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Only Tim Sent Flowers
Mary Louise, a bookish, redheaded, freckle-faced, eighteen-year-old virgin, who is unaware she has Asperger’s Syndrome, dispenses with Tim, her loving but far too serious and conventional high school boyfriend, then thrusts herself, groin first, into the 1960s sexual revolution, pioneering concepts such as friends with benefits and serial monogamy, while earning two college degrees in statistics. Nicknamed Tookie by her doting father, she engages in often humorous escapades with innumerable unsuitable lovers, whom she seduces with her oral virtuosity. But through it all, the one thing she really wants escapes her—a man who will truly love her, despite her faults, and give her a daughter.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2015
376 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 15, 2017
Only Tim Sent Flowers reads like a memoir. The main character, Mary Louise, or Tookie, becomes obsessed with experiencing and learning everything about sex.
I actually thought her relationship with her first boyfriend, Tim, was kind of sad. He’s very sweet and respectful, and he loves her, but it isn’t enough for Mary Louise. She loses interest in him when her attempts to get him to be her first fail. I kind of wanted her to get back with him, but the story is true to both her own and Tim’s personalities. He needs more and she wants less, or perhaps just different. It’s just too bad.
Anyway, that set aside, a good chunk of the book is Tookie cycling her way through as many fellows as humanly possible, studying and applying what she learns exuberantly. Some of her actual relationships are pretty interesting side stories, but again, I found them sad. Her sense of accomplishment and self-worth come at a cost I don’t think she realizes. She wants love, but only knows one variable in the formula.
I thought the fact that she has undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome added an interesting dynamic. Her behavior and preferences seem over the top until you take that into account. This characteristic is only overtly mentioned in the book’s description and the author’s note at the end, but it defines her.
As for the sexual encounters, well, nothing is left to the imagination. It’s very straightforward and detailed. One is left without a doubt about every one of Tookie’s likes and dislikes, and why. Some of the Asperger’s characteristics seemed to come out in these as well, which I thought showed some pretty good attention to detail. It is definitely meant for adult readers as there is a nearly constant stream of sex and sexual pursuit.
As for the storytelling, it comes across as rather factual and direct, a style typical of memoirs. This book should not be mistaken for a romance.
Overall, I thought this was a really good book, though it can be sad at times. I think the book might appeal to adults who enjoy fictional memoirs. I read this in one sitting.
I received an ARC of this book from the author.
I actually thought her relationship with her first boyfriend, Tim, was kind of sad. He’s very sweet and respectful, and he loves her, but it isn’t enough for Mary Louise. She loses interest in him when her attempts to get him to be her first fail. I kind of wanted her to get back with him, but the story is true to both her own and Tim’s personalities. He needs more and she wants less, or perhaps just different. It’s just too bad.
Anyway, that set aside, a good chunk of the book is Tookie cycling her way through as many fellows as humanly possible, studying and applying what she learns exuberantly. Some of her actual relationships are pretty interesting side stories, but again, I found them sad. Her sense of accomplishment and self-worth come at a cost I don’t think she realizes. She wants love, but only knows one variable in the formula.
I thought the fact that she has undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome added an interesting dynamic. Her behavior and preferences seem over the top until you take that into account. This characteristic is only overtly mentioned in the book’s description and the author’s note at the end, but it defines her.
As for the sexual encounters, well, nothing is left to the imagination. It’s very straightforward and detailed. One is left without a doubt about every one of Tookie’s likes and dislikes, and why. Some of the Asperger’s characteristics seemed to come out in these as well, which I thought showed some pretty good attention to detail. It is definitely meant for adult readers as there is a nearly constant stream of sex and sexual pursuit.
As for the storytelling, it comes across as rather factual and direct, a style typical of memoirs. This book should not be mistaken for a romance.
Overall, I thought this was a really good book, though it can be sad at times. I think the book might appeal to adults who enjoy fictional memoirs. I read this in one sitting.
I received an ARC of this book from the author.
October 12, 2017
Revised version just as good as the original
As a favor to the author, I have reread this book, and really I stand by my original review, but thought I could add a few points here as well. "This was an amazing story about Tookie (Mary Louise) who has Asperger's Syndrome. It's sweet and kind, and shows another side to those who suffer from it. Tookie is a very interesting character with a lot of depth. Her outlook on life is different from how she views herself, and she doesn't quite understand the gifts she already has in her life. She is looking for more." To add to the revision, I think there was more insight on Tookie, and how she interacted with other characters. In some ways she was naive and it showed through her actions, but her desire was to be more unlike herself, without losing herself. I think this book is worth a second read, and even a recommendation for others to read. There's something about her relationship with Tim that keeps the story, and her life going.
As a favor to the author, I have reread this book, and really I stand by my original review, but thought I could add a few points here as well. "This was an amazing story about Tookie (Mary Louise) who has Asperger's Syndrome. It's sweet and kind, and shows another side to those who suffer from it. Tookie is a very interesting character with a lot of depth. Her outlook on life is different from how she views herself, and she doesn't quite understand the gifts she already has in her life. She is looking for more." To add to the revision, I think there was more insight on Tookie, and how she interacted with other characters. In some ways she was naive and it showed through her actions, but her desire was to be more unlike herself, without losing herself. I think this book is worth a second read, and even a recommendation for others to read. There's something about her relationship with Tim that keeps the story, and her life going.
May 10, 2018
I received this book in return for an honest review through Voracious Readers Only.
This was a story unlike any other I've read. It is not a romance, although there are plenty of erotic scenes.
The main character has Asperger's, as mentioned in the description and on the front cover of the book. Unfortunately it was not explicitly mentioned in the book-but there are plenty of hints to it. I would have liked to see it teased out a bit more and to know if Mary Louise is aware- I think it would frame her thinking more clearly.
I enjoyed the love story elements to the story but did feel there were too many hook ups described. The book was quite heavy and a lot would happen within a few pages.
This was a story unlike any other I've read. It is not a romance, although there are plenty of erotic scenes.
The main character has Asperger's, as mentioned in the description and on the front cover of the book. Unfortunately it was not explicitly mentioned in the book-but there are plenty of hints to it. I would have liked to see it teased out a bit more and to know if Mary Louise is aware- I think it would frame her thinking more clearly.
I enjoyed the love story elements to the story but did feel there were too many hook ups described. The book was quite heavy and a lot would happen within a few pages.
January 31, 2018
Such a fun book! I loved all the different partners she gets with, and how each of their personalities are unique. Tim is obviously the sweetest of them all, but my favorite was Daddy Warbucks. It's played out as a fun fantasy, at first. The book does a terrific job of showing that real life isn't a fantasy. Her actions and reactions to her experiences are a refreshing break from many mainstream maidens. She's so business-like about her encounters and it's so endearing. Would that we all went into sexual encounters with such openness and knowledge of what we wanted and didn't want. It's a great journey filled with love, excitement, heartbreak, and fantastic erotic scenes.
September 11, 2017
I don't think there was a single page that I'd didn't shake my head, laugh and say, "freaking Tookie."
The MC is hilarious. I had to Google some of the stuff she does, it's so wild. A good, quick read and the setting feels authentic and well researched. I'm definitely going to read the next one.
The MC is hilarious. I had to Google some of the stuff she does, it's so wild. A good, quick read and the setting feels authentic and well researched. I'm definitely going to read the next one.
May 29, 2018
MARY LOUISE IS A VIRGIN WHO IS TRYING TO HAVE SEX BUT ISNT SURE ON HOW TO DO IT. SHE READS UP ON SEX AND TALKS WITH HER FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS ON WHAT TO DO AND WHO TO DO IT WITH. SHE HAS SEVERAL RELATIONSHIPS BUT NOBODY THAT SHE FEELS IS GOOD ENOUGH TO MARRY AND HAVE A FAMILY WITH. THIS BOOK WAS A VERY FAST READ. DEFINITELY NOT A BOOK THAT EVERYONE WILL LOVE BUT ENJOYABLE.
September 10, 2017
Tookie's Asperger's results in a bit of social maladjustment but she is brilliant as most Asperger's people are. Her plan to find the right person to father a baby, runs true to her disability. I enjoyed reading her escapades, her interactions with others, and the interesting romances. This book is a bit or romance, sex, and mystery mixed together to form a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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