Chasing Headlines: A Long Read with Little Reward
When I first heard about Chasing Headlines by J. Rose Black, my excitement peaked. A fresh romance set against the backdrop of baseball? Count me in! I was ready to dive into a world of drama, competition, and the intoxicating thrill of an enemies-to-lovers storyline. Coupled with the buzz around it from BookSirens, I was eagerly anticipating a delightful read. Unfortunately, what unfolded was a rather arduous experience that frankly nearly pulled me into a reading slump—yikes!
As I ventured into the pages, I quickly felt a sinking feeling. The book clocks in at over 500 pages, and let me tell you—it felt lengthy (and not in the good way). I really tried to fight through, but it was incredibly draggy and filled to the brim with filler that added little to the plot. Endless inner monologues and repetitively drawn-out scenarios left me wondering if I might just accidentally discover the world’s longest book, rather than an engaging romance. It took me three days to finish—an eternity for someone who typically devours books like candy!
Now, let’s chat about the characters. I had high hopes for Olivia. I wanted to root for her, but honestly? She was just too dramatic and, dare I say it, insufferable. Breslin, her counterpart, was okay but lacked the depth to salvage the romance that felt more like a background detail than the focal point. If I’m investing my time in an enemies-to-lovers tale, where were the lovers? It might as well have been titled Baseball and Feelings given that the romance took a backseat to repetitive discussions about baseball.
And speaking of discussions, where was the spice? The story teased potential passion with dreams and inner thoughts relying on a slow build-up but ultimately delivered nothing. I’m not a spice-hungry reader, but the lack of payoff was disappointing. If you’re not going to bring the heat, why linger in the kitchen?
But let’s talk about that ending: just as I was trudging through the final chapters, the narrative abruptly wraps up with a rushed conclusion that left me fuming. For all that build-up, it felt like a massive letdown. To sum it up, the vibes were off, and I honestly questioned why I hadn’t just DNF’d the book halfway through.
However, I must add a slight silver lining. Dottie was a delightful character—refreshingly authentic amid the tumult of Olivia and Breslin. I genuinely liked her, and I wish she could have carried more of the weight in this story.
In conclusion, I’d recommend Chasing Headlines to those who relish baseball and slow-burn romances. If your heart beats faster for dramatic tension and you’re patient enough to navigate some heavy filler, you might find something to love here. As for me? This might just be my last chase with these headlines.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Spice: 0.5/5
Frustration Levels: Off the charts!
Happy reading, fellow book lovers—choose wisely!
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