Stevie‘s review of The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann
Multicultural LGBTQ+ Romance published by Berkley 12 Apr 22
It’s a rarity to find a romance, or indeed any book, with an asexual main character, so finding one with two of them was a definite inducement to start reading. Two very different asexuals, no less: Joy, who has yet to figure out whether she needs to find out what all the fuss is about when it comes to sex, and Malcolm, who really enjoys sex in spite of not experiencing sexual attraction. Best friends since college, Joy has always been in love with Malcolm and has been the one constant in his life through his endless, doomed, romantic relationships. She’s also his personal assistant at work, which Malcolm turns to his advantage far too much, expecting Joy to be able to drop all her plans every time he needs something – whether it’s work-related or not. Now, he wants her to accompany him on a holiday with his new girlfriend, Summer – whom he is convinced really is the one this time – and her male best friend, Fox.
Joy isn’t keen on the idea. Malcolm’s last relationship ended, because his ex thought that he and Joy spent too much time together, and she’s not particularly taken with either Summer or Fox. She goes along with it, however, out of love for Malcolm and soon discovers that she and Fox have several things in common when it comes to their best friends and the new relationship said best friends are forming. They also discover mutual interests when it comes to media consumption, along with a shared suspicion of all the enforced fun and couples activities that Malcolm has planned for them.
Fortunately, Joy has calls to her twin sister to fall back on, and she and Fox are soon teaming up to avoid the worst-sounding of the activities. Fox also lets Joy in on his observation that Malcolm is just as in love with her as she is with him. Fortunately for readers, Joy is too ethical to do anything about the news while Malcolm is with Summer and instead works on enjoying her time with Fox, organised activities notwithstanding.
I liked Joy and Fox a lot, and Summer grew on me as the book progressed, but Malcolm just came across as a colossal arse. This is the biggest thing that annoys me about the ‘best friends who can’t express their feelings to each other’ trope. If there’s an alternative love interest being posited for the main character, then their existing love ends up being portrayed in a negative light. Malcolm aside, though, it was so great to see such contrasting characters showing up in a romance, and with no implications being made that Joy was in any way broken, incomplete, or immature because of her asexuality. It was also good to see her revel in her body and enjoy her clothes and minor-influencer lifestyle as a completely separate identity to her sexuality. I’d like to see more from this author, particularly if it features different asexual characters subverting other romance tropes.|
Grade: B
Summary:
Joy is in love with Malcolm.
But Malcolm really likes Summer.
Summer is in love with love.
And Fox is Summer’s ex-boyfriend.Thirty, flirty, and asexual Joy is secretly in love with her best friend Malcolm, but she’s never been brave enough to say so. When he unexpectedly announces that he’s met the love of his life—and no, it’s not Joy—she’s heartbroken. Malcolm invites her on a weekend getaway, and Joy decides it’s her last chance to show him exactly what he’s overlooking. But maybe Joy is the one missing something…or someone…and his name is Fox.
Fox sees a kindred spirit in Joy—and decides to help her. He proposes they pretend to fall for each other on the weekend trip to make Malcolm jealous. But spending time with Fox shows Joy what it’s like to not be the third wheel, and there’s no mistaking the way he makes her feel. Could Fox be the romantic partner she’s always deserved?
Read an excerpt.
