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cakt1991's review
emotional
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.
Visible Mending is the second release in the interconnected Clover Hill Romance queer small-town romance series. It can be read as a stand-alone, as apart from a common setting, it stands independent of the first book.
While I haven’t read M. Arbon’s work before, I love what they have to offer, injecting their own style to this shared world. And with the goal of representing varied identities in Clover Hill, Arbon’s voice to represent a story that includes a non- binary lead is very welcome.
Edd is such a fun character, and I love how unapologetically himself he is. There’s an element of fantasy to his existence, but I love that he’s not troubled by much, and is able to express himself freely, which exemplifies the positive nature of Clover Hill as an environment.
Carey is a fabulous complement to Edd’s vibrant personality, as they also have an artistic soul. However, Carey is the newcomer of this narrative, dealing with the aftermath of a divorce. I love how poignantly the heartbreak and healing on their part is rendered. It also provides a perfect avenue for them to bond with Edd, who in friendly, open hearted neighbor fashion, is ready to comfort him with sweet treats…and maybe more.
I love seeing these two bond, with Edd helping Carey to heal and come out of their shell, while also negotiating the boundaries Carey needs while they completely put themself back together. There’s a very delicate balance between Edd providing support and Carey healing on their own terms, which I very much appreciated.
This book is super sweet, and a nice warm hug for queer people, especially any who have gone through heartbreak. If you’re looking for a heartwarming, queer-friendly, low-heat small-town romance, I recommend checking this out!
CWs: past divorce and related grief, elderly community member with dementia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Dementia
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