Firstly, although I don’t read much romance, this was a very cute one. It gave me all the feels and maybe elicited a tear or two (dammit, O’Leary!). As always, this isn’t really a *review*, so much as my train of thought on what I’ve learned from reading it, but I did enjoy it. I picked this one up at a recommendation from a well-read writer friend as an example of two people falling in love without having met each other, just through writing notes back and forth.
The notes are primarily used to get to know little bits (very small bits) about each character, growing the humor between them, the supportiveness (especially in regards to Leon’s brother which really breaks the ice more than anything). There are also characters on the backend, not privvy to the notes being written, who consistently probe the question of whether or not Tiffy or Leon are beginning to like one another, each from their own sides. (This is something I need to consider for my own WiP, too, whether Dan has someone directly voice this or simply say something adjacent that makes him start thinking on it himself.) This puts the affection idea in both their heads. There’s also the fact that they both look forward to and enjoy the note-based relationship. It’s non-threatening. It’s fun. It’s casual. The first hurdle to their relationship is disrupting that by meeting for the first time (which Leon actively avoids at his first opportunity, until 2nd opportunity where avoidance is impossible). The fear is that the fun, relaxed relationship they have will fall apart upon getting to know each other in person. That they might not like each other in person as much as they do in notes.
THAT is something I can lean on in my own WiP: the fear that meeting in person will ruin the nice, friendly chats they have. In Dan’s case, it may also be a fear that crossing that line may destroy whatever small bit of magic is making this possible, so emphasizing his delight in the strangeness and chosen-ness of this experience might help raise the stakes, as well as setting him up for success when the meet-cute actually occurs.
Of course, things in The Flatshare don’t really heat up until Leon and Tiffy have, um, “bumped into” each other for the first time, and both are immediately attracted to one another. That’s the spark that Gwen Hayes mentions in Romancing the Beat. Immediate flush of “Ooooooh my….”
My work, obviously, needs to set that up even more, because it’s going to initially be rather unbelievable. The threshold for suspension of disbelief will be much higher that they’d find each other attractive, so it’s got to be magnetic and rather frightening how much they’re drawn. I think I’ve got an angle on it, but may need to think on it more.
After they’ve met, Tiffy and Leon continue to share notes, but less often. The romance moves from pre-meeting notes to in-person “friend” interactions which are rife with sexual tension, eventually boiling over into action on that lust, though it’s often thwarted at each turn—every step forward introduces a new challenge to whether or not the relationship will succeed.
Here’s where mine will begin to deviate, because it’s not a strictly romance novel—it’s a weird fiction novel, so happily-ever-after isn’t a guarantee (and honestly, isn’t likely). But I still want the emotional rollercoaster of the will-they-won’t-they and the emotional tangles of an unhealthy relationship that takes a toll on both their mental health.
I quite enjoyed The Flatshare, though, so if you’re looking for a cozy beach read that will warm your soul, this is a great one to pick up. (And apparently THERE’S A SHOW?! OooOOOooo…)