Official Review: His Kate by Sue Krawitz
Posted: 01 Apr 2016, 11:56
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "His Kate" by Sue Krawitz.]
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
His Kate by Sue Krawitz is a contemporary romance about the choices and consequences people face in relationships. Greg, an IT professional, has been dating Heather for three years, but is ambivalent about the idea of marrying her. Then along comes Kate. They meet while Greg is in the park with his dog, and he becomes smitten. He is not really cheating on Heather; the couple had recently decided to take a temporary break after an awkward visit to the famous Tiffany’s jewelry store. Although Heather suggested the break, she hopes that time apart will convince Greg to move forward in their relationship. A major event occurs and things become complicated with a few twists along the way.
The main characters are very likeable with detailed backstories. Greg is the kind of guy every girl would want - nice, responsible, caring, funny, and easygoing. The women are both accomplished in their careers, yet they each dream of getting married and starting a family.
Philadelphia comes alive here with frequent mentions of neighborhoods, streets and landmarks. I was able to get a real sense of the lively hustle-bustle, humid summers, and easy walkability.
The plot takes a while to get going due to a heavy emphasis on character development. The author sets the stage with alternating views of Greg, Heather, and Kate. The characters hardly interact at all in the beginning; it’s more of a long, “let’s get acquainted with each character” for the reader. I started wondering when the plot was going to take shape. The storyline starts to move forward and becomes interesting after the first third of the book. The themes of choice, regret, and the many facets of love are very relatable.
I enjoyed this thoughtful story, but the descriptions are overdone at times. Here’s an example – “Kate ran her hand through the grass, taking joy in the thick, soft blades that tickled her fingers. Each blade was the perfect shade of green and had a freshly cut, clean, crisp smell.” There is also way too much detail about what each person is wearing, their hairstyle of the day, or insignificant characters, such as a waitress. Passages like this slow the pace of the story and give an over-the-top feel to the most mundane things.
Written in the third person, the point of view alternates between the three main characters. It is an effective plot device, although the perspective changes are often abrupt. I found it difficult to keep track of the two women’s interests and backstories early in the book. It would have been helpful if the author had included section breaks between POV switches. There are also a few grammatical errors, including one noticeable instance of the wrong character’s name used.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. After a slow start, I enjoyed this heartfelt romance with characters that were easy to relate to. Fans of realistic romances will find this an engaging read. I don’t read a lot of romance novels, but I found it hard to leave these characters behind on the last page.
******
His Kate
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like bookowlie's review? Post a comment saying so!
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
His Kate by Sue Krawitz is a contemporary romance about the choices and consequences people face in relationships. Greg, an IT professional, has been dating Heather for three years, but is ambivalent about the idea of marrying her. Then along comes Kate. They meet while Greg is in the park with his dog, and he becomes smitten. He is not really cheating on Heather; the couple had recently decided to take a temporary break after an awkward visit to the famous Tiffany’s jewelry store. Although Heather suggested the break, she hopes that time apart will convince Greg to move forward in their relationship. A major event occurs and things become complicated with a few twists along the way.
The main characters are very likeable with detailed backstories. Greg is the kind of guy every girl would want - nice, responsible, caring, funny, and easygoing. The women are both accomplished in their careers, yet they each dream of getting married and starting a family.
Philadelphia comes alive here with frequent mentions of neighborhoods, streets and landmarks. I was able to get a real sense of the lively hustle-bustle, humid summers, and easy walkability.
The plot takes a while to get going due to a heavy emphasis on character development. The author sets the stage with alternating views of Greg, Heather, and Kate. The characters hardly interact at all in the beginning; it’s more of a long, “let’s get acquainted with each character” for the reader. I started wondering when the plot was going to take shape. The storyline starts to move forward and becomes interesting after the first third of the book. The themes of choice, regret, and the many facets of love are very relatable.
I enjoyed this thoughtful story, but the descriptions are overdone at times. Here’s an example – “Kate ran her hand through the grass, taking joy in the thick, soft blades that tickled her fingers. Each blade was the perfect shade of green and had a freshly cut, clean, crisp smell.” There is also way too much detail about what each person is wearing, their hairstyle of the day, or insignificant characters, such as a waitress. Passages like this slow the pace of the story and give an over-the-top feel to the most mundane things.
Written in the third person, the point of view alternates between the three main characters. It is an effective plot device, although the perspective changes are often abrupt. I found it difficult to keep track of the two women’s interests and backstories early in the book. It would have been helpful if the author had included section breaks between POV switches. There are also a few grammatical errors, including one noticeable instance of the wrong character’s name used.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. After a slow start, I enjoyed this heartfelt romance with characters that were easy to relate to. Fans of realistic romances will find this an engaging read. I don’t read a lot of romance novels, but I found it hard to leave these characters behind on the last page.
******
His Kate
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like bookowlie's review? Post a comment saying so!
