As Bette approached thirty, she realized something big: she's into women. And then she fell for Mei, who's entirely perfect. Until, out of the blue, Mei suggests they take a break. She wants Bette to have the opportunity she missed out on in her twenties: to explore the queer dating scene, and then return certain about their future, her desires, and herself.
Simultaneously steamy, swoon-worthy, and sweet, Experienced is also very relatable in many ways ... While occasionally the pace does read a little slow and routine whilst Bette embarks on her online dating journey, the countdown format that moves the novel forward is very unique.
While Experienced is delightful in so many ways, Young stumbles at the ending: we can see Bette’s true love on the horizon far too early, so we never feel the true threat of her despair or confusion. But despite all this, the joy of Experienced is in large part due to Young’s exploration of the myriad of ways in which love can manifest.
A wholehearted, fun exploration of dating and love in the 21st century ... Young’s charming British English pairs with a young millennial’s quirky, anxious interiority for a fun, surprisingly profound read.
