marissahiggins's review
2.0
I have to admit I struggled with this novella. As a gay reader myself I was really excited to support a fellow queer author and read about queer characters, especially a married lesbian couple. There's a lot that's unique and interesting here, and I especially admire the choice to write a novella instead of a full novel. The pacing is strong and quick and the plot is, in some ways, very original. That said, I struggled with the ongoing violence in the story--we open with a graphic scene of physical and sexual violence that I wish had come with a content warning somewhere in the book or summary. Then violence and disappointment pretty much permeate the rest of the story, even on the very last page. I know some readers will enjoy this relentless portrayal of an unforgiving world that doesn't stop for grief, and I do get it. It's not bad or wrong to write this way or show this world. But it's not the best fit for me, and I felt myself wishing we could slow down at points and lean into complexities and nuances that might offer if not relief, variety, and diversity of emotional range and response. I'm sure plenty of readers will love this book so I do recommend it, but again, not a great fit for me personally.
linkallyson's review
2.0
Honestly I read this in a few hours because it was so short, but I couldn't really tell you that I took anything away from it. It was entertaining, I guess. But it also was predictable. And I'm tired of every LGBT representation in books having to face a homophobic antagonist. Can't we just have a happy ending for once?
More...