‘Disappoint Me’ did not in fact, disappoint me.

Initially I snagged this one because it was the only Pride Read-A-Long book that was available to me and then I quickly realized that it didn’t feel like a concession at all, I was having so much fun reading this little book. Nicola Dinan has such a deliciously readable authorial voice. The ability to bounce back and forth between heartrending quotes and quippy lines that left me laughing out loud feels like a gift.

Our main character, Max was unflinchingly human. She felt a lot like a friend. For better or worse. Her flaws were glaring, and yet she knew that they were. The self-awareness made her hair-trigger judgement almost funny. She knew that she wasn’t always right. But, isn’t that just a part of the human condition? To exist in our flaws and constantly grapple with the decision to change?

This novel was constantly grappling with change. Changes in the family, in relationships, in the interior self. It posed the question: ‘Does a person have to be their worst decision for the rest of their lives?’

Without spoiling, it’s hard to say how I feel about how this was handled. I think if the ending had been a touch more satisfying in this regard, if it gave more than a flicker of an answer to this question - this would’ve been a full five star read.

playlist anyone?

• pink in the night // mitski ‘i know i’ve kissed you before but i didn’t do it right. can i try again? and again, and again.’
• emily, i’m sorry // boygenius ‘i can feel myself becoming someone only you could want’
• expert in a dying field // the beths ‘plausible deniability. i swear i’ve never heard of it. and i can close the door on us, but the room still exists. and i know you’re in it.’
• till you tell me to leave // tv girl ‘and i’m just gonna stay till you give me a reason. i’m not gonna let you, let me down easy.’
• brutal // olivia rodrigo ‘cause i love people i don’t like, and i hate every song i write.’