Review of "Hugs and Kisses" by Joel Shoemaker

​Score: 84/100 (8.4 out of 10)

Hugs and Kisses is a unique little LGBTQ+ story by Joel Shoemaker, a multi-time Outstanding Creator Awards winner, former librarian, and magician (not to mention an admitted lover of cheese and probably bacon)!

Hugs and Kisses is essentially a short, two-pronged narrative about identity, authenticity, and survival in a world that demands conformity. These two prongs, one following Barbara and another following Terrace, intersect and blend in some interesting, contrasting ways.

At its core, Barbara and Terrance are two individuals navigating the complexities of their unconventional relationship, identities, and personal transformations in mid-to-late 20th-century America.

Barbara idolizes Jacqueline Kennedy, wanting to embody an ideal of femininity and elegance, but she struggles with feeling like an outsider. When we first read about her, she's holding a pair of shoes that are not hers, setting the tone for a theme of longing and displacement.

It also says a lot about being your authentic, genuine, "real" self. Because of Barbara's obsession with Jacqueline Kennedy, she has become fanatical with being and looking just like her—owning the things that she did, wearing the clothes that she did, having the same hair and makeup that she did; perhaps even talking like she did.

And, as bizarre and crazy as this sounds, it is actually very relatable to a lot of readers.

All of us have heroes and role-models—people we look up to and aspire to be like.

Maybe it's a parent. Maybe it's an athlete. Maybe it's a political leader, an actor, actress, singer, or professional in our field.

Maybe it's a fictitious character from a TV show, movie, cartoon, or anime.

As wild as that sounds, it's likely any reader would say "YES" to admiring and aspiring to be like one of these.

So, Barbara actually comes across as a very relatable character.

It's a bit of a shame that she's packed like a sardine into this tiny story. We'd love to read and learn more about her as a character!

Terrance's character and story meshes, blends, and contrasts with Barbara's in a fascinating way. See, while Barbara seems to be living a double life with two masks—hers and Kennedy's—Terrace lives a double life as a biological male under their birth name (Terrance) while also being a drag queen going by the name "Terry Lynn."

It's actually an interesting dynamic, particularly with how—despite their similar struggles—they also contrast and clash in different ways. Barbara remains trapped in a cycle of dissatisfaction and unfulfilled longing, whereas Terry Lynn fully embraces transformation, success, and self-expression. Barbara envies the freedom and recognition Terry Lynn achieves, yet she also resents it, feeling overshadowed and left behind. Their relationship, built on convenience and mutual survival, becomes a tense balance of admiration, dependence, and simmering resentment.

While Barbara’s story feels like one of restraint and yearning, Terry Lynn’s is one of liberation and bold self-actualization. The contrast between them is stark—Barbara clings to an illusion of what she believes she should be, whereas Terry Lynn dares to become who she truly is. This makes for a compelling, emotionally charged read that explores themes of gender, identity, and societal expectations in a nuanced and heartfelt way.

The writing style itself is immersive with a sharp quality that enhances the mood and tone of the story. Shoemaker does a decent job of painting vivid, atmospheric scenes, from smoky nightclubs to backstage dressing rooms, capturing the raw emotions of each character’s journey. What seems to be missing from this book is Shoemaker's typical humorous flair. While his past works often showcase a sharp wit and playful tone, Hugs and Kisses leans heavily into melancholic introspection

This is a much more serious and somber book. There's a real aura of darkness, mystery, and melancholy that pervades this story, which contrasts starkly with the lighthearted, humorous tone of Bacon Grief and Teeth and Crumpets, some of the the author's other works.

The brevity of the story is also both a strength and a weakness. While it delivers a punchy, well-crafted narrative, it also leaves the reader wanting more—more depth, more exploration of Barbara’s inner world, and more insight into the evolving dynamic between her and Terry Lynn. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like this story is long enough to let the characters breathe and develop more naturally. It seems a bit rushed. It ends almost as soon as it begins. That's not to say that there's not some promise and substance here, especially when it deals with important themes like identity and self-discovery.

Overall, Hugs and Kisses is a solidly crafted short story exploring LGBTQ+ themes and issues.

Follow updates on its release on the author's website!