Too Stupid to Live (Romancelandia, #1) in Read with Pride Northwest

Nov 17, 2012 ttg rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviews, m-m

3.5 stars – An overall fun and light read about Sam, a grad student who’s obsessed with romance novels, and Ian, a former firefighter who’s struggling to stay out of the closet, and how they get together despite their early intentions, hang-ups, and the warnings from their lovingly meddlesome friends.

What I liked: The MCs were pretty great here. Sam’s a super fun character, and his running commentary about how his life was dissimilar (or similar) to a romance novel was pretty hilarious. Ian’s sl 3.5 stars – An overall fun and light read about Sam, a grad student who’s obsessed with romance novels, and Ian, a former firefighter who’s struggling to stay out of the closet, and how they get together despite their early intentions, hang-ups, and the warnings from their lovingly meddlesome friends.

What I liked: The MCs were pretty great here. Sam’s a super fun character, and his running commentary about how his life was dissimilar (or similar) to a romance novel was pretty hilarious. Ian’s slow unraveling was also pretty funny as he found himself falling more and more for a guy he was trying to write off as a “just sex” fling. Their relationship growth was both sweet and sexy and I loved seeing Ian’s shift from thinking just about himself to doing all these things to make Sam happy. (Even going as far as trying to reenact some of Sam’s favorite romance novel tropes in the bedroom.)

It’s also a pretty light read and is lean on the angst (which I appreciate). There are a few things that pop up, like Sam’s low self-esteem, or Ian’s family issues, but overall, it’s not too drawn out.

What was harder for me: I was pretty happy for about 75% of the book, just coasting along, but the last quarter and some of the climatic events felt a little heavy-handed. (Again, not an angst-fest, and Sam very much gets the awesome HEA that he always read about.) But there are a few things that came out of left-field that felt a little clunky and stood out more as structural pieces (Drama! Excitement! Fear for loved ones!) rather than feeling like a smooth part of the overall story and the characters’ evolution. I kind of wish that something had been tied in earlier so it wasn’t so left-field, or if the trajectory had gone in a different direction to get to that awesome HEA.

With that said, I did appreciate how Tenino poked fun at her own story as she (through Sam) labeled the romance tropes that the story was using. It was a pretty funny theme throughout, and I liked how it helped tie in those events near the end, even though they didn’t fit smoothly for me.

This book relates to two free stories that Tenino wrote that focus on Sam’s BFF Nik and Nik’s cop boyfriend Jurgen. It’s not necessary to read them to enjoy To Stupid to Live, but they’re fun reads (and free, so bonus.)

Overall, this is a nice read, and may be a good fit if you’re looking for something fun, sexy, and low stress. ...more

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Dec 27, 2012 Anne Tenino added it · (Review from the author)

Shelves: my-books

The excerpt now available at http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titl...

Scroll all the way down and click on the "Excerpt" tab. ...more

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Nov 10, 2014 Mare SLiTsReaD Reviews rated it really liked it

3.5 stars

I liked this book. It made me laugh and I had a stupid smile on my face.

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Jan 06, 2013 Mtsnow13 rated it really liked it

Nice continuation to the series. And I enjoyed seeing Jurgen and Nik again.

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Mar 22, 2015 Melinda rated it liked it

Shelves: romance, m-m-romance, grnw2014

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but I attended a reading where Anne Tenino read from one of her books and decided I would give it a try.

I love romance books, but what I love more are romance novels that make fun of romance novels, respectfully. I think Anne achieved that goal. I really liked Sam and Ian. I'm a sucker for a character with low self esteem who seems to have been treated dirty in past relationships. I'm just cheering for them to come into their own. Sam was this charact ...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Abi Walton rated it it was amazing

Shelves: lgbt, a-good-book

AMAZING this book is definitely a keeper. Sam is awkward and gangally but just looking for "The One" who is a highlander in a (Kilt) who comes running after him after sam gets thrown to the floor by a rugby ball. this romance is uncertain and unstable for most of the book but becomes adorable as Ian (the highlander) begins to realise how amazing Sam really is. an amazing read and would definitely recommend it if you want something that will keep you smiling all day when you think about it. ...more

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