Archie Flynn has it all—money, charm, and a sex life that would make James Bond jealous. A successful finance career, a dream terrace home in Sydney’s The Rocks, and an endless stream of women keep him content in his eternal bachelorhood.
Then Jezebel Ekas walks into his life—an American MMA fighter with knockout looks and the kind of presence that makes a man reconsider his ways. For the first time ever, Archie wants more than just a fling. There’s just one problem: his past has caught up with him in the form of a rare, undiagnosed, and deeply inconvenient STI.
Now, Archie must do something completely unnatural—keep his pants on. Desperate to hide the truth while winning over the woman of his dreams, he finds himself tangled in a web of lies, deception, and increasingly ridiculous schemes. But could this humiliating predicament be exactly what he needed to finally grow up?
Highly Flawed Individual is a darkly comedic tale of love, lies, and self-inflicted chaos. If you’re after a Nobel Prize-winning masterpiece, look elsewhere. If you want a wild, laugh-out-loud ride, you’ve found your next read.
This author also writes as Tim Roberts T.C. Roberts is the author of the series, The Misadventures of a Modern-Day Nomad. Originally from New South Wales, T.C. now considers himself a citizen of the world. When he is not writing, he’s traveling and exploring new places, or seeking out his next destination.
I borrowed this book thanks to my Kindle Unlimited subscription, and I read it on my tablet using the Kindle app.
The book could also be named "The Funny and Strange Life of Archie Flynn." He is addicted to sex and a complete womanizer. His life is a compendium of mess after mess, surrounded by funny and really weird moments.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Sydney and its surrounding areas. Having visited Sydney ten years ago, it brought back great memories. The story is full of hilarious situations and is a quick and laughable read. I honestly laughed out loud more than a couple of times! What can go wrong when this womanizer guy meets the hottest chick at a friend's wedding who happens to be an MMA fighter? Without giving any spoilers (since it is part of the prologue), they both get caught having intercourse inside the confessional booth of a church!
Bear in mind that the target audience of this book is clearly men, the kind that enjoys a movie like American Pie, with a great amount of silly situations and a womanizing main male character. If you are part of this target audience, this book is definitely for you.
This book has a distinct “rom-com from his point of view” vibe. Archie is intentionally dislikeable with thought processes and behavior patterns that malign him as a “token church boy” with the classic “I can get away with it because I’m the MC” character style that is prevalent in the genre.
It’s filled with the ridiculous high-jinx and shenanigans you would expect in a rom-com but the MC is a total dude-bro. His internal voice is humourous and self-deprecating and highlights all the crazy behavior in the christianese save face style community of “the good church people”.
🌶️.5 Characters: 💙💙💙 Satire (Dark Humor): Australian Church Boy Gone Bad, A Series of Unfortunate Events, So This Is What Happened, Sex Obsessed, Falling For Her First Person, Past & Present Tense, Single POV
Archie was a man who loved women, many of them and extremely often… at least until Jezebel and a sexually transmitted disease. The two may have happened at about the same time, but one did not cause the other. Needing to refrain from having sex, caused Archie to come to realize that he was a sex addict, and that Jezebel was special. She was someone he could actually fall in love with and see himself being with for more than just sex.
This was an interesting story. I will admit that I began by not really liking Archie, but through the story, something almost shifted, and I began to feel some sympathy for him. But I am afraid that the ending left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied and once again beginning to dislike him. While he has improved and grown in many ways, I am not really sure I can feel any true sympathy for him. Part of me feels like he grew as a person as his actions at the end were, in his mind, meant to protect Jezebel, but the other part of me sees them as much more about protecting himself from his own previous poor decisions. I have a hard time feeling like he actually did learn his lesson and feel like he will wind up returning to his own previously poor behavior, and will likely end up in more trouble than he was attempting to escape from.
While the book ends suddenly at the event that led to the beginning of the story, I felt like I wanted just a bit more. (I had to go back and reread a bit of the beginning in order to remember what happens to him after the book ends. Sounds slightly confusing to try and explain doesn’t it?) I also need to warn you that there are some pretty descriptive sexual encounters throughout this book.
It’s not a bad story. As I said, the character descriptions are vivid, and the character personalities do shine through quite clearly. I received a review copy of this book, but I don’t believe I was the intended target audience. I’ve heard this described as “lad-lit”, which might explain my luke-warm feelings about it. (Think “chick-lit” but targeted at men rather than women. So my being female may have colored my perceptions about the story somewhat.) I think that there are others who might enjoy it more than I did, particularly those who enjoy stories involving introspection and vivid descriptions, romance, and love vs lust stories. There is a lot of sex and a lot of sports and sports-related violence. There's also some instances involving what I perceive as male dominance posturing toward other males who are attracted to the same woman.
But for me, I felt like there was something more that I wanted from this story. I know that not all stories will have happy endings, but this one just left me feeling rather disappointed and unsatisfied. (Probably because as I mentioned above, I don’t feel like I was the target audience for this book.) Of course, if you really want to know why and what I’m talking about, you’ll have to read the book yourself to decide if you agree or disagree with my feelings about it.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Highly Flawed Individual by T.C. Roberts is well-written and funny.
Will Archie find true love?
First, I want to say that this book isn't something that I would typically read. The author calls it "lad lit," and I agree with him wholeheartedly. He takes a classic romantic comedy and totally flips it into a story that a guy would enjoy reading.
Archie Our main character is Archie. He is hilarious, even though he doesn't mean to be. Yet, his actions and opinions make people laugh as they don't think that he is serious when he is. Archie finds himself in these crazy situations and goes with it.
I found Archie to be precisely what the title of the book states: a highly flawed individual. But he is nice, good at his job, tries to be there for his father, and has a great relationship with his boss.
Jezebel Archie's first love is focused on Jezebel. She is a successful MMA fighter, beautiful, a devoted Catholic, and recently out of a bad relationship. The thing is, Jezebel is a man's woman. She embodies everything that a guy would find wonderful about a woman. I found her as flawed as Archie. In fact, at times, she fueled his crazy.
The story is wonderfully plotted and funny. The things that Archie gets into are insane. The author had a plan for the story and executed it perfectly.
Three Stars My rating for Highly Flawed Individual by T.C. Roberts is three stars. While the story is great, I didn't completely buy into it. However, I know I am not the designated reader, which is understandable. I genuinely hope you "lads" out there try it. I have a feeling that the right audience will adore this book.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Highly Flawed Individual by T.C. Roberts.
‘Highly Flawed Individual’ is precisely what the title promises: a sharp, fast-paced, and often laugh-out-loud funny dive into the chaotic world of Archie Flynn, a 30-year-old Aussie investment banker with a libido the size of Bondi Beach and a talent for self-sabotage. Told from Archie’s irreverent, self-deprecating point of view, this book is a whirlwind of bad decisions, cheeky humour and unexpected heart.
This is ‘lad-lit’ in full throttle: think rom-com meets satire, with all the messy, testosterone-fuelled antics you’d expect from a character who’s basically Hugh Grant on a massive bender. Archie’s lifestyle catches up with him when he’s faced with a mysterious STD just as he meets Jezebel, an MMA fighter who’s more than capable of knocking some sense into him, literally and emotionally. The ensuing story is part romantic comedy, part cautionary tale and entirely entertaining.
Roberts has a real knack for voice. Archie feels like a mate telling you a long-winded, outrageous story at the pub, only there’s genuine pathos beneath the bravado. His internal monologue is hilarious and revealing, particularly in quieter moments with his dad or during the mental unravelling that follows his ‘pimple of doom’. And while he’s not always easy to like (he’s immature, crass, and compulsively dishonest), the book doesn’t excuse his behaviour. Instead, it pokes at it, satirises it, and lets Archie flounder in his own mess long enough for you to start rooting for him to grow up.
Jezebel is a great foil. She is strong, confident and refreshingly complex, though I would’ve loved more time in her head. Some elements of her backstory felt a little underexplored, and her patience with Archie occasionally stretched credulity, but the chemistry between them works.
There are moments where the ‘lad’ culture grates, especially if, like me, you’re not a fan of hyper-masculine, sex-obsessed protagonists. Some readers might find Archie’s antics too much, especially early on, when he’s at peak douchebag. But if you take this book for what it is—a sharp, satirical rom-com about a deeply flawed man bumbling toward self-awareness—it’s an entertaining read with a surprising emotional core.
I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I would like to point out that I am not really the target audience for this book, with that said, once I started reading it, I often found myself sucked into wondering what next could possibly happen to Archie Flynn.
This book is considered a "lad-lit" in that it is quite literally written for lads. It incorporates all the things: women, fighting, self-loathing, etc. It follows Archie Flynn, a 30 year old single male who LOVES the ladies. He is certifiably an Fboi. He can't even ballpark his body count. One day after a series of escapades with multiple women, he finds a "pimple" on his "member." The rest of the story really centers around this and the stages of grief at the loss of his manhood. During this time, he meets a woman, named Jezebel, who is a MMA fighter. Because of this bump, he has to actually take the time to get to know her as a person and not just jump in bed with her as soon as he can...though that is what he wants to do though. During this time, he often lies to her to try to put himself in a better light, and she always figures it out. Archie really does give me the ick though, but he was perfectly written for the reasons of this story.
I really feel like this whole story from beginning to end is a comedy of errors. Archie can't really catch a break. The book was slightly chaotic for me, and I would have to take breaks. Archie sometimes mumbles on and on, and my ADHD just could not with it. The book also starts at the end. I know that does not make sense, but it starts with him fleeing the country, and then it goes through the story of how he ended up there where he had to flee the country, and ends at the incident that causes him to flee the country. I wish I had a bit more information about what happened after he got on that plane and left.
I feel like this book has it all. I also feel like Archie can be incredibly relatable. I think, at some point, all of us has been at a point where something happened in our lives that we decided to bargain with God. Watching Archie go through every stage of grief was also relatable. Some people experience these stages in the extreme, and Archie sure was dramatic about it. I also liked Jezebel. Though, in my opinion, she was definitely too good for Archie.
Archie Flynn is an Aussie playboy who has bedded so many women that he has lost count. He is upfront about his sex addiction, and his honesty in this first-person tell-all makes Highly Flawed Individual an exiting romantic comedy.
Opening the story with a few raunchy scenes, author T.C. Roberts establishes that Archie is the shameless sleep-around he confesses himself to be, but Archie gets a chance to reform when he meets the amazing Jezebel and realizes she may be the love of his life. But two things stand in the way: his bed-hopping past and the STD he caught just before meeting her. How can he succeed with her without revealing the truth?
Jezebel gives the story an exotic dimension. She is a smart, beautiful Mixed Martial Arts fighter from California who packs a powerful punch, as Archie discovers. You get to see her in the ring a couple of times, and the author gives an account of the fights with the ease of a sports writer. She is as drawn to Archie as he is to her, but his secrets create a separation between them that seems insurmountable. His frequent reversals with her are amusing and come across as karma delivered with a belly laugh.
Shortcomings aside, Archie is given depth with the revelation that his mother abandoned him when he was six years old. He suspects that this has something to do with his promiscuity and considers seeing a psychiatrist, but he makes do with a Catholic priest and a sympathetic doctor.
One of the delights of the book is the witty banter between Archie and Jezebel as their relationship evolves and between Archie and his boss Bryce Hitler, the owner of a billion-dollar property management business. Bryce is married, has two children, and has been living sexual adventures vicariously through Archie’s XXX retelling of his exploits.
Roberts promises more books as a part of his planned Misadventures of a Modern-day Nomad series. If he is able to deliver, then Highly Flawed Individual is the perfect misadventure to kick it off with.
Archie Flynn works hard and plays hard. His life as a bachelor gives him the freedom to enjoy his true passions: women and sex. But that life comes to an abrupt stop when he is faced with a mysterious condition. In an ironic twist, Archie meets the woman of his dreams during the midst of his crisis, preventing him from taking their relationship to the next level. He soon finds himself on a journey of grief for the life he once knew and loved.
Highly Flawed Individual is wrapped up in humor, romance, and drama. While the story itself has a comedic tone to it, there’s a much deeper meaning behind it all. Archie spends his life living for himself and never considers that there’s more to life than women and sex. But his “condition” forces him into a life of celibacy and opens his eyes to a world outside of his little bubble.
While Archie was definitely a bit of an arrogant womanizer, I did sympathize with him as he began to navigate his way through his new found celibacy. His desperation and dramatic response to his situation was at times a bit exaggerated, but it makes sense given the drastic turn his life was suddenly taking. Regardless of anyone’s circumstances, we all have different ways of handling grief.
The ironic twist of meeting Jezebel at that time was the perfect way to demonstrate that life has a funny way of working out. While Archie might not have seen it right from the beginning, he would have ended up down a much different path had he not met her at that exact point. I admittedly couldn’t get a good read on Jezebel at first - she was a badass who obviously had interest in Archie, but I struggled to feel their connection at times.
Overall, this was a nice, quick read. I appreciated the humor while also clearly making an important (and often overlooked) point on life in general.
Thank you to Reedsy and the author for this ARC, and allowing me the chance to share my honest opinion.
This romcom style novel offers an amusing look at modern dating culture from the perspective of a very flawed man. I found the book's depiction of the MC’s escapades and cringeworthy antics outside my typical tastes, but the author’s offering of clever dialogue and internal monologue sucked me into the world of the MC, Archie Flynn. There is, I think, within the Archie’s self-indulgent hijinks and lies, a fairly poignant commentary on modern challenges related to intimacy and the search for meaning in contemporary romance.
I feel that fans of dating mishap stories like Bridget Jones’s Diary and High Fidelity may, it seems to me, appreciate the entertaining fiascos in this book, and perhaps sympathize with Archie's inner conflicts. Although the focus on sex might be off-putting to some people, I think that it does effectively illuminate Archie’s mental state and self-destructive tendencies. Despite his womanizing ways, Archie’s charisma and moments of growth make him oddly endearing.
Overall, I think this book offers an honest, if sometimes exaggerated, look at the chaos of a modern man. Readers who are interested in thoughtful insights on relationships and the tension between behavior and belief may find something of value, or maybe even something relatable, in Archie's antics. While, again, this book was not my usual fare, I can see the appeal for fans of outrageous, raunchy relationship comedies.
This was a quirky and refreshing read - now I've said that, I'm wondering whether refreshing is quite the right term for this? It was something that I've never read before, which I loved, but I found it equally frustrating too!
When we first meet Alfie, he's fleeing the country - so a nice intriguing start - why is he fleeing? - that grabbed me in straight away. Then we flash back to the start, where we run through and up to the events that led to him having to leave.
I really liked the style of this one. Told directly from Alfie's pov, it was really well written, free flowing and conversational, it just felt as though we were sat having a chat together. But I have to admit that I spent a lot of this cringing inside too!
As someone who has had 3 boyfriends ever (one being my husband of 29 years) it always makes me squirm to hear stories of such laddish behaviour - oh I'm not naive, I know it happens (moreso nowadays?) But I just hate it! Imagine my daughter being with someone like this .... Or worse, my sons turning out anywhere half like this 🤣
Anyway - as annoying as Alfie's behaviour is to me, this was absolutely perfectly written for its target audience. Super relatable and brilliant to spread awareness of the consequences of such behaviour.
Alfie's relationship with Jezebel was great and I loved how chaotic Alfie was getting whilst trying to avoid sex and trying to keep up with all his lies.
Something totally different for me and not altogether unenjoyable - it certainly does the job intended and I'd be interested to see some other works by this author.
⚠️ DO NOT DRINK AND READ - BOOK WILL MAKE YOU CHOKE WITH LAUGHTER ⚠️
The opening chapter of this book reminded me of the beginning of my favourite romcoms, so I just knew this was going to be GOOD!
Archie is HILARIOUS! I mean eye-wateringly hilarious.
Chapter 6 tells us about the chance meeting with Jezabel and the wedding - I couldn't stop laughing! There's plenty more moments like this, too.
Highly Flawed Individual follows Archie - serial womaniser and s3x addict... until he meets MMA professional Jezabel.
Archie, as a character, is fantastic! As I said already, he is so funny and always gets himself in questionable but funny situations!
Jezabel is great too, though as a devout Catholic , I feel like her name is a reflection of her somehow? I also love how she is an MMA professional and enjoy watching MMA myself, and too many people think this is just a man's sport!
The story revolves around Archie finding out he has an S T D, which results in him taking it slow with Jezabel while he reovers. Something they, of course, he initially struggles with being a womaniser and all!
Tim describes his book as being Lad Lit... now if this is Lad Lit, sign me up for me!!
Fantastic book and highly enjoyable - can't wait to see more of Archie, the little womanising tyke!
"Highly Flawed Individual" catapults you into the wild escapades of Archie Flynn, a self-styled Casanova whose world is upended by Jezebel Ekas. From the outset, the author ensnares you with Archie's brazen wit and raw storytelling. His evolution from a shameless playboy to a man wrestling with the fallout of his lifestyle is as uproarious as it is unexpectedly touching. The secondary characters bring richness to the tale, especially Archie's banter with Father Bob and his supervisor Bryce Hitler—a name that's a conversation starter in itself. They bring levity and warmth to Archie's tumultuous existence, forming a vibrant cast that energizes the plot.
Packed with the outlandish antics and capers anticipated in a romantic comedy, the protagonist is the epitome of a 'bro'. His inner monologue is both comically self-critical and illuminating, exposing the absurdities within the 'holier-than-thou' facade of "the good church folk". I must confess, I chuckled more than seemed appropriate. Archie's rapport with Father Bob was particularly amusing. Bryce, though hitched, experiences life through Archie's misadventures, adding to the humor. Despite Bryce's own commitments, he remains a steadfast figure in Archie's life. The finale wasn't to my taste, yet the book as a whole was thoroughly enjoyable.
Highly Flawed Individual is a riotous rollercoaster ride through the misadventures of Archie Flynn, a self-proclaimed ladies' man whose life takes a sharp turn when he meets Jezebel Ekas. From the very first page, the author hooks you with Archie's irreverent humor and unfiltered narrative style. Archie's journey from unabashed womanizer to someone grappling with the consequences of his actions is both hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt. Roberts skillfully navigates Archie's flaws, making him a protagonist you can't help but root for despite his many shortcomings.
The supporting cast adds layers of depth to the story, particularly Archie's interactions with Father Bob and his boss Bryce Hitler, whose name alone sparks conversation. These characters inject doses of humor and humanity into Archie's chaotic life, creating a dynamic ensemble that keeps the narrative engaging. While the book's premise may seem unconventional, Roberts delivers a compelling story that resonates on multiple levels. From Archie's comedic escapades to his genuine moments of self-reflection, Highly Flawed Individual offers a refreshing take on the rom-com genre.
Archie Flynn is a silly, silly boy. I worked temp jobs in posh offices in London in my early twenties and even though this is set in Sydney, Archie reminds me of many London city boys. This is my first ever 'lad-lit' and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is reminiscent of Marian Keyes or Sophie Kinsella, but told from the guy's point of view. Archie Flynn is a 30 year old single male who loves sleeping around, although he seems to be rather tortured about it at some points. Never-the-less, he still carries on with his philandering ways until a presumed STD stops him in his tracks. I found his grieving process - of the loss of his s3x life - rather funny and as overly dramatic as you would expect from a modern day casanova, but I also found his self-deprecating internal monologue, and particularly his fragile relationship with his father rather endearing. Jezebel was a lovely, well-rounded girl-power girl, and I particularly enjoyed her vulnerable side too. I can just imagine how her life with Archie might play out in the future. This was a fun read and I'm very much looking forward to read the prequel, and also to learn what happens to Archie when he gets off that plane.
This novel has left me feeling highly conflicted, even though I realised from the outset that it was written as satire, given its title, ‘Highly Flawed Individual : Introducing Archie Flynn.’ Archie Flynn is a highly unpleasant individual, whom I’d really rather not know. His life is one of total promiscuity and self-centredness, until a sexually transmitted disease stops him in his tracks. Author TC Roberts has certainly found Archie’s voice, and his writing is not only imbued with great humour, he also reveals a complex character whose chequered background partly explains his current behaviour. The trouble is, the unpleasantness and vulgarity of his main protagonist is so unremitting that, in spite of the humour, I could not enjoy this novel at all. However, although I only feel able to award a 3 star review, I do think that the author has talent. He writes well and shows empathy and an understanding of his main character. If he eschewed the unremitting ‘laddish’ culture, and made his other characters more plausible, and not just adjuncts to the main action, I believe he could find a wider readership.
I borrowed Highly Flawed Individual on Kindle Unlimited, and IMHO, it’s a fun and quirky read that kept me hooked. Archie Flynn, the main character, is a total mess but in the funniest way. His wild lifestyle, bad decisions, and awkward moments made me laugh more than once. The story is like a mix of humor, drama, and romance, and I loved how Archie tries (and mostly fails) to change his ways.
Jezebel, the MMA fighter, is such a cool character. She’s strong, smart, and definitely not someone who puts up with Archie’s nonsense. I really liked the back-and-forth between them—it felt real and kept the story interesting. The book also dives a bit into Archie’s past and his issues, which added some depth to all the craziness.
What I appreciated the most is how the story doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s light, easy to read, and perfect if you want something entertaining. The ending left me curious about what���s next for Archie and Jezebel. I think this book is great for anyone who enjoys funny and chaotic stories with a touch of romance. Would not be surprised if became a movie.
Written as Archie tells you his story, it's quite chatty and colloquial, but it flows well, and the pace is good. It starts at the end and then goes back to explaining how Archie got to that point. Usually with this format you would get to that point and then it would round off the story telling you what happened next, this doesn't, and I don't like that, because I want to know what the outcome was, for everyone! Archie is a total jerk, if I'm honest, and uses some pretty problematic language at times. However, I did like the relationship he had with his father, and I found events there made me quite emotional. His best friend Bryce has positives and negatives. Ultimately, he redeemed himself, though. There was a little exploration into Jezebels' world of MMA, though not masses. I'd have liked to get to know her a little more. Issues in her past were touched on very superficially, and I'd have preferred that the story went deeper and explored these further. It's a quick read for fans of laddish behaviour focused books.
Archie's life has always been filled with one woman after another. He claims he isn't a womanizer just that he simply enjoys the company of women but none can hold his time Long enough. Not until he meets Jezebel that is. However, he meets her just as life throws him an unwanted curveball. The doctors aren't sure what std he has so the game continues with one huge change. Archie must learn abstinence. He warns his recent conquests of his situation and then blocks them, hoping this will rid him of the temptation. However, Jezebel is doing the opposite.
As time passes and answers unfold about his condition Archie begins to look at his situation differently. If he never had this medical condition when he first met Jezebel then he never would have gotten to know her the way he did, he never would have fallen for her and things would have gone a completely different way.
From big to hopelessly in love. Strong woman. Covid reference. To death, loss and reconnection.
This book has a little of everything for everyone.
This book is definitely a wild and funny read! Archie seems to have it all: a great job, a cool home, and a carefree life. He's happy being a bachelor until Jezebel, an American MMA fighter, shows up. She's stunning and makes him actually want to settle down for the first time.
The problem? Archie's past catches up to him in a really awkward way – a secret STI. Suddenly, this guy who's used to getting whatever he wants has to keep his distance from the woman he's falling for. It leads to some truly ridiculous situations as he tries to hide the truth and win her over at the same time. You'll find yourself laughing at his increasingly desperate and silly plans.
It's a darkly comedic story about a guy who really needs to grow up, and this embarrassing situation might just be the push he needs. If you're looking for a book that doesn't take itself too seriously and delivers a lot of laughs with its messy situations, this is a great choice. It's not a deep, serious read, but it's a very entertaining and memorable one.
A Surprisingly Insightful Dark Comedy About Growth and Chaos
When I started Highly Flawed Individual, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. Archie Flynn came across as the classic playboy stereotype: rich, charming, and emotionally unavailable. At first, I wondered if the book was simply an outlet for the author’s fantasies. But as the story unfolded, it completely surprised me. Archie’s journey from superficial bachelor to a man forced to confront his own messes was both hilarious and unexpectedly heartfelt. The humor is dark and unapologetic, but underneath all the chaos is a surprisingly honest exploration of self-awareness, ego, and emotional growth. Jezebel is a fantastic counterpart. She is strong, grounded, and the perfect catalyst for Archie’s transformation. By the end, I found myself rooting for him and genuinely liking a character I’d initially written off. It’s rare for a book to make me laugh, cringe, and reflect all at once, but this one managed it. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book in "The Misadventures of a Modern-Day Nomad" series.
Okay, so this has to be one of the most chaotic books I’ve ever read, but it’s funny and made me laugh out loud. At first, I wasn’t too sure about the book. I didn’t like Archie at all and I just found him to be a douche. But he does grow on you and at some point I really wanted to know what happens to him. And it turns out a lot happens. The plot is at times a bit much but I grew to enjoy it. Jezebel and Father Bob bring a lot to it and I really wanted things to work out for Jezebel and Archie. The ending disappointed me a little. I had forgotten most of the beginning so I would have liked to have read that part again at the end when everything would have had made sense. But it ends very abruptly and I had to go back to the beginning to see what happened after the ending. All in all, this is a good book with a lot of good things but also some disappointing things.
*I received a copy from Love Books Tours. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Review was written voluntarily.
Highly Flawed Individual: Introducing Archie Flynn by T. C. Roberts is a terrific book. It’s a rom-com from a male point of view, that of the MC, Archie Flynn. He’s single, reasonably well-off and has just turned thirty. You can’t really say he has a love life because, up until now, he’s only been interested in conquests and he’s lost count of the number of women he’s slept with. Then, while a guest at a friend’s wedding, he meets Jezebel, an American and a MMA fighter, and he falls for her. And she likes him too. At this stage you’d think everything would be perfect. Well, no. because Archie found a pimple on his you know what, and he can’t do anything until this is resolved. As a result, he learns from his experiences. I loved this book. I loved the dark humour and the writing style which fits so well with Archie’s character. Roberts is an excellent author and I’ll be eagerly awaiting his next book.
Darkly humorous and engaging read that takes you through the chaotic life of Archie Flynn, a modern-day bachelor living in Sydney. The book blends satire and contemporary urban fiction to create a story that's funny and thought-provoking. Archie is a self-proclaimed ladies' man, who finds his carefree lifestyle turned upside down when he meets Jezebel Ekas, a strong-willed American MMA fighter. As he tries to win her over, Archie faces the unexpected challenge of dealing with a mysterious sexually transmitted infection, which forces him to change his usual ways. The book is filled with witty dialogue and outrageous situations, making it a fun read for those who enjoy dark comedy. Despite Archie's flaws, you can’t help but root for him as he navigates the ups and downs of his tumultuous life. The supporting characters add depth and humor to the story, making it a well-rounded and entertaining novel. Perfect for those who enjoy a light-hearted yet thought-provoking read.
After reading Lost and Found in Cape Town, I had to hear the story from Archie's perspective. It's an entertaining read that deals with realistic challenges people face romantically and professionally. I really enjoyed Archie's friendship with Bryce Hitler—what a guy! I actually wish that was the main plot, just like his relationship with Dominick.
The story starts at the end and then jumps to the beginning, providing an interesting background to Archie's life before we experience his sexcapades and then get introduced to his Dad and eventually someone else who was missing from the picture.
The author's use of adjectives and verbs in certain scenarios painted a vivid picture of the scenery, which I really enjoyed. It made the story pleasant to read and enhanced the flow, allowing the reader to flick from one page to the next. Overall, good story. I hope the third book is with Dominick and Bryce. That would be epic!
“Highly Flawed Individual: Introducing Archie Flynn (The Misadventures of a Modern-day Nomad Book 1)” follows the adventures of a womanizing financier living the high life. The story is set in Sydney, Australia, and told by Archie in first person, present tense, utilizing a tongue-in-cheek style, and occasionally breaking the third wall. Archie meets a beautiful American MMA fighter, Jezebel, who inspires him to reconsider his attitude towards woman, at least when it comes to her. But the timing could not be worse. Archie has just turned thirty, and he has contracted an unusual medical condition that compels him to cut ties with all of the women he has been sleeping with. Archie is determined to keep his illness secret from Jezebel, at least long enough to win her over. And as if that was not bad enough, Archie’s father is dying from cancer. Interesting character study of a man forced by a mortifying illness to change his ways.
This book is about Archie Flynn, a wealthy, woman-obsessed guy living in Sydney whose life starts falling apart after he catches a strange STI right when he meets Jezebel, an American MMA fighter who’s completely out of his league. Archie’s charm, bad choices, and consistent chaos bring humor and relatability.
I liked it because it’s funny AND thoughtful. Archie is a disaster, but he knows it, and watching him stumble through lies and self-inflicted messes is satisfying, like trash TV. Jezebel balances him out perfectly ... strong, grounded, and not afraid to call him out (familair?)
The book does well to mix crude humor with human emotion. It’s not just about sex or jokes; it’s about someone trying to grow up and failing spectacularly along the way (Right?!). The writing is TIGHT, the pacing is quick, and it lands with a sense of curiosity I found. You may like it too if you enjoy dark, funny, messy love stories.
The best way to describe Highly Flawed Individual is chaos on paper, it starts at the end & then brings us back to the beginning. Archie is quite frankly an ass who has made string after string of bad decisions & would give Hugh Hefner a run for his money, when his 'lifestyle' finally catches up with him in the form of an STD (remember safe sex is important kids!!) just as he meets MMA fighter Jezebel, he for the first time in his life has to get to know someone, shock horror!! Archie finds himself telling lie after lie to Jezebel to avoid his little problem which is often just a comedy of errors & she always catches him out, Archie is unlikeable for the most part but that's the whole point of his character & I did feel like he redeemed himself somewhat throughout. A fun read that's a unique take on the lads lad modern man.
Here is my review - A chaotic read with the adventures of Archie Flynn and his escapades. Archie was a lovable play boy who sadly ended up with an STD due to said ways, and his magical wondering willy that got him there in the first place. Then, as things appear bleak for him - romance comes his way. Can he find the words to tell her why exactly he is holding back, and also why is he skipping bail? His adventures make my life frankly seem boring. This was a good, quirky read and very fast-paced. Archie and his sex drive seem to go on a rollercoaster of highs and lows - literally. This was not my usual read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to someone who likes fast pacing novels, blatant silliness and also something different to get into. I would read more by this author for sure, and apparently having a flick through there is a prequel after all, so go buy!
This book had me hooked from the very first chapter! I loved the way it was written, drew me in so much. It starts with the end of the story and then continues to explain how Archie got to where he is now.
Archie has just turned 30 and his life seems to be falling apart. His luck has certainly ran out. Archie used to be your typical ONS* kinda lad, love them n leave them. That is until his sexual health puts a damper on things. He actually has to get to know the girl instead of just jumping into bed.
I found this book hilarious, laughed so many times. Even though Archie can be a bit of a douche, I couldn’t help but route for him. He has a weird but wonderful relationship with Father Bob!
Highly Flawed Individual is written in the first person, which despite being a style I've read many times somehow manages to feel new and refreshing. It's just Archie's constant stream of consciousness, warts and all. Literally. The book was funnier than I felt it should have been considering the subject matter, a truly fantastic piece of writing.
Archie is an absolute pig! The type of man I would avoid at all costs in real life, and the reason many women won't do online dating! And yet I kind of like him. He's actually quite vulnerable and is actually just looking for that something special that we all want. He's shaped by his childhood and sometimes those scars run deep. His obvious love for his father is beautiful, every interaction between them touched my heart.