It Only Happens in the Movies by Holly Bourne: A Review
Title: It Only Happens in the Movies
Author: Holly Bourne
Language: English
Published date: 2017
Overall rating: 2.9/5
Genre: Fiction, Romance
Plot development: 3/5
Major characters: Audrey, Henry
Brief Overview:
It Only Happens in the Movies by Holly Bourne is another romantic book that fails to deliver its impact. When I started the novel, the first few chapters were quite simple yet engaging. However, the story lost its charm at many points.
A light Feminist Love Story!
The Story of It Only Happens in the Movies:
A light rom-com constructed on the belief “Girl Meets a Boy” does not always foreshadows a happily ever after always. Audrey, the protagonist of the story is sad and angry about the divorce of her parents. To stay away from her sad mother and earn some money, she starts working in a cinema. There, she meets an aspirational yet struggling film-maker, Henry and feels infatuated by him. Against the expectations of everyone, they fall in love quite hard and the story takes a new turn unlike movies.
Henry does something wrong but is really sorry for it. Audrey has to make a decision before it starts consuming her like her mother. What will she choose?
“Because you always leave a little piece of your heart in whoever you fall in love with.”
– Holly Bourne
The Review:
The feminist novel, It Only Happens in the Movies is a strong sentimental novel with the amalgamation of regrets and sadness, sparks of love and excitement, comedy and humor.
Bourne uses strong imagery and entertains the readers with the description of scenes in a cinematic setting. Likewise, the Zombie aspect of the novel brings laughter.
However, the beautiful scenes are dragged unnecessarily to the point that you start to lose interest. Similarly, the emotional journey of Audrey is relatable and un-relatable simultaneously.
This feminist novel advocates its message too vividly that it loses its charm. It seems that the targeted audience is teenagers as the story is filled with unnecessary drama and emotions.
The plot, too lacks some of the important details. Overall, the story is quite simple and cute.
Writing Style:
The writing style is romantic and simple; a reflection of the conveyed message.
Recommendation:
If you like love-stories, do give it a read.
You might love it if you want to spend good time as this book can be a good one-time read.