Flat Out Love Review

Flat Out Love by Jessica Park
Published by Self-published on April 11, 2011
Genres: New Adult
Goodreads

He was tall, at least six feet, ith dirty blond hair that hung over his eyes. His T-shirt read Nietzsche Is My Homeboy.

So, that was Matt. Who Julie Seagle likes. A lot. But there is also Finn. Who she flat out loves.

Complicated? Awkward? Completely.

But really, how was this freshly-minted Boston transplant and newbie college freshman supposed to know that she would end up living with the family of an old friend of her mother's? This was all supposed to be temporary. Julie wasn't supposed to be important to the Watkins family, or to fall in love with one of the brothers. Especially the one she's never quite met. But what does that really matter? Finn gets her, like no one ever has before. They have connection.

But here's the thing about love, in all its twisty, bumpy permutations—it always throws you a few curves. And no one ever escapes unscathed.

New York Times Best-selling author Jessica Park mines the territory of love’s growing pains with wit, sharp insights, and a discernible heat and heartbeat. Her previous novels include Relatively Famous and she authored the e-shorts What the Kid Says (Parts 1 and 2) and Facebooking Rick Springfield.

 

   Julie’s Review    

I think it will be really hard for me to write this review with no spoilers, so: spoiler warning.

I did enjoy this book, but I had some issues with it since I figured out the big secret early on. Then it was a bit frustrating to continue seeing the main character be so clueless. This book is a good spotlight on mental illness and a case study on how some people deal with grief. Speaking of the main character, Julie, I really didn’t feel like I connected with her at all. I still feel like I don’t know that much about her. I do feel like I know Matt well.  I really liked Celeste, quirks and all.  I really liked Julie’s interactions with Celeste and how she was able to improve the situation and make Celeste more outgoing. I liked the emails between Julie and Finn, they were definitely cute, especially the conversation in the elevator. I also liked the cute flirty scenes with Julie and Matt, especially all the teasing over his geek t-shirts.

[real spoilery section ahead]

I had a hard time with Matt vs. Finn.  There were scenes where Julie was trying to help Celeste and change something in her routine to try to break her out of her strange behavior. Well, Matt would get pissed off at her and later when Julie complained to Finn, he seemed more understanding and patient.  Maybe it is because that gave Matt time to cool off and also because it is easier to be a certain way when hiding behind a computer, but that to me made it hard to believe that Matt was truly being himself in those emails. I did really like when Julie finally got it and realized she loved Matt all along. The ending was really sweet.

   Rose’s Review    

I have listened to the audio version of this book twice now and I think the second time around I was able to appreciate it even more.  In fact, I think you sort of have to read (or in my case, listen) to a book more than once before you can truly evaluate a book.  The first time I listened to this book I was mostly just concerned with figuring out what was up with Celeste and Flat Finn and real Finn and Matt.  I liked Matt right from the start, but I was surprised that I fell for the whole love triangle thing.  Usually I have a clear and distinct favorite when it comes to love triangle in books, thus really undermining the angst that the author intends (or else, I end up hating the book because “my guy” doesn’t get chosen.) However, I really liked Matt and Finn and even Flat Finn equally (okay, well, I did sort of like Matt and real Finn a teeny tiny bit more that Flat Finn because…well because they didn’t disappear when turned sideways.)  My favorite scene that I had actually forgotten about until the second re-listen is when our snarky little protag gets herself stuck in the elevator.  I do not want to give anything away, but WOW! What can I say? I am a sucker for a guy who is good with his…. er….words. (Truly! Gimme a man with good diction over muscles any day. )  Any yes, I called the main character “snarky.” I did like Julie, but she often times came off as pushy and a little stuck up.  Read Rachel from Glee Club and you basically have Julie. Interestingly enough, the author openly admits to being a “Gleek” and I do believe I see the influences in the book: Julie is from a small town in Ohio and moves to the big city, and of course Finn’s name. I love Glee and I loved Flat Out Love! I recommend this book to readers who liked Easy by Tammara Webber or Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker.

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