her real name! So much of this book is just them slowly allowing themselves to be seen, to be proud of themselves, and even to be their true selves. Both of them are hiding from other people's cruelty and just coaxing the other one They believe so wholly into the other one and know how brave they are and MY PRECIOUS BABIES!!!
(P.S. I don't think Stein is an F1 fan but the bully in here reminds me so much of a team principle, it's scary. I won't say who but if you ask me nicely, I'll tell you.)
Another thing I want to talk about is that the spicy elements.(Not like that, you dirty birds). Beck literally says things like "Golly" and "Jeepers" and gives big "Too pure for this evil world" energy. Meanwhile Connie is actively trying not to climb this man like he's the Matterhorn. There are moments where it's like watching a Victorian man burst into flames looking at a sexy, exposed ankle. I had a blast watching Beck worrying overstepping boundaries at every turn while reading Connie lament about how thin the walls are. It's been a while time since I've read a book where the FMC is the more experienced one and honestly? It slaps. Give me more of this, please.
(Also, I don't really have a spot to put this in my review but chapter 25? Put it directly in my veins, please and thank you)
Overall, I give this book 5 stars. I'm almost glad I finished it so late because I want you all to run out and get this right now.
TW: Mentions of bullying, gross men behavior, sexual content
Welcome all to WednesdayBookClub, everyone! Now if you're an old timer with WBC, you likely know that spring is always a tricky time for me. It's the time of year where everyone wants to pop out and do everything like they're Rita Repulsa. Unfortunately, that means there's usually a pocket of time where I'm doing ALL OF THE THINGS and I'm fighting for my life. Well, we're in that pocket now. It doesn't seem like a lot ATM but I'm not sure if that's because I'm delusional or if it's legit not a lot.
But enough of my ramblings, it's time for Book Club!
Hello and welcome to this week's book club, gang! I hope you all had an eventful book reading week.
Um, I'm hungry so I have no creativity ATM so let's get started
Hello, gang and welcome to this week's book club!
So last week, I mentioned something I wanted to talk to you all about so let's go but first, we gotta go back 3 years.
Hello and welcome back to our regularly scheduled book club!
No post last week because I had a gnarly sinus infection (I didn't have covid tests on hand but I kinda got bombed by dust while cleaning my room and 12 hours later, foggy head and a fever. Which is impressive because I rarely get fevers). But I'm mostly back to normal so WE BACK! Let's talk books.
Hello and welcome to book club, everyone! GJ here, warning all of you that Spring is officially here in the US and my entire city is covere...
