Canopy

Vivian Chastain #1

by Liz Faraim

Vivian Chastain is an adrenaline addicted veteran, transitioning to civilian life in Sacramento, California. She settles into a new routine while she finishes up college and works as a bartender, covering up her intense anxiety with fake bravado and swagger. All Vivian wants is peace and quiet, but her whole trajectory changes when she stumbles upon a heinous crime in progress and has to fight for her life to get away.

While recovering from the fight, she falls in love with someone who is tall in stature but short on emotional intelligence, and this toxic union provides Vivian the relationship that she thinks she needs. Given Vivian’s insecurities and traumatic past, she clings to the relationship even while it destroys her.

Vivian’s relationships are strained to their breaking points as she continues to seek balance. She turns to her best friend for support, only to be left empty handed and alone until she finds comradery and care from the last person she would have thought.

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, Military Fiction

ebook

Published October 26, 2020

Reviews

[Lex Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars. This was quite the interesting read. I read a couple early reviews so I knew a little of what to expect, but this read still surprised me. I think I liked this book. In fact I think I liked it more than I thought I would, but it’s just not the easiest book to express my feelings on. I guess what it comes down to is that my interest is peaked and I will read more of this series. There were things that bothered me or that I didn’t like, but the overall feel and what the book is trying to do was appealing.

I think the best way to describe this would be with the drama tag. And while the book felt plot driven at times, I think this really is a character study. This book is all about the main character and everything she is going through and has been through. This is a first person story all about Vivian. Viv is ex-military, lesbian, and a bartender. Viv deals with PTSD, anxiety, and anger issues from being in the military, a mother who was unloving and anxiety inducing, and a brother who was her abuser. She has a lot going on and really needs help, but she’s also a total badass and a little morally grey at times. There is something about Viv that reminded me a little bit of Aud Torvingen. If you don’t know that name I’ll just say that I mean it as a complement since Nicola Griffith is pretty brilliant.

There is a potential love interest for Viv but I don’t know if I would call this a romance. Some of those elements are there, and yes, this does have a love story, but I didn’t find it romantic if that makes any sense. One part of it I found really odd was that there is a BDSM relationship, but the sex is fade to black. That was really surprising to me and might actually be a first. Usually when authors want to delve into BDSM they actually want to show it. I’m okay with sometimes reading fade to black in books but in this case I felt like the sex scenes missing were an odd choice and a missed opportunity.

I also have to mention that there is a poly relationship in this book. While I am no expert, I felt like calling the relationship poly was a little off. Only one character wanted an open relationship, and that person wasn’t very thoughtful or very communicative with the whole situation. In the end it seemed more like an open relationship and not a poly relationship. Again, I’m no expert but the whole thing didn’t really sit right with me.

As you might have guessed from reading Viv’s background, this book does deal with some tough subjects. This book is dramatic. On the good side, while there are hard parts, I didn’t find the whole feel of the book to be too heavy. There is a lot going on and even some excitement to keep the book moving forward. In fact, the book had a really nice pace until it hit a bump. There are some great twists and turns in this book that I felt were well done. Anyway, I don’t know what happened but after the well done part, the book really died and kind of limped along to the end. The reason I noticed so much was that the book was flying by until that part hit and just everything slowed way down. And then we get a cliffhanger to make us read book 2. I love series, I love connecting with characters over multiple books but cliffys are such a pain in the ass. I hope book two is coming out soon because if not my patience might be a little short causing my interest to wane.

Overall this was a book that is really different that had some parts I truly enjoyed. I’m a first person fan and I love a badass character who has some demons and might be a little morally grey. While I had issues with this book, I’m hoping most of them were just debut bumps and that Faraim will really hit her stride in book 2.

A copy was given to me for a honest review.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is a hard one to review - I couldn’t put it down, I read it one setting. It’s very well written, especially for a debut author. The subject matter is dealt with sensitively. It’s just over a four star book for me. Yet it’s hard for me to say I enjoyed it. It’s a tough read and perhaps that’s it for me, I appreciated rather than enjoyed, but it didn’t take anything away from the book - I’m fact I’m eagerly awaiting the next instalment.

Viv is ex-army, studying at College and making a living bar tendering. Whilst she’s not completely estranged from her family she is very much a loner - her friendship with another vet Jared being her anchor in a storm. She struggles with PTSD.

She meets Angela, a cop, a vet from the Navy and they begin a complicated relationship, with elements of polyamory.

Viv stumbles on something criminal that brings a lot of issues into her life and shakes things up in ways she’d never have expected.

The topics of abuse from the past, relationship ethics, PTSD, intermittent violence, sex trafficking and some homophobia all mean this isn’t a light read, yet there is something about the way Viv is written that just keeps you reading, wanting to know where this is going to go.

The romance between Viv and Ang isn’t the headline for this book. Viv’s life in general, her friendships and her making her way through life are very much front and centre.

Despite the somewhat darker tone of the book and therefore my review, I’d encourage you to give this a go - just don’t expect an easy light hearted read, or a neatly tied up ending.

I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lorraine Rusnack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivian is quite a character. She it strong and confident and also vulnerable. I want to wrap her up in my arms and show her she is worth loving. The story is so interesting and engaging. I was all over the place with my emotions. Now I need to get the other 2 books in the series.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A start of a new series and I don't know... The cover is stunning, the writing is excellent, but I don't know how I feel about the story. There’s a lot of emotional subjects that are (somewhat) dealt with in this book.

Vivian is an army vet who is dealing with PTSD, an abuse history, and anxiety. She covers this all up with fake bravado and swagger. When she is out on her motorcycle one day she stumbles upon a crime. After she fights off the criminal she gets home all back and blue with a target on her back. While she is recovering and trying to stay safe she falls in love with her neighbour Ang, also a vet and currently a policewoman. Ang seems to be giving Vivian the love and safe place she has been wanting her entire life, but the relationship turns out to be a toxic one. Vivian is aware of it, but she can't let go.

This book is such a tough read because of the subject. Vivian is a very likable, but also very much troubled character. I can't say I really liked the book, but it was so captivating and I just wanted to read on. Flashbacks in the book are a bit all over the place. I could have done without them. They are there to have you understand all that happened in Vivian's past but for me, they somehow seem to detract from the current story. I really want to know what happens next for Vivian and the few people she keeps in her life.

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Musings - Vivian - why mention your mothers distain for your tattoos and never mention them again? I would've liked to know exactly what tattoos cover you body and what they meant to you. And one would think your love interest would, at some point, inquiry about said ink. But nope. Nada.

Vivian - why insist your love interest show you her STI results before sleeping with her, and not insist she gets retested after she tells you she is now seeing Kate too? A person is only as clean as their last test/partner.

Those burning questions aside, I don't get why the author introuduced such intricate subjects as BDSM and Polyamoury without fully exploring them...or representing them in a healthy way. This book feeds the belief that both are unhealthy, and that is not always the case.

Musings aside. This book was hit and miss for me. More so miss.

It's told in first person and completely from Viv's point-of-view. That's a long time to be in a characters head if you don't particularly like them. There is also a lot of repetition in this story. Go to work, go for a ride on her bike, go for a run, have a pee....no joke. I think this is the first book I've read with a character who mentions her bathroom habits so many times.

In short - The author has a fantastic voice, she paints a vivid picture, but this book wasn't a good fit for me. It ends on a cliffhanger but I wasn't invested enough to care.

[Lucy Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*

3.5/5
(Note :Book contains references to childhood trauma, PTSD, dom/sub and a poly/ethical non monog relationship)

I was looking forward to reading this novel based off the blurb. Great cover art.

I enjoyed the characters overall. I felt I could really connect with them. Vivians flashbacks were well written and relevant to the storyline (however, it could have done with one or two less)

Sex scenes are fade to black. I feel there could have been more, I was expecting it to be more graphic and hot, given the authors decriptive writing skills.

The storyline is great, however the abrupt ending left me wanting more and I feel it could have been resolved more leading into the second novel.

All in all. Great premise. I found it a little waffle-y in the first half/a little over explained in order to set the scenes and then feel rushed in the end and I was left feeling frustrated.

In saying all that, I enjoyed the book overall and I look forward to reading the second book in this series. It could be that I enjoy books (like Disney films) to be wrapped up nicely In a HEA bow, and this novel by Liz Faraim is a new style that I’m unfamiliar with.


A couple of things worth noting:
- Ange calling viv sir in the play scene. Without context (perhaps a conversation between viv and Ange discussing needs/wants/limits etc) this seems like a misstep

- The poly aspect of this, is not well written. I understand character angst and the need for tension.. However I feel this could have been achieved without making poly into cheating and with correct character communication/dialog expressing their boundaries/requirements. It can be harmful to the community to not have it accurately represented.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really isn't the type of book I would normally read and while there was quite a bit of this story that didn't gel with me (lead character included), I was having a difficult time putting this book down. It's very well written, but at the same time I can't say I really enjoyed it. Subject matter wise, this is all over the map--military, severe PTSD, childhood abuse, maiming/torture, assaults, sex trafficking, alcohol abuse, BDSM, polyamory, the backdrop of the Sacramento area and mountains. And yet with all of those themes, the pages fly by. It has the beginnings of a thriller but since this is just the first part of a larger story series, this is primarily set up without true story resolutions. And while I don't really love this main character, I would still pick up the next book in the series.

[Nicki Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a riveting tale of a young lesbian and her struggles to live and breath in a world that doesn't accept her as she is...A story of the survival from PTSD brought on by a troubled upbringing, a military stint that has stressed her already anxious life. Add to this a relationship with the police that has embroiled her into a legal mess. This is a must read for anyone living in Northern California and knows the ins and outs of those who are LGBTQ+. I can't wait to find out what happens to badass Vivian!!!

[AMHH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vivian (Viv) is contending with PTSD from her time in the military and a legacy of abuse at the hands of her mother and brother. She’s struggling, but making it as a bartender while finishing her degree at UCD. And then she meets Ang, who at first seems like a dream girlfriend but, it becomes increasingly clear, is an abuser of a different sort, one who gaslights Vivian and, it turns out, might not even be the stalwart law enforcement professional she initially appeared. Plus Viv has a sociopathic stalker and a best friend who clearly has troubles of his own. It’s overwhelming just to list the obstacles and complications she’s facing, and ‘overwhelmed’ was a fair description of how I felt reading this novel. Vivian never catches a break, and everywhere she looks there’s another punch coming: the continued presence of her abusive family, her girlfriend’s decidedly unethical approach to nonmonogamy, the peripheral angst of whatever is going on with her friend Jared. At it’s best, this novel reads like hard-boiled noir-- Vivian is the jaded survivor with a core of solid steel who understands violence, can take care of herself, and sticks to her own moral code, even as it’s unclear who around her is truly on her side. There’s clearly also a deep love for and familiarity with Northern California, and even the ungodly heat of Sacramento in the summer takes on a certain poetic cast when described here. But at its not-quite-best, the dialog can be wooden, and the characters chaotic to the point of being almost entirely different people from one scene to the next. By the time I got to the cliffhanger at the end, I wasn’t sure I was ready for what might happen next, or even if I wanted to be. Ultimately, I wasn’t quite the right fit for this book, but it’s well crafted enough that I feel comfortable recommending it to others who might be.

*I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily composed an honest review.

[Maryann Kafka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not what I was expecting but I was thoroughly captivated and entertained by Liz Faraim’s debut novel “Canopy”!

Vivian Chastain learned how to be strong at a young age but it left her with insecurities that she hides. The minute she was able she left a dysfunctional home life: that had a mother, Bernadette, who didn’t know how to be a loving parent and brother Joey, who abused her without consequences.

Getting away from her home life, she joined the Army and met Jared. Her and Jared remained friends through out the military and after. Jared would like to have more with Viv but she explains to Jared she’s gay and he isn’t her type. Jared reluctantly accepts her answer but Viv worries that she just could loose an important friendship. As time passes something strange changes their connection.

Viv just lives as normal as possible. She runs and struggles with PTSD, rides her motorcycle, and works at the bar, goes home and enjoys her time in nature. She’s not really thinking about a relationship or partner. Just on a days outing Viv gets into a melee and becomes a witness to a horrid crime. She meets her neighbor, Angela Sorensen first at the bar and then by chance through being a witness in the crime, as Angela is a police officer. They start a relationship that seems questionable and just doesn’t seem to fit Viv.

“Canopy” is not my usual type of story but Liz Faraim amazed me and I say “well done”. Liz Faraim takes this story on an interesting turn with mystery, suspense and an in-depth look at Viv’s life. Viv is a very interesting person. She deals with: anger issues, PTSD, self harm, violence and a home life that was abusive. Liz Faraim has a very unique way of writing that it just kept me wanting to read further.

I also liked Liz Faraim’s descriptions of the Sacramento area and so many beautiful places to visit in California. It adds another aspect to Viv’s character.

Debut, first time read and page turner for me from Liz Faraim. I am certainly watching for the next installment as “Canopy” definitely peaked my curiosity and I have to know what happens next to Vivian Chastain.

[K.S. Trenten · Rating 4 out of 5]

The suspense is varied and layered in this book. There’s the suspense of being stalked, the suspense of a lover being accused of something unforgivable. There’s the suspense of mystery. When is the stalker going to strike? Is she guilty? All the while there’s the suspense of surviving trauma from being in the military and growing up with a family which continues to pound on the protagonist for what they need, regardless of her. There’s the suspense of not being sure of a long term friend who wants more. Not to mention the tension of navigating several relationships; one which seems like a lifeline and another which actually is.

All of this Viv Chastain has to tackle. She’s a strong, attractive woman who’s vulnerable, damaged, and coping with all the suspense above while trying to maintain an everyday life. This is a slice of that life in all its complexity. What happens to her is far less predictable than she ever thought it would be, yet all too predictable.

This read surprised me in the relationships taking twists and turns I hadn’t expected, yet the groundwork was laid for them in the plot that I didn’t notice. Viv’s therapy was summarized, something which disappointed me, but I’m guessing to flesh it out too much might build hope for a romance between Viv and her therapist which didn’t happen. There was many an emotional beat I recognized, yet it took on a uniqueness which was striking. The cliffhanger ending was a sharp drop which took me completely by surprise. I’m not sure how I feel about it, but I do want to know what will happen next, what Viv will do next. She sucked me in with how extraordinary yet ordinary she was.

Very little was resolved except Viv was coping bit by bit, certain people faced harsh consequences while others have yet to be confronted by them. Everyone around her was complicating Viv’s life. I was curious how she was going to deal with it all. I definitely want more.

[Mx Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The genre tags for Canopy came from the publicist and I have to respectfully disagree. There are crimes in Liz Faraim’s novel, but this book is not so much a “crime” genre book. Nor is it a “thriller”. This book is...glimpse into the life of Vivian Chastain as she goes about her days.

Luckily for us she has some interesting days (laugh). Chastain is a veteran who is struggling with PTSD and is just trying to make it day by day without letting her anger lead her. Along the way we meet her best friend who served with her and who seems to get involved with something which I assume we will find about in a later book. We watch as Chastain gets involved with a new love interest which leads to some interesting consequences.

Faraim also throws in some action with Chastain stumbling on a crime, but that is wrapped up pretty quickly. Canopy does not focus on the crime, but on Chastain’s struggle to survive with PTSD from her childhood and from the military.

I think if you ignore the tags and are not expecting a crime thriller and are instead just looking to read a general fiction book, you will really enjoy Canopy. Vivian Chastain is a fun character with immense depth. There is some interaction with a character throughout the book that is funny and violent, but showcases the duology of Chastain’s character compared to when Ang is hugging her. I love this complexity.

Canopy is the first book in the “Vivian Chastain” series and I am looking forward to seeing where Faraim takes us and Chastain.

Warning: Graphic violence, self-harm, abuse of a child by a parent, abuse by a sibling, alcohol abuse, PTSD, and homophobia.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

[Cathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book was more graphic in violence and less detailed in most other areas to the point I almost want the hours I spent listening to it back.

The description of the landlord almost seemed as though it was a copy and paste because I think it was verbatim every time he is described.

There is is attention drawn to details that I would have thought would be expanded, for example, referencing the main characters many tattoos. Nope. It is just said many times that she has many tattoos. No description of any specific tattoos.

There was a scene with violence that just seemed so beyond to description of the book and way more graphic than seemed necessary, just another example of unbalanced descriptions.

Viv has had unhealthy relationships her whole life. That was clear from the very beginning… but how the heck did she fail to mention to her best friend Jared that she’s a lesbian?!? She lived with Jared!

She required Ange’s clean test report but when she found out about Kate, she didn’t ask for new tests? For regular tests?

The mention of the counselor is fascinating as in the beginning it gets more attention and then not, but when Ange is arrested, I feel like any counselor helping work thru the issues from Viv’s youth would have had some concerns about Ange’s manipulative behavior and the allegations against her. Ange had Viv second guessing herself which seems questionable to her character as described.

The worst part is that the book ends with not one but like 3 cliff hangers:
-Was Ange involved in the sex trafficking?
-Was Kate involved with the sex trafficking?
-What happened to Jared?
And I don’t really care about the answers to any of these questions and many more unanswered questions like: does she ever call her brother in rehab? Does he get out of rehab? Does she ever confront her mom or brother about the abuse she endured/continues to endure at their hands?

I received a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

[Thieving Magpie · Rating 4 out of 5]

To say that I was flying through this book would be the understatement. It has been a while since I've been reading a fem-love story and this book was absolutely perfect for bringing me back there. I love books featuring characters with a military background and the execution of this book and it's characters was absolutely amazing. There was not a thing I didn't like about it, except maybe the cliffhanger at the end and the fact that I have to wait for the next book, though. I loved that we had flashbacks about Vivian's past and how it left its imprints on her. I loved her strong character - a former veteran, an out and proud lesbian, but still human with human flaws who makes mistakes.
Well, one small issue comes to mind - Ang calling Viv "Sir" during their BDSM scenes instead of "Ma'am".
Otherwise, this was the book I didn't knew I wanted until now. I had a tough but still human character, dealing with actual trauma, I had military background, I had crime and plot twists which I was absolutely not expecting, I had a character that stood up for herself and took no bs, not even from her "family" and, most importantly of all, this was the first time I've ever read of an all female poly relationship.
Sadly, adding up the cliffhanger and Ang calling Viv "Sir" during sessions, I have to take half a star, otherwise it'd have been a perfect Five. I am looking forward to the next book, that sneak-peak was not enough and my interest is more than peaked!
Thanks again to Netgalley for giving me an ACR!

[E.S. Wynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not generally someone who writes reviews, at least not so much anymore, but this book was so good that I felt absolutely compelled to tell everyone about it. I usually bounce between about six different books, reading them all at the same time, but Vivian's story grabbed me so hard and so viscerally that I literally put every other book I was reading aside so I could absolutely lose myself in the story. The genre isn't one I usually read, but holy heck, this book didn't let up and I couldn't put it down. This is the first book in a long time that I've sucked down by itself in less than a week and I am so drawn into the story that I bought the sequel and the third book AND bought copies for my little sister for Christmas. This is a rare gem. I could go on and on about it, honestly. I could go on and on about how the writing is so lush and crisp with detail that I felt like I was there, like I was Vivian, living through this stuff. Absolutely amazing.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first words grab your attention, as you jump out of a plane in the first few sentences, dragging you into the action at first words. I found the flashbacks hard to digest initially, but once I got over it, it helps build up the story of the main protagonist, Vivian Chastain.



I found the characters flawed, as they were written, but this is to the credit of the author, as you take to the characters and accept them as they are. This helped endear me to them.



The story was well written, flowing well, and you can tell the difference in perspectives of Vivian as it changes from the current to her childhood. This allows you to see how the past has made her who she is now.



Overall, a good read, although not all sunshine and butterflies, I did not think it went too dark when it became serious in tone. Would recommend.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wildly vacillated in my enjoyment of this book. It took me 3 or 4 tries to get into it-- I found it really hard to connect to the first chapter. I think tremendously enjoyed the rest of the first half of the book-- the bartending scenes were so spot on and had this detailed verisimilitude I totally dug. The childhood backstory snippets were well layered in and appropriately but powerful. However, I found the relationship with Ang to be not at all convincing-- way more tell than show. We didn't see enough of it being good to make Viv staying make any sense at all. Ang's characterization zig zagged all over the place and settled into a really horrible place for most of the latter half of the book. Hated the undernegotiated aspects of their relationship. Still deciding if I'll try the sequel next.

[Chel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was so deep, but also entertaining. I loved the character journey and learning about her history, the choices she made, and the way she kept going back to the wrong person. Vivian dealt with someone's selfishness towards her and so many people have dealt with selfish lovers, friends or family members over the years, so it's easy to relate to how she must be feeling. The characters are so richly portrayed that I felt I really got to know them, and because of the interesting twists along the way and the rich characters, I highly recommend this book!

[Cathie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book featuring a badass Army vet who stumbles upon a grisly crime in progress. Bad people are after her, but she’s not having it and winds up kicking ass rather than playing a victim. The story weaves her cop girlfriend into the fray, with odd twists and turns including her girlfriend’s penchant for polyamory. It’s a strangely bizarre but thoroughly entertaining story. I’m looking for to more twists and turns in the next book.

[Henriette · Rating 5 out of 5]

may you have interesting times. Vivian has many of them :)

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

God I hate Ang.