From the Bookshelf of Mostly Sapphic…

Heart Trouble

Jae

Start date: September 1, 2016

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Aug 24, 2016 Jem rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery-intrigue, medical-docs-nurses, p-o-c, favorite-2016-reads

I'm always going on about how I love lesfic plots that dare to be different from the usual. Well this is about as different as a vanilla lesbian romance is going to be from the usual, without veering off totally into any of those plot-rich sub-genres like adventure, fantasy, paranormal and historicals. This is good ol' lesbian romance, but with a very curious twist. What results is a funny and thoroughly engaging look at the unintended consequences of that 'twist', while at the same time ponderi I'm always going on about how I love lesfic plots that dare to be different from the usual. Well this is about as different as a vanilla lesbian romance is going to be from the usual, without veering off totally into any of those plot-rich sub-genres like adventure, fantasy, paranormal and historicals. This is good ol' lesbian romance, but with a very curious twist. What results is a funny and thoroughly engaging look at the unintended consequences of that 'twist', while at the same time pondering what it really means to fall in love. Is it fate? Is it fake? Or is it just some weird emotional transference? In addition, having one of the protagonists come from a very traditional and close-knit family where conservative values are held in high regard makes for some angsty family drama.

Laleh is a second-gen Persian-American. Somewhat of a disappointment to her ambitious parents, she prefers to waitress at her aunt's restaurant rather than get a degree. A mis-diagnosed heart problem lands her in the ER of Dr. Hope Finlay, who successfully resuscitates Laleh. But something went slightly wrong in the process....

At this point, if you haven't read the book's blurb yet, don't. I just realized while doing this review that the book blurb pretty much blabs out the twist. :( Thank god I missed that part so it totally floored me when it hit. I like surprises. ;) Listen, get this book for the lovely romantic development and the lesfic drama alone. And let the twist be the amazing icing on the cake. If that isn't convincing enough, go ahead and click on the (view spoiler)

The best thing about the book is how the 'twist' is dealt with (it's more of a plot development than a twist, but for the sake of simplicity, I'll just call it that). From the inception to everything that happens afterwards--the discovery, the shock, the acceptance, and learning to live with it and around it and even using it--all of it feels so natural and 'realistic'. The escalating effects of the 'twist' (both good and bad) are well-thought out and the character reactions to them a pleasure to read. Now this is excellent speculative fiction, made specially for romance readers. :) While the two protagonists deal with their 'affliction', their relationship is gently advanced from wary victims to reluctant friends to inseparable soul mates. I love, love stories where friendship and companionship are a big part of the relationship. Jae is really good at developing romances this way, and it's why I've read most of her works except for, surprisingly, the Hollywood series (whose characters appear here in various capacities as either supporting characters or cameos), but only because I'm not very fond of Hollywood-themed books.

At some point in the book, the story segues from spec-fic/romance to dealing with one's sexuality and eventually to dealing with familial resistance. Laleh has a very close-knit and almost claustrophobic family situation, where her parents constantly obsess over her future and bring her prospective husbands to audition. Gayness just doesn't exist in their world. And Laleh has completely no reference for it (despite her bff being a very lesbian actress Jill. Really? I find it hard to believe Laleh has never had crushes on these Hollywood beauties. :)). There was always going to be a husband and kids in her future...someday...so she can't possibly be gay. But then there is Hope. ;)

Sticking a traditional family dynamic into the mix allows the book to fluidly shift its focus from the development of the relationship to dealing with other issues, namely the recognition/acceptance of one's sexuality and beyond. There is a noticeable tone shift as well. The first part dealing with their 'affliction' was light and bubbly, and I found myself either smiling or laughing out loud often. Very entertaining banter there. The latter part is a bit more antsy and angsty, as things get hot and heavy. Thankfully, the author never lets the characters or the situations slip into melodrama. Misunderstandings are resolved in a timely and mature way. There is even an extra emphasis on 'proper communication' as the characters move through different stages of their relationship--the lack of which is an all-too-common trope in lesbian romances. (Yes, let this be a dig at all those miscommunicating tropes!)

People who follow my reviews will notice that I tend to throw a lot of stars at books with imaginative plots. Not only does this book deliver on plot, but everything else that matters to me in a romance.

5 stars

ARC from Ylva

P.S.: I noticed something about the author's writing. Never paid much attention to it before. She likes to point out things. Little things which are sometimes already obvious to the attentive reader. I remember there were a couple of times when one of the characters would say something witty or flirty which was obvious from the words used, but there is also an accompanying dialogue tag to that effect. Nothing wrong with that really except that it just feels superfluous. There are also sentences here and there that could have been removed as well that would probably tighten up the writing. But these aren't really obvious so it's not a big deal.

...more

42 likes · Like · see review

Oct 24, 2016 Kath rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I loved this book, all though I would have like a little more in the ending.

6 likes · Like · see review

Aug 27, 2016 Danni Mladenovic rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

*The copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Now, this is the book exactly to my liking. It's effortless, compelling, flowing; the characters are very likable, deep, there is so many good moments between them. This is the book I would gladly recommend to anyone. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Nov 20, 2016 Susanne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ff-fiction

The latest offering by Jae is an enjoyable romance story.

We meet a dedicated Emergency physician Dr Hope Finlay, who throws herself into work and hides her emotional needs. Than comes along Lelah Samadi, a waitress who works in her Aunt's Persian Restaurant. She dreams of waiting for the magic of falling in love, however, her parents are forever lining up potential suitors for her in the hopes she will marry someone. The story is filled with humorous family stories, customs and delicious descri ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 26, 2016 A.W. rated it really liked it

Laleh Samadi works as a waitress at her aunt's restaurant. Due to her heart trouble, her mom drives her to the ER and Dr. Hope Finlay saves her life. However, by saving Laleh's life, she got shocked in the process. Everything seems fine, until Laleh inexplicably knows medical terms while Hope becomes fluent in Farsi. They soon learn of this connection to each other and it becomes stronger as they spend more time together.

This is only my second book that I've read from Jae, the first being Backwa ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 03, 2018 Wendy rated it it was amazing

How many ways can I say I love Jae's books? Got this as my freebie upon completing Jae's Lesbian Book Bingo card. And as difficult as I found completing one card was, this book makes it all worthwhile. There's of course the slow-burn romance Jae is known for.
I love that we see a glimpse into Persian culture as one of the main characters is Persian. Also, fair warning, don't read this book hungry. All the descriptions of Persian food will make one hungry.
There's a touch of the supernatural as H ...more

1 like · Like · see review