Customer Reviews

Waltzing at Midnight

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I really enjoyed this book. It was refreshing. It didn't indulge in elements of fantasy or undue sentimentality. It didn't trivialize the real world. It is solidly set in the present where people have to resolve problems with realistic, difficult solutions. It is set in modern California where the issue of gay marriage is still stinging and still unresolved. Even so, the story is a love story. It is upbeat and hopeful. The epilogue enforces that idea, that even though the world we live in isn't perfect, individuals can find happiness for themselves and make positive contributions for the good of everyone.

Although this is Robbi McCoy's first published novel, she comes off as an experienced writer. Her control of the essential elements of fiction--point of view, character development and plot pacing--are all sophisticated and satisfying. The characters are multi-faceted, flawed, and engaging, like real people. They aren't stereotypes. The worldly older woman, Rosie, though she is charismatic and accomplished and I could certainly identify with Jean's attraction to her, has her own failings, like her fear of commitment and her tendency to live partly in the closet. Though she isn't the point of view character, her story is revealed too as she is changed for the better by true love. This is a character novel more than anything, the story of a woman's journey of self-discovery. I could really identify with Jean. She's an ordinary person in a complicated world who grows over the course of the novel into someone you're really rooting for, someone whose triumphs you are celebrating.

As far as plot goes, I really enjoyed the backdrop of the political campaign. It was interesting and exciting. You could see how being involved in something like that would really shake up a woman like Jean, throw her out of her comfort zone and make her aware of possibilities she never thought of, not just romantically, but in all kinds of ways. I enjoyed the rounded-out situation of Jean and her family members, her kids and her parents. Each person had his or her own particular response to what was happening. I liked too how the author drew her husband, Jerry. He seems like a nice guy who deserves the reader's sympathy because his life is torn apart through no fault of his own. It's always easier, I think, for a writer to make the person who is left behind into some kind of bad guy (or gal). You guarantee that way that the main character retains the sympathy of the reader. But, somehow, we can like Jerry and still be sympathetic with Jean because she isn't a bad guy either. And that's how most real life situations are anyway. I guess that's what I want to say more than anything about this story. I liked it mainly because it captivated me and made me think and feel in a way that a lot of romances don't. It has the feel of authenticity to it. And, you know, although it's fiction, it does parallel the story of so many of us. It struck a chord with me, particularly, because I was in my forties when I first looked at a woman the way Jean looks at Rosie in that first chapter. It just gave me a thrill.

I bought this book the day it came out. I'm always anxious to read new authors and Robbi McCoy didn't disappoint. This is a poignant "coming out" story for Jean, a married woman in her 40s, who realizes she's in love for the first time--and it's not with her husband. Told in the first person, we see everything from Jean's point of view and experience all of her raw emotions. However, the author still manages to give us well-rounded characters in Rosie, the woman Jean is in love with, Jean's husband, and Jean's daughter. The totally refreshing thing in all of this is that the husband isn't a stereotype. He's hurt and angry and you can understand why. So often, I read books where the ex-husband is a Neanderthal. Bravo that the author avoided that caricature.

Robbi McCoy now is officially on my "watch-for-the-next-book" list. :-)

Falling in love with someone's debut novel is always a special treat for me, because in addition to enjoying the story at hand I find myself filled with optimism about what I may have to look forward to from that author in the future. This is definitely the case with Waltzing at Midnight, the story of a woman whose life takes an unexpected turn rather late in life. Although I knew I was a lesbian at a younger age than Jean, I was still something of a later bloomer and Jean's voyage of self-discovery was one I could relate to, all of her reactions ringing very true to memory. I'd anticipated a story closely centered around a political campaign, but unexpected events quickly transformed this into a real page-turner for me. While this is undoubtedly a "lesbian romance" and a satisfying one at that, it is a very solid novel with well-developed characters whose individual responses to the situations they find themselves in are unique and realistic. I found the author's style to be highly visual, the characters and scenes remaining with me long after I put it down. Ms. McCoy's first novel displays a talent to be reckoned with, and I can't wait to see what she brings to us in the future!

Robbi's riveting story flowed and I was unable to put it down. I started reading it as soon as I received it and finished it in less than two days! It fascinated me on many levels -- the love story -- the breakup of a long, tired marriage -- extremely familiar venues -- the writing style.

I was trapped in an unsatisfying marriage for 25 years and could relate to the guilt Jean felt as her husband was not a bad man. She had the joy of a son and daughter, as did I. When I finally got the courage to leave and start anew, I was reborn.

The central valley and San Francisco are my homes. I was delighted to read about them as they were easy to visualize as I read along. I am older than Rosie but I remember well falling in lust in the beautiful city by the bay -- San Francisco. It brought back such beautiful memories. Truly, I was one who did play that special Twister!

Finally, as a wannabe writer and English major, I appreciate excellent writing. Robbi is talented beyond comprehension. We lived Jean's life with her and could not wait to see what decisions she would make. Her situation was truly life changing and she had a lot to lose. Weberstown is no San Francisco. The valley has a long way to go even in a liberal state like California. I loved Jean and Rosie and I "recognized" many of the closet haters in Jean's midst. Yes, they do exist -- they just conceal it more. Congratulations, Robbi McCoy I can't wait for the next literary adventure you have in store for us.

Waltzing at Midnight tells a story not seen enough in lesbian fiction. It's about a woman who finds at the age of forty that she is evolving into a new person and the many ways that her life is affected by the changes.

Jean Davis thinks she knows what her life is about. For more than twenty years she has built her existence around her marriage to Jerry and the needs of their two children. She passes through the time in a kind of fog of respectability, happy with her limited possibilities and enjoying the reflected glory of her family's accomplishments. All of that comes to an end when she decides to volunteer in the mayoral campaign of Rosie Monroe. Rosie is a well known businesswoman and major player in the power structure who exudes energy and vitality in everything that she does. Jean finds herself caught up in the highly charged environment that Rosie creates and realizes that she is changing in fundamental ways that call into question everything she has always thought about herself.

As Jean's personality begins to unfold, she finds that she likes being respected by other people and seen as someone who can get things done. As Rosie encourages her to stretch her abilities and move into her own career, Jean also discovers that she is developing an emotional attachment to a woman for the first time. She recalls reading Robert Frost's poem The Road Not Taken in high school and not understanding it, but the meaning has become crystal clear to her now. She has two roads before her, one of conformity and one with frightening possibilities. The choice is Jean's to make, but not without consequences.

This is an exceptionally well developed story and one that was refreshing to read because it follows a different path to its conclusion. Many people find themselves at a crossroads in their lives where they have to choose what has always been or dare to try something new. Most books choose to tell the easier stories of younger characters and ignore what happens to more mature women. Jean's struggle is one that many readers will identify with. Though this is a romance, the central theme is about the ordeal Jean goes through in weighing family expectations against the excitement she feels over discovering talents and interests she never realized she had. This isn't a story just about a woman discovering lesbianism, but of one opening up her life and finding out who she was, could be and wants to be.

Rosie Monroe is central to Jean's development. Everyone should have someone in their lives like her. She encourages Jean in her explorations and allows her to soar, even when it might take Jean away from her. She provides strength, experience and wisdom when it's needed, but she never dictates to Jean what she should do. Most importantly, she refuses to lead Jean away from her family, knowing that it would destroy their relationship, and instead leaves Jean to determine for herself what her course should be.

It's hard to believe that this is Robbi McCoy's first book because it's written with such skill. She doesn't rush her points, but draws the reader along at exactly the right pace. Not only is it enjoyable, but this is one of those books that it's hard to put down. If Waltzing at Midnight is indicative of McCoy's innate ability, then readers have some good stories to look forward to.

This is a smart first novel. The main characters are deftly drawn and the setting of a political campaign is engaging and realistic. Best of all, the author treats all of her characters fairly and doesn't create false misunderstandings for them just for the sake of conflict. Looking forward to Robbi McCoy's second novel next year.

Waltzing at midnight is bold, vivid and visual with real and touching characters. I found this a very thought provoking read and a solid first novel.

In this, her first book, Robbi McCoy has delivered a real winner. Basically, it's about a woman who has always lived her life for others, but wakes up one day in her late forties with a new realization--that she's in love for the first time... with a woman.

Most of us had that aha moment where we first accepted our sexuality. I'd venture a guess that it happened for many as older teens or twenty-somethings. In any case, most books in this genre support my hypothesis. Reading about an `older' woman coming into her own is actually quite refreshing. It brings a new aspect to being a lesbian in today's society.

The backdrop of this book, the mayoral election, is merely a vehicle to allow married-with-children Jean Davis to meet the enigmatic Rosie Monroe. Rosie is a successful philanthropist who runs for mayor only to unseat the current mayor. During the election, her sexuality is revealed by the competition and her commanding lead vanishes. Jean convinces Rosie to fight anyway. Rosie doesn't win, but they meet her original objective. Unfortunately, Jean's family life disintegrates around them and, with Rosie's support; she attempts to conquer her own demons.

Bottom Line - Really great book. Very interesting characters. Emotion-invoking story. Great first offering from a promising new author.

I haven't found much time to read lately, but when my cousin told me about "Waltzing at Midnight", author Robbi McCoy and how much she enjoyed it I couldn't resist ordering it.

I can honestly say, I thoroughly enjoyed every page of Waltzing at Midnight. The characters were interesting and the story line held my attention thru out. I enjoyed Rosie's strong personality and her wisdom to let Jean grow at her own pace, guiding her with wisdom, tenderness and love, when needed. Jean, a married woman with two grown children, realizes that the great respect she feels for Rosie, candidate for mayor, is much more, eventually leading to the realization she is in love with Rosie.

There is love, humor, treachery and a few tears as you read of Jean's journey, and her growth and discoveries about herself. Robbi McCoy has a "easy read" style that keeps your attention making it hard to put the book down. I enjoyed it so much I ordered a earlier book McCoy wrote called "Late Bloomers" a collection of short stories about women over 40 discovering or accepting their Lesbianism at a later time in their lives.