REVIEW: No Ordinary Love by J.J Murray

In No Ordinary Love by J.J Murray, Anthony ‘Tony’ Santangelo has lived the life of a recluse for far too long due to his overprotective brother. As someone with Asperger’s syndrome – a type of autism – he’s used to making connections quickly. But those connections help him to write beautiful songs, not interact with people easily like others do. Realizing how lonely his life is now that his brother has found someone he wants to spend his life with, Tony decides it’s time to experience life for himself. Starting with taking an adventure to find the woman of his dreams, Trina Woods; or technically, the woman he’s caught a glimpse of on the internet website, Second Chances.

You are not shy,” Tony said.
“I really am.” Trina said. “It takes me a long time to warm up to people.” She smiled. “But here I am warming up to you.”
Tony nodded. “I like shy. Shy is good.”
“So you’re…Art E.,” Trina said.
“I am Tony Santangelo,” Tony said. “I am not Art E. I want you to like me, not Art E. I write music as Art E. It is not my name.”

Right from the beginning, I was fascinated by this book, as it was unlike anything I’ve ever read before. The way it opens with the author introducing readers to Tony and how his autism has affected his life, in terms, of how he’s learned to cope with his condition and the unfriendly treatment he’s received from people because he is different kept me turning the pages wanting to learn more about him. However, in saying that, I was a tad frustrated by how long it took for the hero and heroine to meet. Yet, once they do, I was riveted by the obstacles they face. Such as an overprotective brother wanting to make sure Tony isn’t being taken advantage of by the heroine, the media attention they both receive because of Tony’s secret identity being revealed, the heroine’s ex wanting her back, and the possibility that Trina might lose her job as a nurse.

“Do you really want to know how to give women a chance?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not just pulling my chain, are you?”
“You have no chain to pull,” Tony said. He looked up briefly. “I make jokes.”

As for the dialogue, it flowed really well and was sweet but quirky at times due to the way Tony makes connections from what happens in his day-to-day life, and expresses it in his own words. Many of the things he said, the beautiful songs he composed made me smile, especially since he takes everything so literally, and doesn’t understand sarcasm. Truly, his honesty was quite refreshing, even when it did tend to annoy people he interacted with.

I enjoyed both characters, and liked how much Tony grows throughout this story. He started off shy and eccentric. Yet, the more he interacts with the secondary characters and Trina, he starts to gain confidence. Starts to become a person that people should be delighted to get to know, instead of wanting to get away from, if he says something they don’t appreciate. He’s also quite brilliant, and the way he soaks up information like a sponge (his brother’s nickname for him) really helps him find his way around a city he’s not used to. While Trina, she’s kind, considerate and very accepting of Tony when they first meet. She’s also determined to convince Tony’s brother, Angelo, that he’s wrong about her. That she’s not the gold-digging woman he believes her to be, and I liked the moment when Angelo’s girlfriend begins to make him see reason.

Aika,” Angelo said, “whose side are you on?”
“Tony and Trina’s,” Aika said.
“You’re not seeing what’s going on here,” Angelo said.
“Sure I am,” Aika said. “I know it’s wrong to take money for a gift. And I know why you don’t know that – because you have been doing it for years.”
“Hey now, that’s not fair.”
“You’ve been taking money for Tony’s gifts since he was sixteen.”

Although there were moments where I really enjoyed this story, I was a tad disappointed by their growing relationship. It seemed a little too perfect at times, and I wasn’t really feeling a lot of chemistry between the couple, which resulted in sex scenes that – I thought – were under-developed. Trina gives Tony a few pointers on how to please a woman, and he’s good enough that she’s immediately satiated. Seriously, they felt forced and unrealistic. Where was the build-up? Where was the awkwardness of a man that’s never been intimate with a woman?

Overall, I did like this story, and how the issues of Trina’s ex wanting her back and the possibility of the heroine losing her job were resolved. Tony really wants Trina in his life, and is willing to fight for her. The confrontation he has with her ex made me laugh. It was about time someone stood up to him, knocked her ex off the high pedestal he thinks he belongs on. While Trina telling off her supervisor and what Tony does at the hospital where Trina works had me cheering. Certainly, Trina’s supervisor needed someone to finally tell her what all the other nurses thought of her; and people with Asperger’s together with their families need a place they can come talk.

As for the ending, the way Tony declares his love for Trina ended the story nicely. The saying – go big or go home certainly applies. I would recommend No Ordinary Love by J.J Murray, if you like Cinderella type stories, or heroes determined to find their way in the world.

Book Info:

Publication: January 26th, 2016 | Kensington Books |

Nurse Trina Woods never really expected to make the reality-show cut for Rich Man, Lucky Lady. She’s used to losing in love, and past believing in fairy tales. So she’s sure the handsome plain-talking man she encounters on her lunch break is just a shy eccentric…Until he turns out to be reclusive award-winning musician “Art E.” Soon his unique sensitivity and gentle ways are inspiring her to stand up for herself, take risks, and try one last time for her happy ending.

Tony Santangelo’s special way of seeing the world helps him make connections others don’t—and turn them into mega-hit songs. But he never realized how lonely he was until he got a glimpse of Trina’s honesty and caring nature—and went way out of his comfort zone to find her. Suddenly they’re the media’s hottest new Cinderella story. And coping with his overprotective brother and overwhelming celebrity means he and Trina must face trouble head on, insist on their dreams, and write their own one-of-a-kind forever-after song…