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A review by kayhush
The Wallflower by J.L. Beck
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Let me preface this review by stating that my opinions are based on the fact that NetGalley said "It is a complete standalone that contains a happily ever after." And if you've read this book, you know that nothing could be farther from the truth. This has one of the biggest cliffhangers I've read and is far from an HEA. When reviewing books via NetGalley, I always make a point to avoid the Goodreads for it. I don't want my opinions to be swayed and I want to be objective in my review. Had I looked at Goodreads, I would have immediately seen that "standalone" and "HEA" are wholly inaccurate and my reading experience may have been different.
My biggest frustrations with this book included the central relationship (primarily the MMC) and a variety of plot and world aspects that felt jarring to read.
Within the relationship, I was having trouble coming to terms with the balance of light and dark. The dark and controlling aspects were heavy. The MMC was continually saying that the FMC had no control in their relationship. If she didn't want him around, it didn't matter because he wanted it. There was minimal aftercare (besides one night of cuddling) and very little caretaking (throwing money at her doesn't count). I didn't feel that the light balanced this level of dark and therefore couldn't root for the relationship. Maybe this balance will be found in the entirety of the series, but having expected a standalone book I was just getting more and more frustrated.
There were a few world/character aspects that felt jarring to me to read. First, the sickness of both the mothers. We are never told what this sickness is, only that they are very sick. Second, the MMC's football career. It felt out of place and would randomly pop up. I feel that something like boxing or wresting would have been more true to his character. I just could not picture him being a quarterback and then he'd randomly mention it and I'd be surprised all over again. Third, there is no mention that the FMC also picks up shifts as an events server. Then the big final event of the book comes along and BOOM she's there working. Didn't see that coming, but not because it was a plot twist - it was because the only job that is mentioned is her tutoring.
I also assume that the two big "omg what" reveals at the end will be resolved through the next book. If the one isn't, then I am very disappointed that it wasn't listed as trigger warning because I wouldn't have read this if it was the case.
All of this being said, the audiobook production and narration was probably the only thing that kept me from DNFing. Had I been reading this with my eyes and not my ears, I would have put it down. The narrators were fantastic and perfectly portrayed the characters in my mind. Some of the sexual dialogue was pretty heavy-handed (lots of C strangling P) but the narrators both did such a good job with it that I was able to move past it easily.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced listening copy of the audiobook. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My biggest frustrations with this book included the central relationship (primarily the MMC) and a variety of plot and world aspects that felt jarring to read.
Within the relationship, I was having trouble coming to terms with the balance of light and dark. The dark and controlling aspects were heavy. The MMC was continually saying that the FMC had no control in their relationship. If she didn't want him around, it didn't matter because he wanted it. There was minimal aftercare (besides one night of cuddling) and very little caretaking (throwing money at her doesn't count). I didn't feel that the light balanced this level of dark and therefore couldn't root for the relationship. Maybe this balance will be found in the entirety of the series, but having expected a standalone book I was just getting more and more frustrated.
There were a few world/character aspects that felt jarring to me to read. First, the sickness of both the mothers. We are never told what this sickness is, only that they are very sick. Second, the MMC's football career. It felt out of place and would randomly pop up. I feel that something like boxing or wresting would have been more true to his character. I just could not picture him being a quarterback and then he'd randomly mention it and I'd be surprised all over again. Third, there is no mention that the FMC also picks up shifts as an events server. Then the big final event of the book comes along and BOOM she's there working. Didn't see that coming, but not because it was a plot twist - it was because the only job that is mentioned is her tutoring.
I also assume that the two big "omg what" reveals at the end will be resolved through the next book. If the one isn't, then I am very disappointed that it wasn't listed as trigger warning because I wouldn't have read this if it was the case.
All of this being said, the audiobook production and narration was probably the only thing that kept me from DNFing. Had I been reading this with my eyes and not my ears, I would have put it down. The narrators were fantastic and perfectly portrayed the characters in my mind. Some of the sexual dialogue was pretty heavy-handed (lots of C strangling P) but the narrators both did such a good job with it that I was able to move past it easily.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced listening copy of the audiobook. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.