Queerly Beloved

I wanted to like this so much more than I did, but it's a great idea that doesn't quite live up to its promise. The story is pretty broadly drawn, and a lot of it lives in the narration rather than the actions or dialogue, so the characters don't feel as lived in as they could be. Selfishly, the hijinks and wacky missed connections take a bit to get going - there is more rom than com here, and I love crazy circumstances that lead to plot development. Essentially, there are two stories: Amy starts a business of her own (fine), and Amy comes out to herself and falls in love in the process (lovely, more sweet than funny) that both struggle to come together. Tulsa is also a character here; the author sells us on its charms and reminds us that coming out and being queer in the South is a different experience. I like what this book represents, but sadly I didn't love the book itself.

How could I resist a baking book?? This book does a lot of things right. I was obsessed with gay bar. My favorite thing though is how the unreliable narrator is handled. I didn't feel lied to. It was more like the narrator was lying to herself because she was wrapped up in infatuation. One star removed since the ending feels a bit too convenient and pat.

Susie Dumond brings lots of humor to Queerly Beloved. There are many funny wedding incidents. Dumond brings historical significance to this story through the fight for marriage equality. This is one story that made me want to eat cake.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.