2.75 stars
I picked this book up because I saw someone compare it to Christina Lauren's books, which I'm a sucker for.

I didn't hate this book. It's fine. It was a light, quick read that I can see people enjoying. That being said, it isn't a new favorite.

I felt like the scenes became incredibly repetitive in the second half of the book, with the female protagonist, Emma, repeatedly trying to avoid our male protagonist because she couldn't put her big-girl panties on and use her words. And if there was a way that she could possibly misinterpret a situation, she would. It got to be a little much.

I actually liked Cooper, the love interest, even though he isn't the brightest bulb in the chandelier. He just doesn't get enough on-page time. There are several scenes between Emma and their friends Nick and Henry that could have included Cooper, but didn't. We find out after the fact about scenes that happen between Cooper and the other characters, but I would've liked to see it on the page. As it was, Cooper felt very disconnected from the rest of the group. I kept wishing I could get scenes from Cooper's POV, because being in Emma's neurotic headspace for the entire book was a little exhausting. I'm neurotic enough on my own. I think this would've been much stronger as a dual-perspective novel, and maybe in third-person rather than first.

There were some structural things that also got on my nerves. As I said, we spend a lot (A LOT) of time running around in Emma's head, with all of her thoughts. Most of the time, her inner dialogue is denoted with the use of italics. However, there are also many times where we get what I'm assuming to be a nugget of wisdom that is always preceded by "EMMA THOUGHT:" or "EMMA REMINDER:" It feels very forced, as if the author is attempting to create quirkiness in Emma that isn't actually there.

My other issue is that this book has too many things going on. Characters are introduced but not really fleshed out. I'm assuming that they will appear in later books (this is the first of a series of companion novels) but I'm not sure why they all needed to be introduced here. Also, the 'other woman' who Emma hates from college is a prominent part of the story, but only actually appears in a couple of scenes, and is hated by everyone who meets her, because of course they prefer our heroine. She is a caricature of the 'mean girl' archetype and served no real purpose other than to cause more anxiety and insecurity in Emma. Cooper's political rival is also ridiculous and unrealistic. I'm not sure exactly what purpose he served. All through the book, he shows only incompetence and disregard for the people in the town. So much so that it isn't any surprise whatsoever who wins the election. Then we find out a little piece of tacked-on information after the fact that would've been nice to see actually happen, rather than be told about it after the fact.

I found myself skimming the final quarter of the book or so, because I was so over her character. It was obvious that Cooper had feelings for her above friendship or a professional relationship, and her denial of it got so old. The last half of the book just got messier and messier as it went along.

When I started this review I had given this book three stars...during this review I've realized it isn't a 3-star book. I still don't hate it, but it definitely doesn't feel like a final draft. I don't think I'll continue with the series.