Rob Browatzke

This book is another great entry into the world of the Gay romance genre. Patrick has come back from a tour of duty and his main goal is to spend time with his son, Peter. He has been gone two years, and when he returns, it’s to a son who has long hair, likes to wear the occasional skirt and is addicted to watching RuPaul’s Drag Race on TV. A trip to the Library for Drag Storytime introduces Andrew into Patrick’s life. Andrew is a drag queen named Ann Moore and Peter adores her.

Because it’s so important to him to get to know his son and give Peter the support he should have to be a happy and secure child, Patrick asks Andrew to spend some time with him so he can understand more about Drag culture, gender, and learning that his son doesn’t have the same ideas he does about gender norms.

There are some lovely messages in this book. Patrick is a pretty realistic character. He’s thrown off by his son wanting to dress in a way that Patrick feels is feminine. I felt like Browatzke did a great job of writing about the dilemma of wanting your kid to be safe… and struggling to learn a “different way” of interpreting gender. We’re not all raised to be open-minded and flexible when it comes to our beliefs. Patrick’s love for his son shines through, even when he’s struggling to understand what’s happening around him. I really appreciated seeing a father depicted in such a positive way. Often parental figures in books are presented as being unable to accept their children’s personality when it’s not what they expect. Don’t get me wrong: I know that happens, it’s just really nice sometimes to read about a positive relationship between a man and his son.

Peter is a lovely little boy. I love how he’s very accepting of different lifestyles and just lets everyone around him be who they are. Peter is all about happiness. He wants to paint his nails because it makes him happy. He wants his Dad to be in love because it makes him happy. I work with a lot of kids at the Library and I feel like … again … Browatzke has done a great job of capturing in the character of Peter… the accepting nature of kids!

Drag culture is a bit part of this story. Andrew is a successful Drag Queen when Patrick meets him. I loved the explanations of when to say “she” and when to say “he”. This novel goes a long way towards illustrating there are many ways to be “you” and we don’t’ all fit into categories. Patrick and Andrew have some great conversations about sexuality, gender, Drag, and toxic masculinity… and no, it’s not like a lecture… it’s fun. The banter between Patrick and Andrew is delightful.

The sex scenes are hot! And there are quite a few! Do you won’t feel ripped off in THAT department!

All in all a fun read with some real, valid diversity by an own-voices author.… (mais)