A review by illstoptheworldandreadwithyou
Pansies by Alexis Hall

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

 

I’m always drawn in by Alexis Hall’s writing, but the Spires novels cover some especially heavy topics. 

 

The internalized homophobia, misogyny, homophobia from family and small-town residents, and grief depicted here as well as Alfie’s past treatment of Fen make this Hall novel not an easy read. 

 

I’m glad I read it, but it did make my heart hurt for Alfie and Fen along the way. 

 

These are important topics to address, just be aware that this is tonally different from Boyfriend Material, 10 Things That Never Happened, and the Winner Bakes All series. 

 

Note: The Spires novels also have a lot more on-page intimacy than those books. 

 

This can be read as a standalone. 

 

The updated version includes annotations made by the author. 

 

I received an advance copy from Sourcebooks Casablanca. All review opinions are my own.