Hot Mess

Title: Hot Mess

Author: Emily Beldon

Publisher: Graydon House

ISBN: 9781525811418

Length: 412 pages

Obtained: Purchased autographed copy

Comments:

I heard Emily speak on a panel about romances (the actual panel name said something about hope, but I don't remember specifics).  I wondered at the time if it was actually a romance, but I bought her book along with books by the other authors who spoke, had it signed, and got my picture with her.  I thought  having a giveaway might be the motivation I needed to read some of these books (rather than only the library books that come flooding in).  No one entered to win this, but I still kept on with reading it.

Within the first 30 or so pages, I wasn't sure if I was even going to finish.  I had a couple obstacles.  First, the language.  While I don't use hard language (curse words and such) myself, I can usually ignore it in books.  But that language was so frequent and blatant, particularly in those first pages, that I was having difficulty overlooking it.

Another factor is that the book is told in first person.  I don't necessarily care for first person in a romance (if that's what this is, and I'm still not certain, even after having finished the book), though it can be acceptable if done well.

But a third issue/obstacle is that I felt too old for this story.  And honestly, that's a bit ridiculous.  I read books intended for all ages - children, MG, teen, adult.  I've never felt this way before.  And the main character, Allie, is 25, so I also have less than a decade on her.  But between the acronyms, social media jargon, brand name descriptions, and other terminology... well, I was lost until Allie becomes more involved in the restaurant business.  Since she doesn't know what the terminology and acronyms are for the restaurant industry, the reader gets definitions, clarifications, and explanations even as Allie does.

I persevered, and I did read last 1/2 - 2/3 in one big chunk.  Once I was past the language, terminology, etc., I was interested in the story and how Allie would straighten out her life (which is accurately described by the title - a hot mess). 

Themes of addiction are strong in this book.  Allie's boyfriend was in the midst of heavy drug use when they first became involved, and it continues to effect their lives throughout teh book.  While addiction is something various members of my family have struggled with, I can't say I've seen it from this perspective.  Emily did mention, in the panel she spoke at, that early readers had commented on how realistic the addiction aspect was to them and their lives.