Red Dress, Wrong Proposal

Nareh Bedrossian, a 27-year-old Armenian American reporter in San Francisco, is swept into a public marriage proposal by her long-term boyfriend, Trevor, at a raucous German restaurant. The spectacle, complete with a camera crew and a massive diamond, leaves her overwhelmed and fainting. The moment crystallizes her doubts about their relationship, his understanding of her culture, and her own desires. Instead of joy, she feels suffocated by expectations—her family's, Trevor's, and her own. She asks for time to think, setting off a chain reaction that will upend her life.

Family Ties and Doubts

The next day, Nareh is thrust into the heart of her Armenian family, helping with her cousin Diana's bridal shower. Her mother, ever the matchmaker, is relieved when Nareh reveals she didn't say yes to Trevor. The family's opinions, especially her mother's subtle disapproval of Trevor's lack of cultural connection, weigh heavily. Nareh is caught between her father's American dreams and her mother's Armenian hopes, feeling the pull of both worlds. Her mother insists she attend Explore Armenia, a community event designed to connect young Armenians—especially for matchmaking.

Explore Armenia Beckons

Nareh, newly single and adrift, is cajoled into attending Explore Armenia's events. Her mother, energized by the prospect of finding her daughter an Armenian husband, creates a spreadsheet of eligible bachelors. Nareh, both amused and exasperated, agrees to attend a series of cultural events—dancing, cooking, and tastings—hoping to please her mother and perhaps find clarity about her own identity.

Shourchbar Night Encounters

At the Armenian line-dancing event, Nareh is anxious and out of place until she meets Erebuni Minassian, a striking, confident woman with a witchy vibe. Erebuni's warmth and ease draw Nareh in, and she's introduced to a new circle of Armenian friends: Vache, Janette, and Arek. The night is a blur of awkward introductions, cultural faux pas, and a growing attraction to Erebuni. For the first time, Nareh feels a sense of belonging—and a spark she can't ignore.

New Friends, Old Fears

As Nareh bonds with her new friends, she's torn between her mother's matchmaking mission and her own burgeoning feelings for Erebuni. The group's camaraderie is infectious, but Nareh's internalized fears about her sexuality and her family's expectations loom large. A flirtation with the community's most eligible bachelor, Raffi, only highlights her lack of interest in the men her mother champions.

Culture, Crushes, and Confessions

At a cooking class, Nareh's attraction to Erebuni intensifies, especially after learning Erebuni is queer. The revelation is both thrilling and terrifying. Nareh tries to drop hints about her own sexuality, but her fear of being outed keeps her guarded. Meanwhile, her mother's relentless matchmaking continues, and Nareh feels increasingly caught between two worlds—her family's expectations and her authentic self.

The Armenian Dating Spreadsheet

Nareh's mother's spreadsheet of eligible men becomes a symbol of the pressure to conform. Each candidate is vetted, but none spark genuine interest. The contrast between her mother's hopes and Nareh's reality grows starker, especially as her feelings for Erebuni deepen. The tension between duty and desire becomes unbearable, pushing Nareh toward a breaking point.

Cooking Class, Hidden Truths

During the cooking class, Nareh and Erebuni's connection grows, but so does the risk. A near-miss with Raffi, who asks Nareh out, and a clumsy attempt to come out to Erebuni leave Nareh reeling. The class becomes a microcosm of her struggle: the comfort of tradition, the thrill of new love, and the fear of exposure. When Nareh flees the event, Erebuni's gentle support hints at the possibility of something more.

Brandy, Banter, and Boundaries

At a brandy tasting, Nareh and Erebuni's flirtation reaches new heights. They navigate the minefield of family, friends, and community gossip, sharing private moments amid public scrutiny. The night culminates in an invitation to Erebuni's home, where vulnerability and desire finally break through. Their first kiss is electric, but the reality of secrecy and fear lingers.

Witchy Nights and First Kisses

In the sanctuary of Erebuni's cottage, surrounded by art and ritual, Nareh experiences a night of passion and connection unlike any before. The intimacy is transformative, but the next morning brings the weight of reality. Nareh is still closeted, and the prospect of coming out to her family is daunting. The joy of new love is shadowed by the fear of loss.

Rain, Ritual, and Realization

A solstice bonfire with Erebuni's coven becomes a turning point. Amid rain and ritual, Nareh symbolically burns her old self, shedding the expectations that have bound her. The experience is cathartic, but the fear of being outed remains. When a public display of affection at a family event leads to disaster, Nareh is forced to confront the consequences of living a double life.

Genocide, Ghosts, and Guilt

At a lecture on the Armenian genocide, Nareh witnesses the ongoing struggle for recognition and the pain of denial. Erebuni's activism and vulnerability inspire Nareh, but also highlight her own hesitance to take a stand—both in her work and her life. When her secret relationship is exposed at a banquet, Nareh's attempt to protect herself by lying devastates Erebuni, leading to a painful breakup.

Banquet, Betrayal, and Breaking

The fallout from the banquet is swift and brutal. Nareh's mother is devastated, and Erebuni feels betrayed by Nareh's lies. The relationship shatters, and Nareh is left alone, grappling with guilt and regret. Her attempts to return to the safety of her old life—her job, Trevor—only deepen her sense of loss and disconnection.

Fired for Telling Stories

At work, Nareh pitches a story about Armenian culture and is dismissed by her boss, who deems it irrelevant. When she secretly publishes a segment online, she's fired. The loss of her job, combined with the end of her relationship, leaves her at rock bottom. But with the support of friends and a viral essay about her experience, she begins to reclaim her voice and agency.

Out of the Closet

Inspired by her own writing and the support of her cousin Diana, Nareh comes out publicly as bisexual—first to her family, then to her thousands of Instagram followers. The act is both terrifying and liberating. Her mother, after initial shock, offers acceptance, and even her grandmother shares a story of a strong, unconventional woman from her past. The family's embrace gives Nareh the courage to hope for more.

Reconciliation and Renewal

With her truth now public, Nareh reaches out to Erebuni, who has been following her journey from afar. After a period of hurt and distance, Erebuni agrees to meet. In the lush sanctuary of the Conservatory of Flowers, they share their regrets, hopes, and love. Both changed by their experiences, they choose each other—openly and without reservation.

Dancing Toward the Future

At Diana's wedding, Nareh and Erebuni attend as a couple, embraced by family and friends. The journey from secrecy and shame to pride and joy is complete. Nareh's career finds new direction, her family finds new understanding, and her love with Erebuni flourishes. The story ends with dancing, hope, and the promise of a future built on honesty, courage, and connection.

Characters

Nareh Bedrossian

Nareh is a 27-year-old Armenian American reporter, caught between her family's traditional expectations and her own desires. Raised in a tight-knit diaspora community, she's always felt the pressure to be a "good Armenian girl" while also striving for American success. Her relationship with Trevor, a well-meaning but culturally oblivious boyfriend, represents safety and conformity. Nareh's journey is one of self-discovery—navigating the complexities of bicultural identity, bisexuality, and the courage to live authentically. Her psychological arc is marked by anxiety, people-pleasing, and a deep longing for acceptance, both from her family and herself. Through love, loss, and risk, she learns to claim her voice and her truth.

Erebuni Minassian

Erebuni is a striking, self-assured Armenian American woman, deeply connected to her heritage and her own queerness. A leader in the community, she organizes cultural events and lectures, blending activism with tradition. Her witchy aesthetic and artistic pursuits set her apart, but it's her emotional intelligence and empathy that draw people in. Erebuni's openness about her sexuality and her willingness to fight for justice inspire those around her. Her relationship with Nareh is both a catalyst and a mirror—challenging Nareh to be braver, while also confronting her own vulnerabilities and the pain of betrayal.

Anahid (Nareh's Mother)

Anahid is a classic Armenian mother—loving, meddling, and fiercely protective. Her life revolves around her daughter's happiness, which she equates with marriage and cultural continuity. She is both a source of comfort and pressure for Nareh, embodying the generational tensions of assimilation and tradition. Her journey is one of gradual acceptance, moving from fear and shame to support and pride in her daughter's authenticity.

Diana

Diana is Nareh's cousin and best friend, the golden child who does everything right—marrying an Armenian man, planning the perfect wedding, and embodying the family's hopes. She is supportive and loving, but her path also highlights the different choices available to women in their community. Diana's acceptance of Nareh's sexuality is a crucial turning point, offering a model of unconditional love.

Trevor

Trevor is Nareh's long-term boyfriend, a kind and stable presence who represents the "American dream" her father wanted for her. Despite his good intentions, he is oblivious to the nuances of Nareh's culture and needs. His public proposal and subsequent breakup force Nareh to confront what she truly wants. Trevor's inability to see beyond his own expectations ultimately makes him a symbol of the life Nareh must leave behind.

Vache

Vache is a food journalist and part of Erebuni's friend group. He is introspective, witty, and passionate about culture and identity. Vache becomes a confidant for Nareh, helping her process her experiences and supporting her writing. His own journey as a creative in the diaspora mirrors Nareh's struggles with belonging and self-expression.

Arek

Arek is an engineer and another member of the friend group. Outgoing and affable, he provides levity and warmth, quickly welcoming Nareh into the fold. His easy acceptance and genuine kindness help Nareh feel at home in the community.

Janette

Janette is an immigration lawyer with a reserved demeanor and a dry wit. She is part of the core friend group and offers a model of professional success and quiet strength. Her presence underscores the diversity and depth of the Armenian diaspora.

Nene (Grandmother)

Nene is Nareh's grandmother, a survivor and artist who carries the weight of history. Her stories and subtle encouragement provide Nareh with a sense of continuity and resilience. Nene's own regrets and memories serve as a reminder of the costs of conformity and the importance of living authentically.

Raffi

Raffi is the community's most eligible bachelor—a handsome, successful doctor who embodies the ideal Armenian son-in-law. His flirtation with Nareh is superficial, highlighting the emptiness of pursuing relationships for appearances rather than genuine connection.

Plot Devices

Dual Identity and Cultural Conflict

The novel's central device is the tension between Armenian tradition and American individualism. Nareh's journey is shaped by her attempts to reconcile these identities, with family, community, and romantic expectations pulling her in different directions. The pressure to marry within the culture, the weight of generational trauma, and the longing for acceptance drive the plot and character development.

Queer Romance as Self-Discovery

The romance between Nareh and Erebuni is both a love story and a vehicle for self-realization. Their relationship challenges Nareh to confront her fears, come out, and claim her truth. The secrecy, longing, and eventual public embrace mirror the broader journey from shame to pride.

Community Events as Crucibles

Explore Armenia's events—dances, cooking classes, tastings, lectures—serve as crucibles where personal and communal identities are tested and forged. These gatherings provide both the backdrop for romance and the stage for conflict, forcing Nareh to navigate visibility, gossip, and belonging.

Symbolism of Food, Ritual, and Art

Food, ritual, and art are recurring motifs, symbolizing both the comfort of heritage and the possibility of reinvention. Cooking classes, coffee readings, and witchy rituals become spaces for connection, confession, and transformation. The act of making and sharing food, in particular, is a metaphor for survival, resistance, and love.

Social Media and Public Voice

Nareh's journey is mediated through her roles as a reporter and influencer. The tension between curated self-presentation and authentic storytelling is explored through her work, her viral essay, and her coming-out post. The act of telling her story—publicly and honestly—becomes an act of liberation.

Foreshadowing and Parallelism

The novel uses Armenian proverbs, family stories, and generational echoes to foreshadow and parallel Nareh's journey. Her grandmother's regrets, her mother's fears, and her own choices are woven together, highlighting the cyclical nature of cultural and personal transformation.

Analysis

Sorry, Bro is a vibrant, heartfelt exploration of identity, belonging, and the courage to live authentically at the intersection of tradition and modernity. Through Nareh's journey, Taleen Voskuni deftly examines the complexities of bicultural life, the weight of family and community expectations, and the liberating power of queer love. The novel is as much about the Armenian diaspora's struggle to preserve and redefine itself as it is about one woman's quest for self-acceptance. Food, ritual, and storytelling are not just cultural markers but vehicles for healing and connection. The romance between Nareh and Erebuni is both a tender love story and a metaphor for the risks and rewards of embracing one's truth. Ultimately, the book argues that real happiness comes not from pleasing others or hiding behind tradition, but from the messy, brave work of being seen—by family, by community, and most importantly, by oneself.

Last updated: May 27, 2025