Series: Rewind
Volume: 4/?Publisher: Self-Published
Genre/s: LGBT+ Romance
Length: -
Read in: English
Review copy format: mobi
Rate:✮✮✮✮✬✰
So far, Noah's life hasn't been perfect and satisfying in every respect, but he hasn't complained about it because he's had the man he's loved at his side. However, the long-term relationship fell apart in the blink of an eye when his partner broke the rules they established and shattered Noah's heart to pieces. Now, the man must put his life back together. But will he be able to be himself and find the happiness he desires so much?
"Rebound" is the fourth volume of the "Rewind" series by Rowan Shaw, and while the previous part forced me to leave my comfort zone, this one was a real challenge, because it was a real journey beyond the mentioned zone. Those of you who have read "Rewind" series from the very beginning have probably noticed how much each volume differs from the others, both in terms of the story and the characters. It turns out that the author started her series rather gently and then slowly moved towards increasingly daring subjects and provocative characters. Thus, reading "Rebound" I had to be ready for anything. In particular, taking into account the fact that the author doesn't beat around the bush, as she often presents problems and situations directly, boldly.
Let's start with the fact that "Rebound" is mainly dominated by the presentation of a male-female relationship with particular emphasis put on its sexual side. This is undoubtedly very important for the "Rewind" series as it focuses on bisexuals. The author takes her books and the topic of bisexuality very seriously, so she is definitely not a person who, having four volumes at her disposal, would put a same-sex relationship at the center of every one of them. So this is a huge advantage of this novel, and at the same time a challenge for me – a person who is not a fan of erotic scenes between a man and a woman.
Another challenge for me was the way the author presents a polyamorous relationship, because I feel that it was shown in a manner close to the open ones. I have no problems accepting polyamorous relationships, including the literary ones, as in my opinion fiction is almost like a second reality, but to me open relationships are like a very extreme sport, and reading about them I always think of a long list of sexually transmitted diseases. Forgive me, but that's how it works with me. That is why for the comfort of reading and peace of conscience I prefer when the boundaries of polyamory are not stretched in any way. However, this doesn't mean that the way the author approaches the topic is bad, or it's a drawback of the novel. Rowan Shaw forced me to open my mind, and that's a big plus.
I think it's very important that in this volume Rowan Shaw raised one of the LGBT + community's eternal problems, that is the internal quarrel, which in this case refers to the problem of community image. In other words, it is all about the problem of the light in which the behavior of some people puts the whole community, as the heteronormative societies perceive the whole LGBT + community through the prism of those "controversial" people. The novel makes us ask ourselves, if leaving the closet we should pretend to be someone else just to be accepted. How is this different from staying in the closet? So I think that the character of Noah, as well as the entire "Rebound" novel are to a large extent some very important gems, which in a more and less literal way make us aware of many important truths and make us think.
In summary, "Rebound" is an interesting, charged with sexual energy novel, which is very different from the first volume of the series. Thus, it clearly presents the evolution of the author's story telling style, the topics she discusses and it shows us how diverse are the characters she creates. And believe me, for these characters it is really worth reading not only "Rebound" but the whole "Rewind" series.
Headcanon: Raphaël suggests Noah to write a diary in which he will write all the things he doesn't post on Youtube.
Fanfiction idea: A day from Noah's diary.
AU idea: Fantasy!AU, Noah is a king who is betrayed by his adviser and lover. The man must at all costs avoid a war with a neighboring country that the traitor wants to start.
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