A review by tankytoon
A Deeper Blue by S.E. Harmon
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I have mixed feelings about this follow-up to Blue and Kelly's story.
Firstly, there was Blue trying his best to have his cake and eat it to, by living his life in the status quo while keeping Kelly happy. Then there was Kelly, expecting his best-friend-turned lover, to drop everything Blue loves to please him.
By the third argument that they tried to sweep under the rug by having sex, I was tired of all the avoidant behavior from both of them. They were clearly upset with each other but don't want to say anything, and expecting the other to be mind-readers so they don't have to communicate their problems.
By the second half of the book, I was exhausted from Kelly's gaslighting. I see Kelly's refusal to move in with Blue to be a threat held over Blue's head: "I'm not moving in until you come out of the closet." Though Kelly did not actually say this, I interpreted his actions to be reflective of that.
Kelly keeps convincing himself that he's patient when it comes to Blue, but I feel that he's being greedy after having a taste of heaven. Blue wasn't a saint either. He flicks Kelly away like an unwanted gnat whenever he thinks somebody may be watching.
At one point, I almost wanted them to break up just to put myself out of this misery.
Let's just say I wasn't that deeply impressed with A Deeper Blue, as I was of the first novel.
Firstly, there was Blue trying his best to have his cake and eat it to, by living his life in the status quo while keeping Kelly happy. Then there was Kelly, expecting his best-friend-turned lover, to drop everything Blue loves to please him.
By the third argument that they tried to sweep under the rug by having sex, I was tired of all the avoidant behavior from both of them. They were clearly upset with each other but don't want to say anything, and expecting the other to be mind-readers so they don't have to communicate their problems.
By the second half of the book, I was exhausted from Kelly's gaslighting. I see Kelly's refusal to move in with Blue to be a threat held over Blue's head: "I'm not moving in until you come out of the closet." Though Kelly did not actually say this, I interpreted his actions to be reflective of that.
Kelly keeps convincing himself that he's patient when it comes to Blue, but I feel that he's being greedy after having a taste of heaven. Blue wasn't a saint either. He flicks Kelly away like an unwanted gnat whenever he thinks somebody may be watching.
At one point, I almost wanted them to break up just to put myself out of this misery.
Spoiler
Although I did expect the novel to conclude with Blue coming out to the public, I wasn't quite happy that it took the threat of almost being caught, that fueled Blue's decision to do so.Let's just say I wasn't that deeply impressed with A Deeper Blue, as I was of the first novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Violence