Queen B’s Decree: Washed Up had two tropes that I was a little hesitant about: medical and older woman-younger man. The medical one kills me whenever there is inaccurate information. I once read a story where someone gave CPR to someone with a pulse, I cringed so hard! But I digress. I don’t usually like the older woman-younger man trope for some reason. Is it internalized misogyny? Is it because I am in denial about aging?
Regardless, Washed Up executed both tropes well. The medical stuff was minimized and had no errors, and despite the age gap, I felt Amanda and Greg were on equal footings. Greg was Amanda’s son’s best friend in high school but they haven’t seen each other since he left for college, so it felt like they were starting from scratch.
I appreciated the friendship they grew, and I loved that they both made an effort to become friends first. Their romance was more of a slow burn but that made it more realistic and believable.
Greg and Amanda were great characters. Amanda is doing everything she can to grow and better herself after an abusive marriage and Greg hasn’t let himself begin to have a life after becoming an anesthesiologist. Both showed some real depth and growth throughout Washed Up.
Washed Up was a great introduction to the Bayside Heroes and I can’t wait to read the rest.
Book: Washed Up by Kandi Steiner
Series: Bayside Heroes #1
Genre: Contemporary
Hotness: mild-medium salsa
Plot Devices/Tropes: age gap