Regina's Reads

I gorged myself on this book -- reading it in about 24 hours.  The book wasn't my favorite but the story is really compelling.  So compelling that even though I was bothered by some technical issues in the book, I still just kept going and wanted to know what would happen.  

Glitterland is a contemporary romance set in Britain between two men - -Ash and Darian. But to say it is a contemporary romance is to ignore a significant chunk of the book. The story is told from the first person point of view of a man, Ash, struggling with his bipolar diagnosis and his anxiety. Ash has what many of us want.  He is a published and well received writer, he is well-off and well educated. He has friends who support him, want to help him.  But he is crippled by his mental illness and his self esteem.  Had I known that a good portion of Glitterland would deal with Ash's mental illness and his struggles to move past his diagnosis, I likely would not have picked up this book.  Why did I pick it up?  Suzanne Brockmann (an all time favorite author of mine) recommended it; and it is getting a good buzz on Goodreads. Glad I did pick this up.  I have so many preconceptions about what I want in a book and I am often wrong, thank goodness for goodreads and recommendations!  

But for me to say Glitterland is about a man struggling with mental illness is to really miss what the book is about.  There is witty dialogue, sexy scenes, character growth, and funny stuff.

How often have you dated someone who is so completely different from you or your friends? Economically? Socially? Tastes in music and clothes? Were you embarrassed by that person? Maybe he or she doesn't read books like you do, doesn't understand the words you use, talks with an accent that is not as high-classed as you or your friends .....  Not many people do date or marry outside of their social circle. And books that explore this theme usually do it in a silly cliched way -- the maid and the millionaire or (my least favorite) the partner in a law firm and his secretary.  Well, Glitterland brings two men together that are so completely different that their lives would never cross but at this one bar for this one night.  It isn't cliche (it could have been, but it isn't); the author actually does it so well I found myself wondering why they would want to be together.  The author convinced of my Ash's point of view.  Ash doesn't plan to stay with Darian, he thinks he is getting a one night stand and that is it.  But Darian doesn't cooperate.

So what didn't I like?  The first person inner monologue was sort of clunky and awkward - and there is a lot of it. I feel like this is more about experience than style.  The expression of feeling and intent by Ash was just not very smoothly done. But don't let this stop you, the story is still very worthwhile and I plan to explore more books by this author.  

I didn't understand why either character was into each other, but I did want them to end up together.  I did want them to be able to move past all of their personal issues.  Ash was just not very likable and until the end of the story, I did not see Darian's appeal.  I did not get how they fit together but I got that they wanted to be together. And I am embarrassed to admit, much of the British slang and humor went right over my head. But I am sure it was funny!

So I should wrap this up ..... Glitterland is a sweet love story, about two men who are from very different backgrounds and social strata but who have a crazy hot connection. If you enjoy romances with a slight gritty edge to them with real life issues, then you likely will enjoy this book.  Some comparisons that come to mine are Suzanne Brockmann's trouble shooter series, Cara McKenna, and Megan Hart.  While Brockmann does it in a more lighthearted way and Mckenna and Hart do it steamier, these authors incorporate real life messiness into their romance stories (just the way I like it by the way) similar to Alexis Hall with Glitterland.  If you try it, let me know what you think.