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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
It’s giving queer Bridget Jones’ Diary? Made me chuckle out loud quite a bit despite El being insufferable.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
really enjoyed this book! loved the element of the small community welcoming them all in with open arms and just all of it really
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, Blood
Laura Kay has written an absolutely delightful book about taking chances and found family. Plus she will inspire you and your friends to buy a house together and move to the countryside... which in this economy isn't such a wild thing after all.
Laura Kay has now cemented herself as an immediate read author in my books.
El is a very relatable character - we've all had a bubbling longing for a friend at one time or another, and the balancing act of navigating that is excellently portrayed. I also loved the quintessentially British woman that she is.
Whilst Kay's other works have crafted accurate representations of the wlw experience, this book also does a brilliant job of exploring the concept of chosen family - a feature so heavy in the lives of LGBTQ+ people, whether your bio family are present or not. I'd say the romance element was more of a subplot than main, but I really appreciated that - not every story about queer women has to be focused on the romance, but it was a nice little touch.
This is a great light queer read, and Kay is filling a niche in my life with every book she writes to buffer out the more heavy, intense books that are more usual in LGBTQ literature.
El is a very relatable character - we've all had a bubbling longing for a friend at one time or another, and the balancing act of navigating that is excellently portrayed. I also loved the quintessentially British woman that she is.
Whilst Kay's other works have crafted accurate representations of the wlw experience, this book also does a brilliant job of exploring the concept of chosen family - a feature so heavy in the lives of LGBTQ+ people, whether your bio family are present or not. I'd say the romance element was more of a subplot than main, but I really appreciated that - not every story about queer women has to be focused on the romance, but it was a nice little touch.
This is a great light queer read, and Kay is filling a niche in my life with every book she writes to buffer out the more heavy, intense books that are more usual in LGBTQ literature.
Sort of a queer BRIDGET JONES meets NEW GIRL. A group of friends—one of whom is in love with another—buys a country home together outside London. Christened “Lavender House,” with an Instagram @TheVillagePeople69, it all goes swimmingly better than any reasonable person could expect.
Turns out the secret love is the ticking clock that drives the narrative. This is only somewhat effective, honestly, but it didn’t matter! I loved Jamie and Will and the chickens and the village pub and Sally (a nearby “pensioner”) enough that I wanted to read about them, regardless of what happened with Eleanor and Ray!
My favorite moments were: (1) when El’s friend tells Sally that El is “mending a broken heart,” but “would be back with us in no time.” (2) Her mom and dad telling her she is “the bees knees” and sending her emojis of bees and knees! (3) El’s memory of falling into the pond, her dad telling her she might sneeze out frogs, and her holding in her sneezes for years after that. (That last one reminded me of my dad and me).
Turns out the secret love is the ticking clock that drives the narrative. This is only somewhat effective, honestly, but it didn’t matter! I loved Jamie and Will and the chickens and the village pub and Sally (a nearby “pensioner”) enough that I wanted to read about them, regardless of what happened with Eleanor and Ray!
My favorite moments were: (1) when El’s friend tells Sally that El is “mending a broken heart,” but “would be back with us in no time.” (2) Her mom and dad telling her she is “the bees knees” and sending her emojis of bees and knees! (3) El’s memory of falling into the pond, her dad telling her she might sneeze out frogs, and her holding in her sneezes for years after that. (That last one reminded me of my dad and me).
two best friends, one huge crush, and a year that could change everything… this lovely group of friends moves to the country and creates a queer commune that is delightful and quirky, and their story is lovely in all the best British ways! it’s a short and sweet read with great characters and so much heart. thanks for sending me this one, @vintageanchorbooks! 🥰
⭐️⭐️⭐️— i liked it! #radthreestarreads // thanks to @netgalley for my free arc of this one!
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes