Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) - reviewed on 7/7/2021 + 646 more book reviews

True fact: Razorblade Tears isn't my kind of novel. Also true: I enjoyed every minute of the audiobook!

I considered this title only because Annie Jones (a trusted recommendation source) talked about it on her podcast From the Front Porch. The narration by Adam Lazarre-White truly brought the characters to life; I wouldn't have enjoyed this nearly as much had I read a print copy.

The novel is like a great buddy movie with powerful LGBTQIA+ themes. These may not seem like they'd naturally work together, but S.A. Cosby created an outstanding novel with a lot to say about race, social status, family, and love. And I loved the moments of humor to relieve tension.

Readers experience it all through main characters Ike and Buddy Lee, ex-cons whose sons marry and are brutally murdered. The journey to vengeance for their sons' deaths takes Ike and Buddy Lee on a wild ride. I pictured Ike as Danny Glover (from the Lethal Weapon era) and Buddy Lee as Chris Elliott (as a much harder version of his Schitt's Creek character).

This is my first Cosby novel but won't be my last. I have Blacktop Wasteland on hold at the library and am eager to read his next creation.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing the ALC; all opinions are my own.

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