Book Review: Paris, Adrift

Summary

Al thought it was finally her time to be with Juliana in Paris to rekindle their relationship, but she felt a growing distance between them even in the confines of their shared room. Then, as if she wasn’t already having a complicated life, Dan Schuyler made a proposal to star Juliana in a musical. Juliana had a traumatic experience onstage, so she turned down his offer. With Dan’s desperation to revive his reputation, he blackmailed Al that if she doesn’t get Juliana to accept his offer, he will be exposing their forbidden relationship to the public.

Review

Paris, Adrift is a lesbian historical fiction by Vanda and Book 3 of the Juliana Series. I was impressed by how well the prose was constructed, and how well the characters were developed in a way that would engage the readers. I’m straight, but I was able to feel the gravity of a homosexual’s almost unbearable life in the 1950s. Not being able to talk about who you love right out in the open, hiding and feeling ashamed for it, would make the LGBTQ community feel grateful for today’s open-mindedness.

I’m not in favor of infidelity, so at first, I didn’t see Juliana in a good light. But after learning about her family background, I could understand her better. I feel so bad for Al and I wish that things can be easier and that they can just be happy together without any complications, but of course, that’s not how life is. And this is why this book is really good; the story is so realistic and the author knows how to draw an emotional response.

I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. This is a great portrayal of lesbian relationships during the 1950s, a time when you can’t talk about it, and hiding it would be better than being judged by people. I recommend this book to the LGBTQ community, as well as heterosexual readers who have an open mind.

https://www.amazon.com/Paris-Adrift-Book-3-Juliana/dp/0999099574/ref