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A review by tagoreketabkhane31
Unwanted by Marley Valentine
3.0
*Actual raiting: 3.5/5 stars*
The third Marley Valentine book that I have read, and I am starting to see why a lot of folks who read indie queer romances go for her books. They are full of angst (what can I say, I like my drama in books) and the characters have to work through a litany of issues that don't make for light reading (though this was a short novel so it helped) and one of my favorite things about her is not only does she provide distinct main characters, but her supporting cast of characters are also carefully fleshed out.
This is a second chance romance story that is between Frankie and Arlo. Frankie is a supporting character from her earlier novel Ache, and Arlo is the other main character in the novel. Because this is the first book in a new series, the supporting cast have some storylines begin to play out in this book, but thankfully they do not take away from the main focus of the story that is Frankie and Arlo.
The story centers around addiction, and the constant work that goes into staying on the path of recovery and sobriety. The story takes place one year after Ache, and it has been four years since Frankie has left LA and his foster siblings (including one blood brother) behind to espcae to Seattle. Four years in LA, Frankie had dropped off Arlo in rehab, and never contacted him again (though he stayed in contact with Clem, his foster sister). An accident with his younger brother on the football field that leaves him deaf permanently brings him back to LA to face the family he left behind and the relationship as well. Arlo, for his part, is worried because of the unresolved feelings that he has about Frankie, and how he grapples with them along with his fear that he might relapse again because his proximity.
It's by no means a light read, and indeed the issues of addiction, sobriety and disability are played out with these characters as they adapt. There are also subtextual issues of homelessness, foster care, found family, and also about communication and self ownership - of being able to take ownership for actions and striving to do better. Overall, its a great story with an even more powerful message.
There was a minus start for the usage of baby (I don't care, it is an automatic deduction), and also for how some of the tougher conversations were handled by Frankie and Arlo. I'm a conflict resolution practioner, and seeing people continue the avoidance model, even in literature, will always drive me up a wall.
Give the book a try folks, and I am curious about the other books in the series as they follow the other characters.
The third Marley Valentine book that I have read, and I am starting to see why a lot of folks who read indie queer romances go for her books. They are full of angst (what can I say, I like my drama in books) and the characters have to work through a litany of issues that don't make for light reading (though this was a short novel so it helped) and one of my favorite things about her is not only does she provide distinct main characters, but her supporting cast of characters are also carefully fleshed out.
This is a second chance romance story that is between Frankie and Arlo. Frankie is a supporting character from her earlier novel Ache, and Arlo is the other main character in the novel. Because this is the first book in a new series, the supporting cast have some storylines begin to play out in this book, but thankfully they do not take away from the main focus of the story that is Frankie and Arlo.
The story centers around addiction, and the constant work that goes into staying on the path of recovery and sobriety. The story takes place one year after Ache, and it has been four years since Frankie has left LA and his foster siblings (including one blood brother) behind to espcae to Seattle. Four years in LA, Frankie had dropped off Arlo in rehab, and never contacted him again (though he stayed in contact with Clem, his foster sister). An accident with his younger brother on the football field that leaves him deaf permanently brings him back to LA to face the family he left behind and the relationship as well. Arlo, for his part, is worried because of the unresolved feelings that he has about Frankie, and how he grapples with them along with his fear that he might relapse again because his proximity.
It's by no means a light read, and indeed the issues of addiction, sobriety and disability are played out with these characters as they adapt. There are also subtextual issues of homelessness, foster care, found family, and also about communication and self ownership - of being able to take ownership for actions and striving to do better. Overall, its a great story with an even more powerful message.
There was a minus start for the usage of baby (I don't care, it is an automatic deduction), and also for how some of the tougher conversations were handled by Frankie and Arlo. I'm a conflict resolution practioner, and seeing people continue the avoidance model, even in literature, will always drive me up a wall.
Give the book a try folks, and I am curious about the other books in the series as they follow the other characters.