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synth's review
2.0
Surprisingly okay. The events, which is what the summary talks about, are not truly what the book is about. The whole story is about supportive relationships between women, friends, family, professionals, and muses; and art is a huge part of it too. The writing is also above average for Bella Books.
There is a number of things I disliked, such as the apology for amatonormativity, the very white educated liberal feminism, or the lack of diversity. There is about two background POC, and no "queer" character other than lesbians, at least two of which were with men for decades.
I was also extremely annoyed by the whole "you can't be happy without romantic love" and "nothing is more important than love" notions coming from all the characters but the one standing in the MC's way.
I am uncomfortable with the notion that the MC's relatives assumed for 20 years that she was gay and closeted, because her best friend was suspected or known to be a lesbian (except for her parents and the MC), she was such a dedicated lover and defender of women's accomplishments, and she was not bothered by queer art.
The constant back and forth in time was confusing for about half of the book. I'm not sure if I got used to it or what, but even though it was distracting, I never truly minded because I could see the value of it for the story.
I liked that the MC doesn't read the signs all through her life, which is usually not explored further than "it never occurred to me that I could be attracted to women". She never balked at appreciating the women she met, physically or intellectually, and complimenting them for it, even before she realized she was gay. She didn't agonize over falling in love with a woman, and this did not happen in two days.
There is a number of things I disliked, such as the apology for amatonormativity, the very white educated liberal feminism, or the lack of diversity. There is about two background POC, and no "queer" character other than lesbians, at least two of which were with men for decades.
I was also extremely annoyed by the whole "you can't be happy without romantic love" and "nothing is more important than love" notions coming from all the characters but the one standing in the MC's way.
I am uncomfortable with the notion that the MC's relatives assumed for 20 years that she was gay and closeted, because her best friend was suspected or known to be a lesbian (except for her parents and the MC), she was such a dedicated lover and defender of women's accomplishments, and she was not bothered by queer art.
The constant back and forth in time was confusing for about half of the book. I'm not sure if I got used to it or what, but even though it was distracting, I never truly minded because I could see the value of it for the story.
I liked that the MC doesn't read the signs all through her life, which is usually not explored further than "it never occurred to me that I could be attracted to women". She never balked at appreciating the women she met, physically or intellectually, and complimenting them for it, even before she realized she was gay. She didn't agonize over falling in love with a woman, and this did not happen in two days.
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