Reviews

This was just as delightful as I had hoped.
This novella in the Clover Hill series features an extrovert/introvert butch couple that have quickly fallen for each other while working on a project together. Once they meet and they both realize their chemistry is off the charts, they give a relationship a go despite knowing that it might not be a permanent situation.

I liked watching them learn more about each other with each new day and seeing how differently they perceived the world. Fisch is disabled (social anxiety and arthritis) and not at all a people person, she was very happy to never leave her house. Jaeeun on the other hand is an extroverted Korean woman who makes friends with everyone she meets and is always up for a spontaneous adventure. There are also similarities that bring the two closer together: a shared Jewish upbringing, their butch identitity and their place in the queer community.

I was immediately endeared by Dan, the outspoken cat, as well and it created this beautful little story. I've you've read Alexander before, you are in for another treat and if it's your first book by them I hope you enjoy at much as I did.

<i>I received an advanced reading copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.</i>

kmanos's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

cakt1991's review

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emotional 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

4.0

I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

Rooting for You is the third delightful installment in the Clover Hill Romance series. It can be read as a stand-alone. Roz Alexander brings yet another unique perspective to the already inclusive, queer friendly Clover Hill, portraying a butch-for-butch sapphic relationship (standing out in comparison to the more common butch/femme). I also appreciated seeing two Jewish romantic interests from slightly different backgrounds fall in love.

Fisch endeared me to her immediately. I also have social anxiety, and while it manifests for her differently, her desire to isolate from others resonated, as did her struggle to take the first step in fixing her problems.

The story is told solely from Fisch’s perspective, and I can understand why. In their introduction, Roz Alexander discusses the cultural diversity of Judaism from a religious lens, but even with that in mind, I can understand not feeling comfortable writing from the perspective of a character that doesn’t share your heritage as the reasoning for avoiding writing from Jaeeun’s perspective.

But Alexander is still able to convey Jaeeun’s personality, what she offers Fisch as a romantic partner, and vice versa. It’s beautiful seeing them bond over their shared interest in plants and science, as well as observing their attraction grow into something deeper and more passionate.

This was an enjoyable read, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for more Jewish/sapphic romance.

CWs: butchphobia (internalized), discussion of climate change, explicit sex (including penetration), homophobia from a parent, lack of self-confidence that leads to negative self-talk, negative parental relationships, sibling dynamics, social anxiety

ambers's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-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

5.0

I don't think I've ever read a butch for butch romance before, so I had high hopes from the very beginning. I admit going into a book hoping to love it often backfires on me - but, no, this novella is an absolute delight from start to finish! It is truly so, so wonderful to read about butch women being seen as desirable. At the risk of showing my hand too much, after growing up butch in a small town (one that was not as wonderful as Clover Hill, unfortunately), this story was basically primed and ready to be my kryptonite.

The dynamics of Fisch and Jaeeun’s relationship covers the full range of tender, romantic, realistic, and sexy, but despite being a romance (with, yes, quite a few spicier scenes), this story isn't just about them together. It's also about finding community, and the importance of those ties for both ourselves and the world around us. It's a very hopeful story, and even though it's short, I found myself attached to not just Fisch and Jaeeun, but their families, their neighbors, and the community of Clover Hill itself by the end of it.

For anyone worried about the homophobia content warning,

I'll reassure them that, while present, it's brief. Fisch doesn't have the best relationship with her mom, who is unfortunately homophobic, but every other character present is highly affirming and supportive, and Fisch and Jaeeun are never subject to homophobia while together.

I received a free ARC of Rooting for You, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily - but I'll also add that, after finishing it, I enjoyed it so much, and wanted to support the author, so I went ahead and preordered it on Amazon too :)

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