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A review by paragraphsandpages
The End of Our Story by Meg Haston
3.0
First off, I would like to thank the publisher and author for providing me this ARC to review. Please note that the version I read was an advanced copy, and certain events/language may be changed in the published edition.
Stars (Out of 10): 6/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: I acquired this ARC during the ALA Midwinter Convention, and actually debated it a lot before choosing to pick it up (I even skipped over it at first.) Usually, the whole romantic tension only novels can get somewhat repetitive, and that’s exactly how I expected this book to be. I was pleasantly surprised though, when I found the romantic tension to actually not be the main plot, and for there to be a stronger plotline and conflict over the ‘event that brings Bridge and Wil back together.’ Overall, while it wasn’t my favorite book, I’m definitely glad I ended up picking it up.
The Good: The plot ended up being way more interesting and complicated than I first thought. Had twists and turns I would have never expected from original synopsis I read.
The Bad: Romance felt quick (the pair got back together absurdly fast, considering the issues that drove them apart.) In addition, abrupt ending with no real closure, and while I get the appeal for an “open ending,” this one was rather annoying because it could have gone in two completely different directions, and now we simply didn’t get to know how it ended, and if it was good or bad.
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: While there wasn’t anything truly special about the characters, they fit the plot well, and did their exact purpose. I’ll probably remember the events of the story much longer than the character’s actual names, since they didn’t stand out to me. However, I did dislike the relationship aspect of the novel. First, Wil and Bridge seemed to very quickly get back together, as if the author was trying to rush onto the real plot of the story. The two had been separated for a year, but suddenly Bridge starts trying to get back together again, and Wil accepts after only a few days, abruptly breaking up with his current girlfriend like it meant nothing. Second, the best friend, who was basically only used for dialogue sometimes in the beginning, doesn’t mean anything anymore after the pair get back together. The world limits to only Bridge and Wil, and I felt the side characters becoming less and less prevalent, even when they were originally introduced with problems of their own. What happened with her younger brother’s relationship? Or did Bridge’s elderly friend (I forgot the names, I’m terrible) ever get better? How about the best friend, where did she go?
The Plot: There seemed to be two main plotlines in this story, the romance and then Wilson’s death. The latter was by far more developed, and leagues more interesting. I would have read it for just that, and not have had the whole “getting back together intro.” But the romance was there, and I felt it was lacking. The author did create some friction between the pair in the getting back together phase, which was needed and made complete sense, but then it suddenly seemed to disappear.
The Favorite Character: The best friend seemed like a cool girl. Sucks she had to disappear near the end like she did.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
Stars (Out of 10): 6/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: I acquired this ARC during the ALA Midwinter Convention, and actually debated it a lot before choosing to pick it up (I even skipped over it at first.) Usually, the whole romantic tension only novels can get somewhat repetitive, and that’s exactly how I expected this book to be. I was pleasantly surprised though, when I found the romantic tension to actually not be the main plot, and for there to be a stronger plotline and conflict over the ‘event that brings Bridge and Wil back together.’ Overall, while it wasn’t my favorite book, I’m definitely glad I ended up picking it up.
The Good: The plot ended up being way more interesting and complicated than I first thought. Had twists and turns I would have never expected from original synopsis I read.
The Bad: Romance felt quick (the pair got back together absurdly fast, considering the issues that drove them apart.) In addition, abrupt ending with no real closure, and while I get the appeal for an “open ending,” this one was rather annoying because it could have gone in two completely different directions, and now we simply didn’t get to know how it ended, and if it was good or bad.
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: While there wasn’t anything truly special about the characters, they fit the plot well, and did their exact purpose. I’ll probably remember the events of the story much longer than the character’s actual names, since they didn’t stand out to me. However, I did dislike the relationship aspect of the novel. First, Wil and Bridge seemed to very quickly get back together, as if the author was trying to rush onto the real plot of the story. The two had been separated for a year, but suddenly Bridge starts trying to get back together again, and Wil accepts after only a few days, abruptly breaking up with his current girlfriend like it meant nothing. Second, the best friend, who was basically only used for dialogue sometimes in the beginning, doesn’t mean anything anymore after the pair get back together. The world limits to only Bridge and Wil, and I felt the side characters becoming less and less prevalent, even when they were originally introduced with problems of their own. What happened with her younger brother’s relationship? Or did Bridge’s elderly friend (I forgot the names, I’m terrible) ever get better? How about the best friend, where did she go?
The Plot: There seemed to be two main plotlines in this story, the romance and then Wilson’s death. The latter was by far more developed, and leagues more interesting. I would have read it for just that, and not have had the whole “getting back together intro.” But the romance was there, and I felt it was lacking. The author did create some friction between the pair in the getting back together phase, which was needed and made complete sense, but then it suddenly seemed to disappear.
The Favorite Character: The best friend seemed like a cool girl. Sucks she had to disappear near the end like she did.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/