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Rainbows and Lollipops: Friendship Is the New Family
THREE FOREVER FRIENDS. ONE UNFORGETTABLE SUMMER
When Jake met Tom, he waved goodbye to trawling Birmingham's gay bars. He didn't reckon with sleeping under glow-in-the-dark stars in his childhood bedroom.
Ambitious lawyer and lifelong loner Vicky has everything worked out... until she's faced with threats that can't be fixed with a power suit and a clever argument.
Lucy has planned her wedding down to each perfect petal on each perfect flower. If only 'happily-ever-after' didn't come with a question mark.
When three lives collide in Birmingham during the troubled British summer of 2024, everything changes. Told in six binge-worthy episodes, RAINBOWS AND LOLLIPOPS is a warm, witty and unflinching story about love, loss and the families we choose.
Perfect for readers who love Beth O'Leary, Mhairi McFarlane and Dolly Alderton.
FRIENDSHIP IS THE NEW FAMILY
When Jake met Tom, he waved goodbye to trawling Birmingham's gay bars. He didn't reckon with sleeping under glow-in-the-dark stars in his childhood bedroom.
Ambitious lawyer and lifelong loner Vicky has everything worked out... until she's faced with threats that can't be fixed with a power suit and a clever argument.
Lucy has planned her wedding down to each perfect petal on each perfect flower. If only 'happily-ever-after' didn't come with a question mark.
When three lives collide in Birmingham during the troubled British summer of 2024, everything changes. Told in six binge-worthy episodes, RAINBOWS AND LOLLIPOPS is a warm, witty and unflinching story about love, loss and the families we choose.
Perfect for readers who love Beth O'Leary, Mhairi McFarlane and Dolly Alderton.
FRIENDSHIP IS THE NEW FAMILY
- GenresGriefContemporaryLGBT
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2025
1 person is currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Mo Fanning
16 books32 followersMo Fanning is a British novelist writing contemporary romantic comedy with emotional depth. His novels focus on flawed people, complicated feelings, and the quiet pressures of modern life, balancing humour with heart rather than relying on slapstick or cliché.
He is the author of several novels and short story collections, including Rainbows and Lollipops and Ghosted. His work is known for its distinctly British voice, sharp dialogue, and characters who make understandable but questionable decisions.
Mo lives in the Midlands and writes stories about love, friendship, grief, and the moments where things start to unravel, usually in ways that feel uncomfortably familiar.
He is the author of several novels and short story collections, including Rainbows and Lollipops and Ghosted. His work is known for its distinctly British voice, sharp dialogue, and characters who make understandable but questionable decisions.
Mo lives in the Midlands and writes stories about love, friendship, grief, and the moments where things start to unravel, usually in ways that feel uncomfortably familiar.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 29, 2025
I very much wanted to enjoy this, and very much didn't, on several scores.
- The hybrid structure (screenplay/novel): Scene cuts that might work in a movie create confusing gaps in a novel. I often found myself saying "Wait, what?" because suddenly a chunk of time had gone by and multiple events had taken place without preparation or explanation. Visual cues might have supplied the deficiency, but this is a book so words are needed to do that work.
- The characterizations. As just one example, Lucy's supposed to be the best friend of Colin, the recently and shockingly bereaved MC, but she spends the entire book being Bridezilla. She neglects Colin throughout; toward the end, when he tells her that the standup routine he's preparing will be about his dead partner, her immediate reaction is (paraphrasing) "But you won't do that at my wedding, right???" This selfishness and self-absorption is par for the course; why Colin is so ready to forgive her is beyond me.
- General internal weirdness. Why does Colin stay in the comedy class week after week when the teacher is so rigid and rude to the point of abusiveness? (And also not funny.) Why is the trans lawyer Vicky's firm characterized as "progressive," and why is she sure they'll have her back against a trumped-up ethics complaint, when we've seen the other senior partners at a meeting and they're a bunch of bro-y [euphemism]s? (For that matter, how did these guys come around to hiring her at all, much less making her a partner? Maybe that process works differently in the UK, though.)
- The plot. The right-wing villainy turns out to be of immense scope, which in itself is perfectly believable, but the investigation, by Vicky and her client (Lucy's formerly right-wing father) is amateurish -- they surely do take their time to check out a couple of obvious leads -- and benefits from a deus ex machina in the form of one of Vicky's colleagues who suddenly appears about 85% into the book.
- In general, I'm not sure how to judge the way Vicky's transness is handled -- I'll leave that to trans people to decide. In flashbacks to Vicky's early life, before she transitioned, perhaps before she understood her transness, she's referred to as "he" and her previous name is used (it's the masculine form of her present name). I know that this treatment would be offensive to many? most? trans people, but also it would be tricky, maybe impossible, to supply her backstory otherwise.
However, there are certain locutions that made me wince -- a reference, for instance, to Vicky's "former sex."
- General smarm.
- Last but not least, almost all the nasty or villainous people, and all of those who get significant page time, are women. There's Lucy the Bridezilla; Miranda, the awful comedy teacher (who's also described as "waddling" because fat is another one of those markers of bad character I guess); Patricia, the mother of Lucy's feckless fiance; and Rona, the sister of Colin's dead partner.
"Rainbows and Lollipops" means well, which is about the best I can say for it. Thanks to Spring Street Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
- The hybrid structure (screenplay/novel): Scene cuts that might work in a movie create confusing gaps in a novel. I often found myself saying "Wait, what?" because suddenly a chunk of time had gone by and multiple events had taken place without preparation or explanation. Visual cues might have supplied the deficiency, but this is a book so words are needed to do that work.
- The characterizations. As just one example, Lucy's supposed to be the best friend of Colin, the recently and shockingly bereaved MC, but she spends the entire book being Bridezilla. She neglects Colin throughout; toward the end, when he tells her that the standup routine he's preparing will be about his dead partner, her immediate reaction is (paraphrasing) "But you won't do that at my wedding, right???" This selfishness and self-absorption is par for the course; why Colin is so ready to forgive her is beyond me.
- General internal weirdness. Why does Colin stay in the comedy class week after week when the teacher is so rigid and rude to the point of abusiveness? (And also not funny.) Why is the trans lawyer Vicky's firm characterized as "progressive," and why is she sure they'll have her back against a trumped-up ethics complaint, when we've seen the other senior partners at a meeting and they're a bunch of bro-y [euphemism]s? (For that matter, how did these guys come around to hiring her at all, much less making her a partner? Maybe that process works differently in the UK, though.)
- The plot. The right-wing villainy turns out to be of immense scope, which in itself is perfectly believable, but the investigation, by Vicky and her client (Lucy's formerly right-wing father) is amateurish -- they surely do take their time to check out a couple of obvious leads -- and benefits from a deus ex machina in the form of one of Vicky's colleagues who suddenly appears about 85% into the book.
- In general, I'm not sure how to judge the way Vicky's transness is handled -- I'll leave that to trans people to decide. In flashbacks to Vicky's early life, before she transitioned, perhaps before she understood her transness, she's referred to as "he" and her previous name is used (it's the masculine form of her present name). I know that this treatment would be offensive to many? most? trans people, but also it would be tricky, maybe impossible, to supply her backstory otherwise.
However, there are certain locutions that made me wince -- a reference, for instance, to Vicky's "former sex."
- General smarm.
‘We’re the ones they’d rather keep in the dark,’ Karin said, ‘but we refuse to be silenced.’You get the idea.
... when they stood to leave, a single sunbeam broke through the stained glass, scattering colours across the empty pews, washing over them— a last tribute to the friend they’d all loved.
- Last but not least, almost all the nasty or villainous people, and all of those who get significant page time, are women. There's Lucy the Bridezilla; Miranda, the awful comedy teacher (who's also described as "waddling" because fat is another one of those markers of bad character I guess); Patricia, the mother of Lucy's feckless fiance; and Rona, the sister of Colin's dead partner.
"Rainbows and Lollipops" means well, which is about the best I can say for it. Thanks to Spring Street Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
April 19, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Spring Street Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
‘Rainbows and Lollipops’ by Mo Fanning is a contemporary novel that follows three people whose lives intertwine one fateful summer: Jake, dealing with an unexpected change in his circumstances that leaves him living back in his childhood bedroom; Vicky, a high-flying lawyer and self-imposed loner, working a normal family law case that takes a strange and possibly dangerous turn; and Lucy, who is busy planning the most perfect wedding to her fiancé, who she’s known less than a year - not that it matters, right? As we wander through each episode, the threads begin to emerge and what is revealed will change all three of their lives…
The novel is set in Birmingham in the summer of 2024, following our three main characters, Jake, Vicky, and Lucy. The novel is formatted in 6 episodes, complete with stage directions, but written in traditional third person narrative. Throughout the story, themes of grief and loss, identity and pride, and love - be it familial, romantic, and platonic - are explored. It’s a slice of live novel that allows us to peak into these people’s lives and experience their highs and lows as the plot unfolds.
I really enjoyed this novel - like a good Netflix miniseries, once you’ve finished the first episode, you feel helpless to switch it off. You must consume it as quickly as possible. Our three main characters were very different and each of them had a role to play in the story. Jake, back living with his parents, is having his ‘what do I wanna do with my life because I’m now in my forties and Not Happy’. Vicky is very much a high flyer but severely lacking in any semblance of a social life. Lucy has it all: money, a wedding to be featured in a bridal magazine, friends all around her, but somehow still feeling hollow. Jake and Vicky were, by far, the more compelling characters. Jake’s navigation of grief was particularly impactful, and his character’s journey was by far the most emotionally compelling. Vicky, similarly, had a wonderful journey, in a different way. Someone who is doing well, career-wise, but so beautifully human underneath the power suits and badass heels. Lucy, unfortunately, didn’t stand a chance for me. Her character was, in comparison, just not as interesting and her storyline fell flat, despite her being the link between both Jake and Vicky.
As I approach my thirties, I become more of a fan of novels that explore ‘real life’ in transparent and uncompromising ways. Being from the UK, I think the book was relatable for me and I was a real fan of how the representation felt so natural, and not just a box-ticking DEI exercise. It was a very grounded piece of work that deftly tackled darker themes in an unflinching manner, without becoming contrived. I thought the format using stage directions added an additional layer to the book, which brought the narrative to life even more.
If you’re looking for a queer, almost slice-of-life, emotional, and quietly profound read, I would highly recommend this book.
4.5 🌟
‘Rainbows and Lollipops’ by Mo Fanning is a contemporary novel that follows three people whose lives intertwine one fateful summer: Jake, dealing with an unexpected change in his circumstances that leaves him living back in his childhood bedroom; Vicky, a high-flying lawyer and self-imposed loner, working a normal family law case that takes a strange and possibly dangerous turn; and Lucy, who is busy planning the most perfect wedding to her fiancé, who she’s known less than a year - not that it matters, right? As we wander through each episode, the threads begin to emerge and what is revealed will change all three of their lives…
The novel is set in Birmingham in the summer of 2024, following our three main characters, Jake, Vicky, and Lucy. The novel is formatted in 6 episodes, complete with stage directions, but written in traditional third person narrative. Throughout the story, themes of grief and loss, identity and pride, and love - be it familial, romantic, and platonic - are explored. It’s a slice of live novel that allows us to peak into these people’s lives and experience their highs and lows as the plot unfolds.
I really enjoyed this novel - like a good Netflix miniseries, once you’ve finished the first episode, you feel helpless to switch it off. You must consume it as quickly as possible. Our three main characters were very different and each of them had a role to play in the story. Jake, back living with his parents, is having his ‘what do I wanna do with my life because I’m now in my forties and Not Happy’. Vicky is very much a high flyer but severely lacking in any semblance of a social life. Lucy has it all: money, a wedding to be featured in a bridal magazine, friends all around her, but somehow still feeling hollow. Jake and Vicky were, by far, the more compelling characters. Jake’s navigation of grief was particularly impactful, and his character’s journey was by far the most emotionally compelling. Vicky, similarly, had a wonderful journey, in a different way. Someone who is doing well, career-wise, but so beautifully human underneath the power suits and badass heels. Lucy, unfortunately, didn’t stand a chance for me. Her character was, in comparison, just not as interesting and her storyline fell flat, despite her being the link between both Jake and Vicky.
As I approach my thirties, I become more of a fan of novels that explore ‘real life’ in transparent and uncompromising ways. Being from the UK, I think the book was relatable for me and I was a real fan of how the representation felt so natural, and not just a box-ticking DEI exercise. It was a very grounded piece of work that deftly tackled darker themes in an unflinching manner, without becoming contrived. I thought the format using stage directions added an additional layer to the book, which brought the narrative to life even more.
If you’re looking for a queer, almost slice-of-life, emotional, and quietly profound read, I would highly recommend this book.
4.5 🌟
April 11, 2025
The novel is set from the perspective of 3 characters whose lives become more intertwined as the story develops. This was a plus for me.
My favourite character was Vicky with Jake a close second. I thought their stories deserved more depth however. Lucy is the connecting piece, but I was least interested in her, and skim read most of her chapters.
I would have liked to have known more about Jake and Tom’s relationship, and Jake and his dad’s illness for example.
The whole story is written as if it is a TV series, so we have little intro’s on where the scene is set etc. This felt totally unnecessary and did not add anything at all, and I could not grasp what the author was trying to achieve setting it out like this.
Some of the dialogue was funny, but I found the writing a bit dated and predictable. It’s a shame as I really wanted to love this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
My favourite character was Vicky with Jake a close second. I thought their stories deserved more depth however. Lucy is the connecting piece, but I was least interested in her, and skim read most of her chapters.
I would have liked to have known more about Jake and Tom’s relationship, and Jake and his dad’s illness for example.
The whole story is written as if it is a TV series, so we have little intro’s on where the scene is set etc. This felt totally unnecessary and did not add anything at all, and I could not grasp what the author was trying to achieve setting it out like this.
Some of the dialogue was funny, but I found the writing a bit dated and predictable. It’s a shame as I really wanted to love this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
May 2, 2025
This title was selected for IngramSpark's Indie Title Discovery Spotlight 2025!
A tender and timely literary novel about found family and the power of friendship. With unforgettable characters, witty dialogue, and emotional richness, this one is a must for summer reading and a perfect book club pick!
A tender and timely literary novel about found family and the power of friendship. With unforgettable characters, witty dialogue, and emotional richness, this one is a must for summer reading and a perfect book club pick!
June 18, 2025
Multiple POV with three main characters and their stories is told as 6 episodic minis that get entangled between Jake, Vicky, and Lucy. When Jake’s partner suddenly dies, grief is overwhelming. When Vicky takes on new clients someone will threaten her in a new scary way. When Lucy’s perfect wedding isn’t coming to plan, she’ll have to figure out if it’s the fiancee or something else. All three are connected.
At the beginning of the story, the author provides a reader’s guide that describes how the novel merges traditional storytelling with the visual language of a TV screenplay. There are abbreviations that are defined that I had to go back and reference for the first few scenes. I’m not sure the visual language is necessary for the story; however, it’s a clever way to define the environment in a succinct and no-nonsense way.
Time is not linear as the author builds relationships in parts and pieces through the three main characters’ voices: Jake, Vicky, and Lucy. We spend so much time with Jake that it almost feels like being torn away from the story when we move on to Vicky. Soon enough Vicky’s story is just as intriguing as Jake’s. It’s jarring again to jump into Lucy’s story but slowly the connections between the three people are revealed and I highly enjoyed all three points of view.
It’s truly a house of cards in this entanglement of threads between Vicky, Jake, and Lucy. The three stories are connected but distinct just like the three characters are similar but unique in their own ways.
Vicky is a trans, Black, and an exceptional lawyer. “She is overworked, under-loved, hoping to make named partner but knowing the title would likely go to someone far less capable and far more male. And white.” (Page 83).
Jake had a loved one, a stable home, and a future before everything fell apart when his partner Tom suddenly died. Grief will hit him in all the ways. As a reader, we can recognize the stages and know that until Jake has a fresh start with a fresh home he won’t be able to move on. It is especially hard for Jake because he questions the life and love he had. Jake needs to find his voice and himself through his grief.
Lucy Penrose is the annoying friend who you need in your life. She seems to create her own problems in her life. This time it’s the fiancée Colin. Lucy has only known him for a short time but is already committed to marrying the man. While planning her dream wedding she’ll find out Colin has more baggage than she realized and that there’s something up with her future mother-in-law.
The author’s writing has a wonderful flow and there are many, many wisdom nuggets about love, friendship, grief, and bravery in this book. As a reader, I feel like I learned so much about the human condition and how to be wise real, and human. If you love contemporary novels or tragicomedies like After Life, you will enjoy this book.
I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery.
At the beginning of the story, the author provides a reader’s guide that describes how the novel merges traditional storytelling with the visual language of a TV screenplay. There are abbreviations that are defined that I had to go back and reference for the first few scenes. I’m not sure the visual language is necessary for the story; however, it’s a clever way to define the environment in a succinct and no-nonsense way.
Time is not linear as the author builds relationships in parts and pieces through the three main characters’ voices: Jake, Vicky, and Lucy. We spend so much time with Jake that it almost feels like being torn away from the story when we move on to Vicky. Soon enough Vicky’s story is just as intriguing as Jake’s. It’s jarring again to jump into Lucy’s story but slowly the connections between the three people are revealed and I highly enjoyed all three points of view.
It’s truly a house of cards in this entanglement of threads between Vicky, Jake, and Lucy. The three stories are connected but distinct just like the three characters are similar but unique in their own ways.
Vicky is a trans, Black, and an exceptional lawyer. “She is overworked, under-loved, hoping to make named partner but knowing the title would likely go to someone far less capable and far more male. And white.” (Page 83).
Jake had a loved one, a stable home, and a future before everything fell apart when his partner Tom suddenly died. Grief will hit him in all the ways. As a reader, we can recognize the stages and know that until Jake has a fresh start with a fresh home he won’t be able to move on. It is especially hard for Jake because he questions the life and love he had. Jake needs to find his voice and himself through his grief.
Lucy Penrose is the annoying friend who you need in your life. She seems to create her own problems in her life. This time it’s the fiancée Colin. Lucy has only known him for a short time but is already committed to marrying the man. While planning her dream wedding she’ll find out Colin has more baggage than she realized and that there’s something up with her future mother-in-law.
The author’s writing has a wonderful flow and there are many, many wisdom nuggets about love, friendship, grief, and bravery in this book. As a reader, I feel like I learned so much about the human condition and how to be wise real, and human. If you love contemporary novels or tragicomedies like After Life, you will enjoy this book.
I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery.
March 31, 2025
From the very first page, Rainbows and Lollipops caught me off guard—in the best way possible. Don’t be misled by the title or the cover; this is not a light, fluffy (or even particularly happy?) read. But don't let this deter you. It’s sharp, unflinching, and deeply human. This is an absolute must-read for 2025.
The writing is fast-paced and vivid, with quick, naturalistic dialogue that pulls you right into each character’s world. The format—part novel, part screenplay—might seem unconventional, but it works here. It amplifies the story’s urgency and immediacy, giving each scene a cinematic, visual punch. I only found it distracting for the first few "scene changes." Make no mistake, once you settle into this book, you won’t want to look away.
What struck me most was how seamlessly Fanning tackles serious, often painful themes—grief, vulnerability, mental health, and the complexity of queer identity—without ever feeling preachy or forced. Within the first 50 pages, the book unpacks the raw reality of being in a long term, committed queer relationship without the legal recognition, exposing the fragility and added emotional labor that comes with it. Like many of the themes that Fanning touches on—these are not the central plot, but they are woven in so effortlessly, it catches your breath. Without realizing it, you’ve absorbed a stark, poignant truth about the world. That's exactly what great fiction does and Rainbows and Lollipops is no exception.
At its heart, this is a story about broken, beautiful people. Early on, the book deals with a tragic loss, and (having experienced something similar recently) I had a very good cry in the first few chapters of the book, but in a cathartic, healing way. My heart ached for Jake, Vicky, and Lucy, who find each other at exactly the right time. Although their connection and the manner in which they find each other might have seemed contrived under different circumstances, Fanning makes it seem like a plausible coincidence that these characters all found each other. Somehow, even a third of the way in, this author has buy-in with the reader. The characters' lives and friendship are messy, healing, and full of heart. I was continuously struck by how real these characters feel.
Rainbows and Lollipops is sad. It’s beautiful. It’s full of grit and soul and heart. I wasn’t expecting the format. I wasn’t expecting the depth. But this story gripped me from page one—and it didn’t let go. Just read it. You won’t regret it.
The writing is fast-paced and vivid, with quick, naturalistic dialogue that pulls you right into each character’s world. The format—part novel, part screenplay—might seem unconventional, but it works here. It amplifies the story’s urgency and immediacy, giving each scene a cinematic, visual punch. I only found it distracting for the first few "scene changes." Make no mistake, once you settle into this book, you won’t want to look away.
What struck me most was how seamlessly Fanning tackles serious, often painful themes—grief, vulnerability, mental health, and the complexity of queer identity—without ever feeling preachy or forced. Within the first 50 pages, the book unpacks the raw reality of being in a long term, committed queer relationship without the legal recognition, exposing the fragility and added emotional labor that comes with it. Like many of the themes that Fanning touches on—these are not the central plot, but they are woven in so effortlessly, it catches your breath. Without realizing it, you’ve absorbed a stark, poignant truth about the world. That's exactly what great fiction does and Rainbows and Lollipops is no exception.
At its heart, this is a story about broken, beautiful people. Early on, the book deals with a tragic loss, and (having experienced something similar recently) I had a very good cry in the first few chapters of the book, but in a cathartic, healing way. My heart ached for Jake, Vicky, and Lucy, who find each other at exactly the right time. Although their connection and the manner in which they find each other might have seemed contrived under different circumstances, Fanning makes it seem like a plausible coincidence that these characters all found each other. Somehow, even a third of the way in, this author has buy-in with the reader. The characters' lives and friendship are messy, healing, and full of heart. I was continuously struck by how real these characters feel.
Rainbows and Lollipops is sad. It’s beautiful. It’s full of grit and soul and heart. I wasn’t expecting the format. I wasn’t expecting the depth. But this story gripped me from page one—and it didn’t let go. Just read it. You won’t regret it.
April 15, 2025
I loved the idea of following 3 different people's paths into the same found family. The struggle I had was that I loved each character's journey but the depth of their connections to each other got a little lost in the details.
Victoria's chapters were my absolute favourite. They kind of felt like a self contained detective story rather than part of an over all narrative, though. The way she unraveled the mystery whilst dealing with personal threats was such a compelling story.
Jake's chapters were also wonderful but in a different way. As he's dealing with a fresh grief, his chapters are painful to read at times, however he's very relatable as a character.
Lucy's chapters I kind of struggled with. It felt like she was sort of being used as the reason that Jake and Victoria meet and her chapters felt like filler to me.
Overall I found it sort of difficult to read because each character's vibes so different. It also kind of felt like as I was getting more invested in one plotline, it would move to one of the others and by the time it got back to them again the timeline had moved on and it often felt as though I was missing chunks of plot and character development.
All that being said, the writing was beautiful and I enjoyed the fact that it was set in Birmingham. If this was split into 3 smaller books and each character was given the room they needed to really shine, I think I would have enjoyed it even more.
Victoria's chapters were my absolute favourite. They kind of felt like a self contained detective story rather than part of an over all narrative, though. The way she unraveled the mystery whilst dealing with personal threats was such a compelling story.
Jake's chapters were also wonderful but in a different way. As he's dealing with a fresh grief, his chapters are painful to read at times, however he's very relatable as a character.
Lucy's chapters I kind of struggled with. It felt like she was sort of being used as the reason that Jake and Victoria meet and her chapters felt like filler to me.
Overall I found it sort of difficult to read because each character's vibes so different. It also kind of felt like as I was getting more invested in one plotline, it would move to one of the others and by the time it got back to them again the timeline had moved on and it often felt as though I was missing chunks of plot and character development.
All that being said, the writing was beautiful and I enjoyed the fact that it was set in Birmingham. If this was split into 3 smaller books and each character was given the room they needed to really shine, I think I would have enjoyed it even more.
April 10, 2025
Oh yes, the pain of people othering... it is real. Regardless of what lies behind it, whether it is fear or contempt, there is no such thing as normal and there should be no such feeling as the feeling of being unworthy or less. But with the world being on fire, all sorts of shite going on on so many levels, can we please allow a fellow human being the right to exist, instead of fighting for it?
Let me admit it took me a while to get the feel of this book, the first part with Jake being a bit heavy. Yet I am so glad I kept on reading as I always love a story about chosen or found families.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
Let me admit it took me a while to get the feel of this book, the first part with Jake being a bit heavy. Yet I am so glad I kept on reading as I always love a story about chosen or found families.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
May 9, 2025
Not the overly happy book I was expecting from the title, but a brilliantly realistic story about the importance of found family in facing the struggles of being LGBTQIA+. The fact that it's set so recently in Britain made it startlingly up to date and made it feel even more poignant considering the current state of the country.
The characters were well written and I genuinely cared about them, with Vicky being the best developed. Lucy felt slightly under-developed but I also recognised her struggles and the situation she found herself in.
Cleverly plotted to tie all the storylines together, and although towards the end it felt slightly idealistic, it was a great ending.
The characters were well written and I genuinely cared about them, with Vicky being the best developed. Lucy felt slightly under-developed but I also recognised her struggles and the situation she found herself in.
Cleverly plotted to tie all the storylines together, and although towards the end it felt slightly idealistic, it was a great ending.
June 5, 2025
The title of this book gave me the impression that this would be a more uplifting collection of stories across the characters. However, upon reflection, I think it goes to show that not everything is rainbows and lollipops, and I appreciate the realism. I thought the way the stories of the characters were woven together worked well - I liked the episodic nature. While the characters do deal with real world issues, I think how they connect and eventually end up supporting each other is valuable. While this isn't as lighthearted as I thought it might be, it is still great writing and enjoyable storytelling.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC!
June 21, 2025
An amazingly well told story about family and friends and friends that are family. I've always said that God gives us our family because he knows we wouldn't choose them. But our friends, those we have a choice of - who we let in, who we let see our ugliness, who we feel will be our champions and give us honesty. And friends are truly a beautiful thing. I really enjoyed how these characters intersected. If you like reading about the messy side of life and relationships, you will enjoy this one very much.
April 25, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. Friends get together and each chapter is from the three characters’ perspectives. Life has its ups and downs along with throwing a curveball here and there. Sometimes you think you have life all planned out but things change in an instant. Even though they all have ups and downs in life; they still make time for each other and discover what really matters in life.
November 14, 2025
I really wanted to love this book but it just didn't quite hit for me. To be fair the description of the book did say it was told in "episodes" but I guess I didn't realize how literal that was. The story being told in episodic format made it hard to get into and really connect with the story. I did really like the main characters, especially Vicky and Jake, I just would've liked to get to know them better.
June 5, 2025
4.5 rounded up. This is a wonderful book that I enjoyed reading very much.
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
June 10, 2025
Amazing from start to finish, Mo has done a great job of giving insights into different groups of people and connecting them with his great storytelling.
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
January 7, 2026
#8 2026 52book club . Bring on the tissue box.
April 24, 2025
Rainbows and Lollipops is the story of friendship, love, loss, grief and secrets.
I enjoyed reading Rainbows and Lollipops with its diverse characters, interesting story and portrayal of queer and trans themes.
I found the characters interesting and their stories unique but equally touching on sensitive topics and beliefs. The interesting character development played out nicely and was interesting enough to keep me reading and wanting more.
The only places it fell short for me were the ending and the script-style chapter headings. The ending wasn’t really what I hoped for - which I realise is a completely personal viewpoint.
And, I found the chapter headings distracted from the flow of the story and on some occasions I had to reread them to make sense of place. I just feel that ‘place’ could have been addressed in a less jarring way. I do however, applaud the author for stepping out of the box in this way. It just wasn’t for me - again, a completely personal viewpoint.
I will recommend this book, I will share what I liked about it and I will definitely seek other writing from Mo.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mo and Spring Street Books for the ARC to read, enjoy and review.
I enjoyed reading Rainbows and Lollipops with its diverse characters, interesting story and portrayal of queer and trans themes.
I found the characters interesting and their stories unique but equally touching on sensitive topics and beliefs. The interesting character development played out nicely and was interesting enough to keep me reading and wanting more.
The only places it fell short for me were the ending and the script-style chapter headings. The ending wasn’t really what I hoped for - which I realise is a completely personal viewpoint.
And, I found the chapter headings distracted from the flow of the story and on some occasions I had to reread them to make sense of place. I just feel that ‘place’ could have been addressed in a less jarring way. I do however, applaud the author for stepping out of the box in this way. It just wasn’t for me - again, a completely personal viewpoint.
I will recommend this book, I will share what I liked about it and I will definitely seek other writing from Mo.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mo and Spring Street Books for the ARC to read, enjoy and review.
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