Name: Sarah Sammis's review of Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni
Item: Sorry, Bro
Rating: 5
Author: Sarah Sammis

Taleen Voskuni

An Armenian-American woman rediscovers her roots and embraces who she really is in this vibrant and heartfelt queer rom-com by debut author Taleen Voskuni. When Nar's non-Armenian boyfriend gets down on one knee and proposes to her in front of a room full of drunk San Francisco tech boys, she realizes it's time to find someone who shares her idea of romance. Enter her mother: armed with plenty of mom-guilt and a spreadsheet of Facebook-stalked Armenian men, she convinces Nar to attend Explore Armenia, a month-long series of events in the city. But it's not the mom-approved playboy doctor or wealthy engineer who catches her eye--it's Erebuni, a woman as equally immersed in the witchy arts as she is in preserving Armenian identity. Suddenly, with Erebuni as her wingwoman, the events feel like far less of a chore, and much more of an adventure. Who knew cooking up kuftes together could be so . . . sexy? Erebuni helps Nar see the beauty of their shared culture and makes her feel understood in a way she never has before. But there's one teeny problem: Nar's not exactly out as bisexual. The clock is ticking on Nar's double life, though--the closing event banquet is coming up, and her entire extended family will be there, along with Erebuni. Her worlds will inevitably collide, but Nar is determined to be brave, determined to claim her happiness: proudly Armenian, proudly bisexual, and proudly herself for the first time in her life.

Sorry, Bro

An Armenian-American woman rediscovers her roots and embraces who she really is in this vibrant and heartfelt queer rom-com by debut author Taleen Voskuni. When Nareh Bedrossian’s non-Armenian boyfriend gets down on one knee and proposes to her in front of a room full of drunk San Francisco tech boys, she realizes it’s time to find someone who shares her idea of romance. Enter her mother: armed with plenty of mom-guilt and a spreadsheet of Facebook-stalked Armenian men, she convinces Nar to attend Explore Armenia, a month-long series of events in the city. But it’s not the mom-approved playboy doctor or the wealthy engineer who catch Nar’s eye—it’s Erebuni, a woman as immersed in the witchy arts as she is in preserving Armenian identity. Suddenly, with Erebuni as her wingwoman, the events feel like far less of a chore, and much more of an adventure. Who knew cooking up kuftes together could be so . . . sexy? Erebuni helps Nar see the beauty of their shared culture and makes her feel understood in a way she never has before. But there’s one teeny problem: Nar’s not exactly out as bisexual. The clock is ticking on her double life—the Explore Armenia closing banquet is coming up, and her entire extended family will be there, along with Erebuni. Her worlds will inevitably collide, but Nar is determined to be brave and to claim her happiness: proudly Armenian, proudly bisexual, and proudly herself for the first time in her life.

From new best friend to girl of her dreams . . .

Julia Rutgers

She speaks, her voice so breathy it sounds like she's writing in cursive

[...] we recount that evening from each of our perspectives, adding layers and layers to the memory.

She knows other Narehs; I'm sure there are other ones at this party. But I love the way she says it, like I'm settled into a boat, flowing down a tributary.

blythe richardson

Sarah Sammis

** spoiler alert **
           It was fascinating seeing the Bay Area from a queer Armenian perspective. Nar's journey to reconnect with her culture and to face the on-going racism head on makes for a compelling story all on its own. Her friendship and ultimately romance with Erebuni makes this novel all the more special.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2023/comm...

Cloudface

This book felt like a celebration of Armenian culture wrapped up in a standard romcom storyline. I loved reading all the little details about food, language, and coffee, and I thought the author did a good job of addressing more serious topics within the narrative. The romance itself was a little bland to me. Erubini was too perfect to be interesting and they fell in love too fast for me. However, I still think this is a good book that’s worth reading. Just don’t go into it expecting the romance to be the most compelling thing about it, because it really takes the backseat compared to the cultural and familial aspects of the story.

Ok the title of this book doesn’t do it justice at all! A sweet queer romance with a rich armenian diaspora setting. 

blythe richardson &
Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni

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blythe richardson &Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni

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blythe richardson &
Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni