Today was dedicated to reading, initially with my niece, indulging in “Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.” In the midst of the chocolatey adventure, I struggled to carve out moments for Ali Hazelwood’s “Stuck with You.” As I navigate through book two and have already dipped into book three, I find myself pondering whether this author aligns with my literary taste.
While I don’t typically lean towards romance, I must admit my enjoyment of this book. The protagonists, brought together by a shared moment involving a subpar croissant, embark on a whirlwind journey from a chance encounter to a one-night stand. However, the story takes an unexpected turn when Sadie discovers something mysterious about Erik the morning after, prompting her to abruptly cut ties.
The narrative, though engaging, heavily relies on two tropes that usually don’t resonate with me: instalove and miscommunication. The rapid progression of their relationship in the initial 24-hour period felt emotionally charged, reaching a peak when, around hour 20, a cringe-worthy comment about future health insurance plans is dropped during a bathroom encounter.
Despite these tropes, I found myself smiling, laughing, and overall enjoying the story. Admittedly, I wish it were a tad longer. Having spent the weekend acquainting myself with Ali Hazelwood’s writing style, I’ve decided that my next bookstore visit will involve picking up one of her full-length novels.