Cinderella and the Geek

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
1.5 stars

I absolutely can't believe I read this whole thing. I'm so annoyed with this book...

[Slight spoilers]

So, anyone who has been reading my reviews should kind of know by now that I'm pretty lenient with romance novels I read. Yet, with this book there is no way for me to be kind.

Let me tell you that the biggest conflict between the couple is how they don't talk to each other. They both have assumptions about their relationship and how the other feels about their relationship. In fact, one of them assumes they are in this for the long haul and the other doesn't like PDA while THE OTHER person assumes they know this is temporary until they leave and that the other person doesn't like PDA.
THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING!!
And yet, their assumptions about their relationship and the fact that they never talk about anything serious is never brought up, even in the resolution when Alice realizes she shouldn't have assumed Harry knew/wanted the relationship would end. SHE LET HIM TAKE THE BLAME

So... I'm so frustrated. The whole conflict for me were these assumptions and they are never addressed. HOW?!?!
And then I think about it more and I find little problems:
>How did a 18/19 year old get a admin position at a start-up company? How did she previously work at a law office?
>Why is nothing besides their relationship talked about by like everyone, yet nothing serious is discussed???
>What else filled this romance only focused book? Why couldn't there have been outside problems?
>Why were none of their fears about being in this relationship (what certain friends/bosses would think, LDR not working) addressed– AT ALL?
>Why did they not ask each other “soooo.... are we dating? what is this?”

I don't understand what I just read or how I possibly got through it all.

I should probably talk more about character development and growth, the setting, the plot, but seriously... I'm so frustrated over the “plot” and romance development (I mean... no development??) that I can't even remember if I liked characters or why. Side characters? Introduced and used only for a lead to talk about their relationship, except the mother who provides a sense of guilt in Alice.

But, I like giving positive remarks about all books I read...
And I mean, I did finish reading this...
So, I guess it is easy to read and flows well. I flew through this book, but that might be because the characters kept thinking and saying the same sentiments over and over.
I also liked the geeky and video game aspects of this book. These are the things I really wanted. This book have been better if more of these themes were included.


Do I recommend this? Not unless someone really wants to read about a main character who is a geek.