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.

Fab

So good!!! The characters are very well written and the plot , though somewhat strange, really takes you in and makes you want to read more:)

surprised

What did you like best about Flat-Out Love? What did you like least?

I ended up liking the book in the end. However, Julie was an irritating know-it-all who sticks her nose in everyone's business while not seeing her own flaws.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that author made me think of several different theories throughout most of the book, but the most obvious one was the answer. That was a bit of a let down.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator could have used better male voices. That is hard to do and I don't think it distracted me through the entire book.

Was Flat-Out Love worth the listening time?

This is definitely worth the time once you get into it.

Any additional comments?

There is no way I was ever able to like Julie. She forced her own opinions down everyone's throat and treated her own family with disdain. I was disappointed there was no confrontation with her father or that a few other small issues weren't followed through on. I especially hated how Thanksgiving turned out, totally did not expect her horrible behavior there. The best review that sums up my thoughts was written by Nereyda. Check it out and do read the book.

More than expected

Any additional comments?

I suspected this would be a light weight teen love story and was still drawn to give it a listen. So Glad I did. The story turned out to be a mystery with depth that explores our human coping mechanisms and the fascinating way simplicity of caring and taking action can help us heal.

Great Characters

Even though I predicted the entire plot of the this book in first 30 min of it I still LOVED it! Great characters and Julia Whelan was excellent as always!!

Loved it

I absolutely loved this book… I will admit that I was brought in by Julia Whelan because she is one of my favorite narrators but the book itself was wonderful as well. I have already purchased flat out Celeste and even though I'm excited to know what happens to the Watkins family I'm very disappointed that Julia is not narrating that book as well… It seems confusing to me why a different narrator would be chosen?

Emotionally charged with both humor and heartache

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

Trying to figure out all of the dysfunctional attributes of each character and then watching them begin to heal.

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed the elevator scene and the ending.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When you fully realize the extent of the emotional breakdown for each character.

Any additional comments?

I found this story to be an emotional roller-coaster both heart warming and heart wrenching. You feel from the very start that each character has some form of dysfunction in their lives. It is an experience learning what each one is dealing with and how they deal or not. The banter between Matthew, Finn and Julie is clever and witty. Each character is vivid and real, with deep relationships that draw you in. I definite recommend.

It does deal with some issues that I believe are better for older teens.

Suspenseful love story!

I listened anxiously waiting for the story to end, but not end. I couldn't turn it off.

Absolutely loved it!

I loved this so much. I felt like I kept running to my car in the morning and after work just so I could listen to it. I will be purchasing the book as well!

Incredible Story

This was such a good story. I’m so glad I chose to listen to the audiobook as it was beautifully narrated. The story is very original and held my attention from beginning to end. Jessica Park is a new author to me but I really enjoyed her style of writing.

I would recommend this book.

Fun, quirky and predictable (but in a good way!)

This story was quirky, fun, and predictable (but not in a bad way!). Even though the reader can figure out the underlying plot there are still aspects that are surpassing, amusing and touching. Julie arrives in Boston to start her first year of college only to find out the apartment she put a deposit on doesn't exist. Her mother pulls some last minute strings and Julie is off to spend a few days with a family of an old friend of her mom's. This Watkins family is ecentric. There's nerdy college student Matt, the Harvard professor mom, ultra brainy research analysis dad, and immature 13 year old Celeste. Out of the picture, traveling the world is the handsome eldest brother Finn. Oh, and then there's Flat Finn, the life size cut out of the real Fynn that Celeste totes around with her wherever she goes. While the family dynamics are certainly strange, Julie really connects with them, especially Finn who she strikes up an intimate on line relationship with via Facebook. But then there's Matt who she's really good friends with. Julia sets out to help Celeste loosen her dependence on Flat Fynn while uncovering the real reason behind the family's dysfunction.