Scan barcode
shinypurplepants's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Incredibly slow burn on the mystery in this one but it works really well as a character study of our noir detective, Andy, as he comes to terms with his past and works toward his (hopefully happy) future!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Outing, Misogyny, Murder, and Homophobia
Moderate: War
iridescentdreams's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Violence, Torture, Murder, and Death
Minor: Racism
mnerd63's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Blood, and Homophobia
laura_keoski's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Hate crime, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Outing, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Violence and Racial slurs
Minor: Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, War, Toxic friendship, and Suicidal thoughts
schnaucl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed it. It was interesting to get a glimpse of the contradiction in serving during WWII. The impression I have is that it wasn't completely free, of course, and the gay people serving must have worried their limited freedom would go back to what it had been before the war (or, realistically, be even worse, as the backlash always seems to be).
As maybe an indication of how times had changed, I assumed Donna's killer cared about her because of her closed eyes and thought she must have been dumped in a place where people who cared that she had died would find her and honor her. It didn't occur to me that it would be a way of shutting down the bar, though of course that makes perfect sense.
I'm sorry Sidney turned out to be the killer. I liked him. I liked that he was able to live with his husband and thought Mills being on a retainer in a hotel had some interesting possibilities for future stories.
I loved Lee, and I was glad to see things progressing with Gene. I'm happy for Elise but hope we still get to see her next time.
I'm sorry Sidney turned out to be the killer. I liked him. I liked that he was able to live with his husband and thought Mills being on a retainer in a hotel had some interesting possibilities for future stories.
I loved Lee, and I was glad to see things progressing with Gene. I'm happy for Elise but hope we still get to see her next time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: War and Racism
evawondergem's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Violence
bookenbee's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Police brutality
Moderate: Violence, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, War, Sexual content, and Murder
Minor: Blood, Gun violence, Racism, Outing, Sexism, Medical content, Colonisation, Death, and Drug use
qace90's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.
When I heard there was going to be a sequel to Lavender House, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Plus I love that Rosen writes such complex, messy queer characters who aren’t necessarily good people, but their queerness isn’t why they’re not good people.
I really love Andy, his community, and the ways he’s growing since leaving the police force and finding family. This story especially shows him making so many connections and finding what happiness means for him as an out queer man when being gay is criminal, but being in the closet and invisible isn’t really an option anymore. Lee, Elise, and Gene are all such great friends for Andy, and his varied interpersonal relationships are always such a good part of the story.
As to the mystery, I think it was well done. I did figure out one element fairly early on, but other elements were a shock! Seeing the pieces all come together and trying to figure out what justice can look like when the cops aren’t on your side was another great element to the story.
All around this was such an engrossing story, and I cannot wait to see what’s next for Andy now that the community is beginning to accept him and trust him. I love the blending of historical fiction with mystery and the way none of these characters are perfect people, but trying their best to thrive when being themselves can be so dangerous.
When I heard there was going to be a sequel to Lavender House, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Plus I love that Rosen writes such complex, messy queer characters who aren’t necessarily good people, but their queerness isn’t why they’re not good people.
I really love Andy, his community, and the ways he’s growing since leaving the police force and finding family. This story especially shows him making so many connections and finding what happiness means for him as an out queer man when being gay is criminal, but being in the closet and invisible isn’t really an option anymore. Lee, Elise, and Gene are all such great friends for Andy, and his varied interpersonal relationships are always such a good part of the story.
As to the mystery, I think it was well done. I did figure out one element fairly early on, but other elements were a shock! Seeing the pieces all come together and trying to figure out what justice can look like when the cops aren’t on your side was another great element to the story.
All around this was such an engrossing story, and I cannot wait to see what’s next for Andy now that the community is beginning to accept him and trust him. I love the blending of historical fiction with mystery and the way none of these characters are perfect people, but trying their best to thrive when being themselves can be so dangerous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual content and Gun violence
shybookstagramer's review against another edition
4.0
This is a continuation of Andy Mills' story from Lavender House and I thought it was well done. We got to see some old characters and relationships show up and grow, but we also got a few new characters from Andy Mills' past. I liked learning a little more about his past prior to him being a cop then PI. This one followed a mystery inside a mystery. When you think the one is wrapped up, it opened up a whole new slew of questions that needed to be answered. I actually liked how that was done.
Definitely recommend it for those that like a little bit of mystery and/or noir-type books.
These are very different from LC Rosen's YA novels. So be aware of that if you love those. Still good but different vibes completely.
Thank you to bookishfirst, forgebooks, and the author for an arc of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Violence
Moderate: Murder
More...