The Magic of White Oak Lake by Robin Alexander

The Magic of White Oak Lake
by Robin Alexander
Pages: 208
Date: February 18th 2014
Publisher: Intaglio Publications
Series: White Oak Lake (2nd in Series)

Review
Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0
Read: July 21 2016

This is a) the sixth book I've read by Alexander (and third in 3 days); b) the second book in the White Oak Lake series.

I entered this book with the vague understanding that this would be like other series I've read in the lesbian fiction field - a book that featured new characters, with an appearance by other characters from the series (whether at a cameo level, or a slightly larger role). To a certain extent, that is both true and misleading to come into this series with that background. For the simple fact that this is not a change in lead characters so much as an addition of new characters. For the characters of the first book, Lure, play a massive role in this book here (Morgan, Jaclyn, and Austin (Austin was fascinated by penis in the first book; this time he is . . . both horrified by (because of revelations regarding his moms), and intrigued by the opposite gender (pretty girl his own age) - "He wanted to know all about women's bodies and what he called a cleat and if he should push it six or seven times."); and, to a somewhat larger extent, the three batty old women, I, C, and B (what are their names, Idris, Clarice, and Betsy? I forget now)).

Added to the cast are Wendy and Leslie. Both of whom are kind of seen as being mentored by the elder Morgan and Jaclyn (a feeling gained from reading the book), but who are actually around the same age (Wendy, at 43, may or may not be the oldest of the four).

Right, so. Wendy lives nearby and works in a far off place. She regularly stops in White Oak for store items. Leslie is renting Morgan's cabin, and also works in some far off place. Both of them (Wendy and Leslie) are single and lesbians. They also do not meet each other until about 33% into the book.

For the longest time, the book seemed to focus a little too much on the characters from the previous book, to the detriment of whatever budding story could be found with Wendy and Leslie. But, eventually, both characters grew on me, and felt more fully involved in the book.

hmms. Not sure what all else I can write, now, since I'm writing this after completing my 7th Alexander book today. So I'll continue bumbling along, sliding on by. Leaving with a few thoughts:

1) there was humor, I liked the humor, it was not an overly humorous book though;
2) I like(d) the characters, I want to read more about White Oak.

July 22 2016