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DAMMIT.
Reprehensible. Just awful.
Crybaby? Cripple? Really? Should someone who has had a debilitating injury and possibly her life changed forever be demeaned like that? Just... wow.
Absolutely. No.
DNF.
So, it's interesting that this book is written entirely in phone conversations. Barb was annoying at first, but quickly, I felt her deceit was justified. Jeff was face-palmingly frustrating. That kid is more shallow than a kiddie pool. It bothered me that Barb called him a friend at one point, even though she specified that they're only friends on the phone.
I like to imagine that Barb finally gives up on Jeff completely after the events in the book. He never learns his lesson. He seems to get a clue once or twice, but quickly reverts back to the same Jeff he always was.
"So this is my plea to JK Rowling. Remember what it was like when The Cuckoo's Calling had only sold a few boxes and think about those of us who are stuck there, because we can't wave a wand and turn our books into overnight bestsellers merely by saying the magic word. By all means keep writing for kids, or for your personal pleasure - I would never deny anyone that - but when it comes to the adult market you've had your turn. Enjoy your vast fortune and the good you're doing with it, luxuriate in the love of your legions of fans, and good luck to you on both counts. But it's time to give other writers, and other writing, room to breathe."