Genre: Contemporary
LGBTQ+ Category: Lesbian
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Vivian, an adrenaline junkie and U.S. Army veteran, goes about her life as a bartender, avid runner, and polyamorous lesbian. Her life in Sacramento, California, is going well until she is blindsided by unforeseen financial issues that lead her to consider a new career.
In an attempt to recharge and take a break, Vivian goes on a motorcycle trip with her best friend, Bear, but the adventure does not turn out to be the carefree break Vivian had hoped for. She returns to Sacramento where her partner, Ang, tries to push her down rather than help her pick up the pieces. Meanwhile, Vivian takes big steps with her other partner, Audre.
Vivian has an epiphany about what line of work she wants to pursue. As things start to stabilize, one of Vivian’s partners commits an act of grave violence, resulting in life-changing consequences for all concerned.
Surrounded by friends, Vivian turns over a new leaf and finally finds the contentment she has sought for a lifetime.
The Review
In the final book of the Vivian Chastain trilogy, Vivian faces issues of rejection, acceptance, love, temper, friendship, lies, stealing, abuse, hate, intolerance and more. Life is still challenging her, and she has to deal with flashbacks to an abusive and dysfunctional childhood and her military service.
As it seems her world is falling apart, she starts to realize what she wants and what she has, especially the number of people who are in her corner:
- Jared is wonderful and he carries a special love for Vivian. He’s always had Viv’s back from the first time they met in the military and he never hesitates to support her.
- Audre is such a rock of support for Viv. With Audre and the members of the Williams family Viv has found the perfect family, and Frederick turns out to be helpful in Viv’s pursuit of a new career.
- Bear is a long time friend, with an interesting personality and a special plan that will hopefully help Viv.
- Kate, who Viv was once in a poly relationship with, has remained her friend. Kate never hesitates to help Viv out when needed.
- Vivian’s therapist Alexia’s guidance and patience taught Viv how to really look into her issues and find the root causes.
- And Sheriff Sgt. Brickhouse, who never forgot Viv. With a little nudge, he starts her in pursuit of a new career.
There are still some things Viv needs to work on, but she’s actually pretty average. Some of the incidents that occurred in her life were not her fault. Sometimes there are people and things that go wrong, and everyone has to deal with them in their own way.
She will have to deal with the hurt and tragedy that her former “primary” partner, Ang, brings into her family of friends. Viv will also have to handle her mother, Bernadette, who is oblivious to the damage that she brought to both Vivian and older brother, Joey. As Joey tries to make amends, Vivian still has many doubts, and doesn’t know if she can trust him.
This is the third book in the series, and Faraim has done an outstanding job with this one. It’s a powerful and emotional story, as Vivian embarks on a search to “just be” and find contentment in her life. Faraim opens up so much more of Vivian’s soul, with the support of many important characters. The novel explains aspects of the polymerous relationship but it is by no means sexually explicit. It’s very low heat and romantic, as Vivian has her issues to work through before she can find her place and that contentment.
Two things really stood out for me: Vivian realizing, even working in a lesbian bar, that the place is it’s a “meat market,” where customers are often making inappropriate gestures towards the bartenders. And from the very first novel, “Canopy,” I often though Ang wasn’t a good or healthy fit for Vivian.
Faraim also does a spectacular job describing Vivian’s colorful journey from the ocean to mountains, in all types weather and terrain. The trip showcases Vivain’s determination and fears as she travels alone to find what she’s searching for.
“Concussion and Contentment” is a well written conclusion to the trilogy, a real page-turner, as the doors to Vivians life are opened even more.
I highly suggest reading the entire wonderfully written Vivian Chastain trilogy: “Canopy,” “Stitches and Sepsis,” and “Concussion and Contentment.”
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
Love this book!