Time to Upsize (The Indignities Book 1) by Graeme Aitken
So, when I told my friends that I wanted to tackle the romance department, I was told to start reading some romance novels to get a better understanding of the genre. I was also suggested to do the same thing with the Crime genre. So, I was given an invite to BookBub.com and went to town on some free books. The first one was Time to Upsize, an LGBT Romance with a rather…how should I put this…avant grade storyline.
Right off the bat, Graeme Aitken introduces the reader to his polarizing main character, Stephen. A vain, self-absorbed narcissistic actor who’s also a cheater and liar. What worst (or great, depending on how you look at it) is how the author portrays him. In a first-person perspective, Aitken showcase every thought that his condensing protagonist is pondering – both before AND after his numerous infidelity.
Luckily, in the form of karma, he gets his just dessert when he’s finally caught and abandoned by his enlightened boyfriend. From there, the reader gets to see him go on a downward spiral having realized the errors of his ways. BUT! In true narcissistic fashion, he reverts back to “being the victim” and plot revenge on his dismissive ex-boyfriend. Yeah, I’m not a big fan of the ending AT ALL!!!
As one would imagine, Stephen doesn’t exactly sit well with the majority of its reader for the most obvious readers but Aitken intended it to be that way. However, one would also admit that it’s because of those reasons that some many people can relate to him.
Think about it, aren’t we all a little vain. Little narcissistic from time to time. I know I am. Not at his level to the point where it’s clinical but it’s there. Sometimes we all blur the lines between confidence and cockiness. Moreover, ALL OF US have that one MAJOR personality flaw in us that can easily make us a polarizing human being to other people. That’s the main thing I like about this book and will continue to read this series: I want to see how this deplorable human being will evolve…or if he’ll evolve.
The book is great and I wish for you to read it. Just be warned, it’s not the faint of minds because the character is quite despicable.
Grade: B
If you want to purchase the book, you can do so at this link: https://goo.gl/tQpzN1
And, if you want to view the author’s page(s), they are listed as followed:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/655300.Graeme_Aitken
