Genre: Contemporary
LGBTQ+ Category: Lesbian
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It On Amazon
About The Book
Vivian Chastain is an adrenaline addicted veteran, transitioning to civilian life in Sacramento, California. She settles into a new routine while she finishes up college and works as a bartender, covering up her intense anxiety with fake bravado and swagger.
All Vivian wants is peace and quiet, but her whole trajectory changes when she stumbles upon a heinous crime in progress and has to fight for her life to get away.
While recovering from the fight, she falls in love with someone who is tall in stature but short on emotional intelligence, and this toxic union provides Vivian the relationship that she thinks she needs. Given Vivian’s insecurities and traumatic past, she clings to the relationship even while it destroys her.
Vivian’s relationships are strained to their breaking points as she continues to seek balance. She turns to her best friend for support, only to be left empty handed and alone until she finds comradery and care from the last person she would have thought.
The Review
Not what I was expecting, but I was thoroughly captivated and entertained by Liz Faraim’s debut novel “Canopy”!
Vivian Chastain learned how to be strong at a young age, but it left her with insecurities that she tries to hide. The minute she was able, she left a dysfunctional home life – her mother, Bernadette, who didn’t know how to be a loving parent, and her brother Joey, who abused her without consequences.
Getting away from home, she joined the Army and met Jared, who remained her friend through out their military service and after. Jared wants to be with Viv but she explains to him she’s gay, and he isn’t her type. Jared reluctantly accepts her answer, but Viv worries that she might loose an important friendship. As time passes, something strange changes their connection.
Viv just wants to live as normal a life as possible. She runs when she can, struggles with PTSD, rides her motorcycle, and works at a local bar. In her down time, she hangs out at home and enjoys nature. She’s not really thinking about a relationship or a partner.
On one outing, Viv gets into a melee and becomes a witness to a horrid crime. She meets her neighbor, Angela Sorensen, a police officer, first at the bar and then by chance through being a witness in the crime. They start a relationship that seems questionable and just doesn’t seem to fit Viv.
Liz Faraim takes this story on an interesting turn with mystery, suspense and an in-depth look at Viv’s life. Viv is a very interesting person. She deals with anger issues, PTSD, self harm, violence and a home life that was very abusive. I also liked Faraim’s descriptions of the Sacramento area, and so many beautiful places to visit in California. It adds another fascinating aspect to Viv’s character.
“Canopy” is not my usual type of story, but the author amazed me. Faraim has a very unique way of writing that it just kept me wanting to read further. “Canopy” is not my usual type of story, but the author amazed me. This debut, first time read was a real page turner for me. Well done.
I am certainly watching for the next installment as “Canopy” definitely piqued my curiosity, and I have to know what happens next to Vivian Chastain.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
