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Review by Arlene Germain
Until Soon by Maya Indigal

Andi Marlowe is a twenty-three year-old graduate assistant in the English department and a part-time instructor at a small New England liberal arts school, Northeast Valley College. While making a bothersome yet obligatory appearance at another boring fundraiser, Andi meets Cara Jane Lipinski, a senior history major, who also happens to be CJ Lipinski, the senior star of the college basketball team. A spilt drink prompts the two women to strike up a conversation. Before CJ leaves the party, Andi offers assistance to CJ who is struggling with the completion of an important history research paper. Soon after this introduction, the basketball star is dropping by Andi’s office for some research mentoring, and she begins to realize that she is popping in for more than merely how to write a note card. There is a definite attraction for the beautiful graduate assistant. As the story progresses, Andi also realizes that her feelings for CJ go beyond simple friendship, and this presents a variety of conflicts for her as well as for those around her. The teacher/student boundary line, a spurned suitor, unpleasant memories of a past love, and an entirely unforeseen medical crisis are but a few of the troubling events that befall these two young women and which will affect the course of each woman’s life.

Until Soon is Maya Indigal’s first novel, and it is undeniably an outstanding effort and worthwhile entry into the genre of lesbian romance. Indigal has meticulously fleshed out her characters completely and carefully. The calm and cautious Andi and the sassy CJ represent their age group quite well, but one does not need to be in that set to appreciate the uncertainty, the humor, and the vulnerability of these two very affable characters. CJ’s interactions with her roommates are often quite raucous and humorous, and her relationship with her teammates and her understanding of the word team ring true. The exchanges between CJ and her coaches also capture the mood and spirit of an athlete and a team that want to win that all-important championship.

The plot development, overall, is straightforward and most definitely comprehensible. A series of events often flow effortlessly into each other with a distinct rhythm and purpose. However, the only thing that this reader found a bit excessively drawn was the extent to which the author devoted so much of the storyline to the recuperation scene. It was too repetitive toward the last third of this event. However, when Indigal recreates that magical sledding scene, it is virtually a verbal snapshot of a wonderful time, on a perfect day, with that ideal someone.

Conflict drives any story, and there are several struggles that present themselves for these main characters that fully involve the reader. This reader would have preferred somewhat more emphasis on the conflict that involved Andi, CJ, and Jen, the assistant coach. There is a fair amount of internal conflict and internal dialogue involving Andi and CJ. Unlike some other novels, Until Soon refreshingly avoids the often overdone, tedious, confusing, and mundane expression of this plot device.

Indigal possesses an easygoing and comfortable writing style that is one reason this reader sat down and finished the novel in several hours. It is the sort of writing that deals with the kind of believable and common experiences that immerse a reader; it is a genuine “put yourself in their places” novel. Until Soon  gives the reader that sense of having met some very congenial and agreeable people, the sort one would like to invite over for an evening of good food, drink, and conversation. Until Soon is an enjoyable way to spend a few hours. Maya Indigal is an author worth remembering. Here’s hoping she’s working on her next novel!

Rating: (on a scale of 1-5, with one being poor and five as excellent)
Until Soon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Maya Indigal is the pseudonym of a stanch supporter of lesbian novels. Teacher by day, she spends her free time reading, pursuing her writing, enjoying nature while kayaking, cycling, and gardening. She and her partner live in the northeast United States with several adopted cats. Until Soon is her first novel.

Until Soon Author: Maya Indigal Category: Romance Paperback: 285 pages Published: November 2004 ISBN: 1932300317 Retail: $19.95 Publisher: Regal Crest Click here to buy UNTIL SOON

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