I read this book when it came out in 2020 and as is usual for me, the story didn’t stick much in my brain, but I remembered very clearly that how much I’d liked it. As I reread the review I wrote then, I realised that I got into it a lot more quickly this time. I don’t know if it’s the narration (Chelsea Stephens is at her best when the MCs are together), or because I have a better understanding of ADHD—diagnosed or undiagnosed—than I did four years ago. Maybe it’s both. Whatever it is, I loved Amy a lot more, and could relate to both her and Caro.
Kelly Farmer writes neurodivergence and depression with an accuracy and a gentleness that makes the characters decidedly relatable. Amy and Caro are opposites, one an out and proud bisexual with a loving and supportive family, the other a very private—albeit not closeted—lesbian from a homophobic family. Speaking of family, there’s a profoundly moving scene between Caro and Amy’s mom that brought tears to my eyes.
Another aspect of this story that didn’t register with me the first time is how often we talk about miscommunication as a trope and I’ll be the first to say I dislike it when a five-minute conversation would have solved every issue and there are no good reasons for the MCs not to have that talk. Here however, the miscommunication is real, it’s not a lack of communication, and it highlights the fact that sometimes, talking when you’re in the wrong headspace isn’t helping and can actually make things worse. Then it’s love, trust, patience, and the willingness to get through hard times together that make all the difference.
Beyond the romance arc, two themes prevail, both tied to the author’s own experience: coming out (and the many forms it can take) and bi-erasure. If you want to know more about Kelly Farmer’s journey, I recommend this post she wrote for LGBTQ Reads.
Read my review of Out on the Ice, the book.
Experience Out on the Ice:
Libro.fm (audiobook)
Kobo (ebook – audiobook)
Amazon (ebook – audiobook)
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Jude in the Stars 