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Vicky Romeo Plus Joolz
Enter Vicky lover, actor, bullshitter. Romeo is a slick, serial heartbreaker who is determined to land the lead in an all-women rendition of The Importance of Being Earnest. She thinks she has life figured out, but then she falls in love...Enter Julie Turner aka sexy, sarcastic, femme fatale and a cheerleader to boot. Stamping on hearts and traditional stereotypes she plays girls like Vicky Romeo at their own game.Set in Glasgow in 2001, our heroines and their cohorts take on the world one incredibly gay step at a time.
320 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2019
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269 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 10, 2020
This is utterly fantastic, so full of joy and love. The prose zips along, laugh out loud in places, both local and universal in its specificity, and just a pleasure to read. I was genuinely disappointed to get to the end and have to leave Vicky's world, her friends and family, and that Glasgow. Pure dead brilliant.
April 17, 2019
Vicky Romeo + Joolz by Ely Percy is marketed as a queer romcom and one of the early publications from Knight Errant Press, a queer publisher based in Scotland. This book has taken a long time to make it to print, Percy first conceived of it in 2001 and it has had many permutations in that time, before finding a home and publisher at Knight Errant. The story is still set in 2001, which for some will would arguably make it ‘histrom‘ but for me made it all very deeply recognisable.
The story is narrated by Vicky Mann, or Vicky Romeo as she prefers to be known. Vicky is both ludicrous due to the huge amount of artifice she puts into her ‘Noo Yawk’ gangster bravado and into her appearance (like her £100 quid shirt) but also sweet, vulnerable and naive. Vicky has bravado in spades but has the same worries and concerns as any other 21-year-old trying to find her identity in a world that doesn’t seem to allow for it to exist. I think that is a very universal story, though Vicky’s personal story is what makes this novel such a journey.
I went to an event with Ely Percy in March and they said it was important to have the characters speak like they would have in 2001 and reflect the attitudes of the time too. This shows itself most clearly in Vicky who has a learning process where she learns to realise that bi is legit, her perceptions of what it means to be butch and femme may be a little too rigid and that life and family are not as straightforward as she might expect. This process does not feel laboured at all. Vicky learns these lessons as well as learning that there is more to her mother and to herself, so it feels part of a piece of the learning we do at that age.
Vicky’s relationship with her mother is beautifully drawn with their fierce love and fighting brought to life on the page in a way I felt I could reach out and touch. Her relationships with her friends and with Sam her step-mum are also deftly outlined and give a real sense of community and space, in addition to the descriptions of real places in Glasgow from 2001. By the end of the book, I wanted to crawl into the novel and back through time to give Vicky a hug and also a slap as both are needed at various points. I think I’d like to meet the Vicky of 2019 even, though I am not sure if we would be friends!
Ely Percy has created in Vicky a flawed, (at times) fractious and thoughtful lead character. Vicky is very much the hero in her own story and the novel gives her room to make herself known but also get to know the other players in her life. I genuinely laughed, cried and felt all sorts in between when reading this novel and am so glad that after so many years it found a home to be published at Knight Errant Press.
For full disclosure, though this is not an ad, I did support the Kickstarter campaign for this book to be published and you will find my name in the back of the book.
The story is narrated by Vicky Mann, or Vicky Romeo as she prefers to be known. Vicky is both ludicrous due to the huge amount of artifice she puts into her ‘Noo Yawk’ gangster bravado and into her appearance (like her £100 quid shirt) but also sweet, vulnerable and naive. Vicky has bravado in spades but has the same worries and concerns as any other 21-year-old trying to find her identity in a world that doesn’t seem to allow for it to exist. I think that is a very universal story, though Vicky’s personal story is what makes this novel such a journey.
I went to an event with Ely Percy in March and they said it was important to have the characters speak like they would have in 2001 and reflect the attitudes of the time too. This shows itself most clearly in Vicky who has a learning process where she learns to realise that bi is legit, her perceptions of what it means to be butch and femme may be a little too rigid and that life and family are not as straightforward as she might expect. This process does not feel laboured at all. Vicky learns these lessons as well as learning that there is more to her mother and to herself, so it feels part of a piece of the learning we do at that age.
Vicky’s relationship with her mother is beautifully drawn with their fierce love and fighting brought to life on the page in a way I felt I could reach out and touch. Her relationships with her friends and with Sam her step-mum are also deftly outlined and give a real sense of community and space, in addition to the descriptions of real places in Glasgow from 2001. By the end of the book, I wanted to crawl into the novel and back through time to give Vicky a hug and also a slap as both are needed at various points. I think I’d like to meet the Vicky of 2019 even, though I am not sure if we would be friends!
Ely Percy has created in Vicky a flawed, (at times) fractious and thoughtful lead character. Vicky is very much the hero in her own story and the novel gives her room to make herself known but also get to know the other players in her life. I genuinely laughed, cried and felt all sorts in between when reading this novel and am so glad that after so many years it found a home to be published at Knight Errant Press.
For full disclosure, though this is not an ad, I did support the Kickstarter campaign for this book to be published and you will find my name in the back of the book.
December 4, 2025
this was such a fun read !! i love books set in glasgow and i love queer stories !! the way the historical attitudes to minorities was dealt with was careful (love an author’s note) and eye opening. it’s heartening to see we have come such a long way, and long may this trend continue.
June 21, 2021
“Sure, we got Ellen Degeneres and the cast of queer as folk (which typically is full of bum sex) waving the pink flag on tv - and of course there’s Helen and Nikki snogging till the credits come home at the end of bad girls season three - but the path to true lesbian love is not paved with dental dams. It’s not as simple as girl meets girl, it’s more like: girl meets girl then girl’s boyfriend catches them in bed before they even get to do anything, and then one of them ends up married and the other becomes a rebound queen, or a raging alcoholic, or she tops herself a la Vega Purvis.”
After reading Duckfeet, loving it and finding out that Ely Percy had wrote a novel set in Glasgow about the gay scene in early 2000’s I knew I had to read it. This gave me a glimpse into the past and the way things were before my time on “the scene”.
Through the eyes of butch gangster obsessed Vicky Romeo, (whom the author has admitted is a bit of a dick) we meet some of Glasgow’s queers; Butch, femme, bisexual, closeted, trans: you name them you’ll meet them. Ely doesn’t hold back. They give us exactly what it was like to be queer and on the quest for love and acceptance. How biphobia, transphobia and the butch v femme divide was very much alive and when slurs against them were just a part of the vocab. Basically; most of the folk in this book can be a bit of an asshole…. I think it made me love it more haha!
Through time we see the vulnerabilities to Vicky and hear the stories of the two women who break her heart. It’s just the book I needed right now, in the height of pride month. A book about my own kind from the place that holds my heart. So nostalgic aswell; I remember the days of my sister glued to a computer screen- the days of Gay.com where she would haunt to try and find herself a bird.
Written in short and sharp chapters, Vicky Romeo plus Joolz had me absolutely hooked! There’s just something about the way that Ely writes that captivated me and it seems they can turn their hand to anything and make it hilarious yet thought provoking (like a joke with a jag).
There’s one woman in this that totally stole my heart, and that’s Sam. The step-parent child relationship just blew me away and shows that you don’t need to be blood to have a profound impact on someone’s life.
Cannot wait until more Ely Percy books hit my shelf! Won’t be a minute too soon!
After reading Duckfeet, loving it and finding out that Ely Percy had wrote a novel set in Glasgow about the gay scene in early 2000’s I knew I had to read it. This gave me a glimpse into the past and the way things were before my time on “the scene”.
Through the eyes of butch gangster obsessed Vicky Romeo, (whom the author has admitted is a bit of a dick) we meet some of Glasgow’s queers; Butch, femme, bisexual, closeted, trans: you name them you’ll meet them. Ely doesn’t hold back. They give us exactly what it was like to be queer and on the quest for love and acceptance. How biphobia, transphobia and the butch v femme divide was very much alive and when slurs against them were just a part of the vocab. Basically; most of the folk in this book can be a bit of an asshole…. I think it made me love it more haha!
Through time we see the vulnerabilities to Vicky and hear the stories of the two women who break her heart. It’s just the book I needed right now, in the height of pride month. A book about my own kind from the place that holds my heart. So nostalgic aswell; I remember the days of my sister glued to a computer screen- the days of Gay.com where she would haunt to try and find herself a bird.
Written in short and sharp chapters, Vicky Romeo plus Joolz had me absolutely hooked! There’s just something about the way that Ely writes that captivated me and it seems they can turn their hand to anything and make it hilarious yet thought provoking (like a joke with a jag).
There’s one woman in this that totally stole my heart, and that’s Sam. The step-parent child relationship just blew me away and shows that you don’t need to be blood to have a profound impact on someone’s life.
Cannot wait until more Ely Percy books hit my shelf! Won’t be a minute too soon!
September 25, 2019
I was absolutely taken by this book! So funny, so interesting, my only criticism is that I didn't want it to end! :3 i'll be passing my copy around to friends ASAP!
December 30, 2019
Vicky Romeo, dreaming of life as an actor, meets Julie Turner and can’t get her out of her head.
Vicky is set on performing in an all-female production of The Importance of Being Earnest, and falling in love wasn’t a complication she expected. And anyway, Julie doesn’t fall at Vicky’s feet in the way that most people do…
From the outset, Vicky has a distinct, totally absorbing and accessible voice, and she paints a vivid picture of the Glasgow gay scene in the early 2000s. She is 21, working class and a force to be reckoned with.
On the surface it’s a brash, irreverent read, with a lot of witty banter and a light-hearted sheen. Underneath, it gets to the heart of the gay community: friendships, rivalries, the strengths and the challenges faced by Vicky and her network of friends.
Whether you’re nostalgic about the Glasgow scene of the time, or whether you’re brand new to it. this is a rom-com that is funny, touching, thought-provoking and sensitive.
And no, you don’t have to be gay or straight, or bi, or any other label to read it (or from Glasgow!) – just a reader who appreciates good writing, strong and entertaining characters and a decent storyline that zips along.
This is the first in a planned trilogy from novelist Percy, who already has a writing track-record in fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry.
Vicky is set on performing in an all-female production of The Importance of Being Earnest, and falling in love wasn’t a complication she expected. And anyway, Julie doesn’t fall at Vicky’s feet in the way that most people do…
From the outset, Vicky has a distinct, totally absorbing and accessible voice, and she paints a vivid picture of the Glasgow gay scene in the early 2000s. She is 21, working class and a force to be reckoned with.
On the surface it’s a brash, irreverent read, with a lot of witty banter and a light-hearted sheen. Underneath, it gets to the heart of the gay community: friendships, rivalries, the strengths and the challenges faced by Vicky and her network of friends.
Whether you’re nostalgic about the Glasgow scene of the time, or whether you’re brand new to it. this is a rom-com that is funny, touching, thought-provoking and sensitive.
And no, you don’t have to be gay or straight, or bi, or any other label to read it (or from Glasgow!) – just a reader who appreciates good writing, strong and entertaining characters and a decent storyline that zips along.
This is the first in a planned trilogy from novelist Percy, who already has a writing track-record in fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry.
January 18, 2022
3 / 5 stars
Really enjoyed reading a queer story set in my hometown, Glasgow. Some of the establishments are closed now and I don't recognise them but there are enough references that I can relate to/enjoy.
The story was interesting enough and I wasn't really bored. Not my favourite book ever but an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more of Ely Percy.
Really enjoyed reading a queer story set in my hometown, Glasgow. Some of the establishments are closed now and I don't recognise them but there are enough references that I can relate to/enjoy.
The story was interesting enough and I wasn't really bored. Not my favourite book ever but an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more of Ely Percy.
March 22, 2020
This is probably more a 3.75.
I really enjoyed reading this book as an insight into the gay scene of the early 2000s. The central characters are all interesting and vibrant, and the use of setting is so strong. I think my favourite character may be Vicky's step mother Sam.
The ending of the book struggles with pacing. Whilst the first three quarters focus on the mundanity of life in a really successful way, the interactions on nights out and the interpersonal relationships, the last section seems to steam roll through. I feel unresolved about a lot of the family stuff that was introduced for Vicky, and I think the lack of closure regarding her mothers relationship is my main concern. There's so much set up, that I feel like it could have a sequel. Yet the central romantic relationship has very little left to do.
I am definitely interested in reading more from this author as they have a real skill in evoking time and place. This was a good book and a quick read, and I would definitely recommend to others.
I really enjoyed reading this book as an insight into the gay scene of the early 2000s. The central characters are all interesting and vibrant, and the use of setting is so strong. I think my favourite character may be Vicky's step mother Sam.
The ending of the book struggles with pacing. Whilst the first three quarters focus on the mundanity of life in a really successful way, the interactions on nights out and the interpersonal relationships, the last section seems to steam roll through. I feel unresolved about a lot of the family stuff that was introduced for Vicky, and I think the lack of closure regarding her mothers relationship is my main concern. There's so much set up, that I feel like it could have a sequel. Yet the central romantic relationship has very little left to do.
I am definitely interested in reading more from this author as they have a real skill in evoking time and place. This was a good book and a quick read, and I would definitely recommend to others.
February 28, 2022
Another 5 star book from Ely Percy!
May 11, 2019
Vicky Romeo Plus Joolz is a romcom novel set in Glasgow in 2001, in which Vicky Romeo—heartbreaker of the gay scene who dreams of making her way as an actor—meets her match in Julie Turner, who isn't falling at her feet as expected. Romeo can't get her Juliet out of her head, but the course of true love does not run smooth, with stereotypes crushed, prejudices faced up to, and personal dramas abound in their friendship circle. At the same time, Vicky wants to pull off getting a role and performing in an all-female production of The Importance of Being Earnest, and falling in love wasn't a complication she expected.
This is a charming novel that is incredibly detailed and really paints a picture of the characters and the time period (to the extent it's hard not to come away from it with Atomic Kitten in your head). Vicky is a hilarious, flawed protagonist who is forced to confront some of her own prejudices and selfishness whilst navigating her own feelings about love, family, and who she is. There is a vein of learning greater acceptance and kindness running underneath the novel, which doesn't shy away from characters' views on sexuality and stereotypes and the need for greater understanding even from people who face prejudice themselves. To balance this, there is also a lot of witty banter and romance, and it is a fun read that allows characters to be loud, brash, and themselves.
If you're looking for a funny novel with personality and a vivid setting and characters, Vicky Romeo Plus Joolz fills the brief, and proves that romantic comedy is not just the domain of straight, posh characters and scenarios.
This is a charming novel that is incredibly detailed and really paints a picture of the characters and the time period (to the extent it's hard not to come away from it with Atomic Kitten in your head). Vicky is a hilarious, flawed protagonist who is forced to confront some of her own prejudices and selfishness whilst navigating her own feelings about love, family, and who she is. There is a vein of learning greater acceptance and kindness running underneath the novel, which doesn't shy away from characters' views on sexuality and stereotypes and the need for greater understanding even from people who face prejudice themselves. To balance this, there is also a lot of witty banter and romance, and it is a fun read that allows characters to be loud, brash, and themselves.
If you're looking for a funny novel with personality and a vivid setting and characters, Vicky Romeo Plus Joolz fills the brief, and proves that romantic comedy is not just the domain of straight, posh characters and scenarios.
April 14, 2019
A hugely enjoyable book giving a witty overview of the Glasgow gay scene in the early 2000s. At times laugh-out-loud funny, at times touching and emotional – always unputdownable. I was hooked on the characters from the start, and not just the main characters – there are a lot of brilliant secondary characters too. The dialogue and settings also stand out and the story was so gripping that I had to read it all in one sitting. I’d highly recommend it and can’t wait to read the next instalment!
May 4, 2019
I raced through this book - it’s funny and vividly written, with a great sense of Glasgow in the early 2000s. The central love story is engaging, and there’s a sensitive subplot about Vicky’s family relationships, but the real strength for me was the way it paints the supportive, spiky and shifting friendships within the gay community that Vicky is such a part of. Highly recommended!
March 31, 2019
A very well written, highly addictive read. Great fun with lots of layers, and astute observations of young gay life at the turn of the century. I can’t recommend it enough and wait eagerly for Ely Percy’s next book!
July 12, 2022
4.5, favourite read of the year so far.
“I used to think that if you loved someone, and they loved you back, then that was enough. I understand now, all too clearly, that nothing that involves the matters of the heart is ever so black and white”
“I used to think that if you loved someone, and they loved you back, then that was enough. I understand now, all too clearly, that nothing that involves the matters of the heart is ever so black and white”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2019
Touching and funny. I'm enjoying this a lot! The dialogue is so well done, that I can hear it in my head, as I read.
February 1, 2022
Currently DNF at 30% or so, may revisit in a different headspace.
December 1, 2025
An enjoyable read but I found it very dialogue heavy which isn’t my preference in a novel. I also found the characters at times frustrating and very unconvincing.
November 28, 2019
Ely Percy’s debut novel is the first of a planned trilogy of works: a queer love story set in turn-of-the-millennium Glasgow, whose vivid characters will run off with your heart. I devoured this in two days, sucked back into a world I can barely remember, and I cannot wait to read more from the author.
January 12, 2023
thank god vicky looked like a guy on the cover so i could read this book next to my parents
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews