![Holly Freakin' Hughes by [Kingsley, Kelsey]](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518llrbHcqL._SY346_.jpg)
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I will definitely be picking up others by this author as my few complaints were minor really.
I picked up this book for free on a recommendation on another authors fan group. The author is new-to-me and the book's description looked interesting. The reviews were pretty good and as I wanted a light, uplifting read I downloaded the book and started reading.
Kelsey Kingsley's writing flowed well and kept me interested. There were no "Wait! - What?" moments were things didn't make sense or errors jarred me out of the story. I read the book in one sitting, eager to see where Holly and Brandon end up.
Both of the main characters were like-able and the the author had me keen for their relationship to progress. There were quite a few moments were Brandon made me swoon. Definite book-boyfriend material, he was so romantic. Of the supporting cast, Esther stole the show. Loved her snark and I want her as my neighbour. I just love those quirky characters.
I only gave a 4 star rating rather than a 5 as I just couldn't see some of the situations as being realistic enough. The main characters are in their 30s but somehow felt much younger due to some of their behaviour and reactions.
***MINOR SPOILER ALERT***
I just couldn't see someone like Brandon being OK with the love of his life dating and having sex with another man without more anger and jealousy. It felt like, in order to maintain Brandon's really "good guy" character, the author failed to show his real emotions regarding the situation with Holly and Ben. I felt that the author could have explored that more to make it more realistic as we saw both character's points of view. Even if his actions didn't change his feelings about the situation could have been fleshed out and more realistic. Even really good guys get jealous and angry and his character seemed more two dimensional for lack of deeper emotion response to this situation. It also felt that Holly's reaction to Brandon's fame and his failure to disclose that to her was irrational and immature, especially after the declarations of love and intimacy immediately preceding it. Maybe it needed something else to add to her reason for being angry and hurt and for that level of blow up about it? I don't know. But that situation fell a bit flat for me.
Product Description
"People like you don't fall in love with people like me."
Meet Holly Hughes, a moderately successful teen advice columnist living in a studio apartment on the Upper East Side with her boyfriend Stephen. She has it all, but at the ripe age of thirty-one, she wants more. She wants to be married, she wants a family, and she's going to have it all with Stephen.
At least, that's what she thought, until Stephen announces he's gay, and the domino effect of unfortunate events begins. She soon finds herself unemployed, single, and living in her sister's house on Long Island, working as her niece's babysitter for less than minimum wage. She's pretty certain she's destined to live in the Land of Mediocrity forever.
And then, her niece runs face-first into a tall, handsome man at the bookstore.
***
Holly Freakin' Hughes is an HFN title about acceptance, feeling good enough, and the reality that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
NOTE: This book contains some strong language and sexual situations. Age discretion is advised.
Meet Holly Hughes, a moderately successful teen advice columnist living in a studio apartment on the Upper East Side with her boyfriend Stephen. She has it all, but at the ripe age of thirty-one, she wants more. She wants to be married, she wants a family, and she's going to have it all with Stephen.
At least, that's what she thought, until Stephen announces he's gay, and the domino effect of unfortunate events begins. She soon finds herself unemployed, single, and living in her sister's house on Long Island, working as her niece's babysitter for less than minimum wage. She's pretty certain she's destined to live in the Land of Mediocrity forever.
And then, her niece runs face-first into a tall, handsome man at the bookstore.
***
Holly Freakin' Hughes is an HFN title about acceptance, feeling good enough, and the reality that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
NOTE: This book contains some strong language and sexual situations. Age discretion is advised.
About the Author
Kelsey Kingsley grew up in the great state of New York, and still lives there with her family and a cat named Ethel. When she isn't writing her fingers to the bone, she enjoys a good (or bad) book, reruns of Frasier, ruining the lives of her Sims, and singing and dancing in the kitchen. She somehow survives off a diet of tea, doughnuts, and French fries. However, she hates cheese and listening to people chew. You've been warned.
