Reviewed by Jess
TITLE: The Obstruction of Emma Goldsworthy
SERIES: Get Out #3
AUTHOR: Sean Kennedy
PUBLISHER: Harmony Ink Press
LENGTH: 200 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 17, 2018
BLURB:
It’s hard to live in Micah Johnson’s shadow, but Emma Goldsworthy is determined to make it out from under there. Emma’s studying hockey and trying to find her way at the Australian Institute of Sport, but it’s hard to keep her spirits up when her ex—who dumped Emma so she could remain in the closet—returns from an exchange program with a new American girlfriend in tow. Emma doesn’t want her ex back, but she can’t seem to convince everyone else that they’re over. Plus, there’s another girl Emma can’t stop thinking about, even though she only saw her once… while in costume. There was chemistry, but Emma doesn’t know her name, or even what she looks like.
REVIEW:
I love a lady who plays sports, and I love Emma Goldsworthy! You couldn’t ask for a better character to spend 200 pages with. This book is funny, sweet, relatable, romantic, and wonderfully queer. I was smiling the entire time I read it, and I think you all will as well.
This is the third book in the “Get Out” series and the first F/F book in the universe. The “Get Out” series is a new adult spin-off series of Kennedy’s super popular “Tigers and Devils” books, which are adult romances. If you’re not familiar with the other books, some parts of this one involving minor characters and Australian sports culture might go over your head a little bit, but you’ll still definitely be able to enjoy Emma and Jess’ story for what it is. And if you’re already a Sean Kennedy fan, you’re in for a treat—some familiar faces make guest appearances alongside awesome new characters and points of view.
This is a great new adult series with smart characters who feel comfortable in the queer community and have a sharp, modern outlook on life. They work to abolish ideas of biphobia and transphobia, they’re supportive of each other across all genders and sexualities (Emma and Micah totally end the idea of rivalry between gay men and women), and they embrace the idea of community among one another. And the dynamic between Emma and Jess is not only adorable, it doesn’t rely on drama to be sexy and exciting. They just fit well together, and they communicate like normal young women trying to figure each other out.
I think the genre itself is an important aspect of this book. As someone who came out in college and surrounded myself with a young crowd of LGBT friends, I sometimes feel isolated by how romances seem to be either about teenagers or older adults already established in their lives. The new adult genre has definitely been a game-changer in the past few years, providing us with stories about early-twenties adults who are just stumbling into adulthood and independence.
It’s rare for an author to write an F/F book when their usual stuff is M/M and even rarer if it is a part of a larger, M/M-focused universe, so I’m very happy to see such an awesome change in the LGBT romance culture. Kennedy writes F/F with warmth, humor, and affection, and I’d be happy to read any of his future works in any series or universe.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
[…] It’s hard to live in Micah Johnson’s shadow, but Emma Goldsworthy is determined to make it out from under there. Emma’s studying hockey and trying to find her way at the Australian Institute of Sport, but it’s hard to keep her spirits up when her ex—who dumped Emma so she could remain in the closet—returns from an exchange program with a new American girlfriend in tow. Emma doesn’t want her ex back, but she can’t seem to convince everyone else that they’re over. Plus, there’s another girl Emma can’t stop thinking about, even though she only saw her once… while in costume. There was chemistry, but Emma doesn’t know her name, or even what she looks like. .Read More » […]