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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Different than anything i read just less of what i was looking for right now. Focuses more on the physical relationship between characters than emotional(or at least less than i would like). Interesting how the trans language has shifted for this time period.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“It can be almost painful. Getting what you want and not knowing what to do with it. I am good at being hurt and bad at being loved.”
4.5 stars. A very quiet and strikingly sweet poly romance novel about three people in the countryside outside New York in the 1940s. An almost painfully romantic, extremely tender story of love and acceptance amongst two trans women and a trans man. Madeleine and Victor are writers working on their newest books, Madeline having been hired as a companion of sorts for Victor. Audrey lives and works on the nearby farm, is also a creative of sorts, and also used to be involved with Victor. This is a really wonderful love story; I love how both Victor and Audrey are so taken by Madeline, and they're all so kind and careful with each other as they navigate this growing relationship and how it can work for the three of them. Things are complicated for Victor and Audrey, and I like how Madeline helps to bring them back together. I liked the secluded, homey feel of the book, even though it's shadowed by the knowledge of why that isolation is helpful/necessary for them. And gosh, it was so intense and sexy. I swooned at every description of Audrey and her hair. I do wish we'd gotten a better sense of the passage of time, and as with almost every novella I read, I do wish that this had been a bit longer. But I was still swept away by the easy romance of this. It's low-angst, and very prettily written.
Listened to the audiobook as read Kdin Jenzen, which was soooooo good. I especially loved her voices for Victor and Audrey, and how each scene had just the right amount of tension and emotion. This was such a lovely little read; I'm yearning to read more historical romance like this.
Content warnings:
Spoiler
mentions of transphobia and homophobia“Here,” he said very softly, “you can simply have it.”
Full of queer messiness and trans polyamorous love, The Companion is a cozy yet surprisingly steamy romance novella that feels like the epitome of "no plot, just vibes".
Look, I am allll here for the queer joy and seeing tired, broken characters find a safe place to call home; in theory I truly adore what Ottoman set out to do with this story. However, I am a slow-burn girlie at heart, and the progression of these (sexual) relationships happened so ridiculously quickly that I just couldn't feel invested at all.
Also, how many spicy scenes can you cram into a novella of 160 pages? I mean, more power to these characters for just hitting it off and living their best life, but I don't think I wanted to be present for all of their explicit intimate moments, thank you very much. Give me more of the emotional bonding, that is the stuff I eat up!
That said, the cozy cottagecore vibes in this novella are truly immaculate, and I would not have minded the entire story to just focus on frolicking around in the countryside. Moreover, I really liked the themes of healing, forgiveness, and following for your dreams that we get to explore in unique ways for each of these characters.
Ultimately I think this is more a case of "it's not you, it's me", and I should have read some reviews beforehand so I'd have known to expect so much explicit steamy action. If you like the idea of a super cozy and super spicy polyamorous romance between two trans women and a trans man, all set in the 1948 New York countryside, then this will totally hit the spot!
Look, I am allll here for the queer joy and seeing tired, broken characters find a safe place to call home; in theory I truly adore what Ottoman set out to do with this story. However, I am a slow-burn girlie at heart, and the progression of these (sexual) relationships happened so ridiculously quickly that I just couldn't feel invested at all.
Also, how many spicy scenes can you cram into a novella of 160 pages? I mean, more power to these characters for just hitting it off and living their best life, but I don't think I wanted to be present for all of their explicit intimate moments, thank you very much. Give me more of the emotional bonding, that is the stuff I eat up!
That said, the cozy cottagecore vibes in this novella are truly immaculate, and I would not have minded the entire story to just focus on frolicking around in the countryside. Moreover, I really liked the themes of healing, forgiveness, and following for your dreams that we get to explore in unique ways for each of these characters.
Ultimately I think this is more a case of "it's not you, it's me", and I should have read some reviews beforehand so I'd have known to expect so much explicit steamy action. If you like the idea of a super cozy and super spicy polyamorous romance between two trans women and a trans man, all set in the 1948 New York countryside, then this will totally hit the spot!
I've honestly never come across a book where all the protagonists were trans. Granted, there are only three characters in the story, far removed from the world, but there is something special about it. These characters find a safe oasis, to be seen for exactly who they are. You see how reluctant they are to let in the outside world - Victor is very worried about one of them being caught out, or going into town at all. So even in their oasis, there is knowledge that they are not always safe, not always welcome, out of the confines of their home.
Also, there is a lot of sex. If reading sex scenes makes you uncomfortable, this is not the book for you.
I think the author wanted to center queer joy and acceptance and passion, for characters that, if they are included in a queer story, are rarely the heroines or heroes. I am ready to live in a world that they can be.
Also, there is a lot of sex. If reading sex scenes makes you uncomfortable, this is not the book for you.
I think the author wanted to center queer joy and acceptance and passion, for characters that, if they are included in a queer story, are rarely the heroines or heroes. I am ready to live in a world that they can be.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Character rep was good, but was expecting romance not smut.
Perfectly fine book, just too much sex (especially given the book length) for me.
Perfectly fine book, just too much sex (especially given the book length) for me.
