The Butch and the Beautiful by Kris Ripper

The Butch and the Beautiful
by Kris Ripper
Pages: 257
Date: August 22 2016
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Series: Queers of La Vista (2nd in series)

Review
Rating: 4.73 to 4.83 out of 5.0
Read: August 31 to September 1 2016

*I received this book from NetGalley and Riptide Publishing in return for a fair review.*

This is the second book in a series, and I haven’t read the first book. My understanding is that the books in the series can be read on their own. Though they are related as in taking place in the same city, with some similar characters, but each book involves their own characters to follow. Like, I know that the first MC’s, Emerson and Obie, have a cameo in the second book, but they do not even have any speaking lines. So you can read these, again if my understanding is correct, as you wish – straight through, or piece by piece (though I also understand that some of the story elements are in each book – like the fact that this is all taking place in La Vista, plus there’s some kind of killer running around killing people, but other than that appearing as a topic of discussion in this book, it does not actually impact the book much).

Just to round things up – book three includes Ed Masiello – he has a few speaking lines in this here book; the three people in the fourth book in the series popped up in the second book; though the person with the biggest role book 2, while still being a side character, and being a star of their own book, book 5, would be Zane Jaffe – best friend of Jaq.

Right, so, on with book 2 in this La Vista series. The book ‘stars’ Jaq Cummings and Hannah NoLastNameGiven (at least not directly adjacent to ‘Hannah’, as I just searched for it). Though it is from the sole point of view of Jaq. The two meet at the wedding of Liz and Marla – a wedding that opens the book. Jaq is Liz’s ex, and Hannah is Marla’s ex.

Ex’s, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can remain friends, though they seem to be able to find the friend loop-hole easier in the lesbian world. At least that is my understanding. So in this world, Jaq is Liz’s ‘best man’ and Hannah is Marla’s maid of honor.

That is something of a reoccurring theme, by the way – the man part. It isn’t heavy-handed, but there is a layer of Jaq acting, thinking, and being spoken of in a male kind of way (I’m speaking more than just wearing men’s style clothing etc; but the part, as an example, where Hannah, at one point, calls Jaq ‘princess’ and Jaq responds with something along the lines of ‘call me prince charming, not princess’). Heavy-handed, by the way, would involve some things I’ve seen in other books but not here - like having the woman say things like ‘suck my dick’, ‘I’m going to shove my dick into you’ and the like – to the point that I get confused as to whether or not the woman has actually grown a dick, always had one, or is actually wearing a strap-on. That level of heavy-handedness is not present in this book.

Wow I’m all over the place with this review. Mmphs.

Okay, so – Jaq and Hannah meet at a wedding, hook-up (Jaq is interested and finds Hannah to be gorgeous in her blue dress; Hannah says something like, when they first meet and establish that both are ex’s of the marrying party, ‘we have to have sex, then’). Jaq is quite unsure of how things might work out, fling, relationship, whatever, and knows – from several sources, that Hannah is batshit insane, but is still quite interested in – at the very least a fling. One thing leads to another and it turns out that it was more than a fling. And that more than one person can be batshit insane.

Jaq, by the way, is both a high school teacher (English, creative writing, journalism, history), and the faculty representative for a school related student club (GSA – Gay/Straight/Alliance – I am uncertain if the A is Alliance). She is also either in her late 30s (her father says something along the way that indicates that Jaq is in her 30s) or in her 40s (Jaq says something at some point indicating that she’s near the same age as Hannah, and – at the same time, believes Hannah to be in her 40s). Jaq is friendly with those in the gay community, has dated a lot of them, still has a living father who she visits often – including for mass at ‘their’ catholic church, and has some living siblings. Oh, and a best friend since childhood named Zane who she sees a bunch of times a month, though more for weekly exercise sessions – as in literal exercise, not code for something like sex (they did kiss once, felt like kissing sister or cousin).

Hannah is in the middle of a messy divorce, has hair that is easy to look wild and untamed, but normally is pulled back and restrained, knows that others thing she is insane (and admits to some insanity), and is a contract lawyer (whatever that means). Oh, and doesn’t like pets or kids; and is in the process of selling her home and relocating to La Vista.

The book started off with many very hilarious moments. For better or worse, those moments of insane giggling lessened considerably as the story progressed – the story turned down right serious at times – but there were still a few giggle worthy moments here and there.

On the sex side – there were a few, well at least 1, less than detailed sexual encounters, and several, at least 2, rather detailed encounters as well. One of which was one that I found to be one of the best I’ve read. Quite thrilling to read, so to speak. (as a side note, I made a status update about there being ‘more ass play than I expected’ or something like that (what, I could look to see exact wording but meh, that boring) – it should be noted that that was a relatively brief thing – as Hannah stated at some point (the same session with ass play) – she likes everything; wow this side note says less, in many words, than I intended to say. Mmphs. Can’t figure out how to fix).

In the end, I would give this book a rating close to 4.73 to 4.83 – not quite reaching 5 star level because I kind of wanted more scenes that included both Hannah and Jaq in the same room. But otherwise loved the book, I did.

September 1 2016