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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
3.25 stars
I need to remind myself constantly that women’s fiction often disappoints by diverging from my comfort romance archetypes and that maybe I shouldn’t go plunging in even if it sounds intriguing. A sexy (not spicy) sapphic tale of infidelity and midlife existential crises sounded very interesting to me and was pretty readable but it fell short. I wasn’t expecting a traditional romance or an HEA even (women’s fiction remember) and while I got more of a good result than expected, the author cut off the story at a weird spot and deprived us of what could’ve been a complex emotional journey of the breakdown and subsequent healing of a family and a marriage in sacrifice to a budding relationship ends abruptly in a somewhat vaguely idyllic resolution in the epilogue. Vague being the operative word. That was a choice, to say the least.
We spend most of the book following Merit and Jane’s relationship develop from professional camaraderie to personal friendship to a lot more, and then we don’t really see the consequences of it? Beginnings of them yes, but then it ends. Cory is a clueless man and a below average husband but not a bad person, which I know, it doesn’t need a bad person to ruin a marriage. But Merit feels like the true villain of the story, trying to have her cake and eat it too. Not asking for the flavor she wants but being unhappy when she doesn’t get it. Okay I took that metaphor too far. I don’t begrudge her for wanting a career (not really) and a family (also not really) and wanting her husband to see her and help her, but she’s a typical unlikable and untrustworthy heroine characteristic of WF, which made her seem unsympathetic. It also shows what happens when someone who doesn’t actively want kids ends up having them anyway. She loves them sure, but man she makes it sound like no love can be worth all that stress. All this to say the title makes it sound way more interesting than it is. Okay that’s unfair, the writing and story is compelling and nicely paced. I blew through it quite quickly but was left wanting for a better resolution.
I need to remind myself constantly that women’s fiction often disappoints by diverging from my comfort romance archetypes and that maybe I shouldn’t go plunging in even if it sounds intriguing. A sexy (not spicy) sapphic tale of infidelity and midlife existential crises sounded very interesting to me and was pretty readable but it fell short. I wasn’t expecting a traditional romance or an HEA even (women’s fiction remember) and while I got more of a good result than expected, the author cut off the story at a weird spot and deprived us of what could’ve been a complex emotional journey of the breakdown and subsequent healing of a family and a marriage in sacrifice to a budding relationship ends abruptly in a somewhat vaguely idyllic resolution in the epilogue. Vague being the operative word. That was a choice, to say the least.
We spend most of the book following Merit and Jane’s relationship develop from professional camaraderie to personal friendship to a lot more, and then we don’t really see the consequences of it? Beginnings of them yes, but then it ends. Cory is a clueless man and a below average husband but not a bad person, which I know, it doesn’t need a bad person to ruin a marriage. But Merit feels like the true villain of the story, trying to have her cake and eat it too. Not asking for the flavor she wants but being unhappy when she doesn’t get it. Okay I took that metaphor too far. I don’t begrudge her for wanting a career (not really) and a family (also not really) and wanting her husband to see her and help her, but she’s a typical unlikable and untrustworthy heroine characteristic of WF, which made her seem unsympathetic. It also shows what happens when someone who doesn’t actively want kids ends up having them anyway. She loves them sure, but man she makes it sound like no love can be worth all that stress. All this to say the title makes it sound way more interesting than it is. Okay that’s unfair, the writing and story is compelling and nicely paced. I blew through it quite quickly but was left wanting for a better resolution.
quick thoughts as I’m returning it to the library: why aren’t more people talking about this @belletrist pick? It’s got spicy sapphic romance, timely feminist themes, and is an absolute page turner - taut with ‘will she, or won’t she?’ vibes.
My only beef was that the crux of the main character’s problem was completely glossed over for a quick ending, and I think including the hard work of facing her issues head on would have made for a more complete and believable story.
My only beef was that the crux of the main character’s problem was completely glossed over for a quick ending, and I think including the hard work of facing her issues head on would have made for a more complete and believable story.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly, this book had me STRESSED OUT. Similarly to Ripe, I couldn’t put it down but it was not a good time by any means. No spoilers but thank goodness it ended the way that it does because I would have been inconsolable otherwise.
slow-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
I loved this book! It was such an interesting read that explored the complexity of female friendships. Our main character is complicated, and grows to be fiercely unapologetic. If you’re interested in wlw fiction with a character you wanted to grow to love, pick up this short and compelling read.
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars for two reasons:
1. I think every lesbian probably enjoys a story about a “straight” woman realizing she’s attracted to another woman, so I’m probably biased in that regard.
1. I think every lesbian probably enjoys a story about a “straight” woman realizing she’s attracted to another woman, so I’m probably biased in that regard.
Mit livs kærlighed
fuckkk yeah… o meu queixo está no chão
fuckkk yeah… o meu queixo está no chão
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The ending felt like a cop-out.