⭐️ Book Review ⭐ Meet Me At The Lake Author: Carley Fortune Book Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ I was a big fan, like so many, of Fortune’s debut novel, Every Summer After. I found that book had depth, heart and pace, which is the perfect combo for me when I look for a contemporary romance. Sophomore novels can be tricky. Do you write more of the same? Do you switch up your style? Do you take more risks as an author? I think Fortune was trying to add more depth but fell into shallow water. If you read her “Behind the Book” essay she states she was suffering from postpartum OCD after the birth of her second child while writing this book. She wanted to write about mental health struggles, in particular intrusive thoughts. I applaud her for her intentions, but I didn’t find the execution to be successful. Will was supposed to be the character that struggled mentally. Yes it was clear that he had anxiety, but the writing never went deep with him. I think in order to do that narrative justice this book would’ve needed alternate POVs vs. timelines. I think Fortune got too stuck on trying to replicate the structure from her first book and did a disservice to her characters. ALSO, the love story was kinda boring?? It felt like a bad ripoff of Richard Linklater’s series Before Sunrise. I don’t doubt that two people can develop a strong connection over 24 hours but Fern and Will’s lame tour of Toronto did not have me swooning. Seriously, Sneaky Dee nachos??? This tour of my backyard was a bit painful to read. The heat was mild. I’m sorry, but “thumb stuff” just sucked any moisture out of these pages. I think Fortune needs to stop sitting on the dock and dive in!

Posted by Bettys Book Club at 2023-05-31 12:34:36 UTC