James McRay's Reviews > Codename Charming

[Aug 2024] This was a hard book to get my head around, but for an odd reason. I’ll come back to that.

The story was delightful. I was so in love with both Pet and Matthias right from the start. Actually, I was in love with Pet in Battle Royal where she was just a side character. I’m completely sold on a protagonist who is optimistic and hopeful despite a—British Slang Alert—shite backstory. Again, total props to author Lucy Parker for fleshing out her entire cast, main and supporting; and oh, hey, these two are going to fall in love? On board. Completely. As I said in my review for Battle Royal, pull up the popcorn and watch these kids fall in love delightful.

So back to my only problem with this story, and it is specifically a me problem. But, I had a hard time picturing the physical size difference between Matthias and Pet. Normally, with such a minor plot point, I’d just roll with it, but the size discrepancy between Matthias and Pet turned out to be more than a minor plot point and I just couldn’t get my head around it. Exactly how big is Matthias? I really have no frame of reference, so as often as it was mentioned, it kept slipping me out of the story.

Anyway, a me problem, so don’t let that stop you from reading this book which I recommend you do. Cheers.

[Sept 2024]
Reread note: I don't usually mention what I call my "headcasting" for book characters, but on my first read, I had a hard time visualizing Matthias's character as described multiple times in the book. It was only after watching the Deadpool and Wolverine movie that I realized actor Channing Tatum is perfect for the role of Matthias (at least for me). It made the reread much more enjoyable.