renscapes 's review for:

Kiss Number 8 by Colleen AF Venable

3.0

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While I typically really enjoy LGBT-focused stories, I can’t say I loved this one. The premise of “closeted person has super religious friends and/or family that shun them when they come out” seems a bit overplayed. I didn’t have a problem with the inclusion of a trans grandparent for the main character, like some did, but it did feel a little half-assed. I guess it’s just gotten to the point where it’s exhausting to read about the hatred some harbor towards LGBT (especially T) folks. I wanted to see more of a relationship built between the main character and her step-grandma Dina. I wish that was explored more and less time was spent on trying to get the audience to have a soft spot for characters that wound up being incredibly homophobic. It’s just something I would have preferred to read about.