I think I expected too much out of this novel and therefore had room only for disappointment

I think I expected too much out of this novel and therefore had room only for disappointment. Though I finished the book in its entirety, I wrote a short review on my blog about halfway through, expounding on the aspects of the book that irritated me. I have adapted it herein. 

First, the main "heroine,chiffon Low-high Ruched Knee-length Cocktail Dresses" Marlena, is incredibly flat & boring. The narrator/main character, Jacob, is clearly infatuated with her, but I'm not sure why other than she looks good in pink sequins. She's married to her arrogant, bipolar boss, so maybe there's some sort of damsel-in-distress complex triggered in our hero. Regardless, I don't care about her. She doesn't engage me or hold any allure. The novel really ends up being more of a romance tale, and to be honest I think it would be just as interesting (more so?) without Marlena. 

There were several instances of explicit sexual encounters fairly close together that annoyed me. Perhaps I'm too modest but I got tired of the sex. Not even actual sex as much as "sexual elements." The instances of it are over-the-top and slightly grotesque to the point of distraction. It's like the author was trying to prove something: "Look, I can write like a man: men think about sex all the time!" I'm not sure what exactly she was trying to prove, but it was distracting. The grotesque sexual aspects calmed down after a bit, but it distracted me through the center of the novel. 

Furthermore, I'm not even sure the narrator is believable/realistic. It takes him too long to figure things out; he likes to describe a scene in excruciating detail before he "realizes what's going on." If I had been standing next to him, by the time he "realizes what's going on,purple one shoulder beaded Crystal long Prom dresses" I would have smacked him over the head and left. Too often he encounters situations in a total stupor.High-grade Black A-line Chiffon Beaded Prom Dress OK, so people don't always react instantaneously. But when you describe it in exhaustive detail, it doesn't make me think something is happening quickly. Additionally, I can't quite reconcile the young Jacob to the 90/93-year-old Jacob.chiffon Elegant one shoulder beaded A-line long Celebrity Dresses A lot can change in 70 years,Graceful A-line Beads Halter Empire Prom Dress but I can't see the sensitive, humble Jacob I meet in large stretches of the novel with the bitter, crotchety old Jacob I meet in shorter excerpts. 

Speaking of descriptions, every strong smell is described as "overwhelming." Really, is that the best adjective you've got? 

The story has so much potential in its unique setting: Depression/Prohibition-era traveling circus. This alone kept me reading because I was curious at least to see where the narration was going. Will it end with Jacob's death or something else? How long does he stay on the circus, etc? So I guess kudos to the author for that: at least the uniqueness of the setting & atmosphere keeps me intrigued.