Story of My Life Book Review
🌸Story: This story is about a Romance Novelist moving from the City to a small town on a whim after seeing a picture from a news article and feeling inspired. While she’s there she has to get work done on her house and gets involved in the small town gossip. The A plot is her falling in love, B plot is writing a new novel and C plot is saving the town. It’s told in Dual first person perspective. It has good bones but has a lot going on. 4/5
🛠️Main Characters: Our Romance novelist is Hazel Hart, a recent divorcé who is struggling to write another book because she no longer feels like she can find the one. Her main character traits are: wild cherry pepsi, always sweaty from biking, nervous unless it’s inconvenient for the plot and book writing hard. She gets drunk and buys a house and has her friend/agent move in with her. Our MMC is Campbell Bishop whose family is struggling but owns a farm, general store and the only contracting company in town. His main personality traits are: always scowling, doing everything for everyone but is grouchy about it and having dated one of the main antagonists. I didn’t feel affection towards the characters because they came across as… from a different generation. They have chemistry and are a mostly believable couple. 4/5
🚲 Side Characters: My favorite side character that is getting his time in the spotlight is the mayor that’s in high school because of the town’s Bylaws. His best moments are: Catfishing Hazel using AI generated photos of the house on the listing, dressing as poop for a marathon and providing alcohol at community meetings to keep the peace. 5/5
🛏️Spice: There is smut. I wouldn’t call it overwhelming but there is a good amount. It’s well written but her saying “my editor would never let me describe -blank- as a simple word like big” took me out. I liked most of what was there but I couldn’t stay in it. 3/5
⛵️Drama: *new category alert* This book is dramatic, like everything is taken to the extreme. BUT that is reality in a small town. The small town was mostly realistic the only part they got wrong was there not being drama in the business that are left over cousin feuds. Or the store that’s always coming soon but never arrives. 5/5
🎼 Song: My Kink is Karma By Chappel Roan
🏡Overall: This was a fun read, not one that I will reread but I will be checking out the next book in the series. I feel like having a romance writer protagonist was fun but I didn’t like how she kept saying what was happening in romance novel terms. I also hated how she did a lot of telling and not showing. I could see this getting a Hallmark movie one day and I would love to see it. 4/5
💵 Where to read: It’s available on Kindle Unlimited, the Audiobook is $0.99 and you can get in paperback $15.19. I got it via my local library so check if it’s available at yours also check the Libby app
🏷️: #lemon8bookclub #lemon8challenge #bookwormsoflemon8 #romancebooks #lucyscorebooks
Okay, fellow bookworms! Since you're searching for a deeper dive into Lucy Score's 'Story of My Life' book review, I wanted to share my unfiltered thoughts beyond the initial summary. This 'Small Town Romance' has been on my radar, and after finishing it, I have some extra insights that might help you decide if it's your next read. First off, let's talk about the small-town setting and the drama. The original review mentioned how wonderfully dramatic everything was, and I couldn't agree more. What really struck me is how Lucy Score managed to weave in elements that felt genuinely chaotic and over-the-top, yet surprisingly fitting for a tight-knit community. For instance, the OCR mentioned an 'FWB contract' and the male lead 'threatens to beat up her Ex Husband' – these aren't just throwaway lines! They are integral to the messy, complicated fabric of small-town life where everyone knows everyone's business, and past relationships (and their drama!) always seem to linger. It gave the book a gritty realism that many contemporary romances sometimes lack, making the stakes feel higher and the gossip more delicious. Regarding Hazel Hart and Campbell Bishop, our main characters, I found their dynamic to be a slow burn with a lot of push and pull. The initial review touched on them feeling 'from a different generation,' and I think this stemmed from their communication styles and the almost old-fashioned tropes they embodied at times. Hazel's struggle as a romance novelist trying to find her inspiration again, coupled with Campbell's gruff, do-it-all persona, created a compelling friction. Their chemistry was definitely there, but it was often overshadowed by the surrounding chaos and their individual baggage. For those looking for characters who truly evolve and challenge their preconceived notions, this book offers a nuanced journey, especially as they navigate the 'FWB contract' mentioned on the cover – it's not as simple as it sounds! And yes, the spice! The review noted it was 'well written' but also pulled me out of the story at one point. I think this highlights a common challenge in romance: how to describe intimacy both vividly and naturally. While there's a good amount of explicit content, it sometimes felt like the prose was trying a little too hard, rather than letting the emotion speak for itself. However, if you enjoy a generous dose of physical intimacy woven into your small-town romance, 'Story of My Life' certainly delivers. It's not overwhelming, but it's definitely present and plays a role in the characters' developing relationship. Finally, a word on the unique elements. The high school mayor was an absolute riot and truly elevated the comedic relief, making the small town feel even more eccentric. And the mention of 'My Kink is Karma by Chappel Roan' in the OCR? It perfectly captures the book's vibe – a little bit sassy, a little bit dramatic, and undeniably catchy. While I had minor quibbles with the 'telling, not showing' aspect from the romance novelist's perspective, overall, this book is a journey into a world where community, drama, and unexpected love collide. If you're a fan of Lucy Score's style and looking for a read with a lot of heart, humor, and a genuinely intricate plot involving everything from FWB agreements to ex-husband threats, then 'Story of My Life' is definitely worth picking up.
