Reviewed by Leigha on
Beatrice Baker ends up meeting the man of her dreams in this ho-hum romantic comedy.
I had high hopes for New Orleans Rush. Helen Hoang herself gave it a glowing review. I went into this book expecting a home run only to discover myself at an empty ball game. It might have rated three stars from me if my disappointment had not been so great. So take this review for what it is – a novel I didn’t like that scored low because I wanted to like it.
Many people will read this book, enjoying the illusions and magic. Good for you! Me? Well, I was bored to tears. When am I going to learn me and magicians do not mix? I didn’t like Erin Morgenstern’s Night Circus, I didn’t like Stephanie Garber’s Caraval, and I didn’t like this book. The magician trope does nothing for me. The only novel I’ve truly enjoyed featuring magicians is Nora Robert’s Honest Illusions, and it’s really a novel about jewelry thieves.
Beatrice and Huxley felt unreal. Beatrice was a little too happy-go-lucky, while Huxley was a dour sourpuss of a person. I understand the charm of putting the two together, but it did not work for me here. Perhaps if the characters had spent more than a couple of weeks together, I would have bought their romance and chemistry. Alas, this couple and their respective story lines are diluted by rushed pacing.
tl;dr I’m sure others will enjoy this opposites attract rom-com, but it was not for me.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 23 March, 2019: Finished reading
- 23 March, 2019: Reviewed