{Audiobook} Review: Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park

Title: Flat-Out Love
Author: Jessica Park
Series: Flat-Out Love, book #1
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Publication Date: November 17, 2012
Source: purchased audio
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

To college freshman Julie Seagle the emotionally scrambled members of the Watkins family of Boston add up to something that ... well ... doesn't quite add up. Only the funny, gorgeous, smart oldest brother Finn is emotionally available--but only online? Not until Julie forces a buried secret to the surface, eliciting a dramatic confrontation that threatens to tear the fragile Watkins family apart, does she get her answer.

Since both of us listened to the audiobook concurrently, we're going to handle this review more like a discussion.  =)

Jen: So, after finally finishing the audiobook, what did you think of the book in general?

Mendy: It was great. Not the typical love story I’m used to. And the narrator was awesome; she embodied the character of Julie to a tee. What'd you think?

Jen: I loved the characters! Even Flat Finn, who wasn't technically breathing, became a character in his own right. Gawd, and I love what Celeste brought to the story.

Mendy: Flat Finn was great. I love their entire dysfunctional family. Very relatable -- of course, maybe not quite to that degree...lol.

Jen: Ah, the dysfunction! It was obvious from the beginning, I think, but then to find out how they got to that point. So sad.

What about that twist? Did you see it coming?

Mendy: I didn't. I had short-lived theories, but nothing I really leaned toward. I just couldn't imagine what was so serious that this entire family would go to such lengths to avoid talking about it. You knew all along, didn't you?

Jen: I did. And it was soooo hard not discussing it with you. Especially when I was finished and you were still taking your sweet time getting to the big reveal. I just knew something truly horrific had to have happened to those poor people for them to all react the way they did. And I was right. :)

So, did you like Julie? I loved that adorable banter between her and her mother at the beginning of the book. I would have loved to see more of that throughout the story. But I got some of the banter back with Matty and Julie, and that was kind of fun.

Mendy: Julie MADE the book. She was the sane one. Even Erin admitted that she was the foundation that held them together. Julie saw what the rest of them couldn't and she stepped in to help. I love her unique relationship with each of the other characters.

TBH, at the end I was a little annoyed with Julie and Matty's banter. I mean, really? You guys love each other and still act that way? Reminded me too much of the married couples I know, and their newfound love is just too fresh for all that.

Jen: Dude, I love banter. Keeps you on your toes. I did think that maybe their familiarity came back rather quickly when all was said and done, but they had some time to make up for, I guess. ;0) Think you'll read Flat-Out Matt? The novella from Matty's POV?

Mendy: Hmmm....not sure about that. I think I already know Matt's POV. What else is there to tell? And I kinda prefer the mystery in wondering what all the characters feel. Don't tell me. Just let me have my own feel for things, my own interpretation. What about you?

Jen: Yeah, I think I'm gonna try to read it this week while I have some down-time at work. Ha! She's also got another book -- Left Drowning -- coming out in July...I just got a copy for review. Think you'll read that one? *sings* I'll let you borrow my copy, if you want. :) It definitely sounds like your kind of book.

Mendy: Does sound interesting! Lemme borrow! :)

So, when all was said and done, how did we rate Flat-Out Love?

Jen:   -- mostly because I saw certain developments and found it a little predictable

Mendy:    -- I was pleasantly surprised by the turn the story took and found it quite engaging

Some of Our Favorite Quotes:

“Mom, I have to go. I think this Matt character is here.”
“Are you sure it's him?”
Julie peered into the car as the window lowered. “I see a maniacal-looking guy with brightly-colored candy in one hand, and he's waving a sickle in the other. Oh! He's beckoning me to the car. This must be my ride.”

“Julie swallowed. “Flat Finn is on Facebook?” She'd love to see those status updates: 'Got strapped to the roof of the car today for a trip to Starbucks. Would have loved to taste caramel mocha, but can't move arms and so was forced to stare longingly at delicious hot beverage. Will the taunting never end?'”

“He just wasn’t the guy, you know? I want the guy. The everything guy. Not the dumb Prince Charming, nauseatingly-perfect everything guy. That’s pathetic. I want the flaws-and-all everything guy.”

“I tell you that I like being this close to you and how you feel against me. But now even I'm hesitant. I'm afraid that when we hit the ground, this will be over. We'll land and this feeling between us will vanish. That you won't feel it any longer. I can't stand that thought.”

About the author:

Jessica Park is the author of the young adult novels FLAT-OUT LOVE and RELATIVELY FAMOUS; five Gourmet Girl mysteries (written as Jessica Conant-Park); and the e-shorts FACEBOOKING RICK SPRINGFIELD and WHAT THE KID SAYS (Parts 1 & 2).

Jessica grew up in the Boston area and attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. After spending four years in the frigid north, including suffering through one memorable Halloween blizzard, Jessica hightailed it back to the east coast. She now lives in (relatively balmy) New Hampshire with her husband, son, bananas dog named Fritzy, and two selfish cats. When not writing, Jessica indulges her healthy addictions to Facebook, Rick Springfield, and super-sweet coffee beverages.

Find Jessica:

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