So fantastic (and now I want more!)
I have heard so many good things about TJ Klune's adult novels so I had fairly high expectations going into this story. Somehow, each and every expectation I had was far surpassed. Characters I loved and wanted to root for? Check! A realistic look at the fandom/fanfic experience? Check! Cute, believable, developed relationship? Check! A plot that kept me invested and turning pages? Check!
Klune's characterization is strong, and I wanted to be part of this world so I could interact with each and every character. Every time I'd read a passage featuring a character I'd find myself saying "Oh this is my favorite character!" There is so much to be developed here with all of the different friendships, family relationships, and romantic relationships. Nick, Seth, Gibby, Jazz, Owen, Nick's dad, Cap, Owen's dad, Officer Rookie.... seriously I need more of all of these characters because they all had just enough backstory to pique my interest, but so many unanswered questions as well. Also, the way everyone interacted with each other just felt so real. The comfort between Nick and Seth was so obvious in the way they spoke to and about each other and the same was true for Nick and his dad.
Sometimes the first book in a series feels almost incomplete; so much time is set laying the groundwork for the series as a whole that the plot suffers. That was absolutely not the case too. While I was able to maybe connect some more of the dots than Nick was (and was happy to see that other characters did as well) there were still twists in the plot that I absolutely did not expect. That said, there was definitely a nice little collection of hints of where the story can go from here, that again make me beyond excited for more in this world.
I feel like I can't do this story justice because I just want to squeal and flail over it. Needless to say, I'm excited to read more from TJ Klune ASAP!
Klune's characterization is strong, and I wanted to be part of this world so I could interact with each and every character. Every time I'd read a passage featuring a character I'd find myself saying "Oh this is my favorite character!" There is so much to be developed here with all of the different friendships, family relationships, and romantic relationships. Nick, Seth, Gibby, Jazz, Owen, Nick's dad, Cap, Owen's dad, Officer Rookie.... seriously I need more of all of these characters because they all had just enough backstory to pique my interest, but so many unanswered questions as well. Also, the way everyone interacted with each other just felt so real. The comfort between Nick and Seth was so obvious in the way they spoke to and about each other and the same was true for Nick and his dad.
Sometimes the first book in a series feels almost incomplete; so much time is set laying the groundwork for the series as a whole that the plot suffers. That was absolutely not the case too. While I was able to maybe connect some more of the dots than Nick was (and was happy to see that other characters did as well) there were still twists in the plot that I absolutely did not expect. That said, there was definitely a nice little collection of hints of where the story can go from here, that again make me beyond excited for more in this world.
I feel like I can't do this story justice because I just want to squeal and flail over it. Needless to say, I'm excited to read more from TJ Klune ASAP!