This is a coming out story set in an enlightened, if snarky London. When the hero of this story, comes out to her mom, her mom says "I am delighted that you're a lesbian, Julia. All I've ever wanted is for you to be interesting. And now you are." Such millennial quips are a tiresome presence throughout the book, diminishing the raw moments. Does anyone actually talk that way?
This is a book about sexual awakening that is not the least bit sexy, perhaps because it is too busy judging kink and open relationships. After her first SM scene Julie feels both "fulfilled and revolted." Her reflection; however, deep dives into the latter. "She got a kick out of insulting me and scaring me and causing me physical pain." The scene was by all accounts consensual - with a standard safe word discussion. At the very end a more complicated and nuanced view arrives; however it feels largely unearned.
This is a book about sexual awakening that is not the least bit sexy, perhaps because it is too busy judging kink and open relationships. After her first SM scene Julie feels both "fulfilled and revolted." Her reflection; however, deep dives into the latter. "She got a kick out of insulting me and scaring me and causing me physical pain." The scene was by all accounts consensual - with a standard safe word discussion. At the very end a more complicated and nuanced view arrives; however it feels largely unearned.