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Taking Sides
When campaign organizer Trevor Connelly comes to Indianapolis to help local advocates fight their Republican state government’s religious freedom law, she finds that’s not her only challenge. Librarian Gail Thorpe would rather avoid both politics and romance, but with Trevor, she finds it hard to resist either.
Can two women from different worlds overcome their misgivings and find true love?
Can two women from different worlds overcome their misgivings and find true love?
264 pages, Paperback
Published July 18, 2017
7 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Knowles
10 books20 followersKathleen Knowles grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has lived in San Francisco for more than thirty years. She finds the city’s combination of history, natural beauty, and multicultural diversity inspiring and endlessly fascinating.
Other than writing, she loves music of all kinds, walking, bicycling, and stamp collecting. LGBT history and politics have commanded her attention for many years, starting with her first Pride march in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1978. She and her partner were married in July, 2008, and live atop one of San Francisco’s many hills with their three pets. She works as a health and safety specialist at the University of California, San Francisco.
She has written short stories, essays, and fan fiction. Awake Unto Me is her first published work. (from the publisher's website)
Other than writing, she loves music of all kinds, walking, bicycling, and stamp collecting. LGBT history and politics have commanded her attention for many years, starting with her first Pride march in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1978. She and her partner were married in July, 2008, and live atop one of San Francisco’s many hills with their three pets. She works as a health and safety specialist at the University of California, San Francisco.
She has written short stories, essays, and fan fiction. Awake Unto Me is her first published work. (from the publisher's website)
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 8, 2017
This is the second book I have read by Knowles. Unfortunately, both books were just okay to me. I am not sure if it's the books I picked, or I if I might not enjoy her writing style. I am a very character driven reader. I like to either love or hate the characters, and feel like I make a connection to them. That was not the case with this book, if anything I just felt indifferent to them. That really was my biggest issue with this book.
I thought the main political storyline was well done. This book was not so fiction when it came to those aspects. Having a Vice President who believes in conversion therapy to "fix" us gay people, is so disheartening. And considering who our President is, there is an actual possibility Pence could take his place before the 4 years are over. The whole situation is as sad as it is scary. I don't want to use this review as a platform to be political, so I will just say I thought that part of the book was interesting.
The other part of the book I liked was the relationship between Gail and her mother. They always had a don't ask don't tell police about Gail being gay. Watching her mother deal with what she believed was right and loving her daughter, was well written. Their relationship grew slowly and was actually pretty believable.
As I said above, where the story fell apart was the characters and romance. It is the kind of story where the characters know they need to talk, but always put it off. I hate miscommunication and no communication, with characters. This happened again and again and drove me a bit nuts. I actually thought a few times, why are they even together? Do they really like each other? I just didn't find the characters and their motivation to work for me. And considering this book is not that long, I found that it did get bogged down and dragged a bit. The few times they did talk, they talked about the same things over and over with almost no progress.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. It was okay, just not anything more for me. I can't really recommend this, but I would not say stay away either. I think this book will be up to personal preferences, how much you will enjoy it or not. If you are very character driven reader, it might not be the book for you. I'm still hopeful I will find a book by Knowles that I will really enjoy, this one was just not it.
An ARC was given to me by BSB, for a honest review.
I thought the main political storyline was well done. This book was not so fiction when it came to those aspects. Having a Vice President who believes in conversion therapy to "fix" us gay people, is so disheartening. And considering who our President is, there is an actual possibility Pence could take his place before the 4 years are over. The whole situation is as sad as it is scary. I don't want to use this review as a platform to be political, so I will just say I thought that part of the book was interesting.
The other part of the book I liked was the relationship between Gail and her mother. They always had a don't ask don't tell police about Gail being gay. Watching her mother deal with what she believed was right and loving her daughter, was well written. Their relationship grew slowly and was actually pretty believable.
As I said above, where the story fell apart was the characters and romance. It is the kind of story where the characters know they need to talk, but always put it off. I hate miscommunication and no communication, with characters. This happened again and again and drove me a bit nuts. I actually thought a few times, why are they even together? Do they really like each other? I just didn't find the characters and their motivation to work for me. And considering this book is not that long, I found that it did get bogged down and dragged a bit. The few times they did talk, they talked about the same things over and over with almost no progress.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. It was okay, just not anything more for me. I can't really recommend this, but I would not say stay away either. I think this book will be up to personal preferences, how much you will enjoy it or not. If you are very character driven reader, it might not be the book for you. I'm still hopeful I will find a book by Knowles that I will really enjoy, this one was just not it.
An ARC was given to me by BSB, for a honest review.
February 3, 2020
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more different set of characters in an opposites attract pairing. And yet, Gail and Trevor very obviously care for each other, even when they think they’re only having a fling. They have such major differences that both women need to make serious compromises and do a lot of changing and growing to get to their happily ever after. 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4.
Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/taki...
Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/taki...
July 12, 2017
OK first of all isn't Mike Pence the current Vice President of the United States? OMG! You are so screwed......
Seriously though I really liked Trevor I thought she was very realistic and really appreciated what she tried to do. However, Gail drove me f**king nuts. Talk about whining. Yeah I know we all have coming out stories but hell she was 34? and living with her mother. She needs to grow some. I know I'm being hard but she just went on and on and on and on......
I know how hard it was too accept who I was and can sympathise but hell Gail would try the patience of a saint. I just feel her role in the book was too dominant. And Trevor was such a sweetheart. I guess it's true we don't decide who we fall in love with. Gail wanted all the perks without the work.
The pray away the gay idea did make me laugh. We have similar issues in the UK but I think we are a little more accepting. I was actually a bit shocked at how people can be so naive. Sad really. I guess it is the same the world over. Are the United States so divided on basic human rights regarding LGBT issues. The book definitely enlightened me regarding this.
To be honest I'm not sure if I would recommend this book. Gail annoyed me too much. She did have a good relationship with her mother but that was about it for me. If you like politics give it a go. I just did not see the chemistry between the two main characters. Enjoy!
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
Seriously though I really liked Trevor I thought she was very realistic and really appreciated what she tried to do. However, Gail drove me f**king nuts. Talk about whining. Yeah I know we all have coming out stories but hell she was 34? and living with her mother. She needs to grow some. I know I'm being hard but she just went on and on and on and on......
I know how hard it was too accept who I was and can sympathise but hell Gail would try the patience of a saint. I just feel her role in the book was too dominant. And Trevor was such a sweetheart. I guess it's true we don't decide who we fall in love with. Gail wanted all the perks without the work.
The pray away the gay idea did make me laugh. We have similar issues in the UK but I think we are a little more accepting. I was actually a bit shocked at how people can be so naive. Sad really. I guess it is the same the world over. Are the United States so divided on basic human rights regarding LGBT issues. The book definitely enlightened me regarding this.
To be honest I'm not sure if I would recommend this book. Gail annoyed me too much. She did have a good relationship with her mother but that was about it for me. If you like politics give it a go. I just did not see the chemistry between the two main characters. Enjoy!
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
June 14, 2017
For someone who lives out of USA, this book was politically enlightening, regarding LGBT rights and discrimination in some of the states. I really like the plot, besides the romance thing. Now, that being said, the romance part was fun and sweet. I would've liked more intensity and chemistry, because occasionally it seemed like the author suddenly remembered somewhere around the half of the book that there should be romance in it, besides the political issues. The big plus for the book is that it practically reads itself, so I'd surely recommend it for a nice evening read.
June 9, 2017
Note: Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It seems I’ve been on a political kick lately, at least when it comes to fiction. I’ve stayed as far away from politics (and the news) as possible in real life. Kathleen Knowles’ character, Gail Moore and I have something in common. More than something, actually. We’re both librarians, and like me, Gail prefers to keep her head out of politics. That is, until organizer and LGBT advocate Trevor Connelly comes to Indianapolis to help locals fight a religious freedom/discrimination bill in the state House and Senate. Trevor is great at her job and one night stands. Gail is two years out of her only major relationship and not looking for anything casual. When Trevor proves too interesting to resist, however, Gail tries to accept the casual fling for what it is, until deeper feelings start to emerge for both parties. Half a country isn’t the only thing separating these new lovers, and they’ll have to overcome some pretty large hurdles if they want to make a relationship really work.
I enjoyed this book for the most part. It’s a quick read (I finished in just about twenty-four hours), and the love scenes plentiful and hot. I’m from the East Coast and not super familiar with the midwest, but some of the book felt older than 2015, though to be honest, I am from the South and sometimes I think we’re still stuck in the 50s, so there’s that. There is a ton of back and forth with Gail and Trevor, which helps with character development and keeping the tension high, but for me, it did drag on a bit too much at times.
That said, I liked the characters, both main and supporting, and I feel like Knowles did a great job with Gail’s mother, Sarah. Sarah knows her daughter is a lesbian, but it’s not something they talk about, so if Gail wants any kind of life other than basically “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” she going to have to come out all over again. And again. And again.
I appreciated the familial relationships in this book as well as the romantic one, and that, while not rare, is not always something I think about. Mothers and daughters and cousins, Knowles did a great job.
She also did a good job with the foundation of this story, mainly the state government and a bill becoming a law. Our heroes must fight tooth and nail every step of the way, whether they win or not, for their voices to be heard, and I felt immersed in that particular event. Overall, I’d recommend it for some easy, quick reading.
It seems I’ve been on a political kick lately, at least when it comes to fiction. I’ve stayed as far away from politics (and the news) as possible in real life. Kathleen Knowles’ character, Gail Moore and I have something in common. More than something, actually. We’re both librarians, and like me, Gail prefers to keep her head out of politics. That is, until organizer and LGBT advocate Trevor Connelly comes to Indianapolis to help locals fight a religious freedom/discrimination bill in the state House and Senate. Trevor is great at her job and one night stands. Gail is two years out of her only major relationship and not looking for anything casual. When Trevor proves too interesting to resist, however, Gail tries to accept the casual fling for what it is, until deeper feelings start to emerge for both parties. Half a country isn’t the only thing separating these new lovers, and they’ll have to overcome some pretty large hurdles if they want to make a relationship really work.
I enjoyed this book for the most part. It’s a quick read (I finished in just about twenty-four hours), and the love scenes plentiful and hot. I’m from the East Coast and not super familiar with the midwest, but some of the book felt older than 2015, though to be honest, I am from the South and sometimes I think we’re still stuck in the 50s, so there’s that. There is a ton of back and forth with Gail and Trevor, which helps with character development and keeping the tension high, but for me, it did drag on a bit too much at times.
That said, I liked the characters, both main and supporting, and I feel like Knowles did a great job with Gail’s mother, Sarah. Sarah knows her daughter is a lesbian, but it’s not something they talk about, so if Gail wants any kind of life other than basically “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” she going to have to come out all over again. And again. And again.
I appreciated the familial relationships in this book as well as the romantic one, and that, while not rare, is not always something I think about. Mothers and daughters and cousins, Knowles did a great job.
She also did a good job with the foundation of this story, mainly the state government and a bill becoming a law. Our heroes must fight tooth and nail every step of the way, whether they win or not, for their voices to be heard, and I felt immersed in that particular event. Overall, I’d recommend it for some easy, quick reading.
June 6, 2017
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
This book is contemporary, although the constant mentions of Pence as governor is a bit disarming. However, the overdone coming out subplot and the poor writing overshadowed the good.
This book is contemporary, although the constant mentions of Pence as governor is a bit disarming. However, the overdone coming out subplot and the poor writing overshadowed the good.
June 21, 2017
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. I started out liking this book, the political angle and the fight in Indiana got me interested right away. As the book progressed, I found myself constantly annoyed. The political angle and work were fine it was the relationship between Trevor and Gail that brought the whole book down. They felt so incompatible and the constant unwillingness to talk through their problems and instead ignore what was wrong. I ended up disliking both Trevor and Gail, and it made the book not enjoyable at all. For me, the plot is a major part of a story but having likable characters and connecting with them is the main part of any story, which is what caused my low rating of this book.
August 14, 2017
I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley and the Publisher.
This book had a lot of elements that made it interesting like politics, coming out, struggles with religion and so on but there was something about the writing style or the whole book that just couldn't keep my interested. It was an interesting book with a current topic.
This book had a lot of elements that made it interesting like politics, coming out, struggles with religion and so on but there was something about the writing style or the whole book that just couldn't keep my interested. It was an interesting book with a current topic.
July 13, 2017
Trevor is an experienced advocate for LGBTQ rights. She is sent to Indiana to help block a religious freedom law that will allow businesses to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation. There she meets Wendy, a local advocate, and her closeted cousin Gail. The story is a bit less formulaic than what one expects from this genre (girl meets girl, relationship, seemingly insurmountable obstacle leading to separation, and resolution) but it is still quite satisfying.
June 30, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book of politics and religion. It was a good mix of morals versus love and kept me hooked by the dynamic between the pull between main character’s Gail and Trevor. At times, I did want to bang their heads together as they seemed so much to want to work in the same direction but kept holding back.
The development of both these characters and their hang ups was very well done. The story tackles some very real issues people still have to combat today for love to ‘win’ and Gail and Trevor explore all these factors perfectly!
A great read. Would definitely recommend!
The development of both these characters and their hang ups was very well done. The story tackles some very real issues people still have to combat today for love to ‘win’ and Gail and Trevor explore all these factors perfectly!
A great read. Would definitely recommend!
June 23, 2017
A brilliant opportunity wasted. Wait, actually two brilliant opportunities wasted!
1. To further lambaste Mike Pence and show what a dangerous, bigoted, right wing fascist he is and that the world is ironically a safer place with Trump in charge rather than him (I know, I know)
2. To show that it's ok to be a stone butch, or if you have to melt your stone butch and have her partner make love to her, please don't have her desire not to be touched rooted in a bad experience as a teenager that left her unable to trust others. This part of the story was so clichéd and patronising it really pissed me off. Lesbians spent years being told that there was something wrong with them because they didn't want to have sex in the normal way. Now, if a lesbian doesn't want to have sex with another woman in what we perceive as the homonormative way, well there's something wrong with her too and she needs to go to therapy and get fixed.
Other than that, this was actually a very good book and an interesting insight into the fight against 'Religious Freedom' legislation.
1. To further lambaste Mike Pence and show what a dangerous, bigoted, right wing fascist he is and that the world is ironically a safer place with Trump in charge rather than him (I know, I know)
2. To show that it's ok to be a stone butch, or if you have to melt your stone butch and have her partner make love to her, please don't have her desire not to be touched rooted in a bad experience as a teenager that left her unable to trust others. This part of the story was so clichéd and patronising it really pissed me off. Lesbians spent years being told that there was something wrong with them because they didn't want to have sex in the normal way. Now, if a lesbian doesn't want to have sex with another woman in what we perceive as the homonormative way, well there's something wrong with her too and she needs to go to therapy and get fixed.
Other than that, this was actually a very good book and an interesting insight into the fight against 'Religious Freedom' legislation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2017
I rec'd an ARC from NetGalley/Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review. A quick read, this political/romance with Trevor (LGBT campaign organizer) and Gail (librarian) revolves around religious freedom laws and how lack of knowledge regarding nuances of these laws can lead to discrimination should they be passed. Ms. Knowles does an admirable job writing a politically charged romance without making it boring and it resounds emphatically in the current U.S. political climate. Living North of the border, we follow such events with interest and empathy. Kudos Ms. Knowles. 4 stars.
August 1, 2017
Give me some politics and Knowles gives us campaign organizer Trevor Connelly and meek Librarian, Gail.
On the surface, Trevor is the brains, the braun and the leader in this piece but Gail seems to be the one pulling all the shots and has the power.
Taking Sides blends in some historical GLBT political issues with a fun and well paced romp through the campaign trail. What you also see if the difficulty people of any age have in coming out and staying out to the family and seeking acceptance.
On the surface, Trevor is the brains, the braun and the leader in this piece but Gail seems to be the one pulling all the shots and has the power.
Taking Sides blends in some historical GLBT political issues with a fun and well paced romp through the campaign trail. What you also see if the difficulty people of any age have in coming out and staying out to the family and seeking acceptance.
December 16, 2017
Having been a part of Indiana’s RFRA battle, this was interesting to read an outsider’s perspective. There were some accuracies and inaccuracies. Stranger that gay men and trans people were never mentioned in the book. And a minor plot hole bugged me. But it was a fun romance.
January 7, 2018
Good but
Overall I loved this book. I gave it a 3 due to my irritation with Gail and her going back and forth about her relationship due to her mother not agreeing with her being an out lesbian. Her constant focus on her mother accepting was just too much.
Overall I loved this book. I gave it a 3 due to my irritation with Gail and her going back and forth about her relationship due to her mother not agreeing with her being an out lesbian. Her constant focus on her mother accepting was just too much.
May 26, 2018
A very honest romance, endearing characters, a too long relationship problem, a good book...
August 2, 2017
This is a fictional political novel that was interesting, but also made me frustrated. I had a hard time dealing with the interaction between the main characters. The story is set in Indiana in current time. The author takes on the very challenging political issue of LBGTQ rights in state politics.
The book had two storylines. One dealt with the relationship between Trevor and Gail. The other storyline pertains to the fight for equal rights for LBGTQ people. Trevor is employed by a political action group and is assigned to Indiana to help with their fight for equal rights. She is extremely good at doing her job and enjoys the constant challenges in waging the battle against the ultraconservatives in our country. Gail, on the other hand, is a very conservative, deeply religious, closeted librarian. She has never been an activist. I really liked Trevor. She seems to be very comfortable with whom she is. The more Gail gets involved with the equal rights group, the more she realizes she is not happy. I found Gail’s character to be a pain in the neck. She feels that Trevor is not good relationship material and jumps back and forth with her feelings. Gail is also dealing with a mother who is extremely anti-gay and conservative in her religious beliefs.
The political portion of this book was interesting. Unless you have been involved with a political action group, most likely you would not realize all the work and planning it takes to launch a fight against an injustice. Ms. Knowles does a nice job of presenting this information.
I am rating this book 3-1/2 stars out of 5 stars.
I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
The book had two storylines. One dealt with the relationship between Trevor and Gail. The other storyline pertains to the fight for equal rights for LBGTQ people. Trevor is employed by a political action group and is assigned to Indiana to help with their fight for equal rights. She is extremely good at doing her job and enjoys the constant challenges in waging the battle against the ultraconservatives in our country. Gail, on the other hand, is a very conservative, deeply religious, closeted librarian. She has never been an activist. I really liked Trevor. She seems to be very comfortable with whom she is. The more Gail gets involved with the equal rights group, the more she realizes she is not happy. I found Gail’s character to be a pain in the neck. She feels that Trevor is not good relationship material and jumps back and forth with her feelings. Gail is also dealing with a mother who is extremely anti-gay and conservative in her religious beliefs.
The political portion of this book was interesting. Unless you have been involved with a political action group, most likely you would not realize all the work and planning it takes to launch a fight against an injustice. Ms. Knowles does a nice job of presenting this information.
I am rating this book 3-1/2 stars out of 5 stars.
I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews