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Book Review: Landline – Rainbow Rowell


landlineLandline
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Series: None
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Science Fiction
Release Date: July 8, 2014
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Goodreads | Amazon | TBD | Audiobook Clip

Summary:

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it’s been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems besides the point now.
Maybe that was always besides the point.
Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn’t expect to him to pack up the kids and go home without her.
When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.
That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts…
Is that what she’s supposed to do?
Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

 
First Sentence: Georgie pulled into the driveway, swerving to miss a bike.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

My Review:

I don’t think I’m wrong when I say that nearly everybody is excited for Landline. Even I was excited for Landline and I’m usually not interested in reading contemporary or adult books. The premise of Landline just caught my attention the second I read about it – I’m interested in reading books about marriage and to find out that Landline is about both marriage and kind of time travel (kind of according to the summary, and after reading the book, I’ll have to agree with that statement) just blows my mind away.

“I can’t keep fighting with you about the same things over and over again. I can’t keep not fighting about the same things over and over again. I can’t go another day, pretending you’re not pissed with me, pretending everything’s fine, talking in that stupid cheerful voice I use when I know you’re just quietly hating me.” (242)

I’m really confused with what rating to give to Landline. There were moments in Landline where I was bored out of my mind and other moments where I awwing over the characters and what they were doing. I wasn’t interested in the present day moments, where Georgie is working with her coworkers over a new script and frantically trying to contact Neal, who is currently in another state with the kids. Those parts were slow and boring for me to read about – I could care less about Georgie’s job, I just wanted more romance! I was more interested in reading the flashbacks; I wanted to know how Georgie and Neal got together, how their relationship developed, and what bought them to the situation they are currently in today.

Even though I was bored with Landline at times, it did make me feel a lot of feels. I could feel myself tearing up at times while reading the book at my sister’s graduation (in my defense, the teachers in my sister’s graduation were giving out 15 minutes or longer speeches and I rather read Landline than listen to them go on and go). I was also wishing that everything would work out for Georgie in the end, planning to already tweet Rainbow Rowell like mad if she didn’t give the book a happy ending. (I was that scared that Landline would break my heart.)

It was that she’d tied him to her so tight. Because she wanted him. Because it was perfect for Georgie, even if she wasn’t perfect for him. Because she wanted him more than she wanted him to be happy.
If she loved Neal, if she really loved him… (122)

Landline also did teach me a lot of lessons about marriage, one lesson being that being in a relationship is hard work, especially when you’re dedicated to your job. Thank goodness I’m not getting married anytime soon.

I am a bit disappointed with the kind of time travel aspect in Landline. It didn’t exactly turn out as I expected. However, now that I think about it, what I expected to happen wouldn’t make much sense if it actually did happened in Landline. Sadly, I feel like the time traveling aspect doesn’t really play a big part in Landline, despite what the summary implies.

Overall, I did enjoy reading Landline, but not as much as I hoped. Maybe I’ll have to be married for a few years to really connect more with the book. However, as of now, I did enjoy reading Landline, but it’s definitely not one of my favorites.

threepointfive

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-Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 6-27-14 · 24 Comments
Categories: 2014 book, book review Tagged: 3.5 star

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Speak Your Mind

  1. Christina (Ensconced in Lit) says

    6-27-14 at 9:19 AM

    Kelly: Great review. It’s so interesting to see how people of different walks of life and time periods of life see this book so differently. There’s the camp of younger unmarried readers like yourself who find it difficult to get into the storyline in sections (which totally makes sense to me– if I read this 10 years ago, I’m not sure I would have identified with it), and then there are the two other camps: career women, and more part time/stay at home mom women. You might see where the divide is between those two groups– I’ve definitely noticed the career women having a huge problem with Neal having issues with Georgie and her job and her choice at the end. The other camp see themselves as the “Neal” in the story and that Georgie’s final decision as the only feasible “solution.” I personally found myself kind of in the middle– ticked off by Neal and his tantrum and not supporting Georgie more, but also realizing why Georgie feels like she has failed her family. To me, her final decision was heartbreaking and not as heartwarming as some reviewers made it seem. While I’d probably make the same decision, it would have put 20 years of training in the trash, which is no easy feat. Honestly, although I felt for these two characters A LOT, I have huge doubts that they’ll actually make it work.

    Anyway, I think most of all, this book has generated a lot of discussion between different people, and I think that’s the strength of the book. Thanks!
    Christina (Ensconced in Lit) recently posted…Cover Reveal: Liars, Inc by Paula Stokes!My Profile

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  2. Tina says

    6-27-14 at 10:02 AM

    Great review! I haven’t read anything by Rainbow Rowell yet, but this looks interesting. I love time travel books (even if this isn’t necessarily time travel) and this definitely sounds like something I’d enjoy, especially if there’s romance involved! (:
    Tina recently posted…Feature and Follow Friday! 6.27.14My Profile

    Reply
  3. Quinn @ Quinn's Book Nook says

    6-27-14 at 10:32 AM

    I definitely liked Landline, but it was definitely a different kind of story than E&P, Fangirl and Attachments. I mean, it still felt like a Rowell book, but the characters were so much older in their lives so their troubles were so much different.

    I do know what you mean about certain parts of the book being a bit boring. I loved those flashbacks to Neal and Georgie in college so much, and I hated when those scenes ended.

    I listened to this via audiobook, and I definitely think that affected my overall experience with Landline. I liked it a lot more, I think, because of the audiobook.
    Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook recently posted…Take the Day OffMy Profile

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  4. Nikki says

    6-27-14 at 11:59 AM

    That’s so interesting what you said about maybe needing to be married in order to connect with this book. My friend Angie (@disquietus on twitter) read this one recently and she said the exact same thing: Parts were boring, parts were cute, and she thought you’d probably have to be married to really appreciate it. Which, unfortunately, means I’ve moved this one lower on my TBR pile. =S
    Nikki recently posted…ARC Review: HEXED by Michelle KrysMy Profile

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  5. Ellen says

    6-27-14 at 7:14 PM

    I haven’t read Landline yet, but Rainbow Rowell is one of my favorite YA/contemporary authors. I have heard a lot of people think as you do: parts were amazing & others were eh.. I like the focus on marriage/making relationships work, but I was also excited when I saw you mention time travel… :)
    Ellen recently posted…Review | The Thin Man by Dashiell HammetMy Profile

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  6. Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction says

    6-27-14 at 10:36 PM

    I’ve only read E&P so far but I always see pretty amazing reviews for all her books. Since I’m older, and married I think this would hit on some things I’ve possibly experienced. That could make this a more compelling read for me. I do love the idea of time travel. Great review Kelly!
    Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction recently posted…Stacking the ShelvesMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Meredith says

    6-28-14 at 2:26 PM

    I have seen so much hype for this book! I want to read it though hehe maybe just after all the hype dies down a bit. Awesome review!
    Meredith recently posted…The Boy in the Striped Pajamas ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Lis @ The reader lines says

    6-29-14 at 11:13 AM

    I’m probably one of the few people that weren’t really excited for this book. However, the summary was amazing and I was a bit curious. But now, reading your review I realize it’s not what I’m used to read, so I don’t know if I’ll try it.
    Great review, thanks!

    Reply
  9. Emily says

    6-29-14 at 3:25 PM

    Interesting review! I’ve only read E&P by RR, but I’m planning to read Attachments soon. Anyway, the concept of this book sounds interesting, so I’ll probably check it out. The fact that I like contemporary and that I’m married probably helps haha. Anyway, thoughtful review! :)
    Emily recently posted…“Kate’s Escape From The Billable Hour” by Petula ParkerMy Profile

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  10. Sarah Jean says

    6-30-14 at 5:08 AM

    I caaaaaan’t wait to actually get my hands on Landline and read it. We’re of the same age Kelly so I am very affected with this review. I may not ne married or something like Georgie, nevertheless, I WILL STILL READ THIS!!!!!!!! Cause Rainbow is Rainbow. But super great review Kelly, thank you for your superb insights as always. :)

    Reply
  11. Samantha @ IHeartYAFiction says

    6-30-14 at 9:58 AM

    Great review! I really like where you’re coming from in this. I’m in the same not-married, no kids, etc. boat, so I’m not sure I would find some of the situations very relatable or interesting either. It does sound kind of neat though, so I might give it a shot.
    Samantha @ IHeartYAFiction recently posted…Review; The Glass Casket by McCormick TemplemanMy Profile

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  12. Isabel says

    6-30-14 at 11:15 AM

    I’m glad that you enjoyed this book more than I did.
    Isabel recently posted…Book Bingo Wrap UpMy Profile

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  13. Samantha says

    6-30-14 at 12:45 PM

    I really want to read this book! It sounds really interesting. Great review!

    Reply
  14. Wayne D'ava (@WretchedDreams) says

    6-30-14 at 6:48 PM

    This book sounds so intersting

    Reply
  15. Gabbie Pintac says

    7-01-14 at 3:11 AM

    Thanks for the awesome review! I’m a big fan of Rainbow Rowell’s novels so I was really excited for Landline to come out. I’ve loved everything I’ve read of hers so far so hopefully I’ll love Landline as well :)

    Reply
  16. lenareads says

    7-01-14 at 11:48 AM

    I haven’t read anything by Rainbow Rowell yet, but I think I will read this one. It sounds interesting

    Reply
  17. Suz Reads says

    7-01-14 at 2:01 PM

    I’ve been hearing so many things about this book so I was happy to read your review to see what you thought. The time travel part caught my interest but after reading about how much of the book bored you, I may wait to read this one. Thanks for sharing your comments!

    Reply
  18. Trisha Hudson (@TrishaHudson) says

    7-03-14 at 6:26 PM

    I haven’t read anything by Rainbow Rowell. This book seems a little bit away from my norm but interesting all the same. I just may check it out. Thank you for the review.

    Reply
  19. Kara says

    7-03-14 at 11:15 PM

    Awesome review. I just glanced over Elanor & Park & expect to read the rest. I like the authors style. I don’t care for contemporary romance, too. I’m glad this is a feels book, but I may skip reading this book for now.

    Reply
  20. Samantha @ Bookish Serendipity says

    7-06-14 at 12:31 PM

    Ooh! This book looks great. I haven’t read any of Rainbow Rowell’s book…yet. But I definitely plan to! Probably Eleanor and Park first.

    Reply
  21. Sarah K. says

    8-09-14 at 7:57 AM

    The summary for Landline confuses me. You said that the time traveling aspect wasn’t like it was set up there. It seems like that is the big problem besides the marriage problems. It says that she has to choose to let him go or stay with him. To me I wouldn’t change anything there because if they never got together than she wouldn’t have her children anymore. I just couldn’t see myself doing that so I was instantly put off by Landline. But maybe the summary doesn’t say it right. I don’t know if I’ll pick up Landline or not. I loved Fangirl but wasn’t into Eleanor and Park.

    Reply
  22. Ashley Velasquez says

    10-14-14 at 4:44 PM

    I enjoy reading your posts, wish I had found out about your blog sooner!

    Reply
  23. Ashley Velasquez says

    10-14-14 at 4:47 PM

    *Whoops meant to continue my last comment… I haven’t read anything by Rainbow Rowell, but my friend was raving about this book so I’m hoping she’ll let me borrow it. The Kindle sample wasn’t enough to convince me if it’s something I’d buy to keep on my bookshelf.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Book Review: Fangirl – Rainbow Rowell says:
    5-07-17 at 9:02 AM

    […] was surprised to find that I did enjoy reading Fangirl – Rainbow Rowell’s adult book was a different story altogether – but Fangirl wasn’t anything memorable or amazing. I understood Cath – I felt […]

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