Hoosier Daddy: A Heartland Romance

(3.5, rounding up.) This is a rom-com that really qualifies as a rom-com - it was actually funny enough that I laughed out loud. It looks like this was originally published in 2013, and there are a few things that haven't aged all that well, like a relationship between a 17-year-old and an adult man (mentioned, not seen) that's supposed to be comedic but wasn't, and some transphobic-sounding comments about a lesbian contestant in the town beauty pageant but nothing egregious enough to make me stop reading. This was really cute and sweet, but I have to downgrade a bit for it being completely fade-to-black on anything besides kissing - I'm fine with varying heat levels but I like at least some heat, you know? I loved Friday's voice as a narrator and the backdrop of a union organization drive (though I did think some things were wrapped up a little too neatly in the end). I don't know if I would've picked this up if not for romance bingo this year, since small-town isn't really my thing, but this is a fun little standalone romance.

(2021 Summer Romance Bingo: down on its luck small town, would also work for educator, karaoke, or wardrobe malfunction.)

I could read Hoosier Daddy over and over again and I probably will. Ann McMan and Salem West are an incredible team with a unique language style. The language is beautiful, funny, and heartfelt. I have never lived in the Midwest, but I have lived down South and lordy these words were ringing true in my ears. I was laughing and nodding my head because Hoosier felt like home to me.

There are usually unique people in a small town and especially in a mill town. I grew up in a city filled with mill workers and you have to be a little bit crazy to stay sane. McMan and West showcase these beautiful attributes through their secondary cast. Everyone from the sleazy manager to the bar dog makes Princeton unique and yet familiar.

Quote: “When I sneeze, it's a full-body, full-throttle, full-contact sport. When I sneeze, it trips seismographs along the New Madrid Fault. When I sneeze, antelope on the Serengeti make frenzied runs for cover. When I sneeze, my body bucks and recoils like a sawed-off shotgun.” p.173

I sneeze just like this...I started laughing so hard when I read this because it is so true. McMan and West don't give us cookie cutter characters, but down-to-earth hard working people who hope along the way that they have made the right decisions and maybe love might come calling. McMan and West create a steamy connection between Jill and El. Holy sugar, when their eyes first meet I felt it.

Quote: I was tired of living my life like a lemming, with no better sense or prospects for a brighter tomorrow. Enough was enough.” p. 222

I love the journey of self-exploration that Jill ends up on even though it was painful at times. But isn't self-awareness a bitch sometimes?! I was just as confused as Jill was when facing herself and what she wanted out of life. “Are you running away? Taking chances? Living for yourself? Or is the best decision staying and sticking it out?”

I had no clue where McMan and West was taking me, but with the way they talk I will follow them anywhere they want to go.

I got this book from my library. I love my local library and you should check out yours too. Request LGBTQ+ books and they will stock them! #ebooksforall