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slowburnsrus's review
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a fantastic addition to this series. I don’t always love a villain redemption story, but for the most part, this book pulled it off. While still allowing these two to do frequently messed up things in the name of reality tv manipulation. I adored both of them.
I did not love the third act conflict and its resolution. I felt like both main characters had trouble letting go of control and trusting one another, but only Lily had to grovel about it. I also was hoping for a more creative ending to the problem of how one has a career making reality tv after become a huge and recognizable star.
I did not love the third act conflict and its resolution. I felt like both main characters had trouble letting go of control and trusting one another, but only Lily had to grovel about it. I also was hoping for a more creative ending to the problem of how one has a career making reality tv after become a huge and recognizable star.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Grief
Minor: Car accident, Gaslighting, and Racism
laurenmitchell's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've followed Jodi's fiction career since Valentine, which was in a very different genre—YA fantasy, my beloved—but the quality of her writing and the fact that the Marry Me, Juliet series was billed as a rom-com drama had me tear through the first two books in the series and pre-order Not Here To Make Friends the moment I was able to do so.
I was not disappointed. While each of the prior books were also wild rollercoasters, Not Here To Make Friends took off its seat belt, snapped off the security rail, and stood up in its seat screaming all the way. Everything from the characters' voices to the plot's pacing to the way all the little hints the audience had had from the previous books were not only explained but revealed to be much bigger than at first glance made Not Here To Make Friends a real page-turner. At the same time I wanted to savour it, because—to the best of my knowledge—this is the last installment in the MMJ series. (I'm happy to be wrong, Jodi!) So instead of devouring it in one sitting, I stretched it out over two bubble baths, one train ride, and enjoyed the last few pages of it just now with the rain on the roof (Melbourne is doing summer wrong) and one of the cats trying to help me to read by sitting on the book.
Fans of The Bachelor and similar shows will undoubtedly enjoy this show-in-book-form, because I enjoyed it immensely and my reality TV taste is more on the Masterchef and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! axis. It's a lot easier to deal with the conniving scumbagginess when it's on the page rather than on the screen, and yet the characters are so well-written you could swear they're real people.Fucking Greg! Never have I ever more wanted to slap a fictional character!
Now someone get Jodi that Bachelor consultant role!
I was not disappointed. While each of the prior books were also wild rollercoasters, Not Here To Make Friends took off its seat belt, snapped off the security rail, and stood up in its seat screaming all the way. Everything from the characters' voices to the plot's pacing to the way all the little hints the audience had had from the previous books were not only explained but revealed to be much bigger than at first glance made Not Here To Make Friends a real page-turner. At the same time I wanted to savour it, because—to the best of my knowledge—this is the last installment in the MMJ series. (I'm happy to be wrong, Jodi!) So instead of devouring it in one sitting, I stretched it out over two bubble baths, one train ride, and enjoyed the last few pages of it just now with the rain on the roof (Melbourne is doing summer wrong) and one of the cats trying to help me to read by sitting on the book.
Fans of The Bachelor and similar shows will undoubtedly enjoy this show-in-book-form, because I enjoyed it immensely and my reality TV taste is more on the Masterchef and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! axis. It's a lot easier to deal with the conniving scumbagginess when it's on the page rather than on the screen, and yet the characters are so well-written you could swear they're real people.
Now someone get Jodi that Bachelor consultant role!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Grief, and Death
I have tagged these content warnings but would like to assure the reader that the book isn't, for example, glorifying racism.roz03's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I originally rated this book 4 stars but after writing this review, I'm changing it to 5. I can't fault this book, it had me hooked the whole way through.
Murray O'Connell is a tv producer working on a reality show called Marry Me, Juliet. He's thrown a curveball when the big boss (who gives Michael Scott from The Office vibes) sends in a "spicy meatball" for the new season, Lily Fireball.
Lily Fireball is an interesting character with a lot of depth. At times, I found her to be frustrating due to her forceful, unapologetic nature but overall, I was still rooting for her. Murray is likeable and incredibly hard-working, I felt proud in the moments where he stands up for himself. This book held the perfect amount of tension the whole way through and handled some tricky topics well. This was my first McAlister book and I absolutely will be going to read her other books asap!
I received this ARC from Simon & Schuster Australia (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
Murray O'Connell is a tv producer working on a reality show called Marry Me, Juliet. He's thrown a curveball when the big boss (who gives Michael Scott from The Office vibes) sends in a "spicy meatball" for the new season, Lily Fireball.
Lily Fireball is an interesting character with a lot of depth. At times, I found her to be frustrating due to her forceful, unapologetic nature but overall, I was still rooting for her. Murray is likeable and incredibly hard-working, I felt proud in the moments where he stands up for himself. This book held the perfect amount of tension the whole way through and handled some tricky topics well. This was my first McAlister book and I absolutely will be going to read her other books asap!
I received this ARC from Simon & Schuster Australia (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Death, Misogyny, Racism, and Grief
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