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A review by displacedcactus
Queerly Beloved by Susie Dumond
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
For a book that is marketed as a romance, the main couple actually spends very little time together on the page! Amy is our only POV character and the book is really about her figuring out her career and how to navigate where and when it's safe being "out" in mid-2010s Tulsa, OK. It feels like almost as much time is dedicated to her friendship with her two gay besties as with Charley the love interest. And that's fine, friendship is important! But ultimately this ended up reading more like a general fiction book with a romantic subplot than a true romance.
There are lots of yummy baked goods on the page, as well as other food-centered scenes and traditions. Because Amy works at a dive-y queer bar in 2013-14 Tulsa, there's not really a lot of "mixology" going on, she's mostly slinging beers and shots. It's definitely more food-focused than drink-focused.
Overall, I felt like this book was good but not great. I'd recommend it to anyone who specifically enjoys food-themed romances, but I wouldn't put it on my list of top romance reads ever.
There are lots of yummy baked goods on the page, as well as other food-centered scenes and traditions. Because Amy works at a dive-y queer bar in 2013-14 Tulsa, there's not really a lot of "mixology" going on, she's mostly slinging beers and shots. It's definitely more food-focused than drink-focused.
Overall, I felt like this book was good but not great. I'd recommend it to anyone who specifically enjoys food-themed romances, but I wouldn't put it on my list of top romance reads ever.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Vomit, and Alcohol
Although this book is overall light in tone and hopeful, the characters are all living through a time of uncertainty as to whether they will ever even be allowed to be married, and whether it's safe to be "out" in public or at work.