Hallie's Reviews > Double Down

Very frustrating because there was a lot of fun in this, and the idea is great, but I think I'm probably finished wth this series.

The first book had far too many repetitions of 'they're my friends... I should really trust them and tell them... but they'll think I'm crazy and I don't want to lose my only ever friends...' Far too many, of something understandable but not my favourite.

In this it's 'I've got friends.... I don't know how to be a friend.... but I must try or I'll lose my only ever friends...'

Two quotes I marked out of many possible iterations:

I remembered something important: James was my friend too. My sympathies engaged.

He promised me he'd think about what I said. [spoiler] might not even be glad about my meddling.

I'd done all I could there. I was doing my best to be a good friend - and to be true to myself. The rest was up to them.

(view spoiler)[Both relate to the apparent interest James finally takes in Maddy when she shows interest in someone else. It's not that jerky of James, actually, and I liked the more sympathetic version of James who's been through a lot with his dad and all. BUT telling James to wait around until maybe - hopefully - inevitable? - Dante moves on if he really cares about Maddy is hardly my idea of being a good friend. And what's the 'true to myself' got to do with anything here? It's just too leaden and really, I GOT the idea that Lois feels a bit overwhelmed as well as lucky at having real friends after a few pages. Having her voice the thought again and again and again added nothing. (hide spoiler)]

I could conceivably be swayed into reading on, but honestly am hoping for spoiler filled reviews so I can get the story without having to wade through the writing.