Leslie Cohen's debut novel is cute romance about two people who would never have imagined they'd end up together. In fact, when Eve and Ben first meet, Eve barely gives Ben the time of day before passing him off on a friend so she can hook up with her crush. But they keep coming back into each other's lives and as they start to see each other in different lights, their relationship changes dramatically.

The definite strength of the book is the character of Eve. After peeking at Cohen's biographical details, I have no doubt the character was substantially based on herself and whenever you're in her head, she feels completely real. She's a bit of a mess, but she's doing her best and she's (mostly) making it through life. Every scene she's in sparkles with personality and feels totally authentic to the type of character she is and the story Cohen wants to tell.

Unfortunately, the book is told only partly from Eve's perspective and the rest is told from Ben's perspective, which I found to be much weaker. I didn't feel that I ever really knew Ben that well, even when I was supposedly inside his head. He was clearly written as an uncommunicative character, but I didn't feel that much was revealed even when we were given full access. The closest we get is when we find out a portion of his backstory that connects him to Eve, even before they first met. But sadly, that part feels tacked on. It's not necessary to the story at all and feels like a manufactured twist to connect the two characters when that connection is not needed at all. In the end it doesn't amount to much, so I would rather have seen time spent on how Ben learns to open up instead of run away in the present, rather than on the feelings he has about this past event.

I was also disappointed in the ending, because Cohen pulled one of my least favorite romantic comedy tricks - Ben has to choose between Eve and his current girlfriend, but of course it's not really a choice at all, because the current girlfriend is basically a "straw-girlfriend." Everything about her is designed so that you don't care about her and so you don't care when Ben callously dumps her in the most cowardly way. But that's not the way things are in real life. Everyone is human - everyone has a part of themselves that's a little bit messy and everyone feels pain when someone hurts them. It felt to me like Cohen didn't really know how to end Ben and Eve's story, so she quickly manufactured a conventional romance ending. It's too bad - I was really rooting for Ben and Eve, but in the end I didn't actually have high hopes for their relationship. If Ben's response to every problem is to just bail instead of having difficult conversations, I don't see how they can make a committed relationship work.

If I could be really precise with ratings, I would give the book 3.75 stars out of five, because I was really engaged in the story about 3/4 of the way through, and then it lost me at the end. I would have preferred that Cohen take the time to write a realistic and well-earned reunion at the end, where both characters demonstrate that they have changed and grown, instead of the long "happily ever after" scenes that closed out the book.

Eve is a “walking, talking well of feelings,” an artsy type taking plenty of writing classes at Columbia University. Ben is an engineering student at Columbia, who naturally seeks order. Eventually, the two opposites end up together. But in the intervening 10 years or so, as many times as they cross paths, they don’t have any interest in each other.

This Love Story is about their love story, but also about the many years they didn’t have a love story. It’s told in alternating points of view, as they date other people and try to figure out their lives as they go through their 20s. They live in New York City, and the city and their haunts play a significant part in the story as well.

Eve’s part of the story takes up far more than Ben’s; the first fifth of the book is almost all about her, including a long and tortured relationship she has with an aspiring musician. Ben’s story and perspective really play second fiddle in the book, which makes it feel off-balance.

Thanks to the short shrift given Ben (was his life just that much less interesting than Eve’s?), and then because Eve’s just so given to “feelings,” which can get old without careful handling, I didn’t feel really drawn into the story. It’s notable, too, how much the book is just about New York, about everything people who are from there love about it, and while other people from New York will probably really appreciate it, those of us who aren’t (and that’s most of the nation) won’t be as excited about all the NYC details.

When it comes down to it, This Love Story Will Self-Destruct is best for people from New York who are similar to the main characters. The rest of us may or may not enjoy it.

Rated: High, for probably three dozen uses of strong language, some crude conversations and some sex. Most of it is just referred to, though there are a couple of scenes that briefly have some detail (one is rather odd).

A will-they-ever-be-happy-together type of story with a little weird September 11 references thrown in for good measure.

Review will be posted on 1/30/18
Eve Porter has been through a lot. Her mother died tragically and her father left her and her sister when they were young. Due to this, she spends a lot of time worrying and observing things in order to protect herself. She dates a lot of toxic people and when she meets Ben, she assumes he is too nice, too boring, and far too perfect for her taste. But as the years go by, she runs into Ben again as they share some of the same college friends and there's definitely something there. Can Eve let herself date a "normal" guy? Can she allow herself to be happy? This novel is very reminiscent of When Harry Met Sally, which is one of my favorite movies, so I thoroughly enjoyed This Love Story Will Self-Destruct by Leslie Cohen.

Eve felt like such a real character to me in This Love Story Will Self-Destruct. Her issues were all real and easy to relate to. I know so many people that self-sabotage, so I think that her story will be resonate with many. I didn't always agree with Eve's choices and she frustrated me at times with her ability to self-destruct, but I was rooting for her. I wanted her to have her happy ending.

Her friendship turned relationship with Ben was so well done in This Love Story Will Self-Destruct. I loved every aspect of it. As I said, if you adore When Harry Met Sally, you'll appreciate their relationship even more so. I loved how it was rooted in friendship and it felt so real. Ben is such a good guy and some of their discussions had me laughing out loud. The issues that they deal with - college friends, crazy family, past relationships, betrayals, first jobs....all felt very real, especially when trying to navigate the confusing times of your twenties.

Leslie Cohen is definitely a debut author that's definitely on my radar. I really enjoyed her writing style and her ability to bring New York City to life in addition to such memorable characters. This Love Story Will Self-Destruct will definitely make my "Best of 2018" list at the end of the year. I loved it!

Some mixed feelings, more like a 3.5 star, this novel is well written and entertaining. I loved the Manhattan background, which felt like it’s own character. Eve and Ben get together, fall apart and the reader will have to wait to see what happens. Eve is damaged by losses in her past, and although with a sense of humor, she can’t get beyond self destructive behavior. Ben is that sweet guy, who is together except when he falls for Eve. I did feel that this book would be appreciated by a younger demographic than my almost senior self, particularly those in their 20’s and 30’s.

So now that you have a little context, lets get into it. This book is not at all what I was expecting it to be. I figured it would be another New Adult romance. You know a little dramatic, filled with smut, and a fluffy happy ending. And I would have been 100% okay with us, because those types of books are my not so guilty pleasure. But this was not that at all. This story was real and honest, and what I feel many of us experience at some point in our lives. And for me the most unique and wonderful aspect of this book is that everything centers around certain places. Like that is how Eve and Ben remember important moments in their relationship, the restaurant they went to, the apartment they were in, the sidewalk they were standing on. I found this to be such an accurate representation of the way people remember important moments, myself included. Now I'll just say that there aren't major spoilers here, because I don't want to ruin the ending for you guys. And I will not be commenting on the entire book, only the parts I feel are important to the overall context of the book. Alright here we go!

Honestly I felt that Eve was me at 17 years old, though she is around 22 when the book starts and 27 when it ends. But what she experienced, I experienced at one point in my life and maybe that's why I related to it so much. Eve's father left her family at a young age, and her mother died during the attack on the two towers. So she has experienced a lot of loss and as a result she feels that she will be left by everyone important in her life. She keeps a distance between her and everyone in her life, her stepdad, her sister, and the men in her life.

Full review here - at link below

This Love Story Will Self-Destruct by Leslie Cohen was a charming story about two people who meet and don’t fall for each other. Yes, you read that right. They run in similar circle and run into each other throughout the year, but sparks do not fly right away. It was actually charming to see them go through their journey.

Eve and Ben cross paths when they are college and continue to meet across the years. They see each other through many different situations and continue to grow. Eve is a free spirit. She lives life to the fullest and does not always think things through. Ben is a man that follows structure and logic. He likes balance and plans. These two could not be more opposites.

The majority of the story was Eve’s journey through life. Ben seems to go in and out of her life until they find a connection they never expected. This was my first read by Leslie Cohen and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed her writing, her characters and the overall story.

This Love Story Will Self-Destruct is a worthy entrant into the world of novels written with that special kind of tongue-in-cheek humor that won’t necessarily make you laugh out loud, but will definitely keep you smiling.

Eve is a lovable character who might best be described as goofy until you learn she’s not. She has had plenty of angst in her life. People have abandoned her — a fickle boyfriend (“It should be illegal for two English majors to date each other.”), a faithless father, and a mother who leaves for work one day and never comes back.

Ben is an engineer in every sense of the word — structured life, structured plans, structured thoughts. “I’d rather be quiet than full of sh*t,” he thinks, describing himself perfectly with that pithy statement. He’s a nice guy who’s bound to finish last in Eve’s world — a place where people without issues are suspect.

The storyline follows how two such very different people form a relationship which actually works against all odds. Oh, there are bumps along the way . . . bumps that will make you laugh, bumps that will make you sad, unexpected bumps, and bumps you could have predicted. As Eve’s sister Emma tells her “It’s like, a long time ago, you decided you’d never be happy.”

One of my favorite things about this novel is the accuracy of the picture the author paints of life in New York City for young professionals. We are so used to seeing the glitz and glamour portrayed in films and on television, it’s kind of a wake-up call to see that all New Yorkers don’t live that way.

This Love Story Will Self-Destruct is the kind of book that gives me hope for the future of literary fiction. It is fresh and funny and well-written and doesn’t rely on darkness, formulaic storylines, or gratuitous sex to hook readers. I think Ms. Cohen has a hit and I look forward to reading more of her work.

Well written unique take on the oft repeated New York post college genre. Near perfect character development and a story that propels
it’s self forward-skip ahead ten years.....as hopefully the last of the MFAs will write these characters or some iteration of them thru the
decades, maybe the last hope for literate fiction going forward?

Okay, so I really wanted to like this one more, but it just didn’t do it for me. I love a good twisted love story with depth – I even love a good Hallmarkish love story on occasion. But, This Love Story Will Self-Destruct by Leslie Cohen was not one of those.

Instead, it felt like a story I have heard over and over again. Damaged girl meets damaged bad boy = lots of chemistry. Girl comes to her senses. Girl meets a good guy, but because she doesn’t believe in happy endings, she screws it up. I feel like this is something that has been done multiple times before.

I also was not a fan of the lengthy inner monologues. They did not keep me engaged and I found myself skimming each time one appeared.

As far as characters, I was not a big fan of the main characters. The female lead annoyed me – and she did not act like many of the thirty-year-old women I know. (The story does begin in college, but by the time it ends, we are approaching thirty).

The one thing that did set this book apart is the added September 11th plotline. I did find this part of the story moving – and surprising. And, Cohen’s witty lines did make me laugh more than once such as when a character comments that two English majors should never be together.

I won’t say you should not read it – because it certainly was not one I’d throw into a did not finish pile. I did read the whole book and enjoyed a lot of it. It just won’t say you need to rush out and buy or you have to read it. To be fair, I do think some of my followers would enjoy it.

* I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


* It was released today, so go ahead and order it or put it on hold at your local library!

3.5 Stars – Rounded

This is the story of Emily and Ben – polar opposites in both their approaches to the world and their willingness to ‘be’ out there in the way one might expect two twenty-somethings to be. Crisp and incisive word choices highlight this story that, for me, was far more drama and angst (much of it self-inflicted) than I expected and still I was compelled to keep reading on.

Emily. Emily was difficult. Dramatic, self-destructive, judgmental, prone to stupidity and clearly unable (at least at first) to learn from her many, many mistakes. She’s shallow and prone to navel-gazing that really amounts to nothing: since NOTHING ever changes. She’s got issues – some well-earned, others just arrive because she is so focused on using her issues as a shield to ‘protect’ her from anything that may potentially signal some growth. This is not a person that is easy to like or even want to empathize with as she KEEPS repeating the same patterns over and over – to the (SURPRISE!) same end.

Ben was the polar opposite: able to take much of the action in that dodgeball game we call life and just move on, around or through it. There’s a solidity to Ben that is attractive, even as we don’t often see the depth and layers in his personality. But, after repeated encounters with (and many rejections from) Emily: somehow they start to build something together. He always seems to be the incidental character until he isn’t – with al of the moments that are Ben come together to form a solid and even admirable character. His ability to roll with the many punches of Emily’s ride on the crazy train; her perseveration, lack of self-awareness contrasting with an over-reliance on her issues and the way those don’t allow her to ‘move forward’. Oh it was difficult – and not in the slightest bit romantic: but in some ways the story is realistic – at least for those who have found that person to stick by them when all indications show that they should have walked away long before.

Oh the relationship has its moments of clear dysfunction (as do most relationships) it just so happens that many of these are repeats of the same issue manifesting in different situations. From solid moments of comfort in companionship to overly drama-laden spikes of activity Cohen has managed to twine together several moments that build images of the characters and situations to a conclusion that is perfectly suited to the story. A solid debut with difficult characters and too much angst and train wreck moments to call this an easy romance, the writing is the star here and promises many good things from this author in the future.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-9AU/”> <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I love the voice and storytelling style here. The book is unique in the way it is structured.

Eve has been introduced to Ben multiple times during their college years. They socialize in the same circles, but not near enough that she ever remembers him. Until the one time when it sticks, and the two fall in love. Staying in love will be a different story.

I read this book weeks ago and struggled with what to say about it. This is one of those books where not a lot happens, it just meanders along until you reach the end. And then you move on to the next read.

Cohen crafts a believable story of two bright young people working through the what now of a privileged white 20 year olds in the US. With the Ivy League education behind them, living in New York, what happens next? The jobs that don’t live up to the hype, the Miss/Mister Right Nows rather than The Ones, the banality of clubs and bars…

Most of the story is from Eve’s perspective, and we get to watch her grow up. It’s done well, but it can be frustrating to watch. It’s a shame we don’t get to see Ben’s growth in parallel. He ends the story roughly the same as he begins it, and that’s a shame. It might have been interesting to see what she would have done with him.

Ultimately, I don’t know who I would recommend this book to. It’s not romance. It’s fiction, possibly women’s fiction. But I struggle to think of when I might bring it up in conversation. While the marketing blurb compares it to When Harry Met Sally, it lacks the humor and charm of Ephron’s work to really live up to that comparison. So, we’re left with a somewhat relatable small-scale story in which not much happens and the characters are borderline unlikeable.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in order to facilitate this review.

I enjoyed how the characters matured throughout this novel. Ben and Eve's relationship is genuine and believable.

You need to read this book! I just can't recommend this opposites attract, slow burn romance story enough. I was intrigued by the blurb because hey, I love angst. But Ms. Cohen delivered so much more. This Love Story Will Self-Destruct is an expertly written, clever, poetic and heartfelt story of a young women coming of age in the early to mid two thousands. From the very opening pages I was captivated. The prologue sets a tone of anticipation and once I started I simply couldn't conceive of doing anything else with me time.

Columbia University senior Eve is surrounded by a small group of friends who are diverse, at times kindred spirits to her, but most certainly always highly entertaining. Eve's life is fascinating. She struggles with deep rooted fear all while trying to figure out what she wants out her life. She knows what she wants to do , work as a music journalist, but as you'd expect, she struggles to break into the industry via the NYC workforce of 2007. She experiences laughter and heartache and comes to a realization about the lack of opportunity, so takes a chance and uses a well timed opportunity to rebuild her confidence.

Eve is one of those endearingly flawed characters that you can't help but root for. She's very observant and she's has thoughts that are slightly judgmental. Normally that would put me off a character but as you we get to know Eve, it just feeds into her quirks. She's introspective and because of her upbringing and her family situation, she's incredibly guarded and at times, she's her own worst enemy.

Ben has been in and out of her life, but very much on the peripheral. As the story progresses Ben and Eve are brought together and the timing seems right. Thus we have the start of the love story. It's an uphill battle for both of them, but Ben is patient with Eve, and he's incrediby romantic. He just seems to get her and he gives her the stability that allows her to be her quirky and adorable self. But she is impulsive, she lets self-doubt and the fear of rejection get the the best of her, and mistakes are made. I literally gasped "Oh Eve - you silly girl"...

One thing that really makes this story work how Cohen develops her characters, especially with Eve's backstory. She intersperses flashbacks of Eve growing up and the distress she feels about her broken family, her sister, her mother and even the father that abandoned them. Then there's a zinger of a connection between Ben and Eve that I would never have seen coming.

One can never know about the editing process, but I thought the author and whomever she works with to craft the plot, did a stellar job. I connected with Eve, I connected with Ben, I even connected a bit with Jesse. The timeline is executed to perfection and became a rare "reading experience" for me. Lest I sound so serious, it is a fun read too. I felt like I was traveling the subway, having coffee and out for drinks with this dynamic group of friends.

I am mightily impressed with Ms Cohen's words. Eve and Ben wormed there way right into my heart. Ben is just so charming and levelheaded as we got to know him I couldn't help but think how much I liked him for her. Yes, her. Because Eve really is the star of the story. Her anxiety bled off the pages, making my heart race. I really can't wait to see what comes next from this outstanding debut author. 5++ Stars and a #MustRead recommendation!!

My stars are not entirely accurate as this title was a DNF for me. I read about 50 pages and the writing style was not my cup of coffee. A shame for me because so much about the book sounded appealing!

Honestly, this was a super cute story and I enjoyed it very much. It was actually the cover that hooked me. It reminds me of those super chic IG pictures in draw form and I had to grab it. The title too, grabbed me.

The story starts off a bit slow, but I never give up before 30%, so I'm glad it picked up when it did because woah! I loved it. So many feels with this one. I was able to connect with the characters and feel both their pain and giddiness. Def one I would recommend and hope my friends read so that we could talk about it.

5+ Stars

Wow! This book surprised me in the best of ways. I was just browsing through Net Galley and the title is what got my attention. I was expecting a ring pop, something cute and yummy and instead I got a freaking Tiffany diamond!!! I love finding these hidden gems!

This reads like a coming of age story with quirky characters, subtle humor and there are so many layers of complexity in how these characters responded to both big and small life changing events. The book starts with Eve and Ben in their college days and follows them into their 20's. They meet several times during college but there is absolutely no interest on both sides. Just another person you are forced to make small talk with because you run in the same circles. Eve is actually in a very toxic relationship with someone else initially and you get to understand why she made some really bad decisions later.

Eventually while Eve is working as an aspiring music reporter and Ben is an engineer working on building the Freedom Tower, these two have a moment over a table of chicken wings and thus begins their romantic relationship. These two could not be any different. Ben is a logical guy, quiet and maybe considered boring. Eve is more quirky, emotional, unpredictable and a tad bit over dramatic. Her personality is probably the result of people walking out of her life in different ways and so she has huge trust issues. She does not believe in happily ever after and this leads to self-sabotaging her relationship with Ben.

I loved that this book was so WEIRD! The eccentricity of these characters balanced out the grave situations and life changes they went through. At one point Eve and Ben find out they are connected in a most shocking way. My emotions were in overload and I acutely felt Eve's pain. The fact that she dealt with her pain by personifying bread and writing songs about how a pair of gloves feel when one of them is lost just made her that more appealing to me.

I can't believe this is the author's debut novel. The writing was magnificent, complex and emotionally intelligent. I dare anyone to read this book and not be blown away. Highly recommended!

5+ Stars
Contemporary Romance/ Chick Lit
Heat Level: N/A
POV: Dual
HEA

Thanks so much to Netgalley, Gallery Books and Leslie Cohen for the opportunity to read and review her debut novel - loved it!

This is just an easy-to-read, sweet love story. Boy meets girl, life interferes story. Told in alternating voices of Eve, a damaged young woman trying to cope with her dad's desertion and her mom's death, and Ben, a logical, engineer type. They meet at Columbia University and continue to cross paths while each are moving on with their lives and other people. This story follows each of their paths and their eventual coming together.

I upgraded this to 5 stars because of how much I loved the characters, especially Ben. Eve was a funny, quirky character even while she was so insecure and untrusting. Ben is a structural engineer - and I'm married to one so I loved his own quirks and mannerisms, although so different from Eve's.

A great read - highly recommended!.

Eve's got issues. What those issues exactly are isn't entirely clear for several chapters. In fact, I might have recommended reordering this a bit for clarity and, to be frank, to make Eve more sympathetic. Ben does not have issues= he's a steady guy. Stick with this past the first chapter, which was totally uninteresting and too frantic (a college party) and there's some good writing and a decent story. Eve and Ben are meant for one another even though there are several other stops along the way. It's well written but the plot wanders a bit in time and space in a way I wanted to edit. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Try this for a tale of two young New Yorkers finding their way to one another.