One Day in December by Josie Silver

[MUSIC]

>> That I also then cried at the end of the book and >> No. >> [LAUGH] >> Wow, I am. >> It is the most literal interpretation of love at first sight. >> Yeah, it is. >> It is. >> It would have been better if it was a subway train that was passing. >> [LAUGH] >> If you're the type of person who doesn't have like has one friend, I feel like maybe you're the problem. London to Brussels is two hours of my train. >> He could come home at the end of every day.

>> [LAUGH] >> People have to be listening to that interview. >> [LAUGH] [MUSIC] >> Hello everybody, welcome to Mean Book Club. This episode we're reading one day in December by Josie Silver. Christmas music, well said Sarah, well pronounced. >> [LAUGH] >> It's so good. >> No, did I say so far? >> You should have had a little hiccup on silver, but it was a big, really, no, a spike. >> But now. >> I didn't even know I did so.

>> Wow, I wonder how often that happens in day-to-day life and you don't even know. >> I don't know, am I? >> Should I go to the doctor, do you think? >> [LAUGH] >> Hospital. >> I'm just trying to be a good friend. >> Yeah. >> Do I have any new sticks? >> Good pick. >> Let's, yeah. >> Hi, I'm Claire, your host. >> [LAUGH] >> Hi, I'm Johnna, your other host. >> And I'm Sarah, the third and final host, sadly for this episode because Sabrina is not here. I know everyone's upset, I'm so sorry.

>> This was a really good book for her, but we'll have to get into that, but she couldn't come, she couldn't come. >> She sent her thoughts, so we'll read those later. We're fighting. >> That's why she couldn't come. >> [LAUGH] >> Just kidding, everyone, we never fight. >> We're fine. >> We're all fine, we're always fine. No matter how it sounds, we're always fine. >> Okay. >> We're good. >> Anyway, who recommended this book? >> Who happened to find me?

>> See, this was recommended to us on Twitter by handle @UnredactedAwny or possibly unreacted Annie. She wrote that this was a Reese Witherspoon pick, which is true. And she wrote, I need to not be alone in my snark for the author, but I can't recommend the book to anyone, IRL, for reasons that will become obvious if you consider it for your podcast. Well, under ActedAwny, we did more than consider it. We did it. >> We did it, you're welcome. >> Here we go.

Consider our interests extremely sparked by your cryptic treat. >> [LAUGH] >> Yeah, really well done. >> I don't think that the reasons are that obvious, unless I'm missing something other than like, it's dumb. >> [LAUGH] >> I did take some issue with it, but a big part of my issue was that I also then cried at the end of the book and Peter Morrison for that. >> [LAUGH] >> Wow, I can't wait. >> [LAUGH] >> I know, I know. >> Just can't wait. >> Well, how did you guys read this?

>> I had a nice little audio book from the library. >> Yeah, me too, I did audio book from the library. >> I had a hard back from the library. Well, I should say soft back. Now. >> Is it harder soft? >> [LAUGH] >> The softy. >> Okay, yeah, it's a paper bag book. >> Click sure of the author on the back, a blonde tear, Sabrina would have loved that. And it has that raised text that we talked about last episode. That I was like, I'll remember that for the future.

It's a little bit glossy and a little bit raised. >> Spotsoss? >> Yes. >> I believe the term of Spotsoss. >> A good job guys. >> Very good, look who's the captain of Judger Book by its cover. >> Well, here's the thing, it got a lot of positive feedback last time, but I feel like part of what makes it great is you need someone to point out that it's a bad segment to do on an audio whole thing. >> [LAUGH] >> Cast. >> You need that for it to pop. >> What's on the cover? >> What's on the cover?

>> Okay, so it is a periwinkle purpley blue cover with a big red London bus. So you know right away, whoa, this is going to be extremely foreign. I'm outside of the conference room right away. >> [LAUGH] >> Then down in the bottom right corner is a little man in a one of those scarves that has a special name. >> I don't know. >> Anyway, he's got one of those plaid scarves. >> Because- >> Do you mean blibberberry? >> Yeah. >> It could be a burberry. >> She's a burberry.

>> And he's looking up at the bus and there's a woman walking in the bus who I believe is supposed to be our main character. However, I do not think it looks like the main character at all. >> We are told that the main character is kind of short and squat short dark early. >> Curly. >> But she was on the bus. That's not even correct. >> And that's the restoration of the scene. >> In the real life. >> This is a different meeting with this man and a different woman.

He goes around doing this all the time meeting ladies on buses. >> I think it might have been hard to draw her on the bus and show her on the cover. >> Yeah, moving into talk about that. >> We could talk about that. >> Okay, the bus figure, Clara. >> Well. That's a beautiful cover. All right, so now it's time for Clara sums it up. >> No, what did we have a different- we had a little iteration. I don't remember what it was. >> Oh, Clara keeps it classy with a summary.

>> I know that's not it, but we'll do it for now. >> Clammering around with Clara. It's a summary time. Okay, so Sarah, you're going to play the character Sarah. Johnna Lorin-Scrabus, you're going to play Lorin. >> Your call is name is Lorin, so. >> It really does. >> Sarah, since your part is kind of small, would you like to be also the stage directions or Jack? >> Stage directions. >> Or you do Jack. >> Okay, and I'll be Jack. Okay, great. Begin. >> Riding the bus, I hate bus.

Also, it's AXMUS. Wait a minute. I see a handsome man out there. More than handsome. I see something deep within him. He's in my soul mate, but he's kind of far away, and I can't tell what color his eyes are. That woman on the bus, she's my soul mate. I can tell from looking through a window. I'm going to get on the bus and propose, I think. Oh, shoot, the bus left. >> A year later. >> Me and my roommate, Bestie, have been looking for bus boy for a year, and I won't date anyone else.

This is real love. Don't argue with the premise or we won't get to the story. I'm the roommate, Bestie. I'm supportive and fun. We'll find him. I just know it. Hey, when I meet my new boyfriend, he's the one. And I know it because we met and talked and been on dates and stuff. >> To myself. Uh-oh. My bestie is in love with the man I'm in love with. I'll never tell her. >> Jack, to self. Uh-oh. My girlfriend's roommate is the girl from the bus that I have sex dreams about.

I'll never tell either of them. >> Several years later. >> I'm still dating and in love with Jack. And I've gotten to know Jack and confirmed I was right back on the bus and he's my soul mate. >> Several years later. >> Dad's sick. I'm tired and sad. >> Let's kiss. >> Good kiss. >> Good kiss. >> Whoops. I gotta go to Thailand and clear my head. >> Several years later. I'm married a British guy I'm in Thailand. He's rich. I love him and Jack is just a good friend.

I got in a car accident and broke up with Sarah. We're just running through stuff now because a lot of stuff happens. I forgot that I'm British. My dad died. Also, did I mention dead sister? I'm a successful radio DJ. >> Several years later. We ended up together and we're in love. See, you have wronged to doubt the premise. >> The end. >> Good thing we picked up the British at the end there. >> You know? >> I thought I would be too distracting if I did as well.

>> No, I think it would have been wonderful to hear. Clara, you have so many voices and different little things you can do with your mouth. >> Thank you. >> Don't like to do accents because they accidentally always morph into an Indian accent. >> Yeah, yeah. >> Regardless of what I'm trying to say. You can do an Indian one if you're doing it. >> It's really good. It is really good.

And for the listeners and all my mothers from India, Indians, it's okay for me to make fun of her and her friends and family. Which is where I honed the craft. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. John. John is-- >> Did you guys like the summary? >> Oh. >> Because usually we talk about it. >> Oh. >> Okay. >> It was good. It got to, you know, how things happened over time. >> It's kind of a lot. It's a decade. The book spans a decade.

>> Yeah, but we don't always give away the ending in the summary, but you chose to try it. >> I thought I should. >> That's fine for this book. That was fine. >> I thought, because everyone, I think the book gives it away by existing. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. >> I also feel that you made a fine choice, Clara. >> And I'm okay with the choice you made. So yeah, it was a choice you made and you did it. And everyone's okay with it. >> You just still-- >> Everyone's just okay.

So it's not really a wowing anyone. Okay. Feedback, taken. But you know what? I think what the right music? >> Yeah, it's true. >> You've probably got something there. >> Something about that right here. >> That's the worst. >> That's the worst. >> I think you can say. >> A lot of times you can save it in the edit. >> Save it in the edit, yeah, save it in the edit. >> Well, I'm editing this one. >> Well, then I hope you are good at that.

>> Okay, well, I thought it was a good outline, so I'll just do that. >> Okay, it was. >> Everyone really liked the last one. Okay, fine. >> But it's John's jugs. So I decided to do something really special for John's jugs this week. And I have a recommended spirit, depending on whether you're a Lori, Sarah, an Oscar, or a Jack. And those are our four main characters from the time I want to be an Oscar so bad. >> Okay, rich. >> So Sarah, are you an Oscar or do you just want to be an Oscar?

Who are you? >> I hope I'm an Oscar. I don't really know. I don't feel, I think part of the issue with this book for me was that I didn't relate to any character. So it's not an easy one. >> Should we run down Maristy's main characters really quick? >> This is a story. >> Sure, but just explain. >> You're right. >> So the drinks? Okay, Lori, main character, sort of a hopeless romantic dumb, Dormat. >> Dormat. >> Advice Paul has 14agers. >> Says of Appenster. Is anyone that here?

Does anyone think they're that? >> I know. >> I know who. >> I like me. >> So John, what's your Lori drink? >> I'm Lori. The Lori drink is sex on the parrot infested beach, which is a drink she drinks in the book. It is a gin tequila, ram vodka, blue curacao, and OJ drink, served in a hurricane glass. And I'll be posting all these recipes on the patron for anybody. >> This was, she drank this after the divorce, yes, from the wrong person. >> Yes, after her divorce from the Sarah character.

>> Okay, well, I should clarify our Sarah character who believes she is Oscar, not the Sarah character. >> The book was Lori's best friend. >> That's why I was making those noises. Okay, now we can talk about the person she got divorced for while we skipped the Oscar, who was her husband for a bit, but he's obviously the wrong man because he wasn't the man from the bus. His main qualities are handsome, rich, works hard is a banker. >> And like so far. >> And like so far. >> Like so far.

>> Like so far. >> Like so far. >> Like so far. >> And so Sarah, you were drawn to that character? >> Yeah, definitely. >> Yeah, definitely. >> What part? >> Do you think he's like like this? >> Like so far. >> Okay, okay. So if you're an Oscar, you're going to want the penicillin, which is two ounces of scotch whiskey, an ounce of lemon juice, an ounce of honey ginger syrup, and a quarter ounce of single malt scotch. >> Okay, I would never order that one.

>> He drinks that in the book, he like gets that to impress them in the book, I think. >> Yeah, he's great. >> He's favorite. >> Great drink. >> Well, I'll try it once. >> Garnish with candied ginger. >> Candy. >> Okay, what about the Sarah character? >> So I'd head if you can believe it. >> Red, yeah. >> The hot red. >> She's supportive to a friend. She's popular, she's fun, she's a news anchor, and she's moving up. >> She's successful, very successful. Is this sounding like anyone?

You guys are talking to her right now? >> Because I'm the Sarah. >> I'm the Sarah. >> Okay, that's supposed to be Clara. >> You fun, hot. >> Okay, okay. >> The fun, hot one, yeah, I identify as that one. I'm believe it. >> Okay, okay. >> I mean, a little bit the next character too, I'll be honest with you guys, but. >> I thought you were going to pick Jack as this sort of, easy fun game, ginger. >> Wow, I don't agree with all those descriptors of Jack, but.

>> Well, I have that's how the pieces Clara could relate to. Tall, athletic, okay. So Sarah, you're going to want holiday party punch. Now Sarah makes her very, very strong. So you're going to want some dark rum, some coconut rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime, and grenadine. >> You know what? >> It'll pop in a punch. >> This sounds great. >> That one does something. >> That does sound really good, but grenadine, I was already on board with one juice, pineapple juice.

>> Yeah, grenadine, I know it's good, right? >> Grenadine, yeah. I'm happy with my choice. Okay, so then we have, we can hear Jack's even though, I mean, I guess there's a little bit of Jack in me, the funny parts. Jack is kind of a douche and he's our main love interest. He's a DJ or host of some sort of radio station. >> Talk about music ever? No. >> No, it's almost like he's an advice president, even on the radio.

>> Yeah, so- >> Exactly, he seems to like always think about like having sexual fantasies for other people while he's fucking someone else seems like that. >> It's always Lori. He likes sexual fantasies of Lori. >> Yeah, yeah. >> But he doesn't date her until the very end. >> Yeah. >> He keeps giving it away. So if you're a Jack and it sounds like probably many of our listeners are, funny just depraved individuals, you're going to want a beer served in a chilled glass. >> And any of them?

>> A beer. >> I'm even happier with my choice to be the Sarah. >> Uh-huh. >> And now Sarah, don't let that, Sarah podcast, don't let that go to your head, that's not what I meant. >> You know what I loved having a character, main Sarah, a beautiful and popular? >> I loved not going to lie. >> [LAUGH] >> And Clara and podcast Sarah, I should confess that the author did help me a lot with this drink list by putting it in the back of the book.

So if anyone needs help pulling it up, throw in the softy edition. >> Nobody calls it that paperback is just the term I think. >> Yeah, I feel like you've forgotten the word paperback all the time. >> It wasn't an audio book, so you get an actual one. >> Another kind of surprise is does the library have in store for those? >> Look. >> All right guys. >> My mind was from the library too. >> Yeah. >> No? >> But not really. >> It'll not waste time. >> All right, that makes zero sense.

Let's go to commercial break, come back. We're going to hear about the author, the book, and we're going to go into one night in December, BRB. >> BRB? >> One day in December. >> This is the library. >> [LAUGH] >> [LAUGH] [MUSIC] >> Yeah, I come back because we just started to have a conversation that we need to have later. >> Relates to the book, relates to the book. >> I will not have it be had over commercial break. Claire, please tell us about the author.

>> Okay, so this is actually interesting. She's currently 51, so when this was published, she was 46. >> Cool. >> I like that. >> Yeah. >> Her, what? Keep in mind as you hear the rest. Her official bio, which I got like from her website, from the publisher's website, stuff like that. Josie Silver is and unashamed romantic, who met her husband when she stepped on his foot on his 21st birthday.

She lives with him, their two young sons, and their cats in a little town in England called Wolverhampton. Fine, all fine. >> Yeah. She doesn't have a Wikipedia page. What the fuck? >> A lot of authors don't, it shows. >> Really? >> They're newer, I guess.

>> Yeah. >> I will say, just, I'm actually surprised, Josie Silver's that all, because I felt like she was around our age just because the kind of fashion and stuff, she described them wearing in like 2008, 2009, was so on the nose that I felt like, oh, she must have actually been that age. >> She had a little bit of a literal voice. >> Yeah, I do. I would have, I would have taken that as an allele.

Now, this was what she calls her debut novel, but she wrote, this is a little bit, not her debut novel, because she wrote for 10 years under pseudonym Cat French for romantic comedies or Kitty French for "Ebrotic." >> Oh! >> No, I'm quite sure. >> So this is actually not her debut novel? >> She wrote a robotic book, and she wrote a robotic book. >> I'm just recording it.

>> She got her start in 2008, sorry, 2009, she won a competition where she got to work with a, an editor for a year, the editor didn't eventually take her on, but she says very helpful. Then she got a publishing deal after posting part of her manuscript on a Harper Collins a phonymy website. >> I don't know, I don't know what that is. >> I don't know what that is. >> A phonymy website. >> Some self published time.

>> Yeah, she has published 12 books as Cat/Kitty French, yet she has the goal to call this her debut novel. Okay, so as Cat Kitty, she felt her career wasn't going anywhere, so I don't think these books were doing well, she thought about quitting, but then her editor at Harper Collins moved over to Penguin Publishing and called her up and said, would you like to write a Christmas book? And then they worked together for this book.

Now, to be fair, she had written a few Christmas books before, including Night and Slee, an erotic Lucian Knight Christmas novel. >> Oh, and we ended up with this one? >> Lucian Knight is a Viking sex god. >> That's cool. >> Holding out in this book, she used to write a Rodic novels about Viking sex gods. Like, I really was missing this part of her. I really was. >> There was what one sex scene in this book? >> Barely. >> Barely, yeah, one barely sex scene in the book.

Okay, so at this point, as, so those books weren't best-seller-jury, one of them, one of her erotic ones, I think, was a USA Today best-seller. But at this point, she has herself, Josie Silver, has three New York Times best-sellers. And then just a little fun fact, if you guys remember the book we read Untamed by Glenn and Doyle, that's one of her favorite books. That's one of her favorite books, Judger, as you will. Okay, so a little information about this book.

She wrote it over four months with that editor who came, you know, who switched publishing companies and told her to write a Christmas book. Let's see, the release was delayed a bit, so it could come out or closer to Christmas. It was published in August of 2018 and res picked it for her list in December of 2018. Then it spent two weeks on the best-seller list, right after that. And it is currently being developed into a series for Netflix. >> Okay. >> So interesting.

>> I don't see this as a series. I guess it takes place over a long period of time. >> Yeah, but they're going to be filling out a lot. This is one of those if it's being developed into a series. They're just like the premises, this is a, they've end up at the very end, but they just keep missing each other. And then I feel like what they write in between is going to be wildly different than what's in the book. >> And this is one of those books, too, where you know

before you even start reading how it's going to end, right? It's like this cut. These two people meet each other in the opening page of the book. Obviously, they're going to end up together. >> Did they meet each other? >> Yeah, good for you. >> I know, they didn't meet. >> They saw each other. >> Yeah, that's the information. >> I thought it was interesting. I feel like she's keeping herself off of Wikipedia on purpose to keep her name separate. >> She doesn't want that in my book.

>> Yeah, it wasn't easy to find. And she has separate websites for cat, kitty, French and different photos of herself for the about the author. And it was like I had to go through a couple of interviews to find one where they revealed that information. >> I guess it sounds better to be like my debut novel was The New York Times bestseller, as opposed to my-- >> Yeah, Blaine does. >> My 20th novel was something.

>> Clara, I'm going to say something. I don't need to take this wrong way or let it go to your head. >> Okay. >> Really good research. >> That's really impressive that you found that. >> Thank you, I thought so too. I mean, I was-- I had to do it because I couldn't just copy and paste from Wikipedia. Not that we do that. >> We do that. >> I always change a few words, so it's technically something that I wrote. >> Okay, that's all about that.

You guys want to talk about the characters we haven't talked about yet. They're just sort of side characters. >> Yeah, just a couple little guys. There's Oscar, her husband who's the wrong man. He has an ex who pursues him. >> With a Crescida? >> Crescida. >> Yeah. >> Crescida, yes, with a very, very British name, which I loved. >> Yeah. >> In an evil British name too. >> Yeah, Crescida. >> And she is a very evil character. She will not stop trying to get with Oscar.

And unfortunately for Lori, Oscar's mom loves Crescida. >> You then keeps pictures of her up at the house still. >> Oh, that's funny. I found that funny because my mother does that with my sister's first husband. They're still pictures. >> [LAUGH] >> Then pin her house. >> Okay, Oscar's mom is another character. She's just kind of like, hoity, toyty, doesn't like Lori. >> They're not, they're different classes. They're like, you know, she's not upper class enough.

>> Yeah. >> Then there's Lori's family, like her, she has a mom and dad and brother. >> What's their personality? >> And the reality, I don't know. >> No, no, it gets dead. >> Dad is very sick. >> The dad is very dying. >> He's very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very sick. >> Yeah. >> Um, that's the end of characters in this book. And if you think we're exaggerating, we absolutely are not in any way. >> Lori has no other way. >> I mean, it is so sad.

Like, this comes back especially at her wedding when she has no one there for her. >> Because she's not one friend. >> And she even talks to like, and even our family is so outnumbered. But I was like proud of us. It's like, I don't know, I don't know what went wrong for you guys. You have no family, no friends. >> I just feel like if you're a co-worker. >> If you're the type of person who doesn't have, like, has one friend, I feel like maybe you're the problem.

>> And- >> And- >> I felt about her the whole time. >> She couldn't even keep this one friend because guess what? The night before the wedding, the one friend she had is like, I'm out of here. And that's the risk of having one friend. >> Yeah. >> Because the night before my wedding, any one of us could have had a major fallout and it would have been fine. >> You had someone to put, you had someone waiting. >> We had somebody ready to go- >> No. >> So how are you cornered each of us one time?

>> Why aren't you telling me to- >> It doesn't matter. >> Where's your backup speech? >> Yo, you're not going to say it, but have it ready. >> Yeah, so at her wedding, Jack, her weird pseudo ex-lover from the bus, but also not really her lover is the one who has to give her speed. >> No, he doesn't, she does not have to, he chooses to. But that's far, I really want us to dive into this opening scene that is supposed to weigh so heavy on both these two main characters and they belong together.

And again, the scene is it's Laurie, she's in a bus, she's like complaining about the people around her because like the woman in front of her has a dandruff and got it in her coffee or whatever. And then she just like looks out and she sees this guy who's sitting in the bus stop. Now, I have to discuss this because this did happen at night, it happened after sunset. And on a day where she said was particularly cloudy. >> So it's dark. >> So it's dark. >> It's dark.

So we start there, it's dark, this is happening. Her, it's dark and this man that she sees, this boy I guess is reading a book at a bus stop in the dark. >> Get it on your phone, who you're trying to impress. >> Who doesn't even get that, get an iPad, good nipod. >> Well, I thought it was really cool that he did that. There's a lot to be said about the real book in your hands, right? >> Right. >> But was he even reading it or was he saying they were looking at it because it was too dark to read?

>> Yeah, even though he didn't read it. I will say, however, because I got very annoyed at this dark, how dark it was and how this is like, she saw him and all this happened between like, I just imagine a bus, okay, imagine a bus, right up against a bus stop. And she's at the top of it, she's up high. So she's like looking down, like right, like it's such a drastic angle for her to be looking down and for them to be looking up.

And for all this, like, lovey, dovey stuff, to be happening, all these words, unspoken words between the eyes. And she also said it was steamy and that she had to wipe away the steam and the bus, which is weird also, but- >> Also, it's winter, so I'm having a hard time believing that those bus windows were crystal clear. I don't know if you have ever ridden a city bus and maybe they do it differently in the UK. >> They might do it anyway. >> But those things are pretty grimy.

Sometimes there's even spit on the window. >> So- >> John and don't spit on the last one. So Lori, I also- >> I also- >> Spits a wipe off the window. >> I thought I was interesting that all this, like, yeah, unspoken stuff is going on in their eye contact, but she literally says like, can't quite tell what color his eyes are. It's like what you're looking deeply into them and knowing he's a soul mate. >> Yeah, he can't- >> He was admittedly can't see them. >> Her character?

Like, I feel like, oh, meet you. Like, this situation I could see being interesting if they had had a conversation or something to pass between them. This happening, maybe, I was just like, Lori's insane. Like, the fact that she's so obsessed with a guy, she saw for a second and like- >> Literally psyched. >> It's not enough. >> It's not enough. >> Like, it's not enough to spend a year searching for him. And it's not enough to feel like you have some sort of ownership over him when you realize

your best friend is dating him. That's just like, this is literally someone you saw out of a bus window one time. >> To come at Sarah for this situation, Lori's best friend, she has been helping Lori or encouraging her- >> Yes, the indulging her, which is so weird, because it's like, either of you guys ever said something to me like that, I'd be like, yeah, that's okay, forget it. I wouldn't be telling you that this is probably your soulmate because-

>> I would be honest. >> There was a serious sadness going on and something else, let's get to the deep, let's get to the deep. >> Because you think you found- you seriously imagining one of you coming to me and thinking, I think I really met the one is like, I saw him at the window at the bus stop. I couldn't, I don't know how I would ask if you spoke to him. I would think you were joking. >> I would think you were joking. >> I would think you were joking.

Because I totally agree, I think you have to have a conversation, I also think so much of that like, whoa is this love at first sight moment is like the chemistry that's happening between you as you're actually standing there and like feeling the energy from the other person. >> It is the most literal interpretation of love at first sight. >> Yeah, it's like a fleeting glance of. It would have been better if it was a subway train that was passing.

>> I would like that more. >> Even in training, like what's that ghost? >> Or the love of my life. Which we have read Ghost on a Subway, that was one of our books, The Lesbian Ghost on the Subway. Anyway, at one point Sarah and Laurie are talking before

Laurie introduces her boyfriend Jack. Anyway, and she's like Sarah is like, oh, if you meet this guy and he doesn't reciprocate your feelings, they do this like joky back and forth of their like, Sarah is like all carve, twat on his head with a rusty knife and his head will go septic and his head will fall off and they're like giggling about it and I'm just like, these women are, I mean, I liked our humor, but you're talking about murdering someone.

>> That is toxic femininity. >> Absolutely, John. I was like, wow, okay, but by other point I want to make about Sarah before the introduction is. >> Yes. Laurie makes it very clear that Sarah knows exactly what busboy should look like. So much to the point that like they're sitting together to barn and Sarah's like, oh is that him? And Laurie's like, oh, that could be him, but oh, it's not. So like Sarah knows what busboy looks like.

>> Oh, good point. >> She knows the statistics. >> She knows the statistics. >> When Sarah shows up with Jack who looks like busboy, it's just ridiculous to me that she wouldn't have at all fought for a second, like, oh, wait, or at any point in time early on in the relationship that this obsession they would have come out. >> Right, especially because you make a good point. We can't even be like, well, she described him and maybe the description wasn't perfect because of

the scene where she's like, I think that's him in the bar. And Laurie's like, I also think it's him and then they get close and or like the way he acts or something when they get close to her. >> It's like the eye of him, but everything else was perfect. >> Okay, well now, Laurie or Sarah, book Sarah, you found someone that means that description exactly except the eyes are different. Maybe think, use your head, use your goddamn head. >> Just goddamn hair.

>> Yeah, I honestly would have preferred use your hair. I think I said that because I was thinking, why didn't she just have him die his hair, like bleaches hair? I don't know for some reason, do something slightly different so it would have been like, oh, loss. >> Yes, but like, he lost his hair in the meantime from stress.

>> Yeah, I thought you were going to say, okay, go, go, go. >> There's a lot of sad stuff that happens in the book so it could have been from- >> It would, it would make sense for him to be fighting some sort of horrible illness. >> But that's one trope that they skip for that character but not for others. >> Yeah, other characters have a lot. >> Well, you know, his dad or mom had just died, I just, you know, I don't remember, dad and- >> He's dad and- >> So you did have some sad porn going on

with him. Anyway, so this is happening in Lori's, it's at this party, Lori just decides that she's never going to tell either of them and she's going to like, even though she's going to love him for the rest of her life. Like she makes these declarations. It's just so, I hate, I did not like Lori, I don't know if you could tell. >> No, it's too much. >> Lori? It's too much. >> It's too much. >> It's, um, something's wrong with her. >> She thinks she's in love with him.

>> You can. >> I do that. I do want to ask you both though. Let's say you find yourself in the Lori position. So you're, we'll start off, you're like unhidden. >> Yeah, I agree. >> And then, you know, let's say one of us walks through the door and we're like, hey, this is my new boyfriend, bus boy, by the way, we've only been on one day but we're really serious. I think I'll get a marium. My question is, do you do what Lori did and never, and vow to never

say anything? Or do you say, like later that night, hey, just tell you no, that's the guy that I've been stalking. >> I hate right away. >> Yeah, I was gonna say, I think I blurred it out instantly. And then Lori says, or Sarah says, that's interesting. And, and I'm dating him still. >> Or Sarah is like, oh, and then like, sees him in a new light and then they like, stop getting on as well. And they, it just never becomes a thing. Or like, she's like, oh, maybe

this guy is, you know what I mean? I feel like there's so many ways it would have gone differently if she just saw. >> Wow. I definitely was like, I would forever hold my side. But I would ask you to do a rarest? >> Is that because you're a rarest? >> No, because I'd be like, I can't take this from, from Sarah, book Sarah's in love. If she loves this man, so I'm just gonna be, I'm gonna silently suffer forever. But I would not do it

the way Lori did where she's like, I'm gonna silently suffer, but sometimes we'll kiss. But we'll never kiss. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. >> And I'm gonna have to work really hard. >> Yeah, we're gonna not pull for anyone else. >> Ridiculous flirting. It was so such a bad friend. Like, they crossed the line twice in the book, or while they're still, while Sarah and Jack are still dating, but they crossed the line in terms of flirting

like every time it's like emotionally cheating, all the time. >> Yeah, and like emotionally cheating, all the time. >> Yes, it's crazy. >> It's really, she's a really bad friend. It's huge, but she's really gonna do this, just do it. Just honestly, like, stop. And it's honestly not that hard. I'm sorry, but like, I've had crushes on people or like, whatever, you just like, time always, like, let you let things go. >> Yeah, you just make the decision.

>> Imagine this type of obsession with someone. I've been with my husband that long. I'm not that obsessed with him. We're married. >> The other thing is, this book makes it seem like it's like, they've been all been friends forever, and this is a story that spans the ages. And actually, most of the story takes place over about three years. So it's like, the, yeah, Lori and Jack developed this like deep, passionate friendship where they're best

friends in the world. Remember, she has no other friends. >> And she's avoiding them for a good part of their relationship. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, it's just like their friendship is way too intense for me to believe that that's the actual timeline. Like, if it's like, oh, we've been friends for 20 years, like, okay, well, let's think about the timeline of the book. All it takes to fall in love is a fleeting glance. >> So spending three years together as friends, that's pretty new.

>> Right. >> And some new and fleeting glances. >> Yeah. That's a very good point, Clara. That's a very good timeline. >> And not to mention Jack, who's actually also in the relationship with Sarah, and clearly, you know, he clearly is like, horny for them both. It's just like, I mean, I don't know. He's just like, what's such a shitty dude? >> Yeah. >> I'm not even sure why he's horny for the Lori one, because the Sarah one sounds really hot and cool and fun. >> I think at some point, yeah, you

have me have it. He is like Sarah's hot and Lori is like her friend, her cute friend. >> Yeah, he's like, I expected another Lori who's like a beautiful unicorn mixed with a butterfly, but instead, turns out she's friends with just this like, black widow spider that you know. >> But wait, Lori describes herself at one point as like having her French maternal grandmother to thank for her dark hair and blue eyes, and that she, her French, that grandmother was a celebrated

ballerina, and she's also an inherited her form. It's that for she's got curly hair. It was like, do the description, I was like, so you're probably also hot, but yeah. >> Yeah, you're not hot. >> But you're just not as hot as Sarah in the book. >> Yeah, yeah, which is fair, but at a certain point. >> Nobody is. >> People, you like people more because you like their personality, like, I mean, love Island, they switch between each other. They're all hot.

>> They're all hot. >> Which one eventually you pick a hot one. >> And that's so hard to choose between multiple hot ones. >> Yeah, not fair. >> I always said that show's not fair, I totally agree. >> In the book, Lori is not described as a bad friend. It's all, it's like she's trying her hardest to be a good friend, but the fate and force of true love keep making her flirt and kiss. >> Yeah. >> And she's not making it, and her parents just keep dying or almost dying.

>> Yeah, so she's sad, okay? >> But she's dying. >> Oh my God, when she taught, brought up her dead sister. I can't remember. It felt like it was out of nowhere. She started crying under dead sister one night too. >> Jack, like, there is like the second time they've met and she's like, oh, thanks for passing me that ice cream. Sorry, I never talked about this, but food actually makes me think of my diaper. >> It was like that. >> It was just that excited, it was so weird.

>> And then he's like, whoa, this is really intimate. I want to kiss away your pain and save you. >> Wait, did they kiss that night? >> No, but I think she like, she felt like- >> He like gets really close and like, that helps her go to bed. >> He likes to blink. >> He likes to blink it on her. >> Yeah, he puts the blank in on her and tux her in, like, touches her body, probably.

>> Probably, the way that night started, I felt like I missed something in the book, and I like, in this little section, I maybe wasn't paying attention, but when I was paying attention and it started, they were talking about their most embarrassing moments that I zoned out and came back in and she was talking about her dead sister. And I was like, so embarrassing, so embarrassing.

>> It was, it was pretty much- >> Most embarrassing moments also were like, really, I can't even remember, I just remember thinking, like, rolling my eyes because it was like- >> One of my- >> I danced and stepped on its foot and then I- >> One was like, she threw up at school basically, which like- >> I've thrown up at school as non-barassing at all. Everyone just feels bad for you, you're sick, you're horribly, horribly sick.

>> I- >> They honestly, the author just- And like- >> Okay, the author describes their interactions as though they're like very funny, and the dialogue they're saying is very funny. >> It's always like, she describes them as, you know, gigling and, um, like a rise smile, like all these things that you're like, the dialogue does not match what?

>> Yeah. >> As a talent, you're describing kind of thing, like what she said was not funny or interesting, but you're having him react as though it was so funny- >> It's charming. >> Like, here's my fears. >> Yeah. >> Here's my fear though, Sarah, it's like, you're funny, and you generally have conversations with other people who are funny. Mike is funny, right? Now, here- >> Funny looking- >> But- >> For example, she's just, for example, if I'm funny, Sarah is- >> Yeah.

>> So, I'm afraid that some people out there might be so unfunny, that they might say things like people in the book are saying, and then it actually generates or produces a laugh response. And to them, that is humor. >> But they watch TV, they know about TV? >> I don't know. >> Yeah, that's true. >> We only really know they've watched Greece and watched, um, Twilight, and now they don't think- >> But the author is watching TV.

>> The author knows what should be funny, but you're right, those are the only things they watch in the- >> Oh, and Kanye or something like that. >> Oh, yeah, yeah. >> Yeah, he puts it up. >> I still can't get over the fact that he's a DJ, and there's like no mention of music, or like, what kind of music he's- I don't know, it just was like- >> Yeah, he's not that kind of DJ. He's like- >> It's a lot of after- >> It's a lot of after- >> Yeah, like, yeah, still play music?

>> The lot of it is music. >> Yeah, but it's- >> Oh, only music other people tell her to play. She doesn't know. >> Oh, okay. >> Well, I would have loved that clarified. >> I wanted to say with the thing about- it being sure describing this is funny or cool or fun that weren't, I thought the reader of the audiobook did a wonderful job trying to sell that. Like- >> She did, I agree.

>> That birthday party, they go to a birthday party that's like in a recreation of the movie Grease, and the audiobook reader read it as like with a huge smile on her face, describing all this stupid fucking shit as like- >> It was a huge, ferris wheel. And then there was all these people dressed up like the big pink lady. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> Which is like- >> Is not how I would have read it if I was reading it in a book. >> Yeah, I agree.

>> Yeah, Sarah wakes Lori up on her birthday, like eight o'clock in the morning. And says, can I have a few hours of your time? >> Oh my God, guys, how would you react to this day? If anybody- >> Okay. >> And you guys did this for birthday, I want to hear it, but go ahead, Johnna. >> Okay, first of all, I don't like the bait and switch of a few hours turning into- first, we spent hours getting ready. Then we take you train to another city. Then once we're there, it is the afternoon.

This event will go into the far into the night. Then we take a train back to where we live, and I go to bed. That is not Sarah? A few hours. >> That's my whole fucking birthday. >> Well, it's been a little- >> Now, it's all- >> Friends at all. >> Yeah, that's true. You might not know- >> And also, for your birthday, I'm basically setting you up on a blind double date. Like nothing new. >> Yeah, okay, but- >> That's horrible.

>> But remember, this is the girl that thought she fell in love looking at the bus window, so maybe she needs something like a birthday where we say, go, "Bot of blind date, we don't know how to help you." >> That's true, that's true. >> I thought it was funny that she takes her to this grease experience, but on the train there, she's like, "So have you ever seen the movie?" >> Who is this more, Sarah? Is this for Laurie or is this for you?

>> Also, they're doing weird Southern accents, and I'm like, they're not Southern in the movie. While there may be so much. But I was like, you know what? I guess I- I can't criticize that too much, because if by British accent is probably incorrectly placed every time. >> The wrong British accent. >> British, yeah, yeah, but come on. >> I feel pretty confident in mine, but I can understand why other people would. >> But do you know if you're Northern or Southern? >> Of course. Which is it?

>> Mine was mid, but- >> Okay, okay, all right. >> We'll play. >> We'll play. >> All right, all right. We got to take a quick commercial break, but we'll be back. We got more to complain about. BRB. [MUSIC] >> And we're back. All right, good. >> Yeah, I'm still mad about the birthday thing, like thinking about it. [LAUGH] >> For that, I was spending my birthday with my best friend, my only friend. I don't expect interlopers. [LAUGH] >> Well, she had a really good time.

The boy wasn't that bad, after all. She got to do the Ferris wheel one on one with Jack. >> Yeah, that was a bad Jack's dad died on the Ferris wheel, which- >> I forgot about that. >> Ring Ring, Laurie, your phone's ringing. Ring Ring. >> Oh, that was a bad idea. >> I heard it. >> Was it the first time her dad died or the second time? >> I don't know. >> This is the first time her dad had a heart attack. >> Okay, yeah. >> And she found out about it at her birthday party.

>> That's right, and Jack, guess what? He's there, man, to comfort, console. He took control of the situation. This is like what we hear, the probably the only good thing about Jack is it seems like in times of when she's breaking down, he's like a take control type guy. But that being said, we don't ever hear him do that. It's always like, later we hear that he did that. Jack is so helpful. >> Moments of him being helpful are never directly communicated.

The show don't tell thing that we never- >> Yeah, they will. >> Ever get these books. >> I hate how she kept having the parents die and do all the sad shit and the sister dying stuff. It was like, it makes me want to say to Josie Silver, love can be just having fun together. It doesn't have to have sad. >> Yeah, you don't need like- >> The grief as an excuse to- >> I don't know. >> Yeah. >> Kiss your- >> Connect or something. >> Your best friend's boyfriend.

You don't need to keep using grief as an excuse. >> Yeah, because when her dad does eventually die, that is when she kisses Jack or Jack kisses her or whatever. And portrays Porcerra. >> I always feel like that's actually the laziest kind of writing, just because it's like, yeah, you can of course, we'll feel empathy for the character. You did it in the laziest possible way. Something we could all universally say is very sad.

>> Yeah, I don't know if I relate to like, I'm so sad, I gotta kiss someone. I don't know, you know what happens a lot? It happens in like, it's a very common thing to people grieve, and I guess, kiss or whatever, but I don't get it. >> Yeah, come to think of it, yeah, I've never felt less like kissing than- >> Yeah, I'm not sure how that would help her. >> No, no. >> Maybe to say like, you're your love, there's something maybe to feel like being loved.

>> I was expecting her to be like, "Oh, my mom lost her dad, love her life." Like, this is what shock me into being like, "Oh, the love has to go for it." >> I had to go for it. >> Yeah, yeah, but yeah. >> That's not what happens. She's sort of like, "I'm so sad, I'm running through the winter, I'm so sad, I'm running through the London streets, he caught me." And, "Well, we're kissing." Right? Am I missing something there?

>> And instead of being like, yeah, and then instead of being like, after it, be like, "Okay, we have something, I'm not crazy, even though she didn't actually think she was ever crazy, but she is." Anyway, oh, we both like each other. We have to do something about this. Like, we have to tell Sarah you need to break up with... Like, there was not, it was just like, "Don't tell anyone." >> Yeah, yeah, we just made it. >> Which way, like, don't tell anyone. >> That could have been possible.

>> That's not like, you even needed that for the plot. That's a good story, too. Like, now you have to deal with telling your best friend who you consider is just there that you betrayed her. And like, or just like, break half and break up and like, realize that like, okay, we like each other, so maybe break up with my friend and, you know, will secretly date for six months. >> Whoa. You would throw that friendship away, Sarah? >> No, I'm saying I'm not going in a way.

>> I think it might be... >> Yeah, a way to save it, actually. >> I'm saving it. >> Because doing whisper, whisper isn't necessarily keeping the friendship. >> That's pretty. >> What is the alternative, John? >> Swishburne never to... >> You've already kissed him. >> You've never do the kissing. >> Never do the kissing. >> No, just deal with your grief the way. >> I did, which is go watch Manchester by the sea because your life is not going to be as bad as that.

>> Okay, interested in just saying it. >> That's the... No, I'm serious, watch it, because you're like, sad as you are, pretty much, you're probably not as sad as that guy is. >> Okay. >> For 99% of people. >> I'm not interested. >> Okay, I'm ready to help. >> It sounds awful. >> I think it was a thing. >> No, it was a really good thing. >> All right, trust you. >> I'm not interested. >> Okay, trust you.

>> Once when I was sad, not as serious a situation, but I was sad and then I was watching Bopsburgers and Tina was sad and then saying a sad song and it crushed me. [laughter] >> So in that situation, I just sort of empathized with Tina. But I mean, maybe it was different. I mean, I don't think either Tina or me were going through what a death in the family or a Manchester by the sea situation. >> So anyway, Lori takes her dead anyway. >> And anyway. >> Trying to unpack Claire's grief.

>> I believe I was moving on. >> Lori took her dead daddy's money and went to Thailand for a few months to like get over things, which is good. You know, it's nice that she could do that. >> Wait, you could see me being more astrayalty in Thailand. >> Wasn't he dead? >> No, he wasn't. He doesn't die until much later because he dies. >> Oh, did they just give him money? >> Oscar isn't around when he dies and it's in the way. >> Why did they suddenly give her money?

>> I think, Lori. >> I don't know how she got to Thailand. >> I feel like there was some, oh, maybe it was just like her father at a heart attack so they realized life is precious. >> That's exactly where there's a bunch of money. >> Yes. >> So she's in Thailand and she meets Oscar. And we get kind of like the sexiest scene, I guess, I would say of the book. >> The book? >> In considering the relationship. >> It's like it's first sight.

>> Considering she's an erotic novel writer, I think we can all feel a little let down by this scene. >> Let down by this scene? >> Yeah, you know, because it didn't really go that far. But you know, they, he went down on her. They, it was nice. They had a great time in Thailand. We didn't hear a lot a ton about what was going on in Thailand, but they did have a great time so then they came back as boyfriend and girlfriend and met each other's friends and family.

And a good thing, fortunately for Oscar, that was like a really quick meeting because you know, she does have many friends. But in a parent, Jack doesn't like Oscar, of course, because Jack thinks that because when he fantasizes about, should stay perpetually single as he dates someone else. Because he's about a person. >> I thought it was interesting.

They went to like Oscar's rich club to meet and I just really stuck in my head that so Sarah dresses up and Jack just wears like slubby jeans and a t-shirt that says star fucker. And he refuses to change. And he says he's doing it as like a, I don't know, a one-up Oscar's hoidy, toy-diness sort of. I don't know, really stuck with me. Like I didn't see him up until that point as the sort of guy who wear a t-shirt that says star fucker because I don't know that a lot of t-shirts say fuck on them.

>> I think that is a indie rock band of the era that's, I see. >> I see. >> If I had to look that up. I'm not, wasn't familiar with them, but I was like, what the hell does star fucker be? And so I looked it up. >> But it just, it changed his personality to me. >> Yeah, yeah. >> I had kind of seen him as the nice guy who like helps out when someone's father passes away. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. >> And that's the whole person, now he's a shithead.

>> Yeah, and I think that's the beginning of his like decline in the book too. He wears the star fucker shirt. He's so rude to Oscar. And then he shortly after that gets in like a car accident. And then is just like really awful and mean to his girlfriend and to Laurie and just kind of a pill to be around. >> He loses his radio job. >> He'll be happy happy, which is illegal. >> Exactly, yeah. >> I bet. >> Congratulations. >> You're set for life, buddy. >> Yeah, he's like an lawsuit.

>> But that makes him depressed and to be depressed makes him really mean. He rips the necklace off of Laurie during an argument that her husband, necklace. >> No, no, he's gonna mark on her neck. >> Yeah, he leaves a mark on her neck. This is, she's still like violent with her. >> Yeah, I was honestly hoping this would be the turning point in the book where it's like, surprise, the one for Laurie isn't Jack. It wasn't the man she made eye contact with. It's actually Oscar and love can develop.

>> That would have been nice. >> Love can start at 80% and go to 100%. >> Right, they do say that a lot. That's like a whole, always at 100% okay, it started at 90%. Our love was only 90%. I also agree with you on that premise, Johnna. I don't think love starts at 100%. >> That is her premise. That is her premise, the love starts at 100%. >> Yeah, because later Jack's dating someone and he says, well, she's 70%, but I'm hoping she'll work her way up to 100%.

And that's presented in the book is like, he's so wrong. >> Sad. >> Oh my God, he's sad, he's wrong, he's desperate. >> Also Sarah and Jack break up because their love is only 90%. They both agree that 90% isn't nearly good enough. And I was like, no, after like four years together, they also have the silliest, most amicable break up. One of them's just like, are we doing okay? And the other's like, I don't know. And then they go, I don't want to say goodbye.

And she's like, I don't either, but we should. They hug and then they remain extremely close friends. >> Yeah, they're so happy for each other at all their future relationships. >> Great, yeah. >> Yeah, they keep their in each other's lives all the time. He's still best friends with Lori, her best friend. So he's around. So that's how he's at the wedding and stuff like that. Because he's still friends. >> All these people needed to go their separate ways. >> Yeah. I want to see that timeline.

>> I want to say though, so she's with Oscar and they live some hints that it's not perfect because like the mom doesn't love her. >> And then, after the wedding, I think she's like, I don't know. >> I think she's like, I don't know. >> I think she's like, I don't know. >> I think she's like, I don't know. >> I think she's like, I don't know. >> I think she's like, I don't know. >> I think she's like, I don't know. >> I think she's like, I don't know. >> I think she's like, I don't know.

>> I think she's like, I don't know. >> I think she's like, I don't know. >> I think she's like, I don't know. >> I think she's like, I don't know. >> I think she's like, I don't know. >> I think she's like, I don't know. >> She's like, working as like, with Oscar somehow, and I was like, wait, did she just like, stalk him to his job or like change career completely? >> I was so confused, but maybe- >> It's very convenient that that is a reveal.

>> Yeah. >> The Crescita is like his number one employee, and they work together in Brussels. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, I don't know. I forgot about that piano thing because she works for Oscar at the end of the book, which is my- >> I got it, I got it. >> Which is most recent in my mind. >> I don't know what I wanted. >> I don't know what I wanted. >> I confused me.

>> But, okay, right before they're wedding, Sarah and her are doing like their own, of course, night in Bachelor, because she doesn't have friends, so I do a real party. >> Yeah, she's always like, I like it. I prefer this to like a big event. >> It's true. >> That book sends so much about as you prefer it. >> I prefer to a big event. >> Who would come? You're fucking mom. >> [LAUGH] >> She only own their female in the book.

>> And it would even like, there's a brother that apparently has a wife. She barely wore it to mention. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> Yeah, the mom is so important to her that later when Oscar is like, come to Brussels, she's like, and leave my mom. >> Yeah. >> And you don't talk to her, see ever? >> [LAUGH] >> Why? >> Anyway, who did shoot for Christmas? Remember that Christmas when the mom was like, I'm going with my friends. >> [LAUGH] >> It's called having friends you should try it.

>> Yeah, try it, my God. So I want to hear what you guys thought about this conversation because I kind of felt like Sarah was in the wrong for not showing up and being the maid of honor. Like I thought that was really fucked up of her. >> Okay, so let's, okay, so they play a Bachelor at game. Which is like, have you ever kissed your best friend's boyfriend basically? >> [LAUGH] >> And it comes out.

And it comes out that he was bus boy, that they kissed and that she was in love with him the whole time they're dating and though she's like, I tried not to be. >> Right. >> Which is why as we've discussed. >> Right. >> And then so Sarah doesn't, and this is the night before the wedding. Sarah's really upset and she lives somewhere else now or something. So anyway, she goes home and she doesn't go to the wedding. Do we think she was right for doing that? >> I don't know.

>> In my opinion, it's huge, it's bad, but what you do is you suck it up for one day. You make a good face, you show up to the wedding and then you say, look, I can't, I can't, I just need to take some time. I can't talk to you for a while. >> I can clearly agree Sarah that it's like, I don't think you should slam the door on your friendship because that's what you're doing if you say like, I'm your one guess at the wedding and I'm not coming.

>> Yeah. >> I think you say, I'm gonna keep this open as like, we might need to work on some stuff. >> Yeah. >> But I'm gonna do today and then we're gonna have words. >> I'm gonna put it in a box for a day. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Because the biggest night day of your life and I'm not gonna be ruined. >> Because not about me. >> You're disagreeing, you feel like you're going to be angry. >> Yeah, I mean, I didn't think it was, I bet she was pretty pissed and portrayed. >> Sure. >> So she didn't.

>> But she wasn't even with him anymore. >> Yeah, that's true. >> They weren't together, it's not like, yeah, it's not like it was- >> But it's pretty shitty. >> It's like- >> It's so many of your best friends. >> It's shitty, it's so many things. >> She doesn't even know how bad it is. >> I know about all the secret things. >> Yeah, it's just that we kissed once. >> That's the biggest one time. >> I think she wants to close the door on the friendship. >> Mm-hm. >> What's your- >> Tell it.

>> Yeah. >> I understand her not going and it didn't strike me as a terrible thing to do. >> I guess I just put a high one on wedding. >> What are you on wedding? >> What are you not going to? >> Yeah, and friendships. >> Yeah, maybe. >> I'm trying to think, would I not go? >> If one of you had betrayed me or asked me to make a speech, you know what? >> Don't picture me.

>> Why don't you just- >> I mean, but okay, Claire, Claire, you've also let's- let's take, put you in the situation you're serious. >> Yeah, yeah. >> You've written the funniest speech ever. >> Oh, hard on it. >> It's got a lot of- >> Everything's changed. >> Everything's changed. >> Everything's changed. >> I'm absolutely coming. >> No, it's like- >> Absolutely coming. >> And I'm doing my speech. I don't want to do it well. And you're going to think everything's fine.

It's okay, actually, based on my performance at wedding. >> There's also a third option, which is you pretend everything's okay. And then when it's time to do the speech, you have to be stringy. >> Ooh, that would be fun too. Also, more fun option, I'd say. >> Wow, good. >> And either of the latter two options, you are getting the opportunity of drinking at the wedding. >> Yeah, yeah, and free-fed. >> And the free meal.

You know, you're passing on that if you're- >> If you're not attending at all. >> Yeah. >> I think if you were to call another friend and be like, this is what happened, they would be like, you have to go to the wedding and do the stupid speech. >> Okay, wait, wait. >> You know if you called me in Sarah, that's what we'd say. >> Yeah. >> You have to go to the wedding and do your stupid little speech. >> Do your stupid little speech. >> At the wedding, like, there's the- they get married.

In between getting married and I think having the reception, they go to the hotel room. And they say she says something like, this is when typically newlyweds have sex. And I was just like- >> But not in my book. >> I was like, wait, what do you mean, didn't say that in your book? Or you don't- >> Oh no, I'm just not in- >> Not in "Chitty French" as a book. >> Yeah. >> I was so- I was confused because I was like, is that a thing?

Because I've never heard of that, like, oh, you're supposed to have sex in the middle of your wedding day? >> Yeah. >> Something people do? >> It's a British thing. >> Yeah, it's British thing. >> You do it politely, like most people do in the bathroom of the venue. >> So, you know how they announce the bride's mainst first and the groomsman? And then the bride and groom get announced? It's like that all the time is stalling for you to hurry up and f*ck up and f*ck up. >> Zip it up, zip it up.

And that's why people are cheering and clapping when you come out. >> Yeah, so- >> They know how to- >> They know how to consummate it. >> Even though- >> So she's got like really- and you know what honestly I did buy this part of it when they come back for the reception and it's time for the speeches and they announce Sarah had to do the speech. But like, you know, somebody didn't tell, like, didn't- you know, I'm sure somebody could have messed that up.

But instead of standing up and being like, oh, she couldn't make it or like- I don't know, anybody's saying anything. >> Yeah. >> There's just like an awkward silence so that Jack stands up. Like, what the f*ck, Jack? Like, Mike- >> You're gonna- >> Not even speaking for his current girlfriend. >> He's speaking for an ex? >> This is- >> That's a wild. >> And keep in mind, Lori has a brother there that she plans to be extremely close to. >> Darryl. >> You're right.

Her mother also could have hurt some parents are there. >> So there's still a lot of- >> She has a- >> Dad's still alive. She's got a two-year-old nephew. >> And I think that the way to do it, even if it was, Jack, is to be like, well, she couldn't be here, so we're just gonna move on to the next speech. Like, if you wanna be the person to take charge, you don't have to do it in prompt to speech. >> Yeah. >> Or- >> You just have to take charge.

>> Tell an anecdote from the time you knew her and move on. >> You know what I mean? Like, don't do this- >> Or talk about her, not- >> Or talk about her, not- >> Yeah, talk to you, speech that- >> Talk to you, yeah. >> Yeah, where it's like, I just wanna say he's the luckiest bastard in life. >> He's the luckiest, damn borrower. >> Have you guys ever seen a wedding speech where it seems like either the beta-vonner or the- >> Oh, I have it.

>> I haven't either, I was just hoping- >> Jada talked to us, talked to her. >> Well, so I saw an incredible wedding speech where the beta-vonner was drunk and had definitely taken some sort of medication. >> I would not sure how she got the medicine, but she was doing her speech and it very quickly became an attack on her husband. >> It was like, it rounded from like, you know, um, extoling the virtues of the bride and groom and they're just comparing to how she dear her husband was.

>> And everyone was getting more and more uncomfortable. >> Of course. >> And it was very clear that the speech needed to stop, like someone needs to stop her. >> And the husband was sitting right in the front row. It's like the husband's the one that needs to do it, but he was so mad that he was just in the arms, arms crossed, just letting her go on. >> So then the bride's father had to come over and he was very tactical. >> Exactly.

>> He put his arm around her and he kind of like wrestled the microphone out of hand. >> And he said, thank you so much. He got everyone to applaud. >> And it was like, okay, you lay it at the plane, very good, and then the applause I doubted she grabbed the microphone. >> [LAUGH] >> No, it was so good. >> I really admire her. >> [LAUGH] >> It's like in my speech, is it? >> Got it from me, but I'll hit it. >> I wish that on everyone. >> Yeah, I wish I had seen one. >> Yeah, yeah.

>> I want to go to some weddings now. And now you're excited to make me excited to go to weddings because he's a drama. >> There's always some sort of drama happening at a wedding. >> Mm-hm. >> Nothing. >> Yeah, it's usually, it's heightened emotions, but anyway, so she marries Oscar and I don't know. He takes a job, he's part-time, he takes a job, so these like three days a week in Brussels and she makes a big fit of it. And I'm like, and not a big deal.

I also thought that was not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all.

>> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It's not a big deal at all. >> It was like a noine because of like having to get extra walkers for the dog. >> It was fine. >> I mean, it's something I remember. >> She has your own friends now. >> Sure, but I bear. >> But I bear. >> Yeah. >> And so she doesn't have anybody in her husband or a distor. >> Right. >> You're right. >> This is again, probably boring. >> And she doesn't have anyone else.

>> And she doesn't have anyone else. >> And she doesn't watch TV or films that we know of. >> Yeah. >> Other than Connie. >> She's just responding to teenagers said. >> Yeah. >> So she doesn't have a lot of ways to fill her time. >> But I actually do think that would be a lovely situation. >> I have no problem with that. >> Yeah, no problem with it. >> And also, like, again, she doesn't have her friends, her best friend, they're no friends anymore. >> Hey, go to Brussels with them.

>> You know, like, what the fuck? >> Yeah, why are you staying there? >> She could travel every other week to Brussels because she could work from everywhere. >> And money on money is no longer awesome. >> She could go once a month for this couple because she's an extremely rich in the families. >> Beautiful places, too. You're gonna be living in the nice, oh my gosh, she's a idiot. >> Yeah, she's a fucking idiot. >> Yeah, she could have just gone with them a few days a week and gone back.

Later, she's like, I don't want to be away from my mom as we discussed, but like you can visit. >> You can visit in all the days from how you've been there. >> It's a fucking train ride. Like, are you kidding me? >> Yeah, come on. >> Three days a week. >> That's it. >> Two nights. >> I feel like later it was more, I feel like later. >> It was at the end they broke up because he was like- >> He was like- >> Right, two weeks.

>> At the end, he's like, let's move to Brussels and she refused again because of her mom. It's so stupid. I'm honestly- >> She's never even seen it that we knew of. Didn't even give it a chance. >> It was- >> She was such a bitch. I was just like, you're the problem, Laurie. He's not doing anything wrong. He's working hard. >> He gets promoted at his job and it's like, he's like, well, what's this all been for? >> I've been working there three days a week, making sure I'm trying.

>> They're like 27 or something at this point. >> It's like, it's okay, you can care about your job a lot at this point in your life. Like, come on. >> And I guess she has her job there, but why don't you see about- >> But she didn't even like her job that much. >> And she works remotely, I believe, because then after they break up, Sarah is like- Sarah and Laurie are back together as friends. And Sarah is like, move to Australia with me and Laurie is like, I really should.

It's like, what about the mom? What about the work? >> It's so stupid. And I guess it's obvious the whole point is like, well, he wasn't really the one. She wouldn't move for him, but it's so annoying. It's that you- >> But you cared so much at this point to torpedo a relationship, to torpedo a marriage. And then like, Laurie, you're like, whatever. >> Yeah, also they've been married like a year at this point. So I do feel like they could have given it maybe a little bit more of a shape.

>> Right, right. And also, hey, let's try- let's move to this topic. They decide even though things aren't going smoothly that they're going to try to have a baby. >> Baby can save it. >> And I don't even know how long were they- I really did think it was going to be like, oh, she's going to be pregnant and it's going to be- >> I thought they were going to play with that. >> They were maybe trying for at most six months. >> Yeah, it wasn't that long, right?

>> Six months, but right away month one, she's like devastated that she's not having. >> Yeah, yeah. >> She's not even a teenager. >> Oh, she was so young. >> And she's like, now it's to be fair. >> Yes, you're trying for six months, which is an impossibly long time, but to be fair, a lot of the times we tried were not optimal times because you- >> So you were trying- >> It's like- >> It's just so important. >> Two times. >> You were trying. >> Yeah. >> That's not- >> Yeah, you're fine.

>> She doesn't know how we're- >> You're doing okay. >> Like, good thing they didn't get pregnant because then they break up and- >> Oh yeah, the book teases us. Teases us and it's like, she's four days late and she's usually extremely regular. >> 9 p.m. on the 28th of the month. >> Yeah, does anyone that regular that you know the time? >> That was ridiculous. >> No, definitely.

>> Okay, so it's very- I mean, I really thought that she was having the baby sort of pissed me off that there was no explanation. Like, she was like, I'm not pregnant, I guess it's late. Anyway, it's like, put you in for something. >> Yeah, you made me some- >> Give me some- >> Give me some thing. >> I'm sick. >> I'm dying. >> Yeah, yeah. >> Yeah, that whole thing pissed me off. >> Yep. >> I guess I'm glad she wasn't pregnant because then she died.

And she'd either- >> I feel like at this point, maybe I made it up that he was gone five nights away, get this point. >> I think that was just starting. That was about to start. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Because she acts like when he tells her she got promoted to full time there. She acts like she's blindsided by it, but it's like, well, that seems very naive. >> He's looking there many, many days. >> Like, he was the vice president of Brussels for days. >> But now he's the president of Brussels.

>> Yeah. >> I don't understand what his job was, by the way. >> No, I got it all. >> It was money and it was Brussels and that's all we need to know. And I'm pretty sure that's all that Lori knew as well. >> And also we should say there's some point where Sarah, Sarah, before they broke up, Sarah and Herbo, what's his face? >> She's going to Luke. >> At the same time, Luke, Sarah is following Luke to Australia.

>> So, literally, you have a friend who's like an innumerable, not even married is like, yeah, I'll follow him. You across the globe. >> Yeah. >> And she's like, I won't go two hours. >> I don't know what's up on it. >> Yeah. >> I feel like that was the intention letting us know this isn't meant to last. >> Yeah. >> And then Jack, yeah, Jack shows up and they have like, Oscar couldn't make it because of work.

And so, she and they have like an emotional dance together or, you know, where he's caressing the pair but behind her ear and I don't even fucking know. >> Yeah. >> It was, it definitely was like, frustrating that they weren't together. >> Yeah. >> You guys, I have to say something, I'm sorry. >> Go ahead. >> Sure. >> I don't know where exactly in the UK in England that they live, but London to Brussels is two hours that I train. >> Like, twice that. >> It's not bad at all.

>> He could come home at the end of every day. >> You could come home and be sticky. >> You're absolutely right. You're absolutely right. >> He's a stinking eater. >> It's a dude. >> Two hours. Oh my god. This is the dumbest shit in the world. She's like, it's my mother. Oh my god. Okay. Yeah. >> So then again, they're like, they're like, they're lives two hours.

>> They are, but at this dance, they like decide, I don't know that again that they love each other, but they don't get any more out on it. >> He has a girlfriend who doesn't care about it at the time and she like comes into the room where they're dancing and so they have to like stop and pretend it wasn't intimate. And it's like, why, why he actively doesn't care about her. You are in love with each other. Sarah's in Australia and like not a part of this, why can't you date at this point?

>> I don't understand. >> Well, she was married at that point, but she showed up. >> Oh, right, right, right, right. >> But after they divorce, after the divorce, after the divorce, after the divorce, they again do not date. There was another opportunity there, but Lori was just like, no, I'm not ready to talk about it. >> Yeah, and I was like, I'm sure because you could, you fucking like barfed out about your dead sister. >> That's the drop of that.

>> You really tell me you're not the type of person who wants to like immediately start crying on his shoulder and like everything. >> Yeah, you're way into the swoop. >> She knows part of the reason she didn't want to go with Oscar. She broke up with Oscar is because she likes Jack. Because when she's getting married and get tried on wedding dresses, the wedding dress woman, the wedding dress woman, what's her name at the store? What do you call that? >> Sales person. >> Seemstress.

>> Seemstress. >> Says something like the man of your dreams is going to see you in this dress and she like has a little panic attack because she thinks of Jack, not Oscar. So you fucking know. You fucking know you're in love with him. And she screams, get me out of this dress. That's when an unhinged person. Like she is really not well in so many ways. >> Can you imagine being the same stress? >> Oh, your husband to be is going to love this. >> Get my hat. >> Oh my god.

>> Yeah. >> I think Jack must be attracted to that. I know that sometimes there is a relationship where the guy is the hero and the woman is a flighty bird. >> He's gently guiding her to the open door. >> I love being that. I get that. >> He's gently guiding her back into her cage. >> Like a pigeon. >> Yeah. >> That's what I'm saying. >> That is such a good description of their relationship, John.

>> Anyway, so then we get to this last part of the book which I will agree with, I think you said this, John, that this is like maybe the better part of the book I found when they were like the whole. >> Yeah, John and I didn't say it was a better part of the book. She just invented. >> Oh, right. >> I just felt like it was very, if I disconnected it from the rest of the book and just pretended this was the only part I read, I would have liked it. >> And so what are we referring to right now?

>> So it's Christmas. She's alone because her mom has better things to do. >> She's listening to Jack's program. >> Because these are DJs. >> And apparently just the kind of DJ that takes calls and talks to people and gives it like. >> Like between very similar to her job giving advice and a man. >> Right, and never ever talk about it. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> And then so she calls, pretending to be someone else and admits that she should love with him.

>> And then he obviously says like, it's obvious they don't each other, to anybody listening because he's like, he regrets it too. He's loved you the whole time, you know, such it like that. And from, but the big twist or the fun part of that was I guess. >> Who do you say David? >> No, not David Attenborough. >> Somebody famous, some British famous person. >> Like retweets about it.

>> And then like everyone's talking about this like, these love story and we need to get these two together and it's like, it becomes a thing. >> Which is fun, I don't know, I thought that was kind of fun and cute. >> Yeah, I guess instead of liking that it was different from the rest of the book, I was kind of like, what the fuck is going on? Why the fuck would she call his radio station using, why use a fake name, he's going to know it's you within a second? >> Yeah, I'm not sure.

>> Why are you confessing, you haven't been able to confess for 10 years. Why are you able to on a radio? Like why the public angle, I don't know, it didn't feel extra romantic. >> She might be a star fucker, but it didn't feel extra romantic to do it in public. >> I thought I was so like a public star crossed and sad. It's like the moment he realizes it's her and she's talking about him and he can just, he can give advice but be honest about what he does.

>> It's the whole like, saying one thing but meaning in another because they're on public radio. So I think having that kind of, having to do that dance, I think made it a little better than their usual like vomiting, sad story time thing that they do with each other. But and then it becomes the whole thing where she's going and she's, he's on the radio and she's calling in again and like, we'll, then she's at the radio station and then they're together.

>> She got through no time. >> Really, the train ride it wasn't too long ago for her. >> Yeah, from London to Edinburgh, let's actually see what that commute was. >> While John is looking that up, I'd like to bring up that like, there's a lot of like paparazzi types outside of the radio station when she showed up. And the taxi driver like figured out she was the girl and needed to get in there.

And then she's like, wait here. And then cut to, she's in there and she's like, the taxi driver in the security guard figured out how to get me in. It's like, what did they do? Why couldn't we see that part? That sounds fun. Do you get to like wear a big hat or disguise? >> Oh my god. This is great. John, I'm sure you've already noticed that it's farther than Brussels. >> Yes, five hours by train. >> So funny.

>> I think that works, guys, because the guy she's really in love with, she's willing to travel for even longer. >> Yeah, that works, that's just funny to me. >> Yeah, so it never happened. >> But the mom is no longer an excuse, I guess. >> When you really love someone, you can leave your mother. >> Yeah, that is, that is the message. >> And then they are together and I don't know, I kind of spaced after that.

>> Well, there's nothing that happens after that. >> Okay, just read the book ends, I think. >> Yeah, so you spaced together. >> They get together. >> All right, good. >> I imagine it was just blank tape. >> I'm just staring out the window. >> We'll be right back after this commercial break. [MUSIC] >> All right, and we're back. >> Hello, hello, hello. >> Where did you? >> Hello, hello, hello. >> Hello, hello, hello. Are you a be- >> Hello, hello. >> No, sorry, we can do it.

I was just practicing. >> I'm practicing. >> All right, yeah, I have an answer as the author. Who's ready? Josie, Josie, what gave you the initial idea for the storyline? >> Well, the initial idea was that a lot of love stories happen around Christmas time. So I said, why not another? And instead of a train, let's put on a bus. >> Oh, see, it heard of Christmas train. I heard of Christmas train. >> I heard your idea to do your, from your podcast, to do a whole Christmas story about a bus.

And I said, I think I'll do that. I'll do it in four months. >> That's true. We did want to do the "Damn it, Josie." All right. Hey, Josie. >> Yes. >> What gave you the initial idea for the storyline? >> Well, I guess I always thought love at first sight. What is the story? >> Let me just keep going with it. >> I always thought love at first sight is that real. And if so, what would happen if you were blind? >> Now I woke up woke up. And nobody picked it up.

So I went back to the editor and they said, what if the person can see? And I said, now that's an idea. And I wrote this book and then I woke up to the editor and they didn't want it, but they said, what if instead of August 8th, you made it December 21st? And I said, find and replace, I said. >> And that's how this book was written, the salad was made. >> Who's ready? Thank you so much, Josie. I believe you. And you came really close to the-- believe it or not.

>> I just thought part of what you said. >> Part of what you said. Her actual answer is my editor asked me to think about all my favorite Christmas movies about how watching them makes me feel and to try to write a book that might make readers feel that same way. So I'll have a follow up question for you guys. And second, she also said, love it for a site is something that's fascinating to me for a long time. So that too.

Do you guys-- did reading this book make you feel the way watching "Holmer Christmas Movies" make you feel? Is my question to you guys. >> I always feel Christmasy enough. I don't think it was Christmasy enough. >> And-- >> Yeah, or funny enough? >> Yeah, there wasn't the hopefulness of it. There were those sad moments, do not happen. >> There's no Christmas magic. >> It wasn't Christmas magic. I think maybe they were trying to imply the bustling, the Christmas magic between them.

But if that had happened, if that's how Christmas movies had started, with just a glance and then falling in love, it would have been some more funny shit where like they almost run into each other again, but one of them slips or something. You know, it would have been-- >> Yeah. >> And it was like a Christmas movie, a "Holmer Christmas movie." >> Actually, you asking that question made me think like, did this book make me feel anything like in a motion anyway?

And I-- Other than right at the end when I cried a little bit, but that might have been pretty-- >> That was pretty-- >> --struffome. >> Yeah, that was pretty big. >> But for most of the book, my feeling was just nothing. >> Yeah, I agree. >> It was boring. >> It was frustrating for that line of-- >> Yeah, yeah. >> Because I guess it was so clear they're going to get together. It's frustrating that the book took place over 10 years.

It's like just-- >> Yeah, I couldn't believe how long it took for them to get together. >> Yes, and it's also frustrating to just read someone being a bad friend. >> Yeah. >> Having the sort of perspective of the book be like, she is really sacrificing. >> Wow, what a hero. >> I think it would have been maybe beneficial here as POB from Sarah since she was the only other major character in the book. I think I felt like-- >> Oh, yeah. >> We got Jack and-- >> Jacks?

I don't think he's really added much. >> No. >> I completely agree. >> Except when he lied to Lori and said he didn't remember. >> Right, yeah. Then we knew it was a lot. >> Then we get a POV where he's like-- >> I do, I do. >> I do. >> But I guess for consistency, we kept going to his POV, which just made things last longer. >> Yeah, yeah. >> So it's same scene twice kind of thing. >> It also stripped all attention out of the book, right?

I think we should have cut the Jack sequences altogether because then you're wondering the whole time, like, does he even feel the same way? >> Yeah, he's flirting with me in her mind. >> He's flirting with me in her mind. >> Right, but maybe he just loves Sarah, and that's it. But instead, you got his perspective and he's like, "I love Lori." >> I want to talk to you. >> Well then, okay. I'm having sex dreams. >> He's having sex dreams from the get-go.

>> Yeah, I do think it's a little bit funny that she's like, "I'm in love with the guy for the bus." And he's like, "I've been having wet dreams from the girl from the bus." It's like, "That's what love is for boys." >> Yeah, truly, truly. >> Oh, boy. All right. Do you guys want to do, oh, goodreads, five star reviews? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, although I think they'll make me angry. >> All right. Here's Suzanne.

She says, "One day in December by Josie Silver is a novel that broke my heart and time and again. My eyes filled and yes, I had to grab a tissue or two because I couldn't stop myself from crying." Relatable, huh, Johnna? >> Okay. >> Whatever.

>> Ultimately, this is a story that will make you feel whether you are unadvastably romantic or not, your heart will soften and you will not be able to stop yourself from wondering from having hope that is out there and from showing everyone you love how much you care. >> I really wish that they had more than a fleeting glance to start with because it could become a relatable story of pining for someone you want to know. >> Yeah, you had a way there of something.

>> Yeah, like the timing not being right, but the timing not being right was such like a weird, it was just like, well, there was not a timing, there was like, >> And it's just, yeah, impossible to relate to like, you can relate to having a crush on someone but not based on that. >> Yeah. >> I can't do it. >> Even if her friend had never dated Jack, maybe she would never have met Jack again, like, I don't know. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Is it a bit... >> Okay, here's Norma's five-star review.

I like to, she wrote hers. She says, "Norma stats cover." I love everything about this cover. >> That's a beautiful design to the embossed snowflakes title. >> Oh, no, I'm not. >> A peeling, and a pining pose. >> Intriguing and such a meaningful and fitting representation to the story line, writing/prose. Well, it should have been a moment in December, not a day in December, it was a whole day. >> Well, written, beautiful, impressive, engaging, captivating, and fluid.

Plot, warming, sweet, comical, – warming. – And grossing, perfectly paced, enjoyable, and extremely entertaining. I adored the storyline, Ending, a touching and emotional ending that I was extremely satisfied with that led me with the warm, fuzzy, after-glow feeling, for book producers that feeling from me, then it is a splendid read indeed. Overall, this book was beyond wonderful. Loved, loved, loved it. This book is made by Top 5 Books of the Year.

Would highly recommend 5 out of 5. >> I like the stats breakdown. I like the way she broke it down. >> Storyline, separate from ending. Something like that, I think. Let's see. But then in the end, that review makes me sad because she liked it. Did all that, and liked it, and didn't just talk to her friends about it. >> I like that Norma described the plot as warming, because you're really like piss or something, like a warm, but yeah, very fun, I love Norma. She can join our club.

All right, do you guys want to do our hate rates? >> Yep. >> Shall we start with Sabrina? >> Yeah, we should start with that, okay. >> Okay. All right, from Sabrina. From what I gather, so it sounds like she didn't read the book. >> Okay, got it. >> From what I gather, this is a love story with a strong female lead. It has just little enough information about it online for me to know that it is exactly the kind of book I would hate you all for hating. 5 out of 5. >> I think it's accurate.

I think Sabrina would have really liked this book. I do think she would like this book. >> Yeah, I think she would have loved it. She would have defended Lori this whole goddamn time. >> Yeah, well, God, it would have made us yell. >> Yeah. >> How we would have gotten to yell. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> I'm going to go, if that's all right, and I'm going to go with 0 out of 5, makes the other books we've read this season look good. It was boring. The characters were not compelling.

The plot was barely a plot. It's not how humans act. All of the ways the people act is not natural. But overall, the most damning thing was that it was boring. It took a long time, and it was boring. 0 out of 5, Clara Morris. >> Okay, Johnna Scravis. First of all, the cover is one of the worst covers that I've seen. >> Shad, but normal. It's bad. And that makes me dislike it. On top of that, there was zero tension in this entire book.

Never for one second that I think they weren't going to get together or that her friendship with Sarah wasn't going to be saved or that she wasn't going to be successful in work. It was always going to work out great for her. And like Clara said, it was boring. It took me a long time to read this book. I had a 20-hour plane ride. Where I could have read this book at any point. And I kept trying and I couldn't. And that says a lot. So 2 out of 5. >> Wow. >> Okay. >> That's low.

That's maybe the lowest one, John's giving her one. >> Yeah, that's low for Johnna. I was having trouble with this. I'm going to stick with what I was going to say before you both spoke, even though I think you guys both made points. >> Thank you. >> I gave three out of five. Because I didn't find anything to be too offensive about it. I did kind of like the last ending chapters. And I'm not like, I guess I'm not like a romance reader.

So that was like my feeling was like, oh, maybe this is also partly because I'm just not as into romances. And maybe if I was really into romances, I would love this book. So I feel like maybe if I had a friend who I knew was into romances, I would feel fine telling them they could read this book because they maybe would like it. But it just wasn't for me, which is why I'm going to Italy and I'm going through out of five. I also yet didn't find the lead character's relatable.

But the writing, I thought was pretty good, didn't have a problem with the writing. And the audiobook lady was good at writing. >> The audiobook lady did a lot of favors to the audience. >> Yeah, I can't completely agree. I'm going to go with Sabrina for exactly the reasons you said Claire. It's annoying how much she liked the book. I feel like it was the wrong opinion and she doubled down on it. And just to be sort of difficult. And the characters were not likeable, they were not relatable.

And that's not how a friendship should work. And it was frustrating that she defended it as much as she did. >> Yeah. And honestly, I think if Sabrina had actually read it, she might not have liked the main character Laurie because Laurie didn't think that highly of herself, didn't think she was hot. I do think that in the end, Sabrina really would have seen herself as Sarah. If we had done the drink thing at the beginning, she would have been like, there wouldn't have been a breath taken.

She would have been like, I'm Sarah. >> Sarah. >> I'll just hop on this bandwagon. Sabrina is the fucker of the cast. >> That's good. >> Well, it's not necessarily, I don't know. >> I don't know if you guys pissed me off that much during this. I mean, you weren't as effusive about my summary as you have been with past memories, which is a little annoying, but you were both equally rude about that.

>> Yeah, I think that maybe a lot of times you just sort of lash out because I'm like so much better, cooler, and hotter than you guys. >> Okay. >> Teem up against me and lash out. >> I gave you this for that. >> You just saying that reminded me, I did consider you Clara, but then I just felt pointless since you guys have both already said Sabrina. >> Why'd you consider me with the hell? >> I just really fully yourself, I think. >> Okay, because I, okay.

Yeah, I guess I've been on a better hotter, cooler than all of you. >> I guess I've been a bit of a bad one to go. >> What's one reasonable explanation for you guys to compliment me? What are we reading next, Ep, for next episode? >> We're reading Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmes. >> Science. >> Science book. >> This is one I've seen around Barnes and Noble, >> Yeah, I recognize it. >> The cover is recognizable, so get ready for a big cover section.

>> We call it Better No A Cover, what do you call it? >> Judge a book by its cover. >> Do you listen to the cast? >> I'm trying to be supportive to you. This is the, I hate that segment. >> All right, all right. We are Mean Book Club, you can find us on Mean Book Club and on the socials. Please check out our Patreon, Become a Patron of the Fine, I mean the Mean Arts. But Fine Mean Arts, I don't know.

And please, if you haven't left a review on Spotify, Apple Podcast, whatever, please go and do that. >> But only we've asked five out of five, so we delete anything below that. >> That's so pretty good. >> We're figuring out how to, okay. Thanks everybody. See ya in two weeks. Bye! Bye! [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

I know, just kidding.