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Belladonna Ink #1
Far from Home
My name is Rachel. I’m straight . . . I think. I also have a mountain of student loans and a smart mouth. I wasn’t serious when I told Pari Sadashiv I’d marry her. It was only party banter! Except Pari needs a green card, and she’s willing to give me a breather from drowning in debt.
My off-the-cuff idea might not be so terrible. We get along as friends. She’s really romantically cautious, which I find heartbreaking. She deserves someone to laugh with. She’s kind. And calm. And gorgeous. A couple of years with her actually sounds pretty good. If some of Pari’s kindness and calmness rubs off on me, that’d be a bonus, because I’m a mess -- anorexia is not a pretty word -- and my little ways of keeping control of myself, of the world, aren’t working anymore.
And, if I slip up, Pari will see my cracks. Then I’ll crack. Which means I gotta get out, quick, before I fall in love with my wife.
My off-the-cuff idea might not be so terrible. We get along as friends. She’s really romantically cautious, which I find heartbreaking. She deserves someone to laugh with. She’s kind. And calm. And gorgeous. A couple of years with her actually sounds pretty good. If some of Pari’s kindness and calmness rubs off on me, that’d be a bonus, because I’m a mess -- anorexia is not a pretty word -- and my little ways of keeping control of myself, of the world, aren’t working anymore.
And, if I slip up, Pari will see my cracks. Then I’ll crack. Which means I gotta get out, quick, before I fall in love with my wife.
208 pages, ebook
First published August 1, 2016
72 people are currently reading
1555 people want to read
About the author
Lorelie Brown
15 books137 followersAfter a semi-nomadic childhood throughout California, Lorelie Brown spent high school in Orange County before joining the US Army. After traveling the world from South Korea to Italy, she’s settled north of Chicago. Because going from California warmth to northern snow seemed like the proper order of events...
Lorelie has three active sons and a tiny shih-tzu who thinks he’s son number three—not four, he’s too important to be the baby. Writing romance helps her escape a house full of testosterone.
In her immense free time (hah!) Lorelie co-writes contemporary erotic romance under the name Katie Porter. You can find out more about the “Vegas Top Guns” and “Club Devant” series at www.KatiePorterBooks.com or at @MsKatiePorter. You can also contact Lorelie on Twitter @LorelieBrown.
Lorelie has three active sons and a tiny shih-tzu who thinks he’s son number three—not four, he’s too important to be the baby. Writing romance helps her escape a house full of testosterone.
In her immense free time (hah!) Lorelie co-writes contemporary erotic romance under the name Katie Porter. You can find out more about the “Vegas Top Guns” and “Club Devant” series at www.KatiePorterBooks.com or at @MsKatiePorter. You can also contact Lorelie on Twitter @LorelieBrown.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
August 23, 2016
Exact rating: 3.84 stars
(I know, I'm being super extra with my decimal point rating system, let me live).
Maybe in a few hours I will analyze Far from Home; its content and approach, and be appalled. However, as someone who has only just finished reading, I am thrilled to say that I really enjoyed this book.
This is a story about Rachel, a "recovering" anorexic, who on a whim volunteers to a marriage of convenience to secure a visa for Pari - an Indian, lesbian, workaholic. If the premise has you rolling your eyes, please don't be entirely put-off, that brief synopsis doesn't do the depth of this story justice.
Despite currently living in California, Pari is originally from Tamil Nadu. I am not Tamil (I'm a Gujarati gyal), so I can't speak on the accuracy of the Tamil aspect of representation. In terms of Indian representation, I thought it was done quite well. Since the story was told from a white-person's (Rachel's) perspective, I think this gives the narration some leeway. I did not think Indian culture was portrayed in an offensive manner (unlike the absolute atrocity that was Hanging by a Thread). I felt that Far From Home represented Indian culture without perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
But be mindful: What may be inoffensive to me, may be highly offensive to someone else. It may very well be that I am so desperate for a good representation of an Indian character in a contemporary-romance that I'm setting Pari on a pedestal.
I quite liked the writing style. For some reason, while reading, I was reminded of Janet Fitch.
I think this was a story that overcame many of the story-line 'hurdles' faced by contemporary authors. It tackled issues of:
- Immigration; technical aspects (like visas, work permits, etc) and personal aspects (culture shocks, assimilation, dissociation, etc) ,
- The complexity of interracial relationships (WITHOUT FETISHIZING THEM),
- The spectrum of sexuality,
- The struggles of addiction/mental health.
In my opinion, these issues were approached in a way that was respectful and realistic. I have not read anything else by Lorelie Brown, I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her books. If I could, I would like to hug her because this book was very special and it made me feel all tingly happy inside (I mean this in a not-sexual way, but it was actually successful in a sexual way too, so there's that).
(I know, I'm being super extra with my decimal point rating system, let me live).
Maybe in a few hours I will analyze Far from Home; its content and approach, and be appalled. However, as someone who has only just finished reading, I am thrilled to say that I really enjoyed this book.
This is a story about Rachel, a "recovering" anorexic, who on a whim volunteers to a marriage of convenience to secure a visa for Pari - an Indian, lesbian, workaholic. If the premise has you rolling your eyes, please don't be entirely put-off, that brief synopsis doesn't do the depth of this story justice.
Despite currently living in California, Pari is originally from Tamil Nadu. I am not Tamil (I'm a Gujarati gyal), so I can't speak on the accuracy of the Tamil aspect of representation. In terms of Indian representation, I thought it was done quite well. Since the story was told from a white-person's (Rachel's) perspective, I think this gives the narration some leeway. I did not think Indian culture was portrayed in an offensive manner (unlike the absolute atrocity that was Hanging by a Thread). I felt that Far From Home represented Indian culture without perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
But be mindful: What may be inoffensive to me, may be highly offensive to someone else. It may very well be that I am so desperate for a good representation of an Indian character in a contemporary-romance that I'm setting Pari on a pedestal.
I quite liked the writing style. For some reason, while reading, I was reminded of Janet Fitch.
I think this was a story that overcame many of the story-line 'hurdles' faced by contemporary authors. It tackled issues of:
- Immigration; technical aspects (like visas, work permits, etc) and personal aspects (culture shocks, assimilation, dissociation, etc) ,
- The complexity of interracial relationships (WITHOUT FETISHIZING THEM),
- The spectrum of sexuality,
- The struggles of addiction/mental health.
In my opinion, these issues were approached in a way that was respectful and realistic. I have not read anything else by Lorelie Brown, I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her books. If I could, I would like to hug her because this book was very special and it made me feel all tingly happy inside (I mean this in a not-sexual way, but it was actually successful in a sexual way too, so there's that).
December 27, 2018
There are a lot of good things about this relatively short novel (~55,000 words). The plot is solid and interesting with very well blended ethnic and cultural diversity (one protagonist, Pari, is from India) and the whole spectrum of problems with eating disorder (other protagonist Rachel, from whose point of view the story is told, is a treated anorexic). Pari and Rachel are very likable, real-to-life characters, and I really found myself caring about them. There are also some very nicely done secondary characters, especially Pari's mother Niharika. Far From Home kept me interested from start to finish, and I liked it enough to put it on my re-read list.
4 stars
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
4 stars
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
March 27, 2020
“You’re sick. But you can get better.”
“Then you’ll love me?”
“I love you now.”
I expected it to be a light fauxmance but it was so much more. I am in love with the MC, Rachel. She hides behind deflection and self deprecating humour and says/thinks the most relatable stuff. She is also recovering from anorexia. The book does focus a lot on her struggle with the disease. The love story was beautiful and actually had some depth. Plus I am so happy for Rachel she finally got the love and family she deserved.
“Then you’ll love me?”
“I love you now.”
I expected it to be a light fauxmance but it was so much more. I am in love with the MC, Rachel. She hides behind deflection and self deprecating humour and says/thinks the most relatable stuff. She is also recovering from anorexia. The book does focus a lot on her struggle with the disease. The love story was beautiful and actually had some depth. Plus I am so happy for Rachel she finally got the love and family she deserved.
July 11, 2016
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Riptide Publishing for an honest review.
To start off - I have one specific semi-major problem with the position I find myself in at this exact moment. And that's the part wherein it appears that all, after a quick check, of the other books published by this author, including those put out under another name, are all MF romances. I do not know what to do with myself now. heh-mmph.
Right, so. This is the first book I've read by this author under this or the other name I know they publish under (is on both bio of author and in book, Katie Porter).
This book here stars Rachel Fizel and Pari Sadashiv. Sadashiv is a native of India, and Fizel is a native of California, specifically the location they are currently in. San Sebastian California (my quick look at the other books by the author spotted San Sebastian appearing in at least one other book description).
The reader enters the action after a specific point. So how it came to pass that Rachel jokeningly, or otherwise, said something along the lines of 'I would marry you' to Pari is unclear. Looking and I see that the comment is literally the first thing in the book. By everything else that is revealed, it turns out that Sadashiv is legally in the USA on a specific type of work VISA, one tied to her current employer. But she wishes to become an independent contractor. Which she can't do under her current VISA, and going through immigration the 'normal way' has become a lot harder recently. So . . . she is open to the idea of marrying someone for a green card, and hopefully, for citizenship if whoever she marries and herself are able to stick together long enough.
One slight issue rears its head immediately. Rachel is not a lesbian. Which might be a small sign or point of contention when immigration investigates. That specific issue is pushed past.
Before you know it, Rachel and Pari are now living together. Going through the beginning motions of setting up their 'fake' marriage. They seem to get along well enough, so Pari decides to inform her parents via webcam. This leads to the mother announcing that she will be there shortly and will help with the wedding. The huge wedding of many guests.
One potential problem pops up fairly quickly after the mother arrives. Rachel, who - remember, is not a lesbian, has been having these rather lustful feelings for Pari. And Pari, for her part, keeps flirting with Rachel. That is not, specifically, the problem though. No, it's more the part wherein Rachel makes a move on Pari and Pari shuts her down. Arguing that they have to just remains friends, because they have 2 years to get through. If they tried to have a relationship - especially since Rachel, up to this point in her life, had not been a lesbian, then things might just fall apart.
Moving past doing a run down of the plot . . ..
I'd never heard of this author before. The subject matter - a variation of 'lesbian for you' or 'straight woman falls for lesbian woman' is one of those themes that I can rapidly grow tired off. The concept of a woman who is very much inside her own head, berating herself, measuring herself, taking very close eye on what she eats and how she interacts with the world is not one that I would think I would want anything to do with. Funny how everything unfolded then, eh?
No idea why, but my very first glimpse of this book caused two things to unfold within me - a strong desire to read this book, and the acknowledgement that this has certain things within it that could trigger annoyance in me. But from first glimpse of the book on Netgalley, to first glimpse of the actual text once I got the book, to the end of the book, I found myself in a happy kind of trance.
I loved every single moment of this book. At some point I thought to myself that I just want to be a fly on the wall, just . . . something. Watch them be together. I want to be able to watch them through the years of their lives, see them sitting on a beach, both in their seventies, just watching the sun set. I've no real idea why exactly I feel this way, but I rather enjoy both of the main characters, and, for that matter, Pari's mother.
Heck, I have a tendency to skim the erotic portions of books. Sometimes reading closely, sometimes barely reading, but mostly skimming. Here? I wanted to read each word. Feel it, caress it. Live it. So, obviously, I wasn't going to be skimming when graphic displays of an erotic nature occurred. And, quite frankly, I rather loved those sections of the book as well.
Well, I've just babbled, as I sometimes do, so I'll move on. If you, the reader of the review, take just one thing away from this review, it is this - this is a lovely book here. (oh, and I should probably have, at some point, noted that this is only the second book I've placed on my top rated shelf).
June 10 2016/July 1 2016
To start off - I have one specific semi-major problem with the position I find myself in at this exact moment. And that's the part wherein it appears that all, after a quick check, of the other books published by this author, including those put out under another name, are all MF romances. I do not know what to do with myself now. heh-mmph.
Right, so. This is the first book I've read by this author under this or the other name I know they publish under (is on both bio of author and in book, Katie Porter).
This book here stars Rachel Fizel and Pari Sadashiv. Sadashiv is a native of India, and Fizel is a native of California, specifically the location they are currently in. San Sebastian California (my quick look at the other books by the author spotted San Sebastian appearing in at least one other book description).
The reader enters the action after a specific point. So how it came to pass that Rachel jokeningly, or otherwise, said something along the lines of 'I would marry you' to Pari is unclear. Looking and I see that the comment is literally the first thing in the book. By everything else that is revealed, it turns out that Sadashiv is legally in the USA on a specific type of work VISA, one tied to her current employer. But she wishes to become an independent contractor. Which she can't do under her current VISA, and going through immigration the 'normal way' has become a lot harder recently. So . . . she is open to the idea of marrying someone for a green card, and hopefully, for citizenship if whoever she marries and herself are able to stick together long enough.
One slight issue rears its head immediately. Rachel is not a lesbian. Which might be a small sign or point of contention when immigration investigates. That specific issue is pushed past.
Before you know it, Rachel and Pari are now living together. Going through the beginning motions of setting up their 'fake' marriage. They seem to get along well enough, so Pari decides to inform her parents via webcam. This leads to the mother announcing that she will be there shortly and will help with the wedding. The huge wedding of many guests.
One potential problem pops up fairly quickly after the mother arrives. Rachel, who - remember, is not a lesbian, has been having these rather lustful feelings for Pari. And Pari, for her part, keeps flirting with Rachel. That is not, specifically, the problem though. No, it's more the part wherein Rachel makes a move on Pari and Pari shuts her down. Arguing that they have to just remains friends, because they have 2 years to get through. If they tried to have a relationship - especially since Rachel, up to this point in her life, had not been a lesbian, then things might just fall apart.
Moving past doing a run down of the plot . . ..
I'd never heard of this author before. The subject matter - a variation of 'lesbian for you' or 'straight woman falls for lesbian woman' is one of those themes that I can rapidly grow tired off. The concept of a woman who is very much inside her own head, berating herself, measuring herself, taking very close eye on what she eats and how she interacts with the world is not one that I would think I would want anything to do with. Funny how everything unfolded then, eh?
No idea why, but my very first glimpse of this book caused two things to unfold within me - a strong desire to read this book, and the acknowledgement that this has certain things within it that could trigger annoyance in me. But from first glimpse of the book on Netgalley, to first glimpse of the actual text once I got the book, to the end of the book, I found myself in a happy kind of trance.
I loved every single moment of this book. At some point I thought to myself that I just want to be a fly on the wall, just . . . something. Watch them be together. I want to be able to watch them through the years of their lives, see them sitting on a beach, both in their seventies, just watching the sun set. I've no real idea why exactly I feel this way, but I rather enjoy both of the main characters, and, for that matter, Pari's mother.
Heck, I have a tendency to skim the erotic portions of books. Sometimes reading closely, sometimes barely reading, but mostly skimming. Here? I wanted to read each word. Feel it, caress it. Live it. So, obviously, I wasn't going to be skimming when graphic displays of an erotic nature occurred. And, quite frankly, I rather loved those sections of the book as well.
Well, I've just babbled, as I sometimes do, so I'll move on. If you, the reader of the review, take just one thing away from this review, it is this - this is a lovely book here. (oh, and I should probably have, at some point, noted that this is only the second book I've placed on my top rated shelf).
June 10 2016/July 1 2016
June 14, 2019
AUDIOBOOK EDITION - narrated by Jill Smith. If I am lucky enough to have Jules to write my eulogy, then I would like Ms.Smith to read it out. Holy Chocolate Lava! Her voice was like nothing that I ever heard before - it was magically beautiful. Hearing the laughter, sadness and the smiles in her voice, was one of the best moment in the book. She brought Pari, Rachel and the other characters to life and made me fall head over heels over them. I was like a back in the day kid where radio was the only source of entertainment.
I grew up reading Mills and Boons, compliments of my sister, Fauziah. Yes, sometimes I borrowed them without her permission - she couldn't squeal on me as we were 'too young' to read such books. Marriage of convenience was one of my first trope and usually the male leads were Greek with surnames that I can never pronounced nor spell, 4O something, richer than Willy Wonka. While the female leads were young, fragile, sometimes fierce, poor and... Drumrolls... a Virgin. Well, Far From Home was nothing like the Mills and Boons nor Contract For Love by Allison Grey. Why? Because Ms.Brown was a freaking genius by making it real and down to Earth through Pari Sadashiv and Rachel Fizel.
Pari did not make Rachel's student loans disappeared as what usually happened in this type of story although she did perform a magic trick, making Rachel's and my panties to disappear into air when she said -
"If I’m ever offering to lick your pussy, trust me, you’ll know. You’ll know when I’m done too, when you’ve come so many times that your legs won’t hold you up.”
All that Pari promised was to ease Rachel's burden as much as she could, be the best wife Rachel never meant to have, in subtle and loving ways - saved her in distress wifey and she loved Rachel, scars and all.
Rachel, broken but never in denial. Once she said yes, Pari came first and her issues took second place. Alessia Cara's https://youtu.be/Em7vc8NWUNY described Rachel to the T. My heart broke again and again by Rachel's misfortunes, but broken as she was, she still gave me hope that she was going to get better, be happier, love + appreciate herself even before Pari came to her life.
Pari's family, as half Indian myself, the author's description was spot on. A bunch of - loud, I'm the best cook, I eat salt earlier than you, Is this really curry? You're in trouble? Tell me where you are and I'll get you - people
I would like to thank Alexis and Luce for Jill Smith's recommendation - I would like to offer to the both of you, my 2nd born but I still need you amazing ladies around... so thank you.
This advice by Tere.
" Try something you have read and like and maybe it will be easier to get into it " - You are right and thank you,Tere.
Listen to the book, if you've read this already and rediscover whatever that was missing the first time. For those who haven't, you don't know what you're missing.
I grew up reading Mills and Boons, compliments of my sister, Fauziah. Yes, sometimes I borrowed them without her permission - she couldn't squeal on me as we were 'too young' to read such books. Marriage of convenience was one of my first trope and usually the male leads were Greek with surnames that I can never pronounced nor spell, 4O something, richer than Willy Wonka. While the female leads were young, fragile, sometimes fierce, poor and... Drumrolls... a Virgin. Well, Far From Home was nothing like the Mills and Boons nor Contract For Love by Allison Grey. Why? Because Ms.Brown was a freaking genius by making it real and down to Earth through Pari Sadashiv and Rachel Fizel.
Pari did not make Rachel's student loans disappeared as what usually happened in this type of story although she did perform a magic trick, making Rachel's and my panties to disappear into air when she said -
"If I’m ever offering to lick your pussy, trust me, you’ll know. You’ll know when I’m done too, when you’ve come so many times that your legs won’t hold you up.”
All that Pari promised was to ease Rachel's burden as much as she could, be the best wife Rachel never meant to have, in subtle and loving ways - saved her in distress wifey and she loved Rachel, scars and all.
Rachel, broken but never in denial. Once she said yes, Pari came first and her issues took second place. Alessia Cara's https://youtu.be/Em7vc8NWUNY described Rachel to the T. My heart broke again and again by Rachel's misfortunes, but broken as she was, she still gave me hope that she was going to get better, be happier, love + appreciate herself even before Pari came to her life.
Pari's family, as half Indian myself, the author's description was spot on. A bunch of - loud, I'm the best cook, I eat salt earlier than you, Is this really curry? You're in trouble? Tell me where you are and I'll get you - people
I would like to thank Alexis and Luce for Jill Smith's recommendation - I would like to offer to the both of you, my 2nd born but I still need you amazing ladies around... so thank you.
This advice by Tere.
" Try something you have read and like and maybe it will be easier to get into it " - You are right and thank you,Tere.
Listen to the book, if you've read this already and rediscover whatever that was missing the first time. For those who haven't, you don't know what you're missing.
March 18, 2019
Edit: Feb 2018 Re-read review
I didn't think it was possible, but I loved this book even more on the second read. Rachel's struggle with anorexia came more to the forefront to me this time around. A favorite passage: For once, Rachel feeling good about herself.
"I’m not gross. I’m not hiding the unpleasant parts of me. I’m more than the sum of a couple parts that I don’t like. I forget the running tally of everything I’ve eaten for the past five days. I’m beautiful."
Original Review Sept 2016
I love, loved this relatively short book. It is beautifully written with very likable characters. The two MC's are Rachel who is struggling with student debt and anorexia and Pari, who is from India and is in the US legally with an employer sponsored visa. She would like to start her own company in the US but would lose her current visa. Unless, she marries. So they strike a deal, they will marry and Pari will help Rachel pay down her loans. The only caveat is that Rachel is straight...
The book is from Rachel's point of view, who from the very beginning is attracted to Pari. I along with Rachel fall in love with Pari too. They move in together and plan to marry in a civil ceremony. Pari calls her parents in India to tell them the news that she is engaged. One thing leads to another and Pari's mother Niharika comes out to plan their traditional, elaborate Hindu wedding that takes place over 5 days. Pari's parents are not thrilled that she is a lesbian, but in the end they love her and support her decisions.
In the first chapter there is a sentence that I knew immediately I was going to like this book - "I love her voice. It isn't only the lilting cadence of her native India mixed with crisp Britishness, it's the sweet kindness that is absolutely letting me off the hook"
I can't say much more without giving too much away. Read the book and discover for yourself. It is definitely going in my read again pile. I plan to read the second book in this series as soon as it is available.
I didn't think it was possible, but I loved this book even more on the second read. Rachel's struggle with anorexia came more to the forefront to me this time around. A favorite passage: For once, Rachel feeling good about herself.
"I’m not gross. I’m not hiding the unpleasant parts of me. I’m more than the sum of a couple parts that I don’t like. I forget the running tally of everything I’ve eaten for the past five days. I’m beautiful."
Original Review Sept 2016
I love, loved this relatively short book. It is beautifully written with very likable characters. The two MC's are Rachel who is struggling with student debt and anorexia and Pari, who is from India and is in the US legally with an employer sponsored visa. She would like to start her own company in the US but would lose her current visa. Unless, she marries. So they strike a deal, they will marry and Pari will help Rachel pay down her loans. The only caveat is that Rachel is straight...
The book is from Rachel's point of view, who from the very beginning is attracted to Pari. I along with Rachel fall in love with Pari too. They move in together and plan to marry in a civil ceremony. Pari calls her parents in India to tell them the news that she is engaged. One thing leads to another and Pari's mother Niharika comes out to plan their traditional, elaborate Hindu wedding that takes place over 5 days. Pari's parents are not thrilled that she is a lesbian, but in the end they love her and support her decisions.
In the first chapter there is a sentence that I knew immediately I was going to like this book - "I love her voice. It isn't only the lilting cadence of her native India mixed with crisp Britishness, it's the sweet kindness that is absolutely letting me off the hook"
I can't say much more without giving too much away. Read the book and discover for yourself. It is definitely going in my read again pile. I plan to read the second book in this series as soon as it is available.
April 1, 2017
(January 5) - I absolutely loved this gem of a book. I want to marry Pari :-)
----------------
(March 31) - I know it has barely been three months since I first read "Far from Home" but I took it off the virtual shelf again. This time to share it with my reading buddy D. in Germany. We are a two-women book club where I read to her on Skype in the evening for a few hours. I love to read out loud and she loves to listen and in between we discus the book. It gives me a chance to experience my favorite books in a slightly different way.
I give "Far from Home" easily five fat stars the second time around. And now my reading buddy wants to marry Pari as well.
----------------
(March 31) - I know it has barely been three months since I first read "Far from Home" but I took it off the virtual shelf again. This time to share it with my reading buddy D. in Germany. We are a two-women book club where I read to her on Skype in the evening for a few hours. I love to read out loud and she loves to listen and in between we discus the book. It gives me a chance to experience my favorite books in a slightly different way.
I give "Far from Home" easily five fat stars the second time around. And now my reading buddy wants to marry Pari as well.
March 24, 2019
Love yourself.
You can't accept love if you don't love yourself.
Rachel is a young woman who is a recovering anorexic. She works to ensure she gets all the right nutrients post rehab and therapy.
Pari is an Indian woman who wants to go into consulting which she can't because there would be no company to sponsor her work visa.
The two women consider marrying as it could be mutually beneficial.
This story had a lot more depth than I had anticipated. I've never really considered what it would be like to have food and appearance issues to such an extreme. The thoughts that Rachel would have about eating and the perception of how she looked were very sad.
But the story had an underlying feeling of hope. Even when you knew things were possibly going south, you just knew there would be something positive to come. And you rooted for it.
I thought all the characters were likeable. Pari's mother added a bit of light hearted-ness when needed.
It did take me awhile to get into the author's writing. Sometimes, I just didn't get what she was saying. Confused about metaphors she would use. And there were some interesting words. For example: Drawerful. As in a drawer full of take out menus. Or: Stupider.
But overall, I enjoyed the story.
You can't accept love if you don't love yourself.
Rachel is a young woman who is a recovering anorexic. She works to ensure she gets all the right nutrients post rehab and therapy.
Pari is an Indian woman who wants to go into consulting which she can't because there would be no company to sponsor her work visa.
The two women consider marrying as it could be mutually beneficial.
This story had a lot more depth than I had anticipated. I've never really considered what it would be like to have food and appearance issues to such an extreme. The thoughts that Rachel would have about eating and the perception of how she looked were very sad.
But the story had an underlying feeling of hope. Even when you knew things were possibly going south, you just knew there would be something positive to come. And you rooted for it.
I thought all the characters were likeable. Pari's mother added a bit of light hearted-ness when needed.
It did take me awhile to get into the author's writing. Sometimes, I just didn't get what she was saying. Confused about metaphors she would use. And there were some interesting words. For example: Drawerful. As in a drawer full of take out menus. Or: Stupider.
But overall, I enjoyed the story.
November 7, 2017
“Far From Home” is an enjoyable slow-burn romance between lesbian MC Pari, and straight-girl MC Rachel. But…let me start off with a warning for those who don’t like lies as part of lesfic. The entire book is based on a big lie…not to each other, but to the United States Department of Homeland Security. Everyone has their viewpoints on immigration, both legal and illegal/undocumented, and this book takes the view that it’s ok to tell a lie to get around immigration law. As part of their plan, they will also lie to Pari’s very traditional Indian parents. If these lies bother you, you won’t like this book.
Pari is in the USA legally on a work visa, but wants to start her own company and would lose her Visa. Rachel offers to marry Pari so Pari can get a visa as a spouse, ostensibly, or at least initially, so Rachel can have some relief from financial stress as part of their mutual understanding for the relationship arrangement.
Through the course of the book, which is from Rachel’s POV, we enjoy the growing mutual respect and physical attraction between Rachel and Pari, and the emotional bond they develop. Rachel is under-appreciated and underpaid at work, and has a very poor self-image, battling anorexia.
I really enjoyed their flirtatious banter as they get to know and appreciate each other.
Cultural differences are addressed very well in “Far From Home”, and stereotypes about how families are likely to react to lesbianism or even career choices are nicely portrayed and then turned on their heads.
This is another book that if voiced by the right narrator could easily be a 5* book. As a Kindle book narrated by a Voice Dream robovoice I’m not planning to re-read it, so I’m rating this book as a solid 4.45*, rounded to 4*, and recommend you read it and enjoy Rachel and Pari getting to know each other! And, btw, they REALLY get to know each other! ;)
Pari is in the USA legally on a work visa, but wants to start her own company and would lose her Visa. Rachel offers to marry Pari so Pari can get a visa as a spouse, ostensibly, or at least initially, so Rachel can have some relief from financial stress as part of their mutual understanding for the relationship arrangement.
Through the course of the book, which is from Rachel’s POV, we enjoy the growing mutual respect and physical attraction between Rachel and Pari, and the emotional bond they develop. Rachel is under-appreciated and underpaid at work, and has a very poor self-image, battling anorexia.
I really enjoyed their flirtatious banter as they get to know and appreciate each other.
I wait until she’s slipped a forkful of eggplant between her lips. “You once said you could make me come until I begged you to stop.”
She chokes. Though she lifts a hand to delicately cover her lips, she sputters. Her eyes are wide and watery.
“I was drunk.”
“Does that mean it wasn’t true?”
“It means it was unwise to say.”
Cultural differences are addressed very well in “Far From Home”, and stereotypes about how families are likely to react to lesbianism or even career choices are nicely portrayed and then turned on their heads.
This is another book that if voiced by the right narrator could easily be a 5* book. As a Kindle book narrated by a Voice Dream robovoice I’m not planning to re-read it, so I’m rating this book as a solid 4.45*, rounded to 4*, and recommend you read it and enjoy Rachel and Pari getting to know each other! And, btw, they REALLY get to know each other! ;)
August 14, 2023
Aug 2023 -4th listen, still love it. This time it's Rachel finally finding family love and connection from Pari's parents.
Dec 2021 - I am promoting the story to 5 stars - narration 6+ stars. every time I listen I find something else to love about this book. This time around it's Pari's compassion and Rachel's determination to get well.
Solid 4 stars +6 stars for outstanding narration.
Feb 2021 - second listen. I still love it and am even more convinced this is best enjoyed as an audiobook. I think the narrator adds a lot of nuance to the main character and makes her more sympathetic than you might feel toward her if you were reading it on your own. The British Indian accent still makes me swoon.
May 2020 - 1st listen @luce recommended this audiobook to me when I was asking for suggestions for my next listen with one requirement; an excellent narrator. She did not steer me wrong. From reading the reviews, it seems like this is one of those books that benefit from the acting and beautiful accents. I really liked this book and wished it had been a bit longer, but I appreciate the epilogue that filled in the ending and gave us a lovely HEA.
Dec 2021 - I am promoting the story to 5 stars - narration 6+ stars. every time I listen I find something else to love about this book. This time around it's Pari's compassion and Rachel's determination to get well.
Solid 4 stars +6 stars for outstanding narration.
Feb 2021 - second listen. I still love it and am even more convinced this is best enjoyed as an audiobook. I think the narrator adds a lot of nuance to the main character and makes her more sympathetic than you might feel toward her if you were reading it on your own. The British Indian accent still makes me swoon.
May 2020 - 1st listen @luce recommended this audiobook to me when I was asking for suggestions for my next listen with one requirement; an excellent narrator. She did not steer me wrong. From reading the reviews, it seems like this is one of those books that benefit from the acting and beautiful accents. I really liked this book and wished it had been a bit longer, but I appreciate the epilogue that filled in the ending and gave us a lovely HEA.
November 6, 2018
My first read by Ms.Brown, I bought this book a few weeks ago and choose to read it today since it's Deepavali. This was a great interracial romance, it started as a proposal to a marriage of convenience then slowly it developed into something sweet, savory, crazy not that rich Asians dramas and the ultimate swoonworthy romance.
I truly enjoyed the Asian theme as it was relatable especially the wedding prep.
Pari and Rachel, your tale was beautifully written by Ms.Brown. It wasn't the smoothest ride, loads of speed bumps and potholes yet you both conquered them all and get each other as reward.. What more can you ask for?
I truly enjoyed the Asian theme as it was relatable especially the wedding prep.
Pari and Rachel, your tale was beautifully written by Ms.Brown. It wasn't the smoothest ride, loads of speed bumps and potholes yet you both conquered them all and get each other as reward.. What more can you ask for?
October 1, 2019
This book had all the feels with none of the bogus breakup drama. Very well written which was a relief as I have had so many DNF books lately. And the piece de resistance...sexy sexy sex. THANK YOU!
Highly recommend.
4.5 stars.
Highly recommend.
4.5 stars.
April 27, 2017
I really enjoyed this. We have two unique leads with one being a British accented Indian lesbian and the other being a recovering anorexic Demi-sexual.
The story is well written with a flowing narrative and likable characters. The pacing and chemistry between Pari and Rachel is not a slow burn but it's not insta-love, either. It's a believable unfolding of a unique relationship. And, Rachel's battle with anorexia was handled very well as the story is told from her POV and we get a sensitive insight into the psychology behind her disorder.
Overall, the book is a well blended mix of drama, humor, romance, steaminess, and hope.
Well done. 4.3 stars.
The story is well written with a flowing narrative and likable characters. The pacing and chemistry between Pari and Rachel is not a slow burn but it's not insta-love, either. It's a believable unfolding of a unique relationship. And, Rachel's battle with anorexia was handled very well as the story is told from her POV and we get a sensitive insight into the psychology behind her disorder.
Overall, the book is a well blended mix of drama, humor, romance, steaminess, and hope.
Well done. 4.3 stars.
December 9, 2016
I'm really torn on the rating of this one. I think it's better than just three stars and it's the characters and the inclusion of and handling of anorexia bumped it to a pretty solid 3.5 for me. I debated on whether I should round up or down - since Goodreads seems determined to never allow for .5 stars - and while there were a few things that really pulled me out of the story on numerous occasions, the strength of my emotional connection with the characters pushed me to round up.
I thought that Rachel felt like a genuine and complex character and, even though the book is told in first person POV, I was comfortable with my level of understanding of Pari, too. For me, the most compelling part of the book was the way Rachel's anorexia was handled. I don't know anyone - at least I don't think I do - who has suffered with the illness but I feel like I've gained some insight into the condition and a bit of what it must be like. I thought the author did a great job of keeping it in the forefront but never in any sort of preachy way that may have felt forced or contrived.
So what were these things that pulled me out of the story and prevented me from giving it a solid 4 stars or more? Well, the first person POV used with present tense was the first thing. It didn't mess me up all the time and I mostly got used to it but everyone once in a while - YANK! - right out. But probably the biggest thing was some of the word choices. There were times when phrases or passages seemed like they had the wrong words mixed in. One example was something along the lines of Rachel noticing that Pari was tired and the phrase "she could tell by the weariness of her cheeks" was used. Or words really close to that - I don't have the book open in front of me but it was the weariness of her cheeks. That pulled me out of the story so badly that I had to text a friend to make sure it wasn't just me because I don't know how cheeks can look weary. There were a few places where I felt like the author was trying to make a passage feel more poetic but the actual words didn't do it for me and I spent more time wondering what words would have made it flow better or make more sense than I did being immersed in the scene. Things like that.
I was typing up the last sentence of this little review when I remembered that I wish so hard that there had been another chapter or three between the last chapter and the epilogue. How wonderful would it have been to experience what they went through to get to that epilogue? I'm not the sort of person who needs everything all wrapped up with a bow but damn, what a bunch of important things to not address. At least that's how I feel about it.
So after reading all this you may be wondering why I still rounded up... It's the story, the characters, and how I felt while reading it. Also I didn't see any typos so that's a bonus. I'll stick by the 4 stars because I had a very hard time putting it down and I think I'm going to miss Rachel and Pari. And Pari's mom. That doesn't happen very often for me anymore.
I thought that Rachel felt like a genuine and complex character and, even though the book is told in first person POV, I was comfortable with my level of understanding of Pari, too. For me, the most compelling part of the book was the way Rachel's anorexia was handled. I don't know anyone - at least I don't think I do - who has suffered with the illness but I feel like I've gained some insight into the condition and a bit of what it must be like. I thought the author did a great job of keeping it in the forefront but never in any sort of preachy way that may have felt forced or contrived.
So what were these things that pulled me out of the story and prevented me from giving it a solid 4 stars or more? Well, the first person POV used with present tense was the first thing. It didn't mess me up all the time and I mostly got used to it but everyone once in a while - YANK! - right out. But probably the biggest thing was some of the word choices. There were times when phrases or passages seemed like they had the wrong words mixed in. One example was something along the lines of Rachel noticing that Pari was tired and the phrase "she could tell by the weariness of her cheeks" was used. Or words really close to that - I don't have the book open in front of me but it was the weariness of her cheeks. That pulled me out of the story so badly that I had to text a friend to make sure it wasn't just me because I don't know how cheeks can look weary. There were a few places where I felt like the author was trying to make a passage feel more poetic but the actual words didn't do it for me and I spent more time wondering what words would have made it flow better or make more sense than I did being immersed in the scene. Things like that.
I was typing up the last sentence of this little review when I remembered that I wish so hard that there had been another chapter or three between the last chapter and the epilogue. How wonderful would it have been to experience what they went through to get to that epilogue? I'm not the sort of person who needs everything all wrapped up with a bow but damn, what a bunch of important things to not address. At least that's how I feel about it.
So after reading all this you may be wondering why I still rounded up... It's the story, the characters, and how I felt while reading it. Also I didn't see any typos so that's a bonus. I'll stick by the 4 stars because I had a very hard time putting it down and I think I'm going to miss Rachel and Pari. And Pari's mom. That doesn't happen very often for me anymore.
February 15, 2021
I read this book again and loved it even more than the first time. It’s a very well written emotional and romantic story. It’s written in the first person from the view of Rachel. When Rachel hears about Pari’s problem with her permit to stay and work in the US she offers to marry her in an impulse. Pari’s accepts and they start a fake relationship that soon gets complicated by their attraction, their past problems and family ties. Though this is not a lighthearted romance it does leave you feeling good because of it’s positive vibe. Recommend
September 6, 2017
As an Indian it gives me a lot of happiness to read about lesbians from India. I don't know...it just makes me fantasise taht one day same sex relationships will not be such a scandal here.
I've read a lot of lesbian fiction, but this one was way more intense than most of the books that I have read. The narrator is a recovering anorexic. She has a ton of issues to sort through and I was able to understand how she felt throughout. Coming to my favourite character Pari. That woman was amazing. She was sweet, supportive and knew what to say in each situation. She's a out and proud lesbian but she hasn't forgotten that her roots lie truly in India. And then there's the fact that she's south Indian just like me and all those traditions mentioned in the book made me grin like an idiot.
Special shout out to Pari's mom. She was so freaking supportive of her daughter. I loved that about her.
This is probably a book that I'm gonna end up rereading again and again. The dialogue wasn't over the top, and it wasn't too sugary and sweet. The struggles of anorexia have been brought out in a way as to not make readers too uncomfortable.
If you love angst filled books with dry humour go ahead. trust me you'll love this book so much.
I've read a lot of lesbian fiction, but this one was way more intense than most of the books that I have read. The narrator is a recovering anorexic. She has a ton of issues to sort through and I was able to understand how she felt throughout. Coming to my favourite character Pari. That woman was amazing. She was sweet, supportive and knew what to say in each situation. She's a out and proud lesbian but she hasn't forgotten that her roots lie truly in India. And then there's the fact that she's south Indian just like me and all those traditions mentioned in the book made me grin like an idiot.
Special shout out to Pari's mom. She was so freaking supportive of her daughter. I loved that about her.
This is probably a book that I'm gonna end up rereading again and again. The dialogue wasn't over the top, and it wasn't too sugary and sweet. The struggles of anorexia have been brought out in a way as to not make readers too uncomfortable.
If you love angst filled books with dry humour go ahead. trust me you'll love this book so much.
March 22, 2019
5.5 Stars for this third re-read but this time for the Audiobook narrated by Jill Smith. **If you are thinking of re-reading this book - give this audiobook a try. I think you might enjoy it more - I sure did! If you haven't read either version - give it a try.
Jill Smith's narration adds to the already 5 star story. She does a credible job with the Indian accents. At one point Pari, her mother and aunt were talking and I could tell them apart. The voices were subtly different but distinctive, especially between Pari and her mother Niharika. So much more enjoyable to listen to the Indian accents and to hear how their names are pronounced which I didn't "hear" when reading it myself.
This is written in the first person-Rachel. She tells Pari she is a recovering anorexic. Brown writes it so well - as we hear Rachel counting her her bites, her attempts to hide from Pari her struggles and hiding it from herself. Especially with the stress of a wedding and falling in love with the bride.
One more thing - for once the audiobook cover surpasses the e-book/paperback cover.
Jill Smith's narration adds to the already 5 star story. She does a credible job with the Indian accents. At one point Pari, her mother and aunt were talking and I could tell them apart. The voices were subtly different but distinctive, especially between Pari and her mother Niharika. So much more enjoyable to listen to the Indian accents and to hear how their names are pronounced which I didn't "hear" when reading it myself.
This is written in the first person-Rachel. She tells Pari she is a recovering anorexic. Brown writes it so well - as we hear Rachel counting her her bites, her attempts to hide from Pari her struggles and hiding it from herself. Especially with the stress of a wedding and falling in love with the bride.
One more thing - for once the audiobook cover surpasses the e-book/paperback cover.
October 14, 2016
Detailed score: 4.0
Lovely. Little bit of angst. You can predict the ending. But just really great.
Here endith my most articulate review ever ;)
Lovely. Little bit of angst. You can predict the ending. But just really great.
Here endith my most articulate review ever ;)
April 1, 2022
4.5 stars
The blurb for this book really doesn't do it justice. If I was looking for a book to read and only had that to go by, I probably would have bypassed it. But a dear friend said it was a favorite, so I wanted to give it a listen. Very happy I did!
Told from her point of view, "California girl" Rachel is in film production in Hollywood, trying to work her way up in a small production company to do something she can be proud of. But she's buried in student loan debt after getting her master's degree. She meets Pari at a party, who is from India but has been in the US. on a work visa. She overhears Pari saying she wants to branch out from the financial firm she works for and become an independent consultant, but then she'd lose her work sponsor. In order to be able to stay in the U.S., she'd need to find a woman who would marry her. Although straight, Rachel sees how accomplished, intelligent and beautiful Pari is and blurts out almost half-joking that SHE would do it. Pari asks her if she's even a lesbian and Rachel says no, but that's not necessarily a deal breaker. In fact, that might work out just fine. Pari isn't really looking for a relationship. She's a busy career woman, and so is Rachel.
They decide to meet up again and see how they would get along. And if that went well, talk about what it would take - and how long they would have to be legally married - for Pari to become a citizen. Then they could go their separate ways. Pari is in a position financially to take some of that burden off of Rachel's shoulders and has a wonderful apartment on the beach she can share with her. Seen as a business arrangement, they agree to terms.
Rachel is drawn to Pari right from the start, and it confuses her. But while her feelings for Pari grow, the Indian beauty isn't wanting to get involved with another straight woman. Been there, done that and she got a broken heart in the process. But as the women spend time and get to know one another, things begin to evolve.
There are several things I liked about this story. Rachel is anorexic and not a character I've seen in lesfic. Because the story is told in first person by her, there's some really fascinating - and heartbreaking - insight about what goes through the mind of someone with her condition. How she thinks about food, how she feels about herself and her body. How portion control and working out become obsessions. Pari recognizes that Rachel has issues with food, but doesn't know to what extent Rachel is suffering. Rachel also comes to realize through this experience that she's demisexual - something she didn't even know existed before she met Pari.
Pari is a wonderfully appealing character. She's warm, kind and generous, curvy and striking. And very close to her family. And when they tell Pari's family they are to be married, we get a behind the scenes look at what goes into a traditional three day Indian wedding celebration. We also get to see Rachel's relationship with her family in contrast to Pari's. While Pari's parents initially worried about their daughter being a lesbian, they grew to accept and love her. In fact, they insist on throwing a grand event to celebrate Pari and Rachel's union. Much of this story takes place while Pari's mother comes into town a month before the wedding to make all the arrangements.
The audiobook wasn't long - not quite six hours - and I was wondering how author Lorelie Brown was going to get the whole story in. She manages it - but not like you might expect.
I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop and found their moments to be insightful, sweet, romantic and ultimately, sexy. The author didn't take the easy way out near the story's end and I appreciated how it came together. There were also strong secondary characters - especially Pari's mother - who added much to the story.
I'm very picky about narrators and Jill Smith was unfamiliar to me. Not only did I love her voice, tone and overall performance, she did a really good job with Pari and her family's Indian accents. She injected just the right amount of emotion and brought the story to life. I'll be looking for more of her work.
I am grateful to have discovered this new-to-me author and narrator!
The blurb for this book really doesn't do it justice. If I was looking for a book to read and only had that to go by, I probably would have bypassed it. But a dear friend said it was a favorite, so I wanted to give it a listen. Very happy I did!
Told from her point of view, "California girl" Rachel is in film production in Hollywood, trying to work her way up in a small production company to do something she can be proud of. But she's buried in student loan debt after getting her master's degree. She meets Pari at a party, who is from India but has been in the US. on a work visa. She overhears Pari saying she wants to branch out from the financial firm she works for and become an independent consultant, but then she'd lose her work sponsor. In order to be able to stay in the U.S., she'd need to find a woman who would marry her. Although straight, Rachel sees how accomplished, intelligent and beautiful Pari is and blurts out almost half-joking that SHE would do it. Pari asks her if she's even a lesbian and Rachel says no, but that's not necessarily a deal breaker. In fact, that might work out just fine. Pari isn't really looking for a relationship. She's a busy career woman, and so is Rachel.
They decide to meet up again and see how they would get along. And if that went well, talk about what it would take - and how long they would have to be legally married - for Pari to become a citizen. Then they could go their separate ways. Pari is in a position financially to take some of that burden off of Rachel's shoulders and has a wonderful apartment on the beach she can share with her. Seen as a business arrangement, they agree to terms.
Rachel is drawn to Pari right from the start, and it confuses her. But while her feelings for Pari grow, the Indian beauty isn't wanting to get involved with another straight woman. Been there, done that and she got a broken heart in the process. But as the women spend time and get to know one another, things begin to evolve.
There are several things I liked about this story. Rachel is anorexic and not a character I've seen in lesfic. Because the story is told in first person by her, there's some really fascinating - and heartbreaking - insight about what goes through the mind of someone with her condition. How she thinks about food, how she feels about herself and her body. How portion control and working out become obsessions. Pari recognizes that Rachel has issues with food, but doesn't know to what extent Rachel is suffering. Rachel also comes to realize through this experience that she's demisexual - something she didn't even know existed before she met Pari.
Pari is a wonderfully appealing character. She's warm, kind and generous, curvy and striking. And very close to her family. And when they tell Pari's family they are to be married, we get a behind the scenes look at what goes into a traditional three day Indian wedding celebration. We also get to see Rachel's relationship with her family in contrast to Pari's. While Pari's parents initially worried about their daughter being a lesbian, they grew to accept and love her. In fact, they insist on throwing a grand event to celebrate Pari and Rachel's union. Much of this story takes place while Pari's mother comes into town a month before the wedding to make all the arrangements.
The audiobook wasn't long - not quite six hours - and I was wondering how author Lorelie Brown was going to get the whole story in. She manages it - but not like you might expect.
I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop and found their moments to be insightful, sweet, romantic and ultimately, sexy. The author didn't take the easy way out near the story's end and I appreciated how it came together. There were also strong secondary characters - especially Pari's mother - who added much to the story.
I'm very picky about narrators and Jill Smith was unfamiliar to me. Not only did I love her voice, tone and overall performance, she did a really good job with Pari and her family's Indian accents. She injected just the right amount of emotion and brought the story to life. I'll be looking for more of her work.
I am grateful to have discovered this new-to-me author and narrator!
November 7, 2016
Far From Home by Lorelie Brown is a marriage of convenience story that blew me away. Told through the eyes of someone living with anorexia nervosa, it balances a beautiful romance with a bold storytelling choice, making it one of the best books I’ve read all year.
I love this book so much I have big fighty feelings about it. It may be my new bookwork friendship litmus test.
Full review here: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/far-h...
I love this book so much I have big fighty feelings about it. It may be my new bookwork friendship litmus test.
Full review here: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/far-h...
February 7, 2018
Of the 450 or so lesbian romance novels I've read so far, this is the first I've read with a main character with an eating disorder. Kind of weird considering that our self-worth, body image and sexual identity is so intertwined and one would think it would be a much more common theme. Maybe it's too real or too hard to make sexy. Brown has succeeded admirably in creating a beautiful and sexy romance without losing sight of reality.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
March 15, 2022
2.5.
I think I just found the lack of seriously, despite a serious subject happening throughout (Our MC Rachel's Anorexia) to be a bit off-putting. That and we never really get to know Pari, her love interest - let alone why she suddenly wants to be with a woman, and doesn't really reflect on her past relationships with men.
The whole tone overall is very immature and juvenile and not given enough depth. I found it sorely lacking.
I think I just found the lack of seriously, despite a serious subject happening throughout (Our MC Rachel's Anorexia) to be a bit off-putting. That and we never really get to know Pari, her love interest - let alone why she suddenly wants to be with a woman, and doesn't really reflect on her past relationships with men.
The whole tone overall is very immature and juvenile and not given enough depth. I found it sorely lacking.
December 27, 2018
This is short, but could have stood to be shorter. The romance in this was really light, and felt artificially drawn out before them getting together for real. And that grated on me a bit. The rest of the story was good, however, so I was never uninterested or unengaged.
I think it actually works better as a life-experience novel dealing with Rachel's eating disorder. That part was foremost in much of the emotional story arc, and I mean that in a good way (i.e. it never felt like an issue novel and I think Brown is extremely talented for her excellent handling of what could have easily been a heavy topic).
Rachel engages our sympathy right from the start, but I couldn't help feeling frustrated with her feelings of attraction towards Pari. And since I'm primarily a romance reader that friction drove my enjoyment down more than a little. You see, it's clear from the very beginning that Rachel is attracted to Pari, and in more than a friendly way. Indeed, it's clear right from the start that she is attracted to Pari in ways she's never been with anyone else, male or female. So having her so deeply in denial for so long felt manufactured—like it was expected because Brown wanted to make the point that Rachel is demi-sexual so we had to go through a confusion stage and a reluctance stage even though we could see Rachel's attraction and her inner monologue was pretty clear that these longings and fascination with Pari were singular and explicitly sexual. Worse, Rachel's best friend is another lesbian, so it isn't like she has heterosexual hang-ups to get over or is somehow uncomfortable considering that she might be sexually attracted to a woman.
That artificial-seeming restraint persisted through most of the novel and I wish it had been cut. It's not like there wasn't a great deal of story to explore with their relationship and I'd have enjoyed seeing it mature in more detail in intimacy and honesty. Rachel's eating disorder is an invitation to explore trust and intimacy and could easily have sustained a deeper, more detailed examination. Not that I'm unhappy with the depth we got, mind. As I said above, it was very well handled, but if Brown wanted a longer story, drawing out the romance/yearning bits wasn't the way to go.
Anyway, I haven't gotten into Pari yet, but she's another strong aspect of the story. I don't know much about Indian culture beyond binging on Bollywood a decade back or so. Pari felt authentic to me in that integrated-character way the best authors manage. i.e. she felt wholly real/authentic as an integrated character despite having a lot of aspects that others might draw out as important or dominant (lesbian, PoC, Indian, immigrant, rich(ish), etc). Also, Pari's family stands out as another rich depiction of love and support despite conflicting motivations and goals. Her mother was a delight and the book truly takes off once her mom shows up to start meddling (in the most loving and non-demanding ways).
So yeah, this is a solid 3.5 stars and I'm terribly conflicted on which way to round. As a story, I'd round up to four. As a romance, I'd round down to three.
A note about Steamy: There are two explicit sex scenes the second is relatively lengthy. With such a short book, that counts for more than it would otherwise, but it's still the middle of my steam tolerance. Bonus points for being well-integrated in the emotional/intimacy arc of the characters, though I still think the will they/won't they went on way too long.
I think it actually works better as a life-experience novel dealing with Rachel's eating disorder. That part was foremost in much of the emotional story arc, and I mean that in a good way (i.e. it never felt like an issue novel and I think Brown is extremely talented for her excellent handling of what could have easily been a heavy topic).
Rachel engages our sympathy right from the start, but I couldn't help feeling frustrated with her feelings of attraction towards Pari. And since I'm primarily a romance reader that friction drove my enjoyment down more than a little. You see, it's clear from the very beginning that Rachel is attracted to Pari, and in more than a friendly way. Indeed, it's clear right from the start that she is attracted to Pari in ways she's never been with anyone else, male or female. So having her so deeply in denial for so long felt manufactured—like it was expected because Brown wanted to make the point that Rachel is demi-sexual so we had to go through a confusion stage and a reluctance stage even though we could see Rachel's attraction and her inner monologue was pretty clear that these longings and fascination with Pari were singular and explicitly sexual. Worse, Rachel's best friend is another lesbian, so it isn't like she has heterosexual hang-ups to get over or is somehow uncomfortable considering that she might be sexually attracted to a woman.
That artificial-seeming restraint persisted through most of the novel and I wish it had been cut. It's not like there wasn't a great deal of story to explore with their relationship and I'd have enjoyed seeing it mature in more detail in intimacy and honesty. Rachel's eating disorder is an invitation to explore trust and intimacy and could easily have sustained a deeper, more detailed examination. Not that I'm unhappy with the depth we got, mind. As I said above, it was very well handled, but if Brown wanted a longer story, drawing out the romance/yearning bits wasn't the way to go.
Anyway, I haven't gotten into Pari yet, but she's another strong aspect of the story. I don't know much about Indian culture beyond binging on Bollywood a decade back or so. Pari felt authentic to me in that integrated-character way the best authors manage. i.e. she felt wholly real/authentic as an integrated character despite having a lot of aspects that others might draw out as important or dominant (lesbian, PoC, Indian, immigrant, rich(ish), etc). Also, Pari's family stands out as another rich depiction of love and support despite conflicting motivations and goals. Her mother was a delight and the book truly takes off once her mom shows up to start meddling (in the most loving and non-demanding ways).
So yeah, this is a solid 3.5 stars and I'm terribly conflicted on which way to round. As a story, I'd round up to four. As a romance, I'd round down to three.
A note about Steamy: There are two explicit sex scenes the second is relatively lengthy. With such a short book, that counts for more than it would otherwise, but it's still the middle of my steam tolerance. Bonus points for being well-integrated in the emotional/intimacy arc of the characters, though I still think the will they/won't they went on way too long.
July 12, 2018
Two young women decide to marry for profit, then gradually they know each other and the arrangement becomes a true love story. This is the romance trope substrate of the book.
But the author dares to up the ante extremely, making Rachel, the main character, anorexic. As this is made the key theme, the story becomes much more significant, but it also requires a very delicate treatment.
It is a difficult attempt to blend a very serious problem like anorexia with a romance with all the typical cliché: building emotional cliff-hangers and sexy situations.
An attempt only partially successful, in my opinion.
Lorelie Brown does a wonderful work in describing Rachel’s point of view, in showing her inner world, her worries, her compulsions, her needs. The struggle with a disorder that makes yourself your own enemy, the desire to heal, to live a normal life again, to find someone who loves you is touching.
What is wrong, for me, is the interaction between the two characters.
For me, Pari is (or, at least, seems) too cruel toward Rachel. she is closed, uncommunicative and defensive. Now while this can be a nice, heart fluttering challenge for a healthy person I think it can be dangerous for a person affected by anorexia, as this disease is so often related to lack of affection, lack of acceptation.
Worse still, for the same reasons is
Pari seemed selfish to me. I realize she wasn’t intended to be so, and she just had been thought as hard to get for romance reasons. But I couldn’t like her, and that reflected on how I saw the story as a whole.
But the author dares to up the ante extremely, making Rachel, the main character, anorexic. As this is made the key theme, the story becomes much more significant, but it also requires a very delicate treatment.
It is a difficult attempt to blend a very serious problem like anorexia with a romance with all the typical cliché: building emotional cliff-hangers and sexy situations.
An attempt only partially successful, in my opinion.
Lorelie Brown does a wonderful work in describing Rachel’s point of view, in showing her inner world, her worries, her compulsions, her needs. The struggle with a disorder that makes yourself your own enemy, the desire to heal, to live a normal life again, to find someone who loves you is touching.
What is wrong, for me, is the interaction between the two characters.
For me, Pari is (or, at least, seems) too cruel toward Rachel. she is closed, uncommunicative and defensive. Now while this can be a nice, heart fluttering challenge for a healthy person I think it can be dangerous for a person affected by anorexia, as this disease is so often related to lack of affection, lack of acceptation.
Worse still, for the same reasons is
Pari seemed selfish to me. I realize she wasn’t intended to be so, and she just had been thought as hard to get for romance reasons. But I couldn’t like her, and that reflected on how I saw the story as a whole.
October 31, 2020
‘Far from Home’ was a little different. It took me a few chapters to really get into it but I was glad once I did. It’s not as happy as romances typically are as it focuses on the main character’s, Rachel, anorexia. Rachel seems like a pretty good person, she’s funny and smart but she’s not really had an easy life. Her parents don’t seem to care much about her and she doesn’t have a huge friend circle. Pari, is looking to get married so that she can eventually apply for citizenship. They agree to get married even though Rachel is straight because she’ll be able to pay on her student loans while living with Pari.
I really liked Pari, she was sweet and caring and although the story is told from Rachel’s point of view, I never felt like Pari’s motivations were a mystery. She took Rachel’s anorexia very seriously and never made fun of her for it or made her feel about it.
This is a well written piece; it isn’t too long but it doesn’t feel to short either. There were a couple of wording issues and structuring that I had to get used to but it doesn’t detract from the overall story. I recommend this to anyone who loves a good fauxmance.
I really liked Pari, she was sweet and caring and although the story is told from Rachel’s point of view, I never felt like Pari’s motivations were a mystery. She took Rachel’s anorexia very seriously and never made fun of her for it or made her feel about it.
This is a well written piece; it isn’t too long but it doesn’t feel to short either. There were a couple of wording issues and structuring that I had to get used to but it doesn’t detract from the overall story. I recommend this to anyone who loves a good fauxmance.
March 21, 2017
This story is told in first person, present tense and completely from Rachel’s point-of-view. Given she is such a complex character that worked for the most part. However, even through her eyes, I never got to know Pari. The blurb states, Pari’s kindness and calmness rubbed off on Rachel. To me Pari came across as only being concerned about herself, and money solved everything.
Body image plays such a huge part in everyone’s daily lives, having an eating disorder compounds the daily battle for a number of people, some of those close to me. The few parts about such in the story almost brought me to tears. I couldn’t even begin to comprehend how someone so slightly built could endure a five-hour workout session. And worse, how Pari never asked about it. I’m pretty sure if I dated a person with such a complex illness as anorexia, I’d be doing everything I could to understand and help. But this story isn’t about me.
Above misgivings aside, the writing is impeccable and put me through the wringer. Pari’s mother was a treat, and this story gave me the feels, not all of them good. To become invested in a story I have to be able to ‘feel’ for the characters. On that front, the author succeeded. The sex scene was beautifully written, hell the entire book was!
The author did a fab job of not falling into the first in a series trap by overwhelming readers with too many characters. Sure, there’s a glimpse into lives of the ladies who will feature in book two, but just enough to make me want to get my hands on a copy.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy well written lesbian fiction, with interracial characters and an inside into an illness that most people would rather turn a blind eye too.
Copy provided in exchange for an honest review
Body image plays such a huge part in everyone’s daily lives, having an eating disorder compounds the daily battle for a number of people, some of those close to me. The few parts about such in the story almost brought me to tears. I couldn’t even begin to comprehend how someone so slightly built could endure a five-hour workout session. And worse, how Pari never asked about it. I’m pretty sure if I dated a person with such a complex illness as anorexia, I’d be doing everything I could to understand and help. But this story isn’t about me.
Above misgivings aside, the writing is impeccable and put me through the wringer. Pari’s mother was a treat, and this story gave me the feels, not all of them good. To become invested in a story I have to be able to ‘feel’ for the characters. On that front, the author succeeded. The sex scene was beautifully written, hell the entire book was!
The author did a fab job of not falling into the first in a series trap by overwhelming readers with too many characters. Sure, there’s a glimpse into lives of the ladies who will feature in book two, but just enough to make me want to get my hands on a copy.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy well written lesbian fiction, with interracial characters and an inside into an illness that most people would rather turn a blind eye too.
Copy provided in exchange for an honest review
September 26, 2016
An enjoyable, mostly uplifting, fairly easy read with some difficult subjects.
Certain spoilers ahead in this review, mainly about the characters ....
This book touched on subjects I really have no experience with, and I'm grateful for it opening my eyes a little. Certainly the book doesn't get into too much detail, or linger too graphically, about the struggle of anorexia, but I did feel more enlightened for having read this. Now, don't get me wrong, the book is not all doom and gloom, or even close to that; it treats the character's problem as being just part of her life that she has regretfully accepted, and wishes to improve upon. I found it utterly compelling following her into a subtle, almost unnoticeable (certainly to her) relapse.
It was quite the eye opener and made me think, and romances rarely really make me think. That's actually why I enjoy the ease of reading romance, but in this book the mix of subject matter, and cute romance, worked quite well. The set up was fun, intriguing. Nothing was overpowering about the story, and the characters were likeable and sympathetic. Rachel's inner struggle with her need to be liked and accepted resonated with me, and I was a little upset when I reached the final chapter of the book, as I wanted to stay with her journey just that little bit longer.
As for the romance, I did feel it was rushed, a bit too simplistic (especially given Pari's background). But it is a short book, so maybe some extra chapters earlier on would have helped with that. I like more of a dance around the subject of attraction and love, more build up, a good look inside the character's heads in relation to each other and what they're feeling.
I will certainly remember this book, for all the right reasons, but as I did feel like I wanted more on the romance side, and more in terms of length (and maybe depth) I've given 4.5 instead of 5 stars, but it's still one of the better books I've read for a while so I'm rounding that up. It just missed the mark a bit for me on certain levels, but worked so very well on others.
Certain spoilers ahead in this review, mainly about the characters ....
This book touched on subjects I really have no experience with, and I'm grateful for it opening my eyes a little. Certainly the book doesn't get into too much detail, or linger too graphically, about the struggle of anorexia, but I did feel more enlightened for having read this. Now, don't get me wrong, the book is not all doom and gloom, or even close to that; it treats the character's problem as being just part of her life that she has regretfully accepted, and wishes to improve upon. I found it utterly compelling following her into a subtle, almost unnoticeable (certainly to her) relapse.
It was quite the eye opener and made me think, and romances rarely really make me think. That's actually why I enjoy the ease of reading romance, but in this book the mix of subject matter, and cute romance, worked quite well. The set up was fun, intriguing. Nothing was overpowering about the story, and the characters were likeable and sympathetic. Rachel's inner struggle with her need to be liked and accepted resonated with me, and I was a little upset when I reached the final chapter of the book, as I wanted to stay with her journey just that little bit longer.
As for the romance, I did feel it was rushed, a bit too simplistic (especially given Pari's background). But it is a short book, so maybe some extra chapters earlier on would have helped with that. I like more of a dance around the subject of attraction and love, more build up, a good look inside the character's heads in relation to each other and what they're feeling.
I will certainly remember this book, for all the right reasons, but as I did feel like I wanted more on the romance side, and more in terms of length (and maybe depth) I've given 4.5 instead of 5 stars, but it's still one of the better books I've read for a while so I'm rounding that up. It just missed the mark a bit for me on certain levels, but worked so very well on others.
February 28, 2019
Didn't like Rachel. Didn't like Pari. Didn't like Rachel and Pari. And I especially didn't like this book at 28% when I read this: The scents of cardamom and masala wrap around us. I think they might be coming from Niharika. So spices you find in a curry. Because, obviously, anyone who comes from South East Asia automatically smells of curry. And they'll definitely smell of curry even if they've just stepped off of a long-haul flight, amirite?
Lazy stereotyping can go and die in a fire.
Lazy stereotyping can go and die in a fire.
August 25, 2017
An enjoyable read
This was a pretty good read with a bit of romance mixed with a heavy dose of an eating disorder. It's not heavy in the sense of being bogged down and depressing but it really is center stage. Both characters, Rachel and Pari, are well written and since the story is told through Rachel's eye, we get to see a great deal into her struggles. My favorite scene was the haunted house and wished there were more moments like that. Anyway, I enjoyed it and look forward to the next one.
This was a pretty good read with a bit of romance mixed with a heavy dose of an eating disorder. It's not heavy in the sense of being bogged down and depressing but it really is center stage. Both characters, Rachel and Pari, are well written and since the story is told through Rachel's eye, we get to see a great deal into her struggles. My favorite scene was the haunted house and wished there were more moments like that. Anyway, I enjoyed it and look forward to the next one.
February 12, 2018
In this story, we helplessly watch a woman, Rachel, fall in love but also succumb to her addiction illness. Her partner, Pari, seems aware of the issue but does not know what to do until the end. I'd like to know that Pari and Rachel are still ok. I feel involved in their lives. That and Pari's grandmother was super.
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