A review by rokojo
Double Booked by Lily Lindon

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!