Romeo Fails

by Amy Briant

Dorsey Larue nicknamed her the “Naked Silver Lake Goddess.” It was a one-night only encounter, no names, just the music from the women’s festival and the stars as witnesses.

Reluctantly returned home to Romeo Falls, where life in the family hardware store exceeds her every expectation for tedium, Dorsey faces another summer of loneliness until her best friend’s cousin, Sarah, arrives in town. Dorsey recognizes her immediately and the passion they shared immediately flares again. But small minds in small towns aren’t ready for Sarah and Dorsey, the couple.

In fact, rumors about Sarah’s past in the big city abound. When an escalating series of malicious crimes brings all accusing eyes to the newcomer, Dorsey may find herself alone once again, this time with a broken heart...and possibly worse.

What happened at the music festival doesn’t stay at the music festival in Amy Briant’s irresistible story of a lonely heart, a red Volkswagen bug and a love affair that is anything but simple.

Genres: Lesbian

288 pages, Paperback

First published February 13, 2012

About the author

Author of THE BOOK OF KELL, HEAVENLY MOVES, ROMEO FAILS and SHADOW POINT, Amy Briant won a GCLS Goldie for Best Debut novelist and was a Goldie finalist for best Lesbian Paranormal Romance for SHADOW POINT. A native Californian, she is startled to find herself living on the East Coast. Her latest, THE BOOK OF KELL, is a YA post-apocalyptic thriller. Connect with her on Twitter (@AuthorAmyBriant) & at www.facebook.com/AuthorAmyBriant/.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t so sure when I started reading if I would like this novel, but Briant pulled me in slowly but surely. The novel starts with Dorsey having a fling at a festival, then moves on to present day life in a small town – which is not gay-friendly and thus is more real to me than other books set in small towns that are unbelievably queer-friendly. Dorsey’s family, one friend, and the sheriff are pretty much the only ones who accept her.

There are a few threads going on – a disaffected miscreant causing problems, Dorsey’s romance with her only friend’s cousin, her brothers’ romances, and instances of homophobia directed at Dorsey and Sarah, her love interest. Everything gets tied up at the end. The inner workings of Dorsey’s thoughts were really well done, giving her character unexpected depth. I really felt like I understood what it was like to live such a lonely life in her small town.

[Tammy Wooding]

Dorsey Larue nicknamed her the “Naked Silver Lake Goddess.” It was a one-night only encounter, no names, just the music from the women’s festival and the stars as witnesses.

Reluctantly returned home to Romeo Falls, where life in the family hardware store exceeds her every expectation for tedium, Dorsey faces another summer of loneliness until her best friend’s cousin, Sarah, arrives in town. Dorsey recognizes her immediately and the passion they shared immediately flares again. But small minds in small towns aren’t ready for Sarah and Dorsey, the couple.

In fact, rumors about Sarah’s past in the big city abound. When an escalating series of malicious crimes brings all accusing eyes to the newcomer, Dorsey may find herself alone once again, this time with a broken heart...and possibly worse.

What happened at the music festival doesn’t stay at the music festival in Amy Briant’s irresistible story of a lonely heart, a red Volkswagen bug and a love affair that is anything but simple.

[SussexCat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story which moved along really well in a first person narrative.
I felt like a small town read. Loved brave Dorsey and Sarah was a sweetheart.
So happy to see the world open up for them both.

[MEC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hovering between a two and three. I like Briant's voice but this one didn't grab me as much as her first book did.