Review of Kissing Toads
Posted: 05 Oct 2024, 19:05
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Kissing Toads" by Danissa Wilson.]
In Danissa Wilson’s Kissing Toads, Annie embarks on a journey to find her own "Prince Charming." Annie grew up as the only daughter of her parents in a suburban area in California. As a young child, she remembered playing with her friends, where they would make pretend weddings and be homemakers. In high school, Annie’s mother advised her to focus on finding a future husband. Her on-and-off boyfriend in high school was a relationship of convenience. Annie didn’t regret dating Oz because she met her best friend, Sophie. Sophie was his neighbor who was treated like a sister. Sophie and Annie spent their time taking care of Sophie’s four younger siblings. When the girls graduated from high school, they went to the same university and were roommates. Before leaving, her mother reminded her, "Smart women go to college to earn their MRS degrees, referring to getting married."
Annie was thankful she never introduced her parents to the first relationship she attempted. Gregory made marijuana the focus of his life. Sophie and Annie rented an apartment during their sophomore year. Annie dated Nash, who was a star football player that her parents thought was perfect. Annie discovered he wasn’t. Her next relationship was with Quinton. Six months later, Annie was single again. She met Marshall, the first person who she admitted to loving. However, love didn’t stop him from joining the Army during Operation Desert Storm. Instead of supporting his decision to follow his father’s legacy, Annie gave him the ultimatum to pick her or the Army. Annie was single again. After each relationship ended, Sophie would console Annie and prevent her from failing college by offering emotional support. Her mother would always claim the men were “the ones that got away.”
Kissing Toads starts Annie’s journey in 1980. Being born that same year, I could identify with Annie’s skepticism and what was considered socially acceptable. Annie was programmed to believe she needed a man to be happy. Based on her track record from just high school and college, it was easy to see that she would ignore the red flags that came up. Her friendship with Sophie was the only encouraging voice for Annie. Throughout the story, Annie would rely on Sophie’s opinion about the men.
Kissing Toads shows gender roles in a time when women were stay-at-home parents and men were the ones who worked. However, in today’s society, it is not abnormal for both parents to work and sometimes for the man to be a stay-at-home parent instead of the woman. While I didn’t really agree with some of Annie’s decisions, this book doesn’t need any improvement. The relatable feelings of rejection, joy, hope, betrayal, grief, and enlightenment are realistic parts of relationships. Therefore, I rate this novel five out of five stars.
Mature fans of romance novels that represent the life experiences of a normal person will find Kissing Toads appealing. Potential readers should be aware that the book contains profanity and moderately explicit scenes, making it unsuitable for young readers. Likewise, this book could aid therapists who work with readers who are struggling with codependent behaviors.
******
Kissing Toads
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In Danissa Wilson’s Kissing Toads, Annie embarks on a journey to find her own "Prince Charming." Annie grew up as the only daughter of her parents in a suburban area in California. As a young child, she remembered playing with her friends, where they would make pretend weddings and be homemakers. In high school, Annie’s mother advised her to focus on finding a future husband. Her on-and-off boyfriend in high school was a relationship of convenience. Annie didn’t regret dating Oz because she met her best friend, Sophie. Sophie was his neighbor who was treated like a sister. Sophie and Annie spent their time taking care of Sophie’s four younger siblings. When the girls graduated from high school, they went to the same university and were roommates. Before leaving, her mother reminded her, "Smart women go to college to earn their MRS degrees, referring to getting married."
Annie was thankful she never introduced her parents to the first relationship she attempted. Gregory made marijuana the focus of his life. Sophie and Annie rented an apartment during their sophomore year. Annie dated Nash, who was a star football player that her parents thought was perfect. Annie discovered he wasn’t. Her next relationship was with Quinton. Six months later, Annie was single again. She met Marshall, the first person who she admitted to loving. However, love didn’t stop him from joining the Army during Operation Desert Storm. Instead of supporting his decision to follow his father’s legacy, Annie gave him the ultimatum to pick her or the Army. Annie was single again. After each relationship ended, Sophie would console Annie and prevent her from failing college by offering emotional support. Her mother would always claim the men were “the ones that got away.”
Kissing Toads starts Annie’s journey in 1980. Being born that same year, I could identify with Annie’s skepticism and what was considered socially acceptable. Annie was programmed to believe she needed a man to be happy. Based on her track record from just high school and college, it was easy to see that she would ignore the red flags that came up. Her friendship with Sophie was the only encouraging voice for Annie. Throughout the story, Annie would rely on Sophie’s opinion about the men.
Kissing Toads shows gender roles in a time when women were stay-at-home parents and men were the ones who worked. However, in today’s society, it is not abnormal for both parents to work and sometimes for the man to be a stay-at-home parent instead of the woman. While I didn’t really agree with some of Annie’s decisions, this book doesn’t need any improvement. The relatable feelings of rejection, joy, hope, betrayal, grief, and enlightenment are realistic parts of relationships. Therefore, I rate this novel five out of five stars.
Mature fans of romance novels that represent the life experiences of a normal person will find Kissing Toads appealing. Potential readers should be aware that the book contains profanity and moderately explicit scenes, making it unsuitable for young readers. Likewise, this book could aid therapists who work with readers who are struggling with codependent behaviors.
******
Kissing Toads
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon