Reviews with content warning for Religious bigotry - Big Gay Wedding

I’ll admit, I didn’t have Big Gay Wedding by Byron Lane on radar until Booksparks sent me a copy as a part of their #SRC2023 #BooksAndRec list - and that’s a shame.

This book was everything, I genuinely snort laughed every time I saw the “Countdown to Damnation” at the beginning of every chapter. I laughed, I cried, I was angry - I literally felt all the feels. This had such an eccentric cast of character, most of whom are so loveable, even Miss Chrissy managed to win me over in the end!

Big Gay Wedding is mostly lighthearted, but also hits on some heavy topics, all in all this is one I highly recommend!

Content Warnings

jareadforfilth's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Firstly I have to say a huge thank you to the author and publisher for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

If I’m honest, I was a little bit nervous about starting this book even though it is ironically one of the books I was the most excited to read 😂 a large theme is overcoming homophobia, mainly stemming from religiously indoctrinated bigotry, and whether or not family love is enough to overcome that. As a Florida resident, I feel constantly bombarded by homophobic rhetoric, so I was torn choosing to read about it in my leisure as well. I gotta say though, in the end I’m really glad I cast my fears aside and read it anyway 😊

While there are clearly difficult and potentially triggering topics at play here, they are handled as gently as bigotry can be and told in a satirical way where you get to see the marginalized and their allies shine and prevail. There is so much heart and so much humor in here too like I’m not even joking, I legitimately laughed out loud several times, it’s THAT funny! Also the Schitt’s Creek vibes here are immaculate and I think we NEED a spin-off about Nichole jsjs 😂👏🏻

As much as this book is about a Big Gay Wedding, I found it’s really centered around a mother fighting to navigate her homophobia and avoid losing her queer son. Her son—or rather, the idealized version of him she’s created in her head—is her whole world, but does she actually have the capacity for unconditional love? While she is not my favorite character, she is very well-written and has a ton of humanity and some really bada** and hilarious moments that redeem her enough for me. Also I’m obsessed with basically everyone else and am convinced I am Ezra js 😂 FETCH ME MY VICTORIAN GOWN 💃🏻

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