Vincent Cappellini is a freelance writer for a skincare medical journal and Frank Sinatra super fan. He is also a self-proclaimed monosexual – similar to a demisexual, someone who needs to make an emotional connection with their partner before becoming intimate. But the term demisexual wasn’t strong enough for how he felt for the love of his life, Melissa. He is completely devoted to her – even after their relationship suddenly ends. When a conference takes place in the same location where she last traveled, he sees it as his chance to find her. But a string of unlucky events distracts him from his mission. Falling asleep in the sun, eating mystery sushi, and encountering a previously disgruntled colleague are just a few of the mishaps that Vince has to go through. But what he doesn’t expect is to come out of it a new man. The Monosexual by Dean Monti is a contemporary fiction novel about how one man’s loss reshapes his outlook on life, but the road to recovery is bumpy yet hilarious.
Book
After Melissa, there is no one else for Vince. He is a Monosexual after all. He will only ever have eyes for her – his body simply doesn’t respond to other women. Consequently, he compares any potential partner to her. A colleague comes onto him, but he unkindly turns her down and makes an enemy for life. While on his trip to the conference and quest for Melissa, he makes the mistake of falling asleep near the pool. He can’t attend a skincare conference looking like a lobster.
While trying to find a way to keep his job and his dignity, he meets Paige, a cocktail waitress at the hotel. Paige shows an interest in Vince. While he makes it clear that the feeling is not mutual, he agrees to lunch and assistance with his sunburn. Yet somewhere along the way, Paige makes an impression on him. And despite – or perhaps due to – his bad luck throughout the rest of his stay, he wonders if maybe he is denying himself another chance at happiness with his strict monsexuality.
Review
I didn’t know what to expect from a novel that was basically women’s fiction but with a male protagonist. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. Monti delivers a story that is equal parts hilarious, entertaining, and heartfelt with The Monosexual. Poor Vince can’t catch a break. But readers will eventually realize that the series of unfortunate events was necessary for him to move on. And while his made-up label gives him a unique sense of self, he navigates life after love to grow from it.
