Rosewater: A Novel

Winner of Lambda Literary's 2024 Randall Kenan Prize for Black LGBTQ Fiction

A TODAY and LGBTQ Reads Most Anticipated Book of 2023 - A Goodreads Buzziest Debut Novel of the New Year - An Electric Lit Most Anticipated LGBTQ+ Book of Spring 2023 - A Bustle Most Anticipated Book of Spring & Summer 2023 - A Nylon April 2023 Must-Read Book - An Ebony Required Reading Pick for April

For fans of Bolu Babalola and Tia Williams comes a "tender, soulful, and sexy" (Phoebe Robinson) debut novel about finding love in an unexpected place.

Elsie is a sexy, funny, and fiercely independent woman in south London. But several things in her life have gone terribly wrong. She's estranged from her family; is failing to make it as a poet; and has just been evicted from her social housing. As fierce and independent as she is, even Elsie must admit that being a carefree 28-year-old is proving difficult--and that she's running out of options.

Juliet, her best friend since childhood, has always been Elsie's lifeline. So even though they haven't spoken in months, Elsie is soon snuggled up on Juliet's couch, back at home among the mismatched cushions and knit blankets.

Between their reruns of Drag Race and nights smoking on the balcony, something surprising begins to glimmer in Elsie's heart. And as the days turn into weeks and then months, this feeling quickly becomes too fierce to ignore. Will Elsie be brave enough to open herself up to love?

Featuring the poetry of Kai-Isaiah Jamal, Rosewater is a deliciously steamy queer romance from a bold new voice. An electric and captivating debut, Elsie's story teaches us that sometimes home is not always where we are, but who we are with . . .

"Simmering." --New York Times
"Sensuous." --Electric Lit
"As buzzy as it gets." --no kill magazine
"Fresh, zesty, and sexy." --Bernardine Evaristo
"Sensuous, urgent, and pulsating with youth." --Xochitl Gonzalez
"I laughed, I cried, couldn't put it down." --Monica Heisey

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320 pages

Average rating: 7.19

16 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

TBGRbookclub
Dec 31, 2023
7/10 stars
šŸ‚ An autumn selection, Rosewater by Liv Little Reviewed by Shonda Moore. šŸ–Šļø Liv Little's debut novel, "RoseWater," takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the tumultuous life of Elsie, a 28-year-old queer black woman trying to find her footing in the world. The novel delves into identity, love, and pursuing one's true self. The story begins with Elsie in the midst of chaos, having been displaced from her apartment. The frustration with her perceived lack of drive is palpable as she grapples with the challenges of adulthood. However, as the narrative progresses, Elsie's journey unfolds, revealing layers of complexity and depth to her character. One notable aspect of "RoseWater" is the inclusion of poetry by Kai-Isaiah Jamal, which adds a unique and enriching dimension to Elsie's character. The poetry serves as a mirror to Elsie's inner thoughts and emotions, allowing readers to connect with her on a more profound level. I love This BrowneGirl Reads's 2023 book club format because the discussion with Donna helped me fall in love with Elsie and her journey to adulthood. Overall, I give the book 3.5 stars out of five. #thisbrownegirlreads #tbgrbookclub #readcaribbean

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