A review by lezreadalot
Eastern Nights by Lise Gold

3.0

“If she’s your favorite hello and your hardest goodbye, then she’s probably worth fighting for.”

3.5 stars. This was so so enjoyable. Lise Gold's romances are just always so freaking swoony and simple and lovely, and I always leave them feeling satisfied.

This follows Kate and Felicia, both staunch players and commitment-phobes, who meet in Bangkok while they're working, and what was supposed to be a one-night stand turns into a lot more. This is something I noticed about the other books I've read by this author; while there is of course internal conflict and some things that the characters need to work through, some obstacles that they need to overcome, it's a very smooth ride from start to finish. There's no huge drama, no big conflict, no obligatory black moment for the couple at 90%. When things come up, they talk about it! I can enjoy drama and hijinks but it was just so refreshing to have two people working towards a relationship, however slowly or reluctantly, but without the overblown drama. There were so many moments that made and smile and gasp and just really pull for them as a couple.

I really liked the setting, and how the story took us all over Thailand. It was so often so beautiful, and I appreciated that not all of the perspectives were outsider ones. It felt like a love letter to the country, and what better way to experience that than through a really sweet, extremely sexy romance? I really liked the main characters; especially Felicia. What an absolutely dreamboat. I appreciated that a lot of the story took us through more mundane parts of their lives and jobs too, and gave us great perspective into them as people.

A couple things knocked off a star. There were a few kathoey characters, and the book was 100% positive/accepting about them, but some of the language used seemed a bit questionable? As well as some of the questions Felicia asked. I'm not Thai or trans so idk if this is me reading too much into it, but the portrayal seemed borderline offensive. There was also an extremely ??? moment where Kate, who is black, is pretty much accosted by a waitress who wants to touch her hair, and pretty much just sinks her hands into it without permission and goes to town. And Kate just... submits to this? And laughs awkwardly and says it's okay? Which it definitely isn't??? Meanwhile my soul left my fucking body aha. There were also a few minor but annoying moments where the book could have used the word 'bisexual' but... didn't? My feelings about this book remain largely positive, but those were just a few things that detracted from the experience.

I'm still looking forward to continuing on with the series. The romantic vibes are just so good.