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Wild Things
Scholar and award-winning author Faith Fitzgerald has every reason to be happy: a wealthy, charming man who adores her and a family cheering her marriage prospects. But from the moment she meets Eric’s sister, Sydney Van Allen, she knows her safe, predictable feelings for him are a shadow of what could be.
Openly lesbian and running for Senator, Sydney can only succeed if she can live down her wild past. That means no liaisons, especially with the achingly alluring woman on her brother’s arm who looks at her with confusion—and desire.
Openly lesbian and running for Senator, Sydney can only succeed if she can live down her wild past. That means no liaisons, especially with the achingly alluring woman on her brother’s arm who looks at her with confusion—and desire.
228 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1996
28 people are currently reading
670 people want to read
About the author
Karin Kallmaker
81 books711 followersKarin Kallmaker has been exclusively devoted to lesbian fiction since the publication of her first novel in 1989. As an author published by the storied Naiad Press, she worked with Barbara Grier and Donna McBride, and has been fortunate to be mentored by a number of editors, including Katherine V. Forrest.
In addition to multiple Lambda Literary Awards, she has been featured as a Stonewall Library and Archives Distinguished Author. Other accolades include the Ann Bannon Popular Choice and other awards for her writing, as well as the selection as a Trailblazer by the Golden Crown Literary Society. She is best known for novels such as Painted Moon, Simply the Best, Touchwood, The Kiss that Counted and Captain of Industry.
The California native is the mother of two and lives with her wife in the Bay Area. You can catch her blogs at Romance and Chocolate: https://kallmaker.com/blog/. Find her on social media by searching for "Kallmaker" - there's only one.
In addition to multiple Lambda Literary Awards, she has been featured as a Stonewall Library and Archives Distinguished Author. Other accolades include the Ann Bannon Popular Choice and other awards for her writing, as well as the selection as a Trailblazer by the Golden Crown Literary Society. She is best known for novels such as Painted Moon, Simply the Best, Touchwood, The Kiss that Counted and Captain of Industry.
The California native is the mother of two and lives with her wife in the Bay Area. You can catch her blogs at Romance and Chocolate: https://kallmaker.com/blog/. Find her on social media by searching for "Kallmaker" - there's only one.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
April 19, 2020
I think this is my favourite Karin Kallmaker book so far and not just because we are the same age. I always like her books except the side plots, here I even liked that. Faith's coming out scene was touching and powerful. I loved how she stood up to her father and her brother's story was so emotional. I think this book taught me more historic facts than college ever did. Denial, chemistry and lots of angst the romance was pretty perfect.
April 2, 2019
Well, hot damn. That’s it, I feel like that alone could be my review for this Fallback Book.
First published in 1996, Wild Things seems awfully apropos for 2019 since it takes place in a politically charged time in Chicago. I’m writing this review on the eve of Chicago possibly voting in its first openly Lesbian Mayor.
Sydney Van Allen is on the cusp for running for the Illinois State Senate. Extremely wealthy and smart, she seems a shoo-in for the candidacy except that it’s the late 90’s, she’s a woman, and a Lesbian. But if she can keep squeaky clean, maybe, the powers that be will back her.
Then Sydney’s brother Eric enters the picture with his new girlfriend, Faith, historian, author, professor who secretly struggles with her Catholic religion and her true self. Not to mention some parents from hell.
There are these gorgeous moments of intimacy between Sydney and Faith that are intense and poetic and leave you weak. Then the author calmly moves on with the rest of the story and character building with just as much thoroughness and skill as you could want. There’s much talk of politics and European history so it can be a little sluggish at times if that’s not your thing.
I’m in awe. Count me among the Kallmaker acolytes now.
First published in 1996, Wild Things seems awfully apropos for 2019 since it takes place in a politically charged time in Chicago. I’m writing this review on the eve of Chicago possibly voting in its first openly Lesbian Mayor.
Sydney Van Allen is on the cusp for running for the Illinois State Senate. Extremely wealthy and smart, she seems a shoo-in for the candidacy except that it’s the late 90’s, she’s a woman, and a Lesbian. But if she can keep squeaky clean, maybe, the powers that be will back her.
Then Sydney’s brother Eric enters the picture with his new girlfriend, Faith, historian, author, professor who secretly struggles with her Catholic religion and her true self. Not to mention some parents from hell.
There are these gorgeous moments of intimacy between Sydney and Faith that are intense and poetic and leave you weak. Then the author calmly moves on with the rest of the story and character building with just as much thoroughness and skill as you could want. There’s much talk of politics and European history so it can be a little sluggish at times if that’s not your thing.
I’m in awe. Count me among the Kallmaker acolytes now.
March 11, 2020
This book is special to me. Karin Kallmaker is one of the first lesfic authors I ever read, and this specific book is the first lesbian romance I translated. I don’t remember reading it since, and listening to this story so many years later, masterfully narrated by Abby Craden, was a whole new and captivating experience.
Faith Fitzgerald is a respected and dedicated historian. She’s a good Catholic girl – despite not being a girl anymore since she’s in her thirties –, still living at home with her parents and her brother, a naval officer who got hurt in the course of duty. She’s dating Eric Van Allen, a nice and sweet architect, whom she really loves, albeit in a mostly platonic way. When Eric introduces her to his sister, all of Faith’s well-constructed persona fails her. Sydney is everything she loves: smart, dedicated, strong. All the feelings Faith has been struggling with for years come back, and as hard as she fights them, she can’t resist nor can she repent. The attraction is mutual but unsettles Sydney just as much. As a recovering alcoholic, she doesn’t want to give in to temptation, worried it might lead her back to her drink of choice, Glenfiddich. And she’s afraid of hurting her brother.
I am not a Catholic, I am not a religious person either, though I’m no stranger to spirituality. I grew up in a non-religious Jewish family, where being Jewish is more culture than religion. I nevertheless find faith fascinating, the way it helps people who believe, the way it can sometimes lift them up. To me, faith isn’t necessarily linked to organized religion, it’s personal, something that’s between you and you, or you and your god(s). I love the way Karin Kallmaker describes the impact faith has on Faith (that name…) and how different it is from the impact the church has on her, and her journey to accepting herself as she is. Watching her become herself is beautiful. Sydney’s character growth is of another kind but no less impressive, as she learns to trust herself and to let go in healthy ways.
Wild Things was first published a long time ago, in 1996, but is still oh so relevant. The only hints that it actually takes place in the nineties are the mentions of pop culture and the absence of cell phones. Nothing in this book feels dated, and I loved rediscovering Faith and Sydney’s feelings. Abby Craden’s narration was wonderful as usual, if a tad slow at times. I especially loved her voice for Faith in the dialogues and her voice for Faith’s sister Meg. I won a code for the audiobook from Karin Kallmaker’s blog (if you don’t already know it, you should), and fate couldn’t have done things better.
Faith Fitzgerald is a respected and dedicated historian. She’s a good Catholic girl – despite not being a girl anymore since she’s in her thirties –, still living at home with her parents and her brother, a naval officer who got hurt in the course of duty. She’s dating Eric Van Allen, a nice and sweet architect, whom she really loves, albeit in a mostly platonic way. When Eric introduces her to his sister, all of Faith’s well-constructed persona fails her. Sydney is everything she loves: smart, dedicated, strong. All the feelings Faith has been struggling with for years come back, and as hard as she fights them, she can’t resist nor can she repent. The attraction is mutual but unsettles Sydney just as much. As a recovering alcoholic, she doesn’t want to give in to temptation, worried it might lead her back to her drink of choice, Glenfiddich. And she’s afraid of hurting her brother.
I am not a Catholic, I am not a religious person either, though I’m no stranger to spirituality. I grew up in a non-religious Jewish family, where being Jewish is more culture than religion. I nevertheless find faith fascinating, the way it helps people who believe, the way it can sometimes lift them up. To me, faith isn’t necessarily linked to organized religion, it’s personal, something that’s between you and you, or you and your god(s). I love the way Karin Kallmaker describes the impact faith has on Faith (that name…) and how different it is from the impact the church has on her, and her journey to accepting herself as she is. Watching her become herself is beautiful. Sydney’s character growth is of another kind but no less impressive, as she learns to trust herself and to let go in healthy ways.
Wild Things was first published a long time ago, in 1996, but is still oh so relevant. The only hints that it actually takes place in the nineties are the mentions of pop culture and the absence of cell phones. Nothing in this book feels dated, and I loved rediscovering Faith and Sydney’s feelings. Abby Craden’s narration was wonderful as usual, if a tad slow at times. I especially loved her voice for Faith in the dialogues and her voice for Faith’s sister Meg. I won a code for the audiobook from Karin Kallmaker’s blog (if you don’t already know it, you should), and fate couldn’t have done things better.
April 6, 2019
Another good book for Fallback Friday. This one says it was published in 1996. One year after I graduated from high school. I can't remember there being tons of lesbian fiction back then. Or perhaps I was just so baby gay that I didn't know where to find it.
Faith is a 30-something scholar who is deeply passionate about history. She still lives at home because her parents are devout Catholic and she would be seen as a spinster if she was to leave without being married. She is dating a great and respectful guy named Eric. But Faith has a secret she has been repressing since college. Something that has caused self loathing and disgust.
This was heavy. The big religious debate. I felt that it was well done. I could understand Faith's struggle between what she believes and how she feels. That incredible desire to feel validation, acceptance, tolerance, approval, etc.
A favorite scene was the interaction between Faith and Sydney in the garden. Also loved the part where they are in the shadow of a tree. I truly had a feeling of 'meant-to-be' and the pull that existed regardless of obstacle.
I do not share a passion for History with Faith. Therefore I was completely bored for a good chunk in the beginning. The author delivers a full dialogue of a radio show. In. Entirety. My note on this was that I hoped it wasn't important to the plot because I had to skip through most of it. I'm glad I did. And while I know there was some connection and comparison between that history and what was happening with Faith, it wasn't super profound and I felt a lot of it could have been reduced.
As to how this book stands up now? It felt a little outdated. We certainly aren't as closeted as back then. There is more of a community and thankfully people have looked beyond stereotypes at this point, There were references to older music (Tracy Chapman and Melissa Etheridge). Faith considers that she should buy a computer for her home (Who doesn't have a computer/s in their home now?) When Faith moves, she has to give her new number out. As if there is no local portability or cell phones!
But overall I enjoyed this. I appreciated that it was a quick read with depth. It made me think about religion and biblical thoughts on homosexuality.
Faith is a 30-something scholar who is deeply passionate about history. She still lives at home because her parents are devout Catholic and she would be seen as a spinster if she was to leave without being married. She is dating a great and respectful guy named Eric. But Faith has a secret she has been repressing since college. Something that has caused self loathing and disgust.
This was heavy. The big religious debate. I felt that it was well done. I could understand Faith's struggle between what she believes and how she feels. That incredible desire to feel validation, acceptance, tolerance, approval, etc.
A favorite scene was the interaction between Faith and Sydney in the garden. Also loved the part where they are in the shadow of a tree. I truly had a feeling of 'meant-to-be' and the pull that existed regardless of obstacle.
I do not share a passion for History with Faith. Therefore I was completely bored for a good chunk in the beginning. The author delivers a full dialogue of a radio show. In. Entirety. My note on this was that I hoped it wasn't important to the plot because I had to skip through most of it. I'm glad I did. And while I know there was some connection and comparison between that history and what was happening with Faith, it wasn't super profound and I felt a lot of it could have been reduced.
As to how this book stands up now? It felt a little outdated. We certainly aren't as closeted as back then. There is more of a community and thankfully people have looked beyond stereotypes at this point, There were references to older music (Tracy Chapman and Melissa Etheridge). Faith considers that she should buy a computer for her home (Who doesn't have a computer/s in their home now?) When Faith moves, she has to give her new number out. As if there is no local portability or cell phones!
But overall I enjoyed this. I appreciated that it was a quick read with depth. It made me think about religion and biblical thoughts on homosexuality.
April 14, 2018
If you haven't read Karin Kallmaker’s “Wild Things,” you simply MUST!
It's a phenomenally constructed love story about 2 vastly different women whose intensely powerful feelings for each other transcends all boundaries. Faith, a professor & historical biographer who's a devout Christian, has spent years denying her true self & just when she thinks her life is pretty much set, what with a fiancé in tow, is suddenly thrown into the deep end of her otherwise carefully constructed life where her true self has been hidden safely. Until now.
One undeniable reason: Sydney.
Sydney, whose tumultuous life also changed in recent past & is now following in her family's footsteps in politics. The fact that her brother just so happens to be Faith's fiancé makes everything even more complicated.
Kallmaker's masterful use of the language in depicting Faith's inner turmoil, fighting her natural but hidden desires, Sydney's own struggles trying to deny her growing feelings for her brother's fiancée is something to be enthralled by. The achingly hypnotic yearning & forbidden feelings between these 2 are evoked with such written precision & realism that you can't help but feel every emotion they feel & experience their spellbinding journey toward each other.
It's mesmerising.
It's poetic.
It's poetry in motion.
True love. All its complexities. All its nuances. All its compulsion. All its power. Defined so beautifully with words that leave you wanting more.
Hands down, "Wild Things" is arguably one of my top 3 favourite Kallmaker novels (definitely one of my all-time favourite novels) including its sequels:
"Wild Things Are Free" (5 years after WT)
**found in "Frosting On The Cake"**
- THIS. MUST BE READ. OMG. Heart-wrenchingly intoxicating, breathakingly beautiful. Again, masterful use of words. It's rhythmic.The repeated "I don't love you anymore" reads like lyrics. POETIC.
"Losing Faith" (15 years after WT)
**found in "Frosting On The Cake 2: Second Helpings"**
- READ IT.
My favourite dialogue from this sequel:
“I think I have a different destiny. Rather, I’m willing to embrace a different destiny. But I won’t endanger us again. Not like that.”
She pulled me close again, and her voice broke. “We get to go home.”
Our roles reversed, I cradled her. Sniffing in her ear, I finally said, “I really don’t think we should tell anyone how happy we are.”
“This isn’t the end,” she said.
“That’s the best part. And we get to go home.”
Honestly, Karin Kallmaker, I bow to your ever-masterful writing genius. Thank YOU for this unforgettable, mind-blowing love story. A breathtaking romance for the ages.
It's a phenomenally constructed love story about 2 vastly different women whose intensely powerful feelings for each other transcends all boundaries. Faith, a professor & historical biographer who's a devout Christian, has spent years denying her true self & just when she thinks her life is pretty much set, what with a fiancé in tow, is suddenly thrown into the deep end of her otherwise carefully constructed life where her true self has been hidden safely. Until now.
One undeniable reason: Sydney.
Sydney, whose tumultuous life also changed in recent past & is now following in her family's footsteps in politics. The fact that her brother just so happens to be Faith's fiancé makes everything even more complicated.
Kallmaker's masterful use of the language in depicting Faith's inner turmoil, fighting her natural but hidden desires, Sydney's own struggles trying to deny her growing feelings for her brother's fiancée is something to be enthralled by. The achingly hypnotic yearning & forbidden feelings between these 2 are evoked with such written precision & realism that you can't help but feel every emotion they feel & experience their spellbinding journey toward each other.
It's mesmerising.
It's poetic.
It's poetry in motion.
True love. All its complexities. All its nuances. All its compulsion. All its power. Defined so beautifully with words that leave you wanting more.
Hands down, "Wild Things" is arguably one of my top 3 favourite Kallmaker novels (definitely one of my all-time favourite novels) including its sequels:
"Wild Things Are Free" (5 years after WT)
**found in "Frosting On The Cake"**
- THIS. MUST BE READ. OMG. Heart-wrenchingly intoxicating, breathakingly beautiful. Again, masterful use of words. It's rhythmic.The repeated "I don't love you anymore" reads like lyrics. POETIC.
"Losing Faith" (15 years after WT)
**found in "Frosting On The Cake 2: Second Helpings"**
- READ IT.
My favourite dialogue from this sequel:
“I think I have a different destiny. Rather, I’m willing to embrace a different destiny. But I won’t endanger us again. Not like that.”
She pulled me close again, and her voice broke. “We get to go home.”
Our roles reversed, I cradled her. Sniffing in her ear, I finally said, “I really don’t think we should tell anyone how happy we are.”
“This isn’t the end,” she said.
“That’s the best part. And we get to go home.”
Honestly, Karin Kallmaker, I bow to your ever-masterful writing genius. Thank YOU for this unforgettable, mind-blowing love story. A breathtaking romance for the ages.
March 1, 2024
Listened to the audio on Hoopla. Kallmaker and Abby Craden are a perfect set up for a great listen. Even though this was set back in 1996 it was good story. And being of the similar age as these two characters I can completely relate to the homophobia of Faith’s parents. Times have certainly changed in 28 years for the better.
June 20, 2014
My how times have changed.
My longish review got erased somehow last night but what I had tried to say was how impressed I was with Ms Kallmaker's efforts to educate all who read this book. I had to check the publication date (1996) to aprreciate just how far acceptance of same sex relationships have come in the past almost twenty years.
A must read for everyone in this (mostly) post DOMA era we live in.
My longish review got erased somehow last night but what I had tried to say was how impressed I was with Ms Kallmaker's efforts to educate all who read this book. I had to check the publication date (1996) to aprreciate just how far acceptance of same sex relationships have come in the past almost twenty years.
A must read for everyone in this (mostly) post DOMA era we live in.
January 29, 2023
A while back I was feeling nostalgic and decided to re-read then review books I read many years ago (before I knew about Goodreads) that opened my eyes to sapphic fiction. This is one of them.
We meet Faith Fitzgerald and Sydney Van Allen. Sydney is a well known lawyer, out, proud and running for Senator. Her brother Eric's girlfriend is Faith a Catholic with religious convictions bolstered by her family and a historian and writer.
Kallmaker is clever in her nurturing of Faith's character. We move along with her inner conflict and debate. Family is important and the dread of rejection very real. She has to find peace with herself and her emotions. This is where the aspect of her being a writer of books about strong female leaders comes to play. It highlights her personal struggles and pushes her forward. Then Sydney enters her life.
The writing for Sydney is skillful as her own demons are addressed. Her wild side now tempered, her political focus clear she is able to handle the somewhat seamier depths of the political swimming pool until she meets Faith.
The angst, dread, attraction, turmoil, weight of family and of course religion are all deftly handled and wrapped in a romance which I loved.
A lapsed Catholic (who attended primary/high school run by nuns) I understand some of the angles as written by the author. I was fortunate to have two progressive individuals during my last two years of high school that willingly discussed my ideas on The Church, marriage and inclusivity. One a priest and the other a nun, they were my sounding boards and patiently listened to my ramblings without judgement and for that I will always be grateful.
It is important (I believe) when reading this book to take into consideration the year it was written - being aware of the technology at the time and prevailing sentiments regarding sexual preferences and religious beliefs. Much has changed but sadly even today, prejudices still exist.
Thank you Ms. Kallmaker for a book I easily recommend with 5 stars.
We meet Faith Fitzgerald and Sydney Van Allen. Sydney is a well known lawyer, out, proud and running for Senator. Her brother Eric's girlfriend is Faith a Catholic with religious convictions bolstered by her family and a historian and writer.
Kallmaker is clever in her nurturing of Faith's character. We move along with her inner conflict and debate. Family is important and the dread of rejection very real. She has to find peace with herself and her emotions. This is where the aspect of her being a writer of books about strong female leaders comes to play. It highlights her personal struggles and pushes her forward. Then Sydney enters her life.
The writing for Sydney is skillful as her own demons are addressed. Her wild side now tempered, her political focus clear she is able to handle the somewhat seamier depths of the political swimming pool until she meets Faith.
The angst, dread, attraction, turmoil, weight of family and of course religion are all deftly handled and wrapped in a romance which I loved.
A lapsed Catholic (who attended primary/high school run by nuns) I understand some of the angles as written by the author. I was fortunate to have two progressive individuals during my last two years of high school that willingly discussed my ideas on The Church, marriage and inclusivity. One a priest and the other a nun, they were my sounding boards and patiently listened to my ramblings without judgement and for that I will always be grateful.
It is important (I believe) when reading this book to take into consideration the year it was written - being aware of the technology at the time and prevailing sentiments regarding sexual preferences and religious beliefs. Much has changed but sadly even today, prejudices still exist.
Thank you Ms. Kallmaker for a book I easily recommend with 5 stars.
January 8, 2021
3 stars - (audible version) this was a weird book
I am a lapsed catholic but back in the day I when to catholic school for 12 years and church every sunday with my family. I never knew of or saw any other catholic family act like the one in this book. The parents were one-dimensional in the extreme. Everyone so focused on the daughter's sex life, just ...weird.
Also, seems a bit strange that the main character's so bent about being gay and that its a sin and seems to have no real qualm about cheating on her boyfriend, only that she's doing it with a girl.
I can't say I really enjoyed this book much. But I think its probably just me.
I am a lapsed catholic but back in the day I when to catholic school for 12 years and church every sunday with my family. I never knew of or saw any other catholic family act like the one in this book. The parents were one-dimensional in the extreme. Everyone so focused on the daughter's sex life, just ...weird.
Also, seems a bit strange that the main character's so bent about being gay and that its a sin and seems to have no real qualm about cheating on her boyfriend, only that she's doing it with a girl.
I can't say I really enjoyed this book much. But I think its probably just me.
March 13, 2020
This book was written in the mid-90s, so although it's slightly dated, it holds up well and is certainly worth it if you like the Toaster Oven trope. And it's narrated by Abby Craden - so 'nuf said there. (Everyone that reads my reviews knows that I'm in love with that woman's voice and incredible talent.) Interestingly, this one deals quite a bit with the struggle of reconciling your sexuality with your Catholic faith. That might help people still dealing with something similar. What was also unique is one of the MCs, Faith Fitzgerald, is a brilliant historical fiction writer/college professor doing research to write a book about Eleanor of Aquitaine, so you get some bonus history about her too. Faith is in her mid-30s and dating a wonderful guy, but they've done little more than kiss and she is quite content with that. But then she meets his sister, Sydney Van Allen, an attorney being courted to run for public office. The attraction is immediate for both and Faith wants to do much more than kiss her. So not only is Faith struggling with her, well, FAITH, she's also falling for her incredibly kind boyfriend's sister! And Sydney doesn't want to hurt her brother either. They're very close. What to do, what to do? :-) It's a quick listen at 5 hours and 45 minutes, so just perfect to enjoy between longer books. It's got some subplots going on as well that added nicely to the story. I liked it.
April 5, 2020
I saw a couple of reviews on the audio of this book and decided to take a listen. I really enjoyed it. What surprised me was the original publication was 1996. it for the most park is still relevant today. Loved the story and the narrator. We all know that Abby Craden is an awesome narrator. I gladly give this 4.25 stars.
August 6, 2017
I've been reading so many books written in the last 10 years that this felt very different. There aren't many coming out stories being published at this point, so this was a good reminder of how different things are now.
April 5, 2019
Ooohhhh the angst!!
February 2, 2024
Haven been raised a Catholic, but didn't go to Catholic school ,I'm now agnostic. This book hit home, except that my parents and family accepted me and my (then) partner. It's the religious part that got to me and the church's judgemental practices.
This book had me riveted as to how Faith and Sydney would get together. How brave they both are! I highly reccomend this book! 5 stars!
This book had me riveted as to how Faith and Sydney would get together. How brave they both are! I highly reccomend this book! 5 stars!
October 28, 2019
3.5— left wishing for so much more
“I didn’t say any more, knowing I would not get what I so badly wanted: forgiveness and acceptance. It wasn’t here. It never had been.”
“It was not a chance thing. Renee had not been an aberration, I admitted to myself. I was...lesbian. There would be no absolution because I knew there was no cure.”
“If I was not truly known by myself and my friends, would God know me? Could any God forgive a life that continued to be a lie?”
“ Because if it was real, then Renee was right. I wanted to be with women and I was damned.”
+ • + • + • +
Its a very cute, entertaining book but everything seems to happen in like warp speed... Would've loved if the author developed & expounded on the characters & the narrative more. But it was still an enjoyable read.
“I didn’t say any more, knowing I would not get what I so badly wanted: forgiveness and acceptance. It wasn’t here. It never had been.”
“It was not a chance thing. Renee had not been an aberration, I admitted to myself. I was...lesbian. There would be no absolution because I knew there was no cure.”
“If I was not truly known by myself and my friends, would God know me? Could any God forgive a life that continued to be a lie?”
“ Because if it was real, then Renee was right. I wanted to be with women and I was damned.”
+ • + • + • +
Its a very cute, entertaining book but everything seems to happen in like warp speed... Would've loved if the author developed & expounded on the characters & the narrative more. But it was still an enjoyable read.
July 17, 2024
Another oldie but goodie. This was very well-written and another one of those Flashback Friday books that make me fall in love with the older style of story writing (there's just something so tender about them).
January 10, 2025
“What about the war?”
4.5 stars. This made me waaaaaaay more emotional than I expected it to. Like, crying on the treadmill kind of emotional. It's probably just the mood I'm in; I don't know if this would have landed for me in the same way on any other day, and I can't say that anyone else would find it as emotional as I did. But I really loved the exploration of a repressed lesbian held back by the jaws of religion, her devout and abusive parents, and the negative, confusing experiences she's had with sex and desire. I really connected with Faith. And I really loved Sydney, the love interest, as well, and the conversations about addiction and sobriety and recovery. Their connection was just as sweepingly romantic as most of Kallmaker's romances are; she writes lesbian desire and intensity in a way that always strikes a chord with me. This was pretty close to being a 5 star, with some of the friendship stuff, and just the feeling of the romance, but there were also a few things in the latter half that I didn't love.
This is a romance between Faith, a Catholic history professor who's been struggling with and repressing her sexuality for years, and Sydney, her boyfriend's sister, who's currently looking to get into politics. It's fairly short, and spends a lot of time on character development for both women, getting to the heart of both their issues, making them feel like well-rounded people. But it also excels SO MUCH as a romance. Like, there are moments in this that I feel like will live in my mind forever. I don't have the same relationship with religion as Faith, but there were enough similarities that her struggles with it felt really poignant. Faith's journey almost hurt to read, with all of her inner turmoil and conflict. Ugh, and the bits about the one woman she was with previously, and how she turned desire into a weapon and almost something ugly for Faith. No wonder she couldn't make peace with it. I loved that each chapter started with little Bible quotes that gave some insight into the journey, and also affirmed in the end that Faith could still have a relationship with God, but not the toxic one her parents and the church had taught her. The passages about her research and the historical women she wrote about were really interesting, especially in the ways the author wove it into what was happening in her life. I LOVED her friendship with fellow professor James; that made me bawl, and gave me some stuff to think about.
If I held back a piece of myself from everyone, who could truly mourn me?
I really liked her relationship with her boyfriend as well. I don't especially love reading about infidelity, but this was handled in just the right way. And it helped that they genuinely felt like such good FRIENDS, and that he was such a great person. His relationship with Sydney was great too. I think the conversations about alcoholism and recovery were really apt and well done, especially because Sydney doesn't exactly have a cool serenity about it; it's something she still wrestles with all the time. Which, of course, made it more believable. There were lots of minor characters and little conversations with side characters that really brought this whole book together, and made it feel full: Faith with James, her siblings, her older historian friend, and Patrick (that hit especially hard); and Sydney with her brother, her assistant and her friends. But the romance is of course what swept me away. Really intense and it feels inevitable, the way they're drawn to one another. I love a good deployment of the 'what are you doing to me?' line. So much great chemistry; I was swooning for them constantly. Kallmaker has a way of writing sex scenes that aren't particularly explicit, but are always sooooon sexy and all-consuming and lovely.
Some spoilery thoughts:
So I couldn't give this 5 stars. But all of the ways this hit me emotionally still made it a really wonderful, really solid read. It was one of those novels that made the interesting choice of having one person's POV in first person (Faith) and the other in third person (Sydney) and I sometimes find that distracting, but I was fine with it here. I wasn't all that invested in the political plot, but that was also fine, since it didn't take up too much of the book. Most of the conflict is internal, which was fitting, for these characters. I listened to the audiobook as read by Abby Craden, and as always, it was so lovely. A lot about this just hit home for me. Definitely want to get more into Kallmaker's backlist; not all of them are winners, but they very often are.
Content warnings:
She kissed me again. I pulled her to the ground, and through the flurry of gold I saw the vivid sky and reached up to pull it down over us. Safe and warm in her arms with her heart pounding against mine.
June 21, 2012
One of my favorite lesfic books. Loved the interaction between Faith and Sidney.
December 20, 2020
I tried with this book, I really tried. Mid Covid it seemed too heavy, I read something lighter, came back and still it defeated me. I lived through the homophobia of the 70s and 80s - it was shit- & this didn't mark it for me, but I lived in a different country, where religion, though corrupt, wasn't as all invasive (for me) as it was in this book. Perhaps I was lucky - and I don't want to diss a person's story - but I couldn't live it, nor could I live in it.
July 2, 2024
If I needed proof not to read sapphic fiction published before ~2014, Wild Things is a good example why. This was published in 1996. And I’m sure had I read it in 90’s I’d be thankful this exists. Reading this nearly 30 years after its publication, though? This was painful. Extremely dated. And the ending was rather ridiculous. Oh, also, I was bored.
September 30, 2020
An intense read, as any book that delves into the naughty pair of religion and sexuality usually kicks me in my non-existent balls. It is such a touchy subject, highly emotional, and can involve broken family dynamics and re-invention like no other subject. And Ms. Kallmaker didn't hold back.
I realize this was published in the 90s so totally went with that flow, the wardrobes, the described decor, the having to walk to pay phones to call cabs....the nostalgia was real! I found I could relate to MC Faith's struggle with finding her voice and identity. jesus christ was Faith's family awful.....judgmental, hypocritical and downright abusive. Holy SHIT. It floors me that there can be people out there spouting "god's word" and faithfulness and living by the all supposed loving scripture while at the same time punching their daughters. What the actual fuck.
The story was good, albeit had some info dumps that I just couldn't get into at times. Some over the top language, eye-rolling, the quick U-Haul moving into together moment, but hey, this was an early lesfic so I'll let it slide. It is not one I will soon forget, but also one I won't re-visit.
I realize this was published in the 90s so totally went with that flow, the wardrobes, the described decor, the having to walk to pay phones to call cabs....the nostalgia was real! I found I could relate to MC Faith's struggle with finding her voice and identity. jesus christ was Faith's family awful.....judgmental, hypocritical and downright abusive. Holy SHIT. It floors me that there can be people out there spouting "god's word" and faithfulness and living by the all supposed loving scripture while at the same time punching their daughters. What the actual fuck.
The story was good, albeit had some info dumps that I just couldn't get into at times. Some over the top language, eye-rolling, the quick U-Haul moving into together moment, but hey, this was an early lesfic so I'll let it slide. It is not one I will soon forget, but also one I won't re-visit.
April 15, 2022
Karin Kallmaker stands out to me as one of those lesfic writers who never fails to deliver. Wild Things did not change that view for me.
Both MC's Faith and Sydney come with their fair share of angsty baggage. Devout Catholicism, self denial, alcohol abuse, political ambition, conservative baggage...I may have missed a few. However, Kallmaker writes this story in such a way that it's not sad, and depressing, but more sweet and romantic. And empowering.
Throw all of this together with a bunch of snippets about powerful women from European history, and you get a entertaining, (educational🤷♀️) lovely story about two women who so obviously belong together.
Both MC's Faith and Sydney come with their fair share of angsty baggage. Devout Catholicism, self denial, alcohol abuse, political ambition, conservative baggage...I may have missed a few. However, Kallmaker writes this story in such a way that it's not sad, and depressing, but more sweet and romantic. And empowering.
Throw all of this together with a bunch of snippets about powerful women from European history, and you get a entertaining, (educational🤷♀️) lovely story about two women who so obviously belong together.
March 12, 2016
Excellent, really enjoyable read.
I just wish there had been more, you cover an awful lot of ground in quite a short space of time.
I just wish there had been more, you cover an awful lot of ground in quite a short space of time.
April 24, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up because Karin can sure write great books, but I'm not into politics/history
October 7, 2020
4.5 stars. This is a book that I finally found again in my Scribd download list. I had even asked for it in the lesbian audiobooks FB group because I had remembered the plot but not the title.
When I stumbled upon it again, I saw at once why I had been looking for this book: A woman, Faith, is with her boyfriend Eric. When she meets his sister Sydney, a politician about to become senator, Faith can't fight her sexuality anymore.
First of all, I liked that Sydney was a politician. As always, I would have liked more insights in the political agenda overall, but I'm a sucker for a good political romance. In this case, however, politics are merely the reason why openly lesbian Sydney can't be with Faith.
I also liked Faith's journey. Raised a devout Catholic, she still lives at her parents' at 34 and is happy with Eric making no sexual advances. When she meets Sydney and meets again a woman of her part, with whom she had a sexual relationship in college, step by step, Faith becomes more and more brave and independent.
Also, Faith is a true history nerd. I loved how immersed she was in Eleanor of Aquitaine's life and the book spends a good time on that. Very fitting and I truly loved it.
There were some minor thing I didn't like so much. First of all, while I love first person narration, and especially for Faith, it took me a while to get used to the third person narration of Sydney's POV. This made me understand a lot less than Faith and I would have loved to have more insights of her. Althoug there was good chemisty I didn't really get WHY she fell for Faith. The book was only 5 hours something long and I would have loved this to be a little bit longer.
All in all, I'm very glad I discovered this book. I realize I'm very late for the party as this was published in 1996. But hey, it was released as an audiobook in 2020 and Abby Craden did a fabulous job as always.
When I stumbled upon it again, I saw at once why I had been looking for this book: A woman, Faith, is with her boyfriend Eric. When she meets his sister Sydney, a politician about to become senator, Faith can't fight her sexuality anymore.
First of all, I liked that Sydney was a politician. As always, I would have liked more insights in the political agenda overall, but I'm a sucker for a good political romance. In this case, however, politics are merely the reason why openly lesbian Sydney can't be with Faith.
I also liked Faith's journey. Raised a devout Catholic, she still lives at her parents' at 34 and is happy with Eric making no sexual advances. When she meets Sydney and meets again a woman of her part, with whom she had a sexual relationship in college, step by step, Faith becomes more and more brave and independent.
Also, Faith is a true history nerd. I loved how immersed she was in Eleanor of Aquitaine's life and the book spends a good time on that. Very fitting and I truly loved it.
There were some minor thing I didn't like so much. First of all, while I love first person narration, and especially for Faith, it took me a while to get used to the third person narration of Sydney's POV. This made me understand a lot less than Faith and I would have loved to have more insights of her. Althoug there was good chemisty I didn't really get WHY she fell for Faith. The book was only 5 hours something long and I would have loved this to be a little bit longer.
All in all, I'm very glad I discovered this book. I realize I'm very late for the party as this was published in 1996. But hey, it was released as an audiobook in 2020 and Abby Craden did a fabulous job as always.
October 21, 2012
"The Sixth is Serendipity"
What do you get when you combine a high profile attorney on the political track and a future sister-in-law who has a secret past that she dare not let anyone know? Wild Things!
Faith Fitzgerald is engaged to Eric Van Allen and she hopes that this relationship will bring to a close the sins of her past. Sydney Van Allen, Eric's sister, is a high profile attorney with a past of her own. When the two women meet there is instant attraction which neither of them are willing to acknowledge. While Sydney is on the political track and her sins have already been laid bare, Faith is a professor that still live in her ultra-conservative christian family. Faith has had a little experience in the love department but none of it has been with a man, not until Eric, who respects her upbringing and is willing to wait til they are married. As Faith and Sydney get closer, they start to realize that they share a love, one for Eric and one for each other. Trying to assert herself, Faith decides it is time for her family to know the real her, so she tells them that she loves women, one in particular, and she doesn't want to keep living a lie. As suspected her father goes into rage mode and the only thing in his way is Faith's brother who stands up for her. After that scene she decides to move out, and live her life, all the while trying to ignore her feelings for Sydney. Sydney realizes the attraction between them and tries to stay away but true love cannot be bottled up. Faith breaks up with Eric who is way more understanding that she thought possible and he remains a great friend as their relationship changes and Sydney becomes more to her than just a friend.
This is a great coming of age tale, although it is late in life, just letting us know that whatever happens if you are true to yourself nothing can stand in your way.
What do you get when you combine a high profile attorney on the political track and a future sister-in-law who has a secret past that she dare not let anyone know? Wild Things!
Faith Fitzgerald is engaged to Eric Van Allen and she hopes that this relationship will bring to a close the sins of her past. Sydney Van Allen, Eric's sister, is a high profile attorney with a past of her own. When the two women meet there is instant attraction which neither of them are willing to acknowledge. While Sydney is on the political track and her sins have already been laid bare, Faith is a professor that still live in her ultra-conservative christian family. Faith has had a little experience in the love department but none of it has been with a man, not until Eric, who respects her upbringing and is willing to wait til they are married. As Faith and Sydney get closer, they start to realize that they share a love, one for Eric and one for each other. Trying to assert herself, Faith decides it is time for her family to know the real her, so she tells them that she loves women, one in particular, and she doesn't want to keep living a lie. As suspected her father goes into rage mode and the only thing in his way is Faith's brother who stands up for her. After that scene she decides to move out, and live her life, all the while trying to ignore her feelings for Sydney. Sydney realizes the attraction between them and tries to stay away but true love cannot be bottled up. Faith breaks up with Eric who is way more understanding that she thought possible and he remains a great friend as their relationship changes and Sydney becomes more to her than just a friend.
This is a great coming of age tale, although it is late in life, just letting us know that whatever happens if you are true to yourself nothing can stand in your way.
September 27, 2007
This book is about a Catholic woman named Faith who is a history professor/writer coming to terms with her sexuality as she falls for her boyfriend Eric's sister Sydney, a recovering alcoholic who is on the verge of running for the Senate as the democratic candidate. It's set in the mid 90's in Chicago. On Faith's side there's devout Catholic parents, a brother who was in the navy and survived an engine room fire with 30% of his body burned, a younger sister who is suddenly a 22 year old widow with a 9 month old half Jewish son who needs to move home. On Sydney's side, there's a supportive, incredible, sweet, slightly older, very successful brother, nice parents, and very celebrated and successful in their own right extended family. Sydney's family is ridiculously rich but her and her brother work hard at their chosen professions. They are not the idle rich which they could easily be. Besides the obstacle of Eric and their developing feelings for each other, Sydney is weary of dating because she doesn't want her sexuality to be the center of her campaign. Will these two crazy kids work it out and live happily ever after? Read it and find out! This book is a simply written, enjoyable page turner.
May 20, 2013
I have to say that I was surprised to find that this is my new favorite Karin Kallmaker book. I always expect to love her books but this one took me by surprise. Upon finishing the book I wanted to immediately re-read it. I loved it that much. The book is told from both main characters points of views and I found myself completely tied to both characters. There were scenes and lines that had me holding my breath. Like when she says- "For every thought of him, I think of you a hundred times," I found myself highlighting line after line with my ereader. Just a great read. KK at her best! Loved it.
April 7, 2023
Internalised homophobia and basically everything religion teaches you about being gay - self hate, self loathing, misplaced guilt and many more negative connotation on being gay. This was annoying to read because of the Catholic hate plus homophobia and all the holier than thou antics in the story. Honestly, religion, FUCK YOU VERY MUCH.
The thing that amazes me, this was a short book but somehow it covered women empowerment, historical women and their influence in shaping our society plus the topic of alcoholism. In a short span of time Kallmaker managed to touch on serious topics and have it displayed in enough detail that the the story had proper depth given the limited pages.
The thing that amazes me, this was a short book but somehow it covered women empowerment, historical women and their influence in shaping our society plus the topic of alcoholism. In a short span of time Kallmaker managed to touch on serious topics and have it displayed in enough detail that the the story had proper depth given the limited pages.
February 29, 2012
A well-written, interesting romance with well-drawn characters and an interesting storyline. I would have liked to see more tension in Sydney's story and the potential impact of her attraction to Faith on her political career, but was satisfied overall with this one and it doesn't bill itself as a political thriller. Overall, the depiction of Faith, a devout Catholic and an academic and Sydney, a super-rich, lesbian, politician, rang true and the author didn't rely on the usual artificial obstacles and painful misunderstandings to further the plot.
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