3.5

I recommend this book to anyone stuck in a rut in their life. This book was such a perfect read as someone in their mid 20s and gave me a slightly different perspective on this stage of my life.

This story, about a young woman's commitment and sacrifice for her writing career, was so relatable. Her struggles, both professionally and personally, were portrayed with such honest color, it was impossible not to root for Casey. I especially loved her struggle to choose between lovers, too. King made both men so compelling, so "good." Yet, the reader knows Casey's heart and what she really wants / needs. It was refreshing to "get" a character so distinctly. The writing is so sharp, I felt more intelligent having read it.

Slightly over 4 stars for me. I read over half of this in one sitting because it was so entertaining. Some other reviewers found the story hard to get into which I can understand but I didn't find it that way at all. Loved the premise, where the story was set, most of the characters, and the topics on poverty, writing, infatuation, lust, loss & grief. I found the romance mild which I very much appreciated. This story followed Casey's life of a struggling writer learning to cope with the recent passing of her mother and the handling of her non-existent relationship with her perverted father which made me very drawn to her hardships. On the other hand, I did find it odd how some things were thrown into the story without meaning or resolve.

‘I don't write because I think I have something to say. I write because if I don't, everything feels even worse.’

This novel definitely makes me want to read more of Lily King.

Every year since my mom died, I buy myself a book for my birthday. I guess because it’s what she would’ve done. Or maybe it’s to make myself feel better, because every birthday since she died has been a little melancholy, a little lacking.
This year I bought Writers & Lovers, and I decided to start reading it right away.
At first, I didn’t really get it. I’ve heard so much praise for this book. How beautifully written it is! How relatable! How comforting! I felt entirely disconnected. To me, the book seemed slow, simply written and kind of… boring.
Yet, as I fell deeper and deeper into the plot, into Casey’s life and her struggle to get her novel published and feel loved and ease her grief, I couldn’t help but feel what everyone else felt. I graduated college in December and these last few months have been ridiculously hard. I’ve felt lost and lonely and purposeless. As someone who also writes, who also lost their mother, who also has a few issues with love, I couldn’t help but relate to Casey and her struggle to come of age (yes! I think you can come of age at 31!). I couldn’t help but burst with joy at every little triumph.
So while I do not feel that this book is perfect— certainly the beginning could use a little pruning— I do feel I was meant to read it right now. That it feels like finding a lucky penny on a rainy day. Like reaching into an old coat pocket to find a twenty just when you need it. Like a gift, just like I intended.

Predictable. Falls short of everything it tries to be.