Book Review: Flirting Lessons by [Author’s Name]
I’ll be honest: it was the cover of Flirting Lessons that initially drew me in. Isn’t it stunning? 😍 With its vibrant colors and flirty energy reminiscent of Shall We Dance or Dirty Dancing, it promised a delightful romp into the world of romance. But as much as I adored its aesthetic appeal, I found myself grappling with the story itself, and it led to quite the reading rollercoaster!
The book unfolds in third-person dual POVs, taking us on a journey with Avery and Taylor. Avery, fresh out of a relationship, is nervously dipping her toes into the dating pool—but primarily with women. Enter Taylor, who’s on a self-imposed mission to resist romantic entanglements for the summer via a bet. Her solution? Offering Avery “flirting lessons” while attempting to keep things strictly platonic. It’s a setup filled with potential and charm, but unfortunately, it stumbled along the way.
As I settled into the story, I quickly found myself battling with the writing style. The jarring mid-page POV switches threw me off balance, making it hard to connect with either Avery or Taylor. I found myself confused about who was feeling what, and that made investing in their romance especially difficult. This confusion was compounded by a stilted writing style that felt more juvenile than I expected. For instance, lines like:
“Taylor was weirdly distracted by watching Avery and her partner. Why did that distract her so much? She had to focus.”
seemed to lack the fluidity and depth essential for a romantic narrative. It reminded me of the middle-school books that treat every sentiment as a plot point rather than subtlety woven into character interactions. If the story were told in first-person POV, I believe it could have brought a richer, funnier engagement with the characters and their dynamics.
Regarding the romance itself, I struggled to see beyond their physical attraction. While they certainly find each other hot, reasons that draw their hearts together felt absent. It was more like a series of observations about how pretty they thought each other was, with no deeper emotional connection. I found myself yearning for that spark, that explosive chemistry that speaks to the soul instead of just the eyes.
Character development also left much to be desired. Avery comes off as introverted and anxious, while Taylor is the epitome of the flirtatious free spirit. Unfortunately, without further nuances in their personalities, they risk becoming one-dimensional. All the characters seemed to share this verbose, overly chatty nature that began to blur their distinct identities.
Yet, as scathing as I may sound, there’s a sliver of silver lining. The book did offer some solid advice about meeting new people and flirting—valuable nuggets for introverts like me navigating the often scary waters of romance. I found myself reflecting on how much fun and laughter could have been infused into the narrative if it had leaned more into humor overall.
In summary, Flirting Lessons could be a delightful read for those who appreciate LGBTQ+ romance with a dose of flirtatious fun. However, I feel that it ultimately needs a significant rewrite to truly unlock its potential. There’s a gem buried beneath the surface that, once polished, could resonate deeply with readers looking for heartfelt connections and laughter.
If you’re after a steamy, playful romp through summer romance and don’t mind a few rough edges in the storytelling, this may still be your cup of tea. Despite my reservations, I’m grateful for the experience and the potential it ambitiously carried. Here’s hoping it finds its way to a more refined second draft.
Happy reading, everyone! 🌈