Fangirl: A Novel by Rainbow Rowell

The Blurb On The Back:

Cath and Wren are identical twins and until recently they did absolutely everything together. Now they’re off to university and Wren’s decided she doesn’t want to be one half of a pair any more – she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It’s not so easy for Cath. She would rather bury herself in the fanfiction she writes where there’s romance far more intense than anything she’s experienced in real life.

Now Cath has to decide whether she’s ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences, and she’s realizing that there’s more to learn about love than she ever thought possible …

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Rainbow Rowell’s YA/new adult novel is a breezy romance that touches on the world of fanfic and the difficulties of the college experience. Rowell’s easy writing style kept me turning the pages and while she’s spot on about some aspects of fandom (e.g. the instant gratification that comes from writing fanfic and the sense of companionship), I also thought that she missed a number of opportunities to examine it in depth (especially Cath’s difficulties in adapting to writing original fiction). The romance element is sweet enough but it’s obvious which way it’s going to go (with the male love interest veering towards being a fanfic perfect boyfriend) and Cath is rewarded for her passivity. I also didn’t see the point of including great swathes of fanfic about a book that doesn’t exist as it slowed the pace. That said, it’s an enjoyable enough read that’s likely to charm romance fans and I’ll definitely check out Rowell’s other work.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

The Blurb On The Back:

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. It has been for a while. She still loves her husband, Neal, and he still loves her, but that almost seems beside the point now.

Just before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family for Christmas, Georgie tells him that she can’t go. Something’s come up at work. She knows that Neal will be upset – but she doesn’t expect him to pack up the kids and go without her. Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given the chance to fix her marriage before it starts.

But is that what she’s supposed to do?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Having enjoyed Rainbow Rowell’s YA fiction, I was keen to try her ‘grown-up’ fiction. Unfortunately this romance is a troubling read about a marriage in trouble due to a husband’s unhappiness with his decisions but where it’s up to the wife to save it. Georgie’s refusal to confront Neal about this really annoyed me, especially as Neal is such a passive aggressive jerk that I wondered what Georgie ever saw in him. Coupled with this are a couple of overly cutesy kids and a supposedly madcap ending that only highlights Georgie’s uselessness. Ultimately, much as I wanted to I couldn’t enjoy this book and while I’ll check out Rowell’s YA books I think I’ll give her grown up fiction a miss.

LANDLINE was released in the United Kingdom on 3rd July 2014. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the ARC of this book.