Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Comedy and father-son conflict intersect in Lim's vivacious second novel (after All the Right Notes), a joyous celebration of drag, karaoke, and Filipino culture. Filipino American Rex Araneta has locked away his love for drag performance, karaoke, and women's fashion because of his father's disapproval and a traumatic past experience. Then Rex reconnects by chance with his white college boyfriend, Aaron Berry, the new manager of the Pink Unicorn, a historic Bay Area gay bar in financial peril. Hoping that saving the bar will win back Aaron's affection, Rex revives his once viral drag queen persona, Regina Moon Dee, and offers to emcee karaoke night to bring in customers. But when Rex, who's already insecure that no one could love both Rex and Regina, learns Aaron doesn't like drag or respect it as an art form, he's determined to keep Aaron from discovering that he's Regina. To maintain his cover, Rex ropes in the Pink Unicorn's cute, Filipino karaoke jockey, Paolo. Their elaborate web of deception gives way to a series of slapstick mishaps, especially when Rex teaches Paolo to impersonate Regina, but also tender moments arising when Rex least expects them. The result is a hilarious yet fervent tribute to the places and people that make being one's authentic self possible. Agent: Gina Panettieri, Talcott Notch Literary. (Sept.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Rex Araneta is a sensational singer, not just when he's playing himself, but also when he portrays his secret drag queen alter ego, Regina Moon Dee. Regina captivated the internet before Rex made the difficult decision to step away from drag, but then the struggles of a local karaoke bar and the sudden reappearance of Rex's ex-boyfriend bring Regina out of retirement. Aaron and Rex dated during college, and Rex always thought of Aaron as the one who got away. However, when Rex starts working karaoke night, he becomes close to his cohost, Paolo. As the karaoke night becomes more and more popular, it's getting harder and harder to keep Regina's identity a secret to the customers--and Aaron. Is Aaron really the one for Rex, or might it be Paolo instead? While Lim's (All the Right Notes) latest novel lacks steam, it makes up for it with lovable characters, and Rex's struggle to accept all facets of himself brings a lot of depth to this romance. VERDICT A fresh queer rom-com with heart.--Anna Kallemeyn
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