Author: Jamie Baywood
Paperback, 224 pages
Published in 2013 by CreateSpace
Reader Category: Adult
Synopsis: Craving change and lacking logic, at 26, Jamie, a cute and quirky Californian, impulsively moves to New Zealand to avoid dating after reading that the country’s population has 100,000 fewer men. In her journal, she captures a hysterically honest look at herself, her past and her new wonderfully weird world filled with curious characters and slapstick situations in unbelievably bizarre jobs. It takes a zany jaunt to the end of the Earth and a serendipitous meeting with a fellow traveler before Jamie learns what it really means to get rooted.
My Review: In getting rooted in New Zealand, Jamie Baywood describes her adventures while making the transition from life in California to New Zealand. The reading was light and went quickly, unfortunately I found that it couldn’t hold my attention.
Here are my reasons why:
She complains repeatedly about how horrible life in California was and how she was constantly harassed in her old hometown. As I live in Northern California myself, I found it frustrating as I love California and have not had the same experience. So I just couldn’t connect with her.
Frustrated with dating losers, she talks a lot about getting away from the dating scene in California. Then she states that she is afraid she will never find a boyfriend or have sex again, so a bit contradictory.
Most of the entries about the language and cultural differences seemed a bit predictable. So what could have been laugh out loud moments, for me fell flat.
Finally, I didn’t get the feeling that she was trying very hard to embrace the New Zealand culture. She gave me the impression that she was just as unhappy in New Zealand as she was in California.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
The Book Lover's Attic 
Great review, it is good when reviewers explain which aspects they find harder to like.
Thanks. This is one that just didn’t work for me.