Flat-Out Love

I truly cannot stand bashing any author because I truly respect all that goes into their process and absolutely respect their dedication... however, I was so disappointed by this book. I ordered it based on other's reviews. I was trying to find a new author that would intrigue me. I felt the author was sooooo overtly trying to make the banter between Julie and Matt intelligent and geeky funny that I truly wanted to just toss the book across the room. It was too posed, too coy and I just couldn't stand it!!! I didn't like Julie and I really didn't like Matt and I didn't like Matt's non-family and his weird-o sis. I saw the ending coming and it was just blah. I think the originality of the concept could have been as good as a "Running with Scissors", but the nerdy, geeky stupid intelligent prose was just frustrating!

I bought this book based on the 154 positive reviews I saw via Amazon, and I regretted it almost instantly. The main character, Julie, is a typical self-involved teenager. She views life as nothing more than what people think of her, how she looks, and who she's with. She treats Celeste, the mentally distraught thirteen-year-old, like a living Barbie; dressing her up, putting makeup on her, telling her how to act, and Julie treats Matt with equal idiocy, ragging on him about his tee-shirts that are apparently too geeky for Julie. Then she inserts herself into the family dynamic and tries to "fix" it as she sees fit. Does this pseudo-heroine have no respect for the lives of others? Apparently not. And of course, the oldest son, Finn, is so stereotypical that as a handsome protagonist, he must fit this role, thus making him incredibly boring and two-dimensional. The book is predictable, flat, and boring. Save your money.

I too got hoodwinked into purchasing this book based on the reviews. The characters were unbelievable and unlikable. Overall, it was boring, unsophisticated and read more like a high school creative writing assignment.

I normally don't write reviews. The book as to be really really good or really really bad for me to enter a review. This book was really really good. The characters were fun and quirky. The dialog was snappy. The story had me engaged and emotionally invested. I was very happy to see a book labeled Young Adult Fiction that didn't insult the readers intelligence, didn't talk down to the reader, didn't try to push a hidden agenda and doesn't involve Vampires (sparkly or otherwise).

I am slightly confused how I managed to pay only $1.99 for this book? When I finished the book, blew my nose (I admit, the ending had me in tears) and powered down my Kindle, I acknowledged that I would have paid significantly more than $1.99 for this book. Lately my favorite authors, the ones that the publishing house feels necessary to charge full price for a non-print format have not been bringing the quality of writing and unique storytelling that Jessica Park brought in Flat Out Love.

I hope to see more of this author's work in the future. If you're on the fence about purchasing this book... flat out buy it.

you could.

dont lie.

i read the first five pages. i did.

i would rather barf than read this book.

its exactly what you think it is...told by exactly who you think she is.

acorns and you are welcome.

I also don't normally write reviews but had to for this delightful YA book. Don't let the YA fool you though. It is so thoughtfully written that young and old will be able to keep up and will fall in love with all the characters that have been brought to life. I myself am a huge fan of young adult novels but have noticed an increasing trend toward vain, wispy woman characters and there is none of that with Julie. She's confident, smart, and has a vocabulary that will knock your socks off. This is the perfect book to cozy up with over the holidays and I am officially a Jessica Park fan for life now...

I can't believe I put off reading this book for almost a year. I got it for my Kindle, which I normally only have time to read during my kids' sports practices. This one, once I started reading, had me taking out the Kindle everywhere I went, and sighing with exasperation when people wanted to talk to me.

I just read someone else's review who said they felt a connection with the characters and wanted to know what happened to them after the book ends. I agree! I'm ready to read the next installment in the life of Julie and her friends and family. I want to know how Celeste does in high school, and how Julie's sophomore year of college goes, and how her relationship with her father develops ... (No, these are not spoilers).

This was incredibly well-written and placed me directly in the characters' shoes. I could see what they saw, feel what they felt. I literally did laugh and cry.

Read it, and you also will be begging for another!

Very pleasantly surprised! I didn't know what to expect but loved the characters, plot development, and price of this novel.

I have been so bored with reading lately, but that all changed with this story. It was impossible to put down this unique, heartwarming romance. I never give five stars, but this one earned it!

Loved this book, sad when it was over. Would love to find out what happens with Julie and Matt's relationship! What this family goes through is gut wrenching! Loved every page of this book! An amazing read!