Book Review: Rainbows and Lollipops by Mo Fanning

Set against the backdrop of the troubled British summer of 2024, Rainbows and Lollipops weaves together three lives in a warm, witty, and unflinching story about love, loss, and the families we choose.

When Jake met Tom, he thought he’d left Birmingham’s gay bars behind forever-until a twist of fate lands him back in his childhood bedroom, sleeping under glow-in-the-dark stars.

Vicky, an ambitious lawyer and lifelong loner, has her life meticulously planned-until threats emerge that no power suit or clever argument can fix.

Lucy has planned every detail of her wedding down to the perfect petals-but “happily ever after” comes with a question mark.

As secrets unravel and lives collide, Jake, Vicky, and Lucy discover that family isn’t always blood-it’s the people who show up when everything falls apart.

*****

Jake thought that life was finally coming together when we met Tom. However, things don’t turn out the way we plan. 

Vicky is searching for success in her career as a lawyer in the city of Birmingham. Then a case hits very close to home, putting her in danger. 

Lucy is doing everything she can to plan the perfect wedding but as the date inches closer, is this the happily ever after she deserves? 

Having previously read Husbands, which I loved, i was eager to get started on Mo Fanning’s latest book, Rainbows and Lollipops. Bravo to whoever designed this book cover. It’s very pretty. 

The story is told from the point of view of Jake, Vicky and Lucy and it was so intriguing to see how they were all connected and how their story would come together at the end. There was never a dull moment and there were plenty of twists and turns that had me either on the edge of my seat, shouting at the characters, smiling and/or laughing. Sometimes, it was more than one of these things at the same time. 

Mo Fanning does not shy away from important themes – racism and transphobia to name but two. They are presented in a strong yet sensitive way that sends a very strong message of inclusion and acceptance. I get the feeling that these are topics very close to the authors heart and books like this are important, espeicially right now – the message being that people of different religions, skin colours and sexualities should be able to exist without hate. There is also a strong sense of community in this novel and a feeling that family isn’t always made up of blood relations.

The setting is portrayed well within the narrative and I felt like I was in the book, experiencing the story along with the relatable people within. 

Jake, Vicky and Lucy are all interesting and compelling characters all representing different points of view and I loved them all. There wasn’t one storyline I liked over any of the others – they were all great. This says a lot about the writing style and creation of these characters.

Rainbows and Lollipops is an exciting, insightful and emotional read that will have you crying one moment and laughing the next. I really enjoyed it and hope you’ll consider putting it onto your TBR pile. 

(Thank you to Hannah Hargrave PR for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review). 

About Mo Fanning – 

IndieReader Discovery Award winner and Page Turner finalist Mo Fanning is a Birmingham-based novelist who blends darkness and light in character-driven fiction exploring the complexities of love, identity, and human connection. Drawing inspiration from his Midlands roots, Fanning infuses his writing with authentic voices and settings that resonate with readers seeking stories celebrating the beauty of imperfection and the transformative power of resilience.

His latest novel, Rainbows and Lollipops, is a moving, sharply observed story about grief, chosen family, and the search for hope in unexpected places. Set in the heart of Birmingham, it captures both the grit and warmth of the city while shining a light on LGBTQ+ lives and friendships. Fanning’s work invites readers to laugh, ache, and ultimately believe in the messy, stubborn brilliance of the human spirit.

Say hello to Mo on his website, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.