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A review by mycupoftealcsw
Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen
2.5
I appreciate the social and historical commentary aspects of the book - especially the ideas of found family and the discussion around how members of marginalized communities often join (or uphold) the systems of oppression and the damage that does.
Unfortunately, however, that's pretty much what saved the book because I found the main character to be confusing and inconsistent. The main issue is that he is a really, really bad detective. He is constantly telling his suspects what the other suspects say to him and then asks them to corroborate-that's not at all how you do interviews. He also provides frequent updates to all the suspects about the case they are all potentially involved in. He takes way too much direction from Pearl and others in the house. He tells perfect strangers sensitive and private information. He uses his real name when an alias would have been better. Finally, he lets his dick and his feelings get way too involved in how he views the case and the suspects.
Also, the number of men in the book who are immediately attracted to Andy (and he to them) got real old real fast. It felt very not-like-other-girls fantasy FMC.
There were some things about Pearl and Irene that also don't make sense:
Why would a woman so invested in making sure no one in the outside world suspects anything about her family or life leave over half her company to someone everyone is supposed to believe is her social secretary - especially when Irene had a son everyone would have probably assumed would inherit everything?
On that note, how do they even explain why Pearl even still lives there?
Why would Andy recommend, and Pearl even consider, moving the family portrait to a place that, by the way the house seems to be laid out, would potentially be seen by anyone who happens to come to the house?
I'll probably check out the next in the series because reviews indicate that one is better, but this one felt very message heavy, but plot and character thin.
Unfortunately, however, that's pretty much what saved the book because I found the main character to be confusing and inconsistent. The main issue is that he is a really, really bad detective. He is constantly telling his suspects what the other suspects say to him and then asks them to corroborate-that's not at all how you do interviews. He also provides frequent updates to all the suspects about the case they are all potentially involved in. He takes way too much direction from Pearl and others in the house. He tells perfect strangers sensitive and private information. He uses his real name when an alias would have been better. Finally, he lets his dick and his feelings get way too involved in how he views the case and the suspects.
Also, the number of men in the book who are immediately attracted to Andy (and he to them) got real old real fast. It felt very not-like-other-girls fantasy FMC.
There were some things about Pearl and Irene that also don't make sense:
On that note, how do they even explain why Pearl even still lives there?
I'll probably check out the next in the series because reviews indicate that one is better, but this one felt very message heavy, but plot and character thin.