Review: Driven by Character Issues
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 22, 2014
Review copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for review on my blog; from which this is adapted. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own except as noted.When I first started this book I had a hard time warming up to it. A lot is held back but then slowly revealed. I warmed up to it quite a bit. Once that happens the story moves along and the characters become more comprehensible and sympathetic.The two love interests and main characters are each struggling with issues that have themselves added to the problems they have to overcome.  These issues drive the story.I felt Cara was sympathetic because her basic issues and their arising complications remind me of similar issues in my life.Not feeling as if she belonged in her family due to her differences mirrors how I feel about mine. So, yeah I get Cara.The relationship develops pretty slowly and the resulting hook ups are sporadic, and vanilla, as Cara discovers a new side to relationships. The sexual activity mirrors the development of the relationship.  This makes the story slow down a bit, and sometimes it dwells a little in sentimentality or Cara’s major issue, or Shane’s. I like slow food, but slow books tend to lose me.Speaking of food, for the centrality of food to the story, I did not feel there’s was enough about it in the story, specifically the sensual aspect of the fine restaurant experience.Another issue, for me anyway, was a reliance on cultural stereotypes. There’s nothing mean intended but it is there.Overall though the story is pretty interesting, just a little slow. I was occasionally restless during reading it. Good read for the beach, or on a vacation.