The Jessica Darling series began with two stellar books. Then came the letdown of books three and four. With this final installment, I wanted a return to the simple hilarity of Sloppy Firsts. I wanted our MC to be redeemed. To show us how much she's grown, to address issues never really addressed before, and give me the happy ending I invested fifty dollars in reading.Unfortunately, McCafferty decided against giving me the satisfaction. Abandoning the diary-form narrative of the first four books, we're suddenly thrust into a very, very awkward third person past tense. When I realized we were going to (finally!) get inside Marcus' head, I was excited. By the end of that first page, I wanted to scream in frustration.I'm reminded a little of Seinfeld - remember that show? Each episode stood alone. They were hilarious and funny, and CONSISTENT...until the finale, which was one of the worst things I've ever seen in my life. Instead of rewarding loyal viewers for their dedication, the producers ditched the aspects that made the show great, and tried something different. And Awful.Perfect Fifths was much the same experience. The POV was choppy, the read rough, and after waiting (and waiting and waiting) for Marcus and Jessica to really connect and develop the adult relationship each deserved, this entire novel (90%) was nothing more than one long (completely insignificant, avoid-the-issues) conversation that took place in an airport restaurant while waiting for a flight.SPOILER AHEAD:Though they did "end up together," I had, at some point, stopped caring. That's a testament to how terrible this was. I spent a lot of money, and a whole lot of time, holding out for this. And in the end, in the manner this author chose to deliver it, I just didn't care. Wow!What a book.After 4 books detailing the life of Jessica Darling we finally get a book that let's us dive into Marcus' head and it's that very reason that makes this fifth and final book one of the best in the series. By diving into Marcus's thoughts and having each chapter change between point of views we get a deeper sense of each character and what they've been up to since the last book. Filled with inside jokes that only Marcus and Jessica understand Perfect Fifths ties the previous four books to a beautiful end, giving us the answer to the question I've been asking since Sloppy Firsts of will they or won't they end up together. Absolutely beautifully written this is the best book in the series aside from Sloppy Firsts, I'm sad to say goodbye to the adventures of Jessica, Marcus and all their colorful friends.
What do You think about Im Fünften Himmel (2012)?
This book reads as though the author wrote down all her ideas for what she'd put in the book...and then stopped. Yes, events happen, but the structure and scenario are forced, the whole middle section reads like a one-act play (all dialogue, no stage direction), and the fantastically written sexual and emotional tension from the first two books is completely gone, replaced by a romance-novel-style third act. It seemed to me that perhaps the author didn't care to finish the series but had already committed to a contract. Thirds and Fourths certainly weren't as good as the first two, but they were still considerably better than this one. So disappointing.
—Kushani
This book reads as though the author wrote down all her ideas for what she'd put in the book...and then stopped. Yes, events happen, but the structure and scenario are forced, the whole middle section reads like a one-act play (all dialogue, no stage direction), and the fantastically written sexual and emotional tension from the first two books is completely gone, replaced by a romance-novel-style third act. It seemed to me that perhaps the author didn't care to finish the series but had already committed to a contract. Thirds and Fourths certainly weren't as good as the first two, but they were still considerably better than this one. So disappointing.
—rakesh
