Book Review: Holding Out for a Hero by Victoria Van Tiem

Blurb: The problem with first love is that it never truly dies...A funny, bitter-sweet romantic dramedy set to an 80s soundtrack.

Libby London fell in love in with the 80s, came of age in the 90s, and now, in the 21st Century, she's completely falling apart... Her New York City fashion sensibility is more 'vintage tragedy' than 'retro babe' and might just be what's holding her back in all matters of life and love...

At least that's what her well-meaning friends think. They've staged a #80sIntervention in an effort to bring Libby bang up-to-date. But how do you move forward when the one you love holds you in the past? Between her dreaded birthday party, friend's madcap ambush, and being forced to relocate her Pretty In Pink thrift shop, Libby's nearing the end of the rope... If her therapist isn't quick, it could be a literal one.

First of all I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: In 2014 I had the pleasure of reading Victoria Van Tiem's debut, Love Like the Movies, and I fell completely in love with her fresh and fun style. So when she announced last year that her second book was to be released in early 2016, I was over the moon, I couldn't wait to see what she would come up with next. So to say that I started reading Holding Out for a Hero with high expectations is quite the understatement. But I'm happy to say that just after some chapters, I already knew Victoria had done it again!

If Love Like the Movies was all about the movies, Holding Out for a Hero is all about the Eighties. The main character, Libby London, is stuck in the eighties. It might seem normal as she owns an eighties vintage shop so this decade is kind of her living but her friends think it's time for Libby to move on and leave the crazy neon style of that decade behind and embrace the new century once and for all. Libby is not overly enthusiastic about this #eightiesintervention but as her life is kind of falling apart at the moment, she decides to go for it.

We soon realise though that there's more to it than just an outdated dress style and musical taste... Libby is also emotionally stuck in the eighties and she is not ready to really let go. During the story we slowly learn what Libby is really going through and how hard her friends are trying to help her. She is a truly wonderful character, I was rooting for her until the last minute and I felt like I was part of her journey. She is definitely one of those characters you carry with you for a long time after finishing reading the book and once in a while wonder how they must be doing.

I think Victoria made just a fantastic job of handling such difficult and hard topics (if you want to know exactly what I am talking about, then pick the book, it's really worth a read). After finishing it, I was left with such an uplifting and warm feeling. I really think that Holding Out for a Hero is a wonderful read that a lot of people (including me) will connect with. Put a Libby London in your life!

Also, I didn't want to end my review without mentioning all the eighties references in the book. I think Victoria has a real talent to make us feel part of the story making us recall all our own great memories (with movies, songs and fashion). The first thing I did after finishing was watch The Breakfast Club, what a classic. And planning an eighties movies marathon soon. So all I have left to say is, when's Victoria's next book out? 

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