Normal Doesn't Exist Here

by Chelsey Spicer

Alex loves two trolling fanfiction authors anonymously and Dilynn Greyson. As Alex watches Dilynn's engagement fall apart in the middle of a crowded mall, there is a flicker of hope that Dilynn could accept their non-binary status and choose them, so they agree to a social engagement at Dilynn's house. If Alex has any chance with Dilynn, they will have to be honest about who they are and face the possibility of another door closing in their face.Dilynn smiles too much. She smiles when her daughter, Evie makes fun of her publicly and when Lyra, the woman that slept Dilynn's with former fiancé, shows up at the Greyson's front door in middle of the night. She also smiles as she talks about Runner89, the troll commenting on her fanfiction work.Evie wants to be normal. Finally stable with her adopted mother, Evie wants to see her mom happy. Anger and fear constantly stand in the way of her reaching that sense of normalcy that she seeks.Lyra doesn't want to spend another night on the street. She's avoided prostitution thus far, but her time may be running out. She doesn't know if the door will be open for her. She doesn't know what will be on the other side. All she has is hope.

Genres: LGBT

318 pages, Paperback

Published April 17, 2021

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know those "If you could invite only 5 people from history to dinner" things? I'd include Chelsey Spicer on my list.
Not just because she has written such a brilliant work of fiction which I absolutely loved to bits but because of the other non fiction works I saw on her Amazon profile. As an ex teacher myself I'd love to chew the fat over so many of the issues our kids are facing.
Anyway, the book.
I took a chapter or two at the start to work things out. I got a bit confused and even considered (very briefly) at one stage whether to go on even. Went back and re-read once I had gained some context and I was hooked. Pages turners of nearly 500 words are rare beasts.
A great story about brilliantly developed characters doing their best to cope with what life has thrown at them. Traumatic, sometimes funny and very uplifting. I loved it to bits.

[Samantha Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Paramour Promise” is a wonderful queer story with so many twists and turns it will keep you guessing up to the end. I particularly enjoyed the writing within the writing - I’m a sucker for books about writers and the fanfiction aspects of this novel didn’t disappoint. This story is the heartwarming definition of found family and has a myriad of engagingly developed queer characters. All in all - a great read!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that can heal. It’s a long read but worth the time.