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Not Exactly a Love Story
by Audrey Couloumbis
Vinny Gold has bad luck. His crush moved away on Valentine's Day, his dog died and his parents announced they're getting a divorce. Oh, and he turned 15 and began to break out with terrible acne on his face.
I want to preface this review by saying I think I should've read this the year it came out because it really doesn't fit the current age. However, this book is pitched as "set in 1977", yet there's not anything implemented to keep reminding me that the characters are living in 1977 aside from the last 20 pages (the dance scene) and the music selections. No pop culture references whatsoever. Also, I probably wouldn't have known Vinny was calling the girl next door, Patsy on a rotary phone if it wasn't placed on the back of the cover (in my edition at least).
I really liked the premise of this book since it's some of my favorite tropes: anonymous romance, girl next door. This book reminded me of one of my favorite books, Paper Towns and the movie, A Cinderella Story featuring Hilary Duff - a classic - However, this book just fell flat for me. Vinny's only purpose throughout the book was his neighbor, Patsy - a girl he goes to school with- and anonymously calling her every night at midnight. He doesn't make friends, just gets bullied and his only "buddies" are his dad and his new step-dad. For a coming of age book or just a book set in high school, I felt like Vinny's storyline and character arc really lacked. But, I will say I understand if the author's intent for this was because of his age and he was really coming into himself.
Vinny talks a lot about his heritage and religious beliefs as he's Italian (from his mother's side) and Jewish on his biological father's side. But, as an Italian, I had a hard time believing Vinny was Italian because his mother is an awful cook, they say "spaghetti" instead of "pasta" and they don't really do many things that convience me they're Italian aside from their names.
I also felt like Vinny's parents divorce and his mother re-marrying was really quick and confusing. Overall, I feel like this book just needed more depth.
I want to preface this review by saying I think I should've read this the year it came out because it really doesn't fit the current age. However, this book is pitched as "set in 1977", yet there's not anything implemented to keep reminding me that the characters are living in 1977 aside from the last 20 pages (the dance scene) and the music selections. No pop culture references whatsoever. Also, I probably wouldn't have known Vinny was calling the girl next door, Patsy on a rotary phone if it wasn't placed on the back of the cover (in my edition at least).
I really liked the premise of this book since it's some of my favorite tropes: anonymous romance, girl next door. This book reminded me of one of my favorite books, Paper Towns and the movie, A Cinderella Story featuring Hilary Duff - a classic - However, this book just fell flat for me. Vinny's only purpose throughout the book was his neighbor, Patsy - a girl he goes to school with- and anonymously calling her every night at midnight. He doesn't make friends, just gets bullied and his only "buddies" are his dad and his new step-dad. For a coming of age book or just a book set in high school, I felt like Vinny's storyline and character arc really lacked. But, I will say I understand if the author's intent for this was because of his age and he was really coming into himself.
Vinny talks a lot about his heritage and religious beliefs as he's Italian (from his mother's side) and Jewish on his biological father's side. But, as an Italian, I had a hard time believing Vinny was Italian because his mother is an awful cook, they say "spaghetti" instead of "pasta" and they don't really do many things that convience me they're Italian aside from their names.
I also felt like Vinny's parents divorce and his mother re-marrying was really quick and confusing. Overall, I feel like this book just needed more depth.