When her All-American boyfriend subjects her to the worst proposal possible, Nareh Bedrossian realises that she’s not living the life she wants. After kind of breaking up with a man her father loved, she decides to give her mom’s way a try and agrees to attend the Explore Armenia events, checking out all the men her mom vets for her. It’s not a man who catches her attention, however.
I have to admit I know almost nothing about the Armenian people and culture, much less Armenian Americans, and Sorry, Bro opened a door that I probably wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Nar is a people pleaser, which makes her conflict-averse, creates impossible situations at work—she’s a junior journalist with a local TV channel—and with her family that sometimes have dramatic repercussions on her love life. She’s frustrating at times, but what makes it okay is that she’s frustrated with herself as well. She’s a work in progress, she allows herself to grow, to right wrongs, to do better. Erebuni is way ahead of her when it comes to accepting herself, to being out as queer, and also to feeling comfortable with her cultural background, the old country, her community.
She’s also understanding and kind. And it feels as if she would be even if she wasn’t falling for Nar.
I was so invested in the two of them that I cried “no!” out loud at one point (it’s so hard not to spoil!). However, even though I love Nar and Erebuni, Nar’s mom and grandma stole the show for me. A widow, Nar’s mom is a very loving and strong woman, and I could relate completely to her daughter’s worry about disappointing her.
I loved this story and one reason I enjoyed it so much is the narration. I had to speed it up a little (once again I blame my inability to focus), but I love the warmth Christine Mirzayan injected, the different voices, all of it. The narration really does justice to the love and tenderness the author clearly feels for her characters.
As soon as I finished listening, I added the author’s next audiobook to my list and I hope to listen in the near future. 4.5⭐️
Experience Sorry, Bro:
Bookshop.org (paperback)
Libro.fm (audiobook)
Kobo (audiobook – ebook)
Amazon (paperback – audiobook – ebook)
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Jude in the Stars 