This was fun! The Rules of Royalty is a gay retelling of The Princess Diaries and is perfect if you want a light-hearted YA romance with fairly low stThis was fun! The Rules of Royalty is a gay retelling of The Princess Diaries and is perfect if you want a light-hearted YA romance with fairly low stakes.
Jaime grew up as a normal American kid and works a part-time, low-paying job. But on his 17th birthday he finds out that his father is the king of a small European country! In order to help him cope with his new reality, his father recruits Prince Erik (a gay younger son from another country, with a kind of controlling family) to talk him through it. And then give him lessons on things like etiquette.
Sparks of course fly between the two, but Erik's grandmother the queen has told him to keep things with Jaimie platonic. Will love win between these royals?...
Super cute and entertaining, though I kind of wanted more drama. There were points at which things felt a little too easy. Like a fake royal boyfriend who is super chill about everything, but could have been more interesting? Overall though, I enjoyed this and would recommend it. The audio narration is pretty good, though the accent for Erik feels a tad forced. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own....more
This was delightful! Honestly the perfect book to read during a difficult week. It's a historical romance with two bi-sexual leads4.5 stars rounded up
This was delightful! Honestly the perfect book to read during a difficult week. It's a historical romance with two bi-sexual leads, loads of banter, and a really sensitive approach to sexual trauma.
Marian just killed her terrible husband, and the only person she feels safe reaching out to for help is the man who has been blackmailing her. Rob is a thief and con artist with a good heart and he agrees to help Marian figure out what to do. Eventually they develop a relationship that I love! Because of both not wanting to get pregnant and PTSD, Marian doesn't want penetrative sex and Rob has zero issue with that. The way they come together is so joyful, finding pleasure in ways that work for both of them. Which might include Marian being the more dominant party...
Really enjoyed this and would recommend if you need a fun, escapist read with a lovely romance....more
This was great!! A middle grade graphic novel about an indigenous two-spirit kid named Anang who wants to make a ribbon skirt to w4.5 stars rounded up
This was great!! A middle grade graphic novel about an indigenous two-spirit kid named Anang who wants to make a ribbon skirt to wear during their Anishanaabe cultural traditions at pow-wow. They face some transphobic bullying from kids who don't understand non-binary identities, but it's really uplifting. I have said this before, but I think it's amazing that we have this kind of representation available in children's literature now. Kids need to be able to see themselves represented! I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own....more
This wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I think it's a really important book, and the writing is great. I was expecting someth4.5 stars rounded up
This wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I think it's a really important book, and the writing is great. I was expecting something more suspenseful, but Thirsty is really a queer YA contemporary novel about alcohol addiction, class privilege, toxic relationships, and navigating biracial identity.
The summer before college Blake and her long-time girlfriend are doing everything they can to get into Serena- a secret society for women of color. This means a lot of alcohol-fueled parties and weird challenges. But while Blake's girlfriend comes from a wealthy family, Blake struggles with shame over her working class background and anger about her white mom's failure to acknowledge and support Blake's blackness. Meanwhile Blake's girlfriend doesn't always treat her well or take care of her. And for years now Blake has used alcohol as a way to feel more confident socially. But this summer, things are spiraling out of control.
There's a lot going on in this book, but the thing that is really impactful is the way this gets inside the head of a teenager dealing with an alcohol addiction and slowly coming to realize they have a problem. It's very good and the author's note at the end gets into some of the reasons she wrote this book. It's so important because a lot of teens might not realize that these behaviors are not normal and are incredibly dangerous. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
This was fun! A queer YA graphic novel filled with complicated friendships, a drag queen, and monsters attacking West Hollywood.
Marvin wanted the perThis was fun! A queer YA graphic novel filled with complicated friendships, a drag queen, and monsters attacking West Hollywood.
Marvin wanted the perfect day reconnecting with his best friend while she's back from college. But then she surprises him by bringing her new girlfriend along, the drag queen they couldn't wait to see gives a lackluster performance, and then pink snow starts turning people into monsters! What a way to ruin his perfect day. But Marvin needs to grow up a bit and work with new and old friends to save the day. Really enjoyed this and would recommend! I received a copy for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own....more
American Christmas is a sweet and steamy m/m holiday romance novella featuring side characters from the American Dreamers seriActual Rating: 3.5 stars
American Christmas is a sweet and steamy m/m holiday romance novella featuring side characters from the American Dreamers series, with appearances from the main characters in the series. It plays with the tropes of Gifts of the Magi, but with a really great twist that emphasizes working through issues in a relationship, recognizing your own value as a person of color, and the importance of a vibrant community.
Yin and Ari are both American immigrants, in love and spending their first Christmas together. They both want it to be perfect, so they secretly plan over the top gifts for each other, not realizing things are about to go very wrong. Early on we get a lot of backstory on Yin and Ari, which is interesting but feels a bit rushed an info-dumpy. Because it's a novella of course, but I would have liked to see that woven into the narrative a bit more smoothly. The back half of the novella was just lovely though.
As always, Adriana Herrera brings in great diversity. Yin spent his early childhood in a refugee camp in Myanmar and still feels the need to prove himself worthy of the second chance he got in America. Ari is Afro-Latinx and also struggles with not feeling good enough. They feel like real people dealing with real relationship issues, but who care deeply for each other. This is a great holiday story filled with love and friendship. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Merged review:
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
American Christmas is a sweet and steamy m/m holiday romance novella featuring side characters from the American Dreamers series, with appearances from the main characters in the series. It plays with the tropes of Gifts of the Magi, but with a really great twist that emphasizes working through issues in a relationship, recognizing your own value as a person of color, and the importance of a vibrant community.
Yin and Ari are both American immigrants, in love and spending their first Christmas together. They both want it to be perfect, so they secretly plan over the top gifts for each other, not realizing things are about to go very wrong. Early on we get a lot of backstory on Yin and Ari, which is interesting but feels a bit rushed an info-dumpy. Because it's a novella of course, but I would have liked to see that woven into the narrative a bit more smoothly. The back half of the novella was just lovely though.
As always, Adriana Herrera brings in great diversity. Yin spent his early childhood in a refugee camp in Myanmar and still feels the need to prove himself worthy of the second chance he got in America. Ari is Afro-Latinx and also struggles with not feeling good enough. They feel like real people dealing with real relationship issues, but who care deeply for each other. This is a great holiday story filled with love and friendship. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own....more
Oof, this was intense but really good. Which is what I have come to expect from Rivers Solomon! Model Home is a horror novel deali4.5 stars rounded up
Oof, this was intense but really good. Which is what I have come to expect from Rivers Solomon! Model Home is a horror novel dealing with trauma, abuse, mental health, and white supremacy. It follows a gender fluid parent with a 14 year old daughter returning to xir childhood home for the first time in years. A nice home in a gated neighborhood where they were the only Black family. A home that is seemingly haunted. I won't say too much about what happens, but this hits hard and is rough to read at times, but important. Note that there is a content warning for child grooming and assault, mostly off page. The audio narration is excellent and gives the right vibes for what is a disturbing book. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own....more
I really like this series, and Rough Pages feels very timely in light of all the book banning taking place.
Set in 1950's San Francisco, these follow I really like this series, and Rough Pages feels very timely in light of all the book banning taking place.
Set in 1950's San Francisco, these follow a gay ex-cop turned Private Investigator serving the queer community. This was a time when they really had to hide and it was scary for anyone trying to just live their life. In Rough Pages, Andy Mills takes on a case involving a missing bookstore owner who ran a covert gay books by mail program. Because if that mailing list has been found by the feds it would put a lot of people in danger.
As a mystery, I think this is decent. But what I really like is the ongoing story following Andy and his found family, and unpacking elements of being a queer person in this time and place. If you like the series, I do recommend it! The audio narration is great with those noir vibes, similar to past books. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own....more
Leap is a fantastic YA graphic novel about dance and coming of age as a queer teen girl in Romania. It follows Ana who is studying contemporary dance Leap is a fantastic YA graphic novel about dance and coming of age as a queer teen girl in Romania. It follows Ana who is studying contemporary dance and secretly dating one of the classical ballet students. But their relationship is a little one-sided, and while Ana wants to be out in safe public spaces, her girlfriend wants to keep things private. It deals with the pressures of the dance world, including body issues, but is also about finding what you want and learning to set healthy boundaries. I read it all in one sitting and really loved it. I also don't know that I've read a contemporary story set in Bucharest, so that was cool too! I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own....more
A raw and funny memoir about growing up as a trans girl and being in the public eye. Nicole's early story was well-documented in a book, but she wanteA raw and funny memoir about growing up as a trans girl and being in the public eye. Nicole's early story was well-documented in a book, but she wanted to tell her own story even if it's more complicated. We follow her from early childhood through coming of age, becoming an actor, the COVID pandemic and beyond. She also talks some about the current politicization of trans youth and why it's so vital to be an advocate for legal protections and inclusion.
I found most of the book to be incredibly compelling and thought-provoking, while a few of the later chapters meandered a bit more. Which is more frequently the case in memoirs written about events so recent as a couple of years ago. But I think it's a strong book and one I'm glad to have read. There is a lot of insight, even if it is one girls story. And she admits how privileged she was to have a family that came around to being so supportive, when that is not the case for some trans youth. I received a copy for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own....more
This was creepy! A blend of sci-fi and horror, In the Shadow of the Ship is a novella set in a world where ships have organic, sen4.5 stars rounded up
This was creepy! A blend of sci-fi and horror, In the Shadow of the Ship is a novella set in a world where ships have organic, sentient minds. Khuyen is returning to Nightjar, the ship she grew up on, for her grandmothers funeral.
It's the first time she has been back since fleeing as a teenager and she must reckon with the truth of her past and her complicated relationship with her family. As long as she can remember, children were required by the ship as Tribute and then thy would disappear. But what is the ship doing with them? And why are strange things happening? I really enjoyed this novella and would recommend it if you like de Bodard's writing. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own....more
Two single dads find love in Learned Behaviors, a steamy m/m workplace romance. This feels like a good autumnal read and the cActual Rating: 3.5 stars
Two single dads find love in Learned Behaviors, a steamy m/m workplace romance. This feels like a good autumnal read and the characters have to overcome very real relationship challenges.
JaQuan is sending his daughter off to college and finally might feel free to date, though a big work project overseeing the design a line of home goods for a a prestigious brand is going to keep him busy. Matt is the pansexual, divorced father of adult children (with his youngest daughter in college with Jaq's daughter) and a definite workaholic. He's also the liason on the project JaQuan is involved with and there is definite chemistry.
But Matt's intense dedication to his job may be a challenge, not to mention the complication of something more than friendship brewing between their daughters. In general I enjoyed this, getting to see the characters work through challenges and come together. A few of the steamy scenes I was a bit more iffy on- particularly anything involving sex in the workplace I'm not a fan of, and some of the conversations around Jaq's mom and daughter were a little uncomfortable. That said, I think this has a lot going for it and it a nice option for this time of year. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Merged review:
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Two single dads find love in Learned Behaviors, a steamy m/m workplace romance. This feels like a good autumnal read and the characters have to overcome very real relationship challenges.
JaQuan is sending his daughter off to college and finally might feel free to date, though a big work project overseeing the design a line of home goods for a a prestigious brand is going to keep him busy. Matt is the pansexual, divorced father of adult children (with his youngest daughter in college with Jaq's daughter) and a definite workaholic. He's also the liason on the project JaQuan is involved with and there is definite chemistry.
But Matt's intense dedication to his job may be a challenge, not to mention the complication of something more than friendship brewing between their daughters. In general I enjoyed this, getting to see the characters work through challenges and come together. A few of the steamy scenes I was a bit more iffy on- particularly anything involving sex in the workplace I'm not a fan of, and some of the conversations around Jaq's mom and daughter were a little uncomfortable. That said, I think this has a lot going for it and it a nice option for this time of year. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own....more
I loved Bone Shard Daughter and was excited to try something new from this author. However, this didn't hit in the same way. The Gods Below started stI loved Bone Shard Daughter and was excited to try something new from this author. However, this didn't hit in the same way. The Gods Below started strong and has some interesting ideas, but the second half I felt meandered and was kind of boring.
This is a multi-POV fantasy intended to gived us a view of what's happening in very different parts of this world. But the only characters I was really invested in were the two sisters who are separated at the start of the book. And even then, I wanted more depth and emotional impact from where their story went towards the end. I think it might have been a stronger book if we had a more narrow focus in terms of perspectives - maybe 3 instead of 5? And more fully flesh out the motivations and personalities of characters.
The world is interesting. It's divided up by these toxic magic barriers and sometimes there is magic that will physically change anyone still inside the affected section. There are godstones that can be consumed for different abilities that vary based on color. (this was kind of reminiscent of the magic system in Mistborn) Again, the first half of the book I liked but I really lost interest in the back half and it was a struggle to get through. I feel there were perhaps too many perspectives and the book could have been condensed. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own....more
Short story collections can be a bit of a crapshoot, but I liked if not loved nearly all of the stories in this collection. I also appreciated that thShort story collections can be a bit of a crapshoot, but I liked if not loved nearly all of the stories in this collection. I also appreciated that there was a bit of a frame narrative that the stories fit into. The White Guy Dies First collects 13 horror stories, some of which span other genres like science fiction and fantasy, by Black, Indigenous, and person of color authors including a number of queer ones. Overall I thought it was a very strong collection and I'll list my favorites...
The Golden Dragon by Kendare Blake follows a Korean girl deserving of revenge.
Best Served Cold by HE Edgemon puts a creepy twist on the Indigenous Skinwalker mythology in a way that is gory and cinematic.
Gray Grove by Alexis Henderson explores the dark side of true crime podcasts.
Wasps by Mark Oshiro has predatory gentrifiers and dark monsters
Definitely worth a read! The audiobook is excellent and has a full cast. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own....more
I loved The Book of Gothel, but this historical fantasy one was more of a mixed bag for me. I found around the first 30% to be incredibly tedious and I loved The Book of Gothel, but this historical fantasy one was more of a mixed bag for me. I found around the first 30% to be incredibly tedious and I considered not continuing, but just then things really picked up. Theres a forbidden sapphic relationship, Will Shakespeare finally makes an appearance, and weird magic stuff starts going on. It kept me fairly interested through the rest of the book. That said, I will echo other reviewers in my thoughts on Rose- for a woman who pushes so many boundaries, she's kind of a boring character a lot of the time because things just sort of happen to her. And things just kind of work out for her in a way that doesn't always feel earned. I don't know, there were things I liked about this and other things that were more middle of the road. I do think the concept is cool- bringing to life the woman who inspired many of Shakespeare's sonnets. If it sounds like your thing, give it a try. Just expect the beginning to be slow going. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own....more
This is a great introduction to queer artists and musicians involved in the Harlem Renaissance, and serves as a jumping off point for learning more abThis is a great introduction to queer artists and musicians involved in the Harlem Renaissance, and serves as a jumping off point for learning more about them. Written for teens, it feels like a personal invitation into something the author is passionate about. Johnson inserts relevant asides, juicy details, and places where he disagrees with things some authors said at the time. And yet, there is this honor and appreciation for what all of them added to Black and queer culture. It's entertaining, informative, and makes you want to go read more. I was familiar with some of the people in the book such as Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, but there are others I had never heard of and this work feels like an important part of keeping their history alive. And the portrait illustrations at the start of each biography are gorgeous! This is definitely worth checking out. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own....more
This was really delightful and full of heart! A Bánh Mì for Two is a YA coming of age story and cute romance set in Saigon, Vietnam between two teen gThis was really delightful and full of heart! A Bánh Mì for Two is a YA coming of age story and cute romance set in Saigon, Vietnam between two teen girls.
Vivi is Vietnamese-American and has always been curious about her heritage but her mother refuses to speak about their homeland. She becomes a fan of a blog about Vietnamese street food and decides to study abroad in Saigon, while telling her parents she's in Singapore.
Lan is the author of the blog, but she's struggled to write since her father passed away. She feels the need to shoulder the burden of helping her mom with the family food stall because her mom has chronic illness. But her mom wants her to enjoy her youth and spend time with friends.
The two girls meet unexpectedly and form a friendship that sparks into something more. It's a great blend of food, culture, finding your place in the world, dealing with difficult family situations and history, and first love. It's a quick read and definitely worth your time! The audio narration is great too. I recieved an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own....more
Okay wow!! This was a phenomenal short story collection and I'm hard pressed to find any bad ones, most of them areVideo: https://youtu.be/gGsJi_WVaKY
Okay wow!! This was a phenomenal short story collection and I'm hard pressed to find any bad ones, most of them are bangers.
It's divided thematically by season and the stories range from sci-fi to fantasy to lightly speculative or metaphorical. Sometimes drawing on mythology or folklore, sometimes poetic, often tragic. Thematically there is a lot on love, relationships, motherhood, mental health, power and more. I generally like Blakes writing and was excited for this, but often stories in collections are fairly hit or miss for me . Januaries I enjoyed all the way through and would definitely recommend if you like her writing style!
The audiobook is narrated by a full cast and is really well done. Loved it and would recommend! I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own....more
This was a delightful cozy fantasy!!! The Phoenix Keeper features a magical zoo, a painfully shy bisexual heroine, and a world that feels real. HonestThis was a delightful cozy fantasy!!! The Phoenix Keeper features a magical zoo, a painfully shy bisexual heroine, and a world that feels real. Honestly I'm impressed at how the level of detail and thought given to the care of these magical creatures makes it feel like they might really exist.
Aila is passionate about her birds and has an impressive depth of knowledge of them, but she hates dealing with people and freezes up when she needs to speak in front of crowds. Unlike the annoyingly pretty and confident Luciana who is one of the stars of the zoo. Aila also hates the commercialization of these near extinct creatures. But she has the opportunity to have a breeding male phoenix transferred to their program, IF she can prove herself and update the aviary to all the modern security and safety requirements. Because poachers of magical creatures have been a serious problem...
I honestly loved this. It felt so immersive and I felt for Aila, even though she has some real growing she needs to do. And does through the course of the book! There are romantic elements that I think worked well, and by the end there are some real stakes to the plot. I was a fan and would read more from this debut author! I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own....more
I really liked this! Given some of the reviews I was worried their relationship was going to be all sex and no substance. But whil4.5 stars rounded up
I really liked this! Given some of the reviews I was worried their relationship was going to be all sex and no substance. But while it is certainly a sex-forward novel, I did not find that to be the case.
I'll Have What He's Having is a gay romance written by a gay author, which I love to see more of in the genre. After a mistaken identity leads to a one night stand, an unexpected connection develops between these characters. Farzan is the screw-up of the family. His Iranian parents run a restaurant and his sister is married with a successful career while he's a substitute teacher who likes to cook. David is a wine expert studying for his master sommelier exam, and of course they meet at the restaurant he works at.
I really loved the mix of personal growth for the characters and the development of the romance between them. They have this amazing friendship, and get very spicy in the bedroom too. It's a really solid romance featuring characters in their late 30's, still trying to figure out life. I'm a fan! The audio narration is really well done. I feel like each of the performers nailed the voice and personality of the character they portrayed. I received an audio review copy via Netgalley, all opinions are my own....more
Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany)
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