Sorry, Bro
Ratings13
Average rating4.3
2.5
I really, really wanted to like this book. If it wasn't promoted as a romcom, it would have been great. The romance between Nareh and Erebuni- at least the intimacy, was cringe-worthy. I wish that whole part was skipped all together. I can understand and appreciate an author not wanting to be too detailed when it comes to a sex scene. There are plenty of softcore porn scenes in lezfics that make me want to run the other way – but I don't know how to even describe this. It felt like I was reading it upside down since it was quite difficult to decipher what these characters were even doing. It read like a completely new author took over just for this specific scene, and like every third word was left out. Comparing a gasp of pleasure and reaching your climax to a gasp of death? I think they did it wrong if that's the case. Yep, I pretty much felt like I was transported to another world in the upside down that I had to get myself out of.
I loved the beautiful stories of family, and of the Armenian community and culture in California. Everything about Nareh's world, Voskuni painted in vivid color. But when it came to Nareh herself, I just found a lack of maturity. Be it with her relationship with her boyfriend and why she was even with him all the way through his proposal, to her relationship with her Armenian heritage vs. Erebuni knowing exactly who she is, and not shying away from how activism and educating others on the Armenian genocide.
One thing that I found really annoying was the instant falling into bed together once it was confirmed that Nareh was interested in Pride month for a reason (interesting because this sets place in the Bay area, and I can guarantee more than just LGBT folks partake in Pride festivities). It fell too close to the ‘I like women, you like women, now we can be instantly liking women together' trope. And then there was how Nareh came out to her family. I understand (especially with my own cultural background)- how it can be rough and scary even just thinking about coming out. But. With how it went down...Erebuni deserved better. Resolution between between Nareh and Erebuni was way too rushed for all the drama that ensued.
Overall this was a fun book to read. Yes there are some heavy topics, but it felt right with what community and rich culture this story is focused on. I think the story would have been a lot better if the romance with Erebuni was cut out (honestly, I think she deserves better- I loved her as a character)—and to leave the whole coming out to Nareh's family as that without throwing a romance in the mix. The latter 40% of the book felt very rushed. There just really needed to be more communication. It started off as really fun, but then it branched off into something else.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Learned more about contemporary Armenian culture from this book than from my family so that's something?
The author gives us a really sweet, cute, and funny romance. I fell in love with both women. I have to be honest, I loved everything about this tale. I just want more and more.
I got this book from my library. I love my local library and you should check out yours too. Request LGBTQ+ books and they will stock them! #freethebooks
this was ok. made far more interesting to me with the Armenian element, i liked that a lot—the proverbs especially. i really only became aware of the genocide after i happened to see a protest a museum, so that part of the book felt more powerful.
dnf @ p44. library loan is up and I haven't picked it up in a day and a half so I'm going to return it. maybe I'll pick it back up later if it sticks around in my mind?