Elle and Mari meet and are best friends right away. When they finally realize that they both feel romantically for each other, they are separated by their families and eventually pressured to marry young men and settle down in different cities. But after fifty years they run into each other again and those feelings are still there. Could things be different this time around?
This is a story that tackles a lot of issues. There are the social expectations from the 1960s when the girls were first torn apart, and then the norms of today. The family dynamics in both time periods are complex. Mari says that her grandmother is mean to her because Mari saw her kissing a married deacon from their church, but grandma doesn't seem to feel it's at all hypocritical to condemn Mari for kissing Elle. Elle's husband expects her to be happy "barefoot and pregnant," while Mari's husband is more interested in his business than he is in her and their children. Their parents honestly believe it is better for them to be married to these men than to follow their hearts. When they meet again, will they have the courage to do what they want or will the expectations of their children and grandchildren constrain them? And even if they take a chance on happiness, will the effects of aging let them enjoy time together?
For readers who are not intimidated by tough topics, characters who defy gender norms, or the possibility of romance between individuals who are not model-perfect 20-somethings, Bingo Love offers a different sort of love story. Highly recommended for those looking for diversity in their reading, whether it is characters of different race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, or for those who enjoy stories that explore what those in love are willing to do for their loved one.
I read an advanced copy provided by the publisher for review purposes.
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