TRUTH- Jessica Park wrote my favorite book of all time! “Flat Out Love” is hilarious, quirky and endearing. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve badgered into reading it. When I saw that Jessica wrote another book I was overjoyed! Best.News.Ever.
Allison is a junior in college. She grew up as a victim of the foster care system. After being shuffled from house to house she now has problems relating to people, interacting and in general being “normal” (or what she considers what normal behavior should be). She was adopted at 16 by Simon who is fabulous, fashionable, compassionate and just so happens to be homosexual. (Honestly- he sounds like your idea parent. Allows her space while still making her feel loved and supported.) Please know that I truly, truly tried to immerse myself in this book and it’s characters. I just could not relate to Allison and in fact grew to dislike her. She has a committed adoptive father, loyal best friend and the tools to make something going of herself. She’s at college getting great grades, frequently receives care packages from her loving father and I have to admit I’m disappointed that she wasn’t taking a more proactive approach to healing. Allison frequently grouses that she wished things were different yet remains isolated instead of pushing herself out of her comfort zone. Lord knows I love strong female characters who overcome their troubled past. Allison had all the ingredients to do exactly that. Instead she fell flat as a character (pun aimed at Jessica Park’s previous book). As a reader I found myself less and less interested Allison’s character and what would happen in the story. DNF