Read June 2017. Reread August 2017. Reread April 2018. __________________
“We are tutor and student. Roommates. Sparring partners. Friends. Anything
Read June 2017. Reread August 2017. Reread April 2018. __________________
“We are tutor and student. Roommates. Sparring partners. Friends. Anything you want us to be.”
Thank you very much to Anyta Sunday and Netgalley for providing a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
I wish there were a way I could go back in time and read Leo Loves Aries for the first time again, so I can experience all the excitable tension, laughter, and amusement I did when I read this for the very first time. Anyta Sunday’s Leo Loves Aries is a light-hearted and touchingly sweet novel that, within half a dozen chapters, quickly became a favourite.
Leo Loves Aries is not your typical LGBT contemporary novel: the hilarity far surpasses any other m/m contemporary I have ever read, and even days after I finished reading the novel, I still have a smile on my face any time I think of it. As it was my first Anyta Sunday novel, I can say for sure it definitely will not be my last – I’m steadily making my way through her bibliography and have since read rock, True Colors, and the short story Leo Tops Aries.
What sets Leo Loves Aries apart from other contemporaries – at least for me – is the protagonist Theo, the ‘Leo.’ Despite being the most obtuse person to ever grace a page, Theo is quirky, humorous, and immediately loveable. His inner dialogue is both comical and sympathetic, and his banter is decidedly witty and highly entertaining. I adored the relationship he has with his sister Leone, who is blind, and the care he takes to ensure she is safe at all times.
“Was I right?” “About wanting what this place has to offer?” Jamie leaned against the doorjamb to his future bedroom and looked at him. “I reckon you were.”
Jamie, the love interest and the ‘Aries’, practically stole my heart the second he appeared on the page. While Theo is attempting to set Jamie up with Leone, he and Jamie form an intense friendship … that Jamie views as flirting and emotional foreplay before they eventually start dating. Too bad Theo is the most dense person in the entire world and doesn’t understand this. He believes his budding feelings for Jamie are platonic, but the reader can see past that. The romance building between Jamie and Theo is a delicious slow-burn, a constant ‘will-they-won’t-they‘ that has you on the edge of your seat, desperately wanting to smack the upside of Theo’s head for being so slow in understanding his feelings.
While the story-line is quite simple in its entirety – Theo and Leone are trying to find dates to their exes’ wedding (both Leone and Theo’s exes decided to start dating each other) – this doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the novel or the reading experience; if anything, it enhances it, as the plot really focuses on the heady, slow-developing romance between Jamie and Theo. It’s electric, natural and undeniable, and as much as I wanted the two to get together, I never wanted the banter and flirting to end.
“It was like he was choking inside and close to drowning. His throat was closing in, and it made him desperate to find Jamie, because he was a good swimmer and he would not let anything happen to him.”
Leo Loves Aries is also incredibly diverse, aside from the gay main characters. Theo’s sister, Leone, is blind, headstrong, self-reliant, and very caring. After the love interests, she’s my favourite character. One of the background characters, Ben, is demisexual and even gives the proper definition of what demisexuality means, which I highly appreciated.
The writing is phenomenal, particularly the ways in which Sunday wrote the dynamic between Jamie and Theo. It’s so hard not to root for these guys to be together, especially when Theo doesn’t see the double entendre in Jamie’s words, or his own for that matter. This book definitely had the potential to be riddled with cliches/tropes – I mean, horoscopes? Siblings finding dates for each other? Discovering you like the guy you chose for you sister? Roommate romance? – but it was pulled off with finesse, and that is certainly attributed to Sunday’s skill at writing. I finished this novel feeling really, really happy and wanting to read more sweet and fluffy books like Leo Loves Aries.
“Fear not rejection and heartbreak, Leo. Hold your head up high, be your glowing, fiery self and the right people will gravitate to you, maybe even a soul mate among them.”
Leo Loves Aries is a touchingly beautiful novel that will leave the reader with a giant grin on their face the moment the book is over. Anyta Sunday is a fantastic author, and one I will be keeping an eye out for. In September this year, the second book in the Signs Of Love series Scorpio Hates Virgo, will be released. No word on the protagonists yet, but here’s hoping we see a little bit of Theo and Jamie! 🤞🏼🙏🏼...more
Reread April 2018!!!! I love this novella so much 😭 __________________ This is not really a review, this is more of me just writing down my thoughts aboReread April 2018!!!! I love this novella so much 😭 __________________ This is not really a review, this is more of me just writing down my thoughts about the story and having a minor freak out.
For those unfamiliar, The Summer Palace is the second of four short stories to be released by author C.S. Pacat, set in her Captive Prince universe. This story is set a few weeks after the conclusion of the third novel in the series, Kings Rising, and works as the series’ epilogue.
I was not at all prepared for this story. In just 30 pages, Pacat tore out my heart and stomped on it; does she just expect me to be able to live my life normally after reading this?!?! God damn you, woman.
I didn’t expect Damen and Laurent to be so sweet with each other, at least not for a while. Laurent was sweet and charming and so unbelievably in love, I started crying at 1:30 in the morning because of him (because I stayed up waiting for it to be released on Kindle). When you compare him to the person he was in Captive Prince, that vicious, lonely, cruel ice prince that he was, to the person he became in The Summer Palace, there are literally no similarities. That is some top-notch characterisation right there.
Laurent was the person he was supposed to be had his brother not died. And it blows my mind that the person who drew that innocent and beautiful side out of Laurent again was the man who killed his brother.
Oh, and Damen. Damen, you precious cinnamon roll, you. That boy is crazy in love – we all knew that as the books are all from his perspective, but it’s wonderful to see that love reciprocated and Damen still unable to quite believe that Laurent cares for him.
Everything was so cheesy and romantic and I loved every second of it! They talked about their feelings, they talked about the past, they talked about the future. I think my favourite scene was (view spoiler)[ when Laurent sought permission from the statue of Damen’s late mother to court Damen. That was so unexpectedly honest and loving for Laurent. (hide spoiler)]
Also: (view spoiler)[I love that Laurent served Damen in the baths. It was such a touching scene because you know that was his way of apologising for what he did to Damen in Arles. I read that a few people didn’t like this as it reminded them of the abuse Laurent suffered, but I did not read it that way. I think we all know that Damen would never force Laurent to do something he didn’t want. Laurent bathed Damen because he wanted to. Let’s give Laurent a little credit here. He is not fragile after what happened to him – he is a strong survivor who has found a way to move on with someone who adores him and only wishes to make him happy. (hide spoiler)]
There’s a part of me that just refuses to believe that this is canon because there was so much fluff. Goodbye angst, we left you behind in Kings Rising – and hello gay husbands who are in awe at the future that they can finally have together. They are so happy. Babies.
I laughed. I cried. I squealed in excitement. This short story reminded me how much I love this stupid series. Please do yourselves a favour and read these wonderful books....more
Yes, I will listen to the rain. I will listen to the mountain bird. Oh, a heartstopper is the solitaire's one note - high, sweet, lonely, magic. You
Yes, I will listen to the rain. I will listen to the mountain bird. Oh, a heartstopper is the solitaire's one note - high, sweet, lonely, magic. You hold your breath to listen… No… Gone. What was I to say to her?
- Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys
This. Is. The. Softest. Thing. I've. Ever. Read.
I haven't stopped smiling since I finished this gorgeous webcomic.
Heartstopper, a free, queer webcomic by literal genius Alice Oseman, is about two boys falling in love: Charlie is fifteen and one of the only openly gay kids at an all boys grammar school in England; Nick is sixteen and on the rugby team and, for all intent and purposes, straight. The two boys sort-of know each other in the way you kind of know some kids in your year level, but become close when Charlie is put into a new form group. He is placed next to Nick ... and the meet cute begins.
Honestly, every bit of this webcomic is so fluffy and pure. The plot is about these two soft boys slowly falling in love, while one of them, Nick, trying to understand his bisexuality. There's so much tension, but no angst - the tension is in the waiting for them to realise they both like each other. And it's wonderfully done.
What I absolutely adore, though, is the way the friends to lovers trope is developed. Friends to lovers is my second favourite trope - behind, of course, enemies to lovers - and to say this is the best representation of the trope that I have ever seen is a massive understatement. Charlie and Nick's friendship starts off over friendly 'hello's' in the morning, to Nick encouraging Charlie to join rugby, to Nick inviting Charlie over to meet his dog, to spending Easter holidays together ... and develops from there. It's a natural progression from friends to best friends to boyfriends, and it's incredibly heartwarming. I just adore them.
I don't know how much more I can say aside from PLEASE READ THIS WEBCOMIC. It's adorable and sweet and will make you cry from happiness. I am anxiously anticipating the next update... and the one after that... and the one after that. I am also desperate for the physical copy.
I'm marking Heartstopper as read even though it's still being updated because I did not just binge rind 400 pages for nothing, and also I don't want it on my To Read shelf forever....more
Kim Reaper is an adorable graphic novel about a college baker who gets swept up in her crush's drama with her job as a grim reaper. The storyline wasKim Reaper is an adorable graphic novel about a college baker who gets swept up in her crush's drama with her job as a grim reaper. The storyline was interesting, but I did feel there was a certain something missing. Perhaps it went a little too fast for me, or maybe it just went in a strange direction. However, the graphic novel was really easy and quick to read, and for the most part, I did enjoy it - especially the parts where Becka and Kim interact and talk to one another.
All in all, Kim Reaper was a sweet and fun graphic novel, and I'm definitely be picking up the next volume.
Thank you to Oni Press for providing a copy of this graphic novel. ...more
I finally read this and oh gosh it was just the cutest thing ever !!
Although Sunati annoyed me a little bit - she's too compassionate ??? I'm aware thI finally read this and oh gosh it was just the cutest thing ever !!
Although Sunati annoyed me a little bit - she's too compassionate ??? I'm aware that's a weird thing to dislike about someone, but I'm very much a person who does things for themselves not other people so I couldn't relate to her that much -- but I loved Austen!!
I'm terrible at putting my thoughts into coherent sentences so read this review here because Silvia is 100x more eloquent than I am. ...more
Thank you very much to Harlequin - Carina Press for providing a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
Oh gosh, Syncopation by Anna Zabo wThank you very much to Harlequin - Carina Press for providing a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
Oh gosh, Syncopation by Anna Zabo was just incredible. I don't think I can fault the book in any way.
But first, a definition.
Syncopation: the quality that music has when the weak beats in a bar are stressed instead of the strong ones.
When you read the book, you'll understand. All I'll say is, Ray and Zavier.
I read this novel in two days because I became invested within the first few pages. Queer rock romances are fast becoming my favourite sub-genre. I love the concerts, the bandmates' camaraderie, and I especially loved the romance.
Ray is a musical prodigy, but he's had to work for it his entire life. He started late, couldn't get into Juilliard so attended a community college where he majored in accounting, and after many years, landed a record deal. When the drummer in his band is forced to quit because of his alcoholism, Zavier Demos, Juilliard graduate and a classically trained drummer, joins the band amidst his own scandal. Zavier and Ray went to high school together, and Ray has had a crush on Zavier for years, but Ray despises (so he says) Zavier because the man refused to join his band in high school.
I loved the relationship between Ray and Zavier, and how, once they become friends, their friendship never fades even when they begin sleeping with one another. Zavier is aromantic, so romantic relationships have never interested him. He and Ray develop a version of a dominant and submissive relationship while on tour together, and their relationship is put to the test due to their manager and label.
What I loved most about this novel is the constant reaffirmations of consent, and the clear way Zavier lays out their relationship. That's something more romance novels need! As Zavier says, 'consent is sexy.'
I blew through Syncopation and you will too. The novel is slow, more focussing on Ray and Zavier, but I love slow books where you really get to know the characters. The secondary characters, Mish and Dom, were amazing too, and I really can't wait to see if the other books in the series will cover either of them (please be Dom's story next!).
All in all, I highly recommend Syncopation! Get a copy ASAP!
I was so very impressed by A Heart to Call Home. This slow-burn novel was engaging from start to finish. The characters, the story, the wri4.5 stars
I was so very impressed by A Heart to Call Home. This slow-burn novel was engaging from start to finish. The characters, the story, the writing - everything just worked together in the most beautiful way, and I was left reeling by the end of the novel.
A Heart to Call Home is a story about two women who are still dealing with a tragic event that has shaped their lives for the past 30 years. As the plot comes together, and you understand what the tragic event was, you can't help but be amazed at what Levig managed to pull off. The romance is hate to love - my favourite trope ever - and add to that a tragic backstory, and you'll be enthralled, especially as the two women become closer and bond through their trauma.
Both of the characters - Dakota and Jessie - are in their late forties and are teachers. Jessie is an English teacher and Dakota the gym teacher/coach. I really enjoyed the school scenes, particularly the way Jessie really cared about her students and tried to help them, especially Ian. The small town dynamics were also really interesting too.
I really didn't see the ending coming, as well as the final revelation, but I found it very satisfying, especially as it was alluded to many times throughout the book.
Definitely pick this book up as soon as you get the chance! You won't regret it.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books for providing a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review....more
Thank you very much to Carina Press for providing a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
Wow.
I am honestly floored after reading PoinThank you very much to Carina Press for providing a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
Wow.
I am honestly floored after reading Point of Contact by Melanie Hansen. It's such an exquisitely painful novel that isn't afraid to delve deep into important, almost taboo, topics and discuss them in a respectful manner.
The novel deals with the effects of war, grief, PTSD, depression, survivor's guilt, internalised homophobia, suicidal ideation, alcoholism, the Don't Ask, Don't Tell requisite, what it's like being closeted in the US Army, and brotherhood. So many important topics and Hansen managed to give them each enough page time.
Point of Contact is based on the perspectives of two men: Trevor, a 38-year-old gay father whose only son has signed up for the US Army, and Jesse, a 24-year-old closeted man who has lost everyone he's ever loved and decides to join the Army. Jesse and Trevor's son, Riley, become best friends will serving together in Afghanistan.
The novel is also broken down into two parts: 'before' and 'after'. 'Before' focuses on Jesse's first (almost) year in the Army as well as Trevor's life while his son Riley is away. 'After' is set after Riley is killed, focussing on the Trevor and Jesse's grief and slow friendship.
If you didn't realise already, this is a very emotional novel, but it is so worth it. It paints a raw picture of the devastating effects of war and how grief completely derails a person's life. I absolutely loved the growing friendship between Trevor and Jesse: how it starts off as Trevor listening to stories about his son through Jesse, learning things he never knew, and developing into something neither man can live without. What I respect so much from Hansen is how their relationship never felt forced, or unequal, or rushed into. It takes a long time for both men to realise their feelings' and then to act on it, while still respecting their seperate journeys of grief and attempting to live a normal life after war.
And Hansen's writing - wow. The way she conveys so much emotion in a simple sentence has me gobsmacked. I envy the way she so flawlessly communicates to her reader.
Point of Contact is a beautiful novel - a painful one, but a beautiful one. I would recommend this to anyone. I even managed to read it in one day, and it's over 400 pages long. If that doesn't tell you how amazing this novel is, I don't know what will....more
An ARC was Kindly provided by the publisher but all opinions are my own.
Undiscovered Affinity was a sweet f/f novel about two high-functioning, careerAn ARC was Kindly provided by the publisher but all opinions are my own.
Undiscovered Affinity was a sweet f/f novel about two high-functioning, career driven women, who both detest relationships and monogamy.
I thought this book was something different than it was, mainly based on the cover. But it's not an erotica. Honestly, it's quite sweet, even if the women - Cardic and Olivia - did get on my nerves a little bit.
Olivia was a little difficult to like, but I eventually warmed up to her. Not because she was so career-driven - I actually like that about her - but because she was so dead set against relationships and love. She was very rigid in her belief that all romantic relationships are bad, despite never having been in one. And the constant discussion about that got a little dry. However, I did really like Cardic and I really enjoyed the descriptions of her work.
I do recommend this book, though, if you're looking for something quick, light, and fluffy.
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I was really enjoying this novel for at least halfway through. Despite the fact thatI received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I was really enjoying this novel for at least halfway through. Despite the fact that Maisy and Blaze didn't actually talk for like 30% of the novel as they only had sex, I felt that the characters were both unique individuals, with distinct voices and perspectives.
I really liked Maisy - I liked how reserved she was in every situation outside of the bedroom. There, she wasn't anxious or trying to be the person her parents wanted her to be. She could be herself.
I had a love/hate relationship with Blaze. I liked how confident she was in her sexuality, but I also didn't like how she refused to put herself into other people's shoes and understand their perspective. She was also incredibly selfish. (view spoiler)[There's a scene were she educates Maisy about the stereotypes surrounding bisexual people and really puts her in her place and I was like 'yeah girl!' and then a few pages later, it got really fetishising? Blaze was promising a gossip journalist a "lesbian lip-lock" or a "sex-tape ... with who, I'm not sure, but I'll figure something out." So despite the fact that she knows Maisy is not comfortable talking about her sexuality or sex in general in public, WHICH SHE ACKNOWLEDGES OVER LIKE 3 PAGES, she ignores Maisy's feelings because it will "be good for her image" to have a scandal, and then later kisses her in public, in front of cameras, so she can be the star of a magazine column. That's so gross. I also don't like how she just states that if Maisy wasn't into it - if she were to tell her - then Blaze would just cheat on her and find someone to sleep with and create a scandal. This ain't right. (hide spoiler)] After this scene, my appreciation for this novel decreased and I actively hated Blaze.
Another issue: (view spoiler)[How Blaze doesn't apologise for what she did to Maisy, but rather claims she's "fighting the patriarchy." Like ... what?? Where did that come from? Blaze clearly acknowledges her decision to kiss Maisy in front of cameras was to create a scandal, and then she gaslights Maisy? She completely invalidates Maisy's feelings and turns this into a 'feminist' issue, when it was really Blaze trying to create a scandal because she knew she wasn't going to win at the Games. Not here for that. (hide spoiler)] So I guess you can say I really, really didn't like Blaze, and when you don't like one of the main characters in a novel, you're probably not going to like the rest of the novel, which is what happened here.
The plot was basically Blaze and Maisy hooking up over the course of the Games, and then realising they want a relationship together. But Blaze is poly, which is something Maisy struggles with, and they have to come to a compromise. I'm really appreciative of the fact that we are getting more and more sexual identities being discussed in romance novels.
All in all, I felt that Fire on the Ice was a disappointing novel. I didn't like one of the MCs, and the sex scenes - while great at the start - started to feel robotic and over the top as the first 10 chapters of the novel were dedicated solely to sex scenes and the characters barely talked. I feel that the book had great potential, but I just couldn't overlook these issues. ...more
While I enjoyed the general premise of Seduction on the Slopes, I felt the execution was lacking. I really liked the idea of an older athlete mentorinWhile I enjoyed the general premise of Seduction on the Slopes, I felt the execution was lacking. I really liked the idea of an older athlete mentoring and helping a younger one, but the reason behind the assistance was a little ... strange, to say the least. (view spoiler)[ Miles starts sleeping with Crash to stop Crash from vomiting before a press conference??? Um ...??? 1. That's gross. 2. That's not romantic AT ALL. 3. That's gross and not romantic AT ALL. (hide spoiler)] And that assistance was basically the plot of the novel too, which meant I didn't enjoy the book as much as I thought I would.
The love interests' - Miles and Crash - relationship felt a little forced. I couldn't believe how quickly they were confessing their love for one another. Although I thought they each offered different and important qualities to the relationship, the speed with with they fall in love was frustrating and out-of-the-blue. Despite Crash's childhood crush on Miles, the relationship felt purely sexual and I didn't feel 'feelings' between them.
Despite these few issues, the writing was fantastic, and I did enjoy the characters' personalities seperate to the romance.
Seduction on the Slopes is a quick, bingeable read, and I did have fun with it, for the most part. If you're looking for a quick and steamy series to read over a weekend, definitely pick up the Snow & Ice Games series.
I received a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review....more
Thank you very much to Interlude Press for providing a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings in novel: suicidal thoughThank you very much to Interlude Press for providing a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings in novel: suicidal thoughts/discussion of suicide, depression, parent abuse/domestic violence, sexual assault. A fully list and relative chapter numbers is provided at the beginning of the novel.
Curved Horizon is the second book in the Camellia Clock series about soulmates, destiny, love, and life. This strong sequel follows the ex-girlfriend and old friend of the love interests from book one, as the two women navigate their friendship into something more.
I really liked Daisy from Fortitude Smashed, so I was beyond excited when I found out the second book would be about her. And then I found out her soulmate was Chelsea, Shannon's ex-girlfriend from book one, and I was less excited. I didn't like Chelsea all that much due to her behaviour, and although I had stated I didn't want to read Curved Horizon because of an issue I had with Fortitude Smashed, the fact that the romance was f/f changed my mind.
I'm glad I read it, in the end.
Daisy and Chelsea's relationship is very different from Aiden and Shannon's - and I don't just mean in the sense that all relationships are different. In Fortitude Smashed, we learn that there are two types of relationships that Rose Road's have: physical, or emotional. Aiden and Shannon have a physical relationship - that means that instead of talking about an issue affecting them, they have sex and deal with their pent-up issues and emotions that way. Daisy and Chelsea on the other hand are in an emotional relationship. They talk about everything, even the things that frighten them, which is key in a relationship. Despite how different they are, the fact that they can discuss their issues shows why they are each others Rose Roads.
Daisy deals with quite a lot in Curved Horizon: the fallout from her sexual assault in book one, coming to terms with her past with Aiden, worrying about Chelsea's reaction to her demisexuality. She has to learn how to forgive herself from her choices in her past, and move on with Chelsea. She goes through a lot, but comes out stronger for it. I really admired Daisy for that.
Chelsea's character development was off the charts. Like I mentioned, I didn't like her all that much in Fortitude Smashed, just because her character seemed to be written as the blonde bitchy ex-girlfriend trope - which I abhor - but reading from her perspective helped me understand her motives in book one. I don't agree with them, but I can understand them. Chelsea also struggles to deal with her toxic family life, but she learns that family doesn't always mean the people you share blood with. You can make your own type of family. That's a really important message I support.
However, I grew irked by the constant issue Chelsea and Daisy seemed to have: both of them feeling as though they aren't good enough for their soul mate. I thought the issue was a realistic one, but after reading all of their fights about the exact same issue, it got dry very quickly. After reading the same fight approximately five times in as many chapters, I just wanted to scream 'I get it! You both think you're not good enough. Move on!'
I loved reading about Aiden and Shannon's relationship, a year on from Fortitude Smashed. Honestly, it seemed like they weren't going to make it, considering how different they are, but they have grown so much and work really well together as a couple. It absolutely tore my heart to read about what happens to them towards the ending of the novel, but I masochistically enjoyed it too, just because the event brings everyone together in an important way and shows both Daisy and Chelsea how loved they really are.
I also enjoyed learning a little more about this scientifically-advanced world. We finally learn more about the Camellia Clocks, but the one question I had wasn't answered: why did Daisy and Chelsea's clocks not time out as soon as they met, like everyone else's did? Isn't that how the Clocks work? It's a clock counting down to the second you meet your soulmate. But Daisy and Chelsea met months before their Clocks timed out, and Chelsea's Clock actually speeds up to time out at the same time as Daisy's. But why? Clocks speeding up is considered rare in this world, so shouldn't have Chelsea sought out an answer? If there is a third book, I hope that question is answered. I'm sensing that perhaps the world building wasn't completely formulated once again. Or perhaps it's one of those books that doesn't mention world building, it just shoves you into the world and you have to figure things out for yourself. But I still think we should have an answer in regard to Chelsea, only because the text actually mentions that what happens to her is rare.
Curved Horizon was a fantastic sequel and I really want to read more about this world now. Daisy and Chelsea were wonderful protagonists, who have burrowed their way into my heart. I definitely recommend this gem!...more
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