Joy Argento

Don’t read this book hungry, the descriptions of donuts and food will drive you bonkers. I had to go buy some donuts after I finished because I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Ali and Madison are living quite fulfilling lives and are in their late 30s. They were secretly dating in high school and haven’t spoken since a miscommunication when they were 18. Ali sends all her exes a questionnaire to learn what went wrong in all her relationships and Madison, her first love, is the only one who doesn’t answer. Ali’s bestie Charley (who I absolutely love) convinces her to go and ask her in person.
*SPOILERS BEGIN*

We then learn it was all a big miscommunication, now I hate this trope normally as it tends to seem pointless, but in this case, I think it was so long ago and so very appropriate for teen girls that it makes sense. Especially considering they were both in the closet at the time and had the added pressure of that in play. I cried so much when they had their confrontation and listened to Ali afterwards, my poor baby, my heart broke for the two of them. I completely understood Madison’s anger and reluctance to make amends given the pain she experienced just because Ali ran away.
I am glad that Ali stayed because even if they hadn’t gotten together in the end I don’t think Madison would have been able to move forward without forgiving her and the extra time together as needed. I loved seeing Ali meet all the people in Madison’s life and them getting to know each other again and falling in love again. Madison’s move after they hooked up was so bad that I fully expected Ali to leave right then and there and not even go to bed so I am glad Jenny helped her see the error in her ways. I enjoyed watching them finally communicate openly and take steps to start a relationship again at a normal pace. I was so happy to see them move in together finally and get their fish!
These two are so perfect for each other and I love their little town of Clyde and all its residents. I desperately want a book about Charley and the new boyfriend and the fabulous makeup-filled life Charley lives, it sounds rather fun and exciting. Plus Charley is weirdly perspective and would make a good therapist it seems.
Beautifully done and cannot recommend enough.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.… (mer)

It's the story of Delaney and Jade and Isobel and Heather. But, it's only one story really, Jade and Delaney live in our time, meanwhile, Isobel and Heather are from the fifteenth century Scotland, and are either Delaney and Jade's past lives, or figments of Delaney's imagination, which means something's going on in here brain.

The Scotland story was quite intense, while the author definitely tried to make the Delaney and Jade one lighter. Sometimes it worked really well, and sometimes not as much.

And so Delaney has to try and figure out if she's feeling her feelings or her past life's feelings. And Jade has not only past life baggage, but current life baggage as well.

It was a fun read and I would hvae loved to read an even longer version about Heather and Isobel specifically too.

I received this book via Netgalley thanks to Bold Strokes Books.… (mer)

POSSIBLE SPOILER below...

I've read Holding On To Faith by Joy Argento more than once and it always deeply affects me, largely because it's somewhat rare that lesbian fiction ever deals with religious reservations about being gay, especially with such sincerity and worry.

Many people of faith go back and forth between wondering if it is wrong and firmly believing all love between consenting adults is perfectly natural. How wonderful it would be if there were absolutely, positively no stigma associated with being gay.

It would be so wonderful I can't even think about it without my whole heart pounding a mile a minute. The way the world could change for so many gay teens, singles and couples living in a world that still largely ostracizes them from socially acceptable love and marriage.

Joy Argento captures the magic and simple love between friends Faith and Sami so touchingly (their feelings for each are pure and loving long before they realize they have romantic and sexual longings as well) I had to put my ereader down a few times and bask in the beauty of it...I totally can relate to the deep and conflicting struggle between loving someone with all your heart and soul and suffering from thoughts and fears of losing your church, your family and your friends.

This is a spoiler, I know, but I like that it ends on a positive note with true love winning out; I just wish it could happen that way for everyone in real life!:)… (mer)