We are in a quandary about this book. On one hand the
writing is phenomenal inasmuch it draws you into a world and environment so
much that you can actually feel it
all and the chemistry between the romantic leads is insane. On the other hand, we
disliked the main protagonist intensely.
At twenty-four, Blair Bennett’s star is on the rise. She’s
written songs with immensely popular artistes and her band, Midnight Konfusion
is on the verge of a big break since they are the opening act for the biggest pop
star of them all, Reagan Moore. But personally Blair is a mess. A long-term
user of weed, cocaine and alcohol, she is using much more to avoid properly
dealing with the death of her grandfather. Reagan is warm, funny, approachable
and clean. On the extended tour in the USA, Blair and Reagan grow closer and closer
even though they’d decided that things between them would remain at ‘just sex’.
Blair’s irresponsible behaviour put Reagan’s standing, tour and reputation in a
jeopardy and their relationship could possibly unravel.
The book focusses on Blair. In the very first scene, she is
high on coke and breaking up with a beautiful girl who has held Blair through five
months since her grandfather’s passing. Blair is completely selfish and
self-obsessed without giving a thought to anyone else including her family,
friends and girls she is involved with. Her emotions are tepid at best because
when she has questions about where her relationship with Reagan stands, she
quickly – and without qualms – picks someone else to sleep with. IRL a
relationship with this kind of a person would be toxic because she is weak and
doesn’t show any indication of realisation of her destructiveness and is
therefore unlikely to change. She’s shown to have started using without any
real cause and is likely to continue doing so. And to top it all, she wears
victimhood as her armour and expects everyone else to take care of her.
Our dilemma comes from how well the book is written. It is
engrossing and immersive. There are some great moments and dialogues. Also,
Reagan is a great character.
Like we said, we are in a quandary about this book. This will always remain a book we'll want to re-read because of Reagan but will never pick up again because of Blair.
⭐⭐⭐★
