A review by _bookish_lauren
Unlikely by Marley Valentine

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Overall: 4.25/5
Spice level: 2/5
Tropes: age gap, best friend's mom, one night stand, bisexual awakening, found family 

Representation: Sapphic story between a bi MC and a lesbian MC

CW: grief and discussions of stillbirth 

Unlikely was a beautiful sapphic story that tackled grief and loss but also finding oneself. 

That character development was fairly strong. For Zara, it was about learning how to come to terms with her right to grieve the loss of the baby she carried as a surrogate. For Clem, it was realizing she deserved happiness and to be taken care of while she's always been the one taking care of others. 

I loved the patience they had with each other. Zara with Clem's inexperience with women and Clem with Zara coming to terms with her grief. 

Both women had their own found family, which was really amazing. Coming together with all the love and acceptance in the world. 

There was initially a publishing snafu with the book, but it was worth the wait.