Hot Toddy

by T. C. Collins

[Jane]

"Captain Zero's girls get whatever they want!"

"Hot Toddy" is an edgy coming-of-age novel superb for anyone who's made (or is in the process of making) illogical, impulsive decisions. LJ's not great with relationships and, in the heart of Hollywood, tries her hardest to make ends meet with whatever modeling jobs she can land -- or at least those her friend Naomi, a fellow model who doubles as a genuine friend not out to sabotage other models, hooks her up with modeling gigs using her own connections. But they don't fit the lifestyle LJ's best friend and roommate keeps encouraging her to live, so she is forced to find a method that leads her on a path of self-discovery and redeemed self-esteem.

The author described this as a fun read, but it's more of a read-page-one-and-don't-stop-until-you-hit-the-back-cover book. There were a few instances wherein the typos and grammar made words or sentences hard to read, and some words and phrases could use dashes -- like "gluten-free" and the above dash-including phrase -- especially since they would help the diction flow more seamlessly.

I was also put off half a hundred pages ago because one Of Her roommates said "retarded" in place of "stupid", but something I've told myself countless times as an autistic writer writing autistic protagonists who face such discrimination and name-calling is, "Just because my character does it doesn't mean it's what I would do. I don't always have to agree with them."

I noticed a TBC note on the back of the last chapter -- I'm definitely interested in a second novel. I was shocked to have come across a first novel that isn't crappy.

Full review: http://janepedia.com/tccollins-hot-toddy/