Finding Lizzie

by Karma Kingsley

[layawaydragon]

Another Rich in Variety tour that was cancelled due to no one signing up *cry* I swear to fucking god ya’ll sign up so I can participate how I plan to! This is just depressing. Anywho, now that I’ve crawled out of my bed days later…

Content Warning: Bigotry, Hate Crimes, Unsupportive Blood Relatives,

The Good:
+Authentic voice and perspective
+Adorkable meet cute.
+Awesome character progression
+They work at their relationship!!
+Chosen family is dynamic together & love this inclusion. SO many people make their own families, and/or cut off their toxic blood relatives, we need to see more of this in fiction!
+INTERSECTIONAL.
+Struggling with picking a major in college, because uh, hello, most people do? Bout damn time we see more relatable characters in contemporary fiction. This is what New Adult is supposed to be about!
+Steamy sex scenes where they communicate. A+
+Tattooed & troubled romance interest that isn’t a controlling, manipulative, alpha-douche? Romance writers TAKE NOTE.
+Body painting artist, lesbian bars, Pride, unrepentant women in control of their sex lives
=Insta-love & quick progression is acceptable because of *this* couple and *these circumstances*. Wouldn’t have if it was a white het couple. Been there, quit that.

The Other:
=Elizabeth’s indecisive awkward beginning is accurate to the point of being painful to read. I was SCREAMING and cringing through it all. If you’ve got problems like mine, it’ll be hard to read but stick it out, it’s worth it.
=Ending is HEA, but tinged with the reality of bigotry so it’s good and right but damn, people are fucked up.

I just…people, y u no read this with me!?!? Sign up with Rich In Variety and join me already, damn it!

I really don’t know what else to say. If you want F/F interracial couple that deals with the issues well, doesn’t sugar coat but keeps it positive, includes communication, character progression, and consent and comes with none of the standard problematic bullshit…what are you waiting for?

And really, if this doesn’t sound like your kind of thing, I probably just explained it poorly. Read the first 5 chapters on Amazon preview, I’m sure it’ll win you over if I can’t.

4.5 stars on my scale because of me in the beginning. I still feel embarrassed for Elizabeth, like I have scars from it and made it tougher to stay in the story. Everywhere else I’m rounding up because obviously, that’s not right to punish Kingley’s work for kicking my ass.
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Update #1: Reading for the Rich in Variety Tour, full review & post to come shortly! Hint: It's good.