I'm still trying to figure out all my feelings for this book. It took you everywhere from laughing to second-hand embarrassment to tearing up (or crying) to screaming and wanting to throw the book to sighing and shaking your head. It was definitely an adventure... or a misadventure.
"Deafness doesn't equate usefulness."
This story follows Callie, a woman on the run from her criminal Nan, and Daisy, a Deaf techie who has been searching for her since Callie disappeared six years ago.
Callie became a grifter out of necessity and has been living all over Europe to stay off of her grandmother's radar since she stole her Nan's little black book.
Using skills that she can't tell Callie how she acquired, Daisy eventually tracks Callie down and convinces her that they can take down Queen B (her Nan).
So they go on an adventure - or misadventure - throughout Europe to get the little black book, dealing with falling in love, many of Callie's exes, plus flooded caves, and even a bull all to bring down Queen B's empire. But at what cost?
Good, Better, and Bad
DEAFinitely Readers chose this book to read for July. Originally, it was on the vote for June as it is sapphic romance, but another book won out and this was second. The group decided on a whole, however, that it sounded like a perfect lighthearted read with a deaf character.
And it was an easy read. This is the good. While I don't personally love the writing style, it definitely is an easy, quick read (I read it in 4ish hours). The writing style is a first-person dual POV, but while each character does have their own personalities and voices, it was more that the writing seemed as if someone was sitting in a chair next to you telling you the story. For reading, this is not my favorite thing. I tend to picture the book as a movie and I couldn't do that for this type of style.
Better though, the book still kept my interest in the hilarious misadventure that Callie and Daisy go on throughout Europe. I loved too that it was a little raunchy.
While they never explicity state what kind of sign language or have a really in-depth character dive for Daisy, the only truly "bad," I will say is: be prepared to scream at the end. #spoilers (but not really)
Deaf Representation
There is legitimate deaf representation. Daisy is fully deaf, uses sign language, lipreads, and is a general badass techie, while also struggling to truly advocate for herself. She often accommodates others, making sure they aren't uncomfortable with her, lip-reading instead of asking for an interpreter, etc. She struggled with realizing that she was important and was not useless just because she was deaf - something that truly resonates with the deaf community - and me. Daisy shows her growth in accepting her Deaf identity towards the end of the book.
"I worked hard growing up to speak like a hearing person - people expect me to adapt to make them comfortable..."
Callie learned sign language for Daisy (all the feels!) and never forgot; she also worked with others to learn how to do simple communication with Daisy with sign language.
"Not that I expect everyone to be able to sign - although it's my strong belief that sign language should be taught to everyone in school - but it's nice to have someone think about making my life easier rather than me just be expected to adapt to the hearing world."
While it didn't explicitly state what type of sign language was used, one could assume it was BSL (British Sign Language) as they were from the U.K; however, I think it wasn't stated because they traveled all over Europe.
Within the story, it often stated that "she signed" or something similar to indicate that they were using sign language. I do feel like most of the deaf representation was glossed over, and Daisy was treated more "hearing" than "deaf."
There are also some tongue in cheek moments - from "wet fish" to Daisy being unsure about her voice and sounds during sex. And going further, I definitely related to the fact that she feels like she needs to remind Callie that she can't whisper in her ear - that is often something I've had to remind my own spouse.
LGBTQIA Representation
Not only were Callie and Daisy lesbians, but also, they befriended a gay teen who had run away from a homophobic father, to several of Callie's people who helped her hide were queer. There was an older couple who helped Callie, Daisy, and Chris escape and that couple - I wanted to get a hug from them as well. They were accepting of everyone and not just because their own son was gay. They just truly loved people.
"Super fucking cliche to fall in love with your straight best friend although some would say it's a rite of passage for all baby gays."
Personally, I did feel like there may have been too many people who were a part of the LGBTQUIA. Not only the main characters, but nearly every side character was also a part of the community (excluding creepy Gary). It seemed a little over the top to me.
Final Thoughts
"Watching the dismissal of someone you love to happen purely because they're different is awful."
Overall, I thought this was a great and quick read with representation of both the Deaf LGBTQUIA+ communities. There may have been some moments where I rolled my eyes and thought it was slightly ridiculous to moments were I was frustrated because WHY CAN'T CALLIE KNOW? but I enjoyed the misadventure.
It is a definite recommend if you want deaf representation, LGBTQIA representation and just a fun read. It will be going on the book list. Click HERE to see!
Happy Reading!
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