"Mallory Goes to Therapy" by Thomas Keech is a narrative that attempts to blend humor and complex interpersonal relationships within the backdrop of a cable company's customer assistance department. While the premise has the potential for comedic exploration, the execution of the story falls short of expectations.

The characters, particularly Kevin Mallory, lack depth and fail to elicit genuine interest. Mallory's boorish advances and misguided actions are portrayed in a way that struggles to engage readers or evoke sympathy for his character. The attempt to introduce a humorous angle through Mallory's accidental entrance into the Healing Hearts Therapy Group lacks the finesse needed to land the comedic elements effectively.

The narrative, rather than providing a nuanced exploration of issues like sexual addiction or workplace dynamics, leans towards clichés and predictable scenarios. The relationships between the characters lack authenticity, and the attempts at humor often feel forced, undermining the potential for genuine comedic moments.

The plot, while attempting to interweave a romantic subplot involving Lilly and Selby, falls into the trap of predictability and lacks the emotional depth needed to make the reader invest in the characters' journeys. The dynamics between Lilly, her alcoholic brother, and her problematic supervisor, McFadden, do not reach the level of complexity needed to elevate the story.

Furthermore, the resolution involving Mallory reverting to impersonation and blackmail feels contrived and raises ethical concerns. It adds an element of inconsistency to Mallory's character, making it challenging for readers to connect with or root for him.

In conclusion, "Mallory Goes to Therapy" struggles to deliver a compelling narrative due to its underdeveloped characters, forced humor, and predictable plot points. While the attempt to infuse humor into the story is evident, the execution falls short, resulting in a two-star rating.

This book just wasn’t for me.
Many thanks to Real Nice Books and to netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really could not connect to the story or to the characters. I found Mallory incredibly unlikeable (which doesn't always mean I won't like the book, I love unlikeable characters), but this one I just couldn't do it.

Kevin Mallory, a Customer Assistance Representative for the UniCast Cable Company, has his customers on hold, his supervisor on the run, and his female nemesis on ice, but a new friend challenges his twisted beliefs.

After he makes an embarrassing pass at Lilly, she convinces him to attend group therapy sessions. But while Mallory's problems are mostly in his head, Lilly must make critical and ethical choices on her own.

An encounter at a shooting range with Mallory's police officer friend makes Lilly start to question her life choices. She tries to use the strange energy she feels when she is with him to ignite more passion for her boyfriend. But when she learns her boss at her non-profit job is not immune to greed and financial chicanery, she has to decide how much of his deception she can live with -- and which man in her life is most like her at heart.

Mallory continues to stumble and lunge his way through life, fighting fiercely against the idea that he is a normal human being like the rest of us. But it seems he might be losing that battle.

I found the concept of the story to be good. Had a hard time relating to the characters.

Kevin Malory is a mess. He’s a customer service representative that avoids customers and is rude when he needs to deal with them. I found myself rooting for him because I wanted him to improve his ways but every time he was offered an opportunity to prove himself he seemed to fail.

The characters were described so well that I could imagine each one as a real life person. He messes up and his new friend Lily and she recommends sex addicts therapy. When he finally agrees to go he lands up in the wrong therapy group. By the time he realizes this he has already annoyed most of the group members, but has befriended a few as well.

He sets out to help his friends when trouble arises and it is often done with a good heart but with many mistakes along the way.

I loved this quirky book. This was the second in a series but not having read the first book I felt i knew the characters because they were so well described. This is a quick read and I highly recommend reading it.

I found the pacing of this book to be off at times which is the main reason for the low review. I am a practicing licensed professional counselor, so I did find the portrayal as Mallory as a sex addict and many of his narcissistic tendencies to be accurate and done well throughout the book. I enjoyed reading the book as he gained insight and empathy towards others, allowing him to develop some more meaningful relationships. I thought Lilly's storyline was delved into a little too much at times.

I do understand this book is part of a series, but I wish there was more closure with Mallory's character at the end of the book.

I thought the book was ok. It was a bit where I liked Mallory but then seemed Mallory was over the top. Yet, it was meant to be So, just made me see how he tried, and he did. Kudos for his non-caring.