The Presence of a Yes (Revised Edition): The Magical Word that Truly Gives Consent (Stories of Divinclus Book 1) (2019) by Wathanya Souvanna is a gorgeously crafted book.
The story follows protagonist Robyn, Robyn-with-a-Y. Kyle goes missing and Robyn is brought on the case by their ex Taylor who is one of Kyle’s partners. At the start of the story, Robyn meets Ash who is an actress but handily enough also an investigator. Romance is blossoming between the pair but in the meantime together the three of them begin to hunt down whoever kidnapped Kyle.
This book is very gripping and flows with ease. You find yourself reading it in 1-3 sittings as you get engrossed in the story and in wanting everything to end up ok for characters you grow to get to know and grow to love throughout the book. The book is also very modern and has characters in it who are non-binary as well as binary, who are trans and cis, who are many different sexualities, who are poly and mono and have different romantic and sexual feelings and desires. In short, it feels very true to life. Mental health is also a theme in this book and is written in a very sensitive and very honest way. Prejudice is also a part of the book and is written very realistically but I also love the way the central characters and some of the minor ones too have mutual respect for each other and who each other is which is what I wish every person was like and sadly sometimes isn’t. I love how this is written where nobody is shamed for being who they are or is made to feel like they should be apologetic for who they are. I wish there was more books written like this.
The cast of central characters are wonderful. The story is great but the characters make it because they make you care and mysteries need characters who make you do that. My favourite was Taylor but I loved them all.
Kudos also must go to Anne Dachowski for editing as that is never an easy job!
This is a cozy mystery with great suspense, great characters, romance, modernity, honesty and great writing which is totally my favourite kind of book.
In short, I loved it.
To get your copy of The Presence of a Yes (Revised Edition): The Magical Word that Truly Gives Consent (Stories of Divinclus Book 1) by Wathanya Souvanna go to:
And for more about Wathanya Souvanna and their work go to:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19407730.Wathanya_Souvanna
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