Bitter Medicine by Mia Tsai was a fun read. I must be on an “urban fantasy” kick because it’s a theme. This book was very much focused on the romance, but the other plots through the book kept me intrigued. One of the things I really, truly appreciated was there wasn’t a time the secondary plot/conflicts felt forced.
I’m sorry I’m not good at delving into plots. I don’t want to ruin any of the surprises for anyone. I will say that I found the pacing had some of the classic “romance” issues where there was at least twice I kind of thought we’d hit the “end” but it wasn’t. And the end when it did arrive felt just a little rushed. This seems to be very common with “romance” focused books (in my experience). I think some of it has to do with my own expectations on pacing.
I also truly adored that Mia made it a plot point of WHY they can’t just talk to each other. It is such a pet peeve that I, as the reader, might sit there and go “just fucking say it aloud!!!!” and if I’ve had to say it three times to the protagonist… I can actually start yelling at my book. But Mia – made it one of the conflicts. WHY they can’t talk. Beautiful. Thank you so, so much.
I also really liked how Luc is awkward. Like, maybe on the autistic spectrum level of awkward. He struggles to express himself and understand others. I have known enough people like that, it felt really nice to see it in a novel. And he isn’t blunt about “I don’t understand people, wahhhh” (whining) but more like “I am pretty sure from my previous experiences, that expression equates to anger. Why are they angry?” because of something slightly obtuse Luc said or did. Very realistic to my experience with high-functioning autism.
So I haven’t even talked about the main character, Elle. She and her older brother Tony are delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed both of them, and honestly wish there had been more Tony in the book (to which he would reply something like, “Of course you did darling, I’m amazing.”) I also would have liked more of her (few) friends. More about her life pre-book that wasn’t plot-centric. She supposedly spent some time in Vancouver. What did she do there? MORE. I WANT MORE.
I am a greedy reader, I know. I also love the history and past of characters. It shows how real Elle was to me that I believe in her past and history, even when it’s vague. It’s lovely.
Dream by Day 