Title: The Practitioner

Author: Ronica Black

Genre: LGBTQIA+, Contemporary Romance

Rating: 

Johnnie Hamilton has conquered a lot in life. An anxiety disorder, loss of her business, and homelessness have been difficult to overcome. But Johnnie has come through the other side to find success as an artist. Now, however, she’s lost her creative drive and she’s struggling to produce.

Elaine Taylor has an interesting job. She’s a “creative practitioner,” known to awaken her client’s creative side by using many different approaches, including a sensual or sexual approach. Most of her clients are male and she likes it that way. Women are the last thing she wants in her life, having lost the most important woman she’s ever known, her wife.

Fearing she’ll lose all she’s worked so hard for, Johnnie takes her friend’s advice and calls a lone number on a business card, steps into Elaine’s office, and shakes up both their worlds forever.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Small spoilers below

The beginning of this novel captured my attention from the rather luscious description of a pint of Guinness. I cannot tell a lie, I almost immediately wanted to be drinking it. It was Johnnie’s struggle as an artist which drew me in next. Bored, and depressed I suppose you could say something in her called out to me because haven’t most people experienced some kind of slump at some point in their lives?

The first scene with the practitioner also pulled me in, making me sit up and pay attention to what was happening on the digital page. The relationship was like a low simmering fire, frequently doused by either Johnnie’s personal angst, or Elaine’s.

The loss Elaine felt was palatable, and the edge of frustration that every other character seemed to exhibit in my mind, in reference to her loss made me slightly protective of her because people deal with loss in their own time.

I only wish that some scenes had not been so over the top, when it came to the Johnnie, Monica, Elaine, and Gail. Not to mention Kyle who I expected, from the way she was written to become slightly unhinged at any moment.

Either way this book was an overall enjoyable read and one which I would recommend to people wanting characters who practically breathe off the page.