Mini-Review: Cliched Love by Lynn Galli

Clichéd Love: A Satirical Romance

Synopsis

Vega, a journalist by trade and a cynic for life, came up with a brilliant pitch for a series of articles. Recount the tales of lesbian and gay couples to assure the heterosexual population that the institution of marriage isn’t at risk now that gay marriage is legal. Her editor loved the idea. Vega loved the notion of a long-term assignment that paid regularly. What she didn’t realize until too late was that she’d have to sit through every one of these often banal, regularly nauseating love stories without wanting to hurl herself off the nearest cliff. So much for her brilliant idea. By the time she arrives in Seattle, she’s already had enough of interviewing couples, but she’s determined to see it through. After all, if the readers of a national newspaper can recognize a love story as a love story, regardless of sexuality, she might change a few minds out there.

Helping to temper the discontent is new friend Iris, who seems to know everyone’s story and, more importantly, shares Vega’s take on them. As the interviews continue and her friendship with Iris grows, Vega wonders if her lifelong cynical attitude toward love might be softening a bit.⁴

My thoughts

“What’s your name?”
An eyebrow spiked, “Four meetings and you’re just now asking? You’re a true original. I’m liking that.”
Loc. 451-453

I have to confess that I hate Vega’s original premise for the article. I love the idea she comes up with later. I wouldn’t read this first article, but I would totally read the second.

Lynn Galli adds one of the best under utilized tropes that I found hilarious and relatable. I don’t want to give anything away, but I like it.

Galli takes us through the stories of how people met while laying down the foundation for Iris and Vega. I love how they become friends first. It makes the initial spark so much sweeter.

The secondary cast hold their own against the rockstar of Iris. I would love to see their stories expanded upon and happily-ever-afters granted.

The steam between Iris and Vega when it does come, it’s hot – beyond hot. Worth the wait.

It may be a cliche , but you have to love a happily-ever-after.

I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.