Simultaneously steamy, swoon-worthy, and sweet, Experienced is also very relatable in many ways ... While occasionally the pace does read a little slow and routine whilst Bette embarks on her online dating journey, the countdown format that moves the novel forward is very unique.
While Experienced is delightful in so many ways, Young stumbles at the ending: we can see Bette’s true love on the horizon far too early, so we never feel the true threat of her despair or confusion. But despite all this, the joy of Experienced is in large part due to Young’s exploration of the myriad of ways in which love can manifest.
A wholehearted, fun exploration of dating and love in the 21st century ... Young’s charming British English pairs with a young millennial’s quirky, anxious interiority for a fun, surprisingly profound read.
It’s good fun, especially for the first two thirds, which maintain an impressive buoyancy despite Bette’s occasionally oppressive neuroses. Unfortunately, the ending, while swooningly romantic, doesn’t offer the sense of closure that readers will hope for, leaving several subplots unresolved.
