Review: Its ok. But nothing special.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 05 24, 2014
I have to admit, I was really curious about the book and the story. In the last couple of months I only read books and stories by female authors and I was excited about my first romance novel by a man. I wanted to know if and which differences and similarities there are. But unfortunately, Hildreth disappointed me a little and I know that my disappointment is totally unfair. Somehow I applied double standards and accepted more. I have to apologize for it but can't change how I feel. Apart from that I always expect more from all authors I read.His story isn’t extraordinary. It's a simple story about two people, who don’t believe in love, don’t want to commit to other people but meet each other, spend time together and change slowly their mindset and behavior patterns. “Baby Girl” proves why single storylines are easily boring. Nothing spectacular happens. The first book of the trilogy ends when it gets interesting but didn’t get me hooked on the second book.The story is written in Kelli's and Erik's first-person narratives. It starts with Erik's perspective when he sees her for the first time and continues with Kelli's perspective some time earlier when she meets Erik for the first time at the bar. Their POV change irregular. Some chapters before the ending the narrative of Kelli's father Gene is introduced. I really liked that new aspect. It is my first book where the perspectives of minor characters are implemented. Like other authors Hildreth uses the change of perspective as chapter titles.Hildreth's writing style isn’t bad. His characters describe the environments and their thoughts very detailed, detailed enough to picture the plot but he neglects the character's emotions. I avow that Hildreth's characters are more focused on their thoughts, Kelli and Eric are both very top-heavy, but their explanations about their mindset and the reasons for their behavior are too rational, too extensive and too unstructured. I had the feeling that Kelli and Erik often repeat themselves and like the sound of their own voices. For example, Kelli asks Erik a simple question and he gives a lecture on the issue. I know it is part of their personalities but sometimes less is more. Hildreth should structure the explanations and allow his characters to feel more because their mindsets about love and relationships are based on hurt feelings.I had to smile when Hildreth praises his own book through his characters. It is a great sales strategy because the reader wants to know about what Kelli and Erik are talking when they talk about Hildreth's “Broken”.