When I sat down to read this book, I didn’t think I’d enjoy it that much because, to be perfectly honest, I don’t like reading novels that consist of emails, instant messages, phone conversations, etc. Usually I find these books leave a lot to be desired, as often one character’s voice doesn’t sound very different than the other. However, this book was amazing. Not only did each character have their own distinctive voice, but the characters were hilarious, amusing, and realistic. The story line itself was absorbing and fun.
Hit Reply tells the story of many different characters in different states of their lives. There is Amber, the sarcastic yet hilarious woman living in Boston, who works at Milennia Marketing and has just reconnected with an old flame from high school. Gray, Amber’s “old flame” is living in another state with another woman and her child, but is soon trading loving, tender and sweet emails and Instant Messages with Amber. Stephanie, now living in Florida, is a happily-married, stay-at-home mother of two, but lately her marriage has been on the rocks. So she accepts an outside consulting job Millenia Marketing (the same company that Amber works at). She also suspects her husband is cheating on her with a leggy beauty from his office with whom he’s taken many business trips with. Tom also works for Millenia Marketing, and is married, but suddenly finds himself confessing his feelings for Stephanie via email/IM. What with the four of them emailing and IM’ing each other, sparks soon begin to fly.
Add in a disgruntled boss who is after Tom’s job and determined to cause trouble as she does, a sweet, motherly assistant who is having a sort-of email romance with an old flame, a sudden secret that Amber is hiding from nearly everyone, and much more, you have yourself an irresistably funny story.
So how is it that a book of emails and instant messages can be so darn good? Well, I think it’s a combination of the author being able to tell a story (or as it is, many stories) and keeping the reader hooked, filling the story with memorable characters and surprising plot twists, and causing the reader to either laugh, cry, and/or get a smile on their face that just doesn’t go away until hours after they’ve finished the book.
Overall, this is a book not to miss!
5 stars
reviewed by Rian
Thanks so much for this review, I’m adding it to my TBR list. I love reading email/IM/texting formatted books, it’s a good break from the norm. Great review! So glad you’re back to reviewing on here.
Loved it!
This is good book. I really don’t like reading novels but when i saw this book on the shelf.. I said too myself i have to get it and read. I LOVED IT AND I WOULD GIVVE IT 10 STARS!
I did not like this book.