A short tale that absurdly and humorously tackles social issues.
Stan the bacteria man suddenly appears in the Oval Office, and the Secret Service deems him a Being of Unknown Origin. He takes on various humanoid forms, sometimes dripping an “unidentified fluid.” Considering him a threat, the Secret Service guns him down. But Stan merely turns into a puddle and later returns to the Oval Office only to be shot again. Finally, White House rep Veylet sits and talks with Stan at the Reflecting Pool. But Veylet, who uses they/them pronouns, doesn’t get the answers they want; Stan doesn’t seem to know where he’s from and randomly turns into puddles (even sans gunfire). Wherever he goes, Stan faces animosity from ignorant people who fear this unusual person. In Tennessee, xenophobic soy farmer Jim Bean spews curses and slurs at Stan and, convinced he’s an undocumented immigrant, tries to kill him. Though vague about what he’s up to (it involves “cooking”), Stan soon brings a special, more articulate, someone with him to Washington—so that the administration will fully understand his intention. M.A.’s brisk story is endlessly amusing. He employs repetition to great effect; characters persistently use their “mouth holes” for such simple acts as speaking and casual drinking. Several topical issues, like police brutality and immigration, are fodder for well-executed satire. Descriptions are scant save for Stan’s ever changing body. He even has pockets when he’s not a “slimy mass.” M.A.’s artistic renderings of Stan crop up throughout the novel. Despite this satire’s minimalist plot, there’s definitely resolution, at least regarding the likable titular character.
A short tale that absurdly and humorously tackles social issues.Pub Date: May 22, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-73-730201-8
Page Count: 113
Publisher: SMA Publishing
Review Posted Online: June 8, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.
The sequel to It Ends With Us (2016) shows the aftermath of domestic violence through the eyes of a single mother.
Lily Bloom is still running a flower shop; her abusive ex-husband, Ryle Kincaid, is still a surgeon. But now they’re co-parenting a daughter, Emerson, who's almost a year old. Lily won’t send Emerson to her father’s house overnight until she’s old enough to talk—“So she can tell me if something happens”—but she doesn’t want to fight for full custody lest it become an expensive legal drama or, worse, a physical fight. When Lily runs into Atlas Corrigan, a childhood friend who also came from an abusive family, she hopes their friendship can blossom into love. (For new readers, their history unfolds in heartfelt diary entries that Lily addresses to Finding Nemo star Ellen DeGeneres as she considers how Atlas was a calming presence during her turbulent childhood.) Atlas, who is single and running a restaurant, feels the same way. But even though she’s divorced, Lily isn’t exactly free. Behind Ryle’s veneer of civility are his jealousy and resentment. Lily has to plan her dates carefully to avoid a confrontation. Meanwhile, Atlas’ mother returns with shocking news. In between, Lily and Atlas steal away for romantic moments that are even sweeter for their authenticity as Lily struggles with child care, breastfeeding, and running a business while trying to find time for herself.
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-668-00122-6
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Atria
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
A book begging to be read on the beach, with the sun warming the sand and salt in the air: pure escapism.
Three woman who join together to rent a large space along the beach in Los Angeles for their stores—a gift shop, a bakery, and a bookstore—become fast friends as they each experience the highs, and lows, of love.
Bree is a friendly but standoffish bookstore owner who keeps everyone she knows at arm’s length, from guys she meets in bars to her friends. Mikki is a settled-in-her-routines divorced mother of two, happily a mom, gift-shop owner, and co-parent with her ex-husband, Perry. And Ashley is a young, very-much-in-love bakery owner specializing in muffins who devotes herself to giving back to the community through a nonprofit that helps community members develop skills and find jobs. When the women meet drooling over a boardwalk storefront that none of them can afford on her own, a plan is hatched to divide the space in three, and a friendship—and business partnership—is born. An impromptu celebration on the beach at sunset with champagne becomes a weekly touchpoint to their lives as they learn more about each other and themselves. Their friendship blossoms as they help each other, offering support, hard truths, and loving backup. Author Mallery has created a delightful story of friendship between three women that also offers a variety of love stories as they fall in love, make mistakes, and figure out how to be the best—albeit still flawed—versions of themselves. The men are similarly flawed and human. While the story comes down clearly on the side of all-encompassing love, Mallery has struck a careful balance: There is just enough sex to be spicy, just enough swearing to be naughty, and just enough heartbreak to avoid being cloying.
A book begging to be read on the beach, with the sun warming the sand and salt in the air: pure escapism.Pub Date: May 31, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-778-38608-7
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Review Posted Online: March 15, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2022
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