Blogger’s note: I’m going through my backlog of books to review, and Sing Anyway is one of them. Which is to say, I read this literal months ago and am going off notes I made then. Because of that, it’ll be brief. I’ve backdated the review to reflect when I read it.

Rating: 🤩

Sing Anyway is one of the books I read during Pride Month this year… despite it not actually being on my Pride Month tbr (it’s my tbr and I’ll mood read if I want to). But no regrets. Because this novella was fucking phenomenal, though that wasn’t exactly a surprise since it’s Anita Kelly we’re talking about here.

A brief synopsis…

Sam Bell, nonbinary history professor and haver of past heartbreaking relationships, is committed to their new strategy: thirst only. And damn do they thirst. Especially for one Lily Fischer (though they don’t know her name yet): vet receptionist by day, seamstress by not-day, and completely incredible karaoke singer by night at the local queer dive. But then one fateful evening, Sam’s friends are no-shows for karaoke night… and you know, it wouldn’t hurt Sam to stay for just one more drink while they watch their #1 karaoke crush crush it, right?

…and a brief review

I went into Sing Anyway hoping, praying, and—frankly—thirsting for strong and validating nonbinary representation after being disappointed by a different book. And dammit, this book delivered. Despite being a novella, Kelly managed to pack a lot of heart and even some heat into these 124 pages. The romance felt real as opposed to insta-lovey (while I certainly don’t hate instalove in novellas, it never feels realistic and I wanted this story to feel realistic), and the characters were given room to grow even with the short length.

I especially loved that part of their story was (mild spoilers ahead!!!) Lily making gender-affirming clothing for Sam. That moment in Sam’s office at the end when they try on a skirt and appreciate its swishy-ness was just so fucking sweet!! I just loved these two. And I loved the karaoke night meet-cute. Chef’s kiss to this one. I’m very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series.