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A review by erinf14
A Whisper of Solace by Milena McKay
5.0
Milena McKay takes what could have been a cheesy trope and knocks it out of the park.
Our FMC Neve is the definition of an Ice Queen. She's mean, she's ruthless, she's guarded and she hurls cool-toned insults like nobody's business. By all regards, we should hate her, but as you listen to her thoughts and inner monologs and learn her history, the way that Neve is just makes sense. She frustrates you to no end as she continues to hurt Audrey, the younger but equally formidable love interest who starts the story as Neve's employee, but you catch glimpses of the redemption you know could be possible in Neve's interactions with her son. (Speaking of Harlan, he's adorable and witty and loves his Mom full-heartedly. He was one of my favorite parts of the story.)
I think one of the things that makes Solace so good is the pacing. Several years pass from start to finish. You watch Neve grow through her sessions with the therapist who challenges and takes no bullshit, but it doesn't happen overnight, and while her feelings for Audrey are certainly a catalyst, she isn't magically 'cured' because of love. You go from wanting Neve to come out and accept her feelings at the beginning, to spending chapters upon chapters hoping Audrey moves on and is loved the way she deserves, to actually cheering for them to heal and grow together and find their happiness both on their own and as a couple by the end. The timeline makes sense. The journey makes sense. The growth makes sense.
And you can't help but root both Neve and Audrey. Both women are strong, smart and independent. Neither needs figuratively saving, though Audrey does quite literally get kidnapped while reporting on the war in the Middle East, but watching the way Neve handles her fear and panic and the entire situation is just so refreshing. There's no macho male ego or excessive action, and everyone thinks before they act. Neither Neve nor Audrey are essentially dumbed down or downplayed like so often happens in heterosexual romances. Their relationship is fetishized like lesbian relationships frequently are, it's just real and authentic and them.
And the spice? Oh man, Milena knocks that out of the park. 10/10 cannot recommend enough.
[bc:A Whisper of Solace|60457393|A Whisper of Solace|Milena McKay|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1645365053l/60457393._SY75_.jpg|95274586]
Our FMC Neve is the definition of an Ice Queen. She's mean, she's ruthless, she's guarded and she hurls cool-toned insults like nobody's business. By all regards, we should hate her, but as you listen to her thoughts and inner monologs and learn her history, the way that Neve is just makes sense. She frustrates you to no end as she continues to hurt Audrey, the younger but equally formidable love interest who starts the story as Neve's employee, but you catch glimpses of the redemption you know could be possible in Neve's interactions with her son. (Speaking of Harlan, he's adorable and witty and loves his Mom full-heartedly. He was one of my favorite parts of the story.)
I think one of the things that makes Solace so good is the pacing. Several years pass from start to finish. You watch Neve grow through her sessions with the therapist who challenges and takes no bullshit, but it doesn't happen overnight, and while her feelings for Audrey are certainly a catalyst, she isn't magically 'cured' because of love. You go from wanting Neve to come out and accept her feelings at the beginning, to spending chapters upon chapters hoping Audrey moves on and is loved the way she deserves, to actually cheering for them to heal and grow together and find their happiness both on their own and as a couple by the end. The timeline makes sense. The journey makes sense. The growth makes sense.
And you can't help but root both Neve and Audrey. Both women are strong, smart and independent. Neither needs figuratively saving, though Audrey does quite literally get kidnapped while reporting on the war in the Middle East, but watching the way Neve handles her fear and panic and the entire situation is just so refreshing. There's no macho male ego or excessive action, and everyone thinks before they act. Neither Neve nor Audrey are essentially dumbed down or downplayed like so often happens in heterosexual romances. Their relationship is fetishized like lesbian relationships frequently are, it's just real and authentic and them.
And the spice? Oh man, Milena knocks that out of the park. 10/10 cannot recommend enough.
[bc:A Whisper of Solace|60457393|A Whisper of Solace|Milena McKay|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1645365053l/60457393._SY75_.jpg|95274586]