God Shaped Hole by Tiffanie Debartolo

Introduction

I’ve had God Shaped Hole sitting on my shelf for quite a few years. I was in Ollie’s a few years back and they were selling copies of God Shaped Hole and How to Kill a Rockstar. I had heard of Tiffany Debartolo before and picked them up because they were a good price.

And then they sat on my shelf. But I finally decided to read God Shaped Hole and I’m glad I did. It made me think and it made me happy. But it made me sad. I know that’s confusing. Keep reading to find out my full thoughts in this book review.

About the Book

When I was twelve, a fortune teller told me that my one true love would die young and leave me all alone…

It’s a dark prediction, but Beatrice Jordan never really believed in true love anyway. So, no harm done. She’s accepted her lot in life: living in Los Angeles as an artist, not letting herself get too attached to anyone. It’s not perfect, but nothing is. Until fate intervenes.

It’s a simple personal ad: “I am seeking a friend for the end of the world…” Eleven little words that change Beatrice’s life irrevocably. Because they lead her to Jacob Grace, an unpredictable writer looking for something he can’t name.

Both of their worlds shift that day and what follows is a love story unlike any other; brimming with creativity and passion, as two lost souls find themselves in each other. From hole-in-the-wall record stores to late night phone calls, together, Beatrice and Jacob transcend the loneliness of their lives. But dark realities and secrets soon rise to the surface, as does Beatrice’s fear of an inescapable fate.

Despite it all, this is a story of real love: the kind that breaks you and remakes you, the kind that changes you forever. The kind of love worth having, even if it’s short lived, even if you know you might lose it. (from Amazon.com)

My Thoughts

I liked Beatrice and Jacob because of how real they felt. I related a little bit to Beatrice and her family. She doesn’t really feel like she belongs or like she’s that important. She has friends that she cares for and dates around a little bit. But then she meets Jacob and things change.

Maybe it’s because I’m older now and more aware of the world, but there were certain things that Jacob did where I’m like red flag, red flag. But also Beatrice wasn’t perfect either. So maybe it’s important to remember not to judge too quickly and remember that we’re all just people doing our best.

The best part of this book is the dialogue. Some of the conversations between the two of them were just so interesting and thought provoking. I liked his explanation of what a god shaped hole is, and how we’re all just trying to find our thing that’s important to us and makes us feel complete.

I’ve always liked to hear about LA and the vibes so that was a fun aspect to this story. I liked how they just went to the beach and felt the waves and talked.

This is a complicated story. Like I said, the characters are flawed and realistic and funny and cute. I loved Beatrice and Jacob’s first meeting in the coffee shop. And then when they’re talking on the phone afterward. Isn’t it the best when a first date goes well and then that person immediately wants more of you? They want to know what you’re doing and what you’re thinking and when they can see you next.

So cute. I’m getting distracted now.

God Shaped Hole is a different kind of love story but if you like unique characters with interesting personalities and thoughts and feelings, definitely check this one out. I’m glad I own a copy because I know it’s a book that I will want to ponder over and then read again in the future.

xo Marian