Alex, Approximately
Bailey has a pen pal that she chats with on an old-movie fan-site, but they don't know each other's names/personal details. When she decides to move across the country to the exact town as "Alex", she decides not to tell him-- better to try and find him herself and scope out the situation before signing up for something awkward!But then she starts working at a local museum and becomes equal parts irritated and intrigued by the security guard, Porter. As her and Porter get closer, her and "Alex" drift. The lines blur and she can't decide if she should take a real-life chance with Porter, or stay in the safe online world with "Alex"-- except that Alex and Porter ARE the same person. So....
I heard that this was an updated take on You've Got Mail (you know the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan movie about AOL emails?)-- and it totally was!!
My favorite part was the setting. Somehow the author made this touristy California town feel small and homey. It was a cool place for a romance-- beachy and lots of cute things to do. I also liked where Bailey and Porter worked. It was this super odd museum that I wish I could visit!!
Maybe I'm out of my YA Contemporary Romance phase though because while this had all the makings of a favorite, I still found myself not feeling the vibes. I wanted to like Bailey-- but she's one of those girls who TELLS you she likes to fly under the radar (she calls herself the Artful Dodger), then DOES anything but that. I just didn't buy that she didn't like the attention.
Porter on the other hand, I did like. He's the son of a famous surfer who can be comfortable in any situation. He's the type of person I read about and I wish I was more like. I would love to be able to say all the right/funny things when I get around people, but I'm pretty sure that life is NOT in my future (if I haven't figured out how to do it yet, I don't think it's in the stars for me).
Even though I didn't personally love it, I totally recommend it to my romantics. It's adorably cute with some edge to it. I don't want to spoil the book by telling you what the edge is-- but there are some serious issues that come about and some serious sexy times too!
Bonus Points for the movie quotes at the beginning of each chapter that actually related to events that take place IN the chapter-- and using a Clueless quote will get me EVERY TIME!
OVERALL: Cute with an awesome beachy setting. I really liked Porter, but didn't exactly click with Bailey. I felt like the book was a little LONGGGGG for the events that actually happened. Could we maybe edit out 100 pages??
Date Published: 4/4/2017
How I got this book: ANDI lent it to me-- because she rocks
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Add it to your To-Read List!!
My Rating: 3.5/5
Character: Bailey RydellBook: After the Woods by Kim Savage
- Bailey goes through a traumatic event and definitely has some leftover PTSD from the experience. I think she could really relate to Julia's ongoing struggle in After the Woods.
I really loved this one! I totally get what you mean about it feeling a bit long- especially since we knew who Porter really was and it took a while for Bailey and him to figure it out. But otherwise I loved Bailey's character and how her fashion sense was reminiscent of old film stars, Porter was just so swoony and I adored the museum setting. I felt like Jenn Bennett covered so much in this book and it really worked for me.
ReplyDeleteHer fashion was cool-- I just didn't know if I felt like it fit with her personality?? IDK, something was off about Bailey for me. But I did think the book was well done for the most part! Glad you loved it!
DeleteSorry to hear that this one didn't completely work for you. I really love the idea of a new take on You've Got Mail, so I will probably have to check this one out for myself one day. Hope you enjoy your next read more!
ReplyDeleteIt was a cute idea!! I hope you do try it, it seems like more people really liked it than those of us who were like meh.
DeleteI feel like I have seen mixed reviews - some loved it some were eh. I loved her last books so I will definitely try it. I hate when contemporaries feel too long. There is no need for that!!! Great review!!
ReplyDeleteYeah longness is hard for me. Especially when it's not super exciting. No need to go on and on when we're just going over the same info. I really do think you would like this book though!!
DeleteHi! This is on my TBR list. I definitely am not a fan of books that are too long. I actually thought All the Bright Places was too long- even though I enjoyed it. I'll have to read this for Porter, though, because it is also my dream to be able to say all the right and clever things at the proper moment! :)
ReplyDeleteLeslie
UGHHH if only I could say all the right things and feel comfortable around new people. I am super jealous of Porter for sure!!
DeleteI bought this right away. I absolutely loved Night Owls by her so I was dying to read this one. I hope I'll enjoy it a bit more than you did, though. :D
ReplyDeleteI never read Night Owls, but it does sound good!! You probably will like Alex, Approx-- I'm usually the weird one on stuff like this.
DeleteI adored this book, gave it 5 stars, and added it to my favorites shelf. It just hit all the right notes for me. I LOVE old movies, so all those quotes and references were a total plus for me. So cute, and fun, and I love Bennett's style. I will definitely be reading more of her books.
ReplyDeleteSam @ WLABB
I liked her style too-- I think it was just Bailey that didn't work for me. I'm super happy that you loved it. It was a good book, there's no denying that. I think my romance days are numbered because I've been having a ROUGH time finding ones I like.
DeleteAHH, I'm so glad you read this, but slightly bummed this wasn't for you either. Certain parts of it annoyed me, too. Bailey took about 8 years to figure who Porter/Alex was, and he was upset over her using a screenname, like it was such a big deal? Also, still bummed the author didn't touch upon the Alex/Davy any further tbh. But I looooved the movie quotes.
ReplyDeleteThe movie quotes were super adorable. Also, I would have loved more Davy, less Bailey. I loved how conveniently neither Bailey nor Porter was the least bit shady when talking to Mink or Alex. Like really?? Right away they were both like TOTALLY honest about having new feelings for someone else? I feel like at least one of them would have played both sides like a normal person and waited to see which one worked out.
DeleteI loved this book but you're right, it did feel a tad long in spots. I ADORED the movie quotes!! And the setting was my favorite part too. I'm always so happy when a book takes a concept and does it well :)
ReplyDeleteSetting and quotes were PERFECTION!! Glad you loved it.
DeleteI am starting this one soon. I adore You Got Mail and I got this one because it was getting such good reviews. I am hoping I like it because I am struggling with YA so hopefully it will work for me.
ReplyDeleteYeah YA Contemp Romance is seriously hard for me right now. It's been a WHILE since I read one that really made me happy.
DeleteI'm sorry you didn't completely enjoy this one. I hope it works for me better. I loved her last book so my expectations are high.
ReplyDeleteSo many people loved this, so the odds are pretty good for you. Especially if you liked her last book! Enjoy!
DeleteTom Hanks and Meg Ryan will forever be the romantic pairing for me in Sleepless in Seattle and You've got Mail. I love those two movies, LOVE. I know you didn't like it too much, but gosh, your review made me smile so much!
ReplyDeleteAwww thank you!! Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are SO CUTE!! I miss movies like that. You would probably love this book, it's very fun-- I'm just in a weird reading mood right now I think.
DeleteI'm pretty excited to read this soon. The town sounds so wonderful. I love a good setting. I'm sorry you didn't love it, but this is a great review!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to see if you like it!!! It's totally likable, I just don't know why I can't read YA Romance anymore without getting annoyed!
DeleteThis sounds like a fluffy fun read! I reckon I'd have the same issues you did if I wasn't in the exactly the right mood to completely invest myself in it.
ReplyDeleteI'm SUCH a mood reader. I think I've just not been in the mood for YA Romance AT ALL lately!
DeleteI loved this one, but I have to admit that when I started it, I was very worried that Bailey was going to be more like Vivi from WHEN WE COLLIDED. There was the classic pinup vibe and they both had Vespas, but I ended up enjoying this one so much more. Sorry it wasn't exactly your cup of tea..
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