Ripening

Ripening is the conclusion of the Erika Frohmann series, which started with Stranger on Lesbos (if you want to go by year published) or Journey to Fulfillment (if you go chronologically speaking). Spanning over twenty years in the lives of Erika and Frances, the book shows how they go from a couple

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with practically nothing of their own to building a life together, living through infidelity (say it isn't so Frances!!), Frances' estranged son's political career, Frances' granddaughter's own sexuality, monetary hardships, home ownership, discrimination, and of course the changing times.

I like Erika and Frances' relationship; it really seems genuine, and both of the characters are likable ,even when Frances cheats on Erika, which is never really adequately addressed in the book, but I don't think that was the point of the one dalliance. I didn't care so much for Erika and Kate, and I was rather okay with her being written off, because I think Erika and Frances are much better for one another. And it's interesting to see how things have changed since even the 1980s in terms of gay rights.

The author can tell a good story; there are some point of view shifts mid-paragraph that I could live without in the book, but it doesn't detract, at least much, from the story itself. I'm kind of sorry to see Erika and Frances go; I've read all of the books in the series now, and besides Beebo and Laura (who I still think belonged together!), this is my second fictional lesbian couple (back in the late 1990s, when I first discovered gay novels - yes, I was that sheltered) that I read that was treated well in the books that spanned their relationship.

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