BOOK REVIEW: In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati Alexander

In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati Alexander
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Synopsis:

Sloane Cooper is up for her dream job as a designer for a top video game company. During the interview, though, she somehow promises the all-male panel that she’ll remain single and fully dedicated to the work. It’s actually fine—after her last boyfriend cheated on her, she vowed to focus on her career anyway.

Enter Charlie, aka Hot Neighbor Guy, a near-stranger who shocks her with the offer of an all-inclusive trip to a Turks and Caicos resort. The catch? Charlie originally planned the trip with his ex, and asks Sloane to pose as his new girlfriend to make his old flame come running back. Against her better judgment, Sloane says yes; she can use the time away to develop a game design that will dazzle the Catapult team and get her a job offer.

Despite sparks flying in paradise, the trip can’t lead to more. As their connection deepens, Sloane is reminded that she can’t fall for Charlie and get knocked off her professional path. Besides, he’s trying to win back his true love.

Can Sloane figure out a way to move past heartbreak, land the job of her dreams, and avoid catching feelings? The zombie apocalypse would be easier to solve—at least she’s prepared for that.

Review:

In a Not So Perfect World was a forced proximity, slow burn, set in a beautiful tropical destination.  With forging a friendship and low angst mixed together, this book was so easy to read.  I adored how short the chapters were and that I was able to sneak in a few pages here and there.  In a Not So Perfect World definitely checks all the boxes for what you would want to bring as a beach read! 

“Wait, you want me to go on this trip with you so you can make your ex-girlfriend jealous?”
“Yes.”

Sloane and Charlie’s meet cute in the bar was absolutely adorable!  And when she found out he was her hot neighbor, I couldn’t stop smiling.  So when Charlie propositioned Sloane to go on an inclusive trip to Turks and Caicos, I was shouting at her to say yes.  He was in desperate need to make his ex jealous.  And she needed to work on a project for her dream job.  Yet paradise has a way of painting what could be just friendship, into something so much more.

I think he will respond with something like, You need help. It’s what Zane would have said.
But instead, he nods his head ever so slightly and stares at me when he says, “I get it.”
Who are you? I want to ask. I squint as if that might help me see his insides.

I loved Charlie, he was someone who was so easy to like.  Even while he was struggling and hurt from his past breakup.  I just loved how he made things effortlessly fun and seemed to have this light that radiated happiness outwards.    Plus he had the best t-shirts!  We only got this story in Sloane’s voice, yet I had no problem piecing together exactly who Charlie was.  He was kind, heartfelt, and seemed like someone you could easily be friends with. With Sloane and her high walls, I was cheering for Charlie to knock them down every step of the way.

I press my eyelids together so tightly they hurt. I am not here to play house with my heartbroken neighbor who’s using me to make his ex jealous.

Charlie tried his best to earn Sloane’s trust.  She kept so much of herself hidden.  Not only her childhood trauma, but that she was still struggling from a breakup too.  So Sloane was definitely a multifaceted character.  I loved her drive and that she was reaching for the stars to accomplish her dream, to work at the video game company.  Even if the work space seemed as though it could be toxic.  Yet I did struggle with her, since she got in the way of her happiness with Charlie.  From time to time.  I just wanted to smoosh them together, tell Sloane it would all be okay, and have them kiss and be together forever please!

There’s no scenario where this ends well for me.

Sloane and Charlie had this slow burn romance simmering between them.  Charlie was getting over his heartache, Sloane too.  And Sloane’s whole focus was on the path to her dream job.  Yet feelings kept creeping in from time to time.  Especially when alcohol was involved.  So what felt like friendship formed, and then more came tumbling in too.  Also, while there were side characters that were easy to like, the shining star was definitely Finn!  He was Sloane’s dog.  He was so adorable, and I wish he could have gone on the vacation with them.  He stole the show every single time that he was on the page!

I hear him shuffle closer. “As you wish,” he whispers into my ear as his hands make contact with my neck.

So with water balloon fights, scavenger hunts, Kix and Fruity Pebbles, and more, this book took us on an adventure.  While there was some steam on the pages, I’d categorize it as lower on the heat scale.  And that happily for now ending will leave readers smiling.  So if you’re looking for a book to bring to the beach this summer, this may just be your book!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

 

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