July 2023 Mini Reviews - part 3
Published: 6th June 2023 by Montlake
I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.
I had heard of Beharrie prior to this book, although not having ready any of her works, but Single Dads Club just sounded like a really sweet concept, and single-parent romances are a trope that I've barely read, so I was excited to give it a go, and I will definitely be picking up more off the basis of this one! I loved the South Africa setting, and the small town of Sugarbush with its tightknit, welcoming community. It was so heartwarming to see how everyone helped each other out in their times of need, with this kindness personified in Delilah, the female protagonist. Her romance with Rowan, the dingle dad in question, was so cute that you can't help but root for them. Their awkwardness was adorable and I really liked that they became vulnerable around each other before starting a life together. My only complaint would be the timing of the conflict, and how quickly it got resolved because the book was about to end - by this I mean I wish the book was longer!
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
Published: 27th June 2023 by Quercus
I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.
I had heard great things about Banyan Moon, including being featured on lots of 'Best debuts of the year' lists, so I was excited to read it, especially as I love family saga books. Covering three female generations, Thai's book tells the stories of Ann, her mother Minh, and her grandmother Hu'o'ng, as they each struggle with their respective male partners and the prospect of becoming single parents, while also grappling with the intensity of these three generations all living under the same roof, of the sprawling Banyan House. I really enjoyed this, and found that Thai created such a unique narrative voice for each protagonist, while retaining a beautiful, lyrical quality to the prose. The twist towards the end was completely unexpected, which I always appreciate, as well as the book's portrayal of the flawed reality of humans.
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Published: 13th May 2021 by Piatkus
I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.
This was such a pleasant unexpected surprise! I wasn't exactly sure what I would be getting into when I started this, and while I enjoyed the whole former friends reuniting plot, with its emphasis on accepting oneself after years of trying to fit in, I have to say I really enjoyed the direction it ended up taking, albeit completely different from what I thought it would be. I found Daphne's narrative to be really authentic throughout - the conversations she had with herself felt like ones I, and probably many others, have also had with ourselves, and seeing her anxieties play out on the page provided a sense of catharsis. Daphne's family and her friends, both new and old, were so lovely and I felt happy that she had a great support system around her while finding her own strength. This has definitely made me want to check out more of Weiner's books now!
Bellies by Nicola Dinan
Published: 29th June 2023 by Doubleday
I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.
God, this was heartbreaking but in such a beautiful way. I'd heard a lot of praise for Bellies before going into it, and it is very much well-deserved. The way that Dinan wrote Tom and Ming's relationship, the push-and-pull between them at different times in their lives, and the love between them that never really left. Having this be set around their uni days, and the years following after felt really important, as it is such a formative time in people's lives, and one I'm experiencing myself at the moment, so in that aspect it felt very relatable. Both Ming and Tom's families were so lovely, and I actually really appreciated that Dinan didn't feel the need to include the trope of Ming not being accepted by her family for whatever traditions or antiquated beliefs they may have held, but instead that they both had such great support systems, with their friends too. I had a proper cry reading this, and it was definitely a special read for me.
4 stars
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