Racheline Maltese

I LOVED how this ended.

I say that first because, although this is a well-written story, the first two-thirds were too slow for me, a 36-year veteran of polyamorous living and a member of the PolyTampa discussion group. But if polyamory's a new concept to you, that's perfect! Not only is everything carefully spelled out, (not tediously at all, just carefully), but also, the authors don't shy away from complications, upsets, mistakes, and the critical need for self-honesty. Plus, the three people involved are really good characters, flaws and all. There are a lot of complications, just like in real life - families, neighbors, logistics, beyond the basic questions of who to tell, and when. And how.

I just finished "Turkey in the Snow," a rather subversive novella about "drama," and this book could be a lengthier companion to that theme, particularly when everything comes to a head in that last third of the story. Sometimes polyam people declare they "hate drama," but it isn't true. We hate pointless drama, but you can't reinvent your life without some deconstruction of your assumptions, and the assumptions of other people who love you. There's gonna be some drama, but if you remember you're all on the same side, it'll be okay.

Anyway, I highly recommend this one. There is no on-page sex, by the way. I would've liked to have seen some of that sweetness, but it's clear in other ways as their relationships progress.… (mere)

[I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review]

4.5 stars

Sometimes there are books I have a lot of expectations about but ultimately fail them, other times instead there are books that surprise me in the most positive way..."Starling" definitely belong to the second category!

I really liked this story: it felt -while set in a world known for its half-truths and lies and obviously very distant to my own- so realistic and down to heart. As it was pointed out by another reviewer, more than a love-story "Starling" is a life-story.
Both Paul and Alex have their flaws and their secrets and both have a difficult time sharing their past with each other. They are quite different in some ways and not so much in others, and obviously that turns to be both a good and a bad thing at once. In many occasions they are afraid of saying or reveal too much and too soon and so they make mistakes and make each other suffer. All of this but also (maybe mostly) those moments when they're apart and find comfort in someone else while still not letting go of each other, make this two fictional characters so very real to me and make reading their story such a bittersweet experience.

In the very beginning both Paul and Alex voices were quite impersonal and as a reader I felt detached to them; but now, thinking about it, I feel like it makes sense and fits the story and its realism quite well: after all that's exactly the way it feels meeting someone for the first time!

The only criticism I feel to do is the following: I'd have liked to find out more about Paul's and Alex's past (bad) experiences since they were mentioned and implied more than once..I hope to have the chance in book 2

At last, I'd like to thank again the authors for the opportunity to read this book for free and I hope they appreciate my honest review.



… (mere)