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A review by genres_with_jules
The Aloha Butterfly Kiss by Brooke Gilbert
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book!
He’s a medical professional, she’s a therapist. All it took was one moment on the beach and they were cuddled together at her house later the same day. Lots of nose bumps, nuzzles, and licks later, th- OH you wanted the HUMANS’ love story, not the dog one. My bad. But how could I resist the tale of a service dog and emotional support dog falling in love at first bark?!
He’s a medical professional, she’s a therapist. All it took was one moment on the beach and they were cuddled together at her house later the same day. Lots of nose bumps, nuzzles, and licks later, th- OH you wanted the HUMANS’ love story, not the dog one. My bad. But how could I resist the tale of a service dog and emotional support dog falling in love at first bark?!
Okay so the humans: Guinevere has always loved the beach and ocean, but they don’t love her back. TODAY though she’s determined to throw herself at it anyway and hope for the best. Which…doesn’t go well. Enter Locke: Baywatch star lookalike and surfer pro. He’s used to looking out for struggling tourists, but he didn’t expect to catch a mermaid today. As their paths continue to intertwine, they realize their prickly exteriors might be hiding kindred spirits in more ways than one.
Like The Irish Fall that I reviewed last year, this story stars 2 characters broken by physical and emotional trauma who learn to love and heal together. I love how this author doesn’t make a lopsided story where one character needs saving by a “perfect” partner, instead making the romantic leads as well as side characters interdependent on each other for growth. It’s so much more realistic since we all have our issues to work through and all need people around us for support.
I also really loved the music element! If you’ve been around awhile, you know music is a light in the darkness for me, and it was so great to see a spotlight on the healing power of music-based connection.
The chronic illness and disability rep here is excellent, and I always appreciate the chance to learn about experiences other than my own. Guin and Locke both feel undeserving of love for different reasons, and it’s so beautiful to see their feelings about each other reflect back so they learn to love themselves more as a result.
I don’t personally know a lot about the Hawaiian culture, but the setting, characters, and traditions all appear to be treated with care and respect by the author with the goal of honoring and educating about their community.
TW/CW: detailed descriptions of Lupus and its side effects (including severe sunburn, fainting, dialysis, motion sickness, migraines), traumatic ocean accident, amputation, organ transplant/donation discussed, internalized ableism, depression, and anxiety; this also has brief mentions of faith, and is a firmly closed door romance, so if that’s not your thing this book won’t be for you.