/I read over 100 books in 2023 and, for all purposes and references, I'm a proud member of the BookTok community (I mean how can you not) just to help you picture the genres I read. Anyway, 100 sounds like a lot, right? Honestly, when you read these books, you don't even know where time goes. It's just you and your current world. So, in reality, and comparison to other bibliophiles, 100 is maybe, possibly the minimum? (shrugs) But I digress.
When I started getting into devouring books in 2023, it was by chance, or a stroke of luck, considering how much I've enjoyed it, and I've never regretted it. But I did wish I had the chance to pick my first read by choice, especially with the genre and tropes. Because my first read, though pure magic, was a little too heavy and dark for me, I wish I had eased into it (p.s I'll be making a post about my first and last read of 2023 real soon, look out for that). So, I made up my mind to be conscious of my first book of 2024. I wanted to consciously pick it, ticking all the boxes I wanted for my first read, and I'm glad I did because it helped start the year well.
Introducing my first read of 2024... drum roll!!!!!
"He's Not My Type" by Meghan Quinn. If you don't know Meghan Quinn, she's popular for the billionaire Cane Brothers series and the Vancouver Agitators hockey series. "He's Not My Type" is the fourth book in the Vancouver Agitators. I hate spoilers, either giving or receiving, so I'll try to avoid major spoilers.
"He's Not My Type" is a steamy, one-bed, funny rom-com about Halsey, a literal cinnamon roll with a body marvelously sculpted for not cinnamon 'roll-y' things (wink), who is also grieving the loss of his twin brother. He's pining after the team's VIP relations and marketing, Blakely. Now, Halsey has been pining over Blakely for over a year, but she was in a relationship, so that didn't work out. But by a stroke of luck, one of his friends, who is also his teammate, overheard that she was finally single and in need of a place to stay, and after over a year of pining, guess who has an apartment with a spare bedroom that is not in use, only one functional bed and a Bonsai plant named Sherman that needs to be looked after when on away games? Yeah, Halsey.
And so begins the tropes of forced proximity, roommate to lovers, and found family. It was such a swell ride with so many fun moments and funny scenes, especially when half of Halsey's entire team (yes, they all knew about his pining) tried to give him all kinds of advice just so Blakely would notice him and fall hopelessly in love with him. Needless to say, that didn't work, but at the end of the day, simplicity and honesty won out. There was also the somber (I wouldn't call it sad) part of it, where Halsey was still going through the five stages of grief and dealing with rejection, survivor's guilt, and blame from his parents for the death of his twin brother. It was eye-opening to see grief from the perspective Meghan explored. I especially love it wasn't just typical grief that every writer pens about. This was more introspective and self-deprecating as opposed to going off on everyone around you.
One thing that I didn't enjoy about the book was that 70% of it showcased Halsey actively and passively chasing Blakely, with very little response or reciprocation from her side. It would be fair to say that if Halsey had given up on her, there would be no love story. Don't get me wrong, I love a man who knows what he wants and goes for it, but at the same time, it would be nice to see some signs of interest or reciprocation from Blakely's side. ( I mean give the man some green light to keep going). I didn't like that Blakely seemed so oblivious to the fact that Halsey liked her.
That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book, definitely a good year starter, especially if you don't want to go too hard or too dark. It's perfect for a not-too-serious read and will make you laugh out loud and kick your feet and wish you had your own Halsey who would be obsessed with you (sighs). The book is a solid 3.5 stars from me with top-tier spice (IYKYK). Meghan Quinn once again ate and left no crumbs.
Please share your first read of 2024. Did you start dark and heavy or light and fluffy or self-help/awareness? Also, if you've read any of Meghan Quinn's books, tell me which it is, and let's rave about it.