Our latest Scary Mommy Book Club pick is set in New Zealand, and it's moving, laugh-out-loud funny, and adorable. Meet Greta and Valdin. Their mom is Māori and their dad is a Russian immigrant. They are both in their 30s, queer, and feeling unmoored in their lives and their identities. They share an apartment. Valdin is unsuccessfully getting over a relationship that ended because of his mental health struggles — and he doesn't know how to fall out of love or move on. Greta is obsessed with a colleague who is obviously using her to get work tasks done. But then, after a few other dating disasters, she meets someone new and intriguing at a party. And in the background, there is a substantial amount of family drama to keep them both distracted and occupied. I just can't tell you how much I adored this read. I wanted to stay in the world forever and continue following the characters after the last page. It's so sharply written and thoughtful, but at its heart it's a rom-com. It deals with heavy issues like queerness, immigration, family secrets, race, and reality, but with such humor and speed that it feels like a beach read. And it's a debut novel! I can't wait for you to spend a little bit of April with this cast of characters or to talk to Rebecca at the end of the month with you all. Sarah Aswell, Senior Editor |
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