Official Review: I wasn’t even looking!

[Gabriel Merêncio]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "I wasn’t even looking!" by Lana Beaudoin.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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I wasn’t even looking!, by Lana Beaudoin, is an interesting tale of modern-day romance set in the late ‘90s. The author conveys how, as a recently divorced woman, she happened to stumble upon a dating ad online. Curious, Lana started an exchange of emails that would last for years and change her life forever. All of that happened when she wasn’t even looking!

The book is divided into eight chapters, most of which display the emails Lana and her husband Greg wrote to one another. The author also writes about their dates and what was going on in her life at the time. I enjoyed the casual, conversational tone throughout the book that kept me invested in the story. It was particularly amusing and relatable to see how Lana felt insecure immediately after sending an email, wondering if she made a bad impression or asked the wrong thing.

Your enjoyment will depend on how you feel about the main “gimmick” of the book: the emails. On the one hand, this storytelling approach feels authentic, giving us an intimate view of a budding relationship; on the other hand, it can make the book feel dry and hard to connect to, especially when several emails are shown right next to each other without breaks.

It can also be frustrating to read about several events without getting to witness them ourselves. For example, the emails talk about the birthday celebrations they’re preparing, but we never see what actually happened; we only read their emails afterward. Overall, some extra content would’ve made the book more interesting and dynamic.

There are a few typographical errors in the book, though I’m unsure whether to count the errors in the emails. A few formatting issues also show up from time to time, mostly missing or extraneous line breaks in paragraphs. These problems aren’t particularly egregious, but the book should still go through another round of editing.

I wasn’t even looking! is a relatable love story that should appeal to divorced women and readers who enjoy reading about online romance. For better or worse, the book does exactly what it proposes: show the trail of emails that led to Greg and Lana’s marriage. If you think that’s boring, then look elsewhere. Since it’s a short book that can be read in one sitting, you might want to give it a chance if the topic seems interesting. I rate it 3 out of 4 stars, deducting a point for the editing issues and the lack of personal stories to complement the emails. There are only minor profanities, so the book can be read by anyone, but adults should appreciate it the most.

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I wasn’t even looking!
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[Anon_Reviewer]

In the age of Tinder and the like, it's quite hard to imagine falling in love over email. However, I'm glad it worked for the author and her husband back in their day. I don't think I'd enjoy this book. Nonetheless, thanks for the honest review.

[Ngozi Onyibor]

Their love story sounds really sweet. But I doubt I will enjoy a book of email exchanges between two lovers. Thanks for your review, though.

[Gabriel Merêncio]

Their love story sounds really sweet. But I doubt I will enjoy a book of email exchanges between two lovers. Thanks for your review, though.

In the age of Tinder and the like, it's quite hard to imagine falling in love over email. However, I'm glad it worked for the author and her husband back in their day. I don't think I'd enjoy this book. Nonetheless, thanks for the honest review.

Indeed, it's not everyone's cup of tea. Thanks for the comments!

[Charlyn Tuzon]

The love story with the use of emails sounds refreshing from the usual format. I'm not a romance reader but I think this has an appeal to those who are. Great review!

[Gabriel Merêncio]

The love story with the use of emails sounds refreshing from the usual format. I'm not a romance reader but I think this has an appeal to those who are. Great review!

It's certainly an unusual choice. Thanks for the comment!

[tristenb]

I think this seems like an interesting story. I spent a lot of time instant messaging my husband since we are from two different countries. While I still have all of our messages, I don't think I would ever publish them. It seems very personal, so I appreciate the author and her husband being okay with sharing their stories.

I totally agree with you. It seems the book needs a few more stories to tie all of the emails together. It would leave the reader more fulfilled.

Thanks for your review! I think I'm going to put this in my want to read section.

[Bambiears]

This seems to be a book for those who like to sneak into siblings diarys and the like. While there was a point that person was me, I feel like that age may have come to a close. Thank you for the time invested in this reveiw.

[Letora]

I love to live in the moment with novels. I much prefer begin shown instead of told what happens in a book. I think the emails would drive me a bit crazy not actually seeing what happens to the characters. Great review!

[Gabriel Merêncio]

This seems to be a book for those who like to sneak into siblings diarys and the like. While there was a point that person was me, I feel like that age may have come to a close. Thank you for the time invested in this reveiw.

I love to live in the moment with novels. I much prefer begin shown instead of told what happens in a book. I think the emails would drive me a bit crazy not actually seeing what happens to the characters. Great review!

I think this seems like an interesting story. I spent a lot of time instant messaging my husband since we are from two different countries. While I still have all of our messages, I don't think I would ever publish them. It seems very personal, so I appreciate the author and her husband being okay with sharing their stories.

I totally agree with you. It seems the book needs a few more stories to tie all of the emails together. It would leave the reader more fulfilled.

Thanks for your review! I think I'm going to put this in my want to read section.

Ah, yes, the good old times of snooping. I remember seeing a few private messages from my sister once... or twice. Indeed, some "show, don't tell" would benefit the book.

[Wyland]

I am actually amazed that dating ads work. I think I would enjoy reading this one. Thanks for the wonderful review.

[Gabriel Merêncio]

I am actually amazed that dating ads work. I think I would enjoy reading this one. Thanks for the wonderful review.

That's a good point. I suppose old-school methods stick around for good reasons. Thanks for the comment!

[Ekta Swarnkar]

Love stories can either be cute or boring. This one sounds cute. I like the way the two characters contacted each other. Nice review as always!

[Gabriel Merêncio]

Love stories can either be cute or boring. This one sounds cute. I like the way the two characters contacted each other. Nice review as always!

It's a rather wholesome love story. Thanks for the comment!

[kdstrack]

I can identify with Lana and questioning saying the right thing in an email. Once you hit the send button, it's on the cloud forever! I enjoyed your review! Thanks.