For Her Consideration

4.5

This one has definitely won it's way into my must read again pile. I loved this story, so much. I had to force myself to slow down/put it down so I could make the experience last longer.
For Her Consideration isn't your run of the mill Hollywood lezfic. There's more depth, and the writing itself – pulls you in immediately. We've all been heartbroken before, but what if the person that dumps you put all these horrible ideas in your head (an itemized list) of how you're an awful person, and that if your friends don't see it now, they eventually will. Nina catastrophize her life because of a breakup, and thought herself a ticking timebomb because of this. She removed herself from everything and everyone she cared about to move to the burbs. I had to laugh at this because my family mostly lives in LA, until some have started to migrate to Santa Clarita- (though we are all Midwesterners). The google says that there is still a TGI Fridays in Santa Clarita, and you best believe I will be making a visit. So many dates were had there in my youth, and I thought it sweet that Nina and Ari had their first Santa Clarita date at a Fridays. For those of you that live in LA, you're in for a treat with all the references that only the locals will know (and not just the touristy spots).

This story just left me happy.

You don't have to have everything figured out, but you can still get the girl.

Even with Nina having an inner downward spiral believing that her happiness with Ari is doomed, their story and relationship is a beautiful one, and their chemistry fills every page that they are together.

I do wish we had Ari's POV, but alas, I am greedy.

I am one of those people of whom as a baby gay, had to figure things out with zero representation in the media, and looked for lesbian subtext in every television show and movie with any whiff of sapphic love (Xena!), of which I still do since it's so engrained in me. So, a story like this – one that acknowledges that there definitely was a time that being out and proud in Hollywood wasn't a thing, nor blatantly gay characters in film. This story brought a sense of relief to me, and serves as an ode to all the Ari's out there. Also, to those that have given up on their own happiness – this story reminds us that with allowing yourself to be vulnerable, and letting those that care about you most in – you don't have to be alone, and that there IS a way forward.

Minor spoilers ahead


It was nice that the make-up scene wasn't extra broody. That people can F up, acknowledge that they f'd up, and that it's dumb that they broke up in the first place - allowing these two people to see each other from across the room, and just know that it's all going to be okay.

The only reason I didn't give 5 starts for this story is because it was extremely frustrating that it took so long (years, and with Nina disappearing a second time), for Nina's chosen family to say hell no to her disappearing again, and for Bianca to tell her exactly how it made her feel (and to call bullshit). One of the themes of For Her Consideration is Chosen Family, so if this group of awesome people are her ride or dies, then where were they? Giving her space to grieve a relationship is one thing, but to never try and track her down in all those years, and running into Phoebe is just happenstance? I don't buy it. BUT – they eventually did talk it out (fine), and Nina told them everything, which for me was very important.

I loved this story. The main characters, Nina's friends, Steve the Cat, Max the squirrely assistant. Every character had a role to fill to help this story become what it is.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for an honest review.