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stephxsu's review
5.0
After inadvertently rereading the entire Jessica Darling series every year like clockwork without fail since Books 3-4 were published, I think I can safely say that FOURTH COMINGS is my favorite of the five books.
Are you surprised? Is this an unconventional choice? [b:Sloppy Firsts|138202|Sloppy Firsts (Jessica Darling, #1)|Megan McCafferty|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320531275s/138202.jpg|2975988] had that sparkling magic of the first in a series you know will be good; [b:Second Helpings|199687|Second Helpings (Jessica Darling, #2)|Megan McCafferty|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320531276s/199687.jpg|2975812] was the fulfillment of a happy ending; [b:Charmed Thirds|199688|Charmed Thirds (Jessica Darling, #3)|Megan McCafferty|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320531924s/199688.jpg|2405344] allowed Jessica to develop more insight and maturity than before, plus did even more wonderful things with all the secondary characters; and [b:Perfect Fifths|3996887|Perfect Fifths (Jessica Darling, #5)|Megan McCafferty|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320553919s/3996887.jpg|4042991]—well, just read the title. Compared to the other books (with the possible exception of Charmed Thirds), FOURTH COMINGS is the saddest. (With the possible exception of Perfect Fifths) It’s the installment where the narrative form gets most in the way of Jessica’s typically candid journals—because here she’s addressing Marcus Flutie and, like she says, the moment there’s an audience, the honesty of the writing is inevitably affected.
But…
Still…
Despite all that.
Full disclosure: I have been in a similar state of emotions and mind as 22-year-old Jessica Darling for what feels like the past several years. It’s the stomach-flipping, giddy-with-terror feeling of not knowing what the hell you want to do an hour from now, let alone in ten years, and yet feeling all the societal pressure to make decisions about your CAREER and your BABYDADDY/BABYMAMA and your CHILDBIRTHING METHODS right now, now, now. It’s the fear of letting go that which we were certain of in our past but are not sure how it fits into our present and future.
It is because of this similarity in our mindsets that I think makes me able to understand Jessica a lot at this stage in her life. There may be little in the way of plot, to speak nothing of the pacing (the whole book takes place over the course of less than a week), but what does that matter to me when I hang on to Jessica’s every word because I can see fragments of myself in all of her entries?
I think Jessica Darling represents the worst in us, and that’s why her post-Book 2 tales make people suuuuper uncomfortable. In choosing the journal as her format of choice, McCafferty commits unapologetically to illustrating the parts of (female) human nature that most of us don’t like to see reflected in literature—our insecurity in the face of other, more accomplished, more beautiful, nicer women; our preoccupation with sex, relationships, and love, and how they are tied to our identities; our borderline-desperate search for the meaning and purpose that society demands from our lives. This is realism at its realest, and damn if it doesn’t hurt like a wake-up punch in the face.
The Jessica Darling books are not just novels. They are what we would write to ourselves if we were articulate and introspective and talented enough to put our deepest, darkest, most shameful thoughts to paper.
That’s why FOURTH COMINGS is my favorite.
Are you surprised? Is this an unconventional choice? [b:Sloppy Firsts|138202|Sloppy Firsts (Jessica Darling, #1)|Megan McCafferty|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320531275s/138202.jpg|2975988] had that sparkling magic of the first in a series you know will be good; [b:Second Helpings|199687|Second Helpings (Jessica Darling, #2)|Megan McCafferty|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320531276s/199687.jpg|2975812] was the fulfillment of a happy ending; [b:Charmed Thirds|199688|Charmed Thirds (Jessica Darling, #3)|Megan McCafferty|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320531924s/199688.jpg|2405344] allowed Jessica to develop more insight and maturity than before, plus did even more wonderful things with all the secondary characters; and [b:Perfect Fifths|3996887|Perfect Fifths (Jessica Darling, #5)|Megan McCafferty|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320553919s/3996887.jpg|4042991]—well, just read the title. Compared to the other books (with the possible exception of Charmed Thirds), FOURTH COMINGS is the saddest. (With the possible exception of Perfect Fifths) It’s the installment where the narrative form gets most in the way of Jessica’s typically candid journals—because here she’s addressing Marcus Flutie and, like she says, the moment there’s an audience, the honesty of the writing is inevitably affected.
But…
Still…
Despite all that.
Full disclosure: I have been in a similar state of emotions and mind as 22-year-old Jessica Darling for what feels like the past several years. It’s the stomach-flipping, giddy-with-terror feeling of not knowing what the hell you want to do an hour from now, let alone in ten years, and yet feeling all the societal pressure to make decisions about your CAREER and your BABYDADDY/BABYMAMA and your CHILDBIRTHING METHODS right now, now, now. It’s the fear of letting go that which we were certain of in our past but are not sure how it fits into our present and future.
It is because of this similarity in our mindsets that I think makes me able to understand Jessica a lot at this stage in her life. There may be little in the way of plot, to speak nothing of the pacing (the whole book takes place over the course of less than a week), but what does that matter to me when I hang on to Jessica’s every word because I can see fragments of myself in all of her entries?
I think Jessica Darling represents the worst in us, and that’s why her post-Book 2 tales make people suuuuper uncomfortable. In choosing the journal as her format of choice, McCafferty commits unapologetically to illustrating the parts of (female) human nature that most of us don’t like to see reflected in literature—our insecurity in the face of other, more accomplished, more beautiful, nicer women; our preoccupation with sex, relationships, and love, and how they are tied to our identities; our borderline-desperate search for the meaning and purpose that society demands from our lives. This is realism at its realest, and damn if it doesn’t hurt like a wake-up punch in the face.
The Jessica Darling books are not just novels. They are what we would write to ourselves if we were articulate and introspective and talented enough to put our deepest, darkest, most shameful thoughts to paper.
That’s why FOURTH COMINGS is my favorite.
kdepuy's review
5.0
I just can't get enough of the snarky Jessica Darling. I've enjoyed reconnecting with her (read the first two years ago, then just recently re-read them along with the third and fourth installments.) I was pleasantly surprised to see a bit of a different format and tone to Jessica's journal in this book, and was happy with the ending. Looking forward to the fifth one with mixed emotions, as it's the last one in the series.
catymart83's review
3.0
Okay, I have been waiting to read this latest Jessica Darling novel since forever. When I first read Sloppy Firsts I lived in Ocean County (where the novel took place)and was a high school junior just like Jessica so I felt a real kinship with her. In other words, I could totally relate. While I loved the first two books (my favorite was "Second Helpings"), I only liked the third ("Charmed Thirds"). So I was a tad apprehensive about how this fourth entry in this series would turn out. On reading the first twenty pages I felt like I had been right to be so nervous; it was terrible. The ponderous, self-righteous voice, the obviously cultivated literary feel to the novel, the stilted dialogue, all of this led to a growing suscpicion that Megan McCafferty had handed in this manuscript having been forced by contractual obligations to write this novel, not because she truly wanted to continue the story of Jessica Darling. Part of the problem I believe is the different stucture of the book; because it (Jessica's journal) was supposedly written within a week, the storyline felt rushed and the writing was so self-concious (maybe this was on purpose because Jessica knew this was going to be read by Marcus?). It just felt so labored! In plain language, it just wasn't the Jessica Darling that I had so loved. I mean, take this line from the novel: "Sometimes when making love, I'd grip your face and force you to look at me just to confirm that you were still there, and I was still there, and that we were still there together." What kind of twenty-two year old talks like that? The Jessica Darling from the first three novels never talked like that; heck she would have laughed at someone who said those words. I also think that (except towards the end of the book) Hope largely remained a bland cardboard character with a few stock characteristics and no depth which really disappointed me because I'd been waiting for the time when Hope and Jessica would be reunited and we could see their relationship up close instead of from a distance. But thankfully, the story got (slightly) better and the forced snarkiness and faux-literariness was toned down. Eventually, I was actually able to lose myself in the story and forget about the flaws and just immerse myself in Jessica's journaled response to Marcus' proposal. I also found the great insight into Marcus' personality and behavior really informative and compelling. While some people complained about the ending, I actually found it remarkably realistic-what twenty-two year old would (no matter how much she loved him) yoke herself to an immature boy who constantly ran away? In the end, I appreciated the ending with the caveat that another book is written where Jessica and Marcus get together and stay together. I wanted to give the book 2 1/2 stars but since I don't know how to do that, I gave it 3 stars for how much I loved the other three books. Hopefully McCafferty will write a sequel to this and bring back the Jessica I knew and loved.
mbrandmaier's review
3.0
After 4 years, Jessica and Marcus are STILL together! But Jessica is recognizing the unhealthy patterns in their relationship.
meghan111's review
2.0
Couldn't finish this. Something happens after the first two books of this series - Jessica grows up and her problems become self-centered and boring after she is no longer a teenager but a young adult living in Manhattan, with seemingly no obstacles to living a full and happy life. Except for her personality, which is blah. Also, her love interest, Marcus Flutie, has never appealed to me, with his cryptic postcards, Buddhism, and determination to disappear.
nagam's review
4.0
"Loving you has never been the problem. What's troubling me is how loving you may never be enough."
WHAT?!
This fourth book is a series of two journals that are written specifically for Marcus after he proposes to Jessica. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the change because she seemed to be repeating her stories over and over. By the fourth book, I didn't want a repeat of some of the stories and history anymore. I got it. I know from a writing perspective that it was necessary since someone may have randomly picked up book four, having not read one through three, but to me this was a bothersome detail. In the end, I did enjoy reading what Jessica had to say TO Marcus. It made me realize how little they actually spoke anymore. How their relationship had been based on so many conversations early on, but then it just puttered out...
I felt like the book was overall a bit too drawn out. Marcus proposes. Jessica takes a week to figure out her answer. While I am glad she pondered the decision, I'm of the belief that if you know, you know. The back and forthness of her ever-changing-opinion was too much. Predominantly, she was saying "NO," but I found her arguments (and Hope's - who plays a bigger role in this book) not convincible at all. I would be thinking, "YES!!! Exactly!" and then, " WAIT! What?!" immediately after. Sigh.
Ultimately, I knew there was one last book left, so I knew things wouldn't end simply or forever. Kind of a sad approach to reading the book, but that's how I felt.
WHAT?!
This fourth book is a series of two journals that are written specifically for Marcus after he proposes to Jessica. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the change because she seemed to be repeating her stories over and over. By the fourth book, I didn't want a repeat of some of the stories and history anymore. I got it. I know from a writing perspective that it was necessary since someone may have randomly picked up book four, having not read one through three, but to me this was a bothersome detail. In the end, I did enjoy reading what Jessica had to say TO Marcus. It made me realize how little they actually spoke anymore. How their relationship had been based on so many conversations early on, but then it just puttered out...
I felt like the book was overall a bit too drawn out. Marcus proposes. Jessica takes a week to figure out her answer. While I am glad she pondered the decision, I'm of the belief that if you know, you know. The back and forthness of her ever-changing-opinion was too much. Predominantly, she was saying "NO," but I found her arguments (and Hope's - who plays a bigger role in this book) not convincible at all. I would be thinking, "YES!!! Exactly!" and then, " WAIT! What?!" immediately after. Sigh.
Ultimately, I knew there was one last book left, so I knew things wouldn't end simply or forever. Kind of a sad approach to reading the book, but that's how I felt.
missgrangerr's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
ashleyholstrom's review
4.0
Ah, as the series drags on, it tries to be as enthralling as the first two books, but fails. Don’t get me wrong, I love these books. But three hundred pages documenting one week?
Jess is writing, writing, writing to come to a decision on what the next step should be with her relationship with Marcus, who is a 23-year-old college freshman. It’s just as snarky as ever, making note of everything minuscule thing that happens while she’s living in a condo with her best friend and working a fake-ish editing job.
Full review at Crooked Prose.
Jess is writing, writing, writing to come to a decision on what the next step should be with her relationship with Marcus, who is a 23-year-old college freshman. It’s just as snarky as ever, making note of everything minuscule thing that happens while she’s living in a condo with her best friend and working a fake-ish editing job.
Full review at Crooked Prose.
doublearegee's review
4.0
A return to good. Jessica questioning herself and her relationship with Marcus, brought upon by a surprise proposal when she intended to break up with him. One of the things I didn't like about the last book was the lack of focus and the lack of Marcus; while this book lacks Marcus the focusedness of taking place over the span of a week, as opposed to on and off all throughout college, really makes up for it.
knightedbooks's review
5.0
I started reading the Jessica Darling series when I was in high school. I found Sloppy Firsts in a bookstore that was going out of business and thought it would be good. It turned out to be amazing. Over the years I read the sequels. Fourth Comings couldn't have been released at a better time. I feel like I've grown up with Jessica. She's now the same age as me and going through a lot of the same stuff I've faced recently. I just hate that I'm already done with the book. I hope there will be more books in the series.