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booklovingmom_'s review against another edition
I received Transformed in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
I really wanted to give this book a chance even though it is not what I usually read, but by page 90, I couldn't take it anymore. I found the sexual preferences of the characters to be very in your face in a way that was distracting from the actual story. If everything had been toned down a little and the story was more focused on the plot I think this could have been a great read. I wish I could get into this book and read it and give the honest rating and review that I think it deserves, but I just can't push on.
I really wanted to give this book a chance even though it is not what I usually read, but by page 90, I couldn't take it anymore. I found the sexual preferences of the characters to be very in your face in a way that was distracting from the actual story. If everything had been toned down a little and the story was more focused on the plot I think this could have been a great read. I wish I could get into this book and read it and give the honest rating and review that I think it deserves, but I just can't push on.
mxsallybend's review against another edition
4.0
Charley is a transsexual CIA informant. Frankie is a lesbian police sergeant. Pamela is a Manhattan socialite tuned high-profile Dominatrix. Randy is an evangelical Christian fundamentalist. All four are experiencing something of a crisis in their lives, leading them to question their identities. Precisely how and where those lives intersect will leave them Transformed.
Suzanne Falter & Jack Harvey have crafted an intriguing novel that is both funny and disturbing, thrilling and romantic. It is origins are rather dark - a “Kill the Fags” campaign has birthed a terrorist plot to destroy the ‘hedonists’ of San Francisco - but the characters serve to bring some light (and even some romance) into it. It is a very emotional story, as you might expect, but be prepared for those emotions to shift over the course of the story.
While the terrorist campaign and overlapping CIA/SFPD investigations serve to propel the plot forward, it is the characters who make it worth following. Charley is brilliantly portrayed, capturing the fears and the doubts of a man still on the edge of his final transition, while Pamela is a warm, engaging, sympathetic woman who is slowly reclaiming her freedom and her sexuality. Frankie was a little too hard-boiled for me, but still a solid character, while Randy has enough depth to overcome our initial hatred as his own identity crisis comes to a height.
The cover blurb calls this a "funny thriller", but I would expand that somewhat to call it a "funny thriller with a lot of heart." Transformed could have played it straight (no pun intended), but the humor and the romance put the darker hatreds in context, and help guide the reader through to hopes of a happily ever after.
As reviewed by Sally at Bending the Bookshelf
Suzanne Falter & Jack Harvey have crafted an intriguing novel that is both funny and disturbing, thrilling and romantic. It is origins are rather dark - a “Kill the Fags” campaign has birthed a terrorist plot to destroy the ‘hedonists’ of San Francisco - but the characters serve to bring some light (and even some romance) into it. It is a very emotional story, as you might expect, but be prepared for those emotions to shift over the course of the story.
While the terrorist campaign and overlapping CIA/SFPD investigations serve to propel the plot forward, it is the characters who make it worth following. Charley is brilliantly portrayed, capturing the fears and the doubts of a man still on the edge of his final transition, while Pamela is a warm, engaging, sympathetic woman who is slowly reclaiming her freedom and her sexuality. Frankie was a little too hard-boiled for me, but still a solid character, while Randy has enough depth to overcome our initial hatred as his own identity crisis comes to a height.
The cover blurb calls this a "funny thriller", but I would expand that somewhat to call it a "funny thriller with a lot of heart." Transformed could have played it straight (no pun intended), but the humor and the romance put the darker hatreds in context, and help guide the reader through to hopes of a happily ever after.
As reviewed by Sally at Bending the Bookshelf
m_kaythen's review
1.0
Charley MacElroy is a spy working for the CIA who happens to also be trans, and he’s recently had his security clearance suspended because he forgot to pay his taxes. Electra is an aspiring dominatrix who just moved to San Francisco on the heels of a devastating divorce that has left her notorious in the society pages and estranged from her daughter. Frankie is a lesbian police sergeant who was originally assigned to clean up corruption in the SFPD, but was quickly demoted when a new chief arrived on the scene. When Charley meets and befriends these two women, they begin to uncover a crazed Christian fundamentalist’s plan to terrorize a popular San Francisco race and destroy the city’s hedonists. Because of their “outsider status,” they are unable to convince anyone to investigate the threat that they see brewing, leading to a race to stop the terrible attack on their own before it’s too late.
Let me just start out by saying that I wanted to like this book. The summary seemed interesting and had characters I genuinely wanted to get to know. One of the problems is that I’ve finished the book and I still don’t know them. The book itself is fast-paced, and rarely lags on the plot, although it sometimes detours extensively into the relationships between the characters instead. I think a lot of the problems I have with this book boil down to one major issue: these authors shouldn’t have written this book, or if they were going to, they should have asked for a lot more help than they seemed to have. There was nothing malicious about the plot or characterizations, but there was some pervasive transphobia and kink-shaming, as well as basic misunderstandings as to how either of those things actually work. Charley’s identity as a spy is also somewhat misleading, as the only way it really relates to the plot is that he gets suspended.
The antagonist is another major issue for this book. Having his point of view throughout the book released entirely too much tension, and left the plot of this supposed “thriller” with nowhere to go in its resolution. His full identity and motivations, once they are revealed at the book’s end (through extremely dubious methods, might I add), are pretty trite and problematic. Honestly, considering the antagonist’s resolution, the book kind of reads as an extended “come-to-Jesus” moment for a violently homophobic terrorist.
Transformed: San Francisco has enough positive reviews that it clearly appeals to some readers. I could see the fast-pace of the narrative appealing to readers who would like a quick and engaging read. The characters could also be a draw for those who enjoy interpersonal relationships in their thrillers, although I would caution that those relationships may develop a bit too quickly for some. The setting of San Francisco is crucial to the plot and atmosphere of the book, so anyone looking for a sense of place should be able to find it in this novel.
Let me just start out by saying that I wanted to like this book. The summary seemed interesting and had characters I genuinely wanted to get to know. One of the problems is that I’ve finished the book and I still don’t know them. The book itself is fast-paced, and rarely lags on the plot, although it sometimes detours extensively into the relationships between the characters instead. I think a lot of the problems I have with this book boil down to one major issue: these authors shouldn’t have written this book, or if they were going to, they should have asked for a lot more help than they seemed to have. There was nothing malicious about the plot or characterizations, but there was some pervasive transphobia and kink-shaming, as well as basic misunderstandings as to how either of those things actually work. Charley’s identity as a spy is also somewhat misleading, as the only way it really relates to the plot is that he gets suspended.
The antagonist is another major issue for this book. Having his point of view throughout the book released entirely too much tension, and left the plot of this supposed “thriller” with nowhere to go in its resolution. His full identity and motivations, once they are revealed at the book’s end (through extremely dubious methods, might I add), are pretty trite and problematic. Honestly, considering the antagonist’s resolution, the book kind of reads as an extended “come-to-Jesus” moment for a violently homophobic terrorist.
Transformed: San Francisco has enough positive reviews that it clearly appeals to some readers. I could see the fast-pace of the narrative appealing to readers who would like a quick and engaging read. The characters could also be a draw for those who enjoy interpersonal relationships in their thrillers, although I would caution that those relationships may develop a bit too quickly for some. The setting of San Francisco is crucial to the plot and atmosphere of the book, so anyone looking for a sense of place should be able to find it in this novel.
apiratethatdoesnothing's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this story more than I did. It was cute, and a fun read but I'm disappointed randy/roscoe was more in the whole BDSM play aspect. I wished to have more of Charley and Electra's relationship build throughout the story instead of the focusing on how much charley tried to contact her during the breakup. I did enjoy that there weren't too many characters to keep track of so it was a super quick read.
Can't say Ill reach for the next book in series out of my own will.
Can't say Ill reach for the next book in series out of my own will.
elizatanner's review
5.0
An entertaining book that kept me hooked. I look forward to reading the next in the series. Exciting thriller, mystery, that had a shadow of Amistad Maupin. Characters were fun to follow and I could picture the area in SF the author took pains in researching to describe.
rainbow_grace's review against another edition
2.0
Meh
I found this difficult. The main trans character misgenders himself and the ending is too neat and easy. The writing is clean but it was just meh for me.
I found this difficult. The main trans character misgenders himself and the ending is too neat and easy. The writing is clean but it was just meh for me.
thehonestpuck's review against another edition
5.0
A very well-written romance featuring a trans man and a pro-domme. The mystery is very timely & relevant to the atmosphere of the present day, the writing is excellent, and I'm just so happy to have characters who seem like they could be part of my community immortalized in text. <3
literally_laura's review against another edition
4.0
I see a lot of people saying this isn't LGTBQ+ friendly because they say "fag". I almost let this turn me away. I'm so glad I didn't.
This is a story about a Westboro Baptist Church-esque religion nutjob that wants to rid to world of sin and believes God told him to stage chemical attacks in San Francisco. The only time anything derogatory is said against non-cis people is from his POV. Taking the haters viewpoint out of it, I found everything very realistic. Charley is a transman that was helped to transition pre-puberty by his Southern grandpa who works for the CIA gathering intelligence in some sticky situations. Electra is a NY socialite finding her way after a very public divorce. Her lawyer husband found out she had become a dominatrix and was practicing with his friends. The two met, sparks fly, and they save San Francisco with the help of a lesbian cop and a liberal dash of good luck. It's NSFW, but not explicitly sexual. Some of the content can't help but be a bit blushworthy for the less open readers.
Enough of that. I'm going to dive right in to #2!
This is a story about a Westboro Baptist Church-esque religion nutjob that wants to rid to world of sin and believes God told him to stage chemical attacks in San Francisco. The only time anything derogatory is said against non-cis people is from his POV. Taking the haters viewpoint out of it, I found everything very realistic. Charley is a transman that was helped to transition pre-puberty by his Southern grandpa who works for the CIA gathering intelligence in some sticky situations. Electra is a NY socialite finding her way after a very public divorce. Her lawyer husband found out she had become a dominatrix and was practicing with his friends. The two met, sparks fly, and they save San Francisco with the help of a lesbian cop and a liberal dash of good luck. It's NSFW, but not explicitly sexual. Some of the content can't help but be a bit blushworthy for the less open readers.
Enough of that. I'm going to dive right in to #2!
thequeerbookish's review against another edition
4.0
I nearly dnf-ed this book. The beginning is so hectic and the characters seem rather random. But I read on and suddenly I was hooked. Everything comes smoothly together... well, mostly. I was confused why they get from stalker to terrorist. Maybe I read over something, but I am sure I didn't.
Anyway, I really liked Charley's doubts about his own body and how he helps Electra discover herself. At first I couldn't take her seriously as a dominatrix, because in her everyday life she truly isn't dominant (not saying you have to be), but later on the reader gets to read her in a scene and: mh, yes.
It isn't the most intellectual read, but I was entertained. Nearly entertained enough to ignore the mistakes. There were a few repetitions (like how plastic bags are forbidden in San Francisco).
At the end of the book you learn what inspired the authors to this novel and I may be checking those books out.
Disclaimer: I was provided with a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
Anyway, I really liked Charley's doubts about his own body and how he helps Electra discover herself. At first I couldn't take her seriously as a dominatrix, because in her everyday life she truly isn't dominant (not saying you have to be), but later on the reader gets to read her in a scene and: mh, yes.
It isn't the most intellectual read, but I was entertained. Nearly entertained enough to ignore the mistakes. There were a few repetitions (like how plastic bags are forbidden in San Francisco).
At the end of the book you learn what inspired the authors to this novel and I may be checking those books out.
Disclaimer: I was provided with a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
royalraspberry's review against another edition
2.0
Let me be explicitly clear right off the bat: This book is not LGBTQ+ friendly
This is a poorly devised, poorly executed novel filled with transphobic comments, the f slur dropped around like it's candy, and the homophobic trope that all homophobic people are secretly gay themselves. The "villain" (who is set up to conjure up actual sympathy) is cartoony to a degree of near hilarity and makes light of the very real threat of violent evangelism and hate crimes that real LGBTQ+ people face. He is not layered or nuanced, he is a poorly executed trope.
Electra is just a horrifically unrelatable, unlikeable character who drops transphobic comments but is instantly forgiven because Charlie is just filled with that much self loathing and doubt about his ability to maintain a relationship with anyone.
Frankie is halfway decent but starts the book out by "just knowing" who is trans and who isn't because they "aren't like all the other men", and then continues to do things like joke about him hitting menopause and then immediately follow it with demanding when he is going to "get his dick".
Vile, problematic trash that CIS readers will just eat up because the entire book feeds into the obsession with trans folk's genetalia, topped off by asking in the book club questions if Charlie should get bottom surgery.
And for the actual plot? It's horrid, hinged on plot holes and things that make no sense, combined with a sheer, willful lack of knowledge on laws and police procedures.
This book gets a whole whopping two stars because the authors somehow managed to cobble together vaguely coherent English sentences.
This is a poorly devised, poorly executed novel filled with transphobic comments, the f slur dropped around like it's candy, and the homophobic trope that all homophobic people are secretly gay themselves. The "villain" (who is set up to conjure up actual sympathy) is cartoony to a degree of near hilarity and makes light of the very real threat of violent evangelism and hate crimes that real LGBTQ+ people face. He is not layered or nuanced, he is a poorly executed trope.
Electra is just a horrifically unrelatable, unlikeable character who drops transphobic comments but is instantly forgiven because Charlie is just filled with that much self loathing and doubt about his ability to maintain a relationship with anyone.
Frankie is halfway decent but starts the book out by "just knowing" who is trans and who isn't because they "aren't like all the other men", and then continues to do things like joke about him hitting menopause and then immediately follow it with demanding when he is going to "get his dick".
Vile, problematic trash that CIS readers will just eat up because the entire book feeds into the obsession with trans folk's genetalia, topped off by asking in the book club questions if Charlie should get bottom surgery.
And for the actual plot? It's horrid, hinged on plot holes and things that make no sense, combined with a sheer, willful lack of knowledge on laws and police procedures.
This book gets a whole whopping two stars because the authors somehow managed to cobble together vaguely coherent English sentences.
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