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Perfect Match
by Cecil WildeWhat if your first Dom was your second chance at love? Hunter's not sure what to expect when he goes to the BDSM partner-matching service, Playmates, but he certainly didn't expect to meet sexy, confident Milo, the male Dom who may turn out to be exactly what he needs. Cecil Wilde brings you Perfect Match, Book 1 of his new GLBT romance series.After years of thinking about it, Hunter's finally taking the plunge into BDSM by going to the partner-matching service, Playmates. He's not sure what he wants, but his answers and interview get him matched with Milo, an experienced Dom whose lack of interest in S&M makes him unsuitable for many, but perfect for Hunter--even if he's never slept with a man before. Their sessions make Hunter realize that this is exactly what he's always needed, but when his ex--the one who got away--comes back on the scene, Hunter finds himself faced with an impossible decision. Will he go back to her or take a chance on the man who might just be his perfect match?Content Notes: Hot, Anal Play, Anal Intercourse, D/s Elements, Contemporary, GLBT, M/M, BDSM
Perfect Match
by Jj RyanSeattle trauma doctor Patrick Quinn has never been in love. In fact, he's never even had a long-term relationship. In his limited personal life, getting a date is only half the problem. Being able to keep it, despite emergency duties in the ER, is the other. So though he's interested in Trevor Oneil, a man he meets on a dating site, he decides to take it slow. Trevor moved to Seattle looking for a fresh start. Recently single and lonely in his new city, he works business hours as an anesthesiologist, hoping a better work-life balance will make it easier to meet someone. Patrick might be just what he's been hoping for. Then disaster hits and a severely injured Trevor lands in Patrick's ER. Unable to work on Trevor, Patrick feels helpless. He wanted to ease into a relationship, but he's already attached. Then Trevor's past comes rushing in to take him away from the dangers of Seattle. If Trevor and Patrick's new love is to survive the drama, Patrick will have to own up to what he wants--and fight for it.
Perfect Obsession
by Lucien GreyLord Robert Beswick bought his commission and went to sea to escape the responsibilities of a noble title he never wanted. But now he has something, someone, he wants to stay home for, to protect, and he fears his lack of wealth and long absences at sea will drive his lover away.Will Rohen, son of a cloth merchant, is driven by his obsession for perfection which manifests in his love for fashion. Seen as nothing more than a vain fop by society, he is a source of ridicule and envy, even catching the eye of the prince regent. But what plagues him most is the nightmare that the war will one day claim Robert’s life.Will’s obsession makes Robert fear he cannot provide his lover with the life he deserves. Will fears more than anything that Robert will sail away one day and not return to him. Can their romance survive?
Perfect On Paper
by Sophie GonzalesA bisexual girl who gives anonymous love advice to her school friends is hired by the hot new kid to help him get his ex back. Leah on the Offbeat meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before - the new queer YA rom-com from Sophie Gonzales.'Perfectly wonderful' - Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda Her advice, spot on. Her love life, way off. Darcy Phillips: Can give you the solution to any of your relationship woes - for a fee. Uses her power for good. Most of the time. Really cannot stand the new Australian jock at school, Alexander Brougham. Has maybe not the best judgement when it comes to her best friend, Brooke...who is in love with someone else. Does not appreciate being blackmailed. But when Brougham catches Darcy in the act of collecting letters from locker 89 - out of which she's been running her questionably legal, anonymous relationship advice service - that's exactly what happens. In exchange for keeping her secret, Darcy begrudgingly agrees to become his personal dating coach. The goal? To help him win his ex-girlfriend back. Darcy has good reason to keep her identity secret. If word gets out that she's behind the locker, some things she's not proud of will come to light, and there's a good chance Brooke will never speak to her again. Okay, so all she has to do is help an entitled, bratty, (annoyingly hot) guy win over a girl who's already fallen for him once? What could possibly go wrong?(P)2021 Macmillan Audio
Perfect On Paper: A Novel
by Sophie GonzalesA bisexual girl who gives anonymous love advice to her school friends is hired by the hot new kid to help him get his ex back. Leah on the Offbeat meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before - the new queer YA rom-com from Sophie Gonzales.'Perfectly wonderful' - Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda Her advice, spot on. Her love life, way off. Darcy Phillips: Can give you the solution to any of your relationship woes - for a fee. Uses her power for good. Most of the time. Really cannot stand the new Australian jock at school, Alexander Brougham. Has maybe not the best judgement when it comes to her best friend, Brooke...who is in love with someone else. Does not appreciate being blackmailed. But when Brougham catches Darcy in the act of collecting letters from locker 89 - out of which she's been running her questionably legal, anonymous relationship advice service - that's exactly what happens. In exchange for keeping her secret, Darcy begrudgingly agrees to become his personal dating coach. The goal? To help him win his ex-girlfriend back. Darcy has good reason to keep her identity secret. If word gets out that she's behind the locker, some things she's not proud of will come to light, and there's a good chance Brooke will never speak to her again. Okay, so all she has to do is help an entitled, bratty, (annoyingly hot) guy win over a girl who's already fallen for him once? What could possibly go wrong?
Perfect Revenge: Volume 1 (Volume 1 #1)
by NeverOne day, the latest news on the forum: According to people familiar with the matter, this forum infatuated with Brother Yi from bending to straightening overnight, the beautiful photo of the host of the foreign language version of the beauty forum was exposed!Upon seeing the news, all his friends immediately sent Xu Meng their most sincere concern: If you don't do it, you don't die.Disgusted mouth straight scrape tantalizing dog attack true repentance sometimes can not control oneself to fly self to suffer during the period of being a human again
Perfect Rows
by Holly DayEverything would've been perfect if Grayson Dawe hadn't been forced to share his garden with Camden Hensley. Grayson has everything he needs in life -- a job, friends, a house he loves, and a garden. He wants to grow enough vegetables to cover his needs over the summer, and he has a plan for how to achieve it.Camden Hensley loves his garden. He loves beautiful flowers in perfect rows, sweet scents and buzzing bees, but his neighbor, Grayson, messes everything up. He mixes vegetables with flowers in the growing beds and is incapable of placing plants in straight lines. And when Cam pulls out the plants growing in the wrong place, Grayson snarls at him.Grayson doesn't want to fight with Camden, but he's completely unreasonable. Cam only wants Grayson to stop creating chaos and to grow flowers instead of vegetables. Neither of them is willing to back down, and days in the garden usually end in shouting matches, at least until Grayson realizes he can shut Cam up by kissing him. But will they ever be able to agree about what plants should grow where?
Perfect Ten
by L. PhilipsWho is Sam Raines's Perfect Ten? It’s been two years since Sam broke up with the only other eligible gay guy in his high school, so to say he’s been going through a romantic drought is the understatement of the decade. When Meg, his ex-Catholic-turned-Wiccan best friend, suggests performing a love spell, Sam is just desperate enough to try. He crafts a list of ten traits he wants in a boyfriend and burns it in a cemetery at midnight on Friday the thirteenth. Enter three seemingly perfect guys, all in pursuit of Sam. There’s Gus, the suave French exchange student; Jamie, the sweet and shy artist; and Travis, the guitar-playing tattooed enigma. Even Sam’s ex-boyfriend, Landon, might want another chance. But does a Perfect Ten even exist? Find out in this delectable coming-of-age romcom with just a touch of magic.
Perfect on Paper: A Novel
by Sophie Gonzales“Perfectly wonderful.” —Becky Albertalli, New York Times–bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda “An electrifying love story.” —BooklistFROM NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY-BESTSELLING AND INDIE NEXT PICK AUTHOR Sophie Gonzales comes Perfect on Paper: Leah on the Offbeat meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before in this YA romcom, where a bisexual girl who gives anonymous love advice to her classmates is hired by the hot guy to help him get his ex backHer advice, spot on. Her love life, way off.Darcy Phillips:• Can give you the solution to any of your relationship woes—for a fee.• Uses her power for good. Most of the time.• Really cannot stand Alexander Brougham.• Has maybe not the best judgement when it comes to her best friend, Brooke…who is in love with someone else.• Does not appreciate being blackmailed.However, when Brougham catches her in the act of collecting letters from locker 89—out of which she’s been running her questionably legal, anonymous relationship advice service—that’s exactly what happens. In exchange for keeping her secret, Darcy begrudgingly agrees to become his personal dating coach—at a generous hourly rate, at least. The goal? To help him win his ex-girlfriend back.Darcy has a good reason to keep her identity secret. If word gets out that she’s behind the locker, some things she's not proud of will come to light, and there’s a good chance Brooke will never speak to her again.Okay, so all she has to do is help an entitled, bratty, (annoyingly hot) guy win over a girl who’s already fallen for him once? What could go wrong?
Perfection
by Clare LondonJames is surprised when co-worker Vic disappears, but even more so when Vic shows up months later as James’s manager. As a single gay man with few responsibilities, James takes his fun wherever and whenever he can. He’d even played around with Vic a few times. But now something’s changed, something James can't quite put his finger on. In fact, almost everything about Vic is subtly different -- and maybe not so subtly, when it comes to them resuming their affair. James never used to think Vic was hot, but now Vic’s like a new man and he wants James. James should be flattered, shouldn’t he?Unfortunately, things don’t develop quite the way James hopes. He’s just out for a good time, but Vic wants something more than mutually satisfactory sexual games. He’s obsessed with finding out James’s idea of a perfect man. And what’s more, Vic seems determined to do whatever’s necessary to become that person -- whether James is a willing participant or not.
Perfectly Matched: True Stories of Love, Fate, and the Magic of Matchmaking
by Rachel Jayne Cassidy&‘Rachel Jayne masterfully draws out heartfelt honesty and intimate details, making these love stories an absolute delight. Hop on and enjoy the ride through the ups and downs of the carousel of love!" – Greg Evans What draws us to love, binds us in partnership, and keeps us searching for &“The One&”? Perfectly Matched takes readers on a heartwarming exploration of the universal pursuit of love and companionship. From ancient beliefs about divine matchmaking to the modern whirlwind of dating apps, reality TV shows, and professional matchmakers, this book reveals the many ways humans—and even some animals—navigate the mysterious art of finding a soulmate. With her signature wit and warmth, Rachel Jayne shares captivating stories from her global exploration of love, introducing readers to unforgettable characters like Willie Daly of Ireland&’s famed Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival and couples who&’ve overcome incredible odds to stay together. Alongside these stories are fascinating insights into romantic traditions worldwide and answers to enduring questions: Do opposites really attract? Is true love a matter of fate, luck, or sheer persistence? With humour and heart, Perfectly Matched shines a light on the unifying human desire for connection. Packed with captivating anecdotes, surprising wisdom, and relatable insights, this book will leave you laughing, reflecting, and perhaps reconsidering your approach to finding your forever mate.. Whether you are single, partnered, or simply curious, Perfectly Matched offers a delightful celebration of love&’s enduring magic.
Perfectly Queer: Facing Big Fears, Living Hard Truths, and Loving Myself Fully Out of the Closet
by Jillian AbbyThis humorous, heartwarming memoir follows a wife and mother's journey of self-discovery and acceptance as she comes out as a lesbian in her late 30s.Jill had a happy, healthy 20-year relationship with her college sweetheart, two wonderful kids, and rescue cat from the Humane Society. They lived in a nice suburban home with a white picket fence and owned a small bar that was rated one of the &“Best Mom & Pop&” businesses in Tampa Bay. From the outside, everything looked perfect.Perfectly Queer takes the reader on Jillian Abby's poignant and painfully funny rollercoaster of self-discovery as she identifies and eventually accepts herself as a lesbian just before her 40th birthday. Living her new truth means leaving behind a life that, by societal standards, is nearly perfect.This is a story for anyone who is hiding a piece of themselves and wants to know if it&’s safe to be revealed. It&’s for the parent who must choose between their own happiness and the stability of their family, wondering if prioritizing themselves is selfish. It&’s for the person potentially facing a major life upheaval filled with unknowns in the future who is seeking reassurance that everything will work out just fine. It&’s a story of hope and inspiration to those who are starting or are in the middle of their journey, and an affirmation to those who have been through it to stand proudly on the other side.
Perfekt (Die Göttlichen #2)
by M. A. ChurchFortsetzung zu UnbezahlbarBuch 2 in der Serie - Die GöttlichenDer abgeklärte Milliardär Jeff Mayfield liebt nur das, was er mit seinem Geld und seiner Macht kaufen kann, aber das Schicksal hat andere Pläne für ihn. Zuerst gewinnt ein Spieler in Jeffs Casino einen riesigen Jackpot und es bricht allgemeine Hektik aus. Und dann entdeckt Jeff auch noch mitten im Chaos den unglaublich gut aussehenden Cam Smith – Cupid in menschlicher Form. Von Lust überwältigt spricht Jeff ihn an – und muss feststellen, dass er selbst es ist, der verführt werden soll. Cam nimmt Jeffs Selbstbild auseinander und setzt es andersherum wieder zusammen. Aber Jeff ist nicht der einzige, der um Selbstbeherrschung ringt. Cam hat eine dunkle Seite namens Jealousy und wenn er die Kontrolle verliert, hat es tödliche Konsequenzen …
Performing Parenthood: Non-Normative Fathers and Mothers in Spanish Narrative and Film (Toronto Iberic #92)
by Heather JerónimoPerforming Parenthood reveals different enactments of motherhood and fatherhood in twentieth- and twenty-first-century Spain, showing how the family has adapted, or at times failed to do so, within the context of Spain’s changing socioeconomic reality. Through an examination of examples of non-normative parenthood in contemporary Spanish literature and film – including gay literary father figures, subversive physical touch between mother and child, fathers who cross-dress, lesbian maternal community building, non-biological parenting, and disabled bodies – the book argues that current conceptualizations of parenthood should be amplified to reflect the various existing identities and performances of motherhoods and fatherhoods. Connecting canonical works to recent works, the book establishes a unique dialogue that will expand the conversation about the Spanish family beyond the traditional view, bringing visibility to alternative family models. It argues that parental identities exist on a spectrum, enabling many parental figures to disregard heteronormative standards imposed upon the role and allowing them to experience parenthood in meaningful ways. Bringing visibility to literary and cinematic examples of alternative Spanish families, Performing Parenthood provides a glimpse into an evolving society influenced by national and global changes.
Performing Social Change on the Island of Ireland: From Republic to Pandemic (Routledge Advances in Theatre & Performance Studies)
by Ciara L. MurphyThis book examines the relationship between moments of significant social change on the island of Ireland and performance practice during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It examines how moments of significant change influence not only the content of performance practice but also the form and function of theatre production and reception. This book investigates how the Troubles and subsequent Peace Process, Second-Wave Feminism, the Celtic Tiger and neoliberalism, social revolution, and the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the form and function of performance practice across the island of Ireland. Although these forms of theatre and performance making refer to varied and distinct lineages of practice internationally, there are key parallels that compel a study of their inter-relationality in a specific Irish context This book explores how the performance of Ireland illuminates histories and stories that are on the margins, illuminating the lived realities of everyday life through the presentation of moments of violence, oppression, and trauma as something that is as important as the larger narratives often ascribed to nationhood. This book asks how performance practice engages with and informs moments of major social change on the island of Ireland through the distinct yet intersecting lenses of place, performance form, and social context over the course of almost a century of Irish theatre and performance practice.
Perfume and Pain: A Novel
by Anna Dorn&“Perceptive and witty—like a Sally Rooney novel set in Southern California.&” —Star Tribune (Minneapolis) &“It&’s this author&’s best work yet. A Sapphic roller-coaster ride.&” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) A controversial LA author attempts to revive her career and finally find true love in this hilarious nod to 1950s lesbian pulp fiction.Having recently moved both herself and her formidable perfume bottle collection into a tiny bungalow in Los Angeles, mid-list author Astrid Dahl finds herself back in the Zoom writer&’s group she cofounded, Sapphic Scribes, after an incident that leaves her and her career lightly canceled. But she temporarily forgets all that by throwing herself into a few sexy distractions—like Ivy, a grad student researching 1950s lesbian pulp who smells like metallic orchids, or her new neighbor, Penelope, who smells like patchouli. Penelope, a painter living off Urban Outfitters settlement money, immediately ingratiates herself in Astrid&’s life, bonding with her best friends and family, just as Astrid and Ivy begin to date in person. Astrid feels judged and threatened by Penelope, a responsible older vegan, but also finds her irresistibly sexy. When Astrid receives an unexpected call from her agent with the news that actress and influencer Kat Gold wants to adapt her previous novel for TV, Astrid finally has a chance to resurrect her waning career. But the pressure causes Astrid&’s worst vice to rear its head—the Patricia Highsmith, a blend of Adderall, alcohol, and cigarettes—and results in blackouts and a disturbing series of events. Unapologetically feminine yet ribald, steamy yet hilarious, Anna Dorn has crafted an exquisite homage to the lesbian pulp of yore, reclaiming it for our internet and celebrity-obsessed world. With notes of Southern California citrus and sultry smokiness, Perfume and Pain is a satirical romp through Hollywood and lesbian melodrama.
Perhaps, Someday
by Edward KendrickCaiden McNeil is a special being, a metamorph who can become any human necessary to stop the criminals his elven boss Zander sends him after.Caiden is also a loner, unable to trust anyone on an emotional level. He has reason to feel this way: in his over eight-hundred years, he has learned that caring for someone only leads to despair. After all, how could a human accept him for what he really is, an immortal who will never seem to grow older than his apparent age of twenty-eight?Then two men come into Caiden's life -- Leander, a cougar shifter, and Theirn, a half-elf. Either may betray Caiden and his belief that their feelings for him are real. On the other hand, is one of them willing to fight to prove love is possible, if Caiden will only give it a chance?
Perilous Knights
by Charles PayseurSir Lamorak is a mess -- in debt to a ruthless knight, estranged from most of his family, and unable to resist a warm bed regardless of who’s offering. His only real hope of getting out of trouble is winning a large tourney, and with a mech suit in bad need of repair, he’s prospects seem dim indeed. At least until a mysterious ally saves him from a savage attack and offers to help him out.But can a stranger who wears a mask with glowing green eyes really be trusted, or are ey part of the swirling plots between Queen Guinevere, the jealous First Consort Arthur, and his scheming magician Merlin? Whatever happens, Lamorak must navigate political intrigue, personal demons, and distracting pleasures to survive being a perilous knight.
Perilous Partnership: A Partnership In Blood Novel (Partnership in Blood #5)
by Ariel Tachna2nd EditionA Partnership in Blood novelA year after the end of the war that brought them together, Raymond Payet and Jean Bellaiche have found a balance in their relationship: Jean drinks only Raymond's blood; Raymond sleeps only in Jean's bed. The demands of their public roles as president of l'Association Nationale de Sorcellerie and chef de la Cour of the Parisian vampires keep them busy dealing with fallout from the war and the alliance, particularly the not-always-successful partnerships between vampires and wizards. The foundation of an institute to research and educate wizards and vampires about the implications of the partnership bonds only adds to those responsibilities. When political factions, both vampire and mortal, oppose their leaders' decisions, the stress begins to affect Raymond and Jean's deepening relationship. And when political opposition turns to vandalism and then to violence, they'll have to find a way to reconcile their personal and professional lives before external and internal forces pull them apart.This second edition received minor revision and proofing for re-release in honor of the publication of Partnership Reborn, the final book in the series.
Period (Books That Changed the World)
by Dennis CooperThe final novel in the award-winning George Miles Cycle. &“A triumphant finale to one of the most intense series of novels ever written&” (Mondo). The stunning conclusion to Dennis Cooper&’s five-book cycle, Period earned its author the accolade &“a disquieting genius&” by Vanity Fair and praise for his &“elegant prose and literary lawlessness&” from The New York Times. Breathtaking and mesmerizing, it is the culmination of Cooper&’s explorations into sex and death, youth culture, and the search for the ineffable object of desire. Cooper has taken his familiar themes—strangely irresistible and interchangeable young men, passion that crosses into murder, the lure of drugs, the culpabilities of authorship, and the inexact, haunting communication of feeling—and melded them into a novel of flawless form and immense power. Set in a spare, smoke-and-mirror-filled world of secret websites, Goth bands, Satanism, pornography, and outsider art, Period is a literary disappearing act as mysterious as it is logical. Obsessive, beautiful, and darkly comic, Period is a stunning achievement from one of America&’s finest writers. &“A fascinating, intricately crafted jewel of a book . . . It&’s a book one could read over and over and never exhaust.&” —San Francisco Chronicle Book Review &“To read Period (a book so intricate, it comes with its own strategy guide) is to witness the idea of the novel itself imploding; to glimpse the end of language; to become aware of literature&’s dizzying possibilities.&” —The Guardian &“An elegy to the nature of obsessive love, the need to feel . . . [Cooper] is a profoundly original American visionary, and the most important transgressive literary artist since Burroughs.&” —Salon &“Haunting.&” —Details
Permafrost
by Eva BaltasarPermafrost es el sorprendente debut de Eva Baltasar, una historia contundente, íntima y carnal de una protagonista con pulsiones suicidas que se protege del exterior pero se entrega con intensidad al sexo con otras mujeres, la literatura y el arte. El permafrost es esa capa de la tierra permanentemente congelada y es también la membrana que cubre a la protagonista de esta novela. Escrita en primera persona, nos presenta a una mujer en etapa de formación que se protege del exterior, que percibe la superficialidad en todo cuanto la rodea y huye de un entorno que nada tiene que ver con su manera de entender la vida: una madre obsesionada con la salud, omnipresente y controladora, y una hermana que afronta su existencia convencional con medicación y un positivismo irritante. La protagonista, que siente pulsiones suicidas, no permite que nadie se le acerque demasiado, pero al mismo tiempo se entrega con intensidad al sexo con otras mujeres, la literatura y el arte. El pulso entre el hedonismo, los placeres más carnales y la muerte es constante en esta novela, así como el tono mordaz de una protagonista que nos gana con su inteligencia y su humor negrísimo desde la primera página. Repleto de imágenes poéticas, contundentes y muy físicas, este carácter tan palpable del texto no es gratuito en una novela que nos habla del cuerpo, del sexo, del yo; una obra aguda y directa que reivindica la libertad femenina en el placer y en la soledad. Eva Baltasar inicia con Permafrost un tríptico de protagonistas femeninas que quiere explorar distintas etapas en la vida de las mujeres. La crítica ha dicho...«Un libro de muchos voltios sobre el yo, el cuerpo, el sexo y la familia, uno de los libros del año. Su fuerza poética, imágenes bestias, la manera tan bien dicha de decirlo fuerte [...] Describe como no pensabas que pudiera hacerse.»La Vanguardia «Emerge el lenguaje poético que tanto domina, fluye como un monólogo en voz alta.»El Periódico «Valiente y arriesgada.»El País «Íntimo, bello, irónico y sorprendente.»Núvol «Una escritura ágil y electrizante y una mirada personal cruda y lúcida. Convence.»Diari ARA
Permanent Ink
by Jaime Samms2nd EditionBeauty is only skin deep, but some marks—and what they represent—are impossible to escape. Eric resents his comfortable college life and the restrictions his family’s expectations put on him. Dwayne, his best friend Angel’s cousin, is a pierced and tattooed ex-con trying to rebuild his life. Eric sees only the tattoos and the way Dwayne’s upbringing have dictated his future. It takes a surprising revelation from Angel to force Eric to see past Dwayne’s defenses to the generous heart beneath and to realize it’s time for him to break free of his own instilled beliefs. The men can’t keep apart, and they gradually learn that everything they thought they knew about each other might be wrong. Opposites attract as two men from very different backgrounds move from enemies to lovers in a story of understanding, compassion, and redemption.First Edition published by Pink Petal Books, 2011.
Permanent Partners: Building Gay and Lesbian Relationships That Last
by Betty BerzonPsychologist offers counseling from her practice with long-term gay and lesbian couples. Topics, such as compatibility, internalized homophobia, communication, power and control issues, jealousy, fair fighting, money, sex, family, writing wills, etc, are all covered.
Permanently Legless
by Jl MerrowOnly half the man he used to be -- but maybe that’s enoughThe Taliban may have taken both Chris’s legs, but he came back from Afghanistan with his sense of humour and his lust for life firmly intact. The one thing that can shake his confidence is meeting Josh, the one-night stand from before his tour of duty he hasn’t been able to forget.It turns out Josh hasn’t forgotten Chris, either. He spent the time they were apart fearing the worst every time a soldier was reported killed in action -- and wishing Chris would use the number Josh gave him, and call.Josh’s delight on seeing Chris again quickly turns to shock on seeing his injuries. With Chris such a changed man, can they still have a future?
Perpetual West
by Mesha Maren&“Stunning . . . A forceful addition to the literature of the U.S.-Mexican border and its ongoing history of tragedy and joy.&” —Jennifer Clement, The New York Times Book Review &“Suspenseful, seductive . . . A thrill ride from cover to cover.&” —Oprah Daily, &“The 50 Most Anticipated Books of 2022&” The riveting new novel by the acclaimed author of Sugar Run, Perpetual West is a brilliant and evocative story of borders—between countries, between lovers, and between facets of the self. When Alex and Elana move from smalltown Virginia to El Paso, they are just a young married couple, intent on a new beginning. Mexican by birth but adopted by white American Pentecostal parents, Alex is hungry to learn about the place where he was born. He spends every free moment across the border in Juárez—perfecting his Spanish, hanging with a collective of young activists, and studying lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) for his graduate work in sociology. Meanwhile Elana, busy fighting her own demons, feels disillusioned by academia and has stopped going to class. And though they are best friends, Elana has no idea that Alex has fallen in love with Mateo, a lucha libre fighter. When Alex goes missing and Elana can&’t determine whether he left of his own accord or was kidnapped, it&’s clear that neither of them has been honest about who they are. Spanning their journey from Virginia to Texas to Mexico, Mesha Maren&’s thrilling follow-up to Sugar Run takes us from missionaries to wrestling matches to a luxurious cartel compound, and deep into the psychic choices that shape our identities. A sweeping novel that tells us as much about our perceptions of the United States and Mexico as it does about our own natures and desires, Perpetual West is a fiercely intelligent and engaging look at the false divide between high and low culture, and a suspenseful story of how harrowing events can bring our true selves to the surface.