Review of Getting to Know You by Jennifer MD Cox

I am always looking to check out new authors. I think it is essential to get the word out as much as possible so they get the opportunity to make more books. So I was happy to get a copy of the debut work by Jennifer MD Cox, Getting to Know You. The book is about Maggie Fromm, an aspiring actress who travels with her girlfriend from her small town to try and make it big in Los Angeles. All her plans for the future are destroyed when her musician girlfriend dumps her, leaving her without a partner, a place to live, or any idea where to go from here. She gets a shot at a new start when she meets Gwen Knowles and starts working on a new play Gwen is directing.
The book was a pleasant read. However, there were spots in the novel that felt very much like a first-time author’s work. The story was good, but there were many times when I knew what was happening to the characters but did not quite feel what they were going through. The main character also seemed to be amazingly talented (and universally praised) for coming from the sticks at nineteen to the big city.
This did get better as the book progressed and it was interesting to see Maggie trying to reconcile her strict Jewish upbringing with coming out as a lesbian. The book also had a subplot about Gwen and Maggie dealing with Gwen’s ex-girlfriend who has returned as a dangerous stalker. The fact that the author is a mental health counselor was readily apparent as the scenes dealing with the abusive ex felt honest and raw, but the book also showcased how therapy had helped the victims cope.
While there are depictions of abuse, the majority of the book is about the growing love between the two main characters, making it a great pick-up for fans of lesbian romance. I think this is a great start to Jennifer’s writing career, and I am anxious to see what else she has coming down the pipeline.