Attentive to wildlife, weather, issues of class, and the pressures and pleasures of mounting a show, Proffit’s somewhat leisurely style matches the pace of life in the small town of Beachside, with evocative descriptions of beaches, old mansions, and a classic boardwalk filled with “arcades, fortune tellers, T-shirt shops, pizza stands and rundown beachfront vacation rentals.” The cast’s love of music and cocktails creates a sophisticated party atmosphere, with dialogue that sparkles. The sharply named Pierce Talon is compelling, especially as he chooses to give up his hyper-masculine image and be kinder. Equally memorable is the feisty Viktoria Sinclair, whose impeccable style and golden heart light up her scenes. Thad Lambert, meanwhile, is given less interiority than the others, as the story hinges on his silence and reluctance to take the relationship with Billy forward.
Refreshingly, the author paints a community that is very accepting of gay love, apart from Pierce’s struggle with his father’s opinions on masculinity and queerness. A touching incident with the lovely dog Finn functions as an apt metaphor for Billy’s life, and in the end, there is hope—a break in the ice, a place to surface for air. A warm, relaxed, and energizing read.
Takeaway: Charming queer Jersey romance that sparkles with dance, music, and feeling.
Comparable Titles: Alison Cochrun’s The Charm Offensive, James Acker’s The Long Run.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
