Attachments by Rainbow RowellPublished by: Dutton Adult on April 14, 2011
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 323
Source: Purchased
Buy on Amazon • Book Details
Rating: ★★★★★
"Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you . . . "
Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.
Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now—reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers—not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.
When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories.
By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.
What would he say . . . ?
OH MY GOD, YOU GUYS!!! Attachments was such an amazing surprise, and I adored it! I’ll admit.. when I first read the synopsis, my thought was, “That sounds… weird… and a bit creepy.” I wasn’t going to read it. Then I read Fangirl (which I didn’t even love) and when I finished it I bought Attachments straight through my Kindle app on my phone right then and there on a total whim. Afterwards I was even kind of like, “Why did I just do that?” But it happened, and then I read the book.
I guess I’ll start by saying that I could totally relate to Attachments in so many unexpected ways. First, I related to the romance because I met my boyfriend online. In Attachments Lincoln falls in love with Beth before he even meets her, just by reading her emails. Well I fell in love with my boyfriend before I even met him in person. We just spoke online and I completely fell for his personality through there. So although the situations aren’t identical, there are some serious overlaps and it was awesome. I got it. I completely understood why you could fall for someone based on personality alone, without spending a real second with them.
But on top of that, I even found myself relating to Lincoln as a person, which surprised me a bit because he’s a guy and I don’t usually connect to male characters that well. But I really saw myself in Lincoln. He’s in his late 20s but he’s kind of struggling with where he fits in in life. He doesn’t know what he wants as a career, he’s worried that he’s just a zombie walking through life but not really living it, he’s a bit awkward, and he’s living at home with his mom. Now I’m not really any of those things, but I still really felt like I could see myself in Lincoln. I think it’s largely the job thing. Lately I have been thinking, What do I want to do with my life? so when Lincoln had those thoughts, I totally understood them.
I almost feel bad for this, but I really enjoyed watching Lincoln dig himself into a deeper and deeper hole with Beth. Once he started reading her emails for more than just his job, he crossed a line. After that point, how could he possibly meet her for real without telling her that? But how could he tell her that without freaking her out? And he just kept digging a deeper and deeper hole for himself. It was kind of sad and entertaining at the same time. I just wanted to hug Lincoln because he was such a nice guy and I just wanted everything to work out for him!
And then there’s Jennifer and Beth. I loved them both! Their back and forth emails were so much fun to read!! They were sarcastic, hilarious, pathetic, sad, happy… all of it! Their stories felt so genuine—like they were straight out of someone’s real life. They made reading this book so quick and easy, because I just wanted more of their hilarious commentary and daily life worries.
Above all, Attachments just made me so happy. It made me love reading again (not enjoying the last few books I’ve started put me in a bit of a slump), and it just made me feel like everything in life will work out. This book left me in such a great mood and my whole experience reading it was just overwhelmingly positive. I always had a smile on my face or was laughing out loud. This might even be one of my new all time favourites! Also, it totally has me wanting to read more adult books…
The Verdict
Wow, I would have never guessed this one would be that good. I agree, the blurb sounds creepy. You know what’s funny though, I often relate to the male characters in books. Like 50% of the time I am a guy in my dreams. Makes me think I was a man in a past life.
Haha that is funny! I don’t think I’ve ever been male in my dreams.
Yay, I hope to read this one soon! 🙂
This sounds really cute and awkward! I actually have this on my bedside table this second but I got it from the library and it stinks like poop which isn’t really attractive 😐
Fab review, Ashley! <33
Ew that’s horrible! 🙁 Hopefully the smell goes away soon so you can enjoy the book!
From the blurb I am not sure if I would even give this on a try but you make it sound really cool so I might have to put it on the TBR list.
Yeah the synopsis had me doubting as well. After I first read it, I had no intention of reading the book because I thought it sounded weird. So I have no idea why I bought it, but I’m so glad I did!
I loved Attachments! It’s easily one of my favourite Adult novels. I thought the premise was a little creepy too until I started reading the book and fell in love with the characters. I just desperately wanted Lincoln to have the happy ending he deserved.
Exactly!!! That’s 100% how I feel. Lincoln was soooo sweet; I was constantly rooting for him.
I love that you found a book that you love! I haven’t seen you rate a book so highly since I’ve started reading your blog, so I’m really intrigued. Especially since I read Fangirl last week and LOVED it. Her writing style is different from most authors I read, which contributed a lot to my enjoyment of the novel. I’ll definitely be picking this one up.
Yeah I’ve been in a bit of a slump lately 🙁 This book really snapped me out of it though. It was so much fun to read!!!
I have not read Attachments but I totally want to now! It seems great but a little sad too. This is the only Rainbow Rowell book I haven’t read so I need to read it ASAP. Amazing review 🙂
I don’t read too many adult books so I am really pikcy with the ones I do. I loved both books I have read by this author and can’t wait to read this one. It does sound amazing. great review.
I am actually the same way. I’m very picky with the adult books I’ll read. That’s one of the reasons why this one took me by such surprise! I didn’t expect to love it this much. If you like her other books, I think you’ll love this one too!
This one sounds great! I recently read a book about an online relationship and really liked it, so I’m definitely interested in reading this one…especially if Rainbow Rowell is as great of an author as everybody is saying she is!
Hmm… I think I’ll consider reading this book. Based off of the synopsis, I don’t think I would have read it. But you sure make it sound interesting. I think I’ll give it a try.
I absolutely loved it as well, for all the reasons you listed. Rowell took a potentially creepy as hell topic and made it sweet and romantic and in a way, realistic. I really liked that it was set in 1999/2000 as well, it reminded me of being young and experiencing the internet at that time. I also found Lincoln surprisingly relatable, Rowell is an author that creates wonderful characters that don’t rely on stereotype, so male or female, their human and you can make the connection as a reader.
Honesty time: I’m hesitant to read this one because I’m thinking “is there any way I could like it?” BUT at the same time I WANT to read it. I wonder if I’ll be able to relate to it as well, considering I met my girlfriend online. Hmm. I guess I’ll never know if I don’t read it at some point, huh?
Oh man, I loved this book. Everything you said in that last paragraph was EXACTLY how this book made me feel, as well.
I’ve heard such great things about her books! I need to try something…maybe I should go for this one! The hype over Fangirl scares me too much. I’m not a big fan of contemporary, but maybe I need to read something different for a change!
Well I didn’t love Fangirl and I didn’t even LIKE Eleanor & Park (ugh), but I loved this book! So it’s the only Rowell book I really recommend.
I really need to read a book by this author as I’ve heard amazing things. I have E&P and Fangirl on my Kindle but I haven’t gotten around to reading them yet 🙁 Hopefully soon!
Great review!
Whoa, this one sounds fun and interesting. I’ve been meaning to give Rainbow’s books another try. I’ll have to check this out. Great review Ashley!
I just read Fangirl and unlike you, I actually loved it. So I can’t wait to pick up Rainbow Rowell’s other books. I’m glad you liked this one! The synopsis does sound totally creepy, but it sounds like it’s going to be a super sweet love story. 🙂
You didn’t love Fangirl?! I fangirled over Fangirl so much!!
In my opinion, Attachments was no Fangirl, but I still loved it to pieces. Rainbow Rowell is such an amazing author! I’m so glad I discovered her.
Next stop, Eleanor & Park! 🙂
Here’s the full review on my blog:
http://geekie-chic.blogspot.in/2014/02/attachments-by-rainbow-rowell-book.html
I hope you like Eleanor & Park! Unfortunately I actually liked that one least of all Rainbow’s books.. but loads of people love it so I’m sure you will!
I hope I do!
Have you heard of Landline? It’s another adult-based book by Rainbow that’s supposed to release sometime this year… the synopsis on Goodreads looks pretty interesting. Check it out if you can! 🙂
Yes I have and I’m super excited! 😀 I think Landline sounds more like Attachments than Rainbow’s other books, so I’m hoping I’ll love it!
I hate the fact that Rainbow Rowell isn’t more popular amongst readers. She is such an amazing author! I really wish I could tell every single person on earth to read her books.
Great review! I also thought this book was amazing. It’s very funny and quirky. I love Rainbow Rowell’s works. Please check out my review here…
http://liveloveandlou.blogspot.com/2014/11/attachmentsrainbow-rowell.html