Review: Just My Type by Fallon Ballard
Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for my copy of Just My Type! All thoughts are my own.
Last year, I simply LOVED Lease on Love by Fallon Ballard. It is a book that has stuck with me to this day and I think about it often. It had everything: a main character journey that was relatable, a friend group that made my heart swell, a tension filled romance, and epic payoff. So, I was extremely excited to read Ballard’s sophomore novel, Just My Type.
Sadly, this book didn’t live up the expectations that I had. I felt like a bit of the magic from Jack and Sadie’s story was missing. I still love Ballard’s writing style, but I really didn’t enjoy this story. Overall, it felt forced to me and fell into “second book syndrome.” Reading Ballard’s acknowledgements, I completely understand how difficult it is (especially as a writer myself) so I look forward for where her career goes as she grows as a writer!
I did really like Seth, but ultimately everything in this book just felt forced. The Marvel references, name dropping other romance novels and writers, the Slack chats. I just didn’t work for me.
Synopsis:
“Lana Parker is an expert girlfriend. After a disastrous breakup with her high school boyfriend, she's bounced from long-term relationship to long-term relationship and even works as the dating and relationships columnist for one of Los Angeles's trendiest websites. But when Lana suddenly finds herself single, she's ready to take a break, both personally and professionally.
That is, until her high school ex, Seth Carson, takes an assignment at Lana's site. Having spent years traveling the world as a freelance journalist, Seth's finally ready to put down roots. Seth and Lana's chemistry is just as combative—and undeniable—as ever and quickly leads to a competition that could shape both of their careers. Pitted against each other by Lana's boss, they are each tasked with writing an article series that goes against their usual dating type: Lana needs to write about being single and staying single, while Seth must learn to settle down and become boyfriend material. Whoever's series is most popular wins a highly coveted dream job. But when the two square off, it's not only their careers on the line—it’s also their hearts.” —Amazon
What I Liked:
The Competition Aspect—I love the Fake Dating trope because the stakes are so high between characters. While this book wasn’t Fake Dating, I thought the competition aspect added the same kind of tension.
Second Chance Romance Trope—I’m a sucker for this trope! I really liked Seth too, but I wish we got to know a bit more about him.
What Didn’t Work:
Lacked Tension—There was so much potential for these two characters, high school sweethearts, to have stolen looks and moments. But their history was pretty volatile so it had more of an enemies to lovers vibe? I don’t know, something just seemed OFF.
Aspects Felt Forced—I didn’t feel the tension needed to understand why Lana and Seth broke up. I guess I found it hard to buy into the “paying for college” aspect. I wanted more swooniness from the “if you love something set it free” aspect. This is very cryptic without spoilers but IYKYK.
Lost Connection—I was really into the first 25-30% of this book and then it just felt meh. It didn’t have the same kind of magic her debut did.