Disappoint Me

By Nicola Dinan
** Publication Date 27 May 2025 **
4 star

Relationships are a struggle for everyone - or you're not being honest. 


Disappoint Me is a book about relationships - with ourselves, with others. Max is a woman who recently split up with her boyfriend. Simone, her best friend, never really like the ex. Max doesn't really like Simone's girlfriend. That's how it is sometimes.


When Max meets Vincent, it's not like she suddenly knows he's the one. They are very compatible. He with his Chinese parents and corporate law career. She with her sort-of Chinese mother and tech firm law job. Max is also a one-time published poet. Vincent is very kind. He seems to truly dote on Max. Their relationship feels very traditional and quite nice. Max, though, is constantly wondering when the other shoe is going to drop. It's not a traditional relationship, because Max is trans. Vincent knows this, but it clearly does not bother him at all. So why is it plaguing Max so?


This is a really lovely book about the inner conflicts we all face daily. Regardless of your gender identity, it is hard to be fully accepting of who you are and sometimes of the love given to us. Seeing Max and Vincent reflect on past choices, and seek not only others, but their own forgiveness, is a lesson for everyone. 


While this book definitely is not for everyone, due to it's themes of queerness and violence, it's actually a book that is so touching and thought provoking.