Book Review: D’vaughn And Kris Plan A Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins

‘D’Vaughn And Kris Plan A Wedding’ by Chencia C. Higgins was published in 2022. I read this as an audiobook as part of Spotify Premium’s audiobook service, and I absolutely loved how immersive it made this reading experience.

‘D’Vaughn And Kris Plan A Wedding’ tells the story of two lesbians on a reality TV show called ‘Instant I Do’, where contestants must fool their friends and family that they are actually engaged to a stranger and will be rushing down the aisle in six weeks.

This season of the show focuses on a much more body-positive, queer, and representative look at love. D’Vaughn and Kris are matched together after meeting at the preliminary cast party, and Kris makes it clear from the beginning that if she makes it to the finale, she wants to choose love over money at the altar, and D’Vaughn wants to use the show as an opportunity to come out to her family and show queer people worldwide that they are not alone, even if they feel it, regardless of the outcome of coming out.

This book was so empowering, and immersive. Rebecca Lee, the voice actor who narrates the story, was incredible, not only in discerning who is speaking, D’Vaughn or Kris, but also in capturing a reader in the world they’re living in.

I found D’Vaughn and Kris’ story incredibly compelling. Most coming-out stories I have read thus far focus on teens who know who they are and decide to rip the bandage off because they feel supported or are comfortable and confident in the reality that they won’t be ostracised by their family and friends for who they are. To have a story follow an adult woman who has chosen to keep herself out by not coming out. But also, to keep herself from getting hurt. I absolutely adored the vulnerability and softness that Higgins let shine through the prose.

This story navigated some strong themes of family and internalised racism, homophobia and how you can be thrown by seeing a different side to someone you love. I really enjoyed getting to see D’Vaughn’s experience through both her eyes and Kris’ when it came to her coming out. It was incredibly powerful to see just how rattled both of them were, and the causes and effects. I loved it.

Higgins told an incredible story about doubt, insecurity, community, and togetherness. I loved watching D’Vaughn and Kris fall in love and choose the bumpy roads of marriage and choosing love and each other at every turn. I absolutely adored it and I would definitely recommend it.