Review: Heavy on fun, low on OTT drama.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 4, 2013
The Art of Letting Go is exactly the type of NA book that I love. It’s not over dramatic; there is no over the top story line such as half your family being killed and the other half suffering some awful trauma. None of that crazy stuff that so many NA books are full of. Instead it’s fun story about going to college and starting again.My Recap :Lilah aged twenty-five realises she hates her life, her fiancée and her job. So at the drop of a hat, she packs it all in, packs up her bags and enrols in university. This book follows her first year at college and the many ups and downs along the way. She gives herself 4 rules; no alcohol, no cigarettes, no boys and no going home. That’s going to work, right?My Thoughts :If I could find one word to sum this book up, it would be fun. Crazy, light-hearted fun with loveable characters. Lilah is impulsive, a little bit crazy (in a good way!) and ready to start living her life. I was really impressed with her running away from her life and starting again in college until I found it was only 3 miles down the road. That made me laugh, maybe she wasn’t as impulsive as I though.In college, Lilah lives in a bubble. She blocks out her family, her previous job, her fiancée and even though she is older than her fellow students, she throws herself headfirst in to college life. And manages to throw back a vodka or ten at the same time. She likes to party, no doubt about that and at times I wondered was it excessive but in reality was nothing more than most of us have managed to cram in from time to time.Lila is older than most NA characters at 25 but she feels younger at times. By going back to college and hanging around with a younger set, she paradoxically grows up more than she ever managed in her grown up job. She tackles her studies with a certain lack of dedication and for all those who have been known to procrastinate about studying; you will recognise those studying detours that are far more important in the moment. Such as the toast test, where you spend hours experimenting how long it takes to make the perfect slice of toast.So yes, I loved Lilah and her sense of humour and fun. So she needs a strong male mc to match up to her and I don’t mean John her clueless fiancée. Fear not, we have the lovely Ben who is more than capable of stepping up to the plate. Ben is a musician (always a good starting point!); hotter than hot and even better, he is a good guy. Perfect! Their romance has its rocky points but I’m always cheering for them. And there is the swooniest date ever to be enjoyed – I’ll give you a hint (champagne, baguettes, brie, strawberries, chocolate, a park in springtime bloom) – nice. If my husband is reading, feel free to take notes Tom!Set in London, this book has a very English feel to it and is fun of ‘British humour and charm’. That is a quote from the book synopsis but I have to use it as it’s true and really captures the essence of the book. A huge highlight of the book is the strength of the friendships. I feel it really captured how quickly college friendships are made and how quickly your new friends become your rock to cling to in good times and in bad.If I have any criticism of the book, it is Lilah’s parents. They seem to go hot and cold and it felt hard for me to believe that Lilah can go from ignoring her mother to pouring her heart out to her. That part just didn’t really sit right with me.The book is counting down towards an event and as you get closer to the date, it feels like a ticking clock and I was anxiously flipping pages hoping and hoping for where I wanted this story to go. Did it go there, sorry, spoiler free zone! I will say it has me screaming for book 2 ASAP.Who should read The Art of Letting Go?Highly recommended for all those who enjoy NA books that are heavy on fun and low on the over-the-top-drama. If you enjoyed books like Bridget Jones Diary then I think you would really enjoy this one as well.See this and more reviews on [...]