"If you don't want a relationship, you don't need one. And you certainly don't need a relationship to define who you are. And you don't even need to define who you are if you don't want to, especially not to a group of drunk people playing a game. You can just be you." - Laura Kay, Making It

Making It by Laura Kay is a captivating sapphic contemporary novel that explores themes of new beginnings, opportunities, sexuality, queerness, community, self-acceptance, and the realities of living with clinical depression. Initially, I anticipated a delightful rom-com that I could easily devour, and I was not disappointed.

"Art is being human; it's expression and feeling and meaning beyond skill or criticism or this industry." - Laura Kay, Making It

I could see the author’s artistic passion in every aspect of the story, which resonates deeply with me and could also resonate with other passionate artists.

"I thought about the majority of my life... Quietly disassociating... Alone in my room. Existing." - Laura Kay, Making It

"I have a complicated relationship with watching the world go by. Sometimes it's a good place for me.... But sometimes... my raw thoughts creep in, like parasites looking for a host." - Laura Kay, Making It

One of the several central themes in Making It is the portrayal of clinical depression. The story effectively captures the highs and lows of battling this condition in a relatable, thoughtful, and sensitive manner. While it is a rom-com, the book balances moments of humor and witty banter with deeper emotional experiences, creating a well-rounded narrative.

"We told each other about where we'd been before. Where we were going, or where we hoped to go. It was exciting to be among these beautiful, worldly people. It made me feel beautiful and worldly too." - Laura Kay, Making It

"It was oddly comforting... The wonderful proximity to queerness, being immersed in it." - Laura Kay, Making It

"Everyone was beautiful-that was the thing that struck me the most. There was a beauty in all these people and the way they wore their clothes on their different kinds of bodies and the way they cut their hair and held themselves and each other." - Laura Kay, Making It

The characters in Making It are endearing and immensely likable. The story revolves around a queer found family and an artistic community, and each character is well-rounded with distinct personalities that leap off the page. I found that many aspects of their journeys resonated with me, making them relatable and relatable to a wide audience.

Kay's writing style is easy to engage with and drew me in from the very beginning. The pacing accommodates both a slow, thoughtful reading experience that encourages discussion and self-reflection, as well as a quick read for those who prefer to enjoy the story in one sitting.

"...I have always, always been swimming. And I am still swimming now. And that's what the group is about. It's about doing something that brings joy in a world where some of use are expending every single iota of energy we have on trying to get through the day.

When putting one foot in front of the other can feel impossible, it is a miracle to create something outside of your body, outside of your mind, that can not only spark joy in yourself but in others too." - Laura Kay, Making It

I connected with many elements of Making It, which enhanced my enjoyment of the book. I even did an annotated read, highlighting the passages that struck a chord with me.

"Love is love." - Laura Kay, Making It

Overall, I highly enjoyed my reading experience with Making It. I would recommend it to contemporary romance readers, especially those who appreciate queer found family and sapphic romance.

I was given a copy of the book through Tandem Collective Global, and I give my honest review voluntarily. My review is my own thoughts and opinion; my experience in reading this story.