Review: Never Have I Evan by D.J. Jamison
SYNOPSIS:
Never Have I Ev… Wait, what was the question again?!
What happens when an ill-advised party game makes it obvious I’ve still got my V-card?
Embarrassment. A lot of embarrassment.
Especially when the sexy, older guy at the party who witnessed the whole thing turns out to be someone I have to see every week. Not to mention my best friend’s cousin.
He’s not only straight, but way out of my league.
It’s going to be so awkward for both us.
Or awesome…if his protective nature and flirty attempts to teach me how to date lead to the kind of tutoring that lives in my fantasies. But how likely is that to happen? I’m not known as the sweet, naive one among for my friends for nothing.
I’m probably imagining those looks he throws my way. Probably projecting my own want onto his expression.
But…what if I’m not?
REVIEW:
I had high hopes for this book but let me say, it was a huge let down. D.J. Jamison is a new-to-me-author and I think this will be the only book of hers I ever read. I finished it several days ago and the more I simmer on it the more I am annoyed.
So lets start off with what I liked, the cover and synopsis. This sounded like exactly the type of story I was looking for, new adult setting, jock vs. nerd, bi-awakening, meddlesome friends and townspeople, it truly was checking all the boxes. But there were several huge issues with the story and honestly at 47% into it I considered throwing in the town but decided to read on because I wanted other to learn from my mistake and just skip this book!
First off was the pacing, it was slow as molasses. I was tragically bored while reading the book; there wasn’t any excitement, anticipation, and there was far too much focus on secondary-characters and plots that Evan and Dawson felt like an after thought. The whole we will be friends-with-benefits dragged out for way, way, way too long. To the point where the book was basically ending before feelings were confessed and that was frustrating. Evan deserved more, sorry not sorry.
The nosy neighbors, were cringe-worthy grannies who made sexual puns. I think D.J. was trying to go for cute and funny old ladies but it came off as awkward and uncomfortable. Finally, there was Dawson’s attempt at a heartfelt backstory but it was basically him ruining his life after a drunken evening and then carrying around that baggage for the next year or two instead of dealing with it. I was over his lack of care, not only for his own well being but for Evan. So don’t be deceived by the 4+ stars on Goodreads, this book certainly isn’t worth that.
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