The absolutely gorgeous cover of this book is just perfect
for this contemporary-merging-elements-of-slipstream book.
At around forty, botanist Selina Thorson
has just been dumped (again) and is also out of work. But Selina has just one
dream – to find the perfect someone for herself. A series of failed
relationships hasn’t made her cynical. Drawing on her Native American roots and
beliefs, Selina reaches out to her dead grandmother with her wish. Realta (Rea)
Tobin lost her wife, Sherry, after almost a quarter of a century
together. Sherry and Rea had a vision of sustainable, organic living and Rea is
making that vision a reality – albeit alone. Selina applies for the job of
botanist in response to Rea’s ad and she lands the job. The women are instantly
attracted to each other, but a myriad of reasons – primarily nonacceptance of
her own body – make Rea wary and keep a distance from Selina. However, there are a triad of
women who love Selina and Rea working hard to bring them together.
The characters are widely inclusive
with Irish, Native American and Hispanics peopling the narrative. The pacing of
the book is steady and unhurried. The descriptions, so detailed and rich that
you can visualise every single character (including the animals), experience
every space (indoor and outdoor) and practically taste every food item that
they characters partake. But of all things described, we are totally in love
with Rea’s farm and believe that it should become some sort of a blueprint for
all agriculturists.
We thoroughly enjoyed the serious
interfering-ness, almost bordering on puckish, of the ethereal triumvirate working
overtime to bring the MCs together. While that overlay was interesting, the
reality is that everybody talks to their dear departed. Everyone looks for
signs and often finds them too. Spirituality and mysticism may not be overtly
expressed but are inherent. So this aspect works too.
The attraction and slow burn is built
so well that by the time they kiss for the first time, we were practically
bursting for it. We love that both MCs are 40+ but are even more taken by the
body-image issues that are raised. The obsession with beautiful = slim is
really damaging to individual psyche and can take a toll on relationships too –
something that is brought up in no uncertain terms in the book.
This is a lovely read.
PS: Though not directly about the
story, the acknowledgements are worth a read. The author thanks a Facebook
group and a number of published and unpublished authors who have built a
community of support that cheers each member on giving every kind of support needed.
That is just so heartening.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
