Salt, Sunscreen, and Second Chances: Jenny Han’s Summer Trilogy
I read this trilogy for its coming-of-age heartbeat and stayed for the way it lets you sit inside Belly’s messy, sun-drenched firsts: first love, first heartbreak, first real loss, and the first steps toward independence. Belly isn’t always lovable; sometimes I wanted to shout at her choices and her naïve ideas about love (and even her mom’s decisions). But there’s an honesty to how she stumbles and learns. The result is a story that’s painful, and sometimes painfully beautiful, in the way growing up really is.
Author: Jenny Han Genre: YA contemporary romance • coming-of-age Vibes: beach house summers • love triangle • family and grief • firsts that change you Heat Level: low (YA-appropriate, closed-door)
Why it worked for me
The courage to be imperfect. Belly makes choices that can frustrate you as you read. She’s impulsive, naïve, sometimes blinded by what she wants love to be, but that’s exactly why the arc works. The trilogy doesn’t tidy her edges; it lets her be wrong, learn, and try again. Watching her move from wanting to be seen to learning how to see herself, her family, and the boys who matter makes the story worth it.
Firsts, rendered with honesty. The series nails the visceral feel of firsts: the dizzy high of being truly noticed, that painful moment of a first heartbreak, the ache of losing a second-mother figure, the strangeness of preparing for college when home still needs you. None of it is melodrama; it’s every day life. Even when the situationships hurt, it feels earned.
Family as an anchor. Mothers, sons, divorce, illness, tradition, each of these family dynamics tug at every decision. The beach house isn’t just a setting; it’s a memory bank where love and grief live. That family bond anchored so deep at Cousins Beach gives the romance stakes and situates Belly’s choices within a wider web of loyalties.
Summer as a structure. By returning to Cousins Beach year after year, the books show how time changes everything. How the same porch light can look different once you’ve been broken and rebuilt. The seasonal rhythm becomes a mirror for Belly’s growth. Each year, Belly’s experiences in life give Cousins Beach a new meaning.
Favorite Quote
“Sometimes it’s like people are a million times more beautiful to you in your mind. It’s like you see them through a special lens—but maybe if it’s how you see them, that’s how they really are.” ― Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty
Read if you enjoy
Coming-of-age romance that feels lived-in, not polished
Love triangle dynamics with emotional consequences
Family-centered stories where mothers matter
Beach-town nostalgia threaded with grief and hope
Content notes
Grief/illness (loss of a parental figure), underage drinking, heated arguments, breakup/make-up cycles, love-triangle jealousy.
Your turn
Which coming-of-age heroine frustrated you at times, but still had you rooting for her by the end? And what’s your favorite beach-set YA romance?
The Veiled Investment is a book that highlights the many cultural changes from 1945 to the present, encompassing the different generations. The information about these effects may not appear in history, but is told as stories. During our time, it was obligations and responsibilities; now, it is about rights and entitlements.
Why She Calls Herself the Veiled Investment:
In Felicita Churie’s community, a girl’s price was tallied in cows, not dreams. Eight decades later, that “veiled investment” has yielded returns no dowry could measure.
She outruns an arranged marriage, wins a British Scholarship, teaches a generation of girls and boys, and—when her son’s life hangs in the balance—gives him her kidney. The child earmarked for dowry becomes a teacher, scholar, commissioner, kidney donor, and grief-tempered advocate. Each milestone proves her grandmother’s quiet prophecy true: a woman’s worth is compounded in resilience and service, not cattle or coin.
Her life proves that the “investment” everyone else once claimed is, in truth, her own: education, faith, and an iron-clad will to keep going when tragedy strikes.
The Veiled Investment is both a ledger and a love letter to women whose quiet labour bankrolls families and nations. It is Felicita’s luminous memoir of classrooms and hospital corridors, showing how one determined woman turns every setback into capital for those she loves.
“I’m a member of the Silent Generation,” Felicita writes, “and my story is about my determination, resilience, wisdom, hard work, and independence—all rooted in my cultural background and the times in which I have lived.”
And what times! The Veiled Investment paints a colorful tapestry of a woman who has walked step by step through eight decades of change. As I read her story, admiring her determination to attend school in a world where girls were not expected to, I realized that we, the children of the current times, often take such privileges for granted. In contrast, the Silent Generation fought for these opportunities, sought them out, and turned them into the norm.
Felicita tells the story of a girl once viewed merely as a source of dowry, who transformed that expectation into an extraordinary life for herself and her family.
In The Veiled Investment, Felicita demonstrates the value of the priceless, silent labor a woman gives to her family and those she loves.
Our grandmothers and mothers of the Silent Generation hold remarkable stories that show us where we have come from. Felicita recalls asking her husband to sign her passport application so the government would know he had given his permission for her to travel. I marveled that I can now walk into a passport office as freely as I please and sign my own application. I promised her I would never take that privilege for granted again.
I thank women like Felicita, who lived the struggle so that we might dare to take these privileges for granted. It falls to us, to every reader, to guard those hard-won rights and extend them to those who come after us.
Question: Hi Elly, any information on book publishing costs and ROI? Drafting my first book. Wondering what's the cost of editing, book cover for a single title, for the Kenyan authors that publish. And do they really make their money back?
This message landed in my inbox in November 2024, and I’ve been staring at it for months. I didn’t answer it then because I was in the middle of printing and figuring out where to sell books. We are now in April 2025. I finally feel like I can answer this question. I have not offered numbers on the marketing side. It is an ongoing process at the moment.
So, it’s easy to put out the blanket ‘yes‘ to ‘Do they really make their money back?’ and call it at that, but there are variations. Yes is not an easy answer.
Fact 1: I might have talked about self-publishing books for a decade, but I’m also a newly published apprentice this year. I’ve focused on publishing ebooks on Kindle and Smashwords/Draft2Digital.The cost here includes: editing, book formatting, book cover origination, and marketing.
This year is the first time I have a printed book in a Kenyan bookshop. I am now learning on the job ^_^. The costs here include: editing, book formatting, book cover, ISBN, Printing, delivery, platform charges, and marketing. (Right now, I feel that Physical Books need so much more marketing than an eBook.)
I’m always willing to share experiences. So, let’s jump into answering this question in 2025.
What is the ‘cost of editing, book cover for a single title?’
Editing Costs in Kenya – A new author can seek an independent editor or a publishing company/business with an editing service. Editing is charged per word. Depending on an editor’s price list, the cost ranges from 0.35 cents to Kshs. 1.45 up to Kshs. 2.40 per word.
To Note: Your manuscript word count determines the cost of the edit as each word is charged. The cost will vary on whether my words are 10,000 words, or 100,000. That is, a 10,000-word manuscript being charged 1.45 will cost, Kshs. 14,500. While the 100,000-word manuscript will cost, Kshs. 145,000.
It is also important to note that the quality of the edit matters. What kind of edit are you looking for? A Comprehensive edit? A copy edit? A line edit? Someone to help you write your book from start to finish?
I will be honest. The editing process is the most time-consuming part of the self-publishing journey. It also does not end. You can print a book and find a very obvious problem on the second page that did not register the ten times you and everyone you know read through. The mortification is always super nuts. I'm still learning how to let that feeling go, and hope to do better in the next run. I find that it helps to find an editor who can help you through this process easily, and without breaking the bank account, and is amazing at proofreading.
I hope I have covered the editing and book cover costs in Kenya.
Now, to the ‘Do they really make their money back?’ part of the question.
Yes, authors in Kenya do make their money back. But, how fast the author gets their return on investment depends on the next factors.
Industry | Genre – Your book topic is essential to your sales. Books targeting particular industries like bakers in the baking industry, clothes designers, bead making, faith-based narratives, academics or investing in real estate, accounting, among others are specific to the industry. So, the authors of these books make sure their target audience is interested in these topics and that is who they market to. Industry books tend to reach their target audience faster. If your book genre is fiction, specify which fiction genre your book is in, that is, mystery, romance, thriller, horror, fantasy, literature. We don’t all read the same type of fiction. Authors in the fiction genre target specific genre readers for sales. Figure out where your fiction stands in the genre section.
An Author’s Social Currency – A biography written by a well-known individual, for example, a politician or celebrity will sell faster than one written by a modest member of society. The politician or celebrity leans on their social currency to get buys, while the modest member of society has to work harder and market more aggressively to gain the same attention.
Marketing – Industry | Genre and Social Currency contribute to your marketing strategy. Once you know who your readers are, and your ability to reach them, work at seeking them out in their spaces, their industries, and interests. For a new writer, it is essential to use marketing to grow your social currency. Reach for and find readers on social media like Tiktok /Instagram/Pinterest/Facebook/the Fediverse / among many others. Visit and connect with groups and communities that will or may have interest in your books. Marketing is a continuous process. Don’t give up in the middle, and if you feel you are having a hard time doing the marketing yourself, seek help from someone you trust who does know how to market.
Book printing is a business. When you get into it, understand the concept of costs, expenses and profit margins. Your costs include:
Marketing – FB Ads/ Amazon Ads/ Tiktok Ads/ Any other marketing costs you choose.
Delivering your product to your customers.
Platform expenses. For example, if you sell your book through Jumia, Jumia takes a percentage from the sale, they are called selling fees. You also need to get the book to their vending stations, which is also a cost to you.
There maybe other hidden costs that are relevant to you as an author. You should track all these amounts so that you can price your book correctly to make back your investment. At the same time, be sensitive to the current market’s trends(inflation and current economy stress) and make the retail price of your printed book affordable for your targeted audience.
If you hit the sweet spot with all these costs and expenses, you will make your money.
Finding a balance
As an author getting started in this industry, the first thing to manage is your doubt. Let me kill that doubt for you right now. Yes, it is possible to print your book. There is no doubt. The work you need to do is finish the manuscript. Get through it to the last page.
Then, edit it. Get your bestie to read it. Get more than your bestie to read it. Once you have feedback, fix what needs help, then find an editor. Edit the content.
Then, format your book into the size you prefer. Discover more about book sizes. Once this is finished make a pdf document.
Create a book cover that fits your manuscript’s content.
Once you have a book cover and a completed pdf document, you can get your copyright at the Kenya Copyright Board website. Buy an ISBN which goes on the back of your cover.
Find a printer. At this stage, make sure the printer can keep your printing costs relatively similar as you print on demand, this way, you can keep your retail price intact. If you are able or can afford it, approach an offset printer for a large consignment of your book. The offset printer guarantees availability.
Once your book is printed, market it. Don’t get tired.
Get started on writing your next book.
As a self-publishing author I often need to find a balance between marketing one book while writing the next one, figuring out the printer’s costs and where to sell books, and the logistics of deliveries. In between all this, I may get a review that throws me out of focus. So, the only way to get through it is to focus on my goals. Ask yourself, what do you want out of this very personal exercise?
I spend my time selling eBooks. But this year I’m learning how to sell printed books. The doubts are in full swing, and I have to hit them with a bat daily. I’ll share more on the process at the end of the year. Hopefully ^_^.
The long and short of it is, Finish your book, get it out there. Experience the publishing process, it is the only way to know if you’ll make back your investment. The more you do it, the better you get with the process. Go for it! The world needs your story. Always!
***
Save My Heart Leila Karani fell in love, thinking it was forever. When she got pregnant, she went to see her boyfriend, Nathan Njeru, thinking he would support her and their baby, but she was wrong.
March is on its last week, but every time this month rolls by, I can’t help thinking about the Ides of March. ^_^ I just cannot help sharing why this phrase is stuck in my head. hehehe. Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is forever in the mind:
Soothsayer: “Beware the Ides of March.” Caesar: “Who’s that man?” Brutus: “He’s a soothsayer warning you about the Ides of March.” Caesar: “Bring him here; I want to see his face.” Cassius: “Hey, come out of the crowd and look at Caesar.” Caesar: “What are you telling me now? Speak again.” Soothsayer: “Beware the Ides of March.” Caesar: “He’s just a dreamer. Let’s ignore him. Move on.”
Would things have turned out different had he listened to the soothsayer? We’ll never know. But, the Ides of March remains stuck on the mind, which is March 15th on our calendar.
Moving on, March Reading Vibes are very dramatic and thrilling, like Caesar’s situation.
On the rugged West Coast of New Zealand, Golden Cove is more than just a town where people live. The adults are more than neighbors; the children, more than schoolmates.
That is until one fateful summer—and several vanished bodies—shatters the trust holding Golden Cove together. All that’s left are whispers behind closed doors, broken friendships, and a silent agreement not to look back. But they can’t run from the past forever.
Eight years later, a beautiful young woman disappears without a trace, and the residents of Golden Cove wonder if their home shelters something far more dangerous than an unforgiving landscape.
It’s not long before the dark past collides with the haunting present and deadly secrets come to light.
At a Texas county fair, amidst carousels and a bustling midway, children’s book author Elle Portman is enjoying a rare night out with her favorite her two-year-old son, Charlie. But just as they’re about to head home, the unthinkable a shooter opens fire into the crowd, causing widespread panic to erupt all around them.
Also caught in the melee was corporate consultant Calder Hudson. Arrogant, self-centered, and high off his latest career win, he’s frustrated and confused when he wakes up in the hospital after undergoing emergency surgery on his arm. The doctor tells him that he was lucky—that as far as gunshot wounds go, he pulled through remarkably well. Others weren’t so lucky, which instills in Calder a furious determination to get justice . . . a goal shared by Elle.
Their chance encounter at the police station leads to a surprising and inexplicable gravitation to one another, but even as the attraction grows, Elle and Calder can’t help but wonder if the unimaginable tragedy that brought them together is too painful and too complicated to sustain—especially while the shooter remains at large.
Simon and Vicky couldn’t seem more a wealthy Chicago couple with a stable, if unexciting, marriage. But with these two… absolutely nothing is what it seems. When a beautiful socialite is found hanging in a mansion in a nearby suburb, Simon and Vicky’s complex web of secrets begins to unravel.
A whirlwind affair. A twenty-million-dollar trust fund about to come due. A decades-long grudge and an obsession with revenge. Both Vicky and Simon are liars–but just who exactly is conning who? Prepare to question everything you think you know in this wickedly clever novel of greed, revenge, obsession–and quite possibly the perfect murder.
This here is a book recommendation from a friend. I’ve been sitting on the edge of my seat getting through this one. Very great recommend. I love when it just clicks.
I hope your March 2025 is filled with wonderful, amazing things.
Leila Karani fell in love, thinking it was forever. She got pregnant and went to see her boyfriend, Nathan Njeru, thinking he would support her and their baby, but she was wrong. Nathan declared he did not love her anymore and instead urged her to abort their baby.
Eight years later, Leila is a single mother running a fabric and tailoring shop in Nairobi, and her daughter’s happiness is her only concern. When a Fashion Design opportunity comes her way, she unexpectedly encounters Nathan. Now, Leila must make a decision that will profoundly impact her daughter’s future, especially when she learns the truth about Nathan’s past actions.
Can Leila navigate the tumultuous waters of forgiveness and allow her heart to love a man she’s despised for so long yet still feels connected to?
This is a standalone and the first book will be printed in January 2025.
On a side note, I am low-key excited to finally be posting about a printed book available for purchase in my city, Nairobi! It was quite an amazing moment, and I’ve been smiling and feeling super excited when I think about it. Here’s to more and more books printed and available in Nairobi!
An Anthology of Insights and Lessons from the lives and experiences of women who lead.
The Way She Leads is an inspiring anthology that highlights the profound value of women’s leadership. Through a carefully curated collection of real-life stories and personal reflections, this book captures the unique experiences and journeys of women who have embraced their leadership potential. It is a testament to the value and impact that women bring to the table, whether in personal, professional, or corporate spaces. Each narrative offers invaluable insights on how women can harness their strengths, enhance their leadership skills, and unlock new levels of productivity and influence.
You can also get a copy at the upcoming Book Launch on November 1st, 2024.
Join the celebration at The Way She Leads Book Launch party on November 1st, 2024, at 2 p.m. EAT at the Trademark Hotel (Village Market) Nairobi.
The Launch brings together astute Women Leaders from various backgrounds to share Transformational Insights and Lessons from their Lives, Careers, and Business experiences. This meeting will provide an opportunity toNetwork, Connect, and Learn more about women’s Value and contribution in the different spheres of their work and lives. Meet, Connect, and experience the Phenomenal Women behind the Stories in the Book.
Makena has been living in the shadows, evading her abusive past with her young son in tow, running every time it threatens to catch up. Then she crosses paths with David, a kind-hearted stranger who thaws the icy grip of fear around her heart. She faces a dilemma she never expected—to keep running or to confront her past head-on.
As their connection deepens, Makena finds herself torn between the safety of anonymity and the hope of a future filled with love and stability. But her ex’s relentless pursuit threatens to shatter the fragile peace she’s found, forcing her to confront the ultimate question. Is running away truly the answer, or is it time to stand her ground and fight for the happiness she deserves?
This is the story of one woman’s journey to break free from her past and embrace a brighter future. It is a powerful story of love, courage, and second chances.
About Mathitu Wairimu:
Mathitu Wairimu is a Kenyan writer born and raised in a small village near Nairobi. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (English and Literature). She spends her time writing and working as a freelance web designer. She fell in love with reading and writing at a young age. Her introduction to romance novels was Mills and Boon when she was in high school. She longed for love stories featuring characters and places she related to, which inspired her to write such stories. This is her debut novel.
I’m so excited to share this upcoming book written by Mathitu Wairimu. Fugitive Heart is a romance novel published under Love Africa Press. It is now under Pre-Order here. This book is set to be released on August 27, 2024. If you love romance stories of women breaking free from a difficult past and finding happiness, you’ll love Fugitive Heart.
Let’s show it some love at the end of August 2024!
When her only friend, Makiko, accidentally offends F4 leader Tsukasa, Tsukushi boldly defends her. Enraged, Tsukasa puts the dreaded red tag in Tsukushi’s locker — a sign that she is now a target for the abuse of the F4 gang and the entire school. But when Tsukushi fights the gang with their own weapon, Tsukasa finds himself falling for her! Find Volume 1 Here.
Yōko Kamio is a popular Japanese manga artist and writer. She is most famous for Boys Over Flowers (Hana Yori Dango), for which she received the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1996. Her work has been translated and distributed in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Thoughts:
Hana Yori Dango has this amazing story that struck me at the first volume, and sort of held on to the last volume. Hana Yori Dango has 37 Volumes of story. I borrowed this manga’s volumes from a library in high school and would always look for the next volume like crazy. I loooved! the discovering days of Hana Yori Dango and the question of ‘Will it be Rui or Tsukasa?’ Oh, the angst! It was awesome.
Hana Yori Dango which translates to Boys Over Flowers is a story about a girl doing her best to achieve her dreams despite the adversity she faces in an elite school filled with affluent classmates. She has a fiery temper, and is very loyal to her friends, so when she sees her friends suffering she does her best to ease their pain and help.
When Tsukushi Makino joins an elite school and manages to make a friend, she feels compelled to stand up for her new friend when she gets in trouble. Through this encounter, Tsukushi ends up offending the biggest elite classmate of their school, Tsukasa Domyouji, the leader of ‘F4’.
Hana Yori Dango chronicles how Tsukushi survives through a severe hazing experience at the hands of ‘F4’ led by Tsukasa Domyouji. Her encounters with the four ‘F4’ members who rule the elite school’s student body, and how she changes Tsukasa Domyouji. Domyouji and Tsukushi’s story leads to an unforgettable romance, in between, she discovers her true path.
Hana Yori Dango has captured audiences worldwide. This manga is so popular that it has been turned into dramas across different Asian countries and Europe.
Tsukushi Makino has an endearing spirit. You want to root for her as she faces the many challenges in a school filled with affluent classmates, who are more privileged than her. At the same time, there is the discovery of Tsukasa Domyouji who may seem overprivileged, but it turns out he is drawn to Tsukushi because of her fierce loyalty and pure nature.
“I like to believe if I wear great shoes, they’ll take me to great places.” – Shizuka to Tsukushi, Chapter 10, Hana Yori Dango.
Hana Yori Dango is a great story to read, the art has a distinctive style and is quite easy to follow. However, if you prefer to watch, check out the following adaptations. My personal favorite remains the 2005 TBS Japanese Version. However, you can check out the following adaptations too.
There are amazing women artists in the world of Manga. Today, let’s discover more about Ai Yazawa, the memorable Nana and Paradise Kiss creator. Both mangas have adaptations into anime and live-action movies.
About Ai Yazawa
Ai YAZAWA (矢沢あい) is a Japanese manga author. Her pen name comes from Japanese singer Eikichi Yazawa, of whom she is a fan.
Yazawa started her manga publishing life in 1985; throughout 15 years of publishing, she wrote over ten series on Ribon magazine. While most of her manga continues to be published in Japan by Shueisha, publishers of Ribon and Cookie (in which Nana is serialized), series like Paradise Kiss now appear in other magazines such as Zipper, published by Shodensha.
Yazawa's most famous manga include Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai (I'm Not an Angel), Gokinjo Monogatari (Neighborhood Story), Paradise Kiss, and Nana. In 2003, she was awarded the Shogakukan Manga Award for Nana. Some of her manga works were made into anime, and live action movies too.
Yazawa's works are most popular among women and young girls. The storylines generally are centered on young women and their relationships, something with which her young fanbase identifies. The characters are always very stylish, and she is known especially for her hip sense of fashion. Yazawa herself attended a fashion school after high school but did not complete her studies there. Another key point is her strikingly unique, often rebellious characters, who tend to be juxtaposed against the more traditional ones.
Nana Komatsu is a young woman who’s endured an unending string of boyfriend problems. Moving to Tokyo, she’s hoping to take control of her life and put all those messy misadventures behind her. She’s looking for love and hoping to find it in the big city.
Nana Osaki, on the other hand, is cool, confident and focused. She swaggers into town and proceeds to kick down the doors to Tokyo’s underground punk scene. She’s got a dream and won’t give up until she becomes Japan’s No. 1 rock’n’roll superstar.
This is the story of two 20-year-old women who share the same name. Even though they come from completely different backgrounds, they somehow meet and become best friends. The world of Nana is a world exploding with sex, music, fashion, gossip, and all-night parties.
All Art by Ai Yazawa
The most endearing part of this story is the friendship that grows between Nana K. and Nana O. They are vastly different women, from their fashion style to their beliefs and their past. Despite boyfriends, career decisions, and an unexpected pregnancy, these two young women are determined to keep their friendship going. The most tragic thing about Nana is that it remains on hiatus after 21 volumes.
All Nana fans eternally hope that Ai Yazawa will one day complete this beautiful saga. Despite the hiatus, Nana has two compelling live-action movies (Available on Apple+ or Viki) and a very entertaining anime (Available on Netflix or where you get your anime fix). Nana is a great story to check out and the art is so beautiful, the characters come to life with every panel. Nana has mature themes and is recommended for ages 16- 18. Grade 10-12.
Yukari wants nothing more than to make her parents happy by studying hard and getting into a good college. One afternoon, however, she is kidnapped by a group of self-proclaimed fashion mavens calling themselves “Paradise Kiss.”
Yukari suddenly finds herself in the roller coaster life of the fashion world, guided by George, an art snob extraordinaire. In a glamorous makeover of body, mind, and soul, she is turned from a hapless bookworm into her friends’ exclusive clothing model.
Paradise Kiss has a truly tumultuous relationship between George and Yukari. The decisions they both make at the end of this five-volume series are realistic and very human. Yukari and George fall in love and must decide what to do with their relationship to fulfill their dreams and gain what they most want. Paradise Kiss has a live-action movie and an anime too.
Ai Yazawa has a fantastic body of work. Her art is always unique, and colorful, using sharp, elegant lines. She depicts stories rooted in a realistic world and characters that are easy to relate to. Check out her other work Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai (I’m No Angel).
A beautiful earth woman is kidnapped by Yargo, the incredibly attractive ruler of a distant world, and begins a romantic adventure to exotic planets.
A tale ensues:
I read this book when I was in grade school so many years ago. It was on the home library shelf and the story is not very difficult to read, so I loved it then and still reread it when I remember it. This year the reread was triggered by a total eclipse event. The visual of the moon covering the sun lets you know there are planet-sized mysteries beyond our skies. Anyway, I caught a glimpse of the event and happened to clean out the bookshelves, and voila! Yargo came to mind.
Yargo is quite fascinating as Jacqueline Susann wrote it in the 1950s as a romance novel with a sci-fi twist. The main character Janet Cooper goes camping in the sand dunes of Avalon, searching for the meaning of life as she knows it. She’s out in the evening, staring at the stars, and reminiscing about teenage dreams. When lo and behold one of those stars suddenly hangs lower than normal. Janet Cooper is promptly kidnapped off the planet by aliens.
The first time I read it I went out to check whether the stars could do this (I was thirteen, excuse my excited imagination). You can also imagine my disappointment when none of this happened. The stars did not hang low for me, at all. Damn you, Janet Cooper. The idea felt possible at the time.
Still, I loved the adventure of this story.
It turns out the aliens made a mistake by capturing a human from planet Earth. We’re imperfect, but the aliens are lightyears ahead of our planet and consider themselves evolved to perfection. Now, the aliens who botched the job had to figure out where to take Janet Cooper. The planet that finally agrees to take her in is called Yargo. Yargo is considered a utopian world full of perfect beings. Incidentally, Janet who had been wondering where to find the ideal man, (as earlier mentioned ‘reminiscing her teenage dreams in the dunes‘), meets him on this planet.
Reading it now, I don’t think it is truly a romance story but a metamorphosis story for Janet. I loved how imaginative Yargo is and it is a great sci-fi read, especially for someone not looking to dig too deep into a sci-fi world. Instead, it takes on a philosophical outlook on utopias and the beauty of imperfections.
Stories and Book Talk 