An entertaining love story with many endearing characters
Cheyenne Blue has once again written an entertaining love story with many endearing characters in The Number 94 Project. The story is set in a part of Melbourne, more precisely in Gaylord Street, where a mixed, predominantly gay community lives.
When Jorgie unexpectedly inherits the somewhat run-down house at No. 94 Gaylord Street from her uncle Bruce, she sees a chance to prove her handywoman skills and do a major renovation. But Jorgie lives in Worrock, 9 hours from Melbourne, where she works as a handywoman and takes care of her mother Cilla, who lives two houses down the road from herself and her late uncle’s friends have also something to say about it.
One of Bruce’s loyal friends is Marta, she is the direct neighbor of 94. Marta and three other friends who were Bruce’s chosen family were given a say about the fate of No. 94 in his will. Not an everyday situation for the group, but with the potential for friendship and who knows, maybe more.
The romance is sweet and the attraction between Jorgie and Marta is palpable, not earth-shatteringly sizzling but good. The questions and decisions the two must make before they have a real chance for a long-lasting relationship are real-life situations. What I liked the most was how the two dealt with it and really discussed the pros and cons of the possibilities as well. They were also not afraid to ask uncomfortable questions.
The renovation is, of course, an important part of the book, which I liked personally, and in my mind’s eye, I could see the house transform from a dilapidated building into an oasis of living.
A sensitive part was Jorgie’s relationship with her mother Cilla. This was definitely not always easy, as we learn, but the way Jorgie takes care of her really touched me. The friends from the neighborhood are also a super cool bunch of diverse people that anyone can only wish to have. They have a lot of fun but also help each other strongly. There is a little drama about Elfin that addresses an important and topical problem in today’s digital world, where friends contribute to a solution. I don’t want to go into more detail, otherwise, I’ll reveal too much.
The absolute best thing about this story is the diverse and colorful people we meet, Jorgie, Marta, Coral, Leo, Elfin, and Cilla carry the story. They are eccentric, funny, interesting, affectionate, critical, sometimes quirky but always there to help each other. I would love to live in that place and have a blast with them. The Gaylord Street Community feels like a warm blanket on a winter night, even when in Australia the winters aren’t that hard like in Europe. ?
My rating 4 stars
Thanks to Ylva for providing an ARC for an honest review.
