Now this is a romance novel.! Not only is the plot intriguing, but it's a smart read, full of thought-provoking dialogue and intelligent characters.

The book has the typical romance markers - girl meets girl, girl falls in love, girl gets girl back, and they live happily ever after. But it's not your typical romance novel. The characters are mature, have flaws, and while on the surface appear to be polar opposites, are centrally the same.

I liked the idea of a conservative Republican falling for a liberal Democrat. The challenges they faced were realistic and the story itself could have been ripped from the headlines.

the politics of love tells the story of two very different women, shelley from a republican background who works for her prominent conservative father and who likes women but hasn't told anyone, and rand, an out and proud lesbian who lost her wife and best friend a few years ago and is struggling with the family. they meet when they are supposed to debate an issue regarding sexuality and end up agreeing

from there they tentatively get to know each other and lean on each for support as their various worlds shift

i thought this was an interesting viewpoint to write a book from, two very different women -- is it possible to love across the political divide, when things as huge as human rights are points you disagree on? the author does a great job at making you grow attached to the women and feel empathy for their situations.

i really enjoyed the writing style and, although it was a fairly short book, it covered a lot and had a great ending

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for giving me an E-ARC for an exchange of an honest review.

Truly a great story that tackles a lot about not just coming from different political views but also on different lifestyles. I enjoyed the refreshing read because it is way out of my comfort zone. I don't usually read Political related themes in books, but I find Politics of Love amazing. The story mainly focuses on Shelley Whitemore, a closeted lesbian that grew up in an Evangelical family, and Rand Thomas, a transgender right activist. The two came from very polar ends of the spectrum when it comes to their social standings and even family ties.

There were elements in the book that I love, and also moments where I wished it was expounded on or improved. I am very much attached to stories more when the characters are dissected and you could fully get to know them. Through most of the story, I've come to learn more about Shelley, and her difficult position. She wanted to be her own person and do genuinely love her family, however, because of how she identify herself as a lesbian and came out to her parents. It shows how acceptance of one's gender identity is a huge leap of faith that those in the LGBT-Q community faced every day. Shelley came from a well-known family, and because of her family's strong beliefs in God. It corners her to build this image of the perfect girl for her parents eyes, but also caused a negative effect to her mental health.

Then we got , Rand Thomas, a transgender right activist who is going through her own personal struggles, such as the death of her wife, Kim, and the relentless pestering of Kim's parents. I did appreciate how both Rand and Shelley grew throughout this story. They both learned about acceptance about their own flaws and taking that first step towards their own path. They also have a good friend circle that accepts them for who they are. One thing that I did find a bit lacking is showing more on the family side of Rand. I know that most of Rand's trauma and past centers on her first love, Kim, but other than that, Rand's parents are more like an enigma. They weren't physically there in the story but have shaped most of Rand's own character, much like Shelley.

In an overall point of view, I am giving this book a 3.5 star rating, nearly 4 stars to be honest. It's a really good read, and close to reality with the struggles of the LGBT-Q community with coming out for the first time, and receiving acceptance and love from others. In the end, self love is the first step to really building that confidence and finding happiness in life.

Shelley Whitmore meets Rand Thomas in the MSNBC building in New York. They both have been picked to contribute to a segment on transgendered rights. Shelly represents her conservative, evangelical family who want limited government and individual liberty. Rand is for sure all the way on the left and advocates for transgendered rights. Both have their set of issues. Shelly is a lesbian in hiding and Rand is still dealing with her wife's death (for a few reasons).

I have been debating in my head what I wanted to say about The Politics of Love. I can honestly say that it did open my eyes someone to how a person can be gay and a Republican. I never got it before reading this book and I want to say Jen Jensen does a fabulous job putting it out there. With that said, the two mains clearly have chemistry, but there are too many obstacles in the way. Politics of Love moves quickly, but it still hits upon the key points in each person's life. Both mains grow a great deal, but Shelley really is the character to love here. She finds herself and embraces it even though there are sure consequences for her decisions. Rand probably would be the character to not like as much, but at least by the end she redeems herself. I can honestly say that I really enjoyed reading this. I can't give it 5 stars but can do with a 4.5.

Evangelical Republican attorney and writer Shelley Whitmore met the liberal, transgender rights activist and psychotherapist Rand Thomas for an MSNBC show in Manhattan. The pair connected immediately with philosophical and political debates. But Shelley had yet to come to terms with her own sexuality and Rand was suffering constant harassment from her deceased wife's parents. With their values clashing and own problems to tend to, would Shelley and Rand be able to reach out to each other and build something more out of their friendship?

It is now official. I always fall for emotionally intense stories. And I totally fell for "The Politics of Love" and felt every emotional struggle the characters experienced.

Though a conservative, Shelley shared many beliefs that most considered liberal. The opening of the book immediately touched on that so readers would be able to connect with her from the beginning. I love Rand's identity of a gender nonconforming female. We don't get to see that often. And the relationship between Shelley and Rand was well balanced. Both characters were strong, supportive, yet struggling and equally vulnerable. Rand's best friends Jamie and Rachel also added a lot of warmth to the story.

I love how "The Politics of Love" is not just a romance, but also a story with great conversations that sparked thoughts. The political discussions between Shelley and Rand were very constructive. Though not shown in depth, I love that they connected and built their relationship based on mutual admiration of intellect in addition to initial attraction. Despite their exchanges during the first year after they met was sparsely told in the book, as readers, we understand that a lot was implied and many things happened in life. I thought the gaps in time would bother me, but they did not. Jensen told the story in such a way that we see the strengthening of their connection anyway.

The sentences were simple, and similes incredibly precise. "The Politics of Love" read almost poetically. Jensen carefully used words to capture emotions, feelings, and something deeper. With both Shelley and Rand being very sensitive people, I immediately connected with them. There were many depictions of anxiety, depression, and OC tendencies, and through reading, I got sucked into what they were feeling. The despair and panic felt incredibly real.

Though there were minor hiccups from the narrative skipping details here and there, I love how Jensen's words made me feel and what they had me thinking. For a novel on the shorter end of word count, "The Politics of Love" absolutely out did what most books could achieve in 50k words. And I cannot wait to see what Jensen has for us in the future.

"The Politics of Love" is a story about reclaiming your own identity and carrying on after loss. This beautiful work had my heart tingle in all the right places.

I really wanted to love this book but it had too much political drama and speech and discussions for me. The MC’s dialogue seemed to be focused entirely around their debates and their differences. Your political alignment is a part of you but so is being a woman, being a daughter, etc. It does not define you and I felt that it took over the book.

Loved how Shelley and Rand had different views on politics, but didn't get aggressive towards each other about it. They were able to have conversations about their different views and listened and learned from each other, will also accepting that they have different opinions and not letting that get in the way (Rand got there at the end).

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Shelly is a well known attorney who works on the behalf Evangelical parents faith-based organization. She has a secret she gay and she always known she was and because of keeping this a secrets she developed depression and anxiety. While on a talk show she meets Rand who is a psychotherapist and transgender right activist.


While they connect Shelly realize she no longer can hide herself even if it’s cause her everything and Rand who lost her wife never thought she will love again. This was a great read. I like how very thought out the writer did about what going in our political climate, also how you deal with being your true self.

Wow!! This is a fantastic book and it was totally not what I was expecting. Shelly Whitmore is a well known attorney and works on behalf of her Evangelical parents faith-based organization but she’s gay. She’s always known that she was but to keep this secret to herself she developed severe anxiety and depression. She meets Rand Thomas who is a psychotherapist and transgender right activist on a talk show and they somehow connect. Shelly realizes that she can no longer keep her true self hidden even at the cost of losing the love of her family. Rand lost her wife to cancer 3 years prior and she has never felt for anyone, including her wife, the way she feels for Shelly.
Born and raised in a very conservative household where I was told daily that being gay was a sin and like the MC Shelly did not come out till later in life even though I always knew I was gay. These character, especially Shelly, really touched me because I truly felt where she was coming from and her struggle to finally be herself.
I was given this ARC via NetGalley and publisher for an honest review. Many Thanks!

The Politics of Love - Jen Jensen


"In the other, we saw ourselves and were afraid. Host and hostile. Caught between a desire to welcome the other and destroy the other, humans struggled to compartmentalize the noisy confusion of a changing, connected world. They projected their worst fears on one another."

Is it possible to love across the political divide?

Shelley Whitmore is a famous attorney who works with her Republican Evangelical family's organization, including appearances on political TV shows. She is on a panel with Rand Thomas, a psychotherapist, transgender rights activist, and political liberal. This is the event that starts the book, and takes the reader along for Shelley and Rand's journeys of self-discovery, healing, and towards each other.

This book is incredible, and not at all what I was expecting. I was prepared for a typical "opposites attract" fluff piece, but this was so much more. This was actually a really interesting character study of two very unique and compelling characters. The book deals with the divisiveness of our political climate, and how to connect as individuals. It also deals with the pain of coming out from an Evangelical background, healing after a traumatic loss, finding your own voice and sense of self. The romance is not actual the primary point, which made the book so much more interesting.

I absolutely loved it. The characters are interesting and nuanced. They feel a lot like actual people. I actually tried to read the book slower, to extend the time I was spending with these characters, but wasn't able to put it down.

Huge thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the ARC. The book comes out in July and I think is well worth reading.