Rating:
Genre: New Adult
For almost two years now, Kiera’s boyfriend, Denny, has been everything she’s ever wanted: loving, tender and endlessly devoted to her. When they head off to a new city to start their lives together, Denny at his dream job and Kiera at a top-notch university, everything seems perfect. Then an unforeseen obligation forces the happy couple apart.
Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source—a local rock star named Kellan Kyle. At first, he’s purely a friend that she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything changes…and none of them will ever be the same. — Simon & Schuster
At first glance, Thoughtless may appear to be just that: some thoughtless thing two people do because they just can’t help it. But I believe it’s more than that. This book reflects on a situation (cheating) that occurs due to selfishness. The story essentially says that it’s ok to fall in bed with someone while you’re supposedly in love with someone else because sometimes, shit happens. I don’t believe that to be the case. If you feel attracted to someone other than your significant other, it’s time to rethink your current relationship. Why bother with the hurt and drama that’s sure to occur when it can avoided with a simple “I think I might be hot for your über sexy friend and we should call it quits?” I mean, how hard would that be? Obviously extremely difficult considering the main character (MC), Kiera, doesn’t take this approach. She rather selfishly gives in to her desires one drunken night and comes up with excuses to justify her actions. This is the catalyst to what we are supposed to consider as the plot and the whole point for the shenanigans that result in the rest of this drivel novel.
The story is flawed and goes beyond ridiculous in terms of practicality. It’s not realistic in any way and borders on boring. I only finished the book to be able to provide a fair review. The biggest issues I had while reading: too many adverbs; lack of editing; juvenile writing and an MC who reads more like a teenager than the 20 year old she’s supposed to be. I can’t believe Kiera’s decisions or how difficult it was for her to do the right thing. She’s selfish (have I said this enough?), naïve and a one-dimensional caricature of a young woman taking charge of her life. I have no empathy for her plight. She toys with the two men in this story, and I’m confused as to how she can be so deeply in love with her boyfriend, yet drool over their roommate at the same time. Obviously there’s trouble in paradise before the story begins because Kiera fawns over the gorgeous Kellan Kyle more than she does her love, her life, her all, Denny.
Observations:
Kiera is too indecisive. I don’t understand how someone her age can’t make a simple decision without flip-flopping every five seconds. Her self-loathing is unwarranted. She thinks she’s simply average, but Kellan is beyond perfect, therefore deserving someone just as perfect.
It’s odd how Kellan goes from being this supposed Casanova to a begging-for-any-attention-he-can-get-from-Kiera lonely guy. What happened to him? He seemed so confident and self-assured. In the beginning Kellan is subdued; after his fling with Kiera, he becomes a “man whore” (as she calls him) and no one notices the obvious change in his demeanor. Denny mentions it in passing but doesn’t really think about it. Hello, blatant clue right there. I’m not sure I understand how these characters are so clueless as to what’s going on around them.
Giving Kellan a troubled past doesn’t make his character deep. It doesn’t explain anything about him. But, that’s Stephen’s fault for not developing him enough.
Kiera blushes so much you’d think her face was red all the time. I don’t get it. She’s not an innocent 14 year old. It’s annoying as hell.
Kiera is also irrational. “Maybe it could work with both of them.” Is she serious? And everything either “thrills” or “terrifies” her. Does she not feel any other emotions?
“It was so wonderful to be able to kiss him freely, whenever I wanted to.” Kiera hasn’t broken up with Denny yet says this because she and Kellan are somewhere they can get away with sneaking around without getting caught. I screamed at the audacity of this thought process. I can’t even…
She talks about how wonderful Denny is all the time, so why doesn’t it sink in what she’s throwing away? What she has? A man who cooks, does dishes, and adores you isn’t sufficient? Because he isn’t the hot, rock god Kellan is, he’s simply not enough? She deserves to be alone.
I now understand why research is so important to a novel. It pays to get the facts straight in order for your story to be believable and in this case, Stephens falls short. When someone is a senior in college, three classes are not enough to complete your degree, especially if you’ve just transferred from another college. Sometimes, some class credits don’t transfer and you have to retake them. So can someone explain to me why Kiera is taking freshman courses in her senior year? Also, when buses break down, you have the option to wait for another one, but in my experience the drivers don’t force you to stay on the bus. You don’t wanna wait, you get off and walk. Simple.
Kellan’s band mate Griffin behaves deplorably. How his friends can laugh at his antics is beyond me. He’s on the verge of being a rapist; he molests every woman within two feet of him and no one does anything to stop him. He grabs women’s butts, puts his hands up their skirts, and practically mauls anyone he finds attractive, all because he can. His band mates think it’s all fun and games and he’s “just being Griffin.” That comment bothered me more than anything. *gag*
Why do authors feel younger female characters have to be so insecure? Do women really feel they aren’t attractive enough for a hot guy to want them? Is there a reason women can’t be liked by a guy because of their personality, sense of humor, or mind? Am I being unrealistic thinking that? I understand there has to be some physical attraction thrown in to the mix, but damn. Not every couple you see in real life consists of ridiculously good looking people. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder anyway. I don’t like how shallow characters are when considering why someone is with them. Then of course, all the women the hot guy hooks up with have to be supermodelesque sluts! As an aside: authors, please stop with the slut shaming. It’s ridiculous and doesn’t set a good example for any woman of any age who reads this. Is this really what we want to highlight for our young adults? Why not write about how strong women have become, what accomplishments they’ve achieved in their lifetime, and give the young people reading this book something to strive for?
I find Thoughtless to be an asinine study in infidelity, selfishness and low self esteem. Yes, I’m talking about the dimwitted heroine, Kiera. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone.
I was provided a copy of Thoughtless by NetGalley and the publisher Simon & Schuster for an honest review.
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