By Jem Martin
A cute, giggle-filled romance featuring Deaf representation, BSL, and a whole lot of complicated feelings.
Rating:
Review:
Read My Lips offers a funny and heartfelt romantic adventure as Simon navigates a PR crisis. Luckily, Ben is there to save the day, and interpret for Simon. The only problem? Ben has had an unrequited crush on his boss for years…
With a funny and unique storyline, this book is undeniably entertaining. The little bits of British culture woven throughout make it even more fun, and Martin’s humor had me giggling and kicking my feet more than once. There’s something so enjoyable about the lightheartedness of this story, even as it explores some more serious topics underneath the romance.
In addition, the representation in this book is truly beautiful. While there are already relatively few books that highlight Deaf culture and Deaf characters, even fewer bring BSL into the conversation. Bringing more diverse representation into the book community is always valuable, and Martin does a fantastic job of shedding light on the experiences and challenges that can come with being Deaf or hard of hearing.
Furthermore, the characters are lovably imperfect. Martin keeps her characters feeling human, never over-polishing them into people they aren’t. This makes the representation feel genuine and even more eye-opening for readers who may not have encountered many books featuring Deaf or hard-of-hearing characters before. I also loved how Martin explores the intersection of disability and sexuality. She doesn’t shy away from the harder realities of navigating multiple marginalized identities, instead exploring these experiences through Ben and Simon in a way that feels both thoughtful and deeply personal.
My only critique was that the pacing felt a little off at times. There were a few moments when I found my attention wandering, which took away from my overall enjoyment just a little. However, the plot was still well thought out, and Martin’s writing kept the story engaging enough that this never became a major issue for me.
Conclusion:
Overall, Read My Lips is a wonderful book filled with powerful representation, lovable characters, and a heartfelt romance. While love isn’t always easy, this book shows what it can give you when you’re willing to fight for it. If you’re looking for a silly, sweet romance that will have you laughing out loud while also introducing thoughtful and meaningful representation, be sure to give Jem Martin’s stunning debut a try!
Thank you so much to Jem Martin for providing me with a complimentary eARC copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
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