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.

Predictable but Sweet

I would have enjoyed this book more, if it wasn't so predictable. I had it figured out very early on and kept hoping the author would pull a surprise out of the hat at the end. She didn't, but she did explore the contradictory emotions of the main characters before giving us a final, satisfying resolution. The characters are deftly drawn, and the dialogue amusing. The plot provides a nice balance between humor and pathos. Definitely worth your time.

Great story !!

I didn't know what to expect and what a pleasant surprise...couldn't stop listening .
This was a great story !

Always keeps you wondering!

I enjoyed this book very much. It kept my attention and had me wondering what was going on. Really good book!

Such Great Sweet Nerdy Fun!

I absolutely loved this book...there's a mystery at the center of the story that you may figure out relatively quickly, but it's still such a great trip getting there. I got really hooked and found I couldn't put it down. The characters are great - funny, vulnerable, smart, and engaging. When I finished it, I went back to some favorite parts and re-listened. Well done!

Loved this book!

Even though this was a young adult book, the storyline and characters were great! I wish tht Julia Whelan could have narrated the followup book

Loved it!

An engrossing, funny, and heartbreaking story about a charmingly dysfunctional family. Loved it so much!

Flat out wonderful.

This is my newest all time favourite book. I flat out love Matty. Loved it .

EMINENTLY REREADABLE!!! Narration is goosebumpy...

4.5 stars — Please excuse me while I attempt to recover…. *weeps silently* OK, that probably gives an inaccurate vibe of the book…it has sad parts, but it’s not overall a sad book. I am just a ridiculously weepy person, so I’m quick to bawling. I must say, this is my second time reading this book, and listening to it might have been more traumatic. The narrator, Julia Whelan, truly gutted me at times with the way she would actually speak out the voice breaking sections…OH GOD, I’M GOING TO START CRYING JUST THINKING ABOUT IT! Needless to say I really enjoyed Ms. Whelan’s narration. She did a great job with the different voices for characters, and the emotion she conveyed in her voice was just…gut wrenching at times.

I think I actually gave this book a 4 stars when I read it the first time, but I’m bumping it up…not sure if that’s due to the narration, or I’m just a different reader than I was 7 years ago (OMG, 7 YEARS AGO), but I thoroughly enjoyed being back in this world. Even knowing the plot and what was coming did nothing to hinder my enjoyment. I remembered the broad details of the story, but I think I forgot the subtle nuances, you know?

I loved Julie. She had this snarky personality right from the start. I both loved her need to help (and fix) others, and it made me sad for her. I wanted to hug her and smack her at the same time. In so many ways this was like a book about Julie’s growth during her first year at college.

I loved the relationships she formed with the Watkin’s family, but in particular with each of the siblings. I loved her bantering with Matty, and the way they just fit together. I loved her messaging with Finn. And I adored the way she tried to help Celeste grow, and tried to get the family to come out of their slump.

The problem with this book is that ALLLLLL the characters are flawed. Like, super duper flawed. And because of the things they are dealing with, they all become a bit emotionally volatile in this book…and so sometimes the way they treat each other isn’t the best. It’s hard on the heart, you know? Because you want them to be better.

But I loved the way the book plays out in the end. I was fully invested in the characters, and I believed in their growth…both individually, and their relationships with one another.

And while the romance was unusual, and *almost* secondary to the story, I still found it really satisfying, and the chemistry was amazing. Damn, some good kissing scenes too. I wanted to fight for them, even not knowing who and what I was fighting for.

Now I really want to read more in the series. I wish I’d been on top of things and done this earlier, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles sometimes. I definitely recommend this story, as well as the audiobook. But if you’re an easy crier, perhaps near the end I would recommend NOT being out in public. ;)

Flat Out in Love!! 4.5 Terrific Stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the storylines and the characters including Flat Finn! Jessica Park creates an emotional rollercoaster ride, had some laughs, cries, drama, adventure, quirkiness, love and lots of heart. This is a young adult novel for all ages. Thank you for the great read!

Julia Whelan does a wonderful job narrating the story, she performs the voices of all the characters and bring them and their story to life! Thank you for the great listen!!

#LoveAndRelationships #Families #Quirky #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Great book!

I wasn’t sure about this book in the beginning, but I ended up loving it!! Julian Whelan is great too!