The details…
- Title: Cause & Effect
- Author: Cyan LeBlanc
- Publisher: Posies & Peacocks
- Publication date: August 30, 2022
- ISBN: B0B45X1WXZ
- Available formats: ebook, paperback
- File size: 490 KB
- Print length: 292 pages
- Genre: romance
- Themes: coming of age, wlw romance, high school friendships, teenage drama
The blurb from the publisher…
A rupture in a once-close friendship An obsession. Is there a chance for recovery?
Luisa had just been released from rehab, and she must now resume her life without her closest companion. However, because of her constant obsession with Natalia, starting over is no longer an option. She doubts that she has the strength to complete the task alone.
Natalia, a self-absorbed pop star, uncovers secrets from the terrible night that severed her friendship with Luisa. She finds out more than she bargained for when she gets her hands on Luisa’s journal, and as a result, she feels compelled to renew their friendship and explore the possibility of something more.
Though CJ’s roommate Luisa was the last person she expected to develop romantic feelings for during her month in mandatory rehab, she finds herself unable to stop thinking about her. As they part ways, CJ expresses the hope that they will continue to develop their friendship into a flourishing romantic relationship once they leave the hospital.
This coming-of-age tale focuses on two young women who are best of friends and are attempting to maintain their bond despite the challenges of love, addiction, and sexual awakening, as well as a love triangle that threatens to pit them against each other.
My thoughts…
Though Cyan LeBlanc is new to the Sapphic romance publishing scene, he has been writing Hannah Montana fan fic since 2008. However, Cause & Effect is his first full-length wlw tale.
LeBlanc jumps right into it with Cause & Effect. There isn’t much backstory; readers are given clues to who the key players are as the story progresses. I quickly picked up a “Hannah Montana” vibe from Natalia, which makes sense since that’s LeBlanc’s jam. Natalia is a regular high school student by day and popstar by night, and just like Hannah Montana, her popstar identity is a big secret to the public at large.
Luisa is a confused and angry teen and Natalia’s best friend. They don’t exactly have a warm and fuzzy relationship, or at least not when readers first meet them. A near-fatal car accident after a New Year’s Eve party their senior year of high school causes a major riff, as well as some life changes for the two. There is a lot of raw emotion and hostility expressed by the two throughout this story; their immaturity often seems to be their worst enemy. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg really. Their biggest problem is that Luisa is insanely jealous of Natalia, a jealousy that’s fueled by her unrequited love of Natalia.
Even though this is a progressive young adult novel, one should be cautioned that the narrative does include several scenes depicting rough sex. Additionally, there is some talk of underage drinking and drug use in the book. Though LeBlanc uses it to heat up the conflict and spur on the plot, some readers might find it unsettling.
All of that aside, LeBlanc seems to understand the mindset of teens; turbulent emotions and teenaged confusion is well-scripted and effectively penned. It seems LeBlanc’s intent for Cause & Effect is for it to be a unique coming of age story, and it’s certainly all of that. I’d describe it as edgy, different and filled with steamy teen angst. If that is something that appeals to you, I suggest giving this debut novel a try.
Final remarks…
If you are looking for something unconventional and like to explore young adult fiction with progressive themes, Cause & Effect might be a good fit for you. The writing is edgy, titillating even, and emotionally charged. Overall, this is a decent debut.
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A bit about the author…
New Sapphic romance writer, Cyan LeBlanc makes his debut with a coming-of-age novella and is embarking on a multi-series universe centering around a group of friends that find themselves embarking on the world of BDSM.
Cyan has been writing since about 2008 in fanfiction where he created stories under the Hannah Montana fandom. He has journeyed into the world of lesfic and is delighted to share upcoming works with women loving women fans.
Originally from California, Cyan currently resides in Houston, Texas where he is a florist by day and Sapphic writer by night.
Cyan is also a transgendered non-binary, using the he/him pronouns.
Connect with the author…
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