After Enjoying Truth or Dare a few months ago I had to check out C. Spencer’s other published book, and I was not disappointed. Here we have a novel that is unique, both in narration style and content, that shows how different a lesbian romance can be, and I think the story is richer for it. I’ve noticed what I wouldn’t exactly call “rules,” but something close to it, that seems to carve out a certain expectation for the lesbian fiction genre. I was thrilled to read another book that operated outside of them.
Told in alternating first person narratives, Rae and Madison navigate a relationship with unique complications. Madison is recently divorced with a young daughter and is hesitant about all these changes—being single, solo-mothering, dating again—but takes it in stride as she pursues a romantic relationship with Rae. Her ex-wife comes to regret the divorce and Madison finds herself tested, loving two people at once.
It would be a complete oversight not to remark on the narrative decision. If I had to pick one word to describe it: chill. Like if the characters were actually talking to you. It’s different than anything I’ve read before. The informal aspect of the narration paired with the deeper dialogue and plot made it even more life-like. There’s a certain type of perception here that made me sigh in relief.
One of the things I appreciate about On second Thought is it being a messy slice-of-life kind of story. If more romance books were like this, real and not always charming, I might be able to buy into them more. Also, this story doesn’t shy away from scenarios I haven’t seen much of in lesbian fiction. I don’t always (okay, almost never) want to be swept away by a whirlwind romance where the characters are so unyieldingly in love, like it’s some badge of honor to be proud of. Sometimes I want characters to ask questions, scrutinize their feelings, and just be uncertain. Fiction should be all things imaginative, and I may be on my own island with the realism prerogative, but at least that island has books like this on it.
If you’re looking for a love story not afraid to tackle a complicated situation, then On Second Thought could be for you!