Rhonda Helms
Autor(a) de Promposal
Obras por Rhonda Helms
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I loved Daniel so so much, Casey was good to but it was all about Daniel for me in this book. Great story with just enough angst to keep you interested and really excellent characters. A must read.
In Scratch, Casey is a college senior with a traumatic past. To escape the nightmares and memories, she turns to music, and passes many nights DJing at a local club. When she's not DJing, she's locked in her room, studying alone, afraid to let people in -- that is, until Daniel from her philosophy class starts chipping away at the walls she's built up.
The award for least relatable heroine goes to Casey. I could not stand this girl throughout the book. Why must everything be an argument with her? Daniel kisses her. She runs away. Daniel takes her on a date. She throws a fit. Daniel tries to help her get past the events of her childhood. She all but breaks up with him. Daniel tries to tell her that he's sick of fighting and just wants to make her happy, and she throws her tortured past in his face.
Casey is perfectly happy going somewhere with Daniel after class, perfectly comfortable talking to him at a party, but her danger bells go off when he offers to take her out at night. Casey's danger alarm goes off constantly. I think her favorite word is "dangerous." As in, "This was dangerous, to let myself even be this close to him." Everything is dangerous to Casey, not because there's actually a sense of danger, but because she may develop feelings for someone, and we can't have that.
Casey is also an idiot. She refuses to discuss her music with anyone, or tell anyone that she makes her own songs. Yet, somehow, of course, she's able to tell Daniel. She says, "I couldn't believe I was talking so openly about music with him. But I got the feeling that he would understand."
Casey, sweetie, 99% of people would understand. Music is this universal thing. Most people like it. Most people would think it's cool that you're creating your own songs. Have you never spoken to a human before?
It was exhausting to read about this girl.
Add to that the fact that these girls talked like they're from the late 90's:
"You look like you're about to devour someone," I replied drolly.
She giggled. "Oh yes! I totally am. Ta-ta for now!"
I have not heard anyone say "ta-ta for now" since I was in elementary school. This is supposed to be a contemporary novel. The girls have cell phones and discuss Facebook, yet they talk and dress like they're out of the 90's.
Actually, the whole book is rather poorly written. It's hard to write a believable story in the first person, especially when it's a romance like this. Characters describing the things that are happening to them is just uncomfortable -- I much prefer third person. Some examples of the awkward writing:
My core tightened; my belly fluttered.
The thumb on his right hand brushed against my thigh then moved up my leg, to the crease between my thigh and torso.
Ugh. So unattractive.
The premise of the book was good, but the writing was very formulaic (I could almost predict each conflict, what it would be, and where in the book it would occur), it was much too angsty, and very poorly executed. Typically, the books I receive from Netgalley are uncorrected proofs. There's no indication either way about whether this is an uncorrected or final copy. I hope that it's uncorrected and that an editor will be able to go in and polish the awkward writing, at least. In the end, I give Scratch 1.5/5 stars, rounded up to 2.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free copy.… (mais)
The award for least relatable heroine goes to Casey. I could not stand this girl throughout the book. Why must everything be an argument with her? Daniel kisses her. She runs away. Daniel takes her on a date. She throws a fit. Daniel tries to help her get past the events of her childhood. She all but breaks up with him. Daniel tries to tell her that he's sick of fighting and just wants to make her happy, and she throws her tortured past in his face.
Casey is perfectly happy going somewhere with Daniel after class, perfectly comfortable talking to him at a party, but her danger bells go off when he offers to take her out at night. Casey's danger alarm goes off constantly. I think her favorite word is "dangerous." As in, "This was dangerous, to let myself even be this close to him." Everything is dangerous to Casey, not because there's actually a sense of danger, but because she may develop feelings for someone, and we can't have that.
Casey is also an idiot. She refuses to discuss her music with anyone, or tell anyone that she makes her own songs. Yet, somehow, of course, she's able to tell Daniel. She says, "I couldn't believe I was talking so openly about music with him. But I got the feeling that he would understand."
Casey, sweetie, 99% of people would understand. Music is this universal thing. Most people like it. Most people would think it's cool that you're creating your own songs. Have you never spoken to a human before?
It was exhausting to read about this girl.
Add to that the fact that these girls talked like they're from the late 90's:
"You look like you're about to devour someone," I replied drolly.
She giggled. "Oh yes! I totally am. Ta-ta for now!"
I have not heard anyone say "ta-ta for now" since I was in elementary school. This is supposed to be a contemporary novel. The girls have cell phones and discuss Facebook, yet they talk and dress like they're out of the 90's.
Actually, the whole book is rather poorly written. It's hard to write a believable story in the first person, especially when it's a romance like this. Characters describing the things that are happening to them is just uncomfortable -- I much prefer third person. Some examples of the awkward writing:
My core tightened; my belly fluttered.
The thumb on his right hand brushed against my thigh then moved up my leg, to the crease between my thigh and torso.
Ugh. So unattractive.
The premise of the book was good, but the writing was very formulaic (I could almost predict each conflict, what it would be, and where in the book it would occur), it was much too angsty, and very poorly executed. Typically, the books I receive from Netgalley are uncorrected proofs. There's no indication either way about whether this is an uncorrected or final copy. I hope that it's uncorrected and that an editor will be able to go in and polish the awkward writing, at least. In the end, I give Scratch 1.5/5 stars, rounded up to 2.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free copy.… (mais)
Title: Break Your Heart
Author: Rhonda Helms
Publisher: Kensington
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Break Your Heart" by Rhonda Helms
What I liked about this novel....
I found this novel of "Break Your Heart was a sweet New Adult read dealing with a 'African American heroine and a Asian American hero that turned out to be a sweet read especially for the New Adult readers. The story line was right on point all the way from the beginning of the read to the end. This story of if Megan [student]and Nick[professor] who become involved. The characters were all well developed, defined, well portrayed and yes...believable that help to keep this read right on chart. It was very interesting to see how this student was going to handle all that was put in front of her and even so with that 'professor.' The author even worked other problems into this read that will keep the reader turning the pages to see what will happen next. So, from a infatuation with a professor to life with family [mom issues]...we are given a read that with imply some secrets that will come out. Will this heroine be able to handle it all? Will Megan be able to 'silence the noise around her and listen to what her heart is telling her? And omg that hero Nick was simply off the chart...loved that 'Terminal Tower scene.' This is where I will say you will have to pick up this read to find out will Megan and Nick be able to make it and get what they want in the end.
I received an advance copy from NOR in exchange for an honest review.… (mais)
Author: Rhonda Helms
Publisher: Kensington
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Break Your Heart" by Rhonda Helms
What I liked about this novel....
I found this novel of "Break Your Heart was a sweet New Adult read dealing with a 'African American heroine and a Asian American hero that turned out to be a sweet read especially for the New Adult readers. The story line was right on point all the way from the beginning of the read to the end. This story of if Megan [student]and Nick[professor] who become involved. The characters were all well developed, defined, well portrayed and yes...believable that help to keep this read right on chart. It was very interesting to see how this student was going to handle all that was put in front of her and even so with that 'professor.' The author even worked other problems into this read that will keep the reader turning the pages to see what will happen next. So, from a infatuation with a professor to life with family [mom issues]...we are given a read that with imply some secrets that will come out. Will this heroine be able to handle it all? Will Megan be able to 'silence the noise around her and listen to what her heart is telling her? And omg that hero Nick was simply off the chart...loved that 'Terminal Tower scene.' This is where I will say you will have to pick up this read to find out will Megan and Nick be able to make it and get what they want in the end.
I received an advance copy from NOR in exchange for an honest review.… (mais)
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Estatísticas
- Obras
- 7
- Also by
- 1
- Membros
- 106
- Popularidade
- #181,887
- Avaliação
- 3.4
- Críticas
- 7
- ISBN
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Promposal es uno de esos libros que te llena de arrugas. ¿Cómo es eso? Porque sonríes como idiota en cada paso de página.
La palabra Promposal no me era conocida, eso sí, lo asociaba con propuesta pero hasta ahí nada más. Si tienes curiosidad, Promposal viene de Prom (la fiesta de PROMoción) y Proposal (propuesta en inglés), lo que me da a entender que este tipo de eventos son importantes (a duras penas a mí me lograron arrastrar a mi graduación, una vez que salí del colegio no quise volver por nada del mundo). Fue un poco chocante ver que soy una rareza hasta para eso. Aclarado eso, pasemos al libro.
Promposal es adorable a más no poder, es una de esas rarezas en el mundo Young Adult de ahora ¿En qué sentido? Es que es un libro limpio, por no encontrar otra palabra. Me hace recordar mucho a los primeros libros que leí, tuve la suerte de encontrarme con cosas bastante suaves al inicio pero que me dieron una base sólida en mis gustos de libros. ¡Y ya casi no hay de esos libros! Claro, puedes leer libros que sean así publicados hace 10 o 15 años. Pero ¿publicados actualmente? Es bastante difícil.
Quizá no sea del agrado de quienes buscan drama adulta o cosas explícitas, como a los que ya nos hemos acostumbrado con el New Adult, pero si lo que quieres es recomendar un libro a alguien que empieza a leer, Promposal me parece perfecto porque no solo tiene romance de chica-conoce-chico sino también bastante LGTB, cosa que me encanta. Y es uno de los problemas de libros publicados hace 10 o 15 años, ellos no tienen tanta variedad como los de ahora.
Así que sí, Promposal es la mejor combinación entre la inocencia de los libros de antes más la aceptación de épocas modernas.
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