Reviews

Gra na dwa fronty by Lily Lindon

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rokojo's review against another edition

2.25

I want to start by saying I think this book isn't necessarily 'for me'. I read it with my book club but otherwise don't read much from this genre. So some of my issues with this book such as the over the top plot points, cringe-worthy dialogue, and lack of communication as a plot point can perhaps be attributed to the genre vs any issue with the writing.

I think there are some real moments of heart in this book such as Gina’s fear about coming out to her mum and how they navigate their shared experience of loss in a relationship where they don’t really talk about their feelings.

I also liked how her acceptance of her sexuality goes hand in hand with processing the death of her father, and how both are so mired in shame for her. She’s afraid to express herself creatively and let herself experience pleasure because she doesn’t feel she deserves it. Her relationship to music was really well done, and I liked seeing how even though she loses it in grief, she is gradually able to use it to heal from her loss.

That being said, I really struggle with protags with low self esteem. Gina is constantly talking about how she’s ugly, how no one wants her around, and how she’s a terrible friend and partner. She’s self-punishing and doesn’t allow herself to go for what she wants, sticking around in situations that actively make her unhappy/uncomfortable. At the same time she’s constantly lying to people because she’s insecure and desperate to protect their view of her, it’s super frustrating to read and she seems miserable the whole time!

I think this book seems like something written in part out of the need to ‘tell more bi stories’ which is a commendable goal, but then you can end up with a book where the character faces textbook biphobia, even from characters that it doesn’t really make sense coming from, such as Soph, and it can feel like the book is a vehicle to showcase examples of discrimination when in reality most queer spaces are bi inclusive and having an undercut doesn’t suddenly make you a target of homophobia. Not that this stuff doesn’t happen, but it sometimes reads in a ‘tick-box’ way to me.

Overall, I’m glad I picked this up as it’s outside what I typically reach for, but ultimately not for me!

sarawisdom's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

katykelly's review against another edition

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4.0

Coming out to yourself and others, open relationships, grief and friendship. Contemporary and relatable with a lot of laughs to be had as well as points to make.

Gina (Georgina) has a great life. Already mid-twenties and settled! Perfect boyfriend Doug. A shared calendar for date nights, bath nights and even Sunday snuggles. Alright, she doesn't really put her heart into her job as piano teacher, she still misses the band she used to be a part of. But she's happy...

As you can imagine, a spanner needs throwing in Gina's works to spark the plot. And that spanner is a lesbian bar, an all-female band, a hot female musician and a best friend trying to make her see her denied self.

Soon Gina finds she's unwittingly created a second identity - George - to fit in with this new crowd. She wants both worlds. She wants to explore who she is. She really REALLY wants Kit. But can she really have it all?

I'm not a huge rom-com fan, but I did like the idea of a young woman exploring her own identity, and in this book, the portrayal of LBGTQ+ culture was also something I was keen to read more about. Seeing archetypes played out in a gay context (potentially the one-night-stander, and the quiet/shy one who admires from afar) was quite eye-opening.

Gina/George is sympathetic. Her backstory reveals itself slowly and was touching. Mum, friend and boyfriend get their moments and scenes to take a central role as well. And I just loved the piano teaching scenes and Gina's students.

Enjoyable, even if you think you know where things are going.

With thanks to LoveReading for providing a sample advance copy.