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A review by beautiful_articulate
We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This is my first time reading a full-length novel by Sebastian, as I've only read novellas of her up until now, so I knew what I was getting into.
Like her novellas, this book was very character-driven. There's some plot elements that force the characters into some situations and discussions, but it is mainly pushed forward by the characters. I think one of Sebastian's main strengths is creating very lovable characters. Much like Nick, I thought I would dislike Andy as well. He's the son of a wealthy newspaper owner, destined to inherit The Chronicle, and he has a hard time working in the office at first. Also like Nick, I ended up falling in love with Andy.
I'm by no means an expert on NYC in the 1950's, but it's very clear that Sebastian has done her research before writing this book. She tiptoes a bit around some of the big societal issues that plagued 1950's America, like race or sexism, but I also don't think every piece of media set in this time period needs to check every social justice issue off a list, so this didn't bother me too much. Homophobia is of course addressed in this book, and is a big driving force behind the main characters' actions (this is definitely something to keep in mind for readers who might be sensitive to this sort of content).
There were times where I felt like the novel dragged on a bit, like there was some dead air at times, but this wasn't so egregious that I felt like I needed to skip over passages.
My other critique is something that I've noticed in Cat Sebastian's novellas as well, which is how much the word 'queer' is used. While I can believe that the term was used in this time period, it feels more like it's used as the positive or neutral umbrella term that it is today, when it was more typically used as a pejorative up until the 80's. I wish we could have seen some more historically-accurate terminology from the characters even if they are slightly outdated.
I'm glad I read up until the end though, as I always love reading queer romances that end in a positive note.
Like her novellas, this book was very character-driven. There's some plot elements that force the characters into some situations and discussions, but it is mainly pushed forward by the characters. I think one of Sebastian's main strengths is creating very lovable characters. Much like Nick, I thought I would dislike Andy as well. He's the son of a wealthy newspaper owner, destined to inherit The Chronicle, and he has a hard time working in the office at first. Also like Nick, I ended up falling in love with Andy.
I'm by no means an expert on NYC in the 1950's, but it's very clear that Sebastian has done her research before writing this book. She tiptoes a bit around some of the big societal issues that plagued 1950's America, like race or sexism, but I also don't think every piece of media set in this time period needs to check every social justice issue off a list, so this didn't bother me too much. Homophobia is of course addressed in this book, and is a big driving force behind the main characters' actions (this is definitely something to keep in mind for readers who might be sensitive to this sort of content).
There were times where I felt like the novel dragged on a bit, like there was some dead air at times, but this wasn't so egregious that I felt like I needed to skip over passages.
My other critique is something that I've noticed in Cat Sebastian's novellas as well, which is how much the word 'queer' is used. While I can believe that the term was used in this time period, it feels more like it's used as the positive or neutral umbrella term that it is today, when it was more typically used as a pejorative up until the 80's. I wish we could have seen some more historically-accurate terminology from the characters even if they are slightly outdated.
I'm glad I read up until the end though, as I always love reading queer romances that end in a positive note.
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Bullying and Lesbophobia