How Does 'What Was Meant To Be' Compare To Similar Novels?

2025-06-28 13:11:12
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3 Answers

Yazmin
Yazmin
Favorite read: When Fate Messed Up
Story Finder Driver
I just finished 'What Was Meant to Be' and it stands out from typical romance novels because of its raw emotional depth. Most books in this genre focus on fluffy meet-cutes or instant chemistry, but this one dives into the messy reality of relationships. The protagonist isn't some perfect love interest—she's flawed, makes terrible decisions, and grows painfully slow. The writing style is brutally honest, with paragraphs that feel like they were ripped from someone's diary. It doesn't sugarcoat heartbreak like 'The Notebook' or glamorize love triangles like 'Twilight'. Instead, it shows how love can be ugly, selfish, and still worth fighting for. The pacing is slower than most commercial romances, but that makes the payoff feel earned rather than rushed.
2025-06-29 07:13:44
28
Spencer
Spencer
Favorite read: Meant to be
Spoiler Watcher Receptionist
'What Was Meant to Be' is like if Jane Austen wrote a contemporary novel while pissed off at the world. It has the societal scrutiny of 'Pride and Prejudice' but replaces ballroom dances with drunken karaoke nights. The female lead's sharp internal monologue reminds me of Bridget Jones, except she doesn't redeem herself by the end—she just learns to live with her mistakes.

Unlike most romance novels that climax with a wedding or confession, this story ends ambiguously. The couple might stay together or implode next week, and that uncertainty makes it memorable. The supporting characters are equally complex; the best friend isn't just a cheerleader but someone who enables toxic behavior.

What sets it apart is the lack of moralizing. Books like 'It Ends With Us' clearly label right and wrong, but here, everyone exists in shades of gray. The protagonist cheats, lies, and manipulates—yet you understand why. It's a risky approach that won't appeal to readers seeking escapism, but it's refreshing for those tired of cookie-cutter love stories.
2025-07-04 03:47:04
31
Isaac
Isaac
Favorite read: Meant to be
Spoiler Watcher Journalist
'What Was Meant to Be' breaks conventions in fascinating ways. Unlike formulaic stories where conflicts resolve neatly by chapter twenty, this book lets tensions simmer unnaturally long. The male lead doesn't transform into Prince Charming after one grand gesture—he remains frustratingly human, with habits that never magically disappear.

What impressed me was how it handles tropes. The 'misunderstanding' trope isn't just a cheap plot device here; it stems from the characters' deeply ingrained flaws. When they fail to communicate, it feels inevitable rather than contrived. Compared to Colleen Hoover's books which thrive on dramatic twists, this novel's power comes from quiet moments—a half-apology over burnt toast, or tears wiped away before they're seen.

The setting also subverts expectations. Instead of a picturesque small town or glamorous city, most scenes unfold in claustrophobic spaces like a cramped apartment or a dingy bar. This amplifies the emotional intensity, making every argument or reconciliation feel uncomfortably intimate. Fans of Sally Rooney's 'Normal People' will appreciate how the environment becomes a character itself.
2025-07-04 06:30:27
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