Tuesday, January 31, 2017

BLOG TOUR: Text 2 Lovers by K Webster and J.D. Hollyfield

 Publication Date: January 24, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romantic Comedy

~Blurb~
It’s the start of nothing good.
I fired off a storm of raunchy text messages…to the wrong number.
And he replied.
Him: Show me a picture.
Him: Tell me your name.
Why does the lure of anonymity have me craving to indulge a stranger?

It’s the start of everything right.
I received a slew of text messages…when everything in my life was wrong.
And she made me laugh again.
Her: You’re probably a creeper.
Her: Possibly a stalker.
Why do I have the overwhelming need to find this stranger who saved me and make her mine?

Him: Take a chance with me.
Her: This is crazy.
Him: I need to see you.
Her: What are we doing?
Him: We’re about to find out.

Her: PHOTO ATTACHED
Him: PHOTO ATTACHED
~Book Review~
1.5 Hot Mess Stars 

The premise for this sounded cute and fun, and the reviews I saw said it was too. So I was looking forward to starting this read, and then I got a few pages into it...

I probably should have heeded my gut instinct to bail. Right off the bat, I didn’t care for the heroine, Dani, 25— no self confidence, no self esteem, no backbone, and scammed by her ex-boyfriend. I really have no patience for meek doormat leading ladies. Dani’s BFF Andie was equally annoying, if not more so, except in the complete opposite way. Loud, crass, obnoxious, physically abusive, and quite possibly mentally unhinged, she didn’t appeal to me either. But our hero Ram, 30, entered the picture and he seemed more promising.

Aside from a moment where I had to shake my head trying to figure out why Ram thought Dani quoting The Princess Bride affirmed they were from the same generation, (continuity error alert: Dani wasn’t even born when it came out) his chapters gave me some hope. And the story did pick up as Dani and Ram started corresponding and getting to know each other. It seemed like it might be headed in the right direction. But then several scenes were recapped rather than transpire in present chronological order. That threw off the flow a bit. But that wasn’t anything compared to how bad the story and the writing went off the rails around half way through.

The major theme of this book should be immaturity! Because that’s what dominates the plot and the characters. Had I been reading young adult, I surely would have cut it some slack. But these people are in their mid twenties to mid thirties and yet most of them behave like bratty, hormonal, preteens. Dani’s friend Andi and Ram’s older brother contributed greatly to this tone. And their presence in several of these scenes felt forced and contrived. Why would two grown adults need to bring their sibling and friend along on their dates? The only answer I could come up with was to force farcical drama into the story. Oh and to set up the next book, which I wouldn’t dream of considering, especially if it goes like this one…
  • H’s brother & h’s best friend throw insults at each other like fourth graders 
  • H’s brother & h’s best friend have sex??? 
  • Silly fight between H&h 
  • H & h have sex 
  • H’s brother & h’s best friend throw insults at each other like fourth graders 
  • H’s brother & h’s best friend have sex??? 
  • H & h have anal sex 
  • H & h have unprotected sex 
“Sure, we’re being irresponsible, but apparently she doesn’t care either. You don’t sleep with someone without birth control unless you love them.”
*taps on mic* NO! You don’t sleep with someone without birth control simply because you think you love them. I’m so tired of reading about heroes who belive impregnating the girl is a measure of their love or their claim to that person. Having a child is a huge responsibility. Unless you’ve both had an adult conversation about actively wanting to raise a child right now and you have the means to provide for that child, irresponsible sex shouldn’t be happening. Ram has no solid job, Dani can’t even say ‘I love you’ back, and neither of them have a place of their own. These two are not solid enough to become parents as evident by what happens next…
  • OW drama—the clichéd psycho ex-girlfriend kind that leads to clichéd misunderstandings 
  • H’s brother & h’s best friend have sex??? 
  • Dani blows off work (not that she ever seems to put in a full day with her full attention) 
  • Ram gets drunk and returns to his depression 
This is where I should probably note that mental health and depression are not a joke, but both the way it’s handled throughout the story and the way Dani handles a person who she knows has suffered with it is beyond a disservice to the mental health community. It shouldn’t be tossed around so lightly in a plot that’s labeled a rom-com even if it’s really a melodrama.

By the last few chapters, I was worn out with the whole thing (especially all the “cunt” and “bitch” talk) and getting chapters by Andi and Roman didn’t help. In fact, the epilogue isn’t even by Ram and Dani; it’s a total (ridiculous) set up for the next book.

My recommendation: There are lots of other true rom-coms out there in the current market. For a cute story and a good laugh, try one of them instead.

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K Webster is the author of dozens romance books in many different genres including contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, and erotic romance. When not spending time with her husband of twelve years and two adorable children, she’s active on social media connecting with her readers.

Her other passions besides writing include reading and graphic design. K can always be found in front of her computer chasing her next idea and taking action. She looks forward to the day when she will see one of her titles on the big screen.

You can easily find K Webster on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads!
J.D. Hollyfield is a creative designer and first-time author. When she’s not cooking, event planning, or playing around with her husband, son and three doxies, she’s relaxing with her nose in a book. With her love for romance, and her head full of book boyfriends, she was inspired to test her creative abilities and bring her own story to life. Life in a Rut, Love not Included is her first novel. Hollyfield lives in the Midwest, and is currently at work on her next book.

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