Cheryl
Reader Disclosure: The book contains coarse language, graphic and sexually charged scenes, and sometimes liberal wild thoughts. Reader discretion is advised. First off, I want to give a fair warning to readers. The POV at the start of the book can sound a bit juvenile and crude. I was taken aback a few times. It was very in-your-face as early as Chapter 1 that did not work for me. I am not a prude, but Lizzy and her girl group's conversations turned me off a bit. It made them harder to relate because (a) these ladies are in their mid-thirties/closing into the forties, and (b) they are successful women then to have words coming out of their mouths that were the total opposite of what I envision them to be. It did not fit the character that I believe the author wants in the end. Also, there was just too much comparing to sexual conquests and position bragging. It felt like the author is forced to do a sexual reversal, and poke fun at the other sex was unnecessary. By the time I finished Chapter 2, I was having doubts about continuing, which I have never done before for a review. I was intrigued by the author, but I was worried about bailing out before giving the book a good run with this writing style. I know this is pretty harsh is coming from me, so I'm writing further to explain - DO NOT STOP READING! Do not be discouraged, and keep reading on. Thank God (and the author) that this did not last long, and it was a good one-off. The rest of the writing is a lot better, most likely because they were all drunk and uninhibited than after. Secondly, readers can expect the steamiest stuff in this book after Izzy and Braun "ironed out" the contract's details. Expect sexting, videos, and live-action between the two main characters that will make you swoon, blush and live vicariously through Izzy. It did not feel forced since they are both trying to get pregnant. I believe almost half of the book is all the different ways they could get off each other. The sexcapade talks of Izzy's friends with her at the beginning was nothing to the chemistry that Izzy and Braun had. They had invested a lot of emotions on them somehow along the way of acquainting each other. I love how the author was detailed in the settings - from Izzy's penthouse condominium to Braun's palatial estate, even down to their vehicular choices. The setting descriptions in each chapter were a feast for architecture and car enthusiasts. I can see the author be a luxury real estate agent and car enthusiast all simultaneously since the main characters are well-educated in those fields. The many architectural descriptions and references required a bit of research, so kudos to the author make everything as detailed as possible. The story is written from a single POV - Izzy's. With only Izzy's POV as a reference, readers can focus on Izzy's issues better. It drives home how "affected" she was by her past. It was the basis of how she sees relationships - to NOT BE in one. I understood the author's prerogative for this since it made me appreciate the ending a lot more. In summary, Lizzy Goes Brains Over Braun might be a challenging read at first (only the first two chapters, really), but I highly recommend it. Agree that the concept of taking an advertisement for a potential sperm donor is nothing new. The most significant difference is what the author did in Lizzy Goes Brains Over Braun is how everything developed and ended. Relatable characters and well-developed theme transitions are all that make readers believe in what the author is selling - love and relationships can heal. We simply need to give people a chance.
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khaerani kaif
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Jasinda wilder's book is always so good, so so good. i like the characters, they can make you laugh, giggle, and apparently you need to laugh in this pandemic situation. no time for stress.