This was originally supposed to be a review of Archer’s Voice, by Mia Sheridan, a book that has blown up all over the Booktok community, is highly rated on Goodreads, and adored by many.
But then Happy Place, by Emily Henry, was announced as 2023’s Best Rom Com of the Year on Goodreads today. (Henry’s third winning year in a row.) Happy Place. A dismal barely-there 2 star read for me, over the extremely unique, fantastic Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston (which I was so glad made it into the final round of voting) and over Hello Stranger, another terrific story by Katherine Center, which I also loved and did not progress to the final round. And, suddenly, a theme emerged in my mind.
But first, pardon my rant, are you freakin’ kidding me? *insert major face palm*
My opinion: Between Archer’s Voice’s popularity and Happy Place winning Rom Com of the Year, what’s my takeaway? That sex, language, mediocrity, and lack of originality are what win fans and awards. I’m supremely frustrated. Supremely.
And let’s not discount emotional manipulation, which brings me back to Archer’s Voice. This story is a perfect example of the unhealthy, unrealistic relationships that are winning readers these days. (i.e every single Colleen Hoover book.) Why is toxicity being rewarded? I don’t get it. Someone please explain it to me.
Archer’s Voice, the story of a handsome, gentle, lonely mute young man who is brought out of his shell and introduced to the world by a woman running from her own trauma does what so many books do nowadays. *Minor spoilers ahead* The story begins and the characters are introduced. They meet and embark on a sweet friendship. I should add that this lasts through 35% to 50% of the book. By then the reader is very emotionally invested. (I know I was.) And also a bit trapped because we want to see what is going to happen to characters we’ve grown to love.
But then the characters’ feelings develop into something more than friendship. They slowly begin exploring those feelings. And then they give into them with reckless abandon. A first kiss evolves into an epic tongue-twister. A touch turns into a panting moanfest that includes more description that I would ever want to read. Suddenly I’m a blushing fly on the wall watching all of this. Scenes like this increase, the story decreases, and the tone of the book changes completely from how it began.
So my question to any reader is this: do you want a story with substance and depth? Or do you want an erotic book? Because, in my opinion, you cannot have both. Unfortunately, certain authors have learned the secret to dangling that carrot, luring us in, messing with our feelings, and getting us to come back for more without even realizing how much we are being controlled. It’s a shame, really, because we fall for it again and again. Yes, I have too. And, while some readers seek out books like this, knowing what they’re in for (no judgment, you do you,) I, personally, am sickened at the thought that I’ve been duped once again, seduced by an enticing blurb and a cute cover. Even when my instincts told me “Don’t do it.” I really need to listen to my instincts more.
I want to yell out “This is not romance!” And “These kinds of relationships are not sustainable!” But I won’t. You get the gist of my annoyance, so I’ll stop here. Thanks for making it this far. *heavy sigh*
Archer’s Voice will receive 2 stars on Goodreads from me. Here it gets a 4/10. And that’s generous.
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