Reviewed by: Sue Eaton

TITLE: Drama Queen

SERIES: The Court

AUTHOR: Charlie Novak

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 289 pages

RELEASE DATE: November 28, 2023

BLURB:

Note to self: dumping cocktails into a man’s lap does not count as a meet cute.

Accidentally throwing a jug of Sex on the Beach onto the hottest guy at drag brunch was not how I wanted to start my performance, and forgetting to ask for his name was the cherry on top.

But when he finds me online and invites me out for drinks, it seems like my chaotic shenanigans might have worked out for once. Falling into bed with West is easy, but balancing a gorgeous, rugby player boyfriend with a day job and drag is harder than dancing in eight inch heels.

And when my participation in a local drag story hour draws the ire of certain locals, it feels like everything might fall apart. West doesn’t understand why I won’t step down, but I’ve never been afraid of being myself.

Now I just need West to stand beside me. Because he’s the only man who’s ever loved me as Rory and Bubblegum Galaxy, and I won’t let that slip away.

You can call me a drama queen, but you’ll never dull my sparkle

REVIEW:

Bubblegum Galaxy is larger than life, a Drag Queen whose greatest wish is to get onto Drag Stars UK, she has been honing her craft and is at the top of her game, this is the year, she is sure of it, that she’ll get onto Drag Stars UK.  She has a supportive family in her parents and brother and in her family of the other Drag Queens she performs with.  Life is good, sparkly and vibrant it can’t get any better.

West is a professional rugby player, big and brawny, whilst he’s out as Bi-sexual, he shies away from conflict and sometimes lets comments about him go to far.  It’s difficult being a professional sportsman and he doesn’t want to stand out as different or difficult in case it affects his position on the team.

Two very different people at very different places in their lives, but a chance encounter at the drag brunch Bubblegum Galaxy is performing at, an accident with a jug of cocktails and things will never be the same again for either of them.

Bubblegum Galaxy is a joy, happy in her skin both in and out of drag.  It is so cute the messages they send, as they start to get to know each other.  The realisation that they both want more than friends with benefits, though they both enjoy the benefits so much.  The growth of their relationship and the inevitable pitfalls they face.

I felt that West had the greater journey of discovery, about himself, but mostly about how he has over the years made himself less, so he fits into society, not so much about his physical space but much more about his mental space.  It was interesting to see how his past influenced this journey and it was wonderful to see relationship with his long-lost brother developing.

I really enjoyed the Heather Bay characters cameo’s, it was so nice to see them pop up in this book, playing video games and meeting up.

It was also great that Bubblegum Galaxy has a supportive family, who help to make her outfits.  The idea that her father, former skinhead, football hooligan and tough man, not only accepts that his son is gay but also wants to be a Drag Queen and sits happily sewing on sequins.  Her family gives advice, teases, but is always there in times of need, they are the epitome of unconditional love and support.   They are an amazing family who love him as Rory, but equally love her as Bubblegum Galaxy.   It was so cute that West immediately started to learn British Sign Language so he could talk to Rory’s brother and the acceptance he felt from Rory’s family helped so much with the estrangement he has from his own family.

A wonderful book about acceptance and love, building a relationship and weathering whatever life throws at you, standing firm in your resolve to be yourself and finding the courage to stand by your convictions whatever others may say or do.

RATING:

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