I was really looking forward to this book because it's set in the library and it's a "proper" (read: sex-free) romance novel. But after just a few chapters, I abandoned the ARC because of the many glaring inaccuracies about the library profession. Unlike Jenn McKinlay's library mysteries, which get every single detail right, this book just... doesn't.

In the first chapter, the main character, Greta, laments the lack of creases in her library's magazines because "people didn't come to libraries to read news or magazines." (In my experience, this is a main reason some people visit the library - especially older people). She has also written a research paper urging libraries to "pull themselves into the present so they would stay relevant" as though libraries are totally backward and have done nothing to incorporate new technologies. (Most librarians will tell you their libraries are plenty relevant and becoming more so all the time.) I also laughed at the notion of a library supervisor bringing picture books to a librarian because someone needs to read them. I have certainly read my fair share of picture books in the library, but usually in my spare time, not as a main task assigned by my boss! It was also strange to hear of Greta printing out a library card. Maybe there are libraries that do this, but every library that has issued me a card has handed me a pre-printed plastic card taken from a box or a drawer.

I was also disappointed in what the main character thinks are really funny and unusual interactions at the information desk. I like that she and the teenage page type their experiences up on a card using a typewriter and share them with each other, but the things they share are cliches at best, and anyone working in the library field could have provided ten examples off the top of her head that were more off-the-wall and amusing. Greta's use of Twitter is also awkward and amateurish and made me roll my eyes.

I might have stuck with the book if the supporting characters were more engaging, but I was weirded out by Marigold, who comes to the library and reads Greta's "aura" and irritated by Greta's constant references to how heavy her best guy friend Will is. I am also just not that into the hero, Mac. Considering I already have all these problems with the book after only four chapters, I decided to just move on.

I didn't finish, just read first third. I work at a library, and the protrag's obsession with the building more than what a library is, bothered me. As was her obsession with Mac's looks. It was over the top and very repetitive to the point of annoying. The author used a lot of words, and said nothing. By a third of the way through, nothing had happened to move the plot forward. And I can guess that she isn't going to be ending up with Mac, but her best friend. Obvious from page one.

A fun book that I really enjoyed. I love books where best friends fall in love and this one did not disappoint. Loved the quirky characters and how the girl discovers the best thing is right in front of her. Engaging and well written I really enjoyed this book.

Really wanted to like this book since I’ve worked in a public library for over two decades.
The author sets up the scene where the library is housed so we get the feel for the rich history as well as being underused by its patrons. (this is so similar to the circumstances my library is in.) I found it disheartening that there was no mention of clerks working at the library as most libraries depend on them to function,
Felt the characters were not fully developed. The relationships were odd especially Greta’s feelings for Will and her superficial attraction to Mac. Thus, I was extremely bored reading this story.

This review is based on an ARC of Check Me Out which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher (Shadow Mountain Publishing).

I thought about giving this 1.5 stars but I can't find any justifiable reason to do so. I just really did not like this book. It was horribly predictable, bland, and I could not find anything great or unique010-p1 about any of the characters. Greta, especially, I didn't like. I personally really dislike the kind of humor that was key to her personality, and my god she was dense! Like, verging on plain stupid dense.

I was really struggling to finish this book and I thought about just DNFing it multiple times. I pushed through though, and I'm not sure it made any difference. I already guessed how it would end.

Lastly, I just need to say that the formatting was horrible! Maybe the ebook version was just screwy but half the time, especially with all the texts, I wasn't sure who was saying what.

I'm sure there are people out there who would love this book, but, unfortunately, I am not one of them.

Great read. Picked it out because libraries are the best place for love!

DNF

This story failed to grab me in any significant manor after many pages of reading. It got to the point where I just started skimming over words and paragraphs because none of it felt essential to the story or attention grabbing in any way. Then things only went more downhill from there. I just couldn’t bring myself to keep reading, especially after the way Will is constantly described so harshly and not in any way that a best friend should be describing him.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley for voluntary review

I mean, I am always going to give a book about a librarian a chance. I loved the humor and wit in both the writing and characters dialogues. Glad I gave this a chance!

In all honesty I am so torn right now about this book. The cover caught my eye. I mean, look at that catchy title and books too. Then the synopsis, completely Cyrano de Bergerac storyline and it's about a librarian. Can we say I was so excited and couldn't wait to read it. The love triangle seemed like it would be fun and witty, and I will admit that there were several spots that I found humorous. I laughed at several points while reading...but I think I was cringing and almost holding in some building frustration more than I was laughing and wanting to cheer on the characters.

I am definitely somebody you would term 'a people person.' I love meeting and making new friends anywhere I go. I can easily start up a conversation with a stranger at the store and we're laughing and having a great conversation and can feel like we've been friends for years even though we've just met. It's me, it's my personality. I'm happy and I am not the kind of person who likes to belittle others or even think that someone felt excluded or hurt from something I did or said. I just can't. So, with that explanation about me and my personality, I will also say that I read and review a lot of books. Even with all the review books I get, with how many books and stories out there that I want to read, I really don't want to pick a book that I don't think I'll enjoy. I read because I love it, I want to experience characters and places and peril and love and goodness and hurt and healing and redemption and forgiveness. So if you were to look at my ratings for books, you'd see that my average is above 4 stars. I usually won't agree to review books if there's no chance of it looking like I won't like, really like or absolutely love it. Hence, most of my reviews are 3-5 star ratings. But occasionally one slips in that I just have mixed feelings about. This is, unfortunately, one of those books.

I really don't want to ramble on forever about all my frustrated feelings and my 'grrrrrrrr' thoughts. But I have so many different thoughts that have been tumbling around in my head since reading this book that you might just find me really rambling today about this book. I think there will be many who absolutely love this book. I've seen many positive reviews about it already and the comments are great. And honestly, I could see how they felt that way, I really can. Like I said, I think there will be many who absolutely love this book and I can see how the things that made me really frustrated, the author was trying to use to show readers to 'not judge a book by its cover.' Which I totally agree with. My hangup is that I just think it could have been handled a different way. Ok, here goes, if you don't want spoilers and don't want to hear my frustrations then I suggest you don't read further because yes, they will be below and yes I will probably ramble on, you have been warned.

**********SPOILERS AHEAD************

Greta is an assistant librarian. She's almost where she will be the head librarian of her local library. She's worked long and hard for this and is so happy to finally see her hard work pay off. She's got the best, best friend in the world. They've been friends and next door neighbors since childhood. They are like two peas in a pod and are constantly texting each other and hanging out together. Will can never be matched when it comes to best friends. He's always so kind and thoughtful and giving to Greta. He drops everything when she needs him. He's completely and hopelessly in love with her. Because of his love, which she doesn't realize, he wants her to be happy. Greta just wants an awesome boyfriend, the complete package, the 'perfect' man. So Will delivers. In the form of his cousin Mac. He's 'hot' and is the real deal when it comes to the 'perfect' body for Greta. Now to make sure his brains are the 'perfect' brains and all will be 'perfect'.

Ok, not trying to sound harsh and cynical but honestly Greta was so shallow. She admits it. The book is narrated by her and she definitely admits her flaws of being shallow in her wants. She even admits it to her friend Will as they are joking around through text messages after she meets Mac. Will graciously says 'you're welcome' for sending the perfect man her way. Maybe I should pause talking about the 'perfect man' for a minute and explain something. This is one of my frustrations about this book. Will. Not his character per se, because I'll be honest, he's awesome. I don't think there's a reader out there who won't say that they loved Will's character. Everyone in the book loves Will and praises him lots. Except those that are uncomfortable around him. Greta lets us know as the reader exactly why people are uncomfortable around him. Why he's not the 'perfect man' for her, because his mind is and everything else, except his looks. Will is large, like really large. Ok, that's not an exact quote but very close to wording used in the book. I just couldn't get over how many times and how rudely Greta describes and thinks about Will's size and body shape. So many times she mentions it and thinks how she can't be with him because of his size and yet she's his best friend. She loves him like a best friend and she is his fiercest protector around people, especially people who aren't comfortable with how to act around him. She even has a personal test she uses to see how people will act and if they don't pass it she won't be around them. And yet, in her mind the way she talks about him and thinks about him sometimes just made me so made. So double standard there. Why is it ok that other people are honest in not knowing how to act and yet, she acts perfect and comfortable around him but can think all these rude thoughts about her 'best friend ever'. Seriously. I was so mad! Fuming! And then we have a lovely and handsome and hot and beautiful and perfect juxtapose in Mac, the cousin of the not perfect body, Will. Anybody else frustrated like me?

I seriously loved the Cyrano de Bergerac spin off. But the execution just fell completely flat for me because of how rude and shallow Greta was and hypocritical too! In all fairness, I think this story could have worked, it could have been awesome and the author's intent (I'm assuming it's her intent) was to make people aware of how they interact and react to a person's appearance, whether that person is heavy or anorexic. It doesn't matter how they look. That's the point she's trying to get across. This amazingly handsome and perfect man doesn't have the brains that Greta wants, she wouldn't think twice about him if he didn't, even with his awesome body. He wouldn't match up to her brains. Greta has many thoughts about this that shows some growth from her shallowness at the beginning to the ending. But honestly, I wasn't impressed with her at the end or her decisions to choose Will. Here's supposed to be an amazing and sweet scene where she tells Will that she does love him and she wants to try to make a relationship work with him, one that's more than just friendship. Yet, even that failed for me. I was really hoping for redemption for the character of Greta for me. Really hoping. But nope.

Let me explain something else and then come back to the ending. Mac composes beautiful thoughts and poems for Greta and texts them to her. The beautiful words he says in person to her are well, way too rehearsed. Something's up but she can't figure it out. (In true Cyrano fashion, Will is feeding the words to Mac) So in their relationship kissing is fabulous but then nothing. They don't really have a lot more in common than that. She wants him to support her in what she loves. He doesn't really understand it and wants to kiss her lots. She wants him to speak pretty to her and share his poems with her. He can't in person so she tells him to go home and send her the messages. I mean, really? I can totally understand wanting some sweet and pretty words said but to be around each other and say ok go home and send me pretty words. So now going back to the ending, Greta is telling Will she loves him and is ready for a relationship and she's missed his words. She wants. Yes, in not apologizing for ignoring him, for thinking rudely of him, she tells him what she wants. Seriously not good relationship stuff going on here people. I totally understand each person in a relationship has certain wants and needs, I've been married for almost two decades, so yes I understand that. But a healthy relationship doesn't start with one person who has been ignoring the other person and then says let's try this but I want. She wants his words. His beautiful mind. She's ok with the body and his physical appearance but she wants his mind. Ok, maybe I'm letting out a lot of frustration that has been building as all these thoughts have come out. I warned you it was going to be spoilers and lots of ramblings. Again, I think it could have been written differently to have pulled together with the shallowness. A good novel needs to show growth for sure and Greta didn't show me that. I think if the author first explained from Greta early on in the novel that Will was heavier set, people didn't always react the best towards him and left it at that, without all the comments about him not fitting well at a table, him having to hoist himself off the ground to stand up, etc. it would have been a lot better. Again, I know she was going for awareness. At the end there are some great book club discussion questions. It really shows that she was trying to make people think about how they treat other people so I have to give her kuddos for that. And some of the reviews I've read already about the book, people have mentioned that they didn't realize it but they act that way and needed to stop. I just think it could have been done in a kinder way than having Great treat Will one way and in her mind think the rude thoughts she did.

Ok, I really need to move on. This could also be considered Women's fiction as there is a lot going on with the library. The town is trying to pass a bond for a new library and library funding but it's not getting a lot of support. Greta goes about trying to encourage people to see the library as the great resource it is. I think this is a second point in the novel that the author was trying to show as important. It gets a little political in some ways and Greta goes to an extreme to get peoples attention. So it definitely wasn't this fun and sweet story that I originally perceived it to be from the synopsis and the front cover. I'm not going to say anything else about the whole library funding except I have to agree that libraries are very important and something that each community needs. I've lived in big cities where the libraries are absolutely gorgeous and stunning and the community is always filling the rooms. I've lived in smaller communities that the library is older but still running and working with a good supporting community. And I've lived in a very small community where the library was in this teeny tiny old building, which was the original school building from the late 1800s. The funding wasn't very high, trying to get a bond to pass to help with the funding was like pulling teeth but the community support and patronage of the library was amazing. So I am a supporter of libraries and can understand the author's desire to encourage people to remember the importance of libraries.

****END OF SPOILERS**********

Overall I can't rate this book very high. There are a few parts that I would give 3 stars to and others that I would give 1 or 2 stars to. So I think in all fairness my rating would be a 2/2.5 star rating. I will also say this, don't let my ramblings and personal frustrations influence your choice to read this book if you are looking forward to it. Everyone has different tastes and preferences and so what I felt about this book could be something completely different than what you would feel. So make your choice and I hope you enjoy whatever that choice is.

Content: Clean. Some kissing but nothing further.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

There were some really fun and interesting things about this book--like the library setting and the fight to save the library from being closed., which appealed to me as a librarian-turned-stay-at-home-mom. I liked reading about the digitization of the historical materials. I thought Will was really sweet. I had a hard time with the emphasis on how big Will is. Like, Greta really, really emphasized that. I also have to say that while the texts and poems and stuff that Greta liked from Mac weren't my cup of tea--they were too flowery and too over the top. Granted, I might be biased because my husband isn't into flowery words and is much more likely to DO something sweet/romantic than to say something sweet/romantic, but it just seemed overly sweet. Fun choice for a clean romance.

Check me Out is a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the characters. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a good romance.

DNF - I only made it to chapter 8. Greta, the so called heroine, was a stumbling block that eventually made me give up the fight. She's selfish, superficial and a not so likable simpleton, in spite the masters degree she likes to remind the reader she's earned.

SPOILERS BEGIN

She is against a new library facility because it would put an end to the library she loves, that she grew up in and her parents went to. Okay, she's attached to her library. I get it. However, her current library isn't handicap accessible, something an article makes her aware of (if she wasn't already) and she's still like, too bad for them. I love my library and want it to stay just like it is. Really chick???

Then she's always, ALWAYS talking about how Will, her so called friend, is overweight. Okay, I get it. You want the reader to know that he isn't the typical hunky hero. Fine. Many people's significant others don't have bulging biceps, but really is he that big? He must be enormous for the number of times she says it. Whether he is or not, she's mighty hung up about it, and obviously not worthy of him even as a friend.

SPOILERS END

Whatever is the root cause of the heroine's problems, I'll never know.

I requested this ARC on NetGalley and when I went to download it, I noticed that the average review was 3 stars, from 20 total reviews. I didn't read the actual reviews at that time: 1) because I'd already requested the book and wanted to give it a fair shake 2) Because one man's trash is another's treasure 3) my triggers may not be another person's so what they see as obnoxious, I may interpret as quirky. When I reached my breaking point with Greta I went back to the reviews and read a few. I'm in complete agreement with the folks who didn't like this read. The two spoilers I shared help support why I feel this way. If those examples don't bother you, you'll probably like this read. If they do, I'd advise you to give this one a pass.

The opinions expressed here are honest and my own.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title. Unfortunately, I was not able to finish this book which means I will not be able to review it. I truly appreciate the opportunity and apologize for the inconvenience the lack of review may cause you.

Caveat! I could not finish this book. I had a lot of problems with the main character Greta.

Greta is a librarian, trying to save her local library from being closed. Her best friend Will, who is secretly in love with her, is helping her in her endeavor.
Will, has sent his hot cousin to go on a few dates with Greta - Cyrano de Bergerac style; Greta might notice that looks aren't everything and that she is secretly in love with Will, too.

So far so good. What made the book unfinishable for me was Greta's constantly telling the reader that Will is overweight. Over and over. On the one hand Greta is protective about him, on the other hand she tells us that he is too big to sit at her dinner table. I just could not reconsile the two things with each other.

The concept for this story sounded cute and fun--I liked the library setting and a retelling of a Cyrano de Bergerac. But this story ended up not really working for me. It might just be that this is a hard retelling to pull off in modern day. It was hard to believe that the heroine wouldn't figure out something weird was going on way sooner, and it was hard to believe the hero would be part of misleading the woman he loves so badly. Also, the texts/poems/lines that won the heroine over actually didn't really ring true to me. I couldn't imagine someone actually saying those things in real life.

This book sounded right up my alley. Everything about it sounded sweet and cute, but when I started to read it, I struggled. I put it down many times. I skimmed most of it because I thought it would pick up for me, but sadly, it didn't. I had a hard time with the main character Greta. I have to be honest, I didn't really care for her. This made it hard to enjoy this story more than I did.

Greta, a single assistant librarian, will do anything to save her precious library. Of course, she is open to romance when a gorgeous man with a seemingly romantic mind appears before her. Can she find true love and save her library? Or is disaster just one step away?

This is a beautiful and sweet book. Even though the romance part was a bit predictable, Greta's fight for the library was fascinating. She uses whatever she has at her disposal, with varying results. As someone who worked in a small library, I found her journey in this capacity the most enjoyable aspect of the story.

To be blunt, Mac was uninteresting and Will only slightly more so. It was far to easy to see what was really going on with him and the fact Greta did not see through it lessened my opinion of her character.

Still, I would absolutely recommend this to readers of contemporary romance. The plot is clean and appropriate for any age.

Maybe it is just me but I felt like this was a very mediocre romance. Something that would even bore the lovers of the Lifetime channel. I like a bit more spice in my novels and this just was not up to par. However, I would still recommend this to those that like a heartwarming tale on the more innocent side of things.

Check Me Out was a fantastic, fun read that I raced through in just a few sittings. Will and Greta have been best friends forever, but all they'll be is friends because as much as Greta loves talking to Will--she's just not attracted to him. So when Will sets her up with his gorgeous cousin who seems almost too good to be true, Greta falls head-over-heels for him. But things aren't always quite what they seem...

In addition to the romantic plotline, Greta is also working to save the library she works for, which was really interesting as well! The book signing/diva author had me laughing so hard (and cringing. The laugh/cringe of someone who understands.)

Wilhite nails the banter between Will and Greta, and I also loved Greta's spunk! The minor characters were all fun and well-developed too--but Will was the best. *sigh* LOVED him.

Great read!

Oh dear. Oh dear.

Great concept. Gorgeous, well thought out cover. If I had been in the store, I would have picked this book up and bought it on that basis alone. However, I am so very glad I did not.

There is much I have struggled with as I read this book. To start with the story telling is flat with very little 'zing' to grab the reader. The relationships are bland with no chemistry. The main character Greta is shallow and seems to carry this unrealistic expectation about her own life. I was confused about the minor characters. Marigold seemed a mystery, and I couldn't place her in my head. Until the end. I would say I was probably 4/5 of the way through this book before I even remotely was grabbed by interest. This is way too far into a book. If I hadn't been reading this to review for Shadow Mountain I would have given up on this book after reading the first fifth.

I was so disappointed. Greta has this beautiful life long friendship with Will, but the author repeatedly reminds us of how he doesn't 'match up' to an acceptable level of boyfriend/love of your life material. There's a focus on outward appearances, not just his face but his body shape. If this had been a man describing how he wrote about his female best friend, the readers would have been in uproar. This is not the society we live in today, to put down based on appearances and be OK with that. It was harsh, and totally distracted from the development in my mind of their special bond, that the author I am assuming wants us to believe. On the other hand, I do get that she is trying to convince us of the reason they are NOT dating and why Greta needs to have this very shallow relationship with Mac. Who on outward appearances seems to have it all. I have read other books based on this concept of 'unrequited love' from the best friend. It can be done better than this with a lot more class.

Then there was the dating relationship with Mac. No chemistry. When the dialogue is all about how 'hot' someone is it just sounds middle school and petty. I was also taken aback by the lesson in kissing she receives in her teen years from Will. It seemed lengthy and a lot deeper than what you would equate with a couple teenagers - trying it out. They apparently can kiss for a long time, and seem to just get up and walk away from it - completely unaffected.

There are aspects of this story that I did enjoy. The visit from the author, wow - cleverly written and executed. Dr Silver, and the twist of events near the end. The struggling plight of our community libraries, and the very real threat of keeping them viable. The library described reminds me very much of the one from my childhood. I grew up in England, and the building was a Victorian building, purposefully built for a library, but it had many of the same features, though only one story and never a house. I have so many wonderful memories of visiting the library, and even have been able to utilize it with my own children during the 8 years I lived there with them. Sadly that library has gone the way of so many others. Seen as too costly to the council budget. Why does one library succeed and others do not. I think about the current library I have access to. It is a fairly large 2 story modern building. It seems to always range from very busy to busy. There are slow times, but they are far and few between. Maybe is the vast range of items they offer. The wide selection of books, the huge computer areas, the many specific rooms, used for groups, clubs and special events. The appeal of the children's area, with almost as many toys to be played with as there are books on shelves. The very specific computer facilities geared towards young minds. The layout and design. The teen area is one I have never seen in a library before. Very well done. The inter-library lending system within the state of Michigan is also a huge benefit to the library patron. The vast amount of digital resources available to the member without even stepping foot in the building.

There is a thought posed in the story that libraries are of little value to an author. As a influencer and reviewer, I have many times put in a request with my local library that they purchase a book I have read, and enjoyed. This is something that is actively encouraged by author's themselves. I would beg to differ on this opinion that having libraries take away book sales. For me, even though I read mountains more digital copies than paperbacks, my bookshelves at home are filled with 90% books I pre-read either in the library or as a eARC copy. Books I love make it onto my shelves regardless if I have read them before purchase. It is an absolute benefit to an author to have their books 'discovered' on the shelves of a library. In fact I have found most my new authors that way.

Its interesting to me, as I live in a small town that has no library service to most residents - I am one of the lucky ones, we live far enough on the edge that we are pulled into the school district for the town with the library. As such we get to enjoy those library benefits. Friends not more than a mile away however, have to pay a yearly fee if they wish to become a member. I would pay for library membership especially with the one we have on offer, its uses have been far reaching and absolutely vital to me and my family.

Overall, I enjoyed the ending, it was presented well. I still lacked belief in the conviction of Greta's final feelings towards Will. It felt a little off.

Becca Wilhite writes clean contemporary fiction. There's a wide array of opinion over this book, which says to me, the reviewer, that everyone has a different taste, and take away for the books they read. Give it a go. You may love it. I just didn't, and hopefully I have explained why.

I received this eARC from Shadow Mountain & Netgalley. This is my honest review.