Book Review for Drunk Dial by Penelope Ward

DRUNK DIAL

by PENELOPE WARD

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Look up Landon Roderick, that boy from childhood whom I’d never been able to forget—even though he so easily forgot about me—and call him.

Then again, anything sounds like a good idea when you’ve had a little too much wine before bed, right? It was supposed to be just a quick, meaningless, prank call. Instead, I went off on him—unloading thirteen years of pent-up emotions.

I didn’t think he’d call me back.

I certainly could never have anticipated the weeks of sexually tense phone conversations that followed as I got to know the man he’d become.

Turned out, Landon had never really forgotten me, either. That special connection we had was still there. I opened up to him, but there were also things about me he didn’t know. And he had his own secrets.

Over the countless hours we talked on the phone, I wondered what would happen if we actually saw each other. One night, I did something impulsive again. Only this time, I went to the airport and booked a ticket to California. We were about to find out if one phone call could bring two lost souls together or if my drunk dial really was all just a big mistake.

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REVIEW: 2 STARS

SO, I REALIZE that I won't have a common rating....and this review won't be one of a popular opinion. I understand that, and I respect that, but I've always prided myself on the honesty in my reviews no matter how against the grain I am. My reviews are my personal opinion only, and I will always be as respectful as possible. With that being said, this book wasn't my favorite by Penelope Ward. I have read others I have enjoyed, but this one missed the mark for me.

I wish I could say the words flowed, but for me, they had a staccato rhythm to them and were pieced together. Abrupt. Short. Words. They just didn't flow, which didn't help the overall flow of the story for me. Many emotions and actions felt very forced, for the lack of a better word. I also felt like I was being told what was happening, and I was on the outside looking in. That is one of my biggest pet peeves for a book that is supposed to be really emotional. Many times, an author's words take you away, lift you up and you just move with the words/emotions/actions of the storyline. I felt no emotion, no attachment, no drive from the words in this story at all, and that saddened me more than anything else. This story had the ability to be amazing. The scenario itself? I could see where she was taking this book. I loved the idea of a reconnection for a second chance romance. Unfortunately, the scenario, the characters, the drama.....it was made up mostly of eye-roll-worthy happenings. In reality, it just didn't gel for me. 

First and foremost, Rana was the most annoying heroine I have read all year. And I don't say that lightly. I don't mean any disrespect because I would hate to have my reviews picked apart, just as an author would hate to have their books picked apart. But this one took the cake. She was jealous for NO reason AT ALL for anything and everything that had NOTHING to do with her in any way. She basically told him she forgives him for his mistakes and everyone makes them, yet there was no forgiveness due by her. And who is to say it was a mistake what Landon did? I was literally fuming....she was judging when he was lost. I just didn't get it. She was insecure, but 'fixed' the issues, yet she was STILL insecure. She hid behind her insecurity in many scenes, but in other scenes, she seemed to be just fine. It was a weird dynamic to her as a whole. Landon was a super possessive guy, and we all know how much I love those kinds of men. The more possessive, the better, in my opinion. I love them all. His seemed outta whack for me, but he didn't annoy me like Rana did. There was a serious helping of cheesiness in this book, but you can generally look past it. 

I felt like I was just getting madder and madder at the drama, the happenings going on in the book. I highlighted so many things that made me roll my eyes, or say "huh?" because there was just so much. I love the Vi/Pen duo, and that writing always seems flawless....it just flows effortlessly. But why didn't this book work for me? It was petty. Contrite. Immature. Selfish. It was not emotional at all for me. Sure, I read those words, but there was zero connection and zero feelings. I've actually somewhat been in Rana's position before, so I should have been able to relate at least a little bit....and yet, I just couldn't. She grated on my nerves. I don't want to say that. I actually hate saying it. I'm not being rude, but feeling sadly disappointed. 

Were there any outside mitigating factors that would have offended my thoughts on this book? I honestly asked myself that. I didn't want to be the only one that just didn't enjoy this book. Hate is a strong word, but it's a valid one for this book...I hated Rana.  

I realize the ramifications of leaving an honest, but negative review, so please don't blast me. I love reading and reviewing, but this one just didn't work for me. But I have to be honest. I've prided myself on my honesty on every book review I've ever done, negative or not. It's always an honest opinion. Never disrespectful, but always based on my feelings about the book and the characters. I could only discuss so much so that I wouldn't give away any of the plot so as to not take away from anyone else's reading enjoyment.

I'm so sad that I felt this way.....beyond sad. I just didn't enjoy this one at all. It got to the point that the actions and drama became comedic in a sense. 

~BEE

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~MEET PENELOPE WARD~

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 11-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island. 

~CONNECT WITH PENELOPE~

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