Flat-Out Love

Flat-Out Love, Book 1

By: Jessica Park

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

He was tall, at least six feet, with dirty blond hair that hung over his eyes. His T-shirt read Nietzsche Is My Homeboy.

So, that was Matt. Who Julie Seagles likes. A lot. But there is also Finn. Who she flat out loves.

Complicated? Awkward? Completely.

But really, how was this freshly-minted Boston transplant and newbie college freshman supposed to know that she would end up living with the family of an old friend of her mother’s? This was all supposed to be temporary. Julie wasn’t supposed to be important to the Watkins family, or to fall in love with one of the brothers. Especially the one she’s never quite met. But what does that really matter? Finn gets her, like no one ever has before. They have connection. But here’s the thing about love, in all its twisty, bumpy permutations - it always throws you a few curves. And no one ever escapes unscathed.

©2012 Jessica Park (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Love Love LOVE!!!

Where does Flat-Out Love rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This has got to be one of my favorite audiobooks. The story was good, engaging, romantic, dramatic, and sweet. The narrator's performance was incredible. I listen to 30 audiobooks a year, her narration was incredible.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I might not have cried, but I definitely choked up and gasped. The story and performance was very emotional and it really came through.

Any additional comments?

This was fantastic! I will definitely get more from this author and look for this narrator again. Excellent.

Flat-Out Loved it!

I actually give this book 4.5 stars.

This was an incredibly clever story with a great plot. I love it when the author makes the characters so real and vivid that I become so invested in their lives. I cared about them, cried for/with them, and rooted for them.

Celeste was adorable and quirky and perfect. Just like Julie, I didn't want Celeste to change completely and I'm glad she didn't. This family was so broken but put on such a facade. It was heartbreaking and sad.

There is something that happens in the story that I guessed right off, but then doubted myself several times only to be right in the end. It was just so weird how the family lived. However, it was all explained in the end and was realistic. My small issue with the "thing" (I don't want to give it away) is that I feel it went on too long. I was ready for it to be over long before it was.

I love angst and heartbreak but I love the happy endings and the romantic love story the most. In some of these angsty books, I feel like the happy ever after is so short at the end. I need more. I want to see more happiness for these characters that suffered, cried, and hurt so much throughout the story.

This was a really great story with some exceptional characters. I recommend this for anyone that does like to cry, laugh, and have their happy ending.

Love! Love! Love!

What made the experience of listening to Flat-Out Love the most enjoyable?

I so enjoyed this book, even if the ending was a bit predictable, the characters were so great that I loved every minute.

Loved this Book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I loved the story and all that transpired!

What did you like best about this story?

Everything was good

Have you listened to any of Julia Whelan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first book by Julia

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but I listen on my commute to and from work

predictable ending doesn't mar this amazing book

If you could sum up Flat-Out Love in three words, what would they be?

Highly intelligent characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Flat Finn; he was surrounded by mystery.

What does Julia Whelan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

emotion.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Depths of the human psyche.

Any additional comments?

This is an amazing book and I highly recommend it. It's entirely believable.

Was Really Surprised

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It was all I could talk about when I finished the book.

What other book might you compare Flat-Out Love to and why?

It really stands alone. I won't say more otherwise I might spoil the read.

What does Julia Whelan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The oration was 25% of the unexpected. Really great.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A 5 tissue read

Any additional comments?

Unexpected and sweet. I could relate on many levels.

Witty, Deep, Tragic and Romantic

I just finished this book, so I am inspired to share this wonderful, well written story. I laughed and was entirely engaged throughout. Although I did figure out the ending earlier, it did not lessen the impact of the spectacular turnaround of the story line one bit! Julie finds a family she can take care of to remove her from her own dysfunctional family, only to find out that she was the one that was saved. Heart wrenching and funny I would recommend this young adult book all day long, (and I'm 50) Lol.

LOVINGLY HEARTBREAKING

Loved this book! Humor, sadness, heartbreak and love. The story caught me off guard I figured it out right before it materialized before my eyes. I know I will read/listen to it again and again. I have a new fav.

Really fun first half.

But I wanted more relationship time together.

Julie moves in with a dysfunctional family during her first year at college. I loved how she improved their lives and they were good for her. I wanted to be in her shoes. This is my nerdiness showing but I was so excited when Erin the mother gave her user name and password to Julie, so Julie could have access to the Harvard Library! (Erin taught at Harvard.) I love libraries! Back to the story. I loved the Flat Finn cardboard idea and the things happening with that. (Creative) I liked the dialogue. I liked the mix of characters.

I’m not sure I can put my finger on it, but the last half was a little draggy. Then, the big separation was a downer with angsty stuff. At that point I did not care for Julie’s actions. She was too rigid and unforgiving. I wish the author skipped the separation and spent that time developing the romantic relationship. I would have loved seeing the couple spend time together as a couple and hold each other and kiss each other on purpose. Because their relationship didn’t develop much, the ending felt too quick. I wanted fuller feelings at the end. But overall it was a good story.

I’m so happy that this was written in 3rd person. Thank you author. I don’t like 1st person.

Some reviewers complained that they guessed the secret before Julie did. That didn’t bother me. It’s not mandatory to keep readers in the dark. Another thought: You’ll need to suspend disbelief the way everyone lied about something. But it made the story better so I was ok with it.

AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Julia Whelan was excellent.

Narrative mode: 3rd person.
Genre: contemporary romance, less angst New Adult.

Incredible

Would you listen to Flat-Out Love again? Why?

I would listen again; the intricacies of the characters, the great performance, the wonderful story... great use of first person POV which made the performance better.

What other book might you compare Flat-Out Love to and why?

There IS NO COMPARISON

What does Julia Whelan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great strength and performance; easily makes each character come to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely.