Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Rainbow

Rate this book
Taylor has room for exactly two things in her improving her performance as a college basketball player and maintaining the grades she needs to stay on the team and someday play in the WNBA. But when she meets the beautiful and confident Melony, Taylor's whole way of life is called into question. RAINBOW is a coming-of-age queer love story with a Love Jones kind of vibe. It's the first of many queer Black novellas by the author Verde Arzu.

67 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2019

2 people are currently reading
100 people want to read

About the author

Verde Arzu

2 books9 followers
Verde Arzu is a passionate writer, podcaster, poet, blogger, and educator who identifies as a Black queer womxn. Verde Arzu’s preferred pronouns are she/her. She has been writing stories for as long as she can remember growing up on both the West Side and South Side of Chicago. Her stories draw from these experiences, as well as the experiences of being Black, womxn, and queer in America. She traces her passion for writing stories about Black queer characters from her desire to see more characters’ stories and hear more characters’ voices she can relate to.


Pushing Black womxn queer stories out of the shadows and into mainstream literature is Verde Arzu’s goal and passion. She believes, just like the traditional love story, queer love must be widely written and read, too.

An avid reader of African American literature, Verde recalls having to go to the front register of large and popular bookstores to ask the store attendant for the African American literature section. An often quaint and cozy section in the bookstore with a limited selection of books and authors to choose from. Although the way in which we shop for books has changed, being underrepresented, as a Black writer, in the world of fiction, has not.


Marginalized experiences like these are what motivates Verde to write and publish stories as a Black womxn, queer writer of fiction, who writes about the Black queer experience. The famous quote by Toni Morrison, one of Verde Arzu’s most cherished authors, can sum up the driving force behind her upcoming collection of Black, Queer Novellas. “If there is a story you really want to read, and it hasn’t been written, then you must write it.”

To learn more about Verde Arzu and her work, follow her on Instagram, Threads, BlueSky, and FaceBook.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
20 (38%)
4 stars
23 (44%)
3 stars
8 (15%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Dash fan .
1,519 reviews714 followers
August 20, 2020
3.5☆ A Compelling YA LGBTQ Love Story


Taylor and Melony had a connection the minute they sat next to each other on the school bus.

Taylor knew she liked Melony, so why did she find it so hard to tell her she was gay and attracted to her.

But Melony already knew, so that night they shared their first kiss, the passion just felt right.
If only Taylor would let her guard down and commit her actual feelings to Melony instead of hiding and making Melony feel like just a hook up, and when Taylor could fit her in.

You see Taylor ate, slept and breathed basketball. Her goal was to become the very best, train all the time, and she had no room in her life for distractions, especially ones that made her feel the way Melony made her feel!

But Taylor just can't commit to Melony the way she wants her too.
Can Taylor let her guard down and admit her feelings to herself or is it all too late?

At first I really enjoyed this heartwarming coming of age/ coming out love story, and I enjoyed watching Taylor grow as a person.
But then the story sort of hit a bump for me and it felt rushed to the end.
Yes the story was tied up nicely, but it felt like because this was a Novella not enough went into finishing the story.
There was so much more that could of been developed, which was a shame as I wanted more.

The characters were as I expected, complex, a little frustrating at times but well written.
Overall Rainbow is a compelling and endearing love story, that deals with teenage angst, first love, coming out, self acceptance, self discovery, secrets and juggling life, sport and love.
A great Novella, I just wish it was longer as I wanted more. Definitely looking forward to reading more from Verde Arzu.



Thank you to Shannon at R&R Book Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.





You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-

http://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/08...
Profile Image for Jessica.
1,628 reviews54 followers
August 24, 2020
Rainbow is everything I hoped and more. What an inspiring novella. I’ve been really wanting to find a representative story, and Rainbow was offered through my email. I absolutely adore this story and I’m giving it 5 stars even though it deserves more!

This is a queer, coming of age story that is wonderfully written. Taylor is a perfectly relatable character. I was immediately connected to her and I loved learning more about her.

I wanted this to be longer because I absolutely didn’t want the story to end. Highly recommended! Don’t miss out!

Rating:
5/5☆

*I received a free copy of this book from R&R Book Tours in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
Profile Image for Jordan.
106 reviews3 followers
July 13, 2020
Rainbow follows Taylor and Melony, two college students who meet during a trip and begin a relationship. Throughout the course of their romance, the two women must learn to acknowledge their feelings and begin the path to self-acceptance and coming out. Trouble arises as one takes these steps more easily than the other.

I appreciated that Rainbow focused on the internal struggle of realizing that you are queer, a lens that is sometimes ignored in favor of focusing on worry about how the character will be perceived by others. I found myself wishing that Rainbow was longer. I wanted to see more of Taylor's and Melony's world fleshed out. Still, it was very exciting to have the opportunity to read a black queer love story. I hope there are many more to come.
Profile Image for Rajiv.
982 reviews72 followers
August 21, 2020

[Blog]::[Youtube]::[Twitter]::[Instagram]::[Pinterest]::[Bloglovin]



Rainbow is a short and sweet story about accepting yourself and finding love, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The highlight of the story is in the characters. Taylor is the star of the show. I loved her from the first page and could relate to whatever she went through. It is always a challenge to accept yourself and come out when you are part of a group and on the limelight. The author writes the emotions of the characters very well that you can connect to. Melony is also interesting and I felt for her too. It is not easy being in the receiving end, and I thought the characters were portrayed realistically. Moreover, Taylor and Melony are so good together. I loved the way they meet up for movie dates and get to know each other.

However, I really wished the story was bigger and detailed. I loved reading the story but felt it just went by so quickly. It would have been nice to add more details like how everyone in the team reacted to Taylor. Also, maybe I missed it, but I would have liked to see Taylor’s family reaction to her coming out. Also, I really liked Reggie as a character, even if she appeared for only one or two scenes. It would have been nice to see her be more prominent in the story.

Other than that, this was a beautiful short love story that is worth reading.
Profile Image for Rena.
524 reviews288 followers
Read
June 15, 2020
I read Rainbow for the second time, and I'm happy I did. It's such an impactful story in a short amount of pages. Can't wait to see what Verde Arzu comes up with next.
Profile Image for Claire.
487 reviews20 followers
August 18, 2020
The start of the story describes Taylor's trip to Washington, DC, and her anger — two months before, Hurricane Katrina has destroyed the city of New Orleans, and the Black community were left to deal with the aftermath alone. On the bus ride there, Taylor sits next to Melody, who is friendly and outgoing, and already knows Taylor's basketball stats off by heart.

I really enjoyed this coming out tale. The story is told from Taylor's point of view as she struggles with her internal conflict about her sexuality. She is worried about being judged for being gay, that her family, friends and teammates will disown her. That if she goes public about her sexuality, she will be subject to cruel rumours and that it will affect her chances to join the WNBA. She also hasn't been honest with herself — she refuses to believe that she could be gay or what that future might look like. Or even accept the possibility that maybe, things wouldn't be as bad as she believes.

I'd always wondered what kind of girl I would date if I could. But I never acted on those yearnings; I was too afraid of being alienated for being gay. I listened to conversations some of my teammates had with each other about what people said about them, the kinds of rumours that spread once people found out they were gay. Half the time they laughed it off because of how ridiculous they were, but I was mortified at the thought of people talking about me in that way.


Throughout the story, Taylor's concerns affect her life more and more — and ultimately the message is about acceptance and being true to yourself. While this story is only short, it has a big impact and I think it's one that a lot of people will be able to relate to.

In addition, I really liked that the chapters are all basketball themed (Chapter One is called Pregame, Chapter Two is Second Quarter, and so on). There are also sketches and poetry at the start of each chapter which add a nice extra touch to the story.
Profile Image for Melina Lobo.
824 reviews98 followers
July 4, 2020
I sided with my head and kept going.
🦄🦄🦄
Taylor has always focused on her future, and her future has always been basketball.
She had never let anything deviate her from her goals until she met Melony.
Now, Taylor has to answer the questions she's known all along.
Melony has created an opening to tell the world who she is, because no matter what the world says, love is love.
🦄🦄🦄
Rainbow is a queer novella by Verde Arzu.
Taylor is scared of coming out, worried about what the world and especially family will think about her while Melony is confident in who she is without a care in the world.
Throughout the book we see Taylor struggling with herself to take a decision to be happy and put love first, but she always finds a reason not to until Melony makes that decision for her.
When you love someone, it doesn't matter what the world thinks, all that matters is what your heart wants.
I wanted a little bit more from the book in terms of content, more about their love, more about them so I was a little disappointed when the story ended. (Why do the good book seem do short?)
The author has written the perfect little romance and is great if you are looking for quick reads.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 9.5/10
Melina L.
Profile Image for Lily Mordaunt.
Author 2 books12 followers
April 18, 2021
Wished It Were Longer

I enjoyed this novella about Taylor, the aspiring WNBA player struggling with her sexuality. I thought she was a well-written character with fears everyone can relate to on some level: being yourself and how that self might impact your dreams. I also enjoyed Melanie, how she took her passions and ran with them, even when the person she loved wasn’t on board with every aspect.
Both women were great characters who I would have loved to spend more time with. I would have liked to experience them together for real. I would have enjoyed more time with the team, and I’m curious about the reaction from Taylor’s family.
I thought this was a great novella that could have been an even better novel.
Profile Image for Misty's Book Space.
1,065 reviews51 followers
August 20, 2020
3.5 stars

Thank you to the author and R&R Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a novella so it's pretty short which made it a very quick and easy read. I really enjoyed this book but I was left wanting more. This is a case where what the author has given you is enough to make a good story but it wasn't enough to make me connect with the characters or to really get invested and care about them.

Because it is so short it is very insta lovey which doesn't bother me all that much. As I mentioned I enjoyed it but I was left wanting/needing more to really love it.
Profile Image for Brianna J.
6 reviews2 followers
January 3, 2021
In this page-turner, we get a ton of themes that are relatable to many young people: familial obligation, hard work, determination, love, romance, sex, coming-of-age, expectation, navigating coming out and peers, and teamwork.

The overall story-line took me back to college as the story started with a Black Student Union trip to a march where many inspirational people were giving speeches that would ignite the students in varying ways.

The theme from the story that sat with me the most isn’t necessarily the one that you’d expect, however. Taylor Dawson, the main character, throughout this story keeps her eyes on the prize. She knows that she must work hard and make basketball her entire life if she is to accomplish her goal/dream of playing in the WMBA someday. However, Melony, an eccentric and outgoing woman, has other plans that all start with a seat on the bus and a couple of goggly eyes.

It wouldn’t be a story if I didn’t find reasons to become increasingly annoyed with a character, however. My girl Taylor, throughout the story, begins to question whether it is completely necessary to shut out all other things and appeal to those around her in attempts at accomplishing her goals, and this is where things got a bit sticky. I found myself so annoyed with some of her actions (no spoilers) because I saw a lot of my own ways displayed in hers.

When young people set goals that already seem impossible, it’s like we set the most obtuse parameters on ourselves and therefore those around us that just results in us being overly controlling and unfair to those closest to us. I saw a lot of this in the character in this book. Just as I’ve seen a lot of this in myself.

This book was super addictive and eye-opening. It displays today’s ideas of youthful situationships and the ways that many people ask for them but can’t actually handle them. It also shows all of the very real thoughts and feelings that many people who are experiencing love, intimacy and infatuation go through and was nice reminder of the feelings of warmth that those who we allow close to us provide.

Letsbebreef.com/letsread/rainbow
Profile Image for Claire Self.
262 reviews22 followers
August 21, 2020
I have given Rainbow by Verde Arzu three out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed how Rainbow was written, it kept the book flowing so well that I managed to read this in one sitting. Verde Arzu is an exceptionally great author who really knows how to engage her audience with her words.

This book is about two college students who meet during a trip organised by their black student union from college to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Million Man March. It’s about self-acceptance and finding themselves on a path to start a relationship together. I loved how realistic this story was and enjoyed learning about Taylor and Melony, and following them on their journey together.

I thought the cute drawings and passages of a poem at the end of each chapter was a really lovely touch to this novella. Also, I liked how each chapter was divided my basketball play, which you soon come to realise that basketball is a big part of Taylor’s story.

I understand that this is a novella, however I wish Rainbow was a longer story, as there were times throughout reading it that I thought that happened a little too fast or that I wish they’d go into more detail in some parts, especially the intimate scenes between Taylor and Melony, there’s something so beautiful when an author describes intimate scenes in detail.

This queer novella had a really insightful look into the struggles that some LGBTQ+ women go through when they find themselves, but are afraid of what others will say, react or the actions that they will take against them. I find this really saddening to know that so many people around the world go through this time in their lives where people are still not accepting towards them.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novella and shall definitely be keeping an eye out for more of Arzu’s material in the future!
Profile Image for Alexia.
222 reviews39 followers
August 23, 2020
"What was the point of going to marches, yelling and screaming and crying at the injustice, if I wasn't going to come back and fight for myself?"


I love how social issues were at the forefront of this story and impacted the way that Taylor and Melony operated in the world and with each other. Their Blackness was just as important as their sexuality and Arzu showed the intersectionality of their identities so well. Melony was headstrong and wasn't afraid to ask for what she wanted. Taylor was more timid and didn't want to rock boat which made her suppress a part of herself. Taylor was so focused on the wrong things, and I just wanted to shake her sometimes to make her realize that she just as important as her goals. I think her caring about getting into the WNBA was great, but when you start hiding your emotions and feelings until you get to your breaking point, you're not handling them well.

I also loved the idea that you can have a whole community behind you, but you have to accept them and want to be open with them. It's not good to keep parts of yourself hidden to everyone, so finding those people who will love the authentic you is so important, and I thought it was great how that was highlighted in the novella. As someone who has a fear of rejection, I really related to Taylor's struggles with expressing her identity and feelings towards Melony. I also enjoyed how the novella was divided into quarters and the way basketball was central to the story. I love the film Love & Basketball , so getting to read what feels like a queer companion to that was so cool. Overall, I thought this story contained equally moving and funny parts, and I very much enjoyed Arzu's writing.
*Thank you to R&R Tours and the author for a free copy. All opinions are my own*
Profile Image for Ari Ózmeg.
Author 24 books3 followers
June 14, 2020
4/5
80/100

La representación siempre es importante. No me decepcionó en absoluto. Un romance que entendí, pero a pesar de todo, a veces debes estar consiente de cómo tratas a las personas, y de que no puedes culpar a los/las demás por tus duelos internos. Mucho menos hablando de identidad. Melony es un personaje muy agradable. Taylor es un lío, así que mi empatía por ella fue difícil. Más visibilidad para las historias lésbicas. Lástima que no sea un libro que muchas personas conozcan. A veces me pregunto, ¿por qué en el LGBT, la que es lo único que está en todas partes en cuestión de contenido, si hay también historias de todas las otras personas de la comunidad? Habrá que educarnos entre nosotros también. Quiero ver historias épicas que no sólo tengan que ver con dos hombres enamorándose.
Profile Image for Mx Phoebe.
1,450 reviews
September 15, 2020
Verde Arzu writes a difficult coming out story for Taylor as she is just trying to succeed on her own merit without fighting anymore obstacles than she already is. I love Taylor. I am withholding an opinion on Melony...let me know how you feel about her after you read the story.

This is a great romance as it showcases love, dedication, and drive plus the struggle in-between as to what is important to fight for at the end of the day. Arzu does not take any shortcuts and does not give any easy answers. This is a HFN story, so no worries about a sad ending.

I look forward to reading the next book by Verde Arzu, she’s on my author read list.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Profile Image for Alexis Miller.
26 reviews10 followers
December 12, 2020
This book is super quick to read and also unique. It was the first LGBTQ+ book I have read (simply because it's the first I came across) and I loved the main character's personality. I did wish that certain parts of the book were played out more though. I didn't feel attached to the couple in the story and I think I could have if there was more detail about their relationship. There was a lot written about feelings but not a lot of events that would make me have those same feelings.
Profile Image for Lily.
3,382 reviews118 followers
August 16, 2020
Rainbow is absolutely brilliant. Being queer, like everything else in life, is not the same experience for everyone. Neither is the journey to discovering you are. This brilliant novella brings that journey to life, and even though it's short you connect with Taylor and you can't help but hope for the best for her. A vibrant novella that you'll want to read again.
24 reviews
June 12, 2023
short and sweet

I really like getting to understand someone’s perspective. That wasn’t freely expressing who they love. My coming out was filled with love and very few naysayers. I forget it’s not like that for everyone and people have many reason that they don’t “come out” . I just wish love and support for those people. One thing for sure is Malony really loved Tay because she always showed her. It would’ve been a lost cause for me. I hate rejection, I couldn’t deal with more than once. Especially if I know you love me. I always want to be loved out loud!
Profile Image for Kyle.
Author 1 book31 followers
June 29, 2020


The story is well-written and I read this in one sitting and I will reread it over and over again. The characters are great and I loved how real they feel. The internal debate that Taylor goes through is very well written and explored, I feel that it is something that many people will be able to relate to. I loved the character’s relationships with one another and also how Taylor grows and develops as a character.

This is a cute queer book by a Black Queer author, that really needs more people to read it.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.