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Writer's pictureDefunkt Magazine

Can't Resist Her - Book Review (releasing July 19, 2022)

Can't Resist Her: The Multicultural Lesbian Romance by Kianna Alexander you've been waiting for!



“Two very determined women—in love, at odds, and risking a lot on a second chance.”

Summer Graves has moved back to her home in Austin, Texas to take on her new teaching position at a local private school. However, now being back in the city after being away for years, she’s surprised at how much has changed, and not in a good way. The mom-and-pop shops she remembers growing up have been replaced by chain stores. And, to make matters worse, the high school her grandmother founded, Sojourner Truth, is scheduled to be torn down and replaced by new developments that will most likely not serve the community she knows and loves.

What Summer doesn’t know is that one of the architectural engineers tasked to this demolition is Aiko Holt, the girl she had a massive crush on in high school. After they run into each other at the demolition site, the world as they know it changes into a new direction for them both.

Neither of them can forget the connection they built at the high school dance. And now, so many years later, they are still just as attracted to one another (maybe even more now). But can two women who are on opposite sides of the demolition project be able to fall in love? Or will their viewpoints prevent them from being together?


First Impressions


Can’t Resist Her was a refreshing, insightful read on how far we’re willing to go to fight for what matters. As a queer woman of color, it warmed my soul being able to sift through the pages and watch a curvaceous intelligent Black woman fall back in love with her high school crush, a ridiculously hot, suave half Black half Asian woman. Aiko was not only the master of "best dressed" but also spit mad game. It was hard not to fall in love with her. No wonder Summer had such a hard time.

The Pros


What I loved about this book is that it’s not only a love story. It’s a genuine discussion on gentrification and how we as a society can make proactive decisions that benefit communities versus kicking them out due to higher rents, etc.

Oh, and there is a healthy amount of sex. Okay, two full on sex scenes, and it benefitted the story so much. These women are in their late twenties/early thirties and for romance novels in this age group, it would be ridiculous to not include sex scenes. The author does a fantastic job of depicting WW sex and makes it seem natural, fluid, and fun. The way the two characters interact with another and the way their feelings develop overtime reminded me of my first times of falling in love from sharing sweet texts, crying when things seem like they couldn’t work out, to the giddiness that built up before every date.

The author does a great job of giving us a glimpse into the everyday lives of these two women and their struggles while simultaneously being able to develop a relationship between the two. We get to learn about Summer’s sister and father and her messy relationship with her mother. We get to learn about Aiko’s father, Kosuke, who moved back to his home Fujisawa and how she takes care of elder Black mother Janet. And we can't forget about her best friend Peaches who has the flyest sense of style and can make anyone feel at home.


The "Cons"


There’s a lot to love about this book. Only a few times did I feel like a moment was “too cheesy” and even then, I still loved it because I grew to love the characters, so it didn’t bother me. For anyone looking for a diverse love story that hits on some important discussion points, I HIGHLY recommend reading Can’t Resist Her.


The Rating


Drummmm rolllllllllllll..........


I am giving this fantastic book 4.5 out of 5 stars


So what does that mean for you? It means you should definitely buy it and share it with all your friends who are in need of a queer love story they won't be able to put down!


The book will be released July 19th, 2022 and you can pre-order it for $12.95 at Barnes and Nobles or any other retailers. We highly recommend you do so and give our fellow marginalized authors some well-deserved coins!



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