Take a photo of a barcode or cover
pucksandpaperbacks 's review for:
When You Get the Chance
by Robin Stevenson, Tom Ryan
I received a digital copy of this book via NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
It may just be a theme that any book I read "set at Pride" I've rated low. The first half of this book was great! I loved the aspect of going back to the family cottage and the mystery that was involved. However, the mystery was quickly solved, and by the end of the book, the reason Mark and Talia's parents were feuding was so disappointing.
This book is pitched as a story set a Toronto Pride, however, Pride is only a few chapters toward the end of the book. I would've much rather have read a book set in 24 hours at Pride than this. As a queer book written in 2020, this book got SO MUCH WRONG. The major red flag I had was that Talia's ex-partner, Erin was misgendered and NOT by a character which confused me because the first half of the book emphasizes through Talia's dialogue how important pronouns and identity are Both characters, Mark and Talia are so unlikeable. Mark ghosts a guy throughout the WHOLE BOOK and then he tries to make up for it at the end? Not cool. Talia is essentially an SJW type and constantly attacks other characters when they accidentally out people or say anything that isn't ethically right. But, she's also a gatekeeper. She gets angry at Erin and asks them when they mention they met a trans guy and were able to relate to him being on the trans spectrum and what does Talia say? Well, first, she's uncomfortable then asks Erin if they would ever transition into a man? NO THANKS. Finally, Talia insults the whole polyamorous community because of her jealousy and is selfish about Erin expressing their desire to be in a polyamorous relationship.
As for more queer related things that were done wrong 1. the bisexual/pansexual debate - basically saying it's the same 2. using the "d-word", a lesbian slur a lot - personally, this word makes me uncomfortable and I know it's sort of been reclaimed by the lesbian community but I skipped over the pages with that word used in every sentence. There's also some homophobia in the beginning. But, overall, this book was disappointing and I still can't shake the fact that the enby character was misgendered in the text.
It may just be a theme that any book I read "set at Pride" I've rated low. The first half of this book was great! I loved the aspect of going back to the family cottage and the mystery that was involved. However, the mystery was quickly solved, and by the end of the book, the reason Mark and Talia's parents were feuding was so disappointing.
This book is pitched as a story set a Toronto Pride, however, Pride is only a few chapters toward the end of the book. I would've much rather have read a book set in 24 hours at Pride than this. As a queer book written in 2020, this book got SO MUCH WRONG. The major red flag I had was that Talia's ex-partner, Erin was misgendered and NOT by a character which confused me because the first half of the book emphasizes through Talia's dialogue how important pronouns and identity are Both characters, Mark and Talia are so unlikeable. Mark ghosts a guy throughout the WHOLE BOOK and then he tries to make up for it at the end? Not cool. Talia is essentially an SJW type and constantly attacks other characters when they accidentally out people or say anything that isn't ethically right. But, she's also a gatekeeper. She gets angry at Erin and asks them when they mention they met a trans guy and were able to relate to him being on the trans spectrum and what does Talia say? Well, first, she's uncomfortable then asks Erin if they would ever transition into a man? NO THANKS. Finally, Talia insults the whole polyamorous community because of her jealousy and is selfish about Erin expressing their desire to be in a polyamorous relationship.
As for more queer related things that were done wrong 1. the bisexual/pansexual debate - basically saying it's the same 2. using the "d-word", a lesbian slur a lot - personally, this word makes me uncomfortable and I know it's sort of been reclaimed by the lesbian community but I skipped over the pages with that word used in every sentence. There's also some homophobia in the beginning. But, overall, this book was disappointing and I still can't shake the fact that the enby character was misgendered in the text.