I’m going to try for a soft rant…but I get worked up so we’ll see. I’m having feelings, and let’s be real, feelings are feelings…not facts. This is just the way this experience is making me feel.
I bought an audiobook by my favorite authors and I flat out feel misled. If the romance is between two women, mention their names or some other clue in the blurb. I found out by surprise, and that’s the part that bugs me. Not like a shocking plot twist, I love those. This feels deliberate to get someone who chooses not to read a certain thing to read it. Authors shouldn’t have to trick readers into buying their books. Sure we advertise, get good covers and catchy blurbs to get attention for the book, but hopefully, we’re highlighting the strong parts of the book, not misleading readers.
I considered returning the book, but I’m not actually offended by the romance. I’m just annoyed at the game, and not interested in the romance. It’s not my thing. Think of it like this: I really don’t like fish. But I have nothing against the fish industry, and people choose to eat fish around me all the time. I’m fine with it, I just choose the kind of food I like and everyone is happy. So I’m not returning the book.
FYI, I did return a book once because the adult hero of the book made fun of someone with a handicap in the opening pages. In that case was offended and mad. I returned the book in utter disgust. I don’t remember the title or author or anything except how upset I was.
Back to this book: Would I have bought the book anyway if it’d been clear in the blurb? I’d say there’s a 60% or better chance I would have as I liked the premise of the book, and I really like her writing. This author’s books are generally about more than a romance so … yeah, I’d say 60% chance I would have picked it up anyway. I might even have been curious of how she was going to weave that romance into the super interesting, and highly competitive setting.
Now I don’t know if I’ll finish it because I’m soured by the feeling of being duped. Or maybe I don’t like being thought of as closed minded or in any way supporting censorship? Something I fought against in my time of Co-President and Published Author Liaison for my chapter of RWA.
I don’t know, but my experience with this book has soured and I’m not sure if I’ll finish it. I really do like the premise…so we’ll see.
What are you reading? And was my rant soft? I mean, I didn’t swear…that counts right 
Happy Wednesday!
July 23rd, 2025 at 6:44 am · Link
Yeah, that’s a shitty thing to do to readers. And It’s a sure way to get a bunch of negative reviews. Unfortunately, with what they’ve done, if someone leaves a bad review, they’ll act like the only reason for the review is that the reader is ‘homophobic’ or some such nonsense. Feh.
I wouldn’t finish the book. I DNF a lot of books for a variety of reasons, but this one… if I kept reading, I’d keep that feeling of being tricked throughout and who needs that kind of negativity associated with reading? Ditch it and move on to something better. :hugs:
(PS. Your rant was nice and soft. Like an annoyed kitten.)
July 23rd, 2025 at 1:33 pm · Link
Now I’m really curious as to the book and/or author. I have one of those sitting in my Audible library but it came with full disclosure by the author. It’s from a favorite author in a favorite and oft-reread/relistened to series and this pairing has been teased for several books. I feel like the author “gave in” to pressure to be “inclusive.” I’ll eventually listen to it, but the idea leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t like certain foods either but have no argument with those who enjoy what I don’t.
Anyway, back to your rant. Me? I’d have to be fully invested in the rest of the story to overlook the subtrefuge. Otherwise, I probably would return it unless it was on sale cheap. Then I’d just bury it in a pile–figurative or literal depending on the format of the book.
And as B.E. said, you were a puddy cat.
I’m currently listening to THE CRYSTAL GRYPHON, part of Andre Norton’s Witch World series. I devoured all the books in my youth and now they’re releasing on audio so I occasionally do a “nostalgia tour” and listen to one.
Happy Wednesday and reading, all.
July 23rd, 2025 at 2:39 pm · Link
Your rant was quite civil. Much more polite than I would have been 😉.
I’m am like you and hate being deceived. I also do not enjoy reading same sex romance. It’s not for me. Like Beets. I hate them but don’t hate others that eat them. Okay, so your analogy was better 😂.
I’m glad that your still thinking about it since you like the premise of the story.
I have Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds next to me in bed every night but haven’t read much. I fall asleep before I even lift it off the bed.
I hope you are having a good day.
July 23rd, 2025 at 3:58 pm · Link
B.E., I’ve long hated the practice of the marketing departments to keep certain things out of the cover art and blurbs. This author had enough clout to exert some influence. I mean — as an author, I feel we have a certain contract with our readers and we should try to live up to it. But that’s just my opinion.
People who call me names don’t know me, so…
I suspect I’ll finish listening to it at a certain point. But I also have another book I’m interested in queued up on my Kindle if I stop watching videos long enough to read it!
An annoyed kitten, LOLOLOL!! That’s new and I think I’ll own it. Truthfully, I like this author a whole lot. So I’m not trying to attack anyone online, or start trouble. Just expressing an opinion. Things get so easily distorted online.
Hope you are enjoy your shows on Roku!!!
July 23rd, 2025 at 4:04 pm · Link
Silver, I don’t really get the impression she was trying to be inclusive, but I don’t personally no her, so I have no real idea. I just say that because she writes a lot of interesting characters. But still…in my mind, she had the clout to keep her readers from feeling duped. I say that as if the publisher isn’t going to fight harder to sell as many books as possible that first week to hit all the lists…trust me I know the game well. And that’s mostly why I didn’t return it — I know authors rarely have the power readers think they do. And I just like her work.
But I’m still irritated
Revisiting books from your youth sounds fun! I’m curious how you are liking them this go round?
Well it’s a happy day here except for the fly buzzing around my office. Hopefully you’re having a fly-free Wednesday!
July 23rd, 2025 at 4:08 pm · Link
Viki, I’m glad I was civil! And your analogy worked as well as mine! The great thing about books is we don’t all have to like the same ones. I probably should direct my ire at the marketing departments, but most readers don’t know or care of the inner workings of publishers.
Isn’t it frustrate to not be able to read like we used to? I guess life changes and we adjust. But I miss it!
My days been good, hope yours is too!