Rainbows and Lollipops by Mo Fanning
A Comedic Fiction Novel published by Spring Street Books (06/12/25)
I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery
Summary:
Multiple POV with three main characters and their stories is told as 6 episodic minis that get entangled between Jake, Vicky, and Lucy. When Jake’s partner suddenly dies, grief is overwhelming. When Vicky takes on new clients someone will threaten her in a new scary way. When Lucy’s perfect wedding isn’t coming to plan, she’ll have to figure out if it’s the fiancee or something else. All three are connected.
Keywords:
Loss, Grief, Friendship, Mystery, Crime, Multiple POV, Gay, Lawyer, Episodic Story
My Review:
At the beginning of the story, the author provides a reader’s guide that describes how the novel merges traditional storytelling with the visual language of a TV screenplay. There are abbreviations that are defined that I had to go back and reference for the first few scenes. I’m not sure the visual language is necessary for the story; however, it’s a clever way to define the environment in a succinct and no-nonsense way.
Time is not linear as the author builds relationships in parts and pieces through the three main characters’ voices: Jake, Vicky, and Lucy. We spend so much time with Jake that it almost feels like being torn away from the story when we move on to Vicky. Soon enough Vicky’s story is just as intriguing as Jake’s. It’s jarring again to jump into Lucy’s story but slowly the connections between the three people are revealed and I highly enjoyed all three points of view.
It’s truly a house of cards in this entanglement of threads between Vicky, Jake, and Lucy. The three stories are connected but distinct just like the three characters are similar but unique in their own ways.
Vicky is a trans, Black, and an exceptional lawyer. “She is overworked, under-loved, hoping to make named partner but knowing the title would likely go to someone far less capable and far more male. And white.” (Page 83).
Jake had a loved one, a stable home, and a future before everything fell apart when his partner Tom suddenly died. Grief will hit him in all the ways. As a reader, we can recognize the stages and know that until Jake has a fresh start with a fresh home he won’t be able to move on. It is especially hard for Jake because he questions the life and love he had. Jake needs to find his voice and himself through his grief.
Lucy Penrose is the annoying friend who you need in your life. She seems to create her own problems in her life. This time it’s the fiancée Colin. Lucy has only known him for a short time but is already committed to marrying the man. While planning her dream wedding she’ll find out Colin has more baggage than she realized and that there’s something up with her future mother-in-law.
The author’s writing has a wonderful flow and there are many, many wisdom nuggets about love, friendship, grief, and bravery in this book. As a reader, I feel like I learned so much about the human condition and how to be wise real, and human. If you love contemporary novels or tragicomedies like After Life, you will enjoy this book.
This novel was published by Spring Street Books 06/12/25 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75
Links for more information:
Rachel Author Barnard 