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Swanley #1
No Parking
When Marianne Windmere’s bakery customers begin complaining that her parking lot is always full, she assumes it must be customers for the new restaurant next door. She’s never met her neighbor, and with the parking lot situation, she has no interest in doing so. But when a snowstorm knocks out the power and traps both women in the building overnight, sparks fly–until the next morning, when the buried argument comes to a head.
Can they find a way to reclaim the magic of that night? And as decades-old secrets about the history of the town and Marianne's family come to light, can they work together to save both their businesses?
Can they find a way to reclaim the magic of that night? And as decades-old secrets about the history of the town and Marianne's family come to light, can they work together to save both their businesses?
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2020
8 people are currently reading
405 people want to read
About the author
Valentine Wheeler
15 books33 followersValentine (she/her) lives in Boston, where she goes by Lis and spends her time citing obscure postal regulations and arguing with a preschooler. She writes queer joy, often with a speculative twist, and always full of bisexuals.
She serves as Logistics and Fiction Editor for Wizards in Space Literary Magazine, and her work can be found at The Future Fire and Ninestar Press.
She serves as Logistics and Fiction Editor for Wizards in Space Literary Magazine, and her work can be found at The Future Fire and Ninestar Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 6, 2020
3.50 Stars. This was a nice read. My first by Wheeler and I believe her full length debut. For some reason I thought this was a novella but according to my Kindle it was a full length story and it felt like it. This was a little different than I expected, but I’m a fan of different so I appreciate those aspects. There were a few parts that I felt could have been stronger but it was a sweet read for sure.
This is a story about two bisexual women -either 59 or 60- who work next door to each other in the same building. The main character who’s POV we are in is Marianne. Marianne runs a bakery and owns half the building and the parking lot that is always filled with no parking left for her customers. While she is in a mini parking war with her neighbor, she can’t help but find that same neighbor attractive. Is there a chance at something more for the two women or will bad blood get in the way?
I think the best way to describe this book would be contemporary fiction but with a light romance. I found the romance really took a back seat. The main character Marianne believes she might be asexual, so there are no sex scenes in this book. I just want to make clear that Marianne being asexual has nothing to do with this not having much romance. It was just that much more time was spent on family, food, and the whole parking issue which got more interesting as the book went on. Part of the romance issue was that the main characters would see each other once but then go ages without seeing each other again. Funny enough they actually moved too fast for me in the beginning, but then they slowed down to a snail’s pace. This was a part of the book that I felt could have been stronger. I wanted their relationship to be sturdier with a better connection, and there is plenty of ways to do that without having to add sex scenes.
One thing I really liked was the diversity. This is a very LGBTQ friendly town and it was nice to see. There were multiple bisexual characters, lesbians, trans, and even gender fluid. I also appreciated that the mains were older since we don’t see a ton of characters that are 59, 60. Both had been married to men before and it was nice to see their second chance at love story.
The parking wars part turned into a major storyline. Way bigger than it seemed in the beginning. I liked how the storyline twisted and turned into something different. There was almost a mini baby mystery to figure out about what was going on. Add in some small town politics and a fun court scene and I enjoyed this storyline quite a bit.
Overall, I like this read. It wasn’t the strong romance I was hoping for, but I enjoyed the other storylines. If you are looking for a book with some diversity both in age and sexuality, this is a good choice. It’s different that a lot of books out there, which I see as a good thing.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
This is a story about two bisexual women -either 59 or 60- who work next door to each other in the same building. The main character who’s POV we are in is Marianne. Marianne runs a bakery and owns half the building and the parking lot that is always filled with no parking left for her customers. While she is in a mini parking war with her neighbor, she can’t help but find that same neighbor attractive. Is there a chance at something more for the two women or will bad blood get in the way?
I think the best way to describe this book would be contemporary fiction but with a light romance. I found the romance really took a back seat. The main character Marianne believes she might be asexual, so there are no sex scenes in this book. I just want to make clear that Marianne being asexual has nothing to do with this not having much romance. It was just that much more time was spent on family, food, and the whole parking issue which got more interesting as the book went on. Part of the romance issue was that the main characters would see each other once but then go ages without seeing each other again. Funny enough they actually moved too fast for me in the beginning, but then they slowed down to a snail’s pace. This was a part of the book that I felt could have been stronger. I wanted their relationship to be sturdier with a better connection, and there is plenty of ways to do that without having to add sex scenes.
One thing I really liked was the diversity. This is a very LGBTQ friendly town and it was nice to see. There were multiple bisexual characters, lesbians, trans, and even gender fluid. I also appreciated that the mains were older since we don’t see a ton of characters that are 59, 60. Both had been married to men before and it was nice to see their second chance at love story.
The parking wars part turned into a major storyline. Way bigger than it seemed in the beginning. I liked how the storyline twisted and turned into something different. There was almost a mini baby mystery to figure out about what was going on. Add in some small town politics and a fun court scene and I enjoyed this storyline quite a bit.
Overall, I like this read. It wasn’t the strong romance I was hoping for, but I enjoyed the other storylines. If you are looking for a book with some diversity both in age and sexuality, this is a good choice. It’s different that a lot of books out there, which I see as a good thing.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
April 13, 2020
This started off so well with two women in a near silent feud over the parking lot usage of their respective establishments. Marianne Windmere has been running the family bakery for a number of years now and business is still fairly good. Her family has owned the building and the business for over a hundred years and it’s a bit of a town institution. Rana owns the Cairo Grill in the one area that Marianne’s father sold to his best friend before he died. When a storm knocks out the power one night, Marianne invites Rana to her home above the bakery to wait out the storm. They find they have an attraction for each other until the subject of customer parking comes up.
Initially I thought this would be an enemies-to-lovers trope with not much in it and I was pleasantly surprised by the quirks and twists in the story. It kept me going for most of the book. The legal and bureaucratic red tape was interesting and fun. I enjoyed the concept and I enjoyed the representation of the number of people on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.
What I didn’t find quite as appealing was the relationship development. On the first evening Rana and Marianne meet and chat a lovely dynamic develops between them but gets lost for the rest of the story. There is a repetitive sentiment from Marianne about how she thought they had potential but now all is lost including the possibility of friendship. More interaction between the two, whether getting along or not, would have been a better than them not talking much at all.
What started so well, had a disappointing outcome in the end.
Book received from Netgalley and NineStar Press for an honest review.
Initially I thought this would be an enemies-to-lovers trope with not much in it and I was pleasantly surprised by the quirks and twists in the story. It kept me going for most of the book. The legal and bureaucratic red tape was interesting and fun. I enjoyed the concept and I enjoyed the representation of the number of people on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.
What I didn’t find quite as appealing was the relationship development. On the first evening Rana and Marianne meet and chat a lovely dynamic develops between them but gets lost for the rest of the story. There is a repetitive sentiment from Marianne about how she thought they had potential but now all is lost including the possibility of friendship. More interaction between the two, whether getting along or not, would have been a better than them not talking much at all.
What started so well, had a disappointing outcome in the end.
Book received from Netgalley and NineStar Press for an honest review.
February 6, 2020
No Parking was a easy read and a little on the slow side at times. Marianne Windmere owns a bakery and the building it is in. She is having a parking problem in the back of her lot, but assumes because of the restaurant next door. Her neighbor Rana leases out the store next door and has a restaurant. She assumes that the parking is because of the bakery. As to story progresses, the focus becomes who is parking in the lot, who owns it along with a host of other issues about the building that houses Rana's restuarant.
I admit that I have never read a romance with the Main characters who are to fall in love are in their late 50's. So if you noticed I phased that this way because I actually don't think this was a romance. It was sort of a mystery that has a hint of romance. I did enjoy how diverse this book was and the different types of characters. You have transgender folks, an asexual and plenty of bisexual (okay maybe not plenty) folks. You also have different religions and ethnicities. So I did really like that. I liked the story line of the mystery of who is parking in the lot and all the issues that comes up with it. I did find the romance to be lacking and some of the book to be slow/boring for me.
Overall it was a decent enough read and give it 3.50 stars
This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.
I admit that I have never read a romance with the Main characters who are to fall in love are in their late 50's. So if you noticed I phased that this way because I actually don't think this was a romance. It was sort of a mystery that has a hint of romance. I did enjoy how diverse this book was and the different types of characters. You have transgender folks, an asexual and plenty of bisexual (okay maybe not plenty) folks. You also have different religions and ethnicities. So I did really like that. I liked the story line of the mystery of who is parking in the lot and all the issues that comes up with it. I did find the romance to be lacking and some of the book to be slow/boring for me.
Overall it was a decent enough read and give it 3.50 stars
This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.
January 31, 2020
Extremely interesting story. Loved the fact that most characters were bisexual. That the story promotes friendship, kindness, respect. From bakery owner who almost lost everything, to gaining not only what was hers, but acquiring love interest as well. All started with Parking war and ended in community coming together.
Honestly, I wish I was living there!
Great story. Might be slow on the beginning, but picks up quarter into the book.
Honestly, I wish I was living there!
Great story. Might be slow on the beginning, but picks up quarter into the book.
October 24, 2020
This was really lovely! I have it tagged as romance here but it is really a story about community that is fairly light on romantic love - the two women spend much of the book as friends with some tension. That felt very true to the characters, who are close to 60 and had both been married previously; a new relationship was an intriguing possibility for both of them but not something that would overtake their busy lives. In some ways it was actually kind of refreshing to read a romance novel that centered community and family (both biological and found) relationships and didn't turn the love story into the central thing in the characters' well-established lives. But I do wish we'd spent a little more time seeing the relationship develop; it seemed to be on hold for the other plot points to resolve themselves (also something that felt true to the characters and story) and once it took off the book was basically over. We seemed to spend more time on Marianne's tentatively friendly relationship with her ex-husband. Their friendship was sweet and complex and it was cool to see that kind of relationship centered, but it didn't make sense to not give Marianne and Rana the same amount of focus.
You know how in romance and other cozy genres there is often a cute little bakery/coffee shop, with an owner who is tuned into all the town gossip, and when the main character needs a place to go the lovely owner takes them in and maybe even offers them a job? And it never seems to actually take that much work or stress and the characters can close up when they need to do other Plot Stuff? This book is from the perspective of that bakery owner, and it doesn't shy away from showing the work side of the charming small-town institution where you find your found family. There are early mornings, aches and pains, angst about the total absence of a work-life boundary and how much control she really can hand over to her one part-time employee, memories of growing up and not wanting to take over the family business because it took so much time and energy from the older generation.
Speaking of found family, this book felt like a new angle on that idea: it's from the perspective of an older queer lady whose circle of friends has all hit an age and stage in life where they know themselves well. They're the loving established queer community that the kids who need one find. And they learn from the kids; I loved seeing Marianne be so comfortable and familiar with her bisexual identity but exploring the new-to-her idea, brought up by her daughter, that she might be on the asexual spectrum.
Plus there was municipal intrigue! Multiple trips to City Hall! The importance of being kind to the records clerk and the maintenance crew!
Oh, and another thing I have so rarely seen in fiction - the book takes place around Christmas but most of the main characters don't celebrate. I really appreciated seeing Marianne's complicated relationship to the holiday, enjoying the festivity but getting exhausted by how big and all-consuming it is, making her own Christmas-day traditions with her non-Christian community.
So yeah, overall, I didn't love everything about this book but so much of it was an incredibly refreshing take on familiar small-town-story tropes, with a refreshingly diverse cast, that I feel the need to yell about it.
You know how in romance and other cozy genres there is often a cute little bakery/coffee shop, with an owner who is tuned into all the town gossip, and when the main character needs a place to go the lovely owner takes them in and maybe even offers them a job? And it never seems to actually take that much work or stress and the characters can close up when they need to do other Plot Stuff? This book is from the perspective of that bakery owner, and it doesn't shy away from showing the work side of the charming small-town institution where you find your found family. There are early mornings, aches and pains, angst about the total absence of a work-life boundary and how much control she really can hand over to her one part-time employee, memories of growing up and not wanting to take over the family business because it took so much time and energy from the older generation.
Speaking of found family, this book felt like a new angle on that idea: it's from the perspective of an older queer lady whose circle of friends has all hit an age and stage in life where they know themselves well. They're the loving established queer community that the kids who need one find. And they learn from the kids; I loved seeing Marianne be so comfortable and familiar with her bisexual identity but exploring the new-to-her idea, brought up by her daughter, that she might be on the asexual spectrum.
Plus there was municipal intrigue! Multiple trips to City Hall! The importance of being kind to the records clerk and the maintenance crew!
Oh, and another thing I have so rarely seen in fiction - the book takes place around Christmas but most of the main characters don't celebrate. I really appreciated seeing Marianne's complicated relationship to the holiday, enjoying the festivity but getting exhausted by how big and all-consuming it is, making her own Christmas-day traditions with her non-Christian community.
So yeah, overall, I didn't love everything about this book but so much of it was an incredibly refreshing take on familiar small-town-story tropes, with a refreshingly diverse cast, that I feel the need to yell about it.
February 11, 2020
Did not finish.
The main character has big “will call the cops on you in your own building” energy and it’s so hard to root for her knowing her prejudice and ignorance allowed her to foster an overblown dislike of her neighbour for no reason.
Also, I’d really like for the author to consider getting targeted beta readers next time, because everything from the one-sided grudge to the hyper-focus on the accent, to this one terrible line: “She wasn’t about to get murdered in the dark over a parking lot dispute.” was just so very...[redacted].
Truly, because if it did not occur to the author that the MC “fearing for her life” for no damn reason—even jokingly or intentionally hyperbolically—comes off as racist in this particular dynamic, then there is a knowledge gap there.
The villain the POV main character built the woc love interest up to be in her mind is especially dangerous when she has power to act on all this imaginary rivalry and make the other woman’s life difficult. And so I did not find this “it was all a misunderstanding oops my bad you’re actually cool and nothing like the ‘general image of a Middle Eastern’ woman I pictured and strongly disliked” setup cute or funny or even interesting to read.
The main character has big “will call the cops on you in your own building” energy and it’s so hard to root for her knowing her prejudice and ignorance allowed her to foster an overblown dislike of her neighbour for no reason.
Also, I’d really like for the author to consider getting targeted beta readers next time, because everything from the one-sided grudge to the hyper-focus on the accent, to this one terrible line: “She wasn’t about to get murdered in the dark over a parking lot dispute.” was just so very...[redacted].
Truly, because if it did not occur to the author that the MC “fearing for her life” for no damn reason—even jokingly or intentionally hyperbolically—comes off as racist in this particular dynamic, then there is a knowledge gap there.
The villain the POV main character built the woc love interest up to be in her mind is especially dangerous when she has power to act on all this imaginary rivalry and make the other woman’s life difficult. And so I did not find this “it was all a misunderstanding oops my bad you’re actually cool and nothing like the ‘general image of a Middle Eastern’ woman I pictured and strongly disliked” setup cute or funny or even interesting to read.
February 10, 2020
Who knew a small town could have so much diversity and so much acceptance of the diversity?
We follow the story of Marianne and Rana, two women approaching 60 and owning a business right next to each other. Both women have been married to a man before and have multiple children. The characters are likeable, but somewhat unbelievable. Rana and her daughter are rather open and I found it somewhat unbelievable with their background. I doesn’t line up with my experience.
The ladies have trouble with the parking near their shops, when they try to fix it a lot of problems are unearthed. Somehow they are able to overcome all the obstacles they face, but will they find their way to each other?
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
We follow the story of Marianne and Rana, two women approaching 60 and owning a business right next to each other. Both women have been married to a man before and have multiple children. The characters are likeable, but somewhat unbelievable. Rana and her daughter are rather open and I found it somewhat unbelievable with their background. I doesn’t line up with my experience.
The ladies have trouble with the parking near their shops, when they try to fix it a lot of problems are unearthed. Somehow they are able to overcome all the obstacles they face, but will they find their way to each other?
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
January 31, 2020
eARC
WHAT a delightful book! I swear the last time I snacked this much during a book it was Redwall. So happy for an older f/f romance with small town legal shenanigans and FOOD.
Also I loved how Marianne was friend with her exes, even her ex-husband! That was a wonderful relationship I was not expecting to build.
ALSO ZEKE, Zeke is my bb and I love him.
WHAT a delightful book! I swear the last time I snacked this much during a book it was Redwall. So happy for an older f/f romance with small town legal shenanigans and FOOD.
Also I loved how Marianne was friend with her exes, even her ex-husband! That was a wonderful relationship I was not expecting to build.
ALSO ZEKE, Zeke is my bb and I love him.
February 22, 2020
This is a nice romance about two lady business owners in a small town full of queer people, many of whom aren’t white, and there is legal maneuvering to be done! A protagonist who is bisexual and on the ace spectrum, MY HEART! I absolutely loved this.
February 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this! The book (to me) was less about the romance and more about the town, the bakery, legal issues, social commentary, queerness sprinkled all over, which I enjoyed.
It probably says something about my state of mind as much as the writing, but I could feel the tenseness of the situation in my body while reading. Would recommend this book to others!
(also, ace rep aw yeah!)
It probably says something about my state of mind as much as the writing, but I could feel the tenseness of the situation in my body while reading. Would recommend this book to others!
(also, ace rep aw yeah!)
dnf
July 28, 2021DNF @ Chapter 3
There was nothing wrong with this one, it just wasn't for me and I didn't vibe with the writing style.
There was nothing wrong with this one, it just wasn't for me and I didn't vibe with the writing style.
February 7, 2020
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes. This in no way influences my review; all words, thoughts, and opinions are my own.
Content notes:
This is a really cute story. The romance between Marianne and Rana is very soft and subtle, the focus of the story mainly on the parking lot situation and subsequent revelations about Marianne’s property. I love how utterly queer this book is and all the casual diversity. There are many people of color populating this story and Rana is Egyptian and Muslim. Zeke is one of my favorite characters, and I hope he’ll have a story in this world as well. This was a really fun story and the law and history aspects were interesting to read.
Content notes:
This is a really cute story. The romance between Marianne and Rana is very soft and subtle, the focus of the story mainly on the parking lot situation and subsequent revelations about Marianne’s property. I love how utterly queer this book is and all the casual diversity. There are many people of color populating this story and Rana is Egyptian and Muslim. Zeke is one of my favorite characters, and I hope he’ll have a story in this world as well. This was a really fun story and the law and history aspects were interesting to read.
April 18, 2020
No Parking reads like the literary embodiment of Writeblr (Tumblr’s writing community) in the best possible way. It’s a place full of rallying cries like “The patriarchy bores me,” “research your diversity”, “everybody is queer and I don’t see any different” and “2020 is when we get to see real women in fiction.” My favourite thing about this book is that it had diversity without being about the fact that it had diversity. It was about diverse characters going about their fully-realised lives.
The premise is that neighbouring restaurateurs Marianne and Rana are locked in a feud because each thinks the other is responsible for filling up the common parking lot with their own customers’ vehicles, throttling traffic to the other’s restaurants. They quickly realise that something bigger is afoot and also, well. That the “rivals to lovers” exists for a reason, and Marianne can’t stop facepalming about all the time she wasted grumbling about Rana instead of eating at her restaurant.
I don’t want to say that this author’s niche or thing is writing older main characters in love, but they do it so well. Especially considering the time we live in, I appreciate this reminder that anyone over fifty is still a person like hot damn your heart and brain and imagination doesn’t switch off when you’re closer to retirement age than you are to your local councilman.
That’s the other thing No Parking is about (besides the slow burn dance of older wlw): the politics of living in a small town. Red tapeism and communal goodwill abound, all of which is described less like an infodump and more through the characters’ daily lives. The level of research and attention to detail that goes into the 60k thrillers about renegade ex-military ageing white men or intrepid nerds who will save the day is captured here, except now it’s about middle class chefs putting their heads together to save a family legacy.
It also doesn’t miss a beat to talk about all that’s beloved about Americana: black soldiers in the Civil War, the treatment of veterans after the World Wars versus Vietnam, how little boys grow up to be cops but affection gets you only so far with them. It’s not soapboxing if it’s written as organically as it is here.
Slow, slice-of-life books aren’t usually for me. Neither is the balance of plot and character-drivenness is being tilted heavily on the character side. There were times that I wished the dialogue was snappier and there was a little more conflict. (Not misunderstandings and non-communicativeness conflict; more of the people living with and around people conflict.) But it remains a solid, well-written read. Bring on more romance novels that subvert all the typical tropes of the genre.
The premise is that neighbouring restaurateurs Marianne and Rana are locked in a feud because each thinks the other is responsible for filling up the common parking lot with their own customers’ vehicles, throttling traffic to the other’s restaurants. They quickly realise that something bigger is afoot and also, well. That the “rivals to lovers” exists for a reason, and Marianne can’t stop facepalming about all the time she wasted grumbling about Rana instead of eating at her restaurant.
I don’t want to say that this author’s niche or thing is writing older main characters in love, but they do it so well. Especially considering the time we live in, I appreciate this reminder that anyone over fifty is still a person like hot damn your heart and brain and imagination doesn’t switch off when you’re closer to retirement age than you are to your local councilman.
That’s the other thing No Parking is about (besides the slow burn dance of older wlw): the politics of living in a small town. Red tapeism and communal goodwill abound, all of which is described less like an infodump and more through the characters’ daily lives. The level of research and attention to detail that goes into the 60k thrillers about renegade ex-military ageing white men or intrepid nerds who will save the day is captured here, except now it’s about middle class chefs putting their heads together to save a family legacy.
It also doesn’t miss a beat to talk about all that’s beloved about Americana: black soldiers in the Civil War, the treatment of veterans after the World Wars versus Vietnam, how little boys grow up to be cops but affection gets you only so far with them. It’s not soapboxing if it’s written as organically as it is here.
Slow, slice-of-life books aren’t usually for me. Neither is the balance of plot and character-drivenness is being tilted heavily on the character side. There were times that I wished the dialogue was snappier and there was a little more conflict. (Not misunderstandings and non-communicativeness conflict; more of the people living with and around people conflict.) But it remains a solid, well-written read. Bring on more romance novels that subvert all the typical tropes of the genre.
February 7, 2020
What a delightfully cozy romance with an intriguing cast of characters and a wide diversity in a small town setting!
Marianne Windmere hasn’t always owned her family’s nearly century old bakery, but she has for nearly three decades. It’s seen as an institution in the small town of Swanley as much as the town itself. She lives a quiet life rising early to prep for her long day in the bakery, shares her workspace with one dedicated, albeit young, employee, and fumes over the omnipresent cars flooding her parking lot. The likely culprit? The restaurant attached to the other side of the bakery, a unit she doesn’t own.
A snowstorm hits and causes her to push back her not-so neighborly feelings toward the owner of said restaurant and Marianne invites Rana to spend the night in her apartment above the bakery rather than attempt to drive home in the blizzard-like conditions. Their quiet night of companionship and food is lost on the both of them in the morning when they blame each other’s customers for the parking issue.
The romance between Marianne and Rana itself was tender and sweet. Marianne, divorced for fifteen years, identifies as bisexual, though she recalls a conversation she has with her adult child about the possibility of her being asexual. I just loved how queer positive this story was. All throughout, there are countless queer folks, trans, non-binary, lesbian, asexual, and so much more. The story held a casual attitude toward queerness, which I couldn’t get enough of. I don’t recall Rana explicitly stating how she identifies but she was married to a man in the past and has children of her own.
The story does touch on a bit of issues that queer folks face—Zeke, the only employee of Marianne’s is a seven-teen year old trans boy who was kicked out of his parents’ home upon coming out—but not to an angsty extent. His kickass 90 year-old great-grandfather took him in.
The platonic relationship between Marianne and her ex-husband, Kevin, was well done, without any ill will toward each other, though she does remark—realistically—it took them both some time to get to the point of friendship but it’s nice.
I kind of wish there had been a bit more scenes with Rana and Marianne simply together but it was sweet as is. Maybe more scenes with them getting to know each other, sharing secrets or recipes, etc.
This was a lovely book with a tender romance and low-angst plot that was just what I needed. I felt as if I met all of the wonderful residents of Swanley as they visited Marianne’s bakery.
Marianne Windmere hasn’t always owned her family’s nearly century old bakery, but she has for nearly three decades. It’s seen as an institution in the small town of Swanley as much as the town itself. She lives a quiet life rising early to prep for her long day in the bakery, shares her workspace with one dedicated, albeit young, employee, and fumes over the omnipresent cars flooding her parking lot. The likely culprit? The restaurant attached to the other side of the bakery, a unit she doesn’t own.
A snowstorm hits and causes her to push back her not-so neighborly feelings toward the owner of said restaurant and Marianne invites Rana to spend the night in her apartment above the bakery rather than attempt to drive home in the blizzard-like conditions. Their quiet night of companionship and food is lost on the both of them in the morning when they blame each other’s customers for the parking issue.
The romance between Marianne and Rana itself was tender and sweet. Marianne, divorced for fifteen years, identifies as bisexual, though she recalls a conversation she has with her adult child about the possibility of her being asexual. I just loved how queer positive this story was. All throughout, there are countless queer folks, trans, non-binary, lesbian, asexual, and so much more. The story held a casual attitude toward queerness, which I couldn’t get enough of. I don’t recall Rana explicitly stating how she identifies but she was married to a man in the past and has children of her own.
The story does touch on a bit of issues that queer folks face—Zeke, the only employee of Marianne’s is a seven-teen year old trans boy who was kicked out of his parents’ home upon coming out—but not to an angsty extent. His kickass 90 year-old great-grandfather took him in.
The platonic relationship between Marianne and her ex-husband, Kevin, was well done, without any ill will toward each other, though she does remark—realistically—it took them both some time to get to the point of friendship but it’s nice.
I kind of wish there had been a bit more scenes with Rana and Marianne simply together but it was sweet as is. Maybe more scenes with them getting to know each other, sharing secrets or recipes, etc.
This was a lovely book with a tender romance and low-angst plot that was just what I needed. I felt as if I met all of the wonderful residents of Swanley as they visited Marianne’s bakery.
February 25, 2020
I loved this story so much. It was not what I was expecting in a few aspects but I wouldn’t change a thing. The characters were much older than I was expecting, yet I was glad because a story from that generation is totally something I have been looking for. I loved seeing people In their 50's and 60's able to articulate who they are in a way that may not have been available to them earlier in life.
Swanley is like a cute miniature version of how I hope the world can one day be. Its not perfect and there are still selfish and closed minded people, but overall it is just accepting. The atmosphere created in this story made my heart swell. Skin color, cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, gender, for the majority of the characters none of it mattered. That’s how I believe it should be.
I loved the small town feel where everyone knows everyone else’s business. It breeds a quirky cast of characters that really brought so much life and humor to the story. The characters felt so real and natural and were so likable. I would love to see more stories in Swanley.
The drama of the story was actually much less light hearted than I was expecting. Parking lot issues sounds frustrating and inconvenient but it quickly became so much more and I really empathized with Marianne and Rana's frustrations and difficulties.
There are so many great aspects of this story. From the idea of legacy and found families to the importance of friendship, communication, and being true to one’s self. The messages Wheeler delivers so gracefully are impactful and fulfilling.
Marianne and Rana are both completely lovable and their friendship and attraction is so sweet and genuine. One of my only disappointments in the whole story is that Rana has very little page time. This really is Marianne's story so I understood why, I just liked seeing the two of them interacting.
I was so impressed with this story and the characters especially. This book is, In the words of Zeke “All around Queer.” And I loved it.
Swanley is like a cute miniature version of how I hope the world can one day be. Its not perfect and there are still selfish and closed minded people, but overall it is just accepting. The atmosphere created in this story made my heart swell. Skin color, cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, gender, for the majority of the characters none of it mattered. That’s how I believe it should be.
I loved the small town feel where everyone knows everyone else’s business. It breeds a quirky cast of characters that really brought so much life and humor to the story. The characters felt so real and natural and were so likable. I would love to see more stories in Swanley.
The drama of the story was actually much less light hearted than I was expecting. Parking lot issues sounds frustrating and inconvenient but it quickly became so much more and I really empathized with Marianne and Rana's frustrations and difficulties.
There are so many great aspects of this story. From the idea of legacy and found families to the importance of friendship, communication, and being true to one’s self. The messages Wheeler delivers so gracefully are impactful and fulfilling.
Marianne and Rana are both completely lovable and their friendship and attraction is so sweet and genuine. One of my only disappointments in the whole story is that Rana has very little page time. This really is Marianne's story so I understood why, I just liked seeing the two of them interacting.
I was so impressed with this story and the characters especially. This book is, In the words of Zeke “All around Queer.” And I loved it.
February 6, 2020
Older characters alert! This is a small-town romance about two ladies in their fifties (almost 60). After reading I think you will enjoy this book if you like slow-paced books and identify as asexual or are interested in reading about that point of view.
Both MC's were married with kids, Marianne was born and raised in the small town and Rana is an immigrant from Egypt. Also, there is Zeke, who is a trans (FTM) man.
This book is very sensitive towards the diverse queer community with the correct use of pronounce and a very diverse audience in the book for such a small town. The author didn't overdo it, so it is still very realistic.
The title of the book says it all: No Parking. Although I did not expect it, the storyline revolves around a parking issue and it is a nicely paced story to read. The blurb gave me the impression that "sparks would fly" and in my opinion, they didn't fly. I was expecting more than kissing when sparks fly, to be honest. This could be because Marianne is on the asexual spectrum and I identify as on the opposite. I do believe though that if you are on the asexual spectrum that you can relate to this book and enjoy it very much.
The writing style of Wheeler is solid, the conversations in the book are fun to read and after the showdown in court, the ending of the book is very satisfying. Although it was a nice read, this wasn't (for me) a read to shout about. But I do want to cheer because of the unique elements: older mc's, the transgender characters and the asexual spectrum.
If you identify yourself as such or want to read about mature women I'm sure you will enjoy reading this book.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Both MC's were married with kids, Marianne was born and raised in the small town and Rana is an immigrant from Egypt. Also, there is Zeke, who is a trans (FTM) man.
This book is very sensitive towards the diverse queer community with the correct use of pronounce and a very diverse audience in the book for such a small town. The author didn't overdo it, so it is still very realistic.
The title of the book says it all: No Parking. Although I did not expect it, the storyline revolves around a parking issue and it is a nicely paced story to read. The blurb gave me the impression that "sparks would fly" and in my opinion, they didn't fly. I was expecting more than kissing when sparks fly, to be honest. This could be because Marianne is on the asexual spectrum and I identify as on the opposite. I do believe though that if you are on the asexual spectrum that you can relate to this book and enjoy it very much.
The writing style of Wheeler is solid, the conversations in the book are fun to read and after the showdown in court, the ending of the book is very satisfying. Although it was a nice read, this wasn't (for me) a read to shout about. But I do want to cheer because of the unique elements: older mc's, the transgender characters and the asexual spectrum.
If you identify yourself as such or want to read about mature women I'm sure you will enjoy reading this book.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
I thought the blurb for this one sounded cute, and though the book turned out not to be what I expected, it was definitely a good story. The characters absolutely shine here, and really make this story worth reading, even if the plot didn’t quite strike my fancy.
What I particularly loved about this story was the effortless and organic way the author portrayed a truly diverse cast of characters. Not only with the MCs, but all the supporting secondary characters as well. The story includes people from all across the queer spectrum, different religions and races, and personalities. Set in a small town, there was an easy way the characters interacted, the way they knew each other, and the way they had for years. Being a small town, there is some bigotry and prejudice shown, but it doesn’t take over the story, and it doesn’t drive the plot, which was great to see. Instead, we have an inclusive cast that doesn’t feel forced or as if it was just “boxes ticked.” I loved the openness and ease with which the characters interacted, and I loved the way it highlighted just how diverse the world is.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4 stars
I thought the blurb for this one sounded cute, and though the book turned out not to be what I expected, it was definitely a good story. The characters absolutely shine here, and really make this story worth reading, even if the plot didn’t quite strike my fancy.
What I particularly loved about this story was the effortless and organic way the author portrayed a truly diverse cast of characters. Not only with the MCs, but all the supporting secondary characters as well. The story includes people from all across the queer spectrum, different religions and races, and personalities. Set in a small town, there was an easy way the characters interacted, the way they knew each other, and the way they had for years. Being a small town, there is some bigotry and prejudice shown, but it doesn’t take over the story, and it doesn’t drive the plot, which was great to see. Instead, we have an inclusive cast that doesn’t feel forced or as if it was just “boxes ticked.” I loved the openness and ease with which the characters interacted, and I loved the way it highlighted just how diverse the world is.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
February 6, 2020
I'm sure this book has its audience, and it isn't me. I enjoy that it was a small town romance that featured diverse characters, including sexuality, race, religion, ability, age. I enjoyed reading a romance in which one of the characters was asexual.
I didn't enjoy the prose. I'm more apt to complain when there's too much figurative language and it's leaning toward purple. This had virtually no figurative language at all, and it felt flat to me, like I wanted some attention on the actual art of writing.
Additionally, the balance between plot and romance was way off to me. The tension between the two main characters is resolved almost immediately, and the rest of the book is the plot about small town record keeping shenanigans. I wanted more development of the actual romance.
I think this book suffered from being a third person book from Marianne's POV. Readers just don't spend enough time with Rana to get to know her. Chapters would go by in which she wasn't there at all or barely figures. I think perhaps if she'd been more involved in the plot, this could have worked?
Again, I can imagine that a book that is on the refreshing and different side, one so light on the romance, might really appeal to a different reader.
I didn't enjoy the prose. I'm more apt to complain when there's too much figurative language and it's leaning toward purple. This had virtually no figurative language at all, and it felt flat to me, like I wanted some attention on the actual art of writing.
Additionally, the balance between plot and romance was way off to me. The tension between the two main characters is resolved almost immediately, and the rest of the book is the plot about small town record keeping shenanigans. I wanted more development of the actual romance.
I think this book suffered from being a third person book from Marianne's POV. Readers just don't spend enough time with Rana to get to know her. Chapters would go by in which she wasn't there at all or barely figures. I think perhaps if she'd been more involved in the plot, this could have worked?
Again, I can imagine that a book that is on the refreshing and different side, one so light on the romance, might really appeal to a different reader.
February 5, 2020
"No Parking" is a sweet little novel where small town values and queer folks exist in harmony. Marianne, the protagonist, runs a bakery that has been owned by her family for multiple generations. Her customers have difficulty accessing the parking lot, which she thinks is the fault of the neighboring business, but when the two owners get snowed in together, they find out something more sinister is at work that threatens everything they've built.
There is a tender romance that blooms as Marianne and Rana rally together to save their businesses and protect the people they love.
My only complaints are that the writing itself isn't very strong (sometimes too much time is spent on giving you backstory for every character and we can get kind of lost in the weeds), and it does seem a little bit unrealistic for a small town to have such a large number of queer folk without any resistance, homophobia or violence. However, I truly applaud the author for writing the kind of world we all want to exist in the future.
There is a lot of diversity (asexuality, trans folks, and the leads are middle-aged bisexual women), kindness, character growth, and warmth in this novel.
3.5 stars overall.
Thank you to NetGally and NineStar Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There is a tender romance that blooms as Marianne and Rana rally together to save their businesses and protect the people they love.
My only complaints are that the writing itself isn't very strong (sometimes too much time is spent on giving you backstory for every character and we can get kind of lost in the weeds), and it does seem a little bit unrealistic for a small town to have such a large number of queer folk without any resistance, homophobia or violence. However, I truly applaud the author for writing the kind of world we all want to exist in the future.
There is a lot of diversity (asexuality, trans folks, and the leads are middle-aged bisexual women), kindness, character growth, and warmth in this novel.
3.5 stars overall.
Thank you to NetGally and NineStar Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2020
I absolutely loved this book and the story definitely tied in with the message of you're never too told to find yourself and enter a new relationship, the characters were very likable and easy to follow and I love LOVED Zeke's character!
No Parking starts off a story about a woman named Marianne who owns a bakery and lives upstairs but always noticed that her parking lot was full and they weren't her customers because they were always complaining about not being able to park there, she has it out for Rana that rents the other side of the building as a restaurant because she swears that it's all of her customers.
A winter storm brings the women together in a connection that Marianne didn't see coming, how could she be crushing on someone who she had thought the worst of? Marianne and Rana fight for their parking lot together and end up bringing the community together as well as sparking a new flame.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
No Parking starts off a story about a woman named Marianne who owns a bakery and lives upstairs but always noticed that her parking lot was full and they weren't her customers because they were always complaining about not being able to park there, she has it out for Rana that rents the other side of the building as a restaurant because she swears that it's all of her customers.
A winter storm brings the women together in a connection that Marianne didn't see coming, how could she be crushing on someone who she had thought the worst of? Marianne and Rana fight for their parking lot together and end up bringing the community together as well as sparking a new flame.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2020
When I requested an arc of this (which I received, thank you!) i had no idea this novel featured two leads nearing 60! It was a pleasant surprise and the book certainly had all sorts of representation. The small town in this book certainly had a lot of diversity, especially on the lgbt front, which is always great to see, but the characters felt flat and one dimensional and the legal drama with their landlord was something that just felt tedious to me. I found myself largely skimming most of that aspect of the story. I feel more time could have been spent on the relationship between our two main characters who didn't seem to have much in the way of scenes and interaction. As a result, I never quite got invested in them or their relationship.
Overall, not the most exciting book for me but I do appreciate the attempt to do something different.
Overall, not the most exciting book for me but I do appreciate the attempt to do something different.
March 16, 2020
Wow. 5/5 Stars. I loved this book so much it picked up a little slow but it was worth it.
This book is LGBT+ based on the people in the book which i loved so much just reading all the queer stuff in this book made my little gay heart happy 😭🥺
Its about a woman who runs a bakery shop and is having problems with the lot and running into problems with the town. And she decides to take matters in her own hands and look into all the info about the bakery and lot etc. So much happened and i loved how the book talks about people who walk in the bakery and stuff this book made me hungry as i was reading it because all the food sounded delicious. She also meets another woman who owns a food place as well and such i dont want to spoil anything but if you like LGBT representation and a good read this book is for you.
Thank you netgalley for the ARC!
This book is LGBT+ based on the people in the book which i loved so much just reading all the queer stuff in this book made my little gay heart happy 😭🥺
Its about a woman who runs a bakery shop and is having problems with the lot and running into problems with the town. And she decides to take matters in her own hands and look into all the info about the bakery and lot etc. So much happened and i loved how the book talks about people who walk in the bakery and stuff this book made me hungry as i was reading it because all the food sounded delicious. She also meets another woman who owns a food place as well and such i dont want to spoil anything but if you like LGBT representation and a good read this book is for you.
Thank you netgalley for the ARC!
February 2, 2020
This unapologetically queer little book is a really great look at the tension between thinking you're just living and working somewhere and actually being part of the community, and how sometimes the latter can sneak up on you. The book also took the unusual (in fiction) tack of letting its characters actually get along with their exes (not completely -- I mean, you can still see why they're not together anymore -- but more than a lot of media would have you think is possible). This made them feel more like real people.
Disclosure: I was a beta reader on this book, but the versions I read didn't have any of the eventual endgame, so I still got to be surprised.
Disclosure: I was a beta reader on this book, but the versions I read didn't have any of the eventual endgame, so I still got to be surprised.
April 21, 2020
Sweet, low stakes romance. 50-something characters in some kind of queer utopia of a small New England town. So chock full of representation that it feels a little artificial, but also charming. I definitely would retire to (or vacation in) this small town and eat all of the food. (So much food in this novel!)
The parking lot/building ownership plot felt a little pat in its resolution, and I was disappointed that some of the plot threads raised about the history of the bakery were left unexplored. That aspect of the book could have used a stronger edit, but I didn't really mind it. It was more of a frame for the romance and the exploration of the small town community.
The parking lot/building ownership plot felt a little pat in its resolution, and I was disappointed that some of the plot threads raised about the history of the bakery were left unexplored. That aspect of the book could have used a stronger edit, but I didn't really mind it. It was more of a frame for the romance and the exploration of the small town community.
August 9, 2020
Very cute small town romance with older biromantic protagonists (one asexual) and loads of queer content! There’s a bit of a mystery that comes in about a third of the way through and kinda takes over the story—it was interesting but I hadn’t realised this would be a mystery and I wanted a bit more on the romance side of things, as I’ve never been a huge fan of stories where there’s a lot of “will they/won’t they” that could easily be resolved with a conversation. Because of that, some of this dragged a bit for me. Still, I liked it a lot :D
January 16, 2022
best thing about this book was definitely the diversity and rep, we really need every book to be like this. the fact that they talk about ace spec at all was also amazing to see, sometimes I do be getting tired of reading about allos all the time. the story, though, focused way too much on the past and on legal things for me. not a bad thing if you're into that but it lost me a few times, i wish it would've focused on the romance part more. or even the found family thing. really good to have so much rep in one story and have people who discovered their queerners late in life!
February 1, 2020
This was an interesting lesbian romance as it focused in older characters and most ones i've read focus on those who are thirty and older. I loved the relationship and it's up and downs but the whole subplot regarding who owned the land i didn't really need and i just wanted more pure romance rather than that drama. It felt unnecessary and like tacking on a plot as the story felt it was missing something otherwise.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2020
I received an ARC of No Parking by Valentine Wheeler and was instantly intrigued by the description. Older main characters, bi and ace characters, they’re snowed in together? I’ll pick that up! And No Parking delivered. I found it a delightful read that had me cackling with delight as legal shenanigans and small town drama were added to the mix. Absolutely pick this up for a nice romance read.
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January 4, 2021I want to move to Swanley!
This was such an engaging book. I live in a small town but it is nothing like this!
I read the whole book this morning because I couldn't put it down. I really want to live there and be friends with these folks
and eat at that bakery.
Can't wait to start the next book, Give Way.
This was such an engaging book. I live in a small town but it is nothing like this!
I read the whole book this morning because I couldn't put it down. I really want to live there and be friends with these folks
and eat at that bakery.
Can't wait to start the next book, Give Way.
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