Review: Lots of Potential, But...2.5 stars Rounded Up
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 11, 2013
Based on the description of this book, it sounded great.  The reality is, I liked the beginning and I liked the ending.  In between, however, I found it to be incredibly drawn-out!  I am a voracious reader; if I can't find anything better to read, I'll read mail flyers, cereal boxes, whatever.  So when I found myself skimming, skimming, skimming over extraneous passages that did nothing to further the story (or seemed to be more of what I'd already read), I realized this book could have been about half the length it was and been really good.What I did like about this book was watching Tim's character grow.  No spoiler alert, because that could go either direction, but I felt he grew up and grew into a realization of himself, his worth, his talent and so on.  Tim's development was actually my favorite part of the book.Again, no spoiler alert, but I did like the ending, as well.  It wrapped up nicely in the final chapter and epilogue.  (NOTE:  Even the final chapter, however, was much longer than it needed to be.)What I didn't like about this book -- well, there were a couple of things.  I found Lisa's character to be over-the-top crass and trashy; I never warmed up to her at all, with her one-night stands and sexual escapades.  I didn't like Katie's forays into sex (or almost-sex) with the butcher and her neighbor; she was still heartbroken and in love with Tim and this is how she behaves?  The reference is made to the fact that she "has needs", but come on; is she an animal with no self-control?  It just lowered her character in my eyes.  Tim's behavior with Julie can be understood due to his drinking, and that character I already mentioned; not excused, mind you, but understood.On a personal note, I didn't appreciate what I considered to be degrading and insulting references to Americans and the USA.  Yes, we speak differently than people in London.  We are not, however, a bunch of inarticulate idiots, and we do spend a lot of money on reading material.  Best not to insult a huge portion of your reading audience.  If it had only been one reference, I might have overlooked it; it wasn't, though, and I found it extremely off-putting.  So much so that I'd not recommend this to my American friends.