PROM THEORY

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐲
𝐁𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐫
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐒𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐢 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫
𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤: 𝟑𝟐𝟎
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝐑𝐨𝐦-𝐂𝐨𝐦 / 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑



I appreciate the author's innovative approach in bringing awareness to NVLD through the protagonist, Iris, in this delightful rom-com. Despite my initial lack of knowledge about NVLD, the author skillfully integrated it into the story without diminishing Iris' condition. Reading from Iris' perspective throughout the book was unique. While I found her Wikipedia-like explanations of various topics a bit overwhelming, I understand that it was necessary for the story's context. I must admit that Iris's scientific thoughts and Wiki moments occasionally became a tad monotonous, leading to moments of boredom. However, I acknowledge that this is a subjective response, and readers may choose to embrace or skip those detailed paragraphs based on their preferences.
The 'Prom Theory' plot, where Iris becomes fixated on proving her scientific theory to make the school jock fall in love with her before prom, was intriguing. It provided insight into her struggles, particularly her denial about her best friend leaving for college and the difficulty she faced in dealing with the impending separation. Overall, while some aspects of Iris's narrative style may not have aligned with my personal preferences, I recognize the author's commendable effort in shedding light on NVLD and crafting a compelling story around it. Readers who appreciate a blend of romance and science may find this book engaging despite the occasional scientific details.

Esther and Seth played crucial roles as Iris's closest friends, demonstrating unwavering love, care, and protection for her. Although I appreciated their supportive dynamic, I found one aspect a bit off-putting – Seth being consistently referred to as "Squeak." Personally, I felt that a different nickname would have suited him better. While I understand the significance of characters having nicknames or given names, the choice of "Squeak" didn't resonate with me.
On the bright side, BFF Esther truly stole the show with her witty lines that added humor to the narrative. Her character brought laughter and charm to the story. However, I also recognize that the novel's success wasn't solely reliant on Esther, and a collective effort from all characters contributed to the overall impact.

The book initially promised a charming friends-to-lovers prom narrative featuring a nerdy girl as the narrator. Despite being repeatedly reminded of Iris's intelligence, albeit with social awkwardness, her consistent foolish actions became a noticeable and somewhat challenging aspect of the story. It's not that the overall plot was bad; there were engaging story elements. However, the abundance of scientific content was overwhelming. Reading the book felt akin to going through a dissertation, with extensive insights into the researcher's life.
Approximately half of the chapters started with a thorough hypothesis, providing a scholarly tone. The main character frequently engaged in info-dumping scientific facts, resembling the format of a research paper. I found myself contemplating abandoning the book on multiple occasions, but my continued interest was fueled by the awareness that the main character had NVLD. This aspect added a layer of understanding and empathy, keeping me engaged despite the challenges presented by the scientific content.
Initially, the pacing of this book was quite slow, raising concerns about its maturity level. However, it gradually improved, making it a relatively easy read. I would recommend it to teenagers and those who enjoy college romances. However, it may not be as appealing to more mature and avid readers.

My Rating:

3/5

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