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A review by half_bloodreader
#GoodGirlBadBoy by Yesenia Vargas
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.0
Clean YA Contemporary Romance
Written in 1st person, past tense. Single pov.
This is a sweet fast read, with not that deep characterisation. It tries, but it comes off flat. I guess that's it, the whole book is just not that deep.
The romance also is just meh. Sure, there are kissing scenes, which is progress from the books of my youth, where you just got pining and awkwardness, no romance - curse those unsatisfactory times. But the build-up is lacking, unfortunately. It needs more deep conversations, more cute and endearing scenes of the two hanging out, uncovering layers.
I say this, because once you take into consideration the fact Emerson pushes people away, he lets Harper in too easily! He is the one taking the assertive steps to move this thing forward, while Harper remains uncertain, and they haven't even shared a lot of meaningful information, just scratching the surface of their iceberg of issues. Seems like a sure way for a relationship to work!
Also, they don't have a proper talk to clear everything up, after the fateful tension followed by a romantic gesture, before their relationship can be resumed. Communication is essential anywhere, but it is also something romance readers crave. It's not just "I'm sorry I was a jerk", talk about the issues behind pulling away and what boundaries you need when you're having a bad day, or grieving, etc.. And how you can work around that. Let's not just resume a character who pulls away when negative things happen as a jerk. Needing space and silence is okay. Not being emotionally available to reassure insecure lovers is okay - if you have the much needed conversations so they are forewarned about your necessities.
Once again, there also isn't enough girl friend time for their super tight friendship to be believable, or for newbie Harper to call the girls her bffs.
Am I gonna read the rest of the series? Yes! There is nothing wrong with the book, just like there's nothing extraordinary. It's just a simple quick read, in which I don't worry or get emotional, when maybe I was supposed to? With more flare for the dramatics, more access to the inner goings of the mc, and more skill in using words at the right time against the reader, I'm sure the author could pull something off. But that only comes with practice, and I'm not here to discourage people to stop writing.
Written in 1st person, past tense. Single pov.
This is a sweet fast read, with not that deep characterisation. It tries, but it comes off flat. I guess that's it, the whole book is just not that deep.
The romance also is just meh. Sure, there are kissing scenes, which is progress from the books of my youth, where you just got pining and awkwardness, no romance - curse those unsatisfactory times. But the build-up is lacking, unfortunately. It needs more deep conversations, more cute and endearing scenes of the two hanging out, uncovering layers.
I say this, because once you take into consideration the fact Emerson pushes people away, he lets Harper in too easily! He is the one taking the assertive steps to move this thing forward, while Harper remains uncertain, and they haven't even shared a lot of meaningful information, just scratching the surface of their iceberg of issues. Seems like a sure way for a relationship to work!
Also, they don't have a proper talk to clear everything up, after the fateful tension followed by a romantic gesture, before their relationship can be resumed. Communication is essential anywhere, but it is also something romance readers crave. It's not just "I'm sorry I was a jerk", talk about the issues behind pulling away and what boundaries you need when you're having a bad day, or grieving, etc.. And how you can work around that. Let's not just resume a character who pulls away when negative things happen as a jerk. Needing space and silence is okay. Not being emotionally available to reassure insecure lovers is okay - if you have the much needed conversations so they are forewarned about your necessities.
Once again, there also isn't enough girl friend time for their super tight friendship to be believable, or for newbie Harper to call the girls her bffs.
Am I gonna read the rest of the series? Yes! There is nothing wrong with the book, just like there's nothing extraordinary. It's just a simple quick read, in which I don't worry or get emotional, when maybe I was supposed to? With more flare for the dramatics, more access to the inner goings of the mc, and more skill in using words at the right time against the reader, I'm sure the author could pull something off. But that only comes with practice, and I'm not here to discourage people to stop writing.