We Could Be Heroes
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By PJ Ellis
avg rating
1 review
Real love is nothing like the movies.
BIRMINGHAM, 2024. When American actor Patrick arrives in England, finding love is the last thing on his mind. Starring in a blockbuster superhero movie, he’s on a strict filming schedule, which does not include coming out as gay. But when Patrick meets Will – a local bookseller and drag performer, whose charm is impossible to resist – the temptation for a secret romance has never felt stronger. NEW YORK, 1949. Comic-book artists Charles and Iris aren’t like other married couples. They too are harbouring secrets of a dangerous nature. But together, they are creating a new kind of hero – one who is destined to bring Patrick and Will together… and might just change the world. TweetReviews
We Could be Heroes was published in 2024, but I got an e-copy from NetGalley to read and review, so thanks to PJ Ellis and Harper North for the opportunity to read this gloriously uplifting Queer book!
This braided narrative covers two time periods. The primary one is set in present day (2024) Birmingham where drag Queen/bookshop worker Will meets superstar Hollywood actor Patrick Lake, while filming for the latest blockbuster 'Captain Kismet 2'. Their chance meeting in Will's local where he performs as Grace Anatomy leads to a knuckle-wrapping from Patrick's agent, Simone, but lights a spark... Will is as straight as straight, right? He's Hollywood's darling, he could never like someone like Will... could he?
Okay, this book was totally predictable, but I enjoyed it! So much Queer Joy! With interposed parts of Queer sadness, having to compromise, having to be secretive, having to lie... I guess it felt real; however, I don't believe (correct me if I'm wrong!) that it would be a career breaker to come out as gay in Hollywood in 2024. I know that Patrick is supposed to be representing extreme machismo etc, but it didn't quite ring true that the potential ramifications would be so high...
The second storyline was one I really wanted to love. It was the backstory of the 'Captain Kismet' comics, written by a brother/sister duo, both of whom were Queer during the Mcarthy era. This could have been great but... it just fell flat. The pacing was off when the two strands were braided together, and because there was so little of this earlier storyline, it was hard to feel much for the characters. I think this could have been rewritten to make this part shine, and I, for one, would have been there for it!
Will and Patrick coming together was two worlds colliding (it's not a spoiler, it happens very early in the book). I think that was well done. And there were some really touching moments, as well as some them made you want to smack your head because they were being so damn stupid! Yes, it was cheesy (a bit like Notting Hill actually), but as a quick fun read I was able to overlook that, and just go with the story.
The side characters were great! They were fully fleshed out, 'real' characters, which is a nice change compared to a lot of rom coms where the side characters feel like they're present to make up the numbers. I loved Will's non-binary nephew and his sister. And his best mate Jordan was just lovely. And in the end (view spoiler)
So, it was a quick, fun read with some really, touching (if you don't mind lots of Gruyere) moments; however, the tempo was sadly ruined by the second plot line which, IMO, could actually have been better than the main one if it had been developed properly. Disappointing.
On the fence. 3 stars overall, for the sheer amount of celebrating Queer Joy. Points off for the rest.
