Do you ever wonder if you're just broken when you don't like a book that has been hyped? I'm feeling this today.
This year I have DNF'd FOUR books so far. Three of them came highly recommend from multiple book groups and friends that are bookish like me. To say I was disappointed is an understatement.
Then, there are those books I liked well enough, but they didn't hit me with the 5 star feels. People shouting from the rooftops these books must be read, they are the most favorite of stories and the best books ever. But they just didn't give me that feeling.
All this said, it makes me feel like there's something just a touch wrong with me. I didn't love that book but everyone else did. That book made people sob but I never shed a tear. That book tore someone apart but my heart was just fine.
Then I think about it and realize not ever book is for everyone and that's OK!
Here's a look at a few of the books I just didn't understand the hype for and my explanation of why they turned out to not be for me.
Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan
This one was all over every one of my book groups. Multiple posts with hundreds of comments about how great it is. How it broke them. How everyone must read it. I even had a close friend who tends towards similar likes as me as far as genre and books are concerned tell me it was one of her favorites ever. I started on audio and though perhaps it was the narrator so I switched to Kindle, and I still could not for the life of me figure out the hype. I hated both characters and they had almost no development. I didn't understand their connection, which happened immediately (cannot stand insta-love). And I just could not see starting to like it any better as it was totally unrealistic to me. I DNF'd at 30%.
Empire of the Vampire (Empire of the Vampire #1) by Jay Kristoff
They hype for this series, and all of Jay Kristoff's books, is off the charts. I mean, the premise sounded amazing. I loved the synopsis so I picked it up and hoped it was good, because this book is LONG. Then I started reading, and I can 100% say I didn't like it because of the format. The book is an interview of the main character. So he's basically telling his story through someone else and I just could not get into it. I though perhaps it would transition into a different kind of narration, but it did not. I even asked in my book groups if it did and many commented to push through, it's fantastic, keep going. But I just could not bring myself to like it and DNF'd at 13%.
Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann
Where to even go with this one. I knew the premise going in. I knew it was dark and had lot of triggers (FYI I don't have triggers so I read just about anything). And the hype, oh the hype! So much promise and POOF it just fizzled for me. It was not the story, per se, though I did have issues with the relationship based on both characters' pasts. But the way the story progressed and the writing were. I felt like it needed much more editing. I will say, I did listen to this on audio, so perhaps it was the narrator? Maybe if I read it in print it may have been different? That's definitely a topic for another time and perhaps I'll go back for that some day. Though there are so many other books I will love out there, I hate to waste my time on those I won't. DNF'd at 28%.
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
This one had major promise. I love a good sports love story. And I'd heard good tings about this author (plus she came recommended based on the authors I normally read and love). So I dove in head first and prayed it was a good one. I will say it was cute, but I just didn't see the hype. I wanted a story that pulled me in and made me feel something for the characters and I honestly just didn't. I did push myself to finish it and it was cute. But the characters were immature for their ages and SO MUCH CHEESE. I ended up giving it 3/5 stars.
The Off Limits Rule (It Happened in Nashville #1) by Sarah Adams
Here's me thinking perhaps it was just that one book and things would get better. I mean, this author just keeps getting recommended to me based on what I read so let's give her another shot. Nope. I think, perhaps, this author may just not be for me because I ended up DNFing this beauty at 4%!
This all being said, my opinions are my opinions and what I like might be totally different from what others do! What are some books you went into thinking you'd adore because of all the hype but did not live up to your expectations?
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