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thewanderingword 's review for:
Rainbows and Lollipops: Friendship is the New Family
by Mo Fanning
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
From the very first page, Rainbows and Lollipops caught me off guard—in the best way possible. Don’t be misled by the title or the cover; this is not a light, fluffy (or even particularly happy?) read. But don't let this deter you. It’s sharp, unflinching, and deeply human. This is an absolute must-read for 2025.
The writing is fast-paced and vivid, with quick, naturalistic dialogue that pulls you right into each character’s world. The format—part novel, part screenplay—might seem unconventional, but it works here. It amplifies the story’s urgency and immediacy, giving each scene a cinematic, visual punch. I only found it distracting for the first few "scene changes." Make no mistake, once you settle into this book, you won’t want to look away.
What struck me most was how seamlessly Fanning tackles serious, often painful themes—grief, vulnerability, mental health, and the complexity of queer identity—without ever feeling preachy or forced. Within the first 50 pages, the book unpacks the raw reality of being in a long term, committed queer relationship without the legal recognition, exposing the fragility and added emotional labor that comes with it. Like many of the themes that Fanning touches on—these are not the central plot, but they are woven in so effortlessly, it catches your breath. Without realizing it, you’ve absorbed a stark, poignant truth about the world. That's exactly what great fiction does and Rainbows and Lollipops is no exception.
At its heart, this is a story about broken, beautiful people. Early on, the book deals with a tragic loss, and (having experienced something similar recently) I had a very good cry in the first few chapters of the book, but in a cathartic, healing way. My heart ached for Jake, Vicky, and Lucy, who find each other at exactly the right time. Although their connection and the manner in which they find each other might have seemed contrived under different circumstances, Fanning makes it seem like a plausible coincidence that these characters all found each other. Somehow, even a third of the way in, this author has buy-in with the reader. The characters' lives and friendship are messy, healing, and full of heart. I was continuously struck by how real these characters feel.
Rainbows and Lollipops is sad. It’s beautiful. It’s full of grit and soul and heart. I wasn’t expecting the format. I wasn’t expecting the depth. But this story gripped me from page one—and it didn’t let go. Just read it. You won’t regret it.
The writing is fast-paced and vivid, with quick, naturalistic dialogue that pulls you right into each character’s world. The format—part novel, part screenplay—might seem unconventional, but it works here. It amplifies the story’s urgency and immediacy, giving each scene a cinematic, visual punch. I only found it distracting for the first few "scene changes." Make no mistake, once you settle into this book, you won’t want to look away.
What struck me most was how seamlessly Fanning tackles serious, often painful themes—grief, vulnerability, mental health, and the complexity of queer identity—without ever feeling preachy or forced. Within the first 50 pages, the book unpacks the raw reality of being in a long term, committed queer relationship without the legal recognition, exposing the fragility and added emotional labor that comes with it. Like many of the themes that Fanning touches on—these are not the central plot, but they are woven in so effortlessly, it catches your breath. Without realizing it, you’ve absorbed a stark, poignant truth about the world. That's exactly what great fiction does and Rainbows and Lollipops is no exception.
At its heart, this is a story about broken, beautiful people. Early on, the book deals with a tragic loss, and (having experienced something similar recently) I had a very good cry in the first few chapters of the book, but in a cathartic, healing way. My heart ached for Jake, Vicky, and Lucy, who find each other at exactly the right time. Although their connection and the manner in which they find each other might have seemed contrived under different circumstances, Fanning makes it seem like a plausible coincidence that these characters all found each other. Somehow, even a third of the way in, this author has buy-in with the reader. The characters' lives and friendship are messy, healing, and full of heart. I was continuously struck by how real these characters feel.
Rainbows and Lollipops is sad. It’s beautiful. It’s full of grit and soul and heart. I wasn’t expecting the format. I wasn’t expecting the depth. But this story gripped me from page one—and it didn’t let go. Just read it. You won’t regret it.