I requested this book because of the title and the cover. Neither give any indication or preview as to what to expect.

This is a novella around 100 pages. Fast paced read with interesting characters.

The abrupt end really did miss the mark for me. I wanted to love it, but it left me underwhelmed.

I would possibly read another book by this author.

The title and the cover admittedly drew me in, and I love as always reading about queer and non-binary characters. Representaton matters.

I don't know if this was necessarily for me, but it was short and impactful and I think I'd definitely read more from this author again. Thanks to the author, the publisher and Net Galley for the e-ARC!

Dizzie, a trans woman on her first time drug run, and Smoak, the muscle ‘hit man’ hired to protect Dizzie, are travelling through South Carolina when a drug deal goes wrong. From there they have to figure out why things took a turn for the worst while staying out of trouble.

It was initially the cover that caught my attention but I decided to pick this up because it had an interesting plot.

I did enjoy the story but at times the chapters felt a bit disconnected and I would’ve liked if it was more fleshed out. Dizzie’s character was definitely a highlight of the novella and I thought the way she was portrayed worked for the story. On the other hand, Smoak’s character was often hollow. I do, however, think his character had potential.

The atmosphere created was one of my favourite parts of this novella, I just wish the characters had the same depth.

I also think the plot became messy with the number of double crossing’s and new characters introduced. If it had been focused on one or two of these idea’s the book could have had more substance.

Despite all this I did enjoy it even if it’s something I wouldn’t have typically read. I would’ve loved to see this as a more elaborate, full length novel!

I found this novella to be hard to stay engaged with, which is unfortunate as I really liked the characters Dizzie and Smoak as well as the premise. A lot of the action felt forced or out of place, especially towards the end. The characters were well developed but not in the way that quite explained why they kept going, kept pushing for more. The ending was also really abrupt and I wasn't a fan of how it turned out for out main characters.
Does contain an explicit sex scene and graphic violence.

Really struggled to get into this. I do however really appreciate the representation within the book and look forward to reading more books featuring non-binary and gender queer characters.

I so wish this would have been a full length novel. The lack of backstory and character development really made it hard to connect with the story. I wanted to know more about how the characters ended up in the positions they did, what drove them to this lifestyle, and where they may be headed next.

Even without that, the novella was a quick read and it kept me interested. I do wish it had been a bit less gory or that there was a warning about that.

Dizzie and Smoak get involved in a drug deal gone bad. A novella that has more action stuffed inside its small amount of pages compared to full novels. This book reminded me of Dallas Buyers Club. I enjoyed that one of the characters were transgender and the dynamic between the 2 main characters.

Thank you to Netgalley, Connor de Bruler, and the publishers for this free ebook. This review is 100% my own and honest review.

3.5 rounded up.

Cigarette Lemonade is a gritty novella about two mostly amateur criminals and a deal gone wrong. We follow Dizzie, a gutsy trans woman who likes early '00s rock, and Smoak, a reserved, more experienced criminal who knows his way around a gun & may have a bit of a drinking problem, as they navigate their way out of a doozy of a felony (or 2 or 3...).

This fast-paced novella is very clear and straightforward, making the well-rounded characters and their transgressions feel real. I also thought the story was rock solid, almost feeling like the plot of a movie in ways. I did, however, feel like the prose left something to be desired; the writing was a little simplistic for my taste.

The ending seemed to end a little too abruptly, but I'm not mad about it. It is a novella after all. I could, however, see it expanded into a large work.

I am interested in reading more from this author as well as learning more about his background as I couldn't find much about him online.

Thank you NetGalley, Swann + Bedlam, and the author himself for giving me access to this ARC.

Cigarette Lemonade is not a book for me, however, I can't deny that it's effective. In its short length, Dizzie and Smoak meet and find themselves in increasingly violent situations and double-crossings. By the end we're hoping they find a way out, getting away from their gritty reality. There are some complaints about the ending, but it suits the story--we've been on this ride together, we can figure out what's going to happen from here (and there's no way it can match the ride we've been on so far).

If I could give this book 0 stars I would. It is one of the most poorly written books I have ever encountered.

This Breaking Bad adjacent novella is a faced paced, high stakes story that kept me on my toes. The pacing was perfection and my interest never diminished.

If you are in the mood for dark and twisty, but don’t want to commit fully to a novel, this would be a superb choice.

Plot - 5
Writing and Editing - 3
Character Development - 3
Personal Bias - 4
Final Score - 3.75

Thank you Conner de Bruler, Swann + Bedlam, and NetGalley for my advanced review copy. My opinions are my own.

Cigarette Lemonade is out June 1st, 2024!

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The cover & title of this pulled me in right away. I didn't pay too much attention to the synopsis but I was immediately immersed in the story from the get go. Despite it being short, I felt the characters were explored in depth and there was a great plot going too! The torture/violence aspect in this blew me away just because I never expected it to go as far as it did.
Diverse characters and a fun, fast-paced plot. Give it a shot!

_Cigarette Lemonade_ takes an unflinching look at two disillusioned twentysomethings who will not or cannot conform to the structure of American society. Dizzie, a desperate transgender woman, and Smoak, a hired gun, take a job moving drugs across state lines. The job goes well, until it doesn’t.

The novella is a clear example of author Connor de Bruler flexing his literary muscles, but he manages to do so in the most understated way possible. His prose is sparse, with only the occasional flourish of metaphor. He demonstrates his mastery of the form with what he doesn’t say, abandoning unnecessary descriptions of the main characters (we are left to imagine what they look like entirely). When he chooses to be descriptive, it is with visceral imagery of violence, and settings that seem to evoke loneliness and desperation.

Strikingly, although she is subject to bigoted scrutiny, Dizzie’s former name is never revealed, even when others call her by it. De Bruler gives us a transfeminine main character who has become hardened and capable by the necessity of her transition in less-than-progressive Southern areas, and it shows in every choice she makes. As crackdowns on trans individuals spread through the US, Dizzie is the unfortunate main character queer readers need. Her determination, toughness, and at times, poor judgment make her at once relatable and aspirational.

Reading _Cigarette Lemonade_ was the perfect start to my summer. I hope the novella gets noticed, even studied for the way it deals with transgender characters.

i got so much action and storyline for just 100 pages; i felt like i got the content amount of a full length novel. i could see this book making a perfect movie one day. completely unhinged vibes

Cigarette Lemonade was my introduction to Conner De Bruler's writing, and I must say, it left a lasting impression. Despite being a novella, it packs a punch with its well-crafted narrative and fast-paced storytelling.

The novella delves into the aftermath of a murder, immediately immersing the reader into a world of tension and suspense. What sets this story apart is its ability to flesh out characters remarkably well within a limited word count—a feat not easily achieved. The protagonists, both LGBTQ, are portrayed with depth and nuance. One is transgender, while the other hints at being queer or bisexual, adding layers of complexity to their interactions and motivations.

The narrative is gritty, raw, and unapologetically dark, touching on themes like homophobia, graphic violence, drug use, and sexual situations. These elements may be triggering for some readers, but they contribute to the authenticity and realism of the story.

One of the novella's strengths lies in its ability to keep the reader engaged. I found myself turning pages eagerly, eager to unravel the characters' pasts and motivations. However, I did wish for a slightly longer exploration of certain plot points and felt that the ending was somewhat rushed. Despite this, the overall experience was highly satisfying.

What stands out about Cigarette Lemonade is its departure from the typical angsty narrative often associated with LGBTQ literature. De Bruler's fresh approach brings a refreshing perspective to the genre, offering a compelling and thought-provoking read.

In conclusion, Cigarette Lemonade is a gripping novella that showcases De Bruler's talent for character development and storytelling. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea due to its dark themes, for those looking for a compelling LGBTQ narrative that defies conventions, this book is a must-read. I look forward to exploring more of De Bruler's work in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Swann + Bedlam for an ARC of this book.

This book was a RIDE. I cannot say that it was particularly good, but it was a romp the whole way through. There are some parts I wish had been extended. I like fast reads but the story could have benefitted from fleshing some parts out. You'll love Smoak and Dizzie, and their dynamic. This was a very good springtime read: not really heavy despite graphic violence. We get noble main characters who are bad people, we get a trans girl whose story is bigger and beyond that, we get a heist, we get double crosses throughout- a lot is packed in here.


Publisher: this review will be published to Goodreads, Storygraph, Instagram @ireadwhateveriwant , and my blog at https://melreadswidely.blogspot.com/ approximately 1 week before publication

I really liked this novella. Like other reviews, I wish part of the ending wasn't so abrupt, especially since I was very invested in both characters! Trying not to give anything away, I wish that one of the main characters had received a little more attention during the last chapter. Other than that it was an excellent story!

This story is about two young drug mules and the mayhem they get themselves involved in. This 95 pager, brought me back to the feeling of watching an episode of the Sopranos. I’d definitely recommend it those looking for a fast paced amusing story of an unlikely criminal pairing.

It was a very enjoyable quick read!

Was a really enjoyable little novella. It did feel like it could possibly have been a little longer though. I thought the characters were really well written and perfectly captured young people who were out of their depth.
The story was also really descriptive I could almost visualise it. I think this would make a great movie

many reviews were saying that the end to this book was abrupt, or that they felt as if it's too sudden, or that they felt as if it's a letdown. so i did what any sane reader would do: i started reading the book in reverse, at least for the three last chapters.

with the end of the book crystal clear to me i started at its actual chapter 1, which i think made me experience the story in a way that i never would've had i gone in blind.

here's a list of things i observed:
-dialogues are as quick and snappy as its prose but that doesn't take away its chance to distinguish characters.
- i'd mentioned quick and snappy prose because it's quite evident that the stylistic choices employed here leaned more towards economical ways to deliver scenes rather than musical ones, which isn't exactly a bad thing. it's just that i know of a version of myself (circa 2019-2020) who would've DNF'ed the book from chapter 1 just for this alone. that said, 2024-me finds the style adequate for the story it's trying to tell.
- when i say the prose and dialogues are quick and snappy i mean paratactic syntax outnumbers hypotactic ones. this kind of style isn't exactly unpleasant, but it <i>does not</i> prioritize pleasantness at all. i understand that this is not for everyone.
- the ending is very much consistent with its a) style b) story c) subject matter. it is abrupt because it's meant to be abrupt. idk but reading the ending first made the coming-together of these three seem much more deliberate for me.

would i recommend it?
- to someone looking for a quick read regardless of the subject matter, yes.
- to someone looking to de-stress, no.

This just…wasn’t really for me. It kind of reminded me of Justified and had some good atmosphere, but it was way more graphic than I expected violence-wise. I had to skim all the torture parts (which were a lot despite the short length) and honestly, if it wasn’t 95 pages I probably wouldn’t have finished it.

Also I had issues reading it on the NetGalley app, so luckily I was able to send it to my Kindle. Thanks to NetGalley and Swann + Bedlam for the ARC, all opinions are my own.