A review by women_using_words
Cory Sloan is Swearing by Jamey Moody

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Cory Sloan is Swearing is a family-centric sapphic romance that offers something sweet and heartwarming for its readers. It’s a romance with a small town feel with real appeal. Its characters are not only representative of sapphic women but they showcase how diverse and talented they are. Moody has specifically designed the storytelling around three queer sisters and it’s a choice that offers readers a more inclusive perspective, one that even challenges stereotypes. These storytelling decisions make for an interesting storyline that’s not only relatable but enticing to readers who are looking for something familiar.

Family and community are often comforting themes for sapphic readers. Their close-knit communities provide a cozy yet relatable backdrop for wlw narratives. While these themes can be charming, they can also be challenging, especially for the LGBTQ community. Moody seems to understand all of this. In fact, it’s on full display inside the pages of Cory Sloan is Swearing. 

The story line is simple, yet tangled. Cory, the story’s central character, has to navigate her relationships with her sisters as well as those within her community, all while building a new business and cultivating new customers. As if all of that isn’t enough, Cory has to fight a deep attraction to Vi Valdez, a serious threat to her fledgling business. While her relationship with Vi could come at a cost to her bottom line and customer base, it creates a compelling and heated romance. It’s a tale as old as time and begs the question: Can one mix business and pleasure without getting hurt?

There’s much to like about this romance. Readers will especially enjoy the interplay between Cory and her sisters. There is a sense of intimacy and familiarity present and it makes for a more immersive and engaging story. The point of view also plays a role in this. Told in third-person, readers are able to see things for what they are, lending itself to a necessary believability and authenticity. Bottom line, readers care about these characters and it allocates for storytelling that’s genuine as well as connective. 

Final remarks…

Moody has done another fine job and sapphic readers will appreciate her efforts. Cory Sloan is Swearing features well-developed characters embroiled in a compelling romance, one filled with real chemistry and challenges. It’s an engaging storyline and readers will melt a bit every time Cory and Vi draw closer. One can’t go wrong with this romance.

Strengths…

  • Entertaining 
  • Original storyline 
  • Strong character chemistry 
  • Engaging secondary characters