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litagentsaritza's review against another edition
5.0
It's not often I find myself thinking that a romance book would do more than entertain me, give my heart a bit of a rush and my mind that sense of contentment from seeing a happily ever after come through. But this book did more than that! It fed my brain with glorious prose and picturesque landscapes. I love that it wasn't just about a love story, it was a journey of self-discovery for the reader through the main character. Beautifully written, I couldn't get enough of this book!
ellelainey's review against another edition
4.0
Review will be word-for-word as included in the Eric Arvin Greatest Hits review.
~
This is a story about Logan, a writer who, by way of meeting his new editor Brock, comes to an epiphany about life and himself: that he can do better, that he's become stuck in a rut and that he's never really known himself before. It's also, I noticed, another short that is within the same world – Verona College – as Simple Men and Another Enchanted April.
I normally hate first person POV's (rather like Logan) but this one appealed to me, because it wasn't overbearing. Plus, Logan is a great character. Like a lot of Arvin's characters, he's a real hoot at times and sad, lonely and desperate at others. I'm not saying it's a theme, just that most people generally are and Arvin's characters are nothing if not real.
Logan is a good kind of weird; every bit the loner, routine-loving writer than I am myself. That I'm sure most of us are. Brock is the opposite; a little wounded deep down, he tries hard to live life to the fullest and be free. As a couple, they have a lot of teach each other and sometimes the lessons aren't always successful.
The side characters, of which there are a lot, are brilliant. Grace, Lucille, Vera, Cassie and Janey are all a little insane, very much mischievous and dangerously charming. The women are a group of gaggling mischief-makers, who liven things up from time to time.
The men – Curtis, the stuffed shirt; Roberto, the inarticulate muscle man; Marco, the Italian stud and a few more minor characters – are all varied in their greatness, attitude and ego. It's great to see the way that one character – Logan – is affected and can affect such a vast array of characters. It's a wonderful journey and learning curve, at the same time. The only character I didn't like was Bo, someone that Logan also didn't like. Though, I will admit that he wasn't really utilised appropriately; I would have liked to understand why he and Brock were such good friends all their life, when he was the way he was.
The story was at a great pace, with brilliant characters and an intriguing storyline. However, it fell short, just a little. There was something “off” about it that I can't put my finger on. Something that asked for depth or something that all the other stories in his Greatest Hits have given me, but that this one didn't. And, no, it's not the crying. It's something...deeper...with a little more substance. But, something I can't find the words to describe, so maybe it's just me?
I would have liked for Logan to open up about his talk with Brock's father, for Logan not to have turned into a total slut the minute he entered Europe on his grand rediscovery of himself and for Brock to maybe question him on that thoughtless search for mindless action. But, overall, it was a great adventure and a great new set of characters to bond with and love.
My favourite quote has to be the fun and silly:
“He was Henry Higgins. I wasn't even Eliza Doolittle. I was Neill, still choking up bits of chicken.”
~
This is a story about Logan, a writer who, by way of meeting his new editor Brock, comes to an epiphany about life and himself: that he can do better, that he's become stuck in a rut and that he's never really known himself before. It's also, I noticed, another short that is within the same world – Verona College – as Simple Men and Another Enchanted April.
I normally hate first person POV's (rather like Logan) but this one appealed to me, because it wasn't overbearing. Plus, Logan is a great character. Like a lot of Arvin's characters, he's a real hoot at times and sad, lonely and desperate at others. I'm not saying it's a theme, just that most people generally are and Arvin's characters are nothing if not real.
Logan is a good kind of weird; every bit the loner, routine-loving writer than I am myself. That I'm sure most of us are. Brock is the opposite; a little wounded deep down, he tries hard to live life to the fullest and be free. As a couple, they have a lot of teach each other and sometimes the lessons aren't always successful.
The side characters, of which there are a lot, are brilliant. Grace, Lucille, Vera, Cassie and Janey are all a little insane, very much mischievous and dangerously charming. The women are a group of gaggling mischief-makers, who liven things up from time to time.
The men – Curtis, the stuffed shirt; Roberto, the inarticulate muscle man; Marco, the Italian stud and a few more minor characters – are all varied in their greatness, attitude and ego. It's great to see the way that one character – Logan – is affected and can affect such a vast array of characters. It's a wonderful journey and learning curve, at the same time. The only character I didn't like was Bo, someone that Logan also didn't like. Though, I will admit that he wasn't really utilised appropriately; I would have liked to understand why he and Brock were such good friends all their life, when he was the way he was.
The story was at a great pace, with brilliant characters and an intriguing storyline. However, it fell short, just a little. There was something “off” about it that I can't put my finger on. Something that asked for depth or something that all the other stories in his Greatest Hits have given me, but that this one didn't. And, no, it's not the crying. It's something...deeper...with a little more substance. But, something I can't find the words to describe, so maybe it's just me?
I would have liked for Logan to open up about his talk with Brock's father, for Logan not to have turned into a total slut the minute he entered Europe on his grand rediscovery of himself and for Brock to maybe question him on that thoughtless search for mindless action. But, overall, it was a great adventure and a great new set of characters to bond with and love.
My favourite quote has to be the fun and silly:
“He was Henry Higgins. I wasn't even Eliza Doolittle. I was Neill, still choking up bits of chicken.”
msmiz95's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a very large decadent chocolate bar that you always want, don't let yourself have often, gets messy in the heat, hard in the freezer, but always no mater what tastes fantastic.
Two thumbs up.
Two thumbs up.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5. Eric Arvin’s Galley Proof is an impossible to put down novel that is fun, witty and thought-provoking. To read my review in its entirety, please visit http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy.com/2012/01/17/galley-proof-by-eric-arvin/
demonsreadtoo's review against another edition
4.0
Short, but a lot of fun. I kept finding myself running back to my kindle whenever I had a spare bit of time after work—but even so, it only took me a day or so to get through. A book about a writer struggling to write because he’s caught up in his hot editor’s orbit—yeah, that was definitely fun. It wasn’t incredibly moving, and didn’t rock me with a slew of action, but I still enjoyed it immensely. Lately I’ve been reeled in with a few exciting blurbs that were accompanied by less than stellar insides, so I was glad that this one held my interest the way it did.
Read the full review at my blog, Demons Read Too
Read the full review at my blog, Demons Read Too
anya_doesntmatter's review against another edition
3.0
My First Eric Arvin book and I am in love! I caught myself laughing out loud at times... the hubby kicked me out the bed and told me to not come back till I was done reading. Anyway, why 3 stars? I loved the story but I wanted to read more on Logan and Brock's relationship. I also didn't like the notion ( maybe I misinterpreted it) but, I didn't like the notion that Logan is told he isn't "gay enough" and he needed to change. I also didn't like how Curtis, Logan's ex, conveniently drifts in and out the story. Arvin's writing is spellbinding though and his humor clearly comes naturally to him as demonstrated in this book. Over all, a very satisfying read. Looking forward to more from Mr. Arvin!
Update:
Oct. 23rd 2014
I have since read Woke Up In A Strange Place and also adore that book. If you have never read an Eric Arvin book before try this one!
Update:
Oct. 23rd 2014
I have since read Woke Up In A Strange Place and also adore that book. If you have never read an Eric Arvin book before try this one!
shiny_raven's review against another edition
3.0
I honestly don't know what say about this book. For a good portion of it I had "what heck I'm reading?" feeling. It might have been from just an issue the "voice" the story was written in. Sort breaking the fourth type of feeling. The last 2 1/2 chapters or so save the story for me at least. On the positive side the author created some awesome secondary characters that are really enjoyable. This book is definitively worth the read.
Note: This review is a work in progress and maybe edited in the future.
Note: This review is a work in progress and maybe edited in the future.
shazov's review against another edition
5.0
"She nodded her head in approval and hesitantly shut the book, breathing a reader’s sigh. That wonderful inhale/exhale reaction one does after finishing a book that has somehow touched you."
That was me when I finished this book. yet, I'll admit at times I really wasn't sure I'd get there. At times it seems fairly chaotic, yet it made sense. It seemed serious, yet it was funny. Bits I wasn't completely sure of, but the story needed them as well!
So what could have become a fairly standard, "written to script" story, instead became a fun, intriguing book that made me feel, laugh and think.
That was me when I finished this book. yet, I'll admit at times I really wasn't sure I'd get there. At times it seems fairly chaotic, yet it made sense. It seemed serious, yet it was funny. Bits I wasn't completely sure of, but the story needed them as well!
So what could have become a fairly standard, "written to script" story, instead became a fun, intriguing book that made me feel, laugh and think.
tiggers_hate_acorns's review against another edition
4.0
Different, not really a romance more a change of life story. Didn't feel the attraction between Brock and Logan. An easy read but not really my cup of tea - no real plot.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
msmiz95's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a very large decadent chocolate bar that you always want, don't let yourself have often, gets messy in the heat, hard in the freezer, but always no mater what tastes fantastic.
Two thumbs up.
Two thumbs up.