“But you know! You get it. I’m not trying to trivialize anyone else and what they have to do, but if I go to my parents and say I’m a lesbian, they would know what I meant. If I went to my siblings and said I’m bisexual, they would know what I meant. If I tell anyone I’m asexual, they’re going to look at me like there’s something wrong. They’re going to tell me to go to a doctor. They’re going to tell me I’m too young to know what I want or I’m still developing. Or they’ll tell me how important sex is to finding a good man. Or they’ll think they can fix me, that I’m lying because I don’t want to sleep with them. It’s hard enough trying to explain that word, so how in the hell am I going to explain I’m biromantic asexual? They’re really going to think I’m making this s— up.”
- Title: Let’s Talk About Love
- Author: Claire Kann
- Genre: YA Fiction
- Pages: 304 pages
- Publication date: January 23, 2018
- Publisher: Swoon Reads
A long time ago, someone recommended me to read Let’s Talk About Love. I can’t remember who anymore, but I’m glad that person did.
From page one, Alice has some issues with relationships. Her girlfriend broke up with her because Alice didn’t want her physically. It takes a while, but Alice meets Takumi, and her world changes. She battles herself about the possibility of her having a relationship with him. But to do that, she’d have to accept herself as an asexual more. And so does he.
I’m not one to read books with romance in the main plot, but this book has other major issues throughout the book too. Her whole family is pushing her toward a law degree, but she’d rather watch TV. She even has a huge fight with her best friend since grade school, and they’re not talking anymore.
What I love most about this book is its representation. The main character is a Black woman who is a biromanic asexual. Takumi (たくみ) is Japanese. There’s so much representation too that is great.
I had some moments where I skimmed though, because they were a tad too cringey for me. I’m not a big fan of romance, so that could just be me. I had one spot that did seem inconsistent and weird. I read it a few times and didn’t get it. (I won’t say it to spoil anything.)
But overall, it’s a good quick read. I finished it in a few days. It has a lot of good messages and shows asexual struggles well. It’s a good book on LGBTQIA+ hardships. I’d highly recommend it.
Score: 9.3/10
Average rating on Goodreads: 3.82/5
Robin LeeAnn 