Book Review: 3

Hannah Moskowitz fearlessly dives right into topics that scare other writers off, so that she’s recently self-published a pet project of hers – a YA novel about polyamory – is not too surprising. It does, alas, feel a little rushed into publication and especially in need of a copy-edit, which is distracting.

The premise: new girl Taylor and her mom have just moved in with her mom’s fiancé, Dominic, and his young daughter. Taylor adores Dom – she’s happy about having a family – but the move does mean leaving behind her best friend.

Enter two new friends, the outcasts at school – quirky, adorable Theo and the impossibly-accomplished Josey. Taylor falls for Theo, but pulls back when she realises he’s in a relationship. As it turns out, their relationship is one open to the idea of a third party – and although Taylor initially turns them down, she can’t quite stop thinking about them, especially Theo.

Even though this is very much a defence of polyamory, the novel still explores the potential difficulties – feelings of jealousy and insecurity about the other parties. I did find the set-up a bit uncomfortable – it’s always another girl that they invite into their relationship, and the girl/girl side of things is pitched as emotional rather than romantic or sexual. Taylor does love Josey, but it feels more sisterly than anything else. (I do not find Theo charming enough to believe that two fabulous girls are into him.)

Books about underrepresented issues are always tricky – they shouldn’t have to be perfect or thorough on their particular topic and yet it feels as though they must be. I didn’t love this as much as I’d hoped, but a Taylor/Josey makeout scene probably would’ve have tipped the balance for me. Sequel…?