Shapes of love by L.V. Peñalba

’Not a romance. A love story’. Penalba’s novel is not the usual LGBTQIA+ coming out story. And, while she does draw on the fake-date and enemies to lovers romantic tropes, these are not the main focus. Sacha, the central character, is aro-ace i.e. aromantic and asexual. While she might enjoy romantic movies, she has never wanted romance for herself, and she has never felt the stirrings of sexual attraction. But that doesn’t mean she does not love, nor want love in return. There are other shapes of love.

Sacha has become Sassy, a young singer-songwriter whose viral success has drawn a huge fan base on social media, all wanting to know more about her and the romantic stories behind her hit songs. The Sassy persona is fostered by her manager Marissa, but Sacha finds herself being drawn more and more into a false world, acting out the PR storylines her fans crave, and becoming more and more removed from her real friends, and from her true sense of self.

Penalba presents a range of gender-diverse characters, all genuinely warm and caring people. She explores the dilemma of being different in a predominantly heterosexual world with the usual expectations on young people to date and find romantic love, the fear and insecurity of being something other, and the anxiety in ‘coming out’. The ultimate message is love; love and trust between friends who care for each other. It is that love which helps Sacha to retrieve her sense of self, and become confident in who she really is.

This is such an important book for young people unsure about their sexuality and what it means for them and the people around them. It shows all kinds of loving relationships in a positive light. It is a reassurance that gender diversity is okay, and that love and acceptance is available from the people that matter, the people who really care.  Not a romance, but a genuine affirmation of platonic love.

Themes: LGBTQIA+, Love, Identity, Friendship, Fame.

Helen Eddy