Customer Reviews

Paperback Romance

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recently read Karin's "Frosting on the Cake" and loved every bit. When readingit I realized I had never read this early book of hers.

Not only was it just as funny and about as lighthearted as any book of hers, it really had some beautiful musical prose. Like the short story in Frosting, this novel turns on the effect of music on the lives of those who care for it. Nick is a fully realized character and her love of music transforms her throughout the novel.

As an early book written some 10 years ago, things have changed for the community. But the softball games, the surprising discovery that someone you've known a long time is gay, and the necessity of telling unsuspecting family is all still just as relevant today as they were then. This novel delivers great entertainment, and no fan should miss it.

This book was a delight. I was once addicted to pulp romances and this book has a lot of gentle satire of the genre that made me chuckle frequently. Carolyn is so clueless it's fun to watch her figure it out. Loving classical music the way I do, I wanted Nick to be real! The passionate effect of music is beautifully conveyed, as is the passion between the women in this novel. The scene at the drive-thru is laugh-out-loud funny and I really recommend this book to all fans of romance.

Tall, dark and handsome is not what Carolyn thinks is in her future. After a disastrous marriage she's sworn off men. To cure her bruised heart, she embarks on a whirlwind tour of Europe. She's oblivious to the fact that Alison, her agent, has been lusting after her for years. But then she meets Nick Frost and all the elements of the perfect paperback romance take a decided dyke-left turn.

I loved how Kallmaker takes all the conventions of straight romance and converts it to what works for lesbians. The satire is witty without being mean. I don't mean to make this lovely tale of identity, gender, coming out and claiming love to be more than it is. It's simply wonderful, satisfying and moving.

Not to mention funny. Another tour de force from the Queen.

This book brings you into the true feelings of love felt by a lesbian women. Karin brings you into the struggels of a lesbian woman and her fight for true friendship.

Romantic, funny, dramatic, sexy - the story is a gem. The writing is excellent, pulls you in and will not let you stop reading until you finish. I was sad when the book ended because I enjoyed the company of the characters so very much.

The entire cast was terrific. Adding Samantha to the mix was most excellent and you didn't know which way the story would go. I so wanted Alison to grab hold of the brass ring. I thoroughly enjoyed Carolyn & Nick as a couple - the entire interlude in Europe was dreamy.

I absolutely adored the last chapter.

As with all of this author's work this novel is not to be missed. You want to savour the reading and don't rush to find out how the story ends. I have both editions of the novel and am so happy Bella re-issued this title in 2005.

Don't miss the short story sequel published by the author in her anthology 'Frosting on the Cake'.

I admit to being a big fan of Karin Kallmaker's writing and have recently been making my way through each book in her entire collection, some for the second or third time. I'm disappointed this one sat on my shelf for so long before I was able to enjoy it. 'Paperback Romance' is a great book! As expected, Kallmaker skillfully brings her characters to life and gives them depth and dimensionality. However, this one is a little different than her usual writing.

Publisher Alison McNamara has been secretly in love with her top author, romance writer Carly Vincent (real name Carolyn Vincensa), for many years. However, Carolyn is not a lesbian and Alison refuses to ruin their friendship by revealing her true feelings. In the meantime, the perpetual romantic Carolyn has a very brief, very bad marriage and swears off romance forever. Hoping to finally tell Carolyn the truth, Alison finds herself too late when Carolyn enters a new relationship with conductor Nick Frost.

The proverbial light bulb goes off for Carolyn when she discovers Nick is actually "Nicola" and is masquerading as a man to further her career. Carolyn falls deeply in lust, but refuses to hide her newfound lesbianism by living a lie with Nick... She also begins to question the true nature of her relationship with Alison. Carolyn is scared to reveal her new self to Alison because she doesn't want to lose her friendship. Both women deal with unrequieted love, a common occurrence for lesbians.

This was the premise of the story, but the majority of the book focused on Carolyn's relationship with Nick and Alison's jealousy/insecurities. It wasn't exactly what I expected, but was an enjoyable, easy read. 'Paperback Romance' is a great compliment to Kallmaker's other work and will be a solid contribution to your library.

This novel is as giddy as a Harlequin romance, and happy romp to read, if that is all you are looking for. But underneath the satire of formula romance is some wonderful writing that brings music to life. It consumes and feeds Nick, making her otherwordly. I think Nick is one of the best characters Kallmaker has ever done. This is a book full of great characters, from queer, elderly Oscar who reminded me vividly of Hobson from the movie Arthur, to quirky black Samantha, who interior designs her way into wickedly droll Alison's bed. And Carolyn -- mixed up, certain she's frigid Carolyn. What fun! I wanted the story to play on, and on.

This book is kind of filled with cliches, but that didn't really bother me. It was sort of set up like a love triangle, which I typically detest--or at least get monumentally frustrated with--but I ended up being at peace with the direction the book took.

What really buoyed me along was the characters. Despite the cliches in Carolyn's coming out, I enjoyed her story and seeing things through her wondering eyes, even if her many eye-opening experiences came quickly. Sometimes we really don't see the most obvious things in our lives until we're struck with lightening. I liked how she tried really hard and put a lot of thought into being true to herself, even when it was hard; I respected her. And to give unity to the novel, I enjoyed how many of her thoughts involved music, incorporating musical terms and perspective in her observations of the world around her and her life.

Nick was probably the most fascinating character to me. Not a transvestite, but rather a male impersonator for career-advancement reasons, I thought that the insight into her conflicting emotions, and the rigid control she had to have and the resentment she had of her charade were an interesting take on it all. I'm also satisfied with how that whole situtation was resolved.

Alison was probably the character that really drug the book down for me. I just get extremely frustrated with dithering, and though she was properly apologetic for her actions and their effects--especially on the delightful Samantha--and her wimpiness was not necessarily unrealistic, her actions (or lack thereof) frustrated me. She's the one I most wanted to shake. And my sense of fairness was bruised a bit as she seemed to be rewarded for her weaknesses.

But like I said, I was at peace with how the whole thing shook out. And I may even read this book again in the future, just to immerse myself in the intense world of musical performance and international travel with a romantic accompaniment.

I was disappointed with this book and found it filled with cliches about the gay community and women's experiences. Not only did Karin not vary her descriptive words, words were spelled wrong! I hope her other books are better.

Hearing a lot of good reviews about Ms Kallmaker's books I was looking forward to an exciting read --- but halfway through I was ready to smack both Carolyn and Nick. If I were Alison I would've stayed put in the States and let these two tap dance around each other until they tripped over a clue that life isn't about image and flings -- something Carolyn emphaticatically stated in the beginning of the story.

I just couldn't get into the characters, neither their motivations, their machinations nor their fates. Disappointing... I put the book back on the shelf without finishing.