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William Morrow Paperbacks (2019), 349 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Romance. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: Readers and critics alike raved over USA Today bestselling author Sally Thorne's smash hit debut novel, The Hating Game�??which sold in over 20 countries. Now she's back with an unforgettable romantic comedy about a twin sister and brother struggling over an inheritance�??and the sexy best friend who comes between them. Crush: a strong and often short-lived infatuation, particularly for someone beyond your reach... ... If Darcy Barrett hadn't met her dream man when she was eight years old, the rest of the male population wouldn't be such a let-down. No one measures up to Tom Valeska, aka the best man on Earth, not in looks, brain or heart. Even worse is the knowledge that her twin brother Jamie saw him first, and claimed him forever as his best friend. Tom's off limits and loyal to her brother, 99%. One percent of Tom has had to be enough for Darcy, and her adoration has been sustained by his shy kindness. And if she's honest, his tight t-shirts. Now Darcy's got three months left to get her life together, before her twin insists on selling the tumble-down cottage they inherited from their grandmother. By night, she's working in a seedy bar, shooting down lame pickups from bikers. By day, she's sewing underwear for her best friend and wasting her award-winning photography skills on website shots of pens and novelty mugs. She's enjoying living the messy life, and a glass of wine or ten... until that one night, when she finds a six-foot-six perfect package on her porch. Tom's here, he's bearing power tools�??and he's single for the first time in a decade. As a house flipper extraordinaire, Tom has been dispatched by Jamie to give the cottage a drastic facelift that will result in a ton of cash. Darcy doesn't appreciate Tom's unsentimental approach to knocking down walls, and he really, really doesn't approve of her current burnout boyfriend. They can't be in the same room together without sparks flying- and it's not the faulty wiring. One bedroom wall separates them at night, and even that's looking flimsy. Will Tom ever see Darcy as anything other than a little-sister obstacle to get around? And can she stand up to her most formidable opponent�??her twin? This time around, she's determined to make Tom Valeska 99 percent hers, and he's never managed to say no to her… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member BillieBook
First I have to ask why Darcy is in a dress on the cover. I don't recall her even once donning a frock throughout the entire book.
Now that that's out of the way, the book.
I liked it okay, I guess. There were a couple of moments of real emotion and vulnerability that got me a bit misty-eyed.
Oh, and why is it that as soon as renovations started on the house, Darcy seemingly stopped going to work? I think there was one (maybe two) passing mentions of a bartending shift and she went back a couple of times to take pictures of the bikers, but she didn't seem to be working so much as swanning in when the mood struck, which only added to my dislike of her.
By the end, this felt like it wanted to be a much longer book with more character development (of both the central and supporting cast) and plot, but was ruthlessly pared down to what either the author or editor deemed essential, leaving characters like Truly and Holly undeveloped and plot threads like Darcy's encounter with Keith at work unexplored. (This latter bugged me a lot. There was kind of a big deal made of it when it happened, but then Darcy returned to work and everything was just fine and normal? I don't buy it. There would be repercussions. But, since we never actually saw Darcy at work again, only heard about it in passing, the whole thing with Keith was like Chekov's gun going un-fired. It was annoying and frustrating.)
All that is to say that I was disappointed. doubly-so because I loved The Hating Game so much.
Now that that's out of the way, the book.
I liked it okay, I guess. There were a couple of moments of real emotion and vulnerability that got me a bit misty-eyed.
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Generally, though, I found both Darcy and Tom insufferable in their own ways. Both were incredibly self-pitying, though with different ways of "coping" (because let's be honest, here, neither of them were coping so much as denying and burying). Jamie—Darcy's twin—was also a piece of work, but was thankfully an off-screen presence for most of the book. The only character I really liked was Megan and the most we got of her was a phone conversation.Oh, and why is it that as soon as renovations started on the house, Darcy seemingly stopped going to work? I think there was one (maybe two) passing mentions of a bartending shift and she went back a couple of times to take pictures of the bikers, but she didn't seem to be working so much as swanning in when the mood struck, which only added to my dislike of her.
By the end, this felt like it wanted to be a much longer book with more character development (of both the central and supporting cast) and plot, but was ruthlessly pared down to what either the author or editor deemed essential, leaving characters like Truly and Holly undeveloped and plot threads like Darcy's encounter with Keith at work unexplored. (This latter bugged me a lot. There was kind of a big deal made of it when it happened, but then Darcy returned to work and everything was just fine and normal? I don't buy it. There would be repercussions. But, since we never actually saw Darcy at work again, only heard about it in passing, the whole thing with Keith was like Chekov's gun going un-fired. It was annoying and frustrating.)
All that is to say that I was disappointed. doubly-so because I loved The Hating Game so much.
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LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Darcy and her twin brother Jamie share Tom, their childhood friend. But Tom has always been more Jamie's friend than Darcy's. Darcy has traveled the world trying to escape her heart condition and her crush on Tom. But when their grandmother dies and leaves a cottage to be renovated and sold, Darcy
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and Tom are thrown back together. What I found most interesting about this novel was the exploration of relationships. Darcy and Jamie are heartlessly competitive - it is uncomfortable how competitive they are. And Tom has an odd relationship to their family - almost family, but not quite. As Darcy finds the courage to stop running from her problems and be a little softer all kinds of hard but good things start to happen. Show Less
LibraryThing member N.W.Moors
Ms. Thorne's second novel is a dark comedy romance. The characters are very different from the leads in The Hating Game. Darcy is a twin, the girl who came second to her brother and has a heart defect that has limited her life though, honestly, she doesn't let it slow her down much. It's more how
She and brother Jamie have inherited their grandmother's rundown cottage and they hire Tom to do the renovation. He's just starting out with his own company, but Darcy is determined to turn her life around and help him with the rebuilding.
Darcy is profane and darkly humorous while Tom is, well, "perfect." They seem like total opposites, and I wondered if there was going to be a twist on the usual HEA because they have a lot going against them. It took me a while to warm up to Darcy, but I liked that she did some growing up during the course of the story.
The writing is fun and perfectly suited to the story. Darcy's is known for blurting out her thoughts, and I thought the author copied that style for most of the book. It's a fun read; I'm definitely a Sally Thorne fan.
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her family and friends perceive her. She's been in love with her twin's best friend Tom since she was about eight years old. However, she messed up when he first approached her and took off on a global spree, panicked by his confession. When she comes back, Tom is engaged and Darcy starts a downhill spiral. She and brother Jamie have inherited their grandmother's rundown cottage and they hire Tom to do the renovation. He's just starting out with his own company, but Darcy is determined to turn her life around and help him with the rebuilding.
Darcy is profane and darkly humorous while Tom is, well, "perfect." They seem like total opposites, and I wondered if there was going to be a twist on the usual HEA because they have a lot going against them. It took me a while to warm up to Darcy, but I liked that she did some growing up during the course of the story.
The writing is fun and perfectly suited to the story. Darcy's is known for blurting out her thoughts, and I thought the author copied that style for most of the book. It's a fun read; I'm definitely a Sally Thorne fan.
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LibraryThing member Herenya
I quite liked The Hating Game, but I wasn’t sure if I was going to like 99 Percent Mine's Darcy Barrett, tough and possessive, who is working on a renovation with her brother’s childhood best friend, Tom Valeska.
What hooked me was Darcy’s complicated relationships -- with being a twin, with
What hooked me was that Tom isn’t just someone Darcy finds insanely attractive nor whose friendship with, and loyalty to, her brother has made her jealous. She admires his character and cares about his wellbeing; she’s known him a long time. And I liked that the story addresses the pressure Tom feels to live up to the Barrett twins’ expectations of him.
Towards the end, there are some things I thought were glossed over or resolved too easily. (The romance-novel tendency to resolve everything happily, instead of allowing a degree of uncertainty, sigh.) And overall there are a few details which prevented me from liking this story more. But I enjoyed reading this. I enjoyed its emotional intensity.
I knew it was weird. Jamie would crucify me for creating a fictional animal based on the new boy across the street—not that he’d have proof. But that’s exactly what I did, and to this day, when I’m alone in a foreign bar and want to look busy, my hand will still draw the outline of Valeska on a coaster, with his eyes like a wolf, or an enchanted prince.
I’m an excellent judge of character.
When one of the spoiled blond Barrett twins fell into a crevasse, our faithful Valeska would appear. His pretty, spooky eyes would assess the situation, then you’d feel his teeth on your collar. Next, his strength and the humiliating drag to safety. You’re useless, and he’s competent. [...] So, to recap, my life sucks, and Tom Valeska is on my porch. He’s lit by streetlight, moonlight, and starlight. I’ve got a zipper in my stomach and I’ve been in a crevasse so long I can’t feel my legs.
What hooked me was Darcy’s complicated relationships -- with being a twin, with
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romance and with her childhood nickname, “Princess” -- and the intensity of her loneliness and her longing. She’s fallen out with her brother; she’s closed her wedding photography business; she has to renovate and sell her late grandmother’s beloved house; she’s sick of people fussing over her because of her heart condition.What hooked me was that Tom isn’t just someone Darcy finds insanely attractive nor whose friendship with, and loyalty to, her brother has made her jealous. She admires his character and cares about his wellbeing; she’s known him a long time. And I liked that the story addresses the pressure Tom feels to live up to the Barrett twins’ expectations of him.
Towards the end, there are some things I thought were glossed over or resolved too easily. (The romance-novel tendency to resolve everything happily, instead of allowing a degree of uncertainty, sigh.) And overall there are a few details which prevented me from liking this story more. But I enjoyed reading this. I enjoyed its emotional intensity.
I knew it was weird. Jamie would crucify me for creating a fictional animal based on the new boy across the street—not that he’d have proof. But that’s exactly what I did, and to this day, when I’m alone in a foreign bar and want to look busy, my hand will still draw the outline of Valeska on a coaster, with his eyes like a wolf, or an enchanted prince.
I’m an excellent judge of character.
When one of the spoiled blond Barrett twins fell into a crevasse, our faithful Valeska would appear. His pretty, spooky eyes would assess the situation, then you’d feel his teeth on your collar. Next, his strength and the humiliating drag to safety. You’re useless, and he’s competent. [...] So, to recap, my life sucks, and Tom Valeska is on my porch. He’s lit by streetlight, moonlight, and starlight. I’ve got a zipper in my stomach and I’ve been in a crevasse so long I can’t feel my legs.
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LibraryThing member Cherylk
I have seen the Hating Game around but this is the first time that I actually have tried a book by this author. I was wanting to read something that was a departure from by thrillers. Therefore, I picked up this book, not really sure what to expect. What I got was laughter, some romance, sass, and
Darcy is my hero. Don't let her short hair or name fool you. She can kick your butt with both her tongue and fists. I say her tongue because she has quick comebacks filled with sarcasm that makes even the most macho of men quiver in their boots. Yet, this does not apply to Tom. That is because just the presence of him has Darcy tongue tied.
Speaking of Tom. He has the patience of a saint. There were more than a couple of times that he could have lost his cool but he kept calm. I really liked the chemistry between Darcy and Tom. They were a good match. 99 Percent Mine is 100 Percent worth reading!
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a new author that I want to read more books from. Darcy is my hero. Don't let her short hair or name fool you. She can kick your butt with both her tongue and fists. I say her tongue because she has quick comebacks filled with sarcasm that makes even the most macho of men quiver in their boots. Yet, this does not apply to Tom. That is because just the presence of him has Darcy tongue tied.
Speaking of Tom. He has the patience of a saint. There were more than a couple of times that he could have lost his cool but he kept calm. I really liked the chemistry between Darcy and Tom. They were a good match. 99 Percent Mine is 100 Percent worth reading!
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LibraryThing member Narshkite
A giant disappointment. I haven't sunk in to enough fluffy romance lately and needed an escape. I loved The Hating Game and was ready to be transported again, but no go. There was no sense of humor, joyless characters, no charm, the relationship impediments were entirely self-inflicted. Just no. It
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wasn't terrible, but it was never better than pedestrian. Show Less
LibraryThing member .l.p
99 Percent Mine is a fun read filled with lots of flirty banter. Darcy and Tom have so much sexual tension between them, you can cut it with a knife! I must admit, it was a slow start for me. I had to come back to the book after a couple of days, but once I restarted, I powered through it, eager to
Darcy is quirky with a bad-ass facade that belies some of her vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, I couldn't really relate to her, mainly because I felt we only got to know her superficially and being reminded often that she has a weak heart, loves to travel as a form of escape and really wants Tom, got very repetitive quickly. In this particular story I would've loved to have seen things through Tom's perspective, given he is a quiet person. It would've been interesting to have seen his inner dialogue.
Despite this, I still found 99 Percent Mine enjoyable and Sally Thorne's humorous writing style shines through. I also loved the Behind The Book Essay at the end and that there were bonus epilogues for The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine.
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find out how long it would take Darcy to wear down Tom's defenses. Darcy is quirky with a bad-ass facade that belies some of her vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, I couldn't really relate to her, mainly because I felt we only got to know her superficially and being reminded often that she has a weak heart, loves to travel as a form of escape and really wants Tom, got very repetitive quickly. In this particular story I would've loved to have seen things through Tom's perspective, given he is a quiet person. It would've been interesting to have seen his inner dialogue.
Despite this, I still found 99 Percent Mine enjoyable and Sally Thorne's humorous writing style shines through. I also loved the Behind The Book Essay at the end and that there were bonus epilogues for The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine.
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LibraryThing member GRgenius
Okay, here's the skinny...
...I LOVED the pieces, but not the overall picture...
...now, let me explain.
Darcy Barrett was a force to be reckoned with, a take no prisoners, kick-a** ex (sorta) photographer and sometimes bartender that can certainly handle herself, but needs that one-on-one contact
Tom Valeska...perfect man specimen, if ever there was, that has the looks, the modesty, the balanced ambition, correct priorities...and if you think it's a "too good to be true" situation, it is, but only on the most minimum of levels. He's known Darcy and her twin brother (Jamie) since childhood, been the benefactor of their generosity (whether he wanted it or not) day in and day out, and been harboring feelings for one of them just...as...long. That's A LOT of tension to build up, and despite the fact that someone else made an appearance on his arm for some length of time, some flames can't be doused...only FED. He's a sweetheart that puts way too much pressure on himself, but memorable.
Here's the catch...they're both great, and their connection palpable, but the pieces set to connect them from point A to point B...I wasn't as sold on. For me, the drama of "should they, shouldn't they" was drawn out, I didn't quite buy the twin connection/fight nor did I particularly care for Jamie, and the grand finale wasn't as grand as I was hoping. I've been told (or rather saw online) that the final print includes an epilogue that the ARC does not...perhaps that solves my last "issue". In the end, while I wanted to be blown away, I was simply entertained. Grant it, that's not a bad thing, but it also left me wanting. Cie la vie...while it wasn't my all time favorite, it just may be yours, so do GO OUT AND GET IN THE PAGES of your own copy, just make sure you're adult age because yeah, there's words, and fantasies, and situations that are more than blush worthy.
**ARC received for review
...I LOVED the pieces, but not the overall picture...
...now, let me explain.
Darcy Barrett was a force to be reckoned with, a take no prisoners, kick-a** ex (sorta) photographer and sometimes bartender that can certainly handle herself, but needs that one-on-one contact
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(friendly or otherwise) to fulfill her hunger. Sounds more sexual than it was meant, but then again...there was THAT angle too. Anywho...she's a strong female lead to be proud of, and while I'd like to wash her mouth/mind out with soap (sorry, but she's a bit too crass for my taste...and yes, I'd say the same if it was the male lead with the mouth), she definitely keeps things interesting.Tom Valeska...perfect man specimen, if ever there was, that has the looks, the modesty, the balanced ambition, correct priorities...and if you think it's a "too good to be true" situation, it is, but only on the most minimum of levels. He's known Darcy and her twin brother (Jamie) since childhood, been the benefactor of their generosity (whether he wanted it or not) day in and day out, and been harboring feelings for one of them just...as...long. That's A LOT of tension to build up, and despite the fact that someone else made an appearance on his arm for some length of time, some flames can't be doused...only FED. He's a sweetheart that puts way too much pressure on himself, but memorable.
Here's the catch...they're both great, and their connection palpable, but the pieces set to connect them from point A to point B...I wasn't as sold on. For me, the drama of "should they, shouldn't they" was drawn out, I didn't quite buy the twin connection/fight nor did I particularly care for Jamie, and the grand finale wasn't as grand as I was hoping. I've been told (or rather saw online) that the final print includes an epilogue that the ARC does not...perhaps that solves my last "issue". In the end, while I wanted to be blown away, I was simply entertained. Grant it, that's not a bad thing, but it also left me wanting. Cie la vie...while it wasn't my all time favorite, it just may be yours, so do GO OUT AND GET IN THE PAGES of your own copy, just make sure you're adult age because yeah, there's words, and fantasies, and situations that are more than blush worthy.
**ARC received for review
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LibraryThing member Ray_
Actual rating: 1.5 stars.
What on earth did I just read?
This book was a solid one star until the last few pages where I was like "Okay let's make it 1.5"
I don't even understand what this jumbled up mess was supposed to be. Like, is it supposed to be a romance? A comedy? A nothing? Hell if I know.
So
Basically, Darcy and Jamie got in a fight a while ago and basically fucked their relationship, but they inherited this house from their grandma and they have to renovate it then sell it. And that's where Tom comes in, he's starting his own construction company and they're his first solo project.
Darcy has been making questionable decisions her whole life, and has basically been on the run since she was 18.
Tom was the perfect boy next door that did everything right and bla bla bla.
Jamie was the twin who got everything right (well it depends on how you'd define right but oh well)
This book felt like a first draft rather than an actually published one.
The writing was horrible and confusing, the dialogues were cringe worthy and made me wanna hit my head against a wall; hell I got second hand embarrassment just by reading them, the characters were weird and not in a good way.
They talked, behaved and even thought like 16 y.o rather than 26 y.o grown ups!
Darcy was obnoxious , childish, annoying and straight up horrible. I HATED being in her mind, I HATED reading from her PoV, and I just overall hated her.
It really annoyed me how desperate she was in front of Tom and ho she kept throwing herself at him in the most cringy ways possible.
One of the worst things about this book was how despite the whole book being told exclusively from Darcy's point of view, we get parts where Darcy is just describing how Tom is feeling or how he's thinking, and I'm like "um... excuse me but fuck no."
Tom was somewhat annoying, somewhat gullible somewhat I wanted to smack his head on a wall. It's like the author worked so hard on making him "perfect" she fucked the character up entirely.
Jamie was no better than his twin sister, he was annoying (I see a pattern here), judgmental, only cared about money, selfish...etc. Yet he was portrayed in a way that made him seem like he could do no wrong. I hated him and his holier than thou attitude.
One more thing I loathed was the romance, it was a big fat no from me.
Tom and Darcy are not the match made in heaven the author wanted to represent. Hell they weren't even an okay match. Their relationship was toxic, they had a lot of non-discussed issues that they didn't even talk through before jumping straight into having sex like the wild animals they are.
I never wanted two characters to not be together as much as I wanted those two apart. It was just wrong, there was no dynamic, chemistry or anything of the sort, just annoying sexual tension.
I HATED how possessive Darcy was of Tom; heck both twins were. They treated him like an object that could only belong to one of them rather than a fucking human being with his own thoughts and emotion. Not only that, but fucking Tom did not seem to mind it in the slightest!
One more thing that just made me wanna throw the book across the room (and I would have if I wasn't reading the ebook) ,and this is a pet peeve of mine, was how the characters NEVER discussed their issues, they never talked things through. A lot of the issues in this books could've been fixed -I shit you not- with one fucking conversation between the main characters.
I just kept yelling at the book all the time because of that. Heck I even considered DNFing many times.
All in all this was not for me, it was horrible, annoying, made me wanna pull my hair out and I do not recommend it.
What on earth did I just read?
This book was a solid one star until the last few pages where I was like "Okay let's make it 1.5"
I don't even understand what this jumbled up mess was supposed to be. Like, is it supposed to be a romance? A comedy? A nothing? Hell if I know.
So
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99 Percent Mine is about this girl called Darcy, her twin called Jamie and their childhood friend called Tom.Basically, Darcy and Jamie got in a fight a while ago and basically fucked their relationship, but they inherited this house from their grandma and they have to renovate it then sell it. And that's where Tom comes in, he's starting his own construction company and they're his first solo project.
Darcy has been making questionable decisions her whole life, and has basically been on the run since she was 18.
Tom was the perfect boy next door that did everything right and bla bla bla.
Jamie was the twin who got everything right (well it depends on how you'd define right but oh well)
This book felt like a first draft rather than an actually published one.
The writing was horrible and confusing, the dialogues were cringe worthy and made me wanna hit my head against a wall; hell I got second hand embarrassment just by reading them, the characters were weird and not in a good way.
They talked, behaved and even thought like 16 y.o rather than 26 y.o grown ups!
Darcy was obnoxious , childish, annoying and straight up horrible. I HATED being in her mind, I HATED reading from her PoV, and I just overall hated her.
It really annoyed me how desperate she was in front of Tom and ho she kept throwing herself at him in the most cringy ways possible.
One of the worst things about this book was how despite the whole book being told exclusively from Darcy's point of view, we get parts where Darcy is just describing how Tom is feeling or how he's thinking, and I'm like "um... excuse me but fuck no."
Tom was somewhat annoying, somewhat gullible somewhat I wanted to smack his head on a wall. It's like the author worked so hard on making him "perfect" she fucked the character up entirely.
Jamie was no better than his twin sister, he was annoying (I see a pattern here), judgmental, only cared about money, selfish...etc. Yet he was portrayed in a way that made him seem like he could do no wrong. I hated him and his holier than thou attitude.
One more thing I loathed was the romance, it was a big fat no from me.
Tom and Darcy are not the match made in heaven the author wanted to represent. Hell they weren't even an okay match. Their relationship was toxic, they had a lot of non-discussed issues that they didn't even talk through before jumping straight into having sex like the wild animals they are.
I never wanted two characters to not be together as much as I wanted those two apart. It was just wrong, there was no dynamic, chemistry or anything of the sort, just annoying sexual tension.
I HATED how possessive Darcy was of Tom; heck both twins were. They treated him like an object that could only belong to one of them rather than a fucking human being with his own thoughts and emotion. Not only that, but fucking Tom did not seem to mind it in the slightest!
One more thing that just made me wanna throw the book across the room (and I would have if I wasn't reading the ebook) ,and this is a pet peeve of mine, was how the characters NEVER discussed their issues, they never talked things through. A lot of the issues in this books could've been fixed -I shit you not- with one fucking conversation between the main characters.
I just kept yelling at the book all the time because of that. Heck I even considered DNFing many times.
All in all this was not for me, it was horrible, annoying, made me wanna pull my hair out and I do not recommend it.
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LibraryThing member GirlWellRead
A special thank you to Edelweiss and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Darcy Barrett has travelled the world and can safely say that there is no man that measures up to Tom Valeska. Tom's only flaw is that Darcy's twin brother, Jamie, claimed him first and that he is 99%
When the twins inherit a rundown cottage from their grandmother, they are tasked with restoring it and selling it. Before Darcy can set sail on her next adventure, house-flipper Tom has arrived in a tight t-shirt with his power tools (and hot tool belt) and he's single.
Darcy decides to stick around for a while. It's not because she's been in love with Tom since she was eight-years-old, or that his face has inspired her to pick up her camera after her failed stint as a wedding photographer left her doubting her talent, it's to make sure that Jamie doesn't ruin the cottage's aesthetic with his modern taste. Right?
Can Darcy's delicate heart take being this close to Tom? And can she turn the tables and make Tom 99 percent hers?
I loved The Hating Game. It was clever, sharp, and cheeky! But this book...I only liked it. Okay so here's what I think happened: Thorne fell down with her character development. Take Darcy for example, she's honest, and raw, but uses sarcasm and snark to hide behind her perceived tough exterior. But this felt a bit forced and clichéd, and she ends up just being difficult and unlikeable. Tom is your classic 'boy next door' type and although endearing, he was almost too good and dare I say...flat? It felt like he was written to be the polar opposite of Darcy to make their relationship more layered and complicated, but again, this seemed to be a tactic. You never get a sense of who he really is and he seems to be constantly eclipsed by those closest to him (his mother, his best friend, and now Darcy). And can we just talk about Jamie for a second? What a jerk. I have the sneaking suspicion that he was underdeveloped because he will be a main character in another book.
The plot came off as formulaic and a bit basic. I don't want to get into too much detail here as to not give anything away, but I'm sure you can guess what happens. I wanted the goods—I wanted more of their childhood, more about Tom and his mother, about Darcy's travels and her "Felicity" moment of cutting her hair, and more about Jamie (maybe then I wouldn't think he was such a tosser). These relationships are the framework of the character development but they were underdeveloped and therefore produce some underwhelming characters.
Where Thorne excels is with the ability to completely draw the reader in and not let go until the end. She is incredibly engaging and I completely devoured both of her books in one sitting. It is for this reason that she is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors and I will read anything she writes. There is an ease to her writing and she has such an ear for conversation and banter which translates extremely well on the page.
While this book might not have been everything I had hoped it would be, there are going to be those that love it. I just didn't love it as much as The Hating Game. I mean, Josh Templeman... Enough said.
Darcy Barrett has travelled the world and can safely say that there is no man that measures up to Tom Valeska. Tom's only flaw is that Darcy's twin brother, Jamie, claimed him first and that he is 99%
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loyal to her brother. When the twins inherit a rundown cottage from their grandmother, they are tasked with restoring it and selling it. Before Darcy can set sail on her next adventure, house-flipper Tom has arrived in a tight t-shirt with his power tools (and hot tool belt) and he's single.
Darcy decides to stick around for a while. It's not because she's been in love with Tom since she was eight-years-old, or that his face has inspired her to pick up her camera after her failed stint as a wedding photographer left her doubting her talent, it's to make sure that Jamie doesn't ruin the cottage's aesthetic with his modern taste. Right?
Can Darcy's delicate heart take being this close to Tom? And can she turn the tables and make Tom 99 percent hers?
I loved The Hating Game. It was clever, sharp, and cheeky! But this book...I only liked it. Okay so here's what I think happened: Thorne fell down with her character development. Take Darcy for example, she's honest, and raw, but uses sarcasm and snark to hide behind her perceived tough exterior. But this felt a bit forced and clichéd, and she ends up just being difficult and unlikeable. Tom is your classic 'boy next door' type and although endearing, he was almost too good and dare I say...flat? It felt like he was written to be the polar opposite of Darcy to make their relationship more layered and complicated, but again, this seemed to be a tactic. You never get a sense of who he really is and he seems to be constantly eclipsed by those closest to him (his mother, his best friend, and now Darcy). And can we just talk about Jamie for a second? What a jerk. I have the sneaking suspicion that he was underdeveloped because he will be a main character in another book.
The plot came off as formulaic and a bit basic. I don't want to get into too much detail here as to not give anything away, but I'm sure you can guess what happens. I wanted the goods—I wanted more of their childhood, more about Tom and his mother, about Darcy's travels and her "Felicity" moment of cutting her hair, and more about Jamie (maybe then I wouldn't think he was such a tosser). These relationships are the framework of the character development but they were underdeveloped and therefore produce some underwhelming characters.
Where Thorne excels is with the ability to completely draw the reader in and not let go until the end. She is incredibly engaging and I completely devoured both of her books in one sitting. It is for this reason that she is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors and I will read anything she writes. There is an ease to her writing and she has such an ear for conversation and banter which translates extremely well on the page.
While this book might not have been everything I had hoped it would be, there are going to be those that love it. I just didn't love it as much as The Hating Game. I mean, Josh Templeman... Enough said.
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LibraryThing member samnreader
There were times I was reading this book that I just went, "what the shit?"
Now that I finished it, I can't say exactly how I'm feeling. Confused? Hopeful? Everyone who has reviewed has mentioned the Hating Game. I somewhat successfully set aside all expectations, given the polar views on this
I, too, will fail at not mentioning THG. THG was both a service and a disservice to this book. The middle got so murky and weirdly confusing, I was pretty sure I had no idea what was going on. It was like the characters kept getting slammed into one another with very little set up, and to be honest, my chaotic brain has a high tolerance for that. Additionally, the humor might have thrown me overboard had I not been acquainted with THG. What worked in that book, didn't really feel organic here-the oddly superlative sense of humor often came across as immature. Again, I think there were some smart choices, like Tom being more known, but in a sense his 'feel' isn't that different from Josh's. Nor is Darcy's voice even if her situation is slightly different. . HOWEVER, I have read The Hating Game six-eight times. SO--is this fair criticism? Probably not.
What worked is her writing. It's engaging, it matches the mood, and it's lovely. Her characters, aside from my above 'objections' are interesting and layered enough-including her side characters.
I didn't quite love the dynamic (though I was interested in the characters) between the twins, nor did I buy that their parents created these two. Their motivations for materialism and bitchiness/selfishness weren't particularly well-established in that type of context, and frankly, I'm not super sure their dynamic was endearing or healthy. There are particulars here I'm well-acquainted with as a human IRL, Darcy's isolation and Jamie's resentment, but it more or less went unexplored.
This book ends up slightly better than middle-of-the-road, with some drag b/c of cheap shots and unexplored but introduced conflict sources. THG comparisons end up as a wash, and the writing and layered characters are above average. I'm putting my chair right on the fence-and when the mood strikes, I will just sit up here reading The Hating Game. I don't necessarily need to forget this book-nor was it 'forgettable' but I don't need to reread it either.
Now that I finished it, I can't say exactly how I'm feeling. Confused? Hopeful? Everyone who has reviewed has mentioned the Hating Game. I somewhat successfully set aside all expectations, given the polar views on this
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offering. I've even read, in total, a lot of reviews by friends. I rarely do this knowing I will read a book. I, too, will fail at not mentioning THG. THG was both a service and a disservice to this book. The middle got so murky and weirdly confusing, I was pretty sure I had no idea what was going on. It was like the characters kept getting slammed into one another with very little set up, and to be honest, my chaotic brain has a high tolerance for that. Additionally, the humor might have thrown me overboard had I not been acquainted with THG. What worked in that book, didn't really feel organic here-the oddly superlative sense of humor often came across as immature. Again, I think there were some smart choices, like Tom being more known, but in a sense his 'feel' isn't that different from Josh's. Nor is Darcy's voice even if her situation is slightly different. . HOWEVER, I have read The Hating Game six-eight times. SO--is this fair criticism? Probably not.
What worked is her writing. It's engaging, it matches the mood, and it's lovely. Her characters, aside from my above 'objections' are interesting and layered enough-including her side characters.
I didn't quite love the dynamic (though I was interested in the characters) between the twins, nor did I buy that their parents created these two. Their motivations for materialism and bitchiness/selfishness weren't particularly well-established in that type of context, and frankly, I'm not super sure their dynamic was endearing or healthy. There are particulars here I'm well-acquainted with as a human IRL, Darcy's isolation and Jamie's resentment, but it more or less went unexplored.
This book ends up slightly better than middle-of-the-road, with some drag b/c of cheap shots and unexplored but introduced conflict sources. THG comparisons end up as a wash, and the writing and layered characters are above average. I'm putting my chair right on the fence-and when the mood strikes, I will just sit up here reading The Hating Game. I don't necessarily need to forget this book-nor was it 'forgettable' but I don't need to reread it either.
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LibraryThing member amandanan
Read in one sitting, just like THE HATING GAME. The 7 identical cats named Mr. Tuxedo got me.
LibraryThing member Sheila1957
Darcy and her twin brother Jamie have inherited their grandmother's house which they are to remodel and sell, dividing the proceeds of the sale. Jamie hires Tom, a childhood friend, to do the remodel. Darcy is there to make sure the remodel is what she wants. Tom has always carried a torch for
I enjoyed this book. There was a lot of subtle humor in it especially on Darcy's part. Tom is strait-laced but she does get to him. They are a perfect couple. I like how they work together. It made me smile throughout the book watching them dance around each other. This was a fun read!
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Darcy as she has for him but neither will admit it. This has caused Darcy to travel the world, hooking up for one-night stands while Tom has been engaged for some years to the same woman. Will working together finally make them admit their need and love of each other?I enjoyed this book. There was a lot of subtle humor in it especially on Darcy's part. Tom is strait-laced but she does get to him. They are a perfect couple. I like how they work together. It made me smile throughout the book watching them dance around each other. This was a fun read!
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LibraryThing member KimMeyer
So fun! I loved this.
LibraryThing member DaisyDate
I am unsure how I feel about this book. It was a bit difficult to get into but it was easy to fall into after that. The dynamic between the characters were good but the constant 'distraction' of the main characters by each other felt excessive and made me feel a bit uncomfortable at times. I found
Not bad but not amazing.
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myself getting a bit confused at times well reading. I liked the snark of the character but it felt forced at times and the referrals of finding the 'alpha' and dominating them was mentioned enough times to feel weird. Not bad but not amazing.
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LibraryThing member ftbooklover
Darcy Bennett and her twin brother, Jamie have been close to Tom Valeska since they were all kids. Darcy has been globe-trotting for the last few years trying to run from her less than perfect heart, and her feelings for Tom as well as her brother's expectations. Now that their grandmother,
99 Percent Mine is an interesting story of three people who need each other but don't know how to show it. Each is so worried about losing the others that they are afraid of showing their honest emotions. Also, they all seem to suffer from feelings of inadequacy that keep them apart. Although straight forward communication would help their misunderstandings, in general, their love for one another makes them seem more like real people rather than characters in a book. Overall, 99 Percent Mine is a good follow-up to Thorne's excellent book, The Hating Game.
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Loretta, has passed and left Jamie and Darcy her house, Jamie has hired Tom to renovate and prepare it for sale so that he and Darcy can split the profits. When Darcy sees Tom on the doorstep, all of her feelings for him come charging back. Will she be able to work with Tom on the renovation without destroying the friendship with him that she has always cherished?99 Percent Mine is an interesting story of three people who need each other but don't know how to show it. Each is so worried about losing the others that they are afraid of showing their honest emotions. Also, they all seem to suffer from feelings of inadequacy that keep them apart. Although straight forward communication would help their misunderstandings, in general, their love for one another makes them seem more like real people rather than characters in a book. Overall, 99 Percent Mine is a good follow-up to Thorne's excellent book, The Hating Game.
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LibraryThing member rmarcin
Darcy Barrett is hurting. She and her twin brother have had a huge fight. She has thrown herself into working at a sleazy bar. The twins need to renovate their late grandmother’s cottage and sell it. To her surprise, her childhood friend, Tom, shows up to handle the remodel. Both Tom and Darcy
This was really tough to read for a while, and then it turned more fun and romantic. A bit over the top at times.
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have loved each other for years, but wouldn’t admit it. But now, older and wiser, will they finally get together.This was really tough to read for a while, and then it turned more fun and romantic. A bit over the top at times.
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LibraryThing member HeyChowda
I've read a handful of others' reviews of 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne, but unlike most of those readers, I was not eagerly anticipating Thorne’s second book. I have not yet read "The Hating Game,” nor knew about the author. I ended up purchasing this book at a Barnes &Noble “Blind Date
I admit I had some trouble early on getting the hang of the dialogue, but once I settled in, I read the book in a few hours. While I enjoyed the book, it isn’t on my favorites list. Having said that, I have a pretty long list of DNFs, so I considered it good enough to finish, and even stayed up late to do so.
Protagonist Darcy Barrett, her love interest Tom Valeska, and Darcy's twin brother Jamie were an unusual friendship triangle. Darcy’s best friend Truly didn’t appear enough in the book for my liking, and I am on the hunt for Underswears. Do they exist?
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with a Book” display. In particular, I was drawn to blind date clues indicating the book included "property reconstruction," "friends to lovers," and "witty dialogue." I admit I had some trouble early on getting the hang of the dialogue, but once I settled in, I read the book in a few hours. While I enjoyed the book, it isn’t on my favorites list. Having said that, I have a pretty long list of DNFs, so I considered it good enough to finish, and even stayed up late to do so.
Protagonist Darcy Barrett, her love interest Tom Valeska, and Darcy's twin brother Jamie were an unusual friendship triangle. Darcy’s best friend Truly didn’t appear enough in the book for my liking, and I am on the hunt for Underswears. Do they exist?
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LibraryThing member cicidean
This was a fun, quick read for me! The three main characters were all quirky with lots of baggage. I love when a romance novel has characters that aren’t perfect and full of flaws. While Darcy thinks Tom is “perfect” the story shows that it’s impossible for anyone to live up to such high
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expectations. Show Less
LibraryThing member Okies
I suspect this is a good book - moody and reflective. But despite several goes, I can't follow it. Being an audiobook, I may not have concentrated sufficiently, but I might put some of the blame on the narrator.
Jayme Mattler has a sexy disengaged kind of tone. She reads slowly, packing her
I don't know why it doesn't work, or why I can't follow the book enough to pick up the story threads. I gave up after just 2/12 parts.
Jayme Mattler has a sexy disengaged kind of tone. She reads slowly, packing her
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presentation with character. It's a first person narration. And it doesn't feel like reading, but storytelling.I don't know why it doesn't work, or why I can't follow the book enough to pick up the story threads. I gave up after just 2/12 parts.
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Language
Original publication date
2019-01-29
ISBN
9780062439628
Local notes
Darcy Barrett has undertaken a global survey of men. She’s travelled the world, and can categorically say that no one measures up to Tom Valeska, whose only flaw is that Darcy’s twin brother Jamie saw him first and claimed him forever as his best friend. Despite Darcy’s best efforts, Tom’s off limits and loyal to her brother, 99%. That’s the problem with finding her dream man at age eight and peaking in her photography career at age twenty—ever since, she’s had to learn to settle for good enough.