In Spite of You (Patrick Lenton, Pantera)

Genuinely funny and smartly observed, In Spite of You channels the charm of classic rom-coms – idealistic and entertaining – but adds a fresh twist with a plot driven by high stakes and gay shenanigans. When Jeremy is invited to his creative writing program’s 10-year reunion, where he will have to confront his evil ex-boyfriend, he sets out on an elaborate, six-month strategy for revenge. With the help of Sam, a perfectly sexy climate-crisis campaigner, Jeremy plans to get hot and find an even hotter boyfriend. This is Patrick Lenton’s debut novel (his short story collection Sexy Tales of Paleontology was shortlisted for the Russell Prize for Humour Writing 2023), and is a showcase for his signature comedic style. There’s no shortage of jokes in the book or set-ups for witty repartee between characters. At times, the novel is so dialogue-heavy that it reads like it yearns to become a screenplay – and a decent one at that. While some of the humour occasionally risks losing its edge in overuse, Lenton’s protagonist is so insistently relatable that readers can’t help but laugh along, as if encouraging their own messy friend. For this reviewer, In Spite of You was a delightful experience, a snapshot of millennial anxieties and queer frustrations wrapped up with a satisfyingly current romance. Recommended for readers who enjoy Andrew Sean Greer and Claire Thomas.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Abe Theobald is a writer and graduate researcher at La Trobe University. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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