Book Review: Attached at the Hip by Christine
I’ve always been intrigued by the intersection of reality television and fiction, so when I stumbled upon Attached at the Hip, Christine’s latest novel, my curiosity piqued immediately. The fact that it centers around a survival reality show drew me in even more, especially since I’m not a fan of the genre myself. However, I’ve found that stories inspired by reality TV often carry a unique spark, and I was eager to see how Christine would navigate this concept. Unfortunately, I ended up feeling a bit mixed about the execution, which made my reading experience all the more complex.
The premise of Attached at the Hip revolves around a group of contestants navigating not just physical challenges, but also the emotional tumult that often unfolds in such high-stakes environments. I found the plot delightfully intriguing and plot points compelling, particularly in the opening chapter and between the 70–85% mark. These sections had my adrenaline pumping, showcasing Christine’s best writing yet. Moments involving the character Osprey stood out, even if I didn’t fully buy into the romance between him and Orie. Much to my chagrin, my heart still insisted on rooting for them—a testament to Christine’s ability to create characters that stick.
Nevertheless, the genre identity of this novel seemed muddled. Was it Adult? Young Adult? Somewhere in the nebulous realm of New Adult? With characters ranging from late teens to mid-twenties, I often found myself wavering in categorization. It raised questions about whether the book’s nudging towards romantic tropes fit comfortably within its framework, as well as whether it leaned too heavily on references to the hit show Survivor, which is not something commonly seen in published fiction due to copyright considerations.
Christine’s writing was a mixed bag. While she has a knack for infusing her work with sensory details in certain chapters, inconsistencies led to moments where I felt detached from the story. Notably, I found the chapter titles to be distracting, at times spoiling the tension built up in the narrative. The character voices, especially Orie’s, often lacked the emotional depth necessary for readers to connect fully, leaving me yearning for a more visceral experience.
One particularly sensitive area worth discussing is the representation of asexuality in the book. Initially, I was excited to see Orie potentially identify as asexual, but the portrayal felt like a missed opportunity. Kennedi’s discussion of asexuality was welcome, yet Orie’s eventual dismissal of the identity left me feeling disappointed, especially given the more nuanced discussion that could have been explored. Representation matters, and it’s essential that such topics are handled thoughtfully.
In conclusion, Attached at the Hip presents a flawed yet colorful exploration of competition, emotion, and identity. While the innovative concept and standout chapters give it considerable merit, weaknesses in execution and clarity overshadow its potential. This book might appeal to fans of modern romance with a competitive twist, particularly those who enjoy stories laced with reality TV aesthetics. For me, reading Attached at the Hip was a journey of excitement coupled with frustration, but ultimately, I remain hopeful for Christine’s progression as a writer. 🤞
Thank you, Wednesday Books and Netgalley, for an advance copy!
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