A review by bookobsessedmommy
A Basic Binary by D.C. Emerson

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

One million stars! I absolutely loves this! If you want to write miscommunication, this is how you do it. Have conversations and address that shit! Don't drag it out for no reason. And there are multiple miscommunications in this book, but each time, Penelope and Taylor Riley work through it. When they realize doing it solo isn't working, they get some help. They speak up when the other persons behavior is hurtful or confusing. They ask for what they want! This feels revolutionary to me, both in reality and fiction. And the way that gender dysphoria and sexual exploration are approached felt healing. There are so many ways we come to be uncomfortable in our own skin, and the way Emerson walks us through how they get back in touch with what they like and dislike, what they find pleasurable and painful was so gentle and beautiful. I already want to read it again. 🥲