When it comes to lesbian romance novels, I’m pretty easy to please, all I want is a happy ending and some interesting characters. Shamim Sarif’s 2008 novel I Can’t Think Straight far exceeded these expectations. At the start of the novel, Tala, a lively London-based Palestinian with family ties to Jordan, is preparing for her fourth engagement after three scandalous broken engagements. She’s introduced to Layla- a British Indian woman who works for her father’s insurance company with an unrealized passion for fiction writing- by Layla’s long-term boyfriend, who correctly assumes the two women would get along. He just doesn’t know how much they’ll get along. As their friendship grows, so does a very palpable tension between the two women.
Watching the romantic relationship build in I Can’t Think Straight was so frustrating (in a good way!), but also written in a very nuanced and realistic way, addressing cultural differences, internalized homophobia, and familial expectations. The two characters clearly care deeply for one another, but there are so many obstacles they must overcome to admit it outloud to themselves and others.
One of the biggest highlights of the novel for me was the narrative structure. Not only was it written in third person, but the perspective extends beyond the two main characters, giving us insights into the thoughts and feelings of the many supporting characters- family members, friends, partners, and domestic household workers. This novel isn’t just about the romantic relationship between Tala and Layla, but instead it’s about the many human relationships in both of their lives. Few characters felt shallow or unrealistic, and even in some of the more antagonistic character’s (Tala’s mom, for instance) ugliest moments, it’s pretty easy for the reader to track the motivations for their actions, which adds a human element to the story.
Whether you’re specifically seeking a lesbian romance with a happy ending (I know I was!) or simply looking for a literary and intricate narrative story to get lost in, this is a quick but beautifully written read. The movie adaptation, released the same year, is also a great watch if you’d rather get your romcom fix in film form!
