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[Following is a volunteer review of "Backcomb & Tattoo" by Shea R Embry.]

Backcomb & Tattoo by Shea R. Embry is a story of four women who are different, yet complementary. Rachael seems to have a good life, married to a successful music star, but looks are deceiving. Aunt Mary Opal isn't her biological aunt (she's no one's aunt, in fact), but provides the "cool aunt" support under which we all thrive. Jesi is rich, but too brash to attempt being a princess. Nicole is coming out of heartbreak, but gives as much support as she gets.

At first, their friendship is on a superficial level. But time moves on, and difficulties crop up, and their friendship grows deeper as they all learn they can trust each other, for both emotional support and practical help. Family members die, relationships falter, new relationships develop, and difficult decisions get made. The outcome wasn't always what I expected, which was refreshing for me.

I really liked the casual way these women accepted each other. Rachael has many tattoos, which is becoming more mainstream nowadays, but Aunt Mary Opal, who is from the generation when they weren't, never flinched at them. Jesi is bisexual and Nicole is homosexual, both of which aren't frowned upon as much nowadays, but Aunt Mary Opal doesn't look down on them, or begrudge them her friendship and support. Aunt Mary Opal is one of those accepting, open-minded, older ladies whose tough choices in her youth has kept her from judging others by superficial criteria. She knows these are good people.

Despite the sadness and serious issues these ladies face, there are quite a few funny times, too, where they laugh so hard they collapse on the floor, and pee (not always in that order).

This was a wonderful story, about friendship and the support that brings for tough decisions. It didn't shy away from some rough topics, relationships ending and starting, sickness, disease, and death. It's an adult story, but would be suitable for older teenagers, too. There were only a few love scenes, and the focus was on emotions and feelings, rather than physical activities and vulgarity. That was refreshing to read. There is a bit of cursing, but it suited the personalities of the characters saying it, and the situations.

This was very professionally edited. I saw only two typos, neither of which detracted from understanding.

I'm rating it 4 out of 4 stars. This is a very heartwarming and optimistic story, yet realistic, too. People who prefer realistic stories that focus on the pessimism in life probably won't care for it. Those who like to read about people having good times and good friends to temper the not-so-good times will find it comforting.

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Backcomb & Tattoo
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Another book on women friendships. This sounds like an inspiring story of women brought together by circumstances. I would love to read it some time. Thanks for an insightful review.

I only just finished this book and submitted my review. I loved it so much and was disappointed when I came to the forums and saw there was next to nothing by way of discussion, so I’ll reply in hopes of starting some.

For starters, I enjoyed your review. You describe the characters much better than I did and your flow is much more natural than mine.

I, as a gay man, thoroughly enjoyed the queer characters. They were not stereotypical in any way. They were multi-dimensional, realized human beings. They had unique traumas and experiences that weren’t just mentioned and then brushed off. This representation is rare in books these days.

I felt like the suicide and “death with dignity” themes were handled appropriately, especially in the conversation between Nicole and Aunt Mary Opal in which she explains the important distinction between emotional pain that can come and go and physical pain that isn’t going to get better. Yes, these are sad ideas in the plot, but I like how they were resolved in a way that makes the reader feel good about it.

That said, did you get Steel Magnolias vibes?

Thank you for the compliment! When I read other people's reviews, I always feel like theirs is better than mine!

I really liked how the alternate sexualities were depicted. I'm a hetero woman, but I've grown up with gay family members and friends, and I've explored a bit of the local kinky community. I felt like the characters were reflective of people I've known.
When the multiple partners preference was brought up, I was afraid it would be lurid and porny. I was pleased that it was a real-life presentation as just one part of someone's personality.

I haven't read much modern literature, so I wasn't sure if her portrayal of those characters was something common or not. I hope it becomes common because it was refreshing to read bi- and homosexual characters dealing with the same struggles that are so common in hetero characters.

I did keep thinking of "Steel Magnolias", too!