From the Bookshelf of Mostly Sapphic…

Far from Home (Belladonna Ink, #1)

Lorelie Brown

Start date: November 7, 2016

Finish date: January 7, 2017

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What Members Thought

Jul 09, 2016 Luce rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, 5-stars, all-time-favorites, re-read-again-and-again, family, 2018-read, 2016-favorites, diversity-nonwhite

Edit: Feb 2018 Re-read review
I didn't think it was possible, but I loved this book even more on the second read. Rachel's struggle with anorexia came more to the forefront to me this time around. A favorite passage: For once, Rachel feeling good about herself.
"I’m not gross. I’m not hiding the unpleasant parts of me. I’m more than the sum of a couple parts that I don’t like. I forget the running tally of everything I’ve eaten for the past five days. I’m beautiful."

Original Review Sept 2016
I love Edit: Feb 2018 Re-read review
I didn't think it was possible, but I loved this book even more on the second read. Rachel's struggle with anorexia came more to the forefront to me this time around. A favorite passage: For once, Rachel feeling good about herself.
"I’m not gross. I’m not hiding the unpleasant parts of me. I’m more than the sum of a couple parts that I don’t like. I forget the running tally of everything I’ve eaten for the past five days. I’m beautiful."

Original Review Sept 2016
I love, loved this relatively short book. It is beautifully written with very likable characters. The two MC's are Rachel who is struggling with student debt and anorexia and Pari, who is from India and is in the US legally with an employer sponsored visa. She would like to start her own company in the US but would lose her current visa. Unless, she marries. So they strike a deal, they will marry and Pari will help Rachel pay down her loans. The only caveat is that Rachel is straight...

The book is from Rachel's point of view, who from the very beginning is attracted to Pari. I along with Rachel fall in love with Pari too. They move in together and plan to marry in a civil ceremony. Pari calls her parents in India to tell them the news that she is engaged. One thing leads to another and Pari's mother Niharika comes out to plan their traditional, elaborate Hindu wedding that takes place over 5 days. Pari's parents are not thrilled that she is a lesbian, but in the end they love her and support her decisions.

In the first chapter there is a sentence that I knew immediately I was going to like this book - "I love her voice. It isn't only the lilting cadence of her native India mixed with crisp Britishness, it's the sweet kindness that is absolutely letting me off the hook"

I can't say much more without giving too much away. Read the book and discover for yourself. It is definitely going in my read again pile. I plan to read the second book in this series as soon as it is available. ...more

28 likes · Like · see review

Nov 13, 2016 Cheri rated it really liked it

Shelves: lgbtq, romance

I'm really torn on the rating of this one. I think it's better than just three stars and it's the characters and the inclusion of and handling of anorexia bumped it to a pretty solid 3.5 for me. I debated on whether I should round up or down - since Goodreads seems determined to never allow for .5 stars - and while there were a few things that really pulled me out of the story on numerous occasions, the strength of my emotional connection with the characters pushed me to round up.

I thought that I'm really torn on the rating of this one. I think it's better than just three stars and it's the characters and the inclusion of and handling of anorexia bumped it to a pretty solid 3.5 for me. I debated on whether I should round up or down - since Goodreads seems determined to never allow for .5 stars - and while there were a few things that really pulled me out of the story on numerous occasions, the strength of my emotional connection with the characters pushed me to round up.

I thought that Rachel felt like a genuine and complex character and, even though the book is told in first person POV, I was comfortable with my level of understanding of Pari, too. For me, the most compelling part of the book was the way Rachel's anorexia was handled. I don't know anyone - at least I don't think I do - who has suffered with the illness but I feel like I've gained some insight into the condition and a bit of what it must be like. I thought the author did a great job of keeping it in the forefront but never in any sort of preachy way that may have felt forced or contrived.

So what were these things that pulled me out of the story and prevented me from giving it a solid 4 stars or more? Well, the first person POV used with present tense was the first thing. It didn't mess me up all the time and I mostly got used to it but everyone once in a while - YANK! - right out. But probably the biggest thing was some of the word choices. There were times when phrases or passages seemed like they had the wrong words mixed in. One example was something along the lines of Rachel noticing that Pari was tired and the phrase "she could tell by the weariness of her cheeks" was used. Or words really close to that - I don't have the book open in front of me but it was the weariness of her cheeks. That pulled me out of the story so badly that I had to text a friend to make sure it wasn't just me because I don't know how cheeks can look weary. There were a few places where I felt like the author was trying to make a passage feel more poetic but the actual words didn't do it for me and I spent more time wondering what words would have made it flow better or make more sense than I did being immersed in the scene. Things like that.

I was typing up the last sentence of this little review when I remembered that I wish so hard that there had been another chapter or three between the last chapter and the epilogue. How wonderful would it have been to experience what they went through to get to that epilogue? I'm not the sort of person who needs everything all wrapped up with a bow but damn, what a bunch of important things to not address. At least that's how I feel about it.

So after reading all this you may be wondering why I still rounded up... It's the story, the characters, and how I felt while reading it. Also I didn't see any typos so that's a bonus. I'll stick by the 4 stars because I had a very hard time putting it down and I think I'm going to miss Rachel and Pari. And Pari's mom. That doesn't happen very often for me anymore. ...more

15 likes · Like · see review

Mar 22, 2019 Luce rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: family, romance, all-time-favorites, re-read-again-and-again, audiobook, series, 5-plus-stars, job-business-accountant-finance, rich-girl-not-so-rich-girl, job-movie-tv-director-producer

5.5 Stars for this third re-read but this time for the Audiobook narrated by Jill Smith. **If you are thinking of re-reading this book - give this audiobook a try. I think you might enjoy it more - I sure did! If you haven't read either version - give it a try.

Jill Smith's narration adds to the already 5 star story. She does a credible job with the Indian accents. At one point Pari, her mother and aunt were talking and I could tell them apart. The voices were subtly different but distinctive, es ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Jun 16, 2016 Alicia rated it really liked it

This was really good even the characters compliments each other through their strength and weaknesses. It also shed light on anorexia and how Rachel dealt with it.

Arc given by NetGalley for a honest review

6 likes · Like · see review

Nov 27, 2016 Kennedy rated it really liked it

Short but solid read with interesting characters. I especially enjoyed the diversity of thought and backgrounds. The eating disorder was presented in an interesting, personal and educating way which almost served as a character in the story. Pari, is from India and appears to be very together. The story is told from Rachel's point of view and the one currently challenged with anorexia. Pari and Rachel are very likable and supportive of each other. They care deeply about and for each other which ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jul 11, 2017 Beth rated it really liked it

Shelves: book-group-reads, lgbtq-books, favorite-lgbtq, ebooks-shelf, romance

I expected a fluffy sexy romance which starts as a marriage of convenience and ends with True Love. And I got it. And I also got a beautiful recovery story which is truly loving -- and a side of insight into myself.

This is a well written book. The story is as important as it is enjoyable, the characters are rounded, and the arc is completely believable. It takes its time, but never feels slow. It doesn't cruise along through easy perfection; it's an actual journey for both women and their growt ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 16, 2016 Darlene rated it really liked it

Shelves: lgbt, lesbian, kindle-books-i-own, kindle, romance, love, netgalley, indian, orange-county-ca

Disclosure: I was given this copy for an honest review by NetGalley.com.

Most of this story was interesting or better. I just couldn't care for the main character and her anorexia. Sure, I know the disorder exists and causes pain to those who have it and their loved ones. But for some reason, it doesn't come across for me as a redeeming quality for the main character. Maybe redeeming is the wrong word. I know we need to write characters that are flawed those they need to be rescued from or cured ...more

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Jul 17, 2018 Izza rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own, kindle, 2018, lgbtq

4 stars | I’m usually not into tropey novels, but I’m glad I gave this one a chance because it was pretty good! The characters were likeable and I loved Pari’s mom. I was kinda meh about the added drama (Rachel is a ~recovering anorexic), I was scared it would overtake the story but it was handled well. The only real thing that irked me was the overused of the word ‘pussy’ in the sex scenes.

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