I don't think I ever gave a one star, but I had to force my way through this one - it did not spark any interest nor did it have appealing characters. The main character had no redeeming qualities and just annoyed me throughout the story. I almost DNF-ed it at some point.

Just... I don't know, maybe it would appeal to writers (although you don't get a lot of the writing process documented).

And that ending? Was it supposed to make it okay? It was just too flowery and non-realistic.

DNF - I hate when I'm anticipating enjoying a book but then once I start, it doesn't turn out that way. Based on the feedback I may be in the minority on this but I didn't enjoy the writing or the beginnings of the story.

I read and really enjoyed a previous book by Lily King, however, this one seemed to be a bit overhyped. I felt that it was really slow, and found it difficult to remain interested. In the beginning, there was a lot of information about the main character's (Casey) struggles with mundane work while trying to start a career as a writer, her student loan debt, and meeting two different men and attempting to choose between them. I was hoping that it would begin to improve, as I read further, but it continued to be really slow and with little plot. I'm definitely in the minority, but I felt that this was overall a difficult book to read, as it didn't hold my attention and I couldn't identify with Casey.

I'm sad to share that I didn't really enjoy Writers & Lovers. Based on everyone else's feedback, I thought that I was going to love this one, but unfortunately, I despised the writing style. I found it very bland and depressing, and at time difficult to follow. The characters weren't anything special, and I had a hard time finishing this novel.

I'm so glad I got this ARC from the publisher through Netgalley! At first, I'd passed, because the title or the cover didn't really appeal (am I that shallow?). To be honest, I feared it would be an all-American novel for young MFA graduates or aspiring novelists. But I read many enthusiastic reviews, especially Ann's at Cafe Society and her post convinced me to request a copy. Just like me, she's not American and she's not a young MFA graduate, yet she enjoyed the novel a lot!

It took me very few pages to develop some sympathy for the main character, Casey Peabody, who has recently lost her mother, who is estranged from her father and who subsists as a waitress in a Boston (or Cambridge?) restaurant while writing her novel in her free time. In theory, because I'm a pragmatist, I wouldn't approve of Casey's life choices. Early on, she tells of her encounter with a fellow MFA graduate, who has stopped writing and settled in a comfortable career as a realtor. This friend is shown through Casey's eyes under the worst possible light, both callous and egocentric: Casey doesn't want to settle, and in fact, she physically can't get herself to take a better paying job that would make her renounce her writing dream, because her novel is the only thing that holds her together at this point.

Casey is vulnerable and on the verge of a breakdown. We readers are on our toes because something has to happen to her, and we really hold our breath that there isn't another tragedy befalling her. We really want a happy ending for her, both for her book, and also for her relationship. I couldn't put the novel down!

All along the way, I couldn't help but think how American this book is, not only because of its Boston setting (I loved it!), but because of the MFA programs, the massive student debts, the importance of the college experience, the writing retreats, also the insecurity of living off waitress's tips (tipping in the US is so confusing to me, and I know how important it is to the waitress), the medical coverage (or lack thereof) and insurance bills... A coming-of-age story is nothing new, but this particular one could not happen elsewhere. And of course, spoiler alert, it has to have a happy ending, which seems to me as credible as a fairy tale's ending.

Ann mentions that the book came recommended by Elizabeth Strout. I can see the connexion between both universe, determined people enduring hardships and a very neat, effortless writing style. I'm glad I discovered Lily King and I would be glad to read another of hers.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I received a free copy of this book for review consideration.

Lily King's story will appeal to a wide variety of readers. She makes her main character appealing to a broad variety of people. I couldn't wait to see which man she ended up with!

Writers & Lovers was rich is context and enveloped you in the story effortlessly. It was an utter joy to read and feel the mood swings and angst of the protagonist. Casey Peabody is complex but relatable. She has aspirations and setbacks and chaos. Something everyone experiences throughout their life. Relationship dynamics were beautifully expressed and you felt the highs and lows of trying to navigate your way through Casey's love life . At times you were not sure who was the right person for her, which is a credit to Lily for not making it so clear cut from the beginning. That would not be realistic or a great read.

5/5 stars. Beautifully written story about a down on her luck writer passionate about her craft but adrift and anxiety-ridden following her mother’s sudden death, while facing crippling student debt and a badly timed love triangle with two very different men. This book was an unadulterated pleasure to read, even when experiencing some cringe-worthy and questionable decisions by the lead character. When you can’t put the book down at 4:30am on a Friday night, and you’ve made 19 annotations in your e-reader (vs your 4-5 usual highlights), you know the book is good. This one was under my radar but I’m so glad I read it. One of my favorite books of 2020 so far.

Lovely & True
Hey, the advice to write what you know can read like a early draft in a fiction-writing seminar, yet Lily King writes of writing in such a gorgeous way it’s just another part of life on the page, as equal in importance as the jagged edges of grief, families made in the trenches of lunch and dinner shifts at a restaurant, or the passing of seasons registered from a bike. I loved Writers & Lovers.

Wendy Ward
http://wendyrward.tumblr.com/

Now that's a great read!

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy to read for a fair review.

I love this book! It made me laugh - a lot - and cry - even more. I love Casey in all her names and all the feels.

. . . I take it Lily King has written some other stuff . . .

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book. I had a hard time getting into this book so will circle back at a later date. My reading tastes have changed during the pandemic.

Blindsided by her mother’s sudden death, and wrecked by a recent love affair, Casey Peabody has arrived in Massachusetts in the summer of 1997 without a plan. Her mail consists of wedding invitations and final notices from debt collectors. A former child golf prodigy, she now waits tables in Harvard Square and rents a tiny, moldy room at the side of a garage where she works on the novel she’s been writing for six years. At thirty-one, Casey is still clutching onto something nearly all her old friends have let go of: the determination to live a creative life. When she falls for two very different men at the same time, her world fractures even more. Casey’s fight to fulfill her creative ambitions and balance the conflicting demands of art and life is challenged in ways that push her to the brink.

Writers & Lovers follows Casey—a smart and achingly vulnerable protagonist—in the last days of a long youth, a time when every element of her life comes to a crisis. Written with King’s trademark humor, heart, and intelligence, Writers & Lovers is a transfixing novel that explores the terrifying and exhilarating leap between the end of one phase of life and the beginning of another.

This book has been at the top of every ‘must read’ list for this year, but it didn’t seem so spectacular to me. Sort of like Normal People (the book, not the show, which I love) in that it’s a plain, introspective story lacking wit and edginess.

Another wonderful novel from Lily King. Put me in mind of Sally Rooney's
'Normal People.' A coming-of-age story, a love story, an ode to the writerly life, engaging characters, and so very beautifully written.

Writers & Lovers
By Lily King

After reading Lily King’s Euphoria, I was eager to read more. She is a gifted author who skillfully walks the line of detail and pacing. This was the case with both Euphoria and Writers & Lovers.

W & L is not a typical coming of age story but has some of the hallmarks. The protagonist is lovable and infuriating. The pacing and the actual story were right on the mark for me. I can’t wait to read more by Lily King!

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#WritersLovers
#NetGalley
#GrovePress
#LilyKing
#fiction
#summereading
#whatshouldireadnext

Character-driven novel with exquisite writing. I felt for the protagonist, however she remained at arm’s length for me the whole time... I found the lack of a character arc a bit frustrating, and it was as if everything happened TO her rather than because of anything she did or didn’t do. There was a little oomph at the end... but still. I still recommend this whole-heartedly and found it an easy, even comforting read - but sadly it did not blow me away.

I honestly don’t know how thirty-one-year-old Casey Peabody gets out of bed every morning! This girl has so many issues to deal with that she should be taking anti-depressants. Or at least be drinking too much. I already felt sorry for her in the first couple of pages. She lives in a potting shed and sleeps on a twin bed. A twin bed! Grown women should not be sleeping on twin beds. And she makes food in the bathroom in a toaster oven.

Casey is a writer who has not given up on her dream. She’s been trying to write a novel for six years, but she is so weighed down by student debt, failed relationships, unresolved issues with a dead mother and estranged from her father. She works a busy restaurant with a mixed bag of characters, has health issues and is currently juggling two new men. One man she is attracted to, but he is elusive. The other wants her to move in with him, but he has two young boys and to give her credit she was more concerned about their feelings than him.

This story had a very autobiographical feel to me. I’m not familiar with the author, but she made Casey so honest and relatable. I could feel Casey’s sorrow seeping out of the pages. But she just kept on peddling that old bike, just like she kept on trying to make a go of her life. At the end of the story I felt a great weight had been lifted off me.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher, Grove Atlantic, for the opportunity to read this lovely book. I gave it four stars.

I picked up Writers & Lovers by Lily King, knowing its been highly praised pretty much everywhere. I knew what was I was getting into, but despite appreciating some lovely sentences and enjoying a few moments that perfectly described the MFA/literary world, I just couldn't get into it.

Growing up is not the same as growing older. Camilla, call me Casey, Peabody is written in first person and present tense and is chock full of anxiety.
Casey, at 31, is just trying to get through the day and making any decision doesn’t come easily.
Estranged from her father, grieving for her mother’s sudden death, paralyzed by mounting debts, trying to write her great American novel for 6 years, working a waitressing a job which she’s not happy with, and dealing with health issues, often seems that riding her bike becomes the highlight of her day. Add a relationship or two and feel the anxiety bubble up.

I found it emotionally satisfying because she perseveres and is ready for the next chapter in her life. Lily King, author, did well to focus on character development. I see book being put into the hands of struggling writers.

I had not read anything by this author before but having seen a lot of positive comments about this novel, I was keen to read it.
All in all, I struggled, and was a bit disappointed. The plot moved along quite slowly with little variation in narrative tone, although there were several episodes with good dialogue. I couldn't identify with, nor develop any empathy for any of the characters which probably says more about me than it does about them. 
With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a copy of the novel in exchange for this honest review.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Writers and Lovers is a beautifully written story about a struggling writer called Casey who is in her thirties, working as a waitress living in a shed who has a ton of debt hanging over her head and just isn't where she was hoping she would be in life at the age she is.

Casey is full of determination to get through all life throws at her and by jolly, she has a lot thrown her way!

Casey is a character we can all sympathise with and who if we're honest, we all have a small piece of within ourselves and our own life and experiences.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading more from Lily King!