⭐⭐☆
Not a very deep read set in some sort
of a lesbian paradise town, this book is a read-and-leave kind of practically templated
story. Rich-girl-poor-girl, successful-musician-homeless-struggler, about a
decade of age gap and inexplicable deep love unfurling are the themes.
Romi Shepherd runs away from her loveless home in East
Quay to New York hoping to be discovered while busking. But years later she is
just a homeless person singing in the subway. She is arrested for
breaking-and-entering because her wallet and ID, which were stolen from her,
were found at the crime scene. Panic-stricken, Romi runs away from custody and
goes back to East Quay and takes shelter in the basement bomb shelter of her
childhood home where she used to live with her aunt. Unbeknownst to aunt is no
more and the house has just been bought by Gil Owen, a renowned violinist whose
career and life have been derailed by an accident. Romi’s and Gail’s paths keep
crossing as Romi continues hiding in the basement grappling with guilt of her
continued stay.
Initially we felt that the book would be much more
complicated given Romi’s homelessness and hiding in the basement juxtaposed
with Gail’s diva-ness. We thought that Gail would have much more reaction
(especially of outrage and fear) over the fact someone was secretly sharing her
house (imagine how scary this would be if it actually happened to someone). But
the book simplified the situation midway and lapsed into an easier narrative.
We didn’t quite get the motivations and trajectory of the characters or the
speed of some situations especially towards the end.
This is basically a kind of fairy tale of Romi’s life.
Non-complicated, all’s-well-and-only-gets-better kind of read.
⭐⭐☆
