Her Golden Coast

Deracine (Algorithms of Betrayal) offers a nuanced depiction of a friendship between two women that might become something more. The story takes place in Silicon Valley on the eve of the 2008 recession, when Laurie Lamont toils as an administrative assistant for a tech start-up. She runs into her colleague Mal Kumar on a double date, and the pair hit it off, agreeing to become roommates. Mal becomes a steady and comforting presence in Laurie’s life, helping her weather a series of breakups and health problems, as when she undergoes a hysterectomy after a blood clot is found in her uterus. The novel gets off to a slow start, but it offers a realistic view into the frustrations of dating in Silicon Valley—one boyfriend installs spyware on Laurie’s devices, while another merely avoids commitment. It gets better as the friendship deepens and Laurie develops feelings for Mal, causing readers to hope the women will eventually find their way to each other. This charms. (Self-published)