My Languishing TBR: A #AtoZChallenge2022 #Books #Bookreview

A is for Annie

This year I’m taking a break from Faerie and doing an A to Z of my TBR (to be read) list instead. Each letter will have books starting with that letter on my list, a book I’ve read and reviewed (with the review!) and one of my books matching the letter with a link about more info about the book. I’ve decided not to include words like “A”, “The” and “An” during this challenge.

My TBR

About the Book I’ve Read

I got this book on a recommendation on Twitter many years ago. Unfortunately, it languished on my TBR shelf as exciting ARCs (advance reader copies) captured my attention. I finally got around to read it for this challenge.

“If you don’t put that ring on this minute, I’m going to take it back,” Annie whispered in my ear. She leaned back, looking at me, her hands still on my shoulders, her eyes shining softly at me and snow falling, melting, on her nose. “Buon Natale,” she whispered, “amore mio.”

“Merry Christmas, my love,” I answered.

From the moment Liza Winthrop meets Annie Kenyon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she knows there is something special between them. But Liza never knew falling in love could be so wonderful… or so confusing. 

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

This book was originally released in 1982, so it took a while for the time and culture to settle in for me (notes, landlines, mostly white suburbs, having to go to the doctor to get piercings, writing letters to communicate, etc.).

The beginning of Liza and Annie’s relationship is quite sweet. This sweet, innocent nature of their relationship endures throughout the book – even as feelings deepen and they fall in love. The hurts, insecurities and newness of first love was well-written. I felt the reception of her sexual orientation to be best received by Liza’s father and brother.

And the ridiculousness of the school to expel her for loving who she loves – infuriating! I can’t believe that a school, teachers and students could behave that way – but only because I can never imagine myself behaving in such an atrocious manner. Reading the interview included at the end of the book, this reaction from the community is exactly what was happening back then. Shameful.

Once settled into the era, this is a good book with loads of high school drama, relationship woes, and the sweetness of first love. It also touches on how others perceive lesbians (and the greater LGBTQ community), stereotypes of lesbians, bias towards lesbians (and the greater LGBTQ community), and literature for and by lesbians. (The interview included at the end is well worth reading – it also includes a couple of books from earlier eras and how gays were portrayed in literature.)

Recommended for those who love sweet romance with a happy ending.

My Book

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I hope you enjoyed this. For more books I’ve read and reviewed, check out either my Pinterest board about reviews or my Goodreads profile. Alternatively, you can check out my reviews on BookBub. Have you read any of the books? Loved or hated any of them?

*FYI, my reviews are my honest opinion and if something bothers me, I tell it straight. How else will anything change? My opinions are based on being a voracious reader and book buyer, not an attack on the author.*