Rainbows and Lollipops by Mo Fanning - #bookreview

 Two weeks before everything changed, Jake's life had seemed wonderfully, boringly normal. Surrounded by scatter cushions, he perched on the sofa, working from home, reading an emailed complaint from a Horizon Holidays customer whose Dusseldorf mini-break was 'ruined' by a lukewarm in-flight beef casserole...

***

The Blurb

When Jake met Tom, he waved goodbye to trawling Birmingham's gay bars. He didn't reckon with sleeping under glow-in-the-dark stars in his childhood bedroom.

Ambitious lawyer and lifelong loner Vicky has everything worked out... until she's faced with threats that can't be fixed with a power suit and a clever argument.

Lucy has planned her wedding down to each perfect petal on each perfect flower. If only 'happily-ever-after didn't come with a question mark.

Six binge-worthy episodes tell a story of finding your tribe and standing you ground.

My Review

This is a wonderful book that I enjoyed reading very much.

It is a novel that focuses on three friends during the summer of 2024. Each of the main characters narrate sections of their own: Jake, Vicky and Lucy. This gives the narrative a personal perspective from each of them. I enjoyed reading how their lives intertwine. Individually, they are all dealing with their own challenges, but with the support of one another, they are able to come through.

The book demonstrates how friends can become family and the importance of friendship in our lives. Jake, Vicky and Lucy were well-presented characters who were fully formed. What makes this book somewhat unique is that it is written as though for a television screenplay series which takes place across six episodes. This means the scenes are separated, but it all flows together cohesively.

The book deals with some serious themes such as grief and loss, love and friendship, and also what it is like to be queer or trans in twenty-first century Birmingham. The author does not sugarcoat these issues but presents them in a compassionate and sensitive way. 

This is a story that is contemporary, relevant, and utterly compelling. It is relatable, and the author develops the plot brilliantly throughout. 

This is an excellent book, and I highly recommend it.

Book Details

ISBN:  978 1739290382

Publisher:  Spring Street Books

Formats:  e-book, hardback and paperback

No. of Pages:  320 (paperback)

Preorder Links

Bookshop.org

Amazon UK

About the Author

Page Turner Award finalist Mo Fanning is a part-time novelist, part-time stand-up comic and full-time potty-mouthed homosexual.

Birmingham-based Mo crafts deeply emotional, character-driven stories that blend humour, heartbreak, and hope. With a commitment to authentic LGBTQ+ representation, his work explores the messy, beautiful realities of love, loss, and resilience through characters readers can't help but root for.

When not writing, Mo enjoys immersing himself in Birmingham's vibrant culture and finding inspiration in its streets, stories, and people.

You can also find Mo at:

Author Website

Bluesky

You Tube

Instagram

(book courtesy of the publicist)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan - #bookreview #blogtour @CalumMcSwiggan @WriteReadsTours @penguinplatform

 

'Wishing for world peace is a terrible idea,' I say, dropping the PlayStation controller down on Dean's bed as our Fortnite avatars do their victory dance. 'Because that would last for what? One day before humanity found something else to fight about? What you need to do is wish away the cause of conflict instead. You need to wish away... toxic masculinity?'

Dean laughs. 'Oh, come off it, Max. That would be your one genie wish? Not for infinite cash... or boys? But to rid the world of toxic masculinity?

'You're telling me it wouldn't be a better place for it?' I grin, lying back on Dean's bed and cosying myself into his extravagantly coloured cushions. 'There'd be no prejudice, no conflict,' I continue. 'And boys could paint their nails without worrying that it makes them gay.'

***

'I want what the straight kids have. Even just for a couple of days . . .'

Seventeen-year-old Max might be out and proud but he's usually too busy checking his nail polish to check his privilege.

So when he says he wishes he could have the 'easy' life straight kids enjoy, Max gets more than he bargained for. He wakes up to find his wish has come true - not only have his feelings for boys vanished, so has his lifelong best friend Dean.

With his world turned upside down and relationships in tatters, can Max find his way back to the life he took for granted, and maybe even win the heart of the guy he thought could never be his . . . ?

What If It's Us meets One Last Stop in this deliciously swoony queer romance.

***

I was originally attracted to this book because of the clever play on words of the title, and once I saw the gorgeous cover I knew I had to read it.

It is a delightful story which allows the reader to step into the shoes of the main character, Max, and understand how it feels to be male, young and gay. Max and his friends were enchanting characters, and I was rooting for each and every one of them.

It has been written for a young adult audience but there is plenty in this novel to keep an adult readership entertained.  It is rapidly paced, humourous and highly entertaining. I  think we have all experienced the power of a teenage crush in our lives which made it easy to identify with Max. 

However, this book is largely about friendship and the bonds that form with those closest to us. It also looks at diversity, not just within the context of Max's sexuality but also the 'white male privilege', that he experiences but his friends do not.

The moral of this book is definitely to be careful what you wish for.  Personally, I am wishing and hoping that Mr. McSwiggan will be bringing us many more books of this quality.

ISBN: 978 0241551141

Publisher:  Penguin Platform

Formats:  e-book and paperback 

No. of Pages:  336 (paperback)

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About the Author:

CALUM MCSWIGGAN is an author, presenter, and LGBTQ+ advocate. He's worked for Attitude magazine, written for the Metro, Gay Times and PinkNews, and wasrecently placed in the Guardian's list of the 50 most influential LGBTQ+ figures.

Putting LGBTQ+ stories at the heart of everything he does, he's produced award-winning films that have been showcased at film festivals around the world and racked up over 10 million views on his online videos.

Support Independent Bookshops - Buy from Bookshop.org *

(ARC, photos, graphics and author info courtesy of The Write Reads)

*Disclosure: I only recommend books I would buy myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains an affiliate link from which I may earn a small commission.