I really struggled to get through this book which is sad because I really liked this book based off the synopsis. The first 10 pages did pull me in and I loved the introduction we got to the world but towards the middle of the book it got really boring. Sadly the characters did not leap off the page enough for me. Although I was surprised by the romance in the book it too wasn't entertaining enough for me.

This was a really fun book to read. I love books based in virtual reality, and enjoyed the main character

How hard is it to admit you did something you probably shouldn’t have, but then that turned out to be a GREAT thing ?

I judged this book SOLELY on the cover without reading the synopsis. How rude! Right?

Avery Blake has a killer marketing team! This cover is it! I was completely blown away just by the cover alone that I didn’t care and just had to read this!

Now, we move on…

Ruthless Positivity

What does this title mean to you ? I know personally, I was intrigued.

I went in on this book blind and I don’t have one regret . Ruthless Positivity is hands down a 5 star thriller that has everyone buzzing in my book group. I was lucky enough to snag an approval prior to the big day and to say I’m grateful is an understatement .

This plot is like no other I have ever read before . The characters were layered and dimensional . My attention was easily captivated and once I started reading I knew it would be impossible to put down. My husband went hungry but at least I didn’t forget to feed the dog !!!

Here is my suggestion to all! It doesn’t matter if you typically enjoy thrillers, you ALL need to read this book.

Big thank you to Avery Blake, Sterling and Stone, and Netgalley for introducing me to one of my favorite books thus far !

I don't always love books about virtual reality, but this was just a fun romp! Son of the founder, Lyle meets Kam in eScape, the world where young people get together and all have an AI (if they can afford them). But when he decides he wants to meet her IRL, things get dicey as she's not who she appears to be in the fantasy world; well, isn't that why virtual reality is attractive to many? I mean who wouldn't want a dummy avatar to clap every time you said something incredibly stupid? Many behind-the-scene lessons here as Blake comments on judgment, group dynamics, love, sex, and other "norms" taken for granted in life. Fun to get out of your own head for awhile!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Ruthless Positivity
by Avery Blake

Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for this review copy, I received this review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This sadly was a book I seldom did not finish. It was just too odd and had not a clue why it was offputting.

In eScape people can be anything or anyone they choose to be. In Kim’s world she is dying and her living arrangements are not up to par. In eSacape, she has it all and it’s the perfect getaway from her life. Lyle’s world everyone sees him as having the perfect life and has it all. In his reality they don’t see the cracks that are slowly forming. He is hiding deep, dark secrets that he can’t unleash without destroying this perfect life. They meet in eScape and they use it to fulfill they’re fantasies. The story shows that eventually the truth will come to fruition and secrets cannot be hidden. Well written characters and story keeps the reader entertained in this sci-fi tale.

Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for this review copy, I received this review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

2.5 stars rounded up

First off I loved the cover art and the concept of this book, however it seemed really scattered and not well thought out. I think some will love this, but it just isn’t for me.

Thank you NetGalley, Sterling & Stone and Avery Blake for letting me read “Ruthless Positivity “ in exchange for an honest review.

I should have listened to my instincts when I saw the cover. My instincts did that this is not the book for me. It’s off putting, really.

But the description sounded so good. So I went for it. Mistake. The problem for me was, I didn’t get anything. The start was already super confusing. There is no world building, you’re thrown into a pseudo reality called eScape. I assume it is like a virtual reality but honestly the book was so unclear. I felt like I was in a sequel and I missed out book number one.

Basically, the thing Lyle and Kam have in common, they are both liars. They come from totally different worlds, pretending to be someone they are not. Kam is dirt poor and has some disability that is terminally. She hacked herself a bunch of credits and hangs out with the elite of eScape in hope to meet Lyle.
Lyle is the son of a super guru who had half the work twisted around her little finger. Lyle does not believe in what his mother preaches but is made to take part in her scam.

After a while I found myself speed-reading, my interest had already dropped somewhere below zero. The author throws around a lot of big words, a lot of talk that made no sense to me. The ending was quite predictable and I was really glad when I finally reached 100 %.
The story had so much potential but the execution was messy. All the talk about money and what one is supposed to be like. So much hate and negativity even if the book is supposed to be positive, even a fake positive. Sorry, I probably didn’t get the point, and I am ok with that.

YA sci-fi romance. Kam is smart and sassy but poor, Lyle is rich, handsome and famous. Will they meet and fall in love despite their differences? Can their love overcome the obstacles they face? It’s a tried and true romance formula and the reader shouldn’t expect any more. This book had some interesting themes like VI immersion and manipulative relationships. Ruthless Positivity felt like a cross between Scientology and a self-help cult. I think it would have been much more interesting if there was more focus on Kam and how she gained her high tech talents. Instead, the story was more teen soap opera than sci-fi. Okay but not thrilling.

This was what I was hoping for in a virtual world book, the characters were intersting and I could totally understand them. The plots was what I expected from the description and thought it was a unique take on the scifi genre. It was a well written SciFi Thriller and I was glad I was able to read this.

"He slipped inside her and felt something new. There was never a river of emotion with the current flowing both ways before. Changes in tempo and rhythm were present before, but only as an expression of carnal need. They had that now, as Kam clawed her nails into his back, chewing on Lyle’s neck as he held himself aloft above her body, his palms flat against the hardwood as he thrust inside her."