A review by niffler_for_words
Nearlywed by Nicolas DiDomizio

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.0

“And isn’t that the real beauty of allowing yourself to be seen?”

Ray and Kip’s story was a very interesting read. If I found the beginning of Nearly Wed very funny, the rest of the story gave me a lot to think about. 

In appearance both characters couldn’t be more opposite. Kip is a brilliant and discreet doctor, 10 years older than Ray, his oversharing click-bait-writer insecure fiancé. Yet, as the story unfolds, we get to know them and learn that under the appearances, they could have more similarities than we thought. 

However, these very fleshy characters aren’t even the most interesting in the novel. I adored the themes developed. How does it mean –and feel– to be openly yourself when you grew up in a society who didn’t even acknowledge your existence? What makes you valid? How do you deal with the buried shame and fears? Do you have to publicly show every single part of yourself? Who are we? Are we what we show, say, tell, hide, to others? Or are we how people perceive and shape us via their expectations? An answer to the stereotypes? If the main subject of the book is the adorable gay couple, all these questions made an echo to my neurodiverse mind about unmasking. 

The reflection about marriage and how relationships stretch, change, and buried problems can surge again around the D-Day was another very interesting point. 

If the HEA is guaranteed (it’s a romance!!), I loved that not every problem and character’s inner conflict were. Working on who we are, and to accept ourselves deeply is a life-long work, afterall. 

Thank you NetGalley, Nicolas DiDomizio and Sourcebook Casablanca for this ARC. My opinions are my own.