This story is ground-breaking! At a time when trans people (especially youth) are being attacked by power-hungry, inhumane politicians and church leaders playing on the fears of white, “Christian” homophobes, it’s so important to have representation in literature. This isn’t an easy book to read because it highlights the struggles, discrimination, rejection, and hatred non-binary people face in the workplace, their families of origin, and the community at large. However, it’s encouraging that Ray finds a chosen family who loves, supports and champions them.
Fear is often due to ignorance, and it’s not the job of members of marginalized groups to educate people. In order to be allies to the LGBTQ community, we must seek out information, and one of the easiest ways to do this is by reading both non-fiction books and fictional stories that discuss the use of pronouns and define terminology (e.g., dead-naming). Chef’s Kiss is an excellent vehicle for learning about this and for building empathy. It would also be a great choice for bibliotherapy for trans teens and young adults who rarely see themselves portrayed in books.
Beyond the afore-mentioned, this is also a sweetly awkward, slow-burn, workplace romance between kitchen manager Ray and pastry chef Simone. Together, they demonstrate how, even with the best intentions, mistakes can be made and feelings hurt, but that sincere apologies and forgiveness can lead to happiness. Add to this a literary feast for foodies and author Alexander has cooked up a winning romance that deserves a place in every library. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Atria/Emily Bestler through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
5*
Nora, a literary agent in NYC, has a savior complex, sacrificing her own dreams and happiness because of a compulsive need to take care of her sister, her authors, and the memory of her mother. She took on a mothering role while still a child herself because her own cared more about her acting career than she did her daughters. Unfortunately, Nora never gave up parenting her younger sister Libby, a codependent relationship that’s kept her from living her own life and her sister from growing into a capable, independent adult. So when Libby asks her to take a month-long vacation in Sunrise Falls, NC, the setting of her favorite book, Nora can’t say no, despite the fact that her entire life’s focus is her work.
So, imagine her surprise, when morose book editor Charlie, with whom she’s had a contentious relationship for years, keeps turning up. As they get to know each other and the walls they’ve both built up begin to crumble and sexual tension becomes incendiary, they must decide if they’re willing to take the risk and make the sacrifice to be together. In a reflection of the romantic literary trope of big city person who has business in a small town, meeting their soulmate, and deciding to give up their life to start a new one, Nora has been the loser in this scenario 4 times. However, when the tables are turned and Nora is the one who needs to choose between the city she loves or the chance to build a relationship with Charlie in a small town, will she be willing to give up her job and NYC to be with the man she loves or will Charlie find a way to be with her despite family obligations keeping him in NC?
Ultimately, this enemies-to-lovers romance is about the meaning of home…is it a place or people? Can a person be happy anywhere if they’re with those they love or can a place be an all-consuming love? Henry has written another wonderful, intelligent story that strikes a perfect balance between snarky, witty banter and serious issues. She’s quickly becoming one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. Fans of Christina Lauren will love this one!
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
4*
Strangers on a train! In one of the best meet-cutes ever, Hayes Montgomery literally offers Franny Doyle the coat off his back when her dress is ripped apart after getting caught in a subway train door. Thanks to a series of Instagram posts that go viral and serendipitous run-ins, they slowly get to know each other and like what they see. This is a case of opposites attract, but, like all good romances, the protagonists bring out the best in each other. Franny has just been laid off from her job at a design firm and is thinking of starting her own company. Hayes and his business partner Eleanor are moving offices and are in need of an interior designer. Working together is a win-win situation, but will the budding relationship last once the job is done?
Franny’s character is well-developed, including her relationship with her family and friends and life circumstances that help explain her personality , but Hayes is a bit of a mystery. It would help if Spencer had given us some sense of his background beyond his short-lived marriage, why he’s so awkward, and whether he has any friends beyond Eleanor and his cousin Perrine. This is relatively low angst, communication between the two is easy and honest, and sex scenes are mild. There are both queer and BIPOC characters, and the New York City locales are used to good advantage. Overall, this is a very fun, sweet romance that would appeal to fans of Kate Clayborn, Katherine Center, Christina Lauren, and Lauren Layne.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Forever Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
5*
Christina Lauren have taken a huge departure from their usual style by enfolding this second-chance romance in an action-adventure mystery set in the desert southwest. Ten years prior, Lily Wilder had just taken over her family’s Wyoming ranch with plans to run it with her new love, New Yorker Leo Grady. Her father Duke is a famous treasure hunter whose main focus has been to find outlaw Butch Cassidy’s hidden loot. This obsession led to Lily’s mother’s abandonment and her father’s casual neglect. So, no one is more surprised than Lily when, years later, she is running a wilderness adventure camp that offers horseback riding through the Utah Canyonlands with the added lure of finding (fake) treasure.
When Leo joins a group of friends on their annual trip, he finds himself face-to-face with Lily for the first time since disappearing from her life with no explanation a decade earlier. It’s obvious that they’ve both suffered heartbreak, and know that bitter truths will need to be revealed if they have any hope of forgiving each other and perhaps giving into the attraction that still simmers between them. However, when the trip takes a sinister turn, the two find themselves fighting for survival while following a series of clues left by her father that will either lead to the actual treasure or cost them their lives.
It’s clear that the authors have done their research by how accurately they depict the barren, beautiful but dangerous desert landscape and offer a glimpse of the criminal element of the Wild West during and following the Gold Rush. As usual, they’ve done a masterful job of building tension in the couple’s relationship, in this case with the added element of terror. If you like your romances full of intrigue and heart-pounding thrills, you can’t go wrong with Something Wilder. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Gallery Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
