Book Review: Coin Tricks – Willow Scarlett

Date of Publication: February 26, 2016
Genre and Themes: LGBTQ New Adult, Family, Romance
Format: 232 pages, ebook
ASIN: B01CAVI2F6
Characters: Sid Riley, Wiremu/Wire

First, can we just take a minute to admire that uber-lovely cover? That is one beautiful and enticing cover! Yup, there ya go…

On with the story, it’s very much easy to say that out of the 70 plus books I’ve read so far this year, this is definitely one of my favourites.  The story is just all kinds of lovely from the main characters up to its secondary ones and the goodness just won’t let up until the last word of the book!

The story is narrated by Wire all throughout the story telling us about his job, about his family and how he met Sid Riley whom he eventually fell in love with.

“My name’s Wiremu: Like William but said Widdymoo” Okay, I totally don’t get this one so I am going to stick with Wire.

You may be wondering why the book is called Coin Tricks. Basically, it is some sort of homage to what Sid does on the side, rather what he really enjoyed doing and that is magic! I thought it was real sweet how Wire and Sid started to really get to know each other  after Sid was caught by Wire shoplifting just so he could give something for his sister’s birthday and Wire eventually deciding to bring foods to Sid’s place. I guess, most people would find that odd but that is how Wire is built. He’s got the kindest heart – built like a brick but very much a teddy bear at heart.

This is not just a romance book though. Half of the story revolves around Wire’s family and the concept itself. It’s heavily embedded with Maori culture because Wire’s from a Maori family and I guess that is how close-knitted Maori people are. I loved that aspect of the story because I could totally relate with it. We Filipinos have this close-knitted extended family as well and we always like to keep in touch, and even if we’re older and we can support ourselves – some of us decides to still live at home because that is where “our” family is. ‘Not saying this is an exclusive trait (obviously) but I just loved how easily relatable the family angle in the book is.

As for the romance aspect, it was very subdued. Every ‘romantic’ gestures by Wire towards Sid can be construed as platonic and I think at first, it was simply platonic because he wanted to help Sid get back on his feet or at least help him out on ‘raising’ his little sister. As the story developed, the subtle change in their relationship was just a joy to read. I loved that they both have insecurities but they don’t let those insecurities cowered them into keeping their feelings from each other.

I’d also like to mention how Wire’s character reminds me so much Alan Fletcher from J.L. Merrow’s Muscling Through. There’s just all kinds of similarity with their characters and the sweet innocence nature of their personality will just melt your heart like Hersheys.

I am totally recommending this to anyone who’s up for a wonderful, feel-good and beautifully written read. Pick it up you sappy people because I’m pretty sure you’d fall in love with the story as well.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Willow Scarlett is a queer romance writer from New Zealand. In early 2015, she quit city life and moved to a ski hut at the foot of Mt Doom. She now happily lives and writes in a tiny town which is home to more alpacas than people.
Her greatest joy is in creating holistic romances, bringing characters through friendship and lust to consuming, eye-opening, world-fulfilling love. Her stories often feature punks, rebels and outcasts.
Willow is an avid jogger and cyclist, a neocrust violinist and an enthusiastic fan of horror movies.