Karaoke Queen

April 1, 2024

Following his LJ Best Book All the Right Notes, Lim pens a queer second-chance romance. When Rex Araneta finds out that his college ex Aaron needs help rescuing his karaoke bar, Rex brings out his drag queen alter ego, who he hopes can save the day and give him a another chance at love. Prepub Alert.

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Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from July 15, 2024
Comedy and father-son conflict intersect in Lim’s vivacious second novel (after All the Right Notes), a joyous celebration of drag, karaoke, and Filipino culture. Filipino American Rex Araneta has locked away his love for drag performance, karaoke, and women’s fashion because of his father’s disapproval and a traumatic past experience. Then Rex reconnects by chance with his white college boyfriend, Aaron Berry, the new manager of the Pink Unicorn, a historic Bay Area gay bar in financial peril. Hoping that saving the bar will win back Aaron’s affection, Rex revives his once viral drag queen persona, Regina Moon Dee, and offers to emcee karaoke night to bring in customers. But when Rex, who’s already insecure that no one could love both Rex and Regina, learns Aaron doesn’t like drag or respect it as an art form, he’s determined to keep Aaron from discovering that he’s Regina. To maintain his cover, Rex ropes in the Pink Unicorn’s cute, Filipino karaoke jockey, Paolo. Their elaborate web of deception gives way to a series of slapstick mishaps, especially when Rex teaches Paolo to impersonate Regina, but also tender moments arising when Rex least expects them. The result is a hilarious yet fervent tribute to the places and people that make being one’s authentic self possible. Agent: Gina Panettieri, Talcott Notch Literary.

August 1, 2024

Rex Araneta is a sensational singer, not just when he's playing himself, but also when he portrays his secret drag queen alter ego, Regina Moon Dee. Regina captivated the internet before Rex made the difficult decision to step away from drag, but then the struggles of a local karaoke bar and the sudden reappearance of Rex's ex-boyfriend bring Regina out of retirement. Aaron and Rex dated during college, and Rex always thought of Aaron as the one who got away. However, when Rex starts working karaoke night, he becomes close to his cohost, Paolo. As the karaoke night becomes more and more popular, it's getting harder and harder to keep Regina's identity a secret to the customers--and Aaron. Is Aaron really the one for Rex, or might it be Paolo instead? While Lim's (All the Right Notes) latest novel lacks steam, it makes up for it with lovable characters, and Rex's struggle to accept all facets of himself brings a lot of depth to this romance. VERDICT A fresh queer rom-com with heart.--Anna Kallemeyn

Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2024
A Filipino American man dusts off his internet-famous drag queen persona to help save his ex's karaoke bar. Rex Araneta has a lot of desires: his former college boyfriend, fashion and drag, and a place to go for a damn good karaoke performance. By fate, those interests all converge when he realizes that Aaron Berry, the guy who got away, is the new manager at the Pink Unicorn, a failing gay bar in Oakland. To help breathe some energy into the place, Rex decides to revive his drag persona, Regina Moon Dee, a former viral sensation, to host a karaoke night. As the Pink Unicorn's drag-hosted karaoke nights gain more and more attention, Rex worries about the potential fallout should he be exposed as Regina. Not only is he still healing from a long-held trauma and his father's stark disapproval, but Aaron has been vocal about his own dislike of the drag scene. Thankfully, the romance is a bit of a bait and switch, as Rex begins to realize that his found family might contain a new love and that he doesn't need to waste time pining for a man who only accepts half of him. More and more people get roped into covering up Rex's secret identity, from his sister to his mom to the bar's energetic and very cute DJ, Paolo; it's only a matter of time before things come to a head. At its core, this is more a love letter to the drag community and to the theater and artistry of drag performance than a romance. The relationship blossoms slowly, is more sweet than sexy, and doesn't quite feel like the focal point. Funny and earnest, just like a perfect drag performance.

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