youshouldreadthisif 's review for:

A Masc for Purim by Roz Alexander

5.0

emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

This was a spur of the moment KU borrow based on 1) that cover!; 2) the fact that I am a second chance stan; and 3) the special place in my heart for books with puns in the title. I swear, spur of the moment KU downloads are some of my fave reads. 

 

Second chance stories can be difficult to get right: you’ve got to have a compelling reason for breaking up BUT with enough emotional space to heal the wounds of whatever caused the break-up. You’ve got to convince us of the worthiness of the original relationship without allowing ALL of the relationship development to happen in the past. 

 

In a novella form? You’ve got to accomplish all that in, like, half the pages. And I think Roz Alexander absolutely knocked it out of the park! 

 

The “past” scenes feel so carefully curated, chosen and written to perfectly establish the relationship that has Carrie coming back after a decade. And even though the “present” scenes occur all in one night, at a party no less, they contain enough honest, open, heartfelt discussion of hurts and hopes and fears to realistically convince you that these characters have a forever together. They created such a strong, distinct sense of character for each POV that I was really pulled into their perspectives - mischievous, flirty past Carrie; sad, hopeful present Carrie; vibrant, sensual Liza - and invested in their love story. 

 

Ugh, it’s just such a successful novella! It makes me want to read the rest of the series, like, yesterday! 

 

Also, if this info interests you: Toppy, tomboy-femme with ADHD x Jewish Latina bisexual butch with progressive vision loss & uses a cane