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Drawn Together
After an unsatisfactory relationship, graphic novelist Zoe Glenn Edwards is determined to remain single. She is happily married to her work and plans on keeping it that way. Dion Richards is an author, trapped by ugly circumstance in a sham marriage. Her work is her escape.
Both are well respected in their individual fields. Their professional circles overlap. So do their sensibilities. A collaboration draws them into a fantastic working relationship and new friendship. Zoe is highly respectful of Dion’s circumstances, and Dion… she will do anything to keep those she loves safe from the threats hanging over her. What will these two ‘unavailables’ do when they discover they’re unmistakably Drawn Together?
Both are well respected in their individual fields. Their professional circles overlap. So do their sensibilities. A collaboration draws them into a fantastic working relationship and new friendship. Zoe is highly respectful of Dion’s circumstances, and Dion… she will do anything to keep those she loves safe from the threats hanging over her. What will these two ‘unavailables’ do when they discover they’re unmistakably Drawn Together?
244 pages, Paperback
First published January 18, 2017
2 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Glass
52 books92 followersJD Glass is a well-known author and musician. She's from New York City, and has a strong following for both her writing and her music.
JD Glass is the author of American Library Association (Stonewall) and Lambda Literary Award (Literature) finalist Punk Like Me, Punk And Zen, Lambda Literary Award and Ben Franklin Award finalist Red Light, GCLS finalist American Goth, and the critically acclaimed X; selection editor (and contributor) of GCLS Award winning anthology Outsiders, and listed on the Advocate's Top 100 (2011) for CORE, Vol.1 Iss.1. JD is also contributor to the 50 Gay and Lesbian Books You Must Read, and is a GCLS Finalist for Nocturnes (an erotic anthology). Her latest works include Punk And Zen Pt. 1: The ReMix, Interludes, and First Blood.
Called by some the voice of a generation and the erotic philospher by others, JD works in often familiar-seeming worlds, with people we know, people like ourselves, people we’d like to meet, and provides powerful stories that allow the reader to rejoice and wonder, stumble and fall, then rejoice victoriously again at the amazing experience of being human.
JD Glass is the author of American Library Association (Stonewall) and Lambda Literary Award (Literature) finalist Punk Like Me, Punk And Zen, Lambda Literary Award and Ben Franklin Award finalist Red Light, GCLS finalist American Goth, and the critically acclaimed X; selection editor (and contributor) of GCLS Award winning anthology Outsiders, and listed on the Advocate's Top 100 (2011) for CORE, Vol.1 Iss.1. JD is also contributor to the 50 Gay and Lesbian Books You Must Read, and is a GCLS Finalist for Nocturnes (an erotic anthology). Her latest works include Punk And Zen Pt. 1: The ReMix, Interludes, and First Blood.
Called by some the voice of a generation and the erotic philospher by others, JD works in often familiar-seeming worlds, with people we know, people like ourselves, people we’d like to meet, and provides powerful stories that allow the reader to rejoice and wonder, stumble and fall, then rejoice victoriously again at the amazing experience of being human.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
February 5, 2017
I love when I read a book that just makes your heart sing. Whatever the genre may be, it's a great feeling when you find a book that you just connect with. They same cannot be said, obviously, when the book is just not your favorite. This, unfortunately, is the case with Drawn Together by JD Glass. Let me explain...
Zoe Glenn Edwards is one of our main characters. A graphic artist, who is very well known and respected in the comic book world. Her drawings are amazing! A loner by nature, Zoe connects through digital media with a relatively famous author to collaborate on a new book. The author's writings move her so much, they take her art to another level.
Dion "D" Richards is that author. Dion is beyond flattered that the superbly talented Zoe Glenn would want to work with her. Through their project, these two become besties, even though they have never met in person. To her wife, Kerry's consternation, Dion cannot help the connection she feels to the other artist.
My first issue with the book is character related. Never once do you know what Zoe looks like or what her backstory is. Dion's character is much the same, maybe slightly more, but not nearly enough. Character development is essential for me to connect and to "see" the story. In Drawn Together the characters are very flat. Over and over I was told how a character feels, but you don't feel the connection. Other than being talented in their craft, and working well together, you never know why these two are drawn together. The book starts out as gushing emails/texts/blog posts about their amazing work relationship. Then you have the same emails/texts/blog posts about how they are now BFF's. Literally, the same conversation about how you're my best friend happens over and over and over again. Like eleventy billion times. STOP! Best friends don't do that...maybe once or twice, maybe if you have had way too many pints, but come on it was supreme overkill.
Second, this book is pretty dark. If I had known that from the plot description, I would have passed on it. I didn't, so I went in pretty blind. Okay, I can put on my big girl pants and deal, but there are so many cringeworthy moments that are left as loose threads, oy vey. First, is the story these two are working on. The story characters are twisted. You have suicide attempts, cutting, physical/emotional abuse and quite frankly a rape scene that made me want to puke. I had zero clue it was coming, and talk about a WTF moment. Still makes my stomach hurt. That isn't where the darkness ends either, the main characters have a lot of that in their own tale as well. Kerry, Dion's wife is a straight up psychopath.
Third, when out two mains finally get together, they exude ridiculousness. I love you, turns in a baby this, baby that. Stop, stop, stop it now. It's not cute, it's back to that your my best friend weird. Cringe!
To be quite frank, I'm surprised I finished this one. I like the plot idea of two artists collaborating, and add into the use of digital media as a forum for their connection, but it just didn't work character wise for me, and the gritty/darkness didn't help the matter at all.
Zoe Glenn Edwards is one of our main characters. A graphic artist, who is very well known and respected in the comic book world. Her drawings are amazing! A loner by nature, Zoe connects through digital media with a relatively famous author to collaborate on a new book. The author's writings move her so much, they take her art to another level.
Dion "D" Richards is that author. Dion is beyond flattered that the superbly talented Zoe Glenn would want to work with her. Through their project, these two become besties, even though they have never met in person. To her wife, Kerry's consternation, Dion cannot help the connection she feels to the other artist.
My first issue with the book is character related. Never once do you know what Zoe looks like or what her backstory is. Dion's character is much the same, maybe slightly more, but not nearly enough. Character development is essential for me to connect and to "see" the story. In Drawn Together the characters are very flat. Over and over I was told how a character feels, but you don't feel the connection. Other than being talented in their craft, and working well together, you never know why these two are drawn together. The book starts out as gushing emails/texts/blog posts about their amazing work relationship. Then you have the same emails/texts/blog posts about how they are now BFF's. Literally, the same conversation about how you're my best friend happens over and over and over again. Like eleventy billion times. STOP! Best friends don't do that...maybe once or twice, maybe if you have had way too many pints, but come on it was supreme overkill.
Second, this book is pretty dark. If I had known that from the plot description, I would have passed on it. I didn't, so I went in pretty blind. Okay, I can put on my big girl pants and deal, but there are so many cringeworthy moments that are left as loose threads, oy vey. First, is the story these two are working on. The story characters are twisted. You have suicide attempts, cutting, physical/emotional abuse and quite frankly a rape scene that made me want to puke. I had zero clue it was coming, and talk about a WTF moment. Still makes my stomach hurt. That isn't where the darkness ends either, the main characters have a lot of that in their own tale as well. Kerry, Dion's wife is a straight up psychopath.
Third, when out two mains finally get together, they exude ridiculousness. I love you, turns in a baby this, baby that. Stop, stop, stop it now. It's not cute, it's back to that your my best friend weird. Cringe!
To be quite frank, I'm surprised I finished this one. I like the plot idea of two artists collaborating, and add into the use of digital media as a forum for their connection, but it just didn't work character wise for me, and the gritty/darkness didn't help the matter at all.
February 6, 2017
Good idea, but lacking in execution
Even though Drawn Together has quite an interesting premise, there are two major drawbacks. First of all is very superficial characterization. We know almost nothing about the main characters, about their backstories, their attitudes and serious thoughts or their appearance (oh yes, almost at the end we find out indirectly that Dion has warm brown eyes, and that's about it).
Secondly, there is permanently unnecessary exaggeration in the description of verbal and physical violence. A particularly gruesome scene of rape for the purposes of procreation is what I will remember most from this book. That is just sad. As if the author wanted primarily to shock her readers, instead of connecting them with her protagonists in the right way. For me the result is that I am not shocked (rather somewhat disgusted), but I did not connect with characters and therefore did not care about them much.
2 stars
Feb 1, 2017
Even though Drawn Together has quite an interesting premise, there are two major drawbacks. First of all is very superficial characterization. We know almost nothing about the main characters, about their backstories, their attitudes and serious thoughts or their appearance (oh yes, almost at the end we find out indirectly that Dion has warm brown eyes, and that's about it).
Secondly, there is permanently unnecessary exaggeration in the description of verbal and physical violence. A particularly gruesome scene of rape for the purposes of procreation is what I will remember most from this book. That is just sad. As if the author wanted primarily to shock her readers, instead of connecting them with her protagonists in the right way. For me the result is that I am not shocked (rather somewhat disgusted), but I did not connect with characters and therefore did not care about them much.
2 stars
Feb 1, 2017
February 7, 2017
2 1/2 Stars. I have been wanting to read Glass' Punk series for a while. When I saw this book, I thought it would be a good way to get a taste of her work, before I dive into a series. Unfortunately, this book was just fair. I had seen some of the reviews ahead of time, they were not looking too good. I didn't think this book was as bad as some people thought, but I can understand why some people didn't care for it. It was kind of on the boundary of my personal tastes, and I definitely had some issues with it. I do have to say, I did get hooked on the story, and I didn't find it a chore to finish.
The story is about two women, working on a graphic novel together. Zoe is and artist, and Dion is the writer. Dion, is in an abusive marriage, to another woman. Through Zoe's love, can Dion find the strength to survive?
This book is wrote differently, then I am used to. It is told in first person, but from both mains POV. It is also told through many emails and website postings. This I actually enjoyed. I thought it was an interesting way to write a book, and that Glass did it well.
When it came to the two main characters, I found them both to be likeable. I just wished Glass would have put more time into describing them. We got a very brief description of Dion, but I don't think I ever read how Zoe even looked. I also found their connection to be a little too tell and not show. I also had a hard time with some of their dialog together. I lost count how many times they talked about being best friends. I got it, now move on please. I'm a big character person. I like details and I like to connect to them. These character were a tad too much on the surface for me.
There is some darkness and grit to this story. I do have to give a trigger warning about a rape scene. It happens not to the main characters, but in the story that Dion is writing. I did have a little problem with the graphic novel Dion wrote. It is suppose to be this wonderful story that is really moving her career forward, I just thought it was disturbing, and didn't quite get the wow factor.
My final issue, with this book, was all the loose ends so to speak. There was so much going on that is never resolved or mentioned. I finished the books saying, "that's it?" There was no comeuppance for the "bad guy" or at least an explanation of how everything went down and how it ended. After this whole book building every thing up, it was a real let down.
As I said before, this book did grab me enough that I wanted to finish. I also like the writing style. I just wish I wasn't let down in other areas. I can't really recommend this, but as our personal preferences vary, maybe this will be someones cup of tea.
An ARC was given to me by YLVA, for a honest review.
The story is about two women, working on a graphic novel together. Zoe is and artist, and Dion is the writer. Dion, is in an abusive marriage, to another woman. Through Zoe's love, can Dion find the strength to survive?
This book is wrote differently, then I am used to. It is told in first person, but from both mains POV. It is also told through many emails and website postings. This I actually enjoyed. I thought it was an interesting way to write a book, and that Glass did it well.
When it came to the two main characters, I found them both to be likeable. I just wished Glass would have put more time into describing them. We got a very brief description of Dion, but I don't think I ever read how Zoe even looked. I also found their connection to be a little too tell and not show. I also had a hard time with some of their dialog together. I lost count how many times they talked about being best friends. I got it, now move on please. I'm a big character person. I like details and I like to connect to them. These character were a tad too much on the surface for me.
There is some darkness and grit to this story. I do have to give a trigger warning about a rape scene. It happens not to the main characters, but in the story that Dion is writing. I did have a little problem with the graphic novel Dion wrote. It is suppose to be this wonderful story that is really moving her career forward, I just thought it was disturbing, and didn't quite get the wow factor.
My final issue, with this book, was all the loose ends so to speak. There was so much going on that is never resolved or mentioned. I finished the books saying, "that's it?" There was no comeuppance for the "bad guy" or at least an explanation of how everything went down and how it ended. After this whole book building every thing up, it was a real let down.
As I said before, this book did grab me enough that I wanted to finish. I also like the writing style. I just wish I wasn't let down in other areas. I can't really recommend this, but as our personal preferences vary, maybe this will be someones cup of tea.
An ARC was given to me by YLVA, for a honest review.
February 2, 2017
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I hate when I don't enjoy an ARC, but this book was just too much for me and not at all in a good way. There were a lot of elements right from the start that I was uncomfortable with and didn't like in the least. A lot of the things that made me uncomfortable were things to play into the point of the plot, but I kind of went into the book thinking that it was just kinda gonna be about two people coming together and overcoming certain situations—not all these other things . I wasn't expecting what I got, which constitutes as a thriller (I think, but don't hold me to that), and I'm not sure what works better: going into a book absolutely blind or going into it knowing that it's a certain type of genre. I don't know if it was on purpose or what, but as someone that generally likes to be prepared for any type of genre, I didn't like going in blind and basically getting punched in the face. It wasn't a good plot twist maneuver for me. I didn't like going into thinking it was one thing and getting handed something entirely different—especially since so much of it made me uncomfortable.
On top of this, the writing style falls flat. More often than not, it felt like I was being told how the character feels which makes it very hard to be invested into anything happening. Therefore I lack the empathy I'm sure Glass wanted me to feel towards both women in any situation, which leads to a very dull experience that I kind of just wanted to end. Plus, it's hard to care about any of the info dump when I have no grasp whatsoever on the characters—which Glass did right from the start. It was overwhelming and immediately put me off, honestly. It made it hard for me to even have the desire to get into the book.
Glass also tends to give too much detail. It feels as if a lot of scenes were in the book simply for the sake of bulking up the word count as a lot of things didn't have any real point to benefit the story line, nor was I interested enough in the book or characters to appreciate just random little details. I also don't care about any character, not even my favorite on this planet, enough to be entertained during a shower scene. And another thing that didn't benefit the book at all was the unnatural dialogue. If I read this book out loud, everything would sound so chopped and forced. It's honestly cringe-worthy.
I really wanted to like this book because I live for good wlw books/representation, but so many things in this book just didn't do it for me and actually kind of killed it. I feel like there was a lot of potential but it wasn't met, and I feel so awful. I feel awful literally whenever I write bad reviews because I hate being that person—but at the end of this, I just wasn't satisfied with this book at all. I really only finished it out of obligation because I would have felt even worse just throwing it on my DNF shelf. It's not a book that I would recommend to anyone searching for wlw/LGBT+ books, or even a decent thriller.
I hate when I don't enjoy an ARC, but this book was just too much for me and not at all in a good way. There were a lot of elements right from the start that I was uncomfortable with and didn't like in the least. A lot of the things that made me uncomfortable were things to play into the point of the plot, but I kind of went into the book thinking that it was just kinda gonna be about two people coming together and overcoming certain situations—not all these other things . I wasn't expecting what I got, which constitutes as a thriller (I think, but don't hold me to that), and I'm not sure what works better: going into a book absolutely blind or going into it knowing that it's a certain type of genre. I don't know if it was on purpose or what, but as someone that generally likes to be prepared for any type of genre, I didn't like going in blind and basically getting punched in the face. It wasn't a good plot twist maneuver for me. I didn't like going into thinking it was one thing and getting handed something entirely different—especially since so much of it made me uncomfortable.
On top of this, the writing style falls flat. More often than not, it felt like I was being told how the character feels which makes it very hard to be invested into anything happening. Therefore I lack the empathy I'm sure Glass wanted me to feel towards both women in any situation, which leads to a very dull experience that I kind of just wanted to end. Plus, it's hard to care about any of the info dump when I have no grasp whatsoever on the characters—which Glass did right from the start. It was overwhelming and immediately put me off, honestly. It made it hard for me to even have the desire to get into the book.
Glass also tends to give too much detail. It feels as if a lot of scenes were in the book simply for the sake of bulking up the word count as a lot of things didn't have any real point to benefit the story line, nor was I interested enough in the book or characters to appreciate just random little details. I also don't care about any character, not even my favorite on this planet, enough to be entertained during a shower scene. And another thing that didn't benefit the book at all was the unnatural dialogue. If I read this book out loud, everything would sound so chopped and forced. It's honestly cringe-worthy.
I really wanted to like this book because I live for good wlw books/representation, but so many things in this book just didn't do it for me and actually kind of killed it. I feel like there was a lot of potential but it wasn't met, and I feel so awful. I feel awful literally whenever I write bad reviews because I hate being that person—but at the end of this, I just wasn't satisfied with this book at all. I really only finished it out of obligation because I would have felt even worse just throwing it on my DNF shelf. It's not a book that I would recommend to anyone searching for wlw/LGBT+ books, or even a decent thriller.
June 20, 2017
This book was quite a process to write, and I hope that people enjoy it - I know my work isn't for everyone; it can be gritty, because it draws from the real, and it can be hard, because life can be, too. But like the real, and like life, if you can stick with it, if you don't close your eyes to it all, there's growth--and that's where and when the REAL #happilyeverafter can begin. #survivors
April 23, 2017
Drawn Together is an exceptionally written novel. It incorporates so many different issues which are handled with astutueness and compassion. It did hit a little close to home, but I found it both enlightening and strangely healing. The book takes controversial issues and challenges them ina good way. Increasing awareness in little known areas is a good thing, regardless. The best way for me to describe this book is to say in my personal opinion is that it was absolutely brilliant. It's very very well wriiten and consider it a must read.
January 11, 2017
ARC received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have really mixed feelings about this book. It starts off really unusual with an incredible amount of information given via an exchange of emails and text messages between the two main characters. I found it confusing and difficult to follow. About the time I was wondering if I really wanted to finish it...it began more of a narrative that was much easier to follow.
The first half of the book was very slow...the laying down of the basis of the story. But the flow was difficult and I found it again, at times difficult to follow.
The second half of the book was quite fast paced and I found myself unable to put it down! It was at times difficult to read because of the nature of the story-there are subtle refernces to an "assault", a very brief book inside the book that speaks of rape, and ongoing verbal and emotional abuse of one partner over the other. It just brings home how utterly difficult it is for many to remove themselves from those situations. The story ends well, though I would argue a little too easily.
I struggled with the star rating, deciding to let the second half of the book lead.
3 stars
I have really mixed feelings about this book. It starts off really unusual with an incredible amount of information given via an exchange of emails and text messages between the two main characters. I found it confusing and difficult to follow. About the time I was wondering if I really wanted to finish it...it began more of a narrative that was much easier to follow.
The first half of the book was very slow...the laying down of the basis of the story. But the flow was difficult and I found it again, at times difficult to follow.
The second half of the book was quite fast paced and I found myself unable to put it down! It was at times difficult to read because of the nature of the story-there are subtle refernces to an "assault", a very brief book inside the book that speaks of rape, and ongoing verbal and emotional abuse of one partner over the other. It just brings home how utterly difficult it is for many to remove themselves from those situations. The story ends well, though I would argue a little too easily.
I struggled with the star rating, deciding to let the second half of the book lead.
3 stars
February 7, 2017
Drawn Together is a novel written in modern popular communications methods. Texting,emails and narrative. Once you are in the rhythm of the two person conversation the story takes you into the collaboration of graphic artist and novelist. This is a well written suspense love story that keeps you turning the pages. I highly recommend this novel.
February 1, 2017
I tried but I just could not take to this book. This was largely due to the subject matter. Firstly with the sub story the writer and illustrator were working on involved an abusive relationship and a rape which one of the fictional partners took part. That just left me cold. The second was the abusive relationship of one of the romantic pairings. This was addressed, but I would have liked to have seen the abuser get their comeuppance. It just fell a little flat for me.
The idea of using emails, texts to convey a story is a good one. It was just the subject that I found I could not enjoy this story.
Arc supplied by Ylva for an honest review.
The idea of using emails, texts to convey a story is a good one. It was just the subject that I found I could not enjoy this story.
Arc supplied by Ylva for an honest review.
December 2, 2017
Drawn Together by JD Glass
This is the first novel I’ve read from JD Glass, and I liked it. Despite that in the beginning, I had some trouble to realize, which character is telling her story, I loved that both persons are sharing their story in the first person. And as longer the story was going, the easier it was to know, who is telling now.
The story is about two creative women, the one with words, the other with drawing, who were drawn together. It’s a story about the power of love and the power of might.
Zoey, the free spirit, who sometimes has problems to find the right words, but can draw everything she wants to express, finds a new friend in the writer Dion. And soon she feels much more than only friendship. Should she tell Dion about her feelings? Risk their friendship? And there’s the disaster of her last relationship. It’s understandable that she doesn’t trust Dion immediately.
Sometimes it was difficult to understand Dion, why doesn’t she leave Kerry? Why did she let happen all this terror from her? I think it’s because nobody can really understand this, which doesn’t have experienced an anxiety disorder. But the question still is, what happened to Dion in the past, that she let Kerry do this to her? The assault is not entirely resolved. I had to assume what really happened.
The end of the story is a little bit too easy and too smooth for my taste. There is just happy ever after, sure who doesn’t want this, I grant them their happiness, but there’s not everything dissolved of what happened to Dion.
I like the way the story is written, how they communicate on different mediums. With spoken words, with emails, blogs and the excerpts of the story of the book, the author Dion is currently writing. In all this sentences you get a lot of information’s about what’s going on.
I give this story 4 star.
Thanks to Ylva for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
Sorry for my faulty English, my native language is Swiss German.
This is the first novel I’ve read from JD Glass, and I liked it. Despite that in the beginning, I had some trouble to realize, which character is telling her story, I loved that both persons are sharing their story in the first person. And as longer the story was going, the easier it was to know, who is telling now.
The story is about two creative women, the one with words, the other with drawing, who were drawn together. It’s a story about the power of love and the power of might.
Zoey, the free spirit, who sometimes has problems to find the right words, but can draw everything she wants to express, finds a new friend in the writer Dion. And soon she feels much more than only friendship. Should she tell Dion about her feelings? Risk their friendship? And there’s the disaster of her last relationship. It’s understandable that she doesn’t trust Dion immediately.
Sometimes it was difficult to understand Dion, why doesn’t she leave Kerry? Why did she let happen all this terror from her? I think it’s because nobody can really understand this, which doesn’t have experienced an anxiety disorder. But the question still is, what happened to Dion in the past, that she let Kerry do this to her? The assault is not entirely resolved. I had to assume what really happened.
The end of the story is a little bit too easy and too smooth for my taste. There is just happy ever after, sure who doesn’t want this, I grant them their happiness, but there’s not everything dissolved of what happened to Dion.
I like the way the story is written, how they communicate on different mediums. With spoken words, with emails, blogs and the excerpts of the story of the book, the author Dion is currently writing. In all this sentences you get a lot of information’s about what’s going on.
I give this story 4 star.
Thanks to Ylva for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
Sorry for my faulty English, my native language is Swiss German.
January 16, 2017
Creative collaborators work together well and establish a friendship. A clear attraction is acknowledged by both along with the need for boundaries to be respected. Abuse, anxiety and insecurity are established by a change in the POV character. The alternating POV can be distracting. The rescue of one character from abuse is difficult. This is not a light story to read.
March 28, 2017
Of course, it was the comics subtext that pulled me in, but I really did get drawn into this love story. (HA!)
I really enjoyed the writing and the characters were well-formed. Probably the only thing that really bothered me is that there wasn't much gray. The protagonists were good and virtuous, and the antagonists were pretty much evil.
But maybe sometimes it's nice to see a little black and white in my fiction. There's a whole lot of gray out there now.
Thanks to NetGalley and Book Enthusiast for a copy in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the writing and the characters were well-formed. Probably the only thing that really bothered me is that there wasn't much gray. The protagonists were good and virtuous, and the antagonists were pretty much evil.
But maybe sometimes it's nice to see a little black and white in my fiction. There's a whole lot of gray out there now.
Thanks to NetGalley and Book Enthusiast for a copy in return for an honest review.
July 8, 2017
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. I tried to like this book, I did, but I just did not connect. It was a struggle to finish, for some people this book may be amazing. I just didn't the connection. I had a major problem with Kerry, the abusive relationship could have been a good addition to the plot, but I felt so much was missing. What happened when she saved Dion from the assault? How did they get together, and what about Kate? I felt so much was unsaid that I was just reading words instead of a story with a plot.
January 23, 2017
I was provided the opportunity by Ylva Publishing to review this book. I like the way the author added email and texts into the storyline. In this case it really helped the books grab power. The characters and storyline were believable. Not once did I comment, "ah,ha like that would ever happen." Good read from beginning to end.
January 14, 2017
*ARC from Ylva for review*
The mixture of "live" interaction, email and text messages, blog posts, and phone calls may be totally current but is absolutely confusing for the reader. Especially when the perspective changes from one person to the other without annotation. Mix in the communication between the parties and you have to either really concentrate to follow - or don't care at all.
Then there is the absolute controlling, abusive relationship between Dion and Kerry, the fangirling about each other of Dion and Zoe.
While Kerry's abuse and controlling is plainly visible after a few pages, it remains unintelligible til near the end that Dion is staying.
All this convolute got me detached from the characters and rather skimming the pages. The final confrontation was very anticlimactic and left me scratching my head.
I think this author is not for me.
The mixture of "live" interaction, email and text messages, blog posts, and phone calls may be totally current but is absolutely confusing for the reader. Especially when the perspective changes from one person to the other without annotation. Mix in the communication between the parties and you have to either really concentrate to follow - or don't care at all.
Then there is the absolute controlling, abusive relationship between Dion and Kerry, the fangirling about each other of Dion and Zoe.
While Kerry's abuse and controlling is plainly visible after a few pages, it remains unintelligible til near the end that Dion is staying.
All this convolute got me detached from the characters and rather skimming the pages. The final confrontation was very anticlimactic and left me scratching my head.
I think this author is not for me.
January 29, 2017
I rec'd a copy from Ylva in exchange for an honest review. No synopsis necessary. Not a quick or easy read. The characters of Zoey and Dion develop over time as does the storyline. I had to re-read some sections to get things settled in my mind. Not bad but not for everyone.
January 30, 2017
I didn’t know what to expect when I received this ARC from the publisher for a review. I had never read any of J.D. Glass’s work before. I’d read the synopses of her other work and not been interested.
This is an intense book. It is dark and gritty with some painful scenes, and is more of a thriller than a romance. It’s not for everyone since it does deal with abuse and assault. The novel drew me in bit by bit as Glass worked in the texts and emails and whatnot. At first I thought both Kerry and Dion (D) were merely trapped in a bad marriage and I felt bad for both. I wondered why they didn’t just separate, but D muses that marriage is forever in the novel’s beginning. Then the texts and behaviors reveal the characters’ true feelings and natures.
The plot pretty much starts off as D and Zoey agree to collaborate on a graphic novel. Then a lot started to happen. The Text Files and Sent Files moved the story along quickly without the need for a lot of exposition. We get insight into various characters through them since those brief bits showed a great deal of information in few words. At this point, I again wondered why D didn’t leave Kerry, but the increasing knowledge of Kerry’s nature and threats began to explain it.
Kerry’s true personality is exposed and we readers start to see the “ugly circumstance” mentioned in the blurb. I thought this was skillfully done. I had an inkling of what was coming as I read more, but sometimes I was surprised. I enjoyed the suspense involved in the novel as events developed, and I liked that more than the romance aspects. I didn’t really feel the romance, but I was always wondering where Glass was going.
There were a few things I felt were not cleared up. Kerry forces D to smoke Kerry’s cigarettes or drink the tea Kerry makes which is described as having an unusual taste, after which D is asleep for hours. Didn’t D suspect something? Was there something in them, and if so, wouldn’t the hospital have discovered them when D was admitted? Second, if Kerry has the influence described throughout the novel, why didn’t something happen after she’s confronted at the end? Jason’s one sentence about her father did not explain it for me. Third, what happened to Kerry? Did she get her comeuppance? And what’s with Bruce and Kate? I know Bruce was trying to get D to endorse and possibly rewrite Kate’s novel, but what were his other motives for assisting Kerry in her actions? Why does D have medical power of attorney for Kerry’s mother but never visits her? She doesn’t even attempt to call her even before the phone and internet service disappear. Was it just to show how controlling Kerry was? Maybe we’re supposed to draw our own conclusions, but I like loose ends tied up, if only to see if I was right.
Despite those reservations, I really enjoyed the book but again it definitely isn’t for everyone.
This is an intense book. It is dark and gritty with some painful scenes, and is more of a thriller than a romance. It’s not for everyone since it does deal with abuse and assault. The novel drew me in bit by bit as Glass worked in the texts and emails and whatnot. At first I thought both Kerry and Dion (D) were merely trapped in a bad marriage and I felt bad for both. I wondered why they didn’t just separate, but D muses that marriage is forever in the novel’s beginning. Then the texts and behaviors reveal the characters’ true feelings and natures.
The plot pretty much starts off as D and Zoey agree to collaborate on a graphic novel. Then a lot started to happen. The Text Files and Sent Files moved the story along quickly without the need for a lot of exposition. We get insight into various characters through them since those brief bits showed a great deal of information in few words. At this point, I again wondered why D didn’t leave Kerry, but the increasing knowledge of Kerry’s nature and threats began to explain it.
Kerry’s true personality is exposed and we readers start to see the “ugly circumstance” mentioned in the blurb. I thought this was skillfully done. I had an inkling of what was coming as I read more, but sometimes I was surprised. I enjoyed the suspense involved in the novel as events developed, and I liked that more than the romance aspects. I didn’t really feel the romance, but I was always wondering where Glass was going.
There were a few things I felt were not cleared up. Kerry forces D to smoke Kerry’s cigarettes or drink the tea Kerry makes which is described as having an unusual taste, after which D is asleep for hours. Didn’t D suspect something? Was there something in them, and if so, wouldn’t the hospital have discovered them when D was admitted? Second, if Kerry has the influence described throughout the novel, why didn’t something happen after she’s confronted at the end? Jason’s one sentence about her father did not explain it for me. Third, what happened to Kerry? Did she get her comeuppance? And what’s with Bruce and Kate? I know Bruce was trying to get D to endorse and possibly rewrite Kate’s novel, but what were his other motives for assisting Kerry in her actions? Why does D have medical power of attorney for Kerry’s mother but never visits her? She doesn’t even attempt to call her even before the phone and internet service disappear. Was it just to show how controlling Kerry was? Maybe we’re supposed to draw our own conclusions, but I like loose ends tied up, if only to see if I was right.
Despite those reservations, I really enjoyed the book but again it definitely isn’t for everyone.
January 23, 2017
Wow, this book is intense. I liked the story overall, but it does have some issues that bother me. I'll start with the things I liked about this book first. Both main characters, Dion and Zoey, are well written. Their personalities are different, yet I can feel the strong connection between them based on their dialogue. I really liked how the author used modern communication technology such as e-mail, blogs, text, etc. in the story. I think the format she used to separate each is pretty clear and easy to follow. I think the whole abuse issue is well handled in the story and the author showed how the characters suffered from it and how to break away. The abuse is much more psychological and emotional than physical (still have some). I didn't notice the abuse until little later as I learned more about Dion's relationship with her wife. I think that is important to read and it is hard to read through, but people do suffer in real life and the story reflects that well in my opinion.
Now, the things I feel could be improved. The characters' physical characters are almost nonexistent. I have little to no idea what they all look like and what are their styles. I can only remember one short description of clothes when they went to a comic con and that was it. I'm sure there are few more times the description was included but I can't remember at this time. Showing the characters' physical features can add a 3-d feel to them, and not seems so "flat" and less real.
Another thing is the ending is wrapped up bit too quickly and easily for my taste. I'm not going to spoil it but I didn't get the sense of closure on the abuse issue. Maybe that is the author's intention, not sure. There is still a happy ending though, so that is good.
I received ARC from Ylva in exchange for my honest review.
Now, the things I feel could be improved. The characters' physical characters are almost nonexistent. I have little to no idea what they all look like and what are their styles. I can only remember one short description of clothes when they went to a comic con and that was it. I'm sure there are few more times the description was included but I can't remember at this time. Showing the characters' physical features can add a 3-d feel to them, and not seems so "flat" and less real.
Another thing is the ending is wrapped up bit too quickly and easily for my taste. I'm not going to spoil it but I didn't get the sense of closure on the abuse issue. Maybe that is the author's intention, not sure. There is still a happy ending though, so that is good.
I received ARC from Ylva in exchange for my honest review.
February 2, 2017
Zoe Glenn is a renowned graphic novelist and Dion Richards is well loved author in her own right. When the two women begin collaborating on a project together their fangirling over each other turns into friendship. Their working relationship is soon threatened by Dion’s jealous and troubled wife. Their path isn’t an easy one but their love shows now bounds.
The book was definitely confusing at times trying to figure out whose point of view we were reading from. But I just love the way J.D. Glass writes, I love the way her words just grab onto you and immerse you completely in the story. Its real and its powerful. And that’s beautiful.
I loved also the added bonus of reading Dion's blog and the story she was writing - it was a bonus story within a story. That story was amazing as well - the author conveyed the pain and emotion of Dion's characters in just a fraction of the pages the whole novel. An incredible talent, that's for sure.
I loved that this was a story without sex and without even a kiss. You didn’t need the physical to feel the deep emotional connection the author created between the two women. We felt the joy of every phone call, every text, every email, every moment they were together. Their love and respect for each other ran deep.
This was an incredible story of strength, creativity, friendship, love and family. Its dark at times as well, very dark, and that may not be for everyone. But from darkness there always comes light. I loved every minute of this story. Thank you.
I received an ARC from YLVA in exchange for an honest review.
The book was definitely confusing at times trying to figure out whose point of view we were reading from. But I just love the way J.D. Glass writes, I love the way her words just grab onto you and immerse you completely in the story. Its real and its powerful. And that’s beautiful.
I loved also the added bonus of reading Dion's blog and the story she was writing - it was a bonus story within a story. That story was amazing as well - the author conveyed the pain and emotion of Dion's characters in just a fraction of the pages the whole novel. An incredible talent, that's for sure.
I loved that this was a story without sex and without even a kiss. You didn’t need the physical to feel the deep emotional connection the author created between the two women. We felt the joy of every phone call, every text, every email, every moment they were together. Their love and respect for each other ran deep.
This was an incredible story of strength, creativity, friendship, love and family. Its dark at times as well, very dark, and that may not be for everyone. But from darkness there always comes light. I loved every minute of this story. Thank you.
I received an ARC from YLVA in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2017
J.D. Glass is a talented writer & she creates wonderful characters.
After an unsatisfactory relationship, graphic novelist Zoe Glenn Edwards is determined to remain single. She is happily married to her work and plans on keeping it that way. Dion Richards is an author, trapped by ugly circumstance in a sham marriage. Her work is her escape.
Both are well respected in their individual fields. Their professional circles overlap. So do their sensibilities. A collaboration draws them into a fantastic working relationship and new friendship. Zoe is highly respectful of Dion’s circumstances, and Dion… she will do anything to keep those she loves safe from the threats hanging over her. What will these two ‘unavailables’ do when they discover they’re unmistakably Drawn Together?
What I didn't understand when I read the summary was "how" ugly was the marriage of Dion and her partner Kerry. At first the few pages of the book seemed to have humor in the dialogue. Unfortunately the story shifted to a very dark, abusive (on all levels) that became an uncomfortable read.
A writer is welcome to express their creative stories and if a person wants to read a graphic story of domestic abuse & violent crimes then the book delivers. But I can't recommend this book as a romantic light read. It's deeply disturbing with a violent rape scene as just one example of the abuse heaped on Dion.
Received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
After an unsatisfactory relationship, graphic novelist Zoe Glenn Edwards is determined to remain single. She is happily married to her work and plans on keeping it that way. Dion Richards is an author, trapped by ugly circumstance in a sham marriage. Her work is her escape.
Both are well respected in their individual fields. Their professional circles overlap. So do their sensibilities. A collaboration draws them into a fantastic working relationship and new friendship. Zoe is highly respectful of Dion’s circumstances, and Dion… she will do anything to keep those she loves safe from the threats hanging over her. What will these two ‘unavailables’ do when they discover they’re unmistakably Drawn Together?
What I didn't understand when I read the summary was "how" ugly was the marriage of Dion and her partner Kerry. At first the few pages of the book seemed to have humor in the dialogue. Unfortunately the story shifted to a very dark, abusive (on all levels) that became an uncomfortable read.
A writer is welcome to express their creative stories and if a person wants to read a graphic story of domestic abuse & violent crimes then the book delivers. But I can't recommend this book as a romantic light read. It's deeply disturbing with a violent rape scene as just one example of the abuse heaped on Dion.
Received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 23, 2017
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
I truly enjoyed this novel, though it left me wanting.
This novel is about Zoe and Dion, a comic book artist and a novelist working together to bring Dion's written work to life as a graphic novel. Through their collaboration they become friends. Through their friendship their feelings and attraction for each other grow. They both know it, they both feel it, and they do acknowledge it. But Dion is married and unavailable. Early in the novel Dion says to Zoe, "… if you were single, and I was single, neither one of us would be single, you know?" Both women are determined to stay within the bounds of friendship and to respect Dion's marriage. It is slowly revealed that Dion's marriage is not a happy one. Yet she is determined to do all she can to make it work.
The story is told through first-person narrative alternating between Zoe's and Dion's points of view. The inclusion of blog post, emails, text messages and conversations between all of the characters gives the novel a depth and breath that feels remarkably thorough. This also allows for the inclusion of the story that Zoe and Dion are working on together, which is as interesting as the story that Zoe and Dion are living.
JD Glass has given us a novel with characters so well-written that I felt for them in every way possible.
I truly enjoyed this novel, though it left me wanting.
This novel is about Zoe and Dion, a comic book artist and a novelist working together to bring Dion's written work to life as a graphic novel. Through their collaboration they become friends. Through their friendship their feelings and attraction for each other grow. They both know it, they both feel it, and they do acknowledge it. But Dion is married and unavailable. Early in the novel Dion says to Zoe, "… if you were single, and I was single, neither one of us would be single, you know?" Both women are determined to stay within the bounds of friendship and to respect Dion's marriage. It is slowly revealed that Dion's marriage is not a happy one. Yet she is determined to do all she can to make it work.
The story is told through first-person narrative alternating between Zoe's and Dion's points of view. The inclusion of blog post, emails, text messages and conversations between all of the characters gives the novel a depth and breath that feels remarkably thorough. This also allows for the inclusion of the story that Zoe and Dion are working on together, which is as interesting as the story that Zoe and Dion are living.
JD Glass has given us a novel with characters so well-written that I felt for them in every way possible.
April 11, 2017
I've read a good few of J.D Glass' novels by. Ow and each one continues to surprise me with how they counter most of what is out there in lesbian literature. Her work is darker and more real than most authors and doesn't necessarily follow a standard "happily ever after" formula.
This book opens with a connection already made between the two protagonists (Zoe and Dion) in the early formation of their personal and professional entanglements. Zoe is a graphic novelist and Dion is a well known and married lesbian novelist who decided to collaborate on a project that leads to strong feelings between the two and an increasing level of danger for Dion in her marriage.
Really the story, for me at least, was less about the romantic elements and more a lesson and dark warning about domestic and psychological abuse and how they can exist and evolve in a relationship. Those aspects were very strong and well written. There was some sections were Glass tried incorporating the more modern aspects to our communication (e-mail, text and they like) that felt a little clunk and rushed to help speed along the plot.
Still a solid book. I just feel that if you're first reading a Glass novel, go for some earlier novels, in particular the punk series.
This book opens with a connection already made between the two protagonists (Zoe and Dion) in the early formation of their personal and professional entanglements. Zoe is a graphic novelist and Dion is a well known and married lesbian novelist who decided to collaborate on a project that leads to strong feelings between the two and an increasing level of danger for Dion in her marriage.
Really the story, for me at least, was less about the romantic elements and more a lesson and dark warning about domestic and psychological abuse and how they can exist and evolve in a relationship. Those aspects were very strong and well written. There was some sections were Glass tried incorporating the more modern aspects to our communication (e-mail, text and they like) that felt a little clunk and rushed to help speed along the plot.
Still a solid book. I just feel that if you're first reading a Glass novel, go for some earlier novels, in particular the punk series.
February 4, 2017
ARC from Yvala on agreement to provide an honest review
Once I started to read this book, I couldn't stop. Lights off, curled up under the covers with my kindle, I read. I love a book that takes me through the whole gamut of emotions and this one certainly did. I cried...I smiled...I got chills...I was heartened...
I'm not a huge fan of first person narration, and I confess to getting a bit lost at points, since this book was written from a dual first person perspective...but J.D's style of writing was great. Drawing me..pun intended...into the characters and their situation.
Apart from sometimes losing perspective, the only other critique I had, was that I thought this was more Dion's story than Zoe's, and the ending was too neat. After all that Dion went through, I was surprised there wasn't "more" to the end.
Notwithstanding, this was a great read. I appreciate that the subject matter might be hard for some, but it's a reality that we live in and I appreciate that the author brought voice to it.
Once I started to read this book, I couldn't stop. Lights off, curled up under the covers with my kindle, I read. I love a book that takes me through the whole gamut of emotions and this one certainly did. I cried...I smiled...I got chills...I was heartened...
I'm not a huge fan of first person narration, and I confess to getting a bit lost at points, since this book was written from a dual first person perspective...but J.D's style of writing was great. Drawing me..pun intended...into the characters and their situation.
Apart from sometimes losing perspective, the only other critique I had, was that I thought this was more Dion's story than Zoe's, and the ending was too neat. After all that Dion went through, I was surprised there wasn't "more" to the end.
Notwithstanding, this was a great read. I appreciate that the subject matter might be hard for some, but it's a reality that we live in and I appreciate that the author brought voice to it.
January 14, 2017
Drawn Together is a fast-paced, exciting romantic thriller. I was on the edge of my seat for parts of it. There are some challenging areas of the book that may be difficult for some readers: there is an abusive relationship in the story and some other pieces that can be a difficult read for those sensitive to violence. The characters are excellent, I was cheering for Zoe and Dion the whole time. The unique layout of the book, using texts and emails in addition to dialogue and narrative makes for an engaging read. The unanswered questions are still sitting with me- pieces can be put together from what happens in the story, but the author doesn't tie everything up in a neat little bow. There are a few threads left for the reader to fill in as they wish. I very much enjoyed the book and struggled to put it down, staying up long past my bedtime to read just one more chapter, which turned into much more than just one
January 31, 2017
I had a real hard time getting into this book, im one of those that just dives in and pretty much have to read a book in one sitting, this one i had to make myself pick up days after reading the first 2chapters.
I gave up at 50% sad to say.
The horrible way D is treated.
The way some texts and email are written -like reading 13yr olds chat with all the caps, lol, and !!!!!!! just bugged me.
The pages and pages of them just typing how awesome and good the other is, it gets boring and not at all cute in the end.
But what made me cringe and left a bad taste in my mouth was their project.
The rape scene. The cutting. Just no.
I dont really get why Z would enjoy to draw that? like srsly why?
This is the first book i do not finish, i really tried, i came here to read reviews, to get convinced i was making a mistake but found most of us were on the same page.
I gave up at 50% sad to say.
The horrible way D is treated.
The way some texts and email are written -like reading 13yr olds chat with all the caps, lol, and !!!!!!! just bugged me.
The pages and pages of them just typing how awesome and good the other is, it gets boring and not at all cute in the end.
But what made me cringe and left a bad taste in my mouth was their project.
The rape scene. The cutting. Just no.
I dont really get why Z would enjoy to draw that? like srsly why?
This is the first book i do not finish, i really tried, i came here to read reviews, to get convinced i was making a mistake but found most of us were on the same page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2017
The first time I read this book, I felt disconnected to it. I liked that it had both character's POV so you get each person's perspective of how the relationship was going.
However, the book felt truncated since I had to sometimes figure out the gist of the story through the emails to each other.
I had to read this book twice to really get into it. Even that was a little unsatisfactory since there were some loose ends not addressed at all.
Spoiler
...
...
...
There was mention of an "assault" towards the end but I could not find where and when this assault took place.
I really really hated the character of Kerry. Not sure how
END of spoiler
All that said, I applaud the author for trying out a different way of getting the story across. I just had to work harder to understand the book.
However, the book felt truncated since I had to sometimes figure out the gist of the story through the emails to each other.
I had to read this book twice to really get into it. Even that was a little unsatisfactory since there were some loose ends not addressed at all.
Spoiler
...
...
...
There was mention of an "assault" towards the end but I could not find where and when this assault took place.
I really really hated the character of Kerry. Not sure how
END of spoiler
All that said, I applaud the author for trying out a different way of getting the story across. I just had to work harder to understand the book.
February 6, 2017
The book is written in the first person and also makes use of emails to move the story along. I have to start by saying I don't agree with many of the other reviews that say the style of writing makes it hard to follow. The book had me gripped throughout wondering what hold the repellant Kerry had on the lovely, talented Dion, why she kept her, why is she medical decision maker for Kerry's mother, what was going on with Bruce and the publishers and many more questions. Unfortunately, I found that that the book seemed to rise ready for a finale that never came. There is a chapter missing. Another chapter, another star.
I was given an advance copy by Ylva in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an advance copy by Ylva in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2017
ARC copy for review
I started this book intending to only read a few chapters and initially the format was a little confusing. However, I commend the author for the unusual concept and original story. I was drawn in(pun intended!) and could not stop reading , read all in one go and finished at 1.30am.
My only wish is that the author would have a chapter on how (not wishing to reveal any spoilers!) "baddie" gets their comeuppance. What can I say I have simple needs and I need justice to be meted out!!
I started this book intending to only read a few chapters and initially the format was a little confusing. However, I commend the author for the unusual concept and original story. I was drawn in(pun intended!) and could not stop reading , read all in one go and finished at 1.30am.
My only wish is that the author would have a chapter on how (not wishing to reveal any spoilers!) "baddie" gets their comeuppance. What can I say I have simple needs and I need justice to be meted out!!
February 2, 2017
I received this as an ARC.
The book is structured in an interesting way with snippets of blog and e-mails and alternating main
character 1st person narratives. I enjoyed this format although at times it felt a little fragmented.
The main characters are interesting and likeable. They start out as collaborators on a graphic novel and their initial interactions are all online. I liked the focus on their collaboration and the way layers
were added to the story. There was plenty of angst and some surprises.
Overall an interesting and enjoyable read.
The book is structured in an interesting way with snippets of blog and e-mails and alternating main
character 1st person narratives. I enjoyed this format although at times it felt a little fragmented.
The main characters are interesting and likeable. They start out as collaborators on a graphic novel and their initial interactions are all online. I liked the focus on their collaboration and the way layers
were added to the story. There was plenty of angst and some surprises.
Overall an interesting and enjoyable read.
February 9, 2017
This story really makes you want to yell at the characters. That's when you know you've been sucked in and vested in what's going on. Again JD Glass makes it real and one doesn't know how it will all end.
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