LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE
by Claire Kann
Publication Date: January 23, 2018
Published by Swoon Reads
Pages: 304
Source: XPresso Book Tours | Netgalley
Synopsis
Alice had her whole summer planned. Non-stop all-you-can-eat buffets while marathoning her favorite TV shows (best friends totally included) with the smallest dash of adulting–working at the library to pay her share of the rent. The only thing missing from her perfect plan? Her girlfriend (who ended things when Alice confessed she’s asexual). Alice is done with dating–no thank you, do not pass go, stick a fork in her, done.
But then Alice meets Takumi and she can’t stop thinking about him or the rom com-grade romance feels she did not ask for (uncertainty, butterflies, and swoons, oh my!).
When her blissful summer takes an unexpected turn, and Takumi becomes her knight with a shiny library employee badge (close enough), Alice has to decide if she’s willing to risk their friendship for a love that might not be reciprocated—or understood.
My Thoughts
Let's talk about how much I loved LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE - from the characters and their story and the emphasis on the dynamics of relationships that are changing and evolving to the cute quips and fun of new friendships. This book has everything that I love about young adult contemporary!
I first found out about Let's Talk About Love when Swoon Reads asked readers to vote for the cover. The final cover is the one I voted for. YAY! I loved the boldness and the energy from it. It is perfection! This is ALICE!
I want to be friends with Takumi! He is thoughtful and observant and just the kind of person you want to be around. He makes things brighter. That is how he comes across - Alice struggles with his "perfection" a bit because it makes her take a look at herself and her perceived inadequacies, but Takumi sees her the same way she sees him.
I first found out about Let's Talk About Love when Swoon Reads asked readers to vote for the cover. The final cover is the one I voted for. YAY! I loved the boldness and the energy from it. It is perfection! This is ALICE!
I want to be friends with Takumi! He is thoughtful and observant and just the kind of person you want to be around. He makes things brighter. That is how he comes across - Alice struggles with his "perfection" a bit because it makes her take a look at herself and her perceived inadequacies, but Takumi sees her the same way she sees him.
LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE is the first book that I've read with an acknowledged asexual character. While this is just one example of one experience (through a character's perspective), I have some new knowledge and plan to read more about it and educate myself.
Alice shares her experience of being sexualized, objectified, stereotyped, and fetishized - I was sickened by the party scene because I knew that feeling. It's sad to say that I'm sure that many readers will be able to identify or understand her fear, her frustration, her annoyance and her anger.
"If I could stand close enough to you, maybe I could absorb some of your shine." - Takumi explaining why he needs Alice in his life.
"I spend a lot of time trying to figure stuff out. Like, my feelings and sorting through my thoughts. I don't think I overthink, but I like to know why things are the way they are for me and why they're different from someone else." - Just one example of her self-awareness. I love that Alice and Takumi are contemplative characters.
"I guess it's a good thing I have health care because I cannot fight. If I had to, I'd talk a punch for you. Just not in the face." - The lengths that Takumi would go for Alice. This made me laugh out loud.
I love the voice the author has given to Alice and reading about her becoming an adult. I could read more about Alice and her experiences of college and her life beyond this moment.
There are many wonderful things about this book that I could go on and on, but I hope readers will decide to pick up this book and discover them for themselves. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Claire Kann and I'm looking forward to reading LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE again!!
Disclaimer: I received this e-ARC as part of a book review tour in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
AUTHOR BIO:
I love the voice the author has given to Alice and reading about her becoming an adult. I could read more about Alice and her experiences of college and her life beyond this moment.
There are many wonderful things about this book that I could go on and on, but I hope readers will decide to pick up this book and discover them for themselves. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Claire Kann and I'm looking forward to reading LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE again!!
Disclaimer: I received this e-ARC as part of a book review tour in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
AUTHOR BIO:
Claire Kann hails from the glorious Bay Area where the weather is regrettably not nearly as temperate as it used to be. She has a BA in English/Creative Writing from Sonoma State University, works for a nonprofit that you may have heard of where she daydreams like she’s paid to do it. LET’S TALK ABOUT LOVE is her debut novel.
Author links:
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Thanks for hosting today, Joli! Great review! :)
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