Grab Soul Unique Edited By Gun Brooke Viewable As Hardcover

was a uncommon but nice and sweet read, I have never read a book with Asperger's syndrome before, but I really like how the author didn't make the condition the focus of the book.
Hayden is just what she is, a remarkable lady who is lovely in her own way, Asperger or not.
And Hayden's directness is really quite refreshing and endearing, especially in the funny scenes! The romance is very straightforward but still very sweet with the requisite hot scene lol and I would actually love to have read more.
:D

Anyway, this book reminded me a little of The Witness by Nora Roberts.
The protagonist didn't have any condition in it but her super social awkwardness is just as cute as Hayden.
: I loved this book and I think it might be Gun Brooke's best,which is saying a lot, because several of her books are regular rereads for me.
She took some big risks and I think they really paid off, I'll definitely come back to this one again and again, Great story!

A sweet tender lovestory about a young amazing painter and an older gallery owner.
Hayden is a well written strong character, She is portrayed in a respectful way, Greer's a little bit of an ice queen until you get to know her better, She is caring, protective and enjoyable to deal with, The supportive characters are also a pleasure to read about, Except for one, what a nasty miserable person, Soul Unique is a great romance and the author did an excellent job in describing the paintings in detail.
It was as if I stood behind the painter and could admire her work in person.
I can highly recommend Soul Unique, ARC received via NetGalley.

Soul Unique is about a talented artist, who has Aspergers and has been basically locked up by her overbearing mother, and the gallery owner who discovers her.


Both Hayden and Greer are very interesting characters and play off each other well.
It's very heart warming the way Greer supports, protects, and, encourages Hayden without treating her like an invalid.
Their interaction is fun to read, The way Hayden takes everything so literal is very cute and there is a line of her's that had me laughing really hard.
Aside for Hayden's crazy mother, everything flows fairly easily for the two ladies, which is perfectly fine, not every book needs angst or drama to leave an impression.
Gun Brooke also does a good job of describing Hayden's paintings to the point I could picture them in my mind.


Cute characters, sweet love story, satisfying conclusion, and made me want to start painting again.
Great book!


Liked this one even more on my second read so I'm upping the rating fromto.
stars. This is my favorite Gun Brooke book to date, I have been trying to read more books with neurodiverse characters and this one was long overdue for reading.
It wasn't perfect, and reading it years after publication has made some aspects outdated, but we need more books like this one.
Will revisit this one again,/Stars. This book was wonderful. I've just started reading Gun Brooke's books, and this is my favorite so far, It was beautifully written, warm and made you feel good, The paintings were well detailed and described so you could see it in you mind, I can't remember reading another LesFic book with a main character having Asperger's, so I appreciate Brooke writing about it.

The romance was sweet, but still passionate, And you grew to like both main characters very quickly,
This book only makes me more excited to read more of Brooke, and I easily recommend this.

A sweet romance between Greer and Hayden, who is a brilliant artist who has Asperger syndrome.
There aren't much twist and turns on the plot, except a psychotic mother who controls every aspect of Hayden's life until Greer comes into picture.
Some of Hayden's straightforwardness actually made me laugh when reading the book, only it felt a bit short! Soul Unique by Gun Brooke was an absolute pleasure to read.
Im not going to provide a synopsis because there already are plenty of those,

As a person living and working with children and adults on the Autistic Spectrum, I found this book to be very honest and respectful.
Hayden is written so well, Brooke really taps into many of the behaviors and patterns of speech common among people with Aspergers without relying too heavily on stereotypes.
She makes sure that Hayden is an individual rather than a parody, Most importantly she recognizes that Hayden is simply different, not less, It is important to note that very few individuals with an Autism Spectrum diagnosis are also savants.
However, this is a work of fiction and a romance as well so of course it works in this milieu.


Greer is a delightful character and although she is an “icequeen” to those in the art world, we see her caring and gentle nature almost immediately.
The story is told from her point of view in the first tense, which works quite well.
We see her struggle with her uncertainty about her relationship with Hayden and see that she is just as vulnerable as Hayden.


This book could have been very unsettling considering that Greer is noticeably older than Hayden and initially her mentor.
It could have felt like Greer was predatory, but the author took care of that with some very specific information.
I wont go on about that, as those would be spoilers,

Haydens treatment by her mother is the prime point of drama in this book and is both heartbreaking and disturbing.
Again, the author handles this with an authenticity, which is beyond touching,

I loved both these women and the story hit all the right notes, I know I will return to this book when I feel like I need my spirits lifted.
.
It was intriguing to read a story about falling in love with someone who is autistic.
Granted, Hayden is extremely high functioning, but her social anxieties makes things challenging for the couple.
The narrative was enjoyable and fast paced, so I didnt get bored,

With that being said, I personally am not of fan of Brooks writing, The characters felt one dimensional and lacked any real substance, Its too simplistic. Even the mother who is made to be the villain is not that interesting,

This story is highly rated so I was a bit disappointed, Overall Id give it a “meh”, Perhaps Im being a bit critical, but this one didnt do it for me,


I felt this book is pretty rushed, but writing in a Asperger Syndrome main character in lesfic is a first.
Thanks to the author for introducing diversity, I was expecting an angstfest when I pick this up, I love stories that touch my heart, that made my heart ache and tears flow freely.
This is one of those, but with less angst and more sweet and lovely moments, The story doesn't do much bullshitting, It start off right away with no warm up, it doesn't sidestep and still manages to do it brilliantly.
It is a little fast pace for a romance novel, not the romance exactly, but the pace of the story itself was fast.
Nevertheless, it was a wonderful read, Highly, recommended. So I initially gave thisstars, but after coming down from my food high yesterday and reflecting on the scene that had me lmao so hard a friend thought I'd lost the plot, I just had to increase it tostars.


It's just a really sweet romance told from one MC's POV which surprisingly paints the complete story for the reader rather well.
This is me building up my age gap tolerance so I can deal with 'Truth and Measure'.
:

Move over Graeme Simsion and your Rosie Project, Gun Brooke has given us a interesting look at the life of a lesbian artist with Asperger's.


I wasn't sure about this novel initially as the writing seemed stiff and stilted.
I recognize that the author needed the reader to feel the robotic and logical approach Hayden Rowe took

to every conversation with Greer.
Expressions we take for granted can mystify someone who interprets things literally,

I am happy I waded through the first awkward chapters as I was rewarded with a sweet love story and an honest and interesting look at a couple who learn to overcome their differences and find a connection most of us can only dream of.


Kudos to Brooke for a well rounded cast of characters, a good adversary and enough knowledge of the art world to pull the reader into her description of the the paintings and the visual display of emotions Hayden would not have otherwise been able to express.


Add in a very hot sex scene or two and this novel was a pleasure to read.
Soul Unique
Author :Gun Brooke
MC Greer Landon amp Hayden Rowe



Greer walks into a school thinking she would help a new artist and give them feedback on their new work.
She did not realize her world would change,


Hayden was a unique soul, Haydens mother was ashamed of her, she kept her in the dark her whole life, Her grandparents saved her and made sure she had the skills to make it in the world.
Haydens Grandmother was a strong and brave woman, She didnt let her change in her health stand in the way of her protecting Hayden.


Greer was taken with Hayden from day one, When Hayden reached out for help, Greer made it her business to look out for her.


The story has a great support characters that help add to the meat of the story.



This is a beautiful story, Its a story about accepting and loving someone despite their differences, And while we might not agree with someones journey its ok to love and support them through it.


I highly recommend this book! I love Gun Brooke books hands down!
My first book by this author.
Truth be told, I had actually been interested in this specific book for a while now, but two things kept me away.
I think, and I could be wrong here, but I think I had briefly tried one of the authors other books and couldnt get into it.
It was a science fiction book, and if she hasnt written anything like that, then Im obviously thinking of someone else.
I looked it up, I am thinking of and indirectly referring to Protector of the Realm, the first book in a science fiction series by this author mind you, theres a reason it isnt on a DNF, or paused shelf Id read the sample, not attempted to read the book.


The second reason for my hesitation is something that I would normally not allow to influence me.
The cover. The cover with two fake lookingd avatars, Im the kind of person, who is sometimes drawn to offball covers, but something aboutd avatar covers pushes me away, and so, I was pushed away because of the cover.


Characters
One point of view that of Greer Landon,
Greer Landon art gallery owner a network of galleries, not just one, has a big reputation in the art community.
Her age, if given, isnt clear, Shes apparently older than Hayden, though Im not sure how much older, Several comments, which would lead one to think much older could also be much more experienced type comments, which can be made regardless of age.
She is also wealthy. Whether from her own efforts or family money is unclear,

Hayden Rowefrom an old family with lots of money, Aspergers syndrome. Very bad relationship with mother and father who, apparently, have no ability to deal with the facts involving their daughter more the mother who cant handle it, and a father who doesnt help the situation, but still, both.
Has good/close relationship with grandmother, though grandmother had a stroke a year ago, Book opens with Hayden living in an art school, in one wing of it, on a cot.
Art school owned by her mother, The same mother who treats her daughter like a stupid retarded I use that specific word on purpose moron.


Others: India and Erica India is Greers assistant, and Erica is Indias partner.
If it isnt clear, everyone in this sentence is a lesbian,

Haydens mother, Leyla Rowe, bitchy small woman, who is in her lates, who wants her art school to be endorsed by Landon.
Bitter over losing control of her daughter when daughter was around, but sees her as a thing, a broken thing.


Haydens grandmother, Isabella Calthorpe Rowe, sharp witted woman who is currently in a richpersons nursing home like place.
The Calthorpe part is important thats the name of the family from the dawn of time or something like that.


Penelope Moore a neighbor of Greers who Hayden paints, Famous author.

Romance
Hayden and Greers romance started slowly, They have something of an instant connect at least as far as I can tell from only Greers point of view and her insight into Haydens feelings.
At times I worried that things might lean a little too far into a certain icky territory.
It depended on how much Greer saw Hayden as an independent woman with her own thoughts and desires.
Instead of, say, the way Leyla Rowe saw her daughter as someone incapable of caring for themselves, and probably needs to be locked away from the public.
There were times when Greer almost tipped into that direction, but she kept on the sane side of the line.


Because of Haydens condition, aspergers, Greer wanted to take things slow, to really make sure everyone knew what was happening and agreed with everything.
Her attraction to Hayden, though, made things hard for Greer, And, at times, Hayden pressed/pushed Greer on the issue,

Despite, or because of this, their relationship and romance grew somewhat naturally and was something of a treat to read.
Bah, I looked up how to spell aspergers and treat came from me seeing treatment out of the corner of my eye.
Hehe. I dont know what “Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong” means,

Sex
As Im sure some want to know, yes there is graphic sex in this book.
Eventually. Other than kissing and the like, the heavy stuff starts with something likeof the book already over.
It was descriptive, graphic, and I liked it, I have nothing more to say on the subject,

Location
Most of the book takes place in Boston, I have a strong sense of Leyla Rowes art school, particularly Haydens wing of it a strong sense of Greers home, an unexpected strong sense of the grandmother Rowes place.
But if it wasnt for the fact that the word Boston was used at some point, I would have no idea I was in Boston.
Not exactly a negative, just an FYI, dont read this as something like a travel guide to Boston for that: look at a travel guide, or if you want fiction, pick up a book by Robert B.
Parker, especially one of the Spenser ones that doesnt mention heading off to some other location.


Some part of the action takes place in Chicago as well, Briefly.

Plot
A person with a high level of acclaim in the art community is asked by an art school person to come by her place and potentially endorse the school.
That person of influence being Greer Landon, and the person with the art school being Leyla Rowe.
I do not know Landons background, though the area she lives in, and vague hints left here and there indicate that she comes from some form of money and the like.
Which I mention, because one of the things I wanted to say, in reaction to the first sentences I had written, involved how Leyla came from the kind of money and family background that is very deep and ancient.
And Greer . So having things being flipped like this,

But then I recalled that the old family was Leylas husband, daughter, and motherinlaw.
I dont actually know Leylas background, Plus, everything seemed to indicate that Greer didnt exactly spring up out of nowhere, Though there are indications that Leyla was something of a social climber,

So then. Rowe kept very strongly more or less begging Greer Landon and her assistant India, to have Greer stop by.
To make her stop, Greer finally agrees, She finds a bitchy short woman who is full of herself once Greer arrived at Rowes school.
That being Rowe herself. She then is introduced to the advanced class being taught by some maestro from Italy, Whose name is instantly recognized by Greer, But not in a good way, Greer was one of the people instrumental in getting this fraudster to flee Italy, He isnt a good painter and isnt a good teacher,

Before Greer could relay any of this information, she overhears someone basically saying just that.
A young woman who is instantly attacked by this maestro, and by Leyla Rowe, I have to stop just calling Leyla by the name of Rowe, because the young woman also has that name.
Hayden Rowe, being Leylas daughter, makes her comment then leaves though after Greer says that Hayden is correct.


Leyla and maestro talk in a corner, Greer looks over the students easels and says something about leaving, but they say they have some stuff set up in a gallery, so Greer decides to look at it.
She isnt exactly blown away by any of it until she rounds a corner and is.
Deeply impacted emotionally by gazing upon a painting hanging on the wall, She demands to know who did that painting, Turns out that it was Haydens work,

Somewhere along the way, Haydens wing of the school is visited by Greer, She sees more brilliant artwork, Etc. Etc.

For various reasons, Greer agrees to endorse the school but only if Hayden assists, and that maestro guy is terminated.


Greer Landon feels protective of Hayden, and as the book progresses, they grow closer.


Overall
As the saying goes, you shouldnt judge a book by its cover see, I can have a review where I express something in the beginning, then follow it up in the end.
That works for books and people, If you let a label like Aspergers syndrome get in your way, to guide your actions and reactions to someone, to allow you to use it as a screen to block the real live person beneath then you will miss out on life, love, happiness.
You can, of course, put anything in that label section, Race, creed, nationality, gender, socioeconomic class, political affiliation, anything, Heh, that reminds me of a particular segment on a British show I loved the show I loved, not specifically the segment I cant date him! Hes a Tory! not exact quote, I dont recall exact quote, though but he has a massively large penis might be in there as well.


My point about all that, of course, was more directed at myself instead of anything in the book itself though that mother sure did seem hung up on that condition her daughter had.
Myself in that the cover kind of threw me and made me question whether I should try this book.


Glad I got passed that, eh Or had someone pick the book for me to read for a challenge and therefore push me into reading it.
Because I rather loved the book, And Im not saying that lightly, This is both the first day of February, and the first time this year that I felt a book was so good that it broke the scale or, in other words, is one Id put on my relatively smallish.
shelf.

February.