Grind

What a bloody good story!  Just like Carter-Winward's other novels I'm left speechless at the conclusion of this book and with an emptiness inside now that it is all over.  This book is an exploration of the relationships between a group of people, all are very different but with one link, the mesmerising stripper Kopper Kandy.  Kopper comes across as a Goddess, moving across the stage drawing in the crowd with her eyes and somehow reaching into their soul, it is during the private dances that she is able to help them by just being there.  And you can't help but become invested in the characters, especially Shay and Jeremy, I was on the edge of my seat with each twist and turn in their relationship, hoping that it would work out.

I love Carter-Winward's writing style, it feels so poetic and is so easy to read, there is passion, wit and a real grittiness to her words.  Great care has been taken with the scenes of Kopper on stage, the perfect balance of sex and inner angst, a lot of time must have been spent with real life dancers to get that spot on.  Don't shy away from the subject matter, this may feature a stripper but it covers so much more, you're bound to see a bit of yourself in at least one character.

A very classy novel which deserves much more attention.

Blog review: felcherman.wordpress.com/2020/08/01/grind-by-j-a-carter-winward/