Staff Review: Mistakes Were Made

Title/Author: Mistakes Were Made - Meryl Wilsner

Genre(s): Literary Fiction, Rom-Com, LGBTQ+, Spicy

This is, hands down, the spiciest all the queer romances/rom-coms I've come across, at least outside of books actively marketed as erotica. It is not going to be for everyone just how much sex is in this book, essentially from the very start. That caveat out of the way, this is also one of my favourite reads of 2022. 

Looking for a simple one night stand, university senior Cassie meets and hooks-up with a mysterious, gorgeous older woman one night, not realizing that the woman is Erin, the mother of her new best friend, freshman Parker. Cassie and Erin have all the reasons in the world to pretend the affair never happened, just let it be a pleasant memory, but the two keep getting pulled back together, and may need to acknowledge there’s something there besides simple attraction.

This book does a fantastic job exploring an age-gap relationship, both the highs and and lows. It examines the worries about power imbalances, goals in life and work, concerns about body image, and mental illness/trauma. And it does so with heart, caring, and no small amount of humour. You easily fall in love with Cassie and Erin, and can’t help but turn the page to find out what will happen next until before you know it, you’re finished and want to turn around and read it all over again. 

Reviewed by: Alex

Staff Review: The Octopus Has Three Hearts

Title/Author: The Octopus Has Three Hearts - Rachel Rose

Genre(s): Literary Fiction, Short Stories, Women’s Stories

In this Giller longlisted collection of short stories Rose manages to capture just what it means to be good people subjected to bad situations. This collection functions as a study  on "bad people", people making poor decisions, and those that are affected by them both. Rose's prose is poetic and pungent, with each story offering a new perspective on how people respond to elements of fear, anger, jealousy, and the unknown.

Reviewed by: Shelby

Staff Review: As You Were

Title/Author: As You Were - Elaine Feeney

Genre(s): Literary Fiction, Women’s Stories, Black Humour

Irish author Elaine Feeney truly understands comedy. In her debut novel, she captures the heartbreaking lives of the Irish elderly and ill as they come to terms with their own deaths and who they will have to leave behind. This delightful novel deals with the intensity of fear, deceit, and comradery while remaining absolutely Irish in every way. This novel had me on the edge of tears one moment and laughing my head off another, cannot recommend it enough!

Reviewed by: Shelby

Staff Review: Butter Honey Pig Bread

Title/Author: Butter Honey Pig Bread - Francesca Ekwuyasi

Genre(s): Literary Fiction, LGBTQ+, Women & Families

An intergenerational saga of love, secrets, healing and legacy. Set in both Nigeria and Canada, this is a must summer read!

Reviewed by: Ben