Prose Before Bros by Cathy YardleyMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. It follows Thuy, a Vietnamese librarian who has some baggage from her childhood. She was able to get past her unconventional upbringing and get out of the life her family chose to lead and make the life she wanted. She didn't do it all alone though, her best friend Maddy from Green Valley helped her out through some tough times. Now back in Green Valley after Maddy's father has passed, Thuy is determined to support Maddy in her time of need. When Drill, Maddy's older, estranged brother and member of the local motorcycle gang, comes back into the picture after leaving her life sparks fly between him and Thuy. He also gets into a huge argument about how to handle the family farm with Maddy. There are several different tense situations between Thuy and Drill as their attraction increases, Drill and Maddy as they butt heads about the farm, and Drill and his gang as he battles with right and wrong and what is good for him and what is good for the gang. Overall I enjoyed the different plots going on in the book. It kept it interesting and the pacing was good.
I loved Thuy and Maddy's friendship. They genuinely loved and supported one another. Everyone should have a Maddy or Thuy in their lives. Someone willing to drop everything and help out. Maybe not drop everything and move to help you start a farm when you know nothing about farming, but you know what I mean. Everyone needs someone to keep you grounded and just be there when you need a shoulder to cry on or a couch to sleep on.
Drill and Thuy are that case of opposites attract. She has left that life of violence and chaos behind her in California, however she just can't help but be attracted to him. Their attraction is a bit insta-lovey for my tastes. I do Drill's redemption arc, where he starts to challenge the mindless loyalty to the club. I also really love Thuy's commitment to the library and the kids of the town. I love the library myself and all of it's various uses. I appreciate that she challenged the traditions in a tactful way to get more kids in the library by talking to the kids.
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