I just read a (nameless) ARC that has made me pause and think for almost two days! It has a stunning first chapter that got me hooked immediately. However, after about three or four chapters, I could’ve plotted the entire book on paper without any problem. I could’ve even given you the highlights for the subplots. And the surprising twist? I was there a hundred pages before the author. It wasn’t just obvious, it has been done a zillion times. There wasn’t anything new about this book’s plot at all. And yet…I never once contemplated stopping reading it. Why is that?

I’m actually quite perplexed because while the writing was pretty good, it wasn’t stunning (there were quite a few continuity errors, but this was an ARC so hopefully someone has caught and fixed those). It was fairly tight and interesting though and the characters were pretty well-developed, but there were also some big coincidences to swallow. The hook went a long way towards getting me interested, but once I figured out the plot, it wasn’t the hook that kept me reading. So what was it? And the book was long-ish, but I blew through it. The ending was not only predictable, but also a bit didactic. And yet, even when I was done, I was glad I read it.

If this had been chick-lit, that would’ve explained a lot about why I kept reading. I mean, in chick-lit, you really can plot them out at least half the time, right? And it’s no big deal if it’s a good one because they’re entertaining, funny, and have great voices, but this was a quite serious book.

It’s true, I would not recommend it on Need To Read (which is why I’m not naming it) as one “you have to read”, but if someone asked me if they should, I’d say, “Sure…it’s a good read.”

This is just so weird for me…to like a book that is essentially fairly flawed in the area of craft. Do you ever like books against all odds like this?

*It’s a debut novel, another reason I won’t give too many details because OMG, a debut is so exciting…I just wouldn’t want to take away from that in any way for the author.