Published by Dutton Children's (4.14.2011)
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Format: Paperback, 323 pages
Source: I own it
Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.
Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.
When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories.
By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself. What would he say...?
My thoughts
This was my first Rainbow Rowell book! And I have to say I do see the appeal. This book was pretty adorable! It’s pure fluff, which isn’t something I would typically pick up, but I did enjoy it. It won’t make it to my favorites, and isn’t something that will necessarily stick with me, but it was a cute and fun read.
The idea is kind of creepy, but somehow it worked. It was the book version of one of those quirky romantic comedies where the couple meets in a way that couples rarely (or never) meet in real life. But it was freaking adorable!
At first, I was kind of bored. I mean, it’s just emails between Beth and Jennifer and it’s mundane, everyday stuff. Snoresville. The writing didn’t stand out very much to me, either. I had trouble getting into it.
But then, Beth sees Lincoln for the first time (without knowing who he was), and I found myself cheering for them. I realized I was invested, without really knowing when it happened. I wanted Beth and Lincoln to meet. And get together.
It was pretty adorable that Lincoln only thought about Beth, despite never actually meeting her. He got excited when she noticed him, and when she got jealous (which was adorable too, that she was jealous without even realizing it).
The plot sounds kind of silly – how can a romance blossom from two people that have never even met? But like I said, it worked. Rowell pulls it off in a way that manages to be endearing and totally not creepy (even though it is pretty creepy).
I thought this book was YA for some reason, and as it turns out it’s labeled Adult. But it’s really got a New Adult feel to it. Jennifer and Beth are in their late 20’s, and talk about marriage and babies. I actually connected better to them because of that, I think. I’m 27, and I related to Beth a lot because she felt like her time was running out. She felt pressured to hurry up and get married and have kids before she turned 35.
The characters and relationships in this book felt very real. Especially the relationships. Rowell really captured what dating is like. It can be scary and messy, it’s difficult, and sometimes it just plain sucks. I really felt for Lincoln, and Beth, and even Jennifer for what they were going through (or had been through) in their relationships.
It did really bother me that Beth was looking and thinking about other guys while she was with someone. I know her relationship wasn’t perfect, but if you truly love someone, you wouldn’t be thinking about other people the way she was thinking about Lincoln. I mean, she referred to him as “My Cute Guy,” stalked followed him, and flirted with him. If she wanted someone else, she should have ended things with her boyfriend. I didn’t like that.
I can definitely see what the fuss over this book is about, though, and I would surely recommend to fans of romance and contemporary!
Favorite Quote
“I’d know you in the dark. From a thousand miles away. There’s nothing you could become that I haven’t already fallen in love with.”
Overall Assessment
Plot: 3.5/5
Premise: 5/5
Writing style: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 4/5
Feels: 4/5
Cover: 2.5/5
Overall rating: 4/5
I just read this one too. While I did love it, I loved Eleanor and Perk more. So if you loved this one, you will love her other stuff for sure.
I haven’t read this author’s books before. From your review, I should start with a different book of hers though–I’m thinking the “fluff” beginning would turn me off as well as the thinking about other guys part. Maybe I’ll check out Eleanor and Park.