When Tarryn Fisher recommends a book, I read it, like a good little sheeple should. I’ve had God-Shaped Hole on my TBR for a while, but when I saw Tarryn and Tiffanie’s live Facebook video a couple of weeks ago I bought it, finally.
Now let me start by saying, I cannot give this book a star-rating. It doesn’t feel right for this book because of Jacob:
“He believed that any work an artist puts forth which contains the truth as he or she sees it is worthy of consideration, and any commentary of the work beyond that is nothing more than pure individual opinion and should not be considered relevant to the work itself.”
With that said, let me give my irrelevant opinion. Going in, I didn’t know what to expect since I rarely read blurbs or reviews prior to reading a book. The prelude gives us an idea of what may be to come, but even with this knowledge the story still has the ability to rip readers’ hearts and guts out and stomp all over them. I will not be recovering from this book for ages, and I mean that in the best way possible. God-Shaped Hole is funny, smart, and heartbreakingly real. I’ve never read a love story that felt as realistic as this one. Beatrice and Jacob’s relationship wasn’t the perfection that is often depicted in most contemporary books. Their arguments were how they play out for real couples — full of pride and pettiness. Their character traits made them seem like people I know. I loved how at times, Beatrice wanted to give in to end a stand-off, but her pride wouldn’t let her. How many times do we as humans want to say, “I love you, you idiot. Let’s be happy again,” but our egos get in the way? Beatrice was a girl after my own heart, with her genuine personality and hate of materialistic people and the culture of Los Angeles. I remember going on vacation to California and being most excited to visit LA, then feeling ridiculously let down afterward. What is with all of the hype? San Francisco, on the other hand, is where it’s at.
The writing within these pages is so deliciously superb, I feel idiotic and inadequate trying to make my words convey how out of this world Tiffanie DeBartolo’s talent is. I won’t do her writing justice with anything I say.
Beatrice is an eccentric jewelry-maker, living in and hating the city of Los Angeles. When she finds a “Wanted” ad in the Weekly saying, “If your intentions are pure, I’m seeking a friend for the end of the world,” intrigued, she gives the number a call. When she receives a call-back, her world as she knew it ends and begins again with Jacob Grace.
There were things within this book that I loved and there were things I hated. My chest was literally hurting when I finished reading. I had to leave the room my kids were in to keep them from thinking something was wrong with me, I was sobbing so hard. Any book that can sink its teeth in me enough to make me feel, whether I love everything about it or not, is destined to become a lifetime favorite of mine. Very few authors have the ability to convey deep emotions, to make their readers feel connected to fiction is a true strength of an artist.
I read some reader reviews expressing the ending of this book felt too rushed. For me, the ending made this book. While it left me wrecked (my stomach still hurts 5 hours later), I didn’t think the conclusion could have been more perfect, especially when Beatrice finally names her journal. Those three unsaid words were genius and tied the whole story together in a way that I’m still reeling over. An ending that leaves a reader wanting is pure gold, and Tiffanie nailed it. I want to say much more, but I’m afraid I will inadvertently spoil things for potential readers. My one request to readers is please do not shy away from this title because of the heavy emotions you are bound to experience. It is worth the read and has instantly become a favorite of mine.
Now for How to Kill a Rockstar!
Ashes Books & Bobs 
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