Yerba Buena: A Novel (edició 2022)

So sweet. ( )

adult fiction, ~25 y.o. bartender/mixologist Sara Foster meets ~25 y.o, Emilie Dubois, forever student looking for purpose. These characters and their assorted acquaintances (Eugene, Spencer, Annie, Colette, Bas, Claire) are so intensely human and their stories are told beautifully.

TW: drug abuse, addiction, forced sexual relations ( )

Sara loves Annie but Annie goes missing. Emilie's parents focus on her sister Colette who has an addiction problem. As their stories of growing up are told, their paths several times before they can find a time where they can stay in each other's lives.

I was not sure what to expect but this book was so good I hardly put it down as I read. I also read it in one day. Sara's story was hard to watch as she leaves town at 16 and moves to Los Angeles. She finds her place eventually, but she had a tough road. Emilie had just as tough a road, but she had family around her. They weren't much support as they always focused on Colette. Emilie was unsettled as she looked for a path to follow. She does find it. When she and Sara find each other, both are calmer. Their pasts, though, keep interfering and cause hurt and uncertainty to enter their possible relationship. Neither is used to people staying for them. I could identify with them. I was glad when they faced their pasts and could see how it impacted them.

I look forward to more books by Nina LaCour. ( )

The first novel I’ve read by this author—and her first piece of adult fiction (she usually writes YA)—is an emotional and gut-wrenching journey through the lives of two young women. Publication is expected May 31. Read my full review here.

#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #YerbaBuena ( )

Two women find themselves falling for each other despite the heavy baggage they each carry. Sara fled her hometown at sixteen when her girlfriend was found dead in the river. She needed a fresh start away from her hometown that sucked the life out of people. Emilie is unsure with what she wants to do with her life - she desperately wants to be closer to her addict sister, but doesn't know how to bridge the gap. In the meantime she becomes a super senior changing her major over and over. When the two star-crossed lovers meet at the hip restaurant, Yerba Buena, it isn't quite love at first sight - but the two find themselves being pulled together. If they ever set their baggage down - they might just find that they are exactly what they've been looking for. ( )