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Novelettes & Stories
A Clumsy Handful of Stars
Less Is More
Christmas Shorts
Tags:
...or click the thumbnail to go directly to the title you want to see:
Novelettes & Stories
A Clumsy Handful of Stars
Less Is More
Christmas Shorts
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Roll for Love by M. K. England
They’re falling for each other one die roll at a time…
Harper Reid’s life is not going according to plan. Right before senior year, her poppy passes away, so Harper and her mom move cross country to the family farm in Clintville, Virginia (population: tiny). Fortunately, Harper has a plan to help her senior year not suck:
1) Find a Dungeons & Dragons group.
2) Figure out the college situation. (Or just don’t go.)
3) Fix up Poppy’s old woodshop.
4) Maybe find a girlfriend?
But things aren’t all bad. Harper loved visiting Clintville as a kid and her dream of being a professional woodworker feels possible here—if she can find a way to tell her mom she doesn’t want to go to college. And, of course, there’s Ollie Shifflet: neighbor, childhood best friend, and, oh yeah, first crush.
Ollie has her life all planned out. First, graduation. Next, community college, teaching at her mom’s farm school, then opening her own daycare. All completely achievable . . . so long as no one learns that she’s bisexual. Because being out with her friends is one thing, but out in public in a small town where everyone’s known her since birth? That feels impossible. But when beautiful, bold, Harper Reid comes back to town and joins Ollie’s Dungeons & Dragons group, her careful plans—and her heart—are upended.
When sparks fly at the game table between Harper’s brash Barbarian character and Ollie’s proud Paladin, Harper and Ollie brush it off because it’s all just part of the game . . . right? As the school year draws to a close and the final boss looms on the horizon, Harper and Ollie must channel the best of their D&D characters to fight for the lives they want—and for a second chance at love, both in-game and in real life.
Why you should read it: I enjoyed the way this story bounces back and forth between the contemporary romance and the over-the-top fantasy romance the main characters are playing through in-game. It's a quick read with a lot of heart, and I was rooting for Harper and Ollie every step of the way.
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So This Is Ever After by F. T. Lukens
Arek hadn’t thought much about what would happen after he completed the prophecy that said he was destined to save the Kingdom of Ere from its evil ruler. So now that he’s finally managed to (somewhat clumsily) behead the evil king (turns out magical swords yanked from bogs don’t come pre-sharpened), he and his rag-tag group of quest companions are at a bit of a loss for what to do next.
As a temporary safeguard, Arek’s best friend and mage, Matt, convinces him to assume the throne until the true heir can be rescued from her tower. Except that she’s dead. Now Arek is stuck as king, a role that comes with a magical catch: choose a spouse by your eighteenth birthday, or wither away into nothing.
With his eighteenth birthday only three months away, and only Matt in on the secret, Arek embarks on a desperate bid to find a spouse to save his life—starting with his quest companions. But his attempts at wooing his friends go painfully and hilariously wrong…until he discovers that love might have been in front of him all along.
Why you should read it: This book is silly and very fun. The stubborn mutual pining is especially torturous, which may not be your jam if you get frustrated with that sort of thing, but is hilariously and brilliantly done if you're into it. All in all an enjoyable low-stakes read, cute and sincere and very charming.
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Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman
Iselia “Seelie” Graygrove looks just like her twin, Isolde…but as an autistic changeling left in the human world by the fae, she has always known she is different. Seelie’s unpredictable magic makes it hard for her to fit in—and draws her and Isolde into the hunt for a fabled treasure. In a heist gone wrong, the sisters make unexpected allies and find themselves unraveling a mystery that has its roots in the history of humans and fae alike.
The secrets of the faeries may be more valuable than any pile of gold and jewels. But can Seelie harness her magic in time to protect her sister and herself?
Why you should read it: Part one in a duology, this book took me a while to get into and then knocked my socks off once I was in it. I thought I knew exactly where it was going along the way, and it kept darting out sideways and surprising me in the best ways. Some story beats were predictable, but that's not a bad thing, especially when there were so many elements of the story that snuck in and genuinely surprised me. The writing style was a casual and lovely first person, and the characters are a lot of fun.
Roll for Love by M. K. England
They’re falling for each other one die roll at a time…
Harper Reid’s life is not going according to plan. Right before senior year, her poppy passes away, so Harper and her mom move cross country to the family farm in Clintville, Virginia (population: tiny). Fortunately, Harper has a plan to help her senior year not suck:
1) Find a Dungeons & Dragons group.
2) Figure out the college situation. (Or just don’t go.)
3) Fix up Poppy’s old woodshop.
4) Maybe find a girlfriend?
But things aren’t all bad. Harper loved visiting Clintville as a kid and her dream of being a professional woodworker feels possible here—if she can find a way to tell her mom she doesn’t want to go to college. And, of course, there’s Ollie Shifflet: neighbor, childhood best friend, and, oh yeah, first crush.
Ollie has her life all planned out. First, graduation. Next, community college, teaching at her mom’s farm school, then opening her own daycare. All completely achievable . . . so long as no one learns that she’s bisexual. Because being out with her friends is one thing, but out in public in a small town where everyone’s known her since birth? That feels impossible. But when beautiful, bold, Harper Reid comes back to town and joins Ollie’s Dungeons & Dragons group, her careful plans—and her heart—are upended.
When sparks fly at the game table between Harper’s brash Barbarian character and Ollie’s proud Paladin, Harper and Ollie brush it off because it’s all just part of the game . . . right? As the school year draws to a close and the final boss looms on the horizon, Harper and Ollie must channel the best of their D&D characters to fight for the lives they want—and for a second chance at love, both in-game and in real life.
Why you should read it: I enjoyed the way this story bounces back and forth between the contemporary romance and the over-the-top fantasy romance the main characters are playing through in-game. It's a quick read with a lot of heart, and I was rooting for Harper and Ollie every step of the way.
- — - — - — - — -
So This Is Ever After by F. T. Lukens
Arek hadn’t thought much about what would happen after he completed the prophecy that said he was destined to save the Kingdom of Ere from its evil ruler. So now that he’s finally managed to (somewhat clumsily) behead the evil king (turns out magical swords yanked from bogs don’t come pre-sharpened), he and his rag-tag group of quest companions are at a bit of a loss for what to do next.
As a temporary safeguard, Arek’s best friend and mage, Matt, convinces him to assume the throne until the true heir can be rescued from her tower. Except that she’s dead. Now Arek is stuck as king, a role that comes with a magical catch: choose a spouse by your eighteenth birthday, or wither away into nothing.
With his eighteenth birthday only three months away, and only Matt in on the secret, Arek embarks on a desperate bid to find a spouse to save his life—starting with his quest companions. But his attempts at wooing his friends go painfully and hilariously wrong…until he discovers that love might have been in front of him all along.
Why you should read it: This book is silly and very fun. The stubborn mutual pining is especially torturous, which may not be your jam if you get frustrated with that sort of thing, but is hilariously and brilliantly done if you're into it. All in all an enjoyable low-stakes read, cute and sincere and very charming.
- — - — - — - — -
Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman
Iselia “Seelie” Graygrove looks just like her twin, Isolde…but as an autistic changeling left in the human world by the fae, she has always known she is different. Seelie’s unpredictable magic makes it hard for her to fit in—and draws her and Isolde into the hunt for a fabled treasure. In a heist gone wrong, the sisters make unexpected allies and find themselves unraveling a mystery that has its roots in the history of humans and fae alike.
The secrets of the faeries may be more valuable than any pile of gold and jewels. But can Seelie harness her magic in time to protect her sister and herself?
Why you should read it: Part one in a duology, this book took me a while to get into and then knocked my socks off once I was in it. I thought I knew exactly where it was going along the way, and it kept darting out sideways and surprising me in the best ways. Some story beats were predictable, but that's not a bad thing, especially when there were so many elements of the story that snuck in and genuinely surprised me. The writing style was a casual and lovely first person, and the characters are a lot of fun.
Tags:
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A Lot like Adios by Alexis Daria
After burning out in her corporate marketing career, Michelle Amato has built a thriving freelance business as a graphic designer. So what if her love life is nonexistent? She’s perfectly fine being the black sheep of her marriage-obsessed Puerto Rican-Italian family. Besides, the only guy who ever made her want happily-ever-after disappeared thirteen years ago.
Gabriel Aguilar left the Bronx at eighteen to escape his parents’ demanding expectations, but it also meant saying goodbye to Michelle, his best friend and longtime crush. Now, he’s the successful co-owner of LA’s hottest celebrity gym, with an investor who insists on opening a New York City location. It’s the last place in the world Gabe wants to go, but when Michelle is unexpectedly brought on board to spearhead the new marketing campaign, everything Gabe’s been running from catches up with him.
Michelle is torn between holding Gabe at arm’s length or picking up right where they left off—in her bed. As they work on the campaign, old feelings resurface and their reunion takes a sexy turn. Facing mounting pressure from their families—who think they’re dating—and growing uncertainty about their futures, can they resolve their past mistakes, or is it only a matter of time before Gabe says adiós again?
Why you should read it: This was a sweet, lively, incredibly heartfelt second-chance romance, and I enjoyed it enormously. The characters have a messy history and a boatload of chemistry. An excellent read even if you haven't already read the first book in this trilogy (which is also excellent). Alexis Daria writes damn good romance.
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Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi
When thirty-four-year-old Ms. Shibata gets a new job to escape sexual harassment at her old one, she finds that as the only woman at her new workplace—a manufacturer of cardboard tubes—she is expected to do all the menial tasks. One day she announces that she can’t clear away her coworkers’ dirty cups—because she’s pregnant and the smell nauseates her. The only thing is . . . Ms. Shibata is not pregnant.
Pregnant Ms. Shibata doesn’t have to serve coffee to anyone. Pregnant Ms. Shibata isn’t forced to work overtime. Pregnant Ms. Shibata rests, watches TV, takes long baths, and even joins an aerobics class for expectant mothers. She’s finally being treated by her colleagues as more than a hollow core. But she has a nine-month ruse to keep up. Before long, it becomes all-absorbing, and with the help of towel-stuffed shirts and a diary app that tracks every stage of her “pregnancy,” the boundary between her lie and her life begins to dissolve.
Surreal and absurdist, and with a winning matter-of-factness, a light touch, and a refreshing sensitivity to mental health, Diary of a Void will keep you turning the pages to see just how far Ms. Shibata will carry her deception for the sake of women, and especially working mothers, everywhere.
Why you should read it: This book is deeply weird and I don't really know how to describe it. A fantastic piece of fiction, and one I really loved in all its weirdness. If you enjoyed "Convenience Store Woman," you should definitely give this story a try.
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Mermaids Never Drown by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker
A Vietnamese mermaid caught between two worlds. A siren who falls for Poseidon’s son. A boy secretly pining for the merboy who saved him years ago. A storm that brings humans and mermaids together. Generations of family secrets and pain.
Find all these stories and more in this gripping new collection that will reel you in from the very first page! Welcome to an ocean of hurt, fear, confusion, rage, hope, humor, discovery, and love in its many forms.
Edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker, Mermaids Never Drown features beloved authors like Darcie Little Badger, Kalynn Bayron, Preeti Chhibber, Rebecca Coffindaffer, Julie C. Dao, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Adriana Herrera, June Hur, Katherine Locke, Kerri Maniscalco, Julie Murphy, Gretchen Schreiber, and Julian Winters.
Why you should read it: This is an incredibly well-assembled anthology full of compelling stories. Some of them left me desperately wanting more, whetting the appetite more than presenting a full meal, but even these were lovely stories full of complicated characters. I loved the sheer variety of stories, settings, cultures all wrapped up in this collection, and the quality of the storytelling is consistently excellent. Definitely recommend, and I will be seeking out many of these individual authors for their other books.
A Lot like Adios by Alexis Daria
After burning out in her corporate marketing career, Michelle Amato has built a thriving freelance business as a graphic designer. So what if her love life is nonexistent? She’s perfectly fine being the black sheep of her marriage-obsessed Puerto Rican-Italian family. Besides, the only guy who ever made her want happily-ever-after disappeared thirteen years ago.
Gabriel Aguilar left the Bronx at eighteen to escape his parents’ demanding expectations, but it also meant saying goodbye to Michelle, his best friend and longtime crush. Now, he’s the successful co-owner of LA’s hottest celebrity gym, with an investor who insists on opening a New York City location. It’s the last place in the world Gabe wants to go, but when Michelle is unexpectedly brought on board to spearhead the new marketing campaign, everything Gabe’s been running from catches up with him.
Michelle is torn between holding Gabe at arm’s length or picking up right where they left off—in her bed. As they work on the campaign, old feelings resurface and their reunion takes a sexy turn. Facing mounting pressure from their families—who think they’re dating—and growing uncertainty about their futures, can they resolve their past mistakes, or is it only a matter of time before Gabe says adiós again?
Why you should read it: This was a sweet, lively, incredibly heartfelt second-chance romance, and I enjoyed it enormously. The characters have a messy history and a boatload of chemistry. An excellent read even if you haven't already read the first book in this trilogy (which is also excellent). Alexis Daria writes damn good romance.
- — - — - — - — -
Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi
When thirty-four-year-old Ms. Shibata gets a new job to escape sexual harassment at her old one, she finds that as the only woman at her new workplace—a manufacturer of cardboard tubes—she is expected to do all the menial tasks. One day she announces that she can’t clear away her coworkers’ dirty cups—because she’s pregnant and the smell nauseates her. The only thing is . . . Ms. Shibata is not pregnant.
Pregnant Ms. Shibata doesn’t have to serve coffee to anyone. Pregnant Ms. Shibata isn’t forced to work overtime. Pregnant Ms. Shibata rests, watches TV, takes long baths, and even joins an aerobics class for expectant mothers. She’s finally being treated by her colleagues as more than a hollow core. But she has a nine-month ruse to keep up. Before long, it becomes all-absorbing, and with the help of towel-stuffed shirts and a diary app that tracks every stage of her “pregnancy,” the boundary between her lie and her life begins to dissolve.
Surreal and absurdist, and with a winning matter-of-factness, a light touch, and a refreshing sensitivity to mental health, Diary of a Void will keep you turning the pages to see just how far Ms. Shibata will carry her deception for the sake of women, and especially working mothers, everywhere.
Why you should read it: This book is deeply weird and I don't really know how to describe it. A fantastic piece of fiction, and one I really loved in all its weirdness. If you enjoyed "Convenience Store Woman," you should definitely give this story a try.
- — - — - — - — -
Mermaids Never Drown by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker
A Vietnamese mermaid caught between two worlds. A siren who falls for Poseidon’s son. A boy secretly pining for the merboy who saved him years ago. A storm that brings humans and mermaids together. Generations of family secrets and pain.
Find all these stories and more in this gripping new collection that will reel you in from the very first page! Welcome to an ocean of hurt, fear, confusion, rage, hope, humor, discovery, and love in its many forms.
Edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker, Mermaids Never Drown features beloved authors like Darcie Little Badger, Kalynn Bayron, Preeti Chhibber, Rebecca Coffindaffer, Julie C. Dao, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Adriana Herrera, June Hur, Katherine Locke, Kerri Maniscalco, Julie Murphy, Gretchen Schreiber, and Julian Winters.
Why you should read it: This is an incredibly well-assembled anthology full of compelling stories. Some of them left me desperately wanting more, whetting the appetite more than presenting a full meal, but even these were lovely stories full of complicated characters. I loved the sheer variety of stories, settings, cultures all wrapped up in this collection, and the quality of the storytelling is consistently excellent. Definitely recommend, and I will be seeking out many of these individual authors for their other books.
Tags:
In Good Hands
by Yolande Kleinn
M/M, Contemporary Magical Romance, Explicit
[Coming January 29, 2026 / 5,400 Words]
AMZ / Apple / BN / Kobo / SW / All Buy Links
Being married to a talented mage has its advantages, especially on a night like this. Henry hates traveling without his husband, but sometimes an urgent business trip means spending unwelcome days apart. Tonight, alone in his hotel room, he misses Shawn so much he can't stand it.
When Shawn calls him in the middle of the night, Henry answers despite his exhaustion. And when Shawn suggests a sexy experiment involving a new bit of magic, sleep is suddenly the furthest thing from Henry's mind. He's got no idea what Shawn has planned, but he can't wait to find out.
( Excerpt )
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Peter Darling by Austin Chant
The Lost Boys say that Peter Pan went back to England because of Wendy Darling, but Wendy is just an old life he left behind. Neverland is his real home. So when Peter returns to it after ten years in the real world, he’s surprised to find a Neverland that no longer seems to need him.
The only person who truly missed Peter is Captain James Hook, who is delighted to have his old rival back. But when a new war ignites between the Lost Boys and Hook’s pirates, the ensuing bloodshed becomes all too real – and Peter’s rivalry with Hook starts to blur into something far more complicated, sensual, and deadly.
Peter Darling is a queer, trans reimagining of Peter Pan.
Why you should read it: I've been meaning to read this book for years, and I'm so glad I finally did. I spent the first portion of the book wondering what I was getting myself into (I'm not a big fan of Peter Pan as a baseline so please don't hold this fact against the book) and the rest thoroughly enjoying the ride. The flashback scenes in Peter's POV were heartbreaking, and the support and care he and Hook ultimately find in each other is so beautifully satisfying. This was a lovely read.
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Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell
Shesheshen is a shapeshifter, who happily resides as an amorphous lump at the bottom of a ruined manor. When her rest is interrupted by impolite monster hunters, she constructs a body from the remains of past meals: a metal chain for a backbone, borrowed bones for limbs, and a bear trap as an extra mouth.
Badly hurt by the hunters, Shesheshen’s nursed back to health by Homily, a warm-hearted human. Homily is kind and would make a great co-parent: an ideal place to lay Shesheshen’s eggs so their young can devour Homily from the inside out. But as they grow close, Shesheshen realizes that eating her girlfriend isn’t an option.
Just as Shesheshen’s about to confess her identity, Homily reveals something else: she’s hunting a shapeshifting monster that supposedly cursed her family. Has Shesheshen seen it anywhere?
Shesheshen didn’t curse anyone, so now she has to figure out why Homily’s twisted family thinks she did. As Shesheshen’s hunt for the monster becomes increasingly deadly, the bigger challenge remains: learning how to build a life with, rather than in, the woman she loves.
Why you should read it: Deeply weird and absolutely incredible. I was so impressed by how sincerely the inhuman character's POV worked throughout this wild ride of a book. At no point did I have any idea what to expect, and the experience was so satisfying and cathartic that I'm still processing it days later. I read this based on a recommendation, so I hadn't even skimmed the dust jacket text before diving in—so at first I thought this was going to be a humor-inclined adventure romp from the POV of a monster. Which, it was genuinely funny too, don't get me wrong. But it's also an achingly earnest exploration of abuse and generational trauma, and the ways people can break free of those patterns. I'll be chewing on this book for a long, long while.
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Swordheart by T. Kingfisher
Halla is a housekeeper who has suddenly inherited her great-uncle’s estate… and, unfortunately, his relatives. Sarkis is an immortal swordsman trapped in a prison of enchanted steel. When Halla draws the sword that imprisons him, Sarkis finds himself attempting to defend his new wielder against everything from bandits and roving inquisitors to her own in-laws… and the sword itself may prove to be the greatest threat of all…
Why you should read it: Holy hell, what a ride. This is simultaneously a terrific fantasy novel and a delightful romance. I love a good grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and this is one of the best I've ever read. Sarkis is just such a GOOD grump. And Halla is an absolute treasure, with all her cheerful inquisitiveness and her enormous heart. Bonus points for a truly phenomenal supporting cast; I would read an entire novel about Zale and Brindle. Absolutely fantastic all around.
Peter Darling by Austin Chant
The Lost Boys say that Peter Pan went back to England because of Wendy Darling, but Wendy is just an old life he left behind. Neverland is his real home. So when Peter returns to it after ten years in the real world, he’s surprised to find a Neverland that no longer seems to need him.
The only person who truly missed Peter is Captain James Hook, who is delighted to have his old rival back. But when a new war ignites between the Lost Boys and Hook’s pirates, the ensuing bloodshed becomes all too real – and Peter’s rivalry with Hook starts to blur into something far more complicated, sensual, and deadly.
Peter Darling is a queer, trans reimagining of Peter Pan.
Why you should read it: I've been meaning to read this book for years, and I'm so glad I finally did. I spent the first portion of the book wondering what I was getting myself into (I'm not a big fan of Peter Pan as a baseline so please don't hold this fact against the book) and the rest thoroughly enjoying the ride. The flashback scenes in Peter's POV were heartbreaking, and the support and care he and Hook ultimately find in each other is so beautifully satisfying. This was a lovely read.
- — - — - — - — -
Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell
Shesheshen is a shapeshifter, who happily resides as an amorphous lump at the bottom of a ruined manor. When her rest is interrupted by impolite monster hunters, she constructs a body from the remains of past meals: a metal chain for a backbone, borrowed bones for limbs, and a bear trap as an extra mouth.
Badly hurt by the hunters, Shesheshen’s nursed back to health by Homily, a warm-hearted human. Homily is kind and would make a great co-parent: an ideal place to lay Shesheshen’s eggs so their young can devour Homily from the inside out. But as they grow close, Shesheshen realizes that eating her girlfriend isn’t an option.
Just as Shesheshen’s about to confess her identity, Homily reveals something else: she’s hunting a shapeshifting monster that supposedly cursed her family. Has Shesheshen seen it anywhere?
Shesheshen didn’t curse anyone, so now she has to figure out why Homily’s twisted family thinks she did. As Shesheshen’s hunt for the monster becomes increasingly deadly, the bigger challenge remains: learning how to build a life with, rather than in, the woman she loves.
Why you should read it: Deeply weird and absolutely incredible. I was so impressed by how sincerely the inhuman character's POV worked throughout this wild ride of a book. At no point did I have any idea what to expect, and the experience was so satisfying and cathartic that I'm still processing it days later. I read this based on a recommendation, so I hadn't even skimmed the dust jacket text before diving in—so at first I thought this was going to be a humor-inclined adventure romp from the POV of a monster. Which, it was genuinely funny too, don't get me wrong. But it's also an achingly earnest exploration of abuse and generational trauma, and the ways people can break free of those patterns. I'll be chewing on this book for a long, long while.
- — - — - — - — -
Swordheart by T. Kingfisher
Halla is a housekeeper who has suddenly inherited her great-uncle’s estate… and, unfortunately, his relatives. Sarkis is an immortal swordsman trapped in a prison of enchanted steel. When Halla draws the sword that imprisons him, Sarkis finds himself attempting to defend his new wielder against everything from bandits and roving inquisitors to her own in-laws… and the sword itself may prove to be the greatest threat of all…
Why you should read it: Holy hell, what a ride. This is simultaneously a terrific fantasy novel and a delightful romance. I love a good grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and this is one of the best I've ever read. Sarkis is just such a GOOD grump. And Halla is an absolute treasure, with all her cheerful inquisitiveness and her enormous heart. Bonus points for a truly phenomenal supporting cast; I would read an entire novel about Zale and Brindle. Absolutely fantastic all around.
Tags:
Sweet Christmas
by Yolande Kleinn
M/M, Contemporary Romance, Friends-to-Lovers
[Coming Dec 4, 2025 / 4,500 Words]
AMZ / Apple / BN / Kobo / SW / All Buy Links
When a winter storm shuts down the city and spoils Sean's plans to visit his family, he's resigned to spending Christmas alone. He sure as hell doesn't expect to find his best friend waiting at his door. Warren is supposed to be in Naples with holiday plans of his own, not sitting on Sean's doorstep in the middle of a blizzard. But here he is anyway, cheerful and gorgeous and cagey about his reasons for coming.
Sean doesn't mind the unanswered questions. He's just grateful Warren is here, for a Christmas that will be sweeter than he ever imagined.
( Excerpt )
Sweet Christmas
by Yolande Kleinn
F/F, Erotic Romance, Friends-to-Lovers
[Coming November 13, 2025 / 8,000 Words]
AMZ / Apple / BN / Kobo / SW / All Buy Links
When Joan Bishop grudgingly attends a fancy Christmas gala, she's not expecting a sexy run-in with the last woman she has any business wanting. The daughter of Joan's two closest friends, Tasha Oakes is gorgeous, clever, and completely off-limits. But a moment under the mistletoe could change all the rules. After months of resisting the attraction between them, maybe it's time Joan stopped fighting her own heart.
( Excerpt )
Where Magic Lives
by Yolande Kleinn
M/M, Contemporary Fantasy, Friends-to-Lovers
[97 Pages / 23,000 Words]
Paperback / AMZ / Apple / BN / Kobo / SW / All
When Nino comes home to find his roommate has adopted a pair of infant dragons, the situation is more than perplexing; it's impossible. Arden Roy has no idea magic exists, but he insists on keeping the little hellions anyway, over Nino's strenuous objections.
There's danger for magical creatures in such a thoroughly nonmagical city, and Nino should know. He's got secrets of his own—secrets that only grow more distressing, as caring for the foundlings brings him closer to Arden in new and confusing ways. He hates lying to his best friend, hiding his talents, while navigating the chaos two mischievous dragons have brought crashing into their lives.
The dragons can't stay. But convincing Arden may require revealing everything he knows, and Nino is terrified. To confess the truth could cost him his best friend, just when Nino is finally beginning to understand his own heart.
( Excerpt )
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A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell
Former painter and unreformed rake Kit Griffith is forging a new life in Cornwall, choosing freedom over an identity that didn’t fit. He knew that leaving his Sisterhood of women artists might mean forfeiting artistic community forever. He didn’t realize he would lose his ability to paint altogether. Luckily, he has other talents. Why not devote himself to selling bicycles and trysting with the holidaymakers?
Enter Muriel Pendrake, the feisty New-York-bound botanist who has come to St. Ives to commission Kit for illustrations of British seaweeds. Kit shouldn’t accept Muriel’s offer, but he must enlist her help to prove to an all-male cycling club that women can ride as well as men. And she won’t agree unless he gives her what she wants. Maybe that’s exactly the challenge he needs.
As Kit and Muriel spend their days cycling together, their desire begins to burn with the heat of the summer sun. But are they pedaling toward something impossible? The past is bound to catch up to them, and at the season’s end, their paths will diverge. With only their hearts as guides, Kit and Muriel must decide if they’re willing to race into the unknown for the adventure of a lifetime.
Why you should read it: This was a DELIGHTFUL read! The romance is so sweet, while also navigating incredibly complicated questions of trust and intimacy. Kit and Muriel are both lovely characters, carrying emotional scars that make the terrain unsteady, but they are also deeply good and kind. I loved Kit's POV as a trans man in this historical era, building a life and family that lets him stay true to himself. I loved Muriel's stubbornness and passion for her calling. I loved them both together SO MUCH. I was also enthralled by the bicycle tour that makes up the wider plot. The historical details about different kinds of bicycles—and how they were perceived in this era—never once felt pedantic or dull, maybe because the characters were so passionate about the subject. A beautiful book full of heart.
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The Earl Who Isn't by Courtney Milan
Nobody knows that Andrew Uchida is the rightful heir of an earl. Not his friends, not his neighbors, not even the yard-long beans growing in his experimental garden. If the truth of his existence became public, the blue-blooded side of his family would stop at nothing to make him (and anyone connected with him) disappear. He shared one passionate night with the woman he loved…and allowed himself that only because she was leaving for Hong Kong the next morning.
Then Lily Bei returns, armed with a printing press, her irrepressible spirit, and a sheaf of inconvenient documents that prove the very thing Andrew wants concealed: that he is actually the legitimate, first born son of the Earl of Arsell.
What’s Andrew to do, when the woman he’s always desired promises him everything he’s never wanted? Andrew’s track record of saying no to Lily is nonexistent. The only way he can avert impending disaster is by stealing the evidence… while trying desperately not to fall in love (again) with the woman he shouldn’t let into his life.
Why you should read it: A charming and compelling historical romp, I absolutely loved this. One of my favorite things about reading a book by Courtney Milan is the fact that I always come away learning about some hyper-specific craft or industry, in extremely thorough detail and yet without ever getting bored. In this case, it's gardening and soil, and I enjoyed every minute of Andrew's carefully studied and cherished knowledge (and his quest for long beans.) I adored Lily too, with her earnestness and her intense sense of justice and her irresistible candor. A lovely book all around.
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You're The Problem, It's You by Emma R. Alban
Bobby Mason is sick of being second best: born the spare, never trusted with family responsibility, never expected to amount to much. He’s hungry to contribute something that matters, while all around him his peers are squandering their political and financial power, coasting through life. Which is exactly why he can’t stand the new Viscount Demeroven.
James Demeroven, just come of age and into the Viscountcy, knows that he’s a disappointment. Keeping his head down and never raising anyone’s expectations is how he’s survived life with his stepfather. To quiet, careful James, Bobby Mason is a blazing comet in his endless night, even more alive than he was at Oxford when James crushed on him from afar. But Mason is also brash and recklessly unapologetic, destined to shatter the fragile safety of James’s world. Worst of all, he keeps rubbing James’s failures in his face.
They can barely get through a single conversation without tensions boiling over. Neither Bobby nor James has ever met a more intriguing, infuriating, infatuating man.
If only they could avoid each other entirely. Bad enough their (wonderful but determined) cousins Beth and Gwen keep conveniently setting up group outings. But when an extortionist starts targeting their families, threatening their reputations, Bobby and James must find a way to work together, without pushing each other’s buttons (or tearing them off) in the process...
Why you should read it: A fantastic continuation of the story and characters from Don't Want You Like a Best Friend. This book was incredibly sweet and satisfying, and I really adored Bobby and James. My one caveat is that I would not recommend reading this book as a standalone. While the romance is its own separate story arc, the overall plot really feels like the conclusion to the HEA from book one rather than a standalone. But since I've already wholeheartedly recommended the first book in this duology, I stand by this second recommendation just as fiercely. Read both books. They're lovely.
A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell
Former painter and unreformed rake Kit Griffith is forging a new life in Cornwall, choosing freedom over an identity that didn’t fit. He knew that leaving his Sisterhood of women artists might mean forfeiting artistic community forever. He didn’t realize he would lose his ability to paint altogether. Luckily, he has other talents. Why not devote himself to selling bicycles and trysting with the holidaymakers?
Enter Muriel Pendrake, the feisty New-York-bound botanist who has come to St. Ives to commission Kit for illustrations of British seaweeds. Kit shouldn’t accept Muriel’s offer, but he must enlist her help to prove to an all-male cycling club that women can ride as well as men. And she won’t agree unless he gives her what she wants. Maybe that’s exactly the challenge he needs.
As Kit and Muriel spend their days cycling together, their desire begins to burn with the heat of the summer sun. But are they pedaling toward something impossible? The past is bound to catch up to them, and at the season’s end, their paths will diverge. With only their hearts as guides, Kit and Muriel must decide if they’re willing to race into the unknown for the adventure of a lifetime.
Why you should read it: This was a DELIGHTFUL read! The romance is so sweet, while also navigating incredibly complicated questions of trust and intimacy. Kit and Muriel are both lovely characters, carrying emotional scars that make the terrain unsteady, but they are also deeply good and kind. I loved Kit's POV as a trans man in this historical era, building a life and family that lets him stay true to himself. I loved Muriel's stubbornness and passion for her calling. I loved them both together SO MUCH. I was also enthralled by the bicycle tour that makes up the wider plot. The historical details about different kinds of bicycles—and how they were perceived in this era—never once felt pedantic or dull, maybe because the characters were so passionate about the subject. A beautiful book full of heart.
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The Earl Who Isn't by Courtney Milan
Nobody knows that Andrew Uchida is the rightful heir of an earl. Not his friends, not his neighbors, not even the yard-long beans growing in his experimental garden. If the truth of his existence became public, the blue-blooded side of his family would stop at nothing to make him (and anyone connected with him) disappear. He shared one passionate night with the woman he loved…and allowed himself that only because she was leaving for Hong Kong the next morning.
Then Lily Bei returns, armed with a printing press, her irrepressible spirit, and a sheaf of inconvenient documents that prove the very thing Andrew wants concealed: that he is actually the legitimate, first born son of the Earl of Arsell.
What’s Andrew to do, when the woman he’s always desired promises him everything he’s never wanted? Andrew’s track record of saying no to Lily is nonexistent. The only way he can avert impending disaster is by stealing the evidence… while trying desperately not to fall in love (again) with the woman he shouldn’t let into his life.
Why you should read it: A charming and compelling historical romp, I absolutely loved this. One of my favorite things about reading a book by Courtney Milan is the fact that I always come away learning about some hyper-specific craft or industry, in extremely thorough detail and yet without ever getting bored. In this case, it's gardening and soil, and I enjoyed every minute of Andrew's carefully studied and cherished knowledge (and his quest for long beans.) I adored Lily too, with her earnestness and her intense sense of justice and her irresistible candor. A lovely book all around.
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You're The Problem, It's You by Emma R. Alban
Bobby Mason is sick of being second best: born the spare, never trusted with family responsibility, never expected to amount to much. He’s hungry to contribute something that matters, while all around him his peers are squandering their political and financial power, coasting through life. Which is exactly why he can’t stand the new Viscount Demeroven.
James Demeroven, just come of age and into the Viscountcy, knows that he’s a disappointment. Keeping his head down and never raising anyone’s expectations is how he’s survived life with his stepfather. To quiet, careful James, Bobby Mason is a blazing comet in his endless night, even more alive than he was at Oxford when James crushed on him from afar. But Mason is also brash and recklessly unapologetic, destined to shatter the fragile safety of James’s world. Worst of all, he keeps rubbing James’s failures in his face.
They can barely get through a single conversation without tensions boiling over. Neither Bobby nor James has ever met a more intriguing, infuriating, infatuating man.
If only they could avoid each other entirely. Bad enough their (wonderful but determined) cousins Beth and Gwen keep conveniently setting up group outings. But when an extortionist starts targeting their families, threatening their reputations, Bobby and James must find a way to work together, without pushing each other’s buttons (or tearing them off) in the process...
Why you should read it: A fantastic continuation of the story and characters from Don't Want You Like a Best Friend. This book was incredibly sweet and satisfying, and I really adored Bobby and James. My one caveat is that I would not recommend reading this book as a standalone. While the romance is its own separate story arc, the overall plot really feels like the conclusion to the HEA from book one rather than a standalone. But since I've already wholeheartedly recommended the first book in this duology, I stand by this second recommendation just as fiercely. Read both books. They're lovely.
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A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger
Nina is a Lipan girl in our world. She’s always felt there was something more out there. She still believes in the old stories. Oli is a cottonmouth kid, from the land of spirits and monsters. Like all cottonmouths, he’s been cast from home. He’s found a new one on the banks of the bottomless lake.
Nina and Oli have no idea the other exists. But a catastrophic event on Earth, and a strange sickness that befalls Oli’s best friend, will drive their worlds together in ways they haven’t been in centuries. And there are some who will kill to keep them apart.
Why you should read it: What a lovely book—a compelling blend of myth and contemporary coming-of-age storytelling—with sweet characters that were wonderful to spend time with. Sometimes a book that spends a significant amount of time building up characters in separate storylines is disappointing when those storylines finally converge, but this one really nailed it. The individual character stories were both incredibly engrossing in their own right, and when they finally intersected it was even better. There's so much heart and hope in this book, I adored it.
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Amor Actually (A Multi-Author Anthology) by
Adriana Herrera, Alexis Daria, Diana Muñoz Stewart, Mia Sosa, Priscilla Oliveras, Sabrina Sol, Zoey Castile
It’s Christmas Eve in New York City and anything is possible. For these couples, it’s the season to find true love. From second-chances, big leaps, missed connections, and reconnections, this charming collection celebrates the spirit of the holidays and delivers nine perfect HEAs.
Why you should read it: This is a delightful collection, with some truly fantastic stories in the lineup. As with any anthology, some offerings are stronger than others, but the book as a whole felt incredibly cohesive and fun. I was surprised at just how blatantly the pieces riff on "Love Actually"—but not in a bad way. If you enjoy that movie, you will have a fantastic time with all of the subtle nods and more blatant homages that fill the pages of this book.
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What moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruravia.
What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves.
Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.
Why you should read it: Well. That was eerie and disconcerting. I enjoyed the hell out of this nightmare-tinged novella. The main character is incredibly compelling, and everyone else was equally fascinating even though I spent most of the book being deeply suspicious of most of them. I love seeing a well crafted story and characters tucked snugly into such a short book. I'll definitely be reading more of this series (and more T. Kingfisher all around.)
A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger
Nina is a Lipan girl in our world. She’s always felt there was something more out there. She still believes in the old stories. Oli is a cottonmouth kid, from the land of spirits and monsters. Like all cottonmouths, he’s been cast from home. He’s found a new one on the banks of the bottomless lake.
Nina and Oli have no idea the other exists. But a catastrophic event on Earth, and a strange sickness that befalls Oli’s best friend, will drive their worlds together in ways they haven’t been in centuries. And there are some who will kill to keep them apart.
Why you should read it: What a lovely book—a compelling blend of myth and contemporary coming-of-age storytelling—with sweet characters that were wonderful to spend time with. Sometimes a book that spends a significant amount of time building up characters in separate storylines is disappointing when those storylines finally converge, but this one really nailed it. The individual character stories were both incredibly engrossing in their own right, and when they finally intersected it was even better. There's so much heart and hope in this book, I adored it.
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Amor Actually (A Multi-Author Anthology) by
Adriana Herrera, Alexis Daria, Diana Muñoz Stewart, Mia Sosa, Priscilla Oliveras, Sabrina Sol, Zoey Castile
It’s Christmas Eve in New York City and anything is possible. For these couples, it’s the season to find true love. From second-chances, big leaps, missed connections, and reconnections, this charming collection celebrates the spirit of the holidays and delivers nine perfect HEAs.
Why you should read it: This is a delightful collection, with some truly fantastic stories in the lineup. As with any anthology, some offerings are stronger than others, but the book as a whole felt incredibly cohesive and fun. I was surprised at just how blatantly the pieces riff on "Love Actually"—but not in a bad way. If you enjoy that movie, you will have a fantastic time with all of the subtle nods and more blatant homages that fill the pages of this book.
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What moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruravia.
What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves.
Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.
Why you should read it: Well. That was eerie and disconcerting. I enjoyed the hell out of this nightmare-tinged novella. The main character is incredibly compelling, and everyone else was equally fascinating even though I spent most of the book being deeply suspicious of most of them. I love seeing a well crafted story and characters tucked snugly into such a short book. I'll definitely be reading more of this series (and more T. Kingfisher all around.)
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Bright and Burning
by Yolande Kleinn
M/M, Contemporary Romance, Explicit
[29 Pages / 7,800 Words]
AMZ / Apple / BN / Kobo / SW / All Buy Links
When a mysterious noise rouses Jeremy in the middle of the night, it isn't a jump scare; it's just his husband, home ahead of schedule from a business trip. Evan is obviously trying not to wake him, but Jeremy is too delighted to go back to sleep. And when a lazy cuddle escalates into a whole different flavor of intimacy, Jeremy is more than up for to the challenge.
( Excerpt )
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The Blighted Stars (The Devoured Worlds Book 1) by Megan E. O'Keefe
She's a revolutionary. Humanity is running out of options. Habitable planets are being destroyed as quickly as they're found and Naira Sharp thinks she knows the reason why. The all-powerful Mercator family has been controlling the exploration of the universe for decades, and exploiting any materials they find along the way under the guise of helping humanity's expansion. But Naira knows the truth, and she plans to bring the whole family down from the inside.
He's the heir to the dynasty. Tarquin Mercator never wanted to run a galaxy-spanning business empire. He just wanted to study rocks and read books. But Tarquin's father has tasked him with monitoring the settlement of a new planet, and he doesn't really have a choice in the matter.
Disguised as Tarquin's new bodyguard, Naira plans to destroy the settlement ship before they make land. But neither of them expects to end up stranded on a dead planet. To survive and keep her secret, Naira will have to join forces with the man she's sworn to hate. And together they will uncover a plot that's bigger than both of them.
Why you should read it: I devoured this entire trilogy so quickly I gave myself emotional whiplash, and I regret nothing. It's not often a series hits me this hard or sticks with me so intensely that I want to start reading from the beginning the second I finish. I need everyone to read this trilogy. But also the first book is a really satisfying standalone story, if you want to dip your toe in without committing to an entire series. Fantastic characters, terrific chemistry, and a compelling mystery to tie them all together. The world-building is strange and fascinating and intricate, and the pacing of the book sucked me in from page one. If you're into audiobooks, the narrator for this series does a brilliant job--I turned around and bought the entire series the second I finished listening to book one from the library.
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All Systems Red (Murderbot Diaries Book 1) by Martha Wells
A murderous android discovers itself in All Systems Red, a tense science fiction adventure by Martha Wells that blends HBO's Westworld with Iain M. Banks' Culture books.
In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety.
But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn't a primary concern.
On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied 'droid -- a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as "Murderbot." Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is.
But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.
Why you should read it: I knew going in that I was very likely to enjoy these books, but I was not prepared for just how much I would adore Murderbot. What a fantastic narrator, what a fascinating setup of world and characters, what beautiful and understated worldbuilding! I'm fascinated by how well this book works as a novella, while leaving me feeling like I want so much more. Which is fine by me, since the series continues and I can, in fact, have more. All around a fantastic read.
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Liberty's Daughter by Naomi Kritzer
Beck Garrison lives on a seastead — an archipelago of constructed platforms and old cruise ships, assembled by libertarian separatists a generation ago. She’s grown up comfortable and sheltered, but starts doing odd jobs for pocket money.
To her surprise, she finds that she’s the only detective that a debt slave can afford to hire to track down the woman’s missing sister. When she tackles this investigation, she learns things about life on the other side of the waterline — not to mention about herself and her father — that she did not expect. And she finds out that some people will stop at nothing to protect their secrets . . .
Why you should read it: I really loved this book. At no point did I have any idea what was going to happen from scene to scene, but with every pivot into unexpected territory I was happy to be along for the ride. I found the POV character to be incredibly compelling, with a voice that walked a really good line between pragmatism and heart, while she navigated one impossible situation after another. The worldbuilding was fascinating and vivid, the world of the stead itself uncomfortably claustrophobic by design. I'll be thinking about this one for a really long time.
The Blighted Stars (The Devoured Worlds Book 1) by Megan E. O'Keefe
She's a revolutionary. Humanity is running out of options. Habitable planets are being destroyed as quickly as they're found and Naira Sharp thinks she knows the reason why. The all-powerful Mercator family has been controlling the exploration of the universe for decades, and exploiting any materials they find along the way under the guise of helping humanity's expansion. But Naira knows the truth, and she plans to bring the whole family down from the inside.
He's the heir to the dynasty. Tarquin Mercator never wanted to run a galaxy-spanning business empire. He just wanted to study rocks and read books. But Tarquin's father has tasked him with monitoring the settlement of a new planet, and he doesn't really have a choice in the matter.
Disguised as Tarquin's new bodyguard, Naira plans to destroy the settlement ship before they make land. But neither of them expects to end up stranded on a dead planet. To survive and keep her secret, Naira will have to join forces with the man she's sworn to hate. And together they will uncover a plot that's bigger than both of them.
Why you should read it: I devoured this entire trilogy so quickly I gave myself emotional whiplash, and I regret nothing. It's not often a series hits me this hard or sticks with me so intensely that I want to start reading from the beginning the second I finish. I need everyone to read this trilogy. But also the first book is a really satisfying standalone story, if you want to dip your toe in without committing to an entire series. Fantastic characters, terrific chemistry, and a compelling mystery to tie them all together. The world-building is strange and fascinating and intricate, and the pacing of the book sucked me in from page one. If you're into audiobooks, the narrator for this series does a brilliant job--I turned around and bought the entire series the second I finished listening to book one from the library.
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All Systems Red (Murderbot Diaries Book 1) by Martha Wells
A murderous android discovers itself in All Systems Red, a tense science fiction adventure by Martha Wells that blends HBO's Westworld with Iain M. Banks' Culture books.
In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety.
But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn't a primary concern.
On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied 'droid -- a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as "Murderbot." Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is.
But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.
Why you should read it: I knew going in that I was very likely to enjoy these books, but I was not prepared for just how much I would adore Murderbot. What a fantastic narrator, what a fascinating setup of world and characters, what beautiful and understated worldbuilding! I'm fascinated by how well this book works as a novella, while leaving me feeling like I want so much more. Which is fine by me, since the series continues and I can, in fact, have more. All around a fantastic read.
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Liberty's Daughter by Naomi Kritzer
Beck Garrison lives on a seastead — an archipelago of constructed platforms and old cruise ships, assembled by libertarian separatists a generation ago. She’s grown up comfortable and sheltered, but starts doing odd jobs for pocket money.
To her surprise, she finds that she’s the only detective that a debt slave can afford to hire to track down the woman’s missing sister. When she tackles this investigation, she learns things about life on the other side of the waterline — not to mention about herself and her father — that she did not expect. And she finds out that some people will stop at nothing to protect their secrets . . .
Why you should read it: I really loved this book. At no point did I have any idea what was going to happen from scene to scene, but with every pivot into unexpected territory I was happy to be along for the ride. I found the POV character to be incredibly compelling, with a voice that walked a really good line between pragmatism and heart, while she navigated one impossible situation after another. The worldbuilding was fascinating and vivid, the world of the stead itself uncomfortably claustrophobic by design. I'll be thinking about this one for a really long time.
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When Brooklyn Was Queer by Hugh Ryan
Hugh Ryan’s When Brooklyn Was Queer is a groundbreaking exploration of the LGBT history of Brooklyn, from the early days of Walt Whitman in the 1850s up through the queer women who worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard during World War II, and beyond. No other book, movie, or exhibition has ever told this sweeping story. Not only has Brooklyn always lived in the shadow of queer Manhattan neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and Harlem, but there has also been a systematic erasure of its queer history―a great forgetting.
Ryan is here to unearth that history for the first time. In intimate, evocative, moving prose he discusses in new light the fundamental questions of what history is, who tells it, and how we can only make sense of ourselves through its retelling; and shows how the formation of the Brooklyn we know today is inextricably linked to the stories of the incredible people who created its diverse neighborhoods and cultures. Through them, When Brooklyn Was Queer brings Brooklyn’s queer past to life, and claims its place as a modern classic.
Why you should read it: This is an incredibly well-researched book of Brooklyn's queer history, and I really appreciated the way it was written. It's incredibly thorough and detailed while still being written in a conversational style that really worked for me. The author is clearly writing and researching a topic he is passionate about, and the result is compellingly personal. There were inevitably portions of this book that made me incredibly sad, or incredibly angry — or both — but the history has its moments of joy too. The last few lines of the book made me cry a little. All-in-all a fantastic read.
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Do I know You by Sadie Dingfelder
Science writer Sadie Dingfelder has always known that she's a little quirky. But while she's made some strange mistakes over the years, it's not until she accosts a stranger in a grocery store (whom she thinks is her husband) that she realizes something is amiss.
With a mixture of curiosity and dread, Dingfelder starts contacting neuroscientists and lands herself in scores of studies. In the course of her nerdy midlife crisis, she discovers that she is emphatically not neurotypical. She has prosopagnosia (face blindness), stereoblindness, aphantasia (an inability to create mental imagery), and a condition called severely deficient autobiographical memory.
As Dingfelder begins to see herself more clearly, she discovers a vast well of hidden neurodiversity in the world at large. There are so many different flavors of human consciousness, and most of us just assume that ours is the norm. Can you visualize? Do you have an inner monologue? Are you always 100 percent sure whether you know someone or not? If you can perform any of these mental feats, you may be surprised to learn that many people—including Dingfelder—can't.
A lively blend of personal narrative and popular science, Do I Know You? is the story of one unusual mind's attempt to understand itself—and a fascinating exploration of the remarkable breadth of human experience.
Why you should read it: Well this was completely fascinating, holy hell. A memoir written in a wildly amusing style, despite the fact that there is some seriously heavy subject matter to be found within the pages — I really, sincerely enjoyed having reality tilted this way and that while I read this book, as Dingfelder's investigation kept messing with things I assumed about my own perceptions of reality. This is fascinating science, mind-boggling in places, and left me with so many new questions to consider.
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Wild Faith by Talia Lavin
All across America, a storm is gathering: from book bans in school libraries to anti-trans laws in state legislatures; firebombings of abortion clinics and protests against gay rights. The Christian Right, a cunning political force in America for more than half a century, has never been more powerful than it is right now—it propelled Donald Trump to power, and it won’t stop until it’s refashioned America in its own image.
In Wild Faith, critically acclaimed author Talia Lavin goes deep into what motivates the Christian Right, from its segregationist past to a future riddled with apocalyptic ideology.
Using primary sources and firsthand accounts, Lavin introduces you to “deliverance ministers” who carry out exorcisms by the hundreds; modern-day, self-proclaimed prophets and apostles; Christian militias, cults, zealots, and showmen; and the people in power who are aiding them to achieve their goals.
Along the way, she explores anti-abortion terrorists, the Christian Patriarchy movement, with its desire to place all women under absolute male control; the twisted theology that leads to rampant child abuse; and the ways conspiracy theorists and extremist Christians influence each other to mutual political benefit.
From school boards to the Supreme Court, Christian theocracy is ascendant in America—and only through exploring its motivations and impacts can we understand the crisis we face. In Wild Faith, Lavin fearlessly confronts whether our democracy can survive an organized, fervent theocratic movement, one that seeks to impose its religious beliefs on American citizens.
Why you should read it: This one is a difficult read. A truly excellent book about some completely terrifying realities of the current social and political landscape of America. A lot of the over-arcing information is stuff that I already knew on some level, yet seeing it spelled out and framed this way — seeing the extra details and explanations and analysis — and reading the words of people with traumatic first-hand experience... This book is incredibly well researched and painful. I'm glad I read it. I think the information and perspectives revealed by this research are incredible important. But also, WUFFdah. Approach with care.
When Brooklyn Was Queer by Hugh Ryan
Hugh Ryan’s When Brooklyn Was Queer is a groundbreaking exploration of the LGBT history of Brooklyn, from the early days of Walt Whitman in the 1850s up through the queer women who worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard during World War II, and beyond. No other book, movie, or exhibition has ever told this sweeping story. Not only has Brooklyn always lived in the shadow of queer Manhattan neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and Harlem, but there has also been a systematic erasure of its queer history―a great forgetting.
Ryan is here to unearth that history for the first time. In intimate, evocative, moving prose he discusses in new light the fundamental questions of what history is, who tells it, and how we can only make sense of ourselves through its retelling; and shows how the formation of the Brooklyn we know today is inextricably linked to the stories of the incredible people who created its diverse neighborhoods and cultures. Through them, When Brooklyn Was Queer brings Brooklyn’s queer past to life, and claims its place as a modern classic.
Why you should read it: This is an incredibly well-researched book of Brooklyn's queer history, and I really appreciated the way it was written. It's incredibly thorough and detailed while still being written in a conversational style that really worked for me. The author is clearly writing and researching a topic he is passionate about, and the result is compellingly personal. There were inevitably portions of this book that made me incredibly sad, or incredibly angry — or both — but the history has its moments of joy too. The last few lines of the book made me cry a little. All-in-all a fantastic read.
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Do I know You by Sadie Dingfelder
Science writer Sadie Dingfelder has always known that she's a little quirky. But while she's made some strange mistakes over the years, it's not until she accosts a stranger in a grocery store (whom she thinks is her husband) that she realizes something is amiss.
With a mixture of curiosity and dread, Dingfelder starts contacting neuroscientists and lands herself in scores of studies. In the course of her nerdy midlife crisis, she discovers that she is emphatically not neurotypical. She has prosopagnosia (face blindness), stereoblindness, aphantasia (an inability to create mental imagery), and a condition called severely deficient autobiographical memory.
As Dingfelder begins to see herself more clearly, she discovers a vast well of hidden neurodiversity in the world at large. There are so many different flavors of human consciousness, and most of us just assume that ours is the norm. Can you visualize? Do you have an inner monologue? Are you always 100 percent sure whether you know someone or not? If you can perform any of these mental feats, you may be surprised to learn that many people—including Dingfelder—can't.
A lively blend of personal narrative and popular science, Do I Know You? is the story of one unusual mind's attempt to understand itself—and a fascinating exploration of the remarkable breadth of human experience.
Why you should read it: Well this was completely fascinating, holy hell. A memoir written in a wildly amusing style, despite the fact that there is some seriously heavy subject matter to be found within the pages — I really, sincerely enjoyed having reality tilted this way and that while I read this book, as Dingfelder's investigation kept messing with things I assumed about my own perceptions of reality. This is fascinating science, mind-boggling in places, and left me with so many new questions to consider.
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Wild Faith by Talia Lavin
All across America, a storm is gathering: from book bans in school libraries to anti-trans laws in state legislatures; firebombings of abortion clinics and protests against gay rights. The Christian Right, a cunning political force in America for more than half a century, has never been more powerful than it is right now—it propelled Donald Trump to power, and it won’t stop until it’s refashioned America in its own image.
In Wild Faith, critically acclaimed author Talia Lavin goes deep into what motivates the Christian Right, from its segregationist past to a future riddled with apocalyptic ideology.
Using primary sources and firsthand accounts, Lavin introduces you to “deliverance ministers” who carry out exorcisms by the hundreds; modern-day, self-proclaimed prophets and apostles; Christian militias, cults, zealots, and showmen; and the people in power who are aiding them to achieve their goals.
Along the way, she explores anti-abortion terrorists, the Christian Patriarchy movement, with its desire to place all women under absolute male control; the twisted theology that leads to rampant child abuse; and the ways conspiracy theorists and extremist Christians influence each other to mutual political benefit.
From school boards to the Supreme Court, Christian theocracy is ascendant in America—and only through exploring its motivations and impacts can we understand the crisis we face. In Wild Faith, Lavin fearlessly confronts whether our democracy can survive an organized, fervent theocratic movement, one that seeks to impose its religious beliefs on American citizens.
Why you should read it: This one is a difficult read. A truly excellent book about some completely terrifying realities of the current social and political landscape of America. A lot of the over-arcing information is stuff that I already knew on some level, yet seeing it spelled out and framed this way — seeing the extra details and explanations and analysis — and reading the words of people with traumatic first-hand experience... This book is incredibly well researched and painful. I'm glad I read it. I think the information and perspectives revealed by this research are incredible important. But also, WUFFdah. Approach with care.
Tags:
A Blissful Distraction
by Yolande Kleinn
M/M, Contemporary Romance, Explicit
[Coming July 17, 2025 / 6,000 Words]
AMZ / Apple / BN / Kobo / SW / All Buy Links
When Owen needs a little distance from a crowded wedding reception, what better way to escape than following a meandering path through a cheerful forest? Even better, his not-quite-boyfriend has joined him without complaint. Now, alone with Gail at last, Owen is ready to find more intimate distractions to share.
( Excerpt )
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Neon Gods by Katee Robert
Society darling Persephone Dimitriou wants nothing to do with her mother's ambitions. She's biding her time until she's able to leave the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start her doctorate degree. The one thing she never planned on? Her mother ambushing her with an engagement to Zeus—a man with more than a few dead wives in his past. Persephone will do anything to escape that fate...even flee the sparkling upper city and make a devil's bargain with a man she once believed was a myth.
Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. Not even for the woman who flees into his territory as if the very hounds of hell are on her heels.
But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he's spent his entire life craving? It's all the excuse he needs to agree to help her—for a price. She'll be his for the summer, and then he'll see her safely out of Olympus and away from her mother and Zeus.
Hades and Persephone's deal might seem simple enough, but they both quickly realize it's anything but. With every breathless night spent with Hades, Persephone wonders at her ability to leave him behind. And Hades? Now that he has a taste for Persephone, he's willing to go to war with Olympus itself to keep her...
Why you should read it: I enjoyed this book a lot. Excellent erotica (and it is definitely erotica before it's anything else), with a compelling plot bolstering and propelling the story forward. I liked the characters, as well as what the author did with building a contemporary story around the classical Greek pantheon.
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House of Frank by Kay Synclaire
Powerless witch Saika is ready to enact her sister's final request: to plant her remains at the famed Ash Gardens. When Saika arrives at the always-stormy sanctuary, she is welcomed by its owner, an enormous knit-cardiganed mythical beast named Frank, who offers her a role as one of the estate's caretakers.
Overcome with grief, Saika accepts, desperate to put off her final farewell to her sister. But the work requires a witch with intrinsic power, and Saika's been disconnected from her magic since her sister's death two years prior. Saika gets by at the sanctuary using a fragment of a fallen star to cast enchantments--while hiding the embarrassing truth about herself.
As Saika works harder in avoidance of her pain, she learns more about Frank, the decaying house at Ash Gardens, and the lives of the motley staff, including bickering twin cherubs, a mute ghost, a cantankerous elf, and an irritating half witch, among others. Over time, she rediscovers what it means to love and be wholly loved and how to allow her joy and grief to coexist.
Why you should read it: This book is so full of heart, with characters who are all genuine and kind and complicated. I adored the romance that takes place throughout the ebb and flow of this story, alongside so many friendships and challenges. The found family dynamics in this book are delightful, and there is something so cathartic in the way the story engages with grief. I'm glad I read it.
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A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo
Aria Tang West was looking forward to a summer on Martha’s Vineyard with her best friends—one last round of sand and sun before college. But after a graduation party goes wrong, Aria’s parents exile her to California to stay with her grandmother, artist Joan West. Aria expects boredom, but what she finds is Steph Nichols, her grandmother’s gardener.
Soon, Aria is second-guessing who she is and what she wants to be, and a summer that once seemed lost becomes unforgettable—for Aria, her family, and the working-class queer community Steph introduces her to. It’s the kind of summer that changes a life forever.
Why you should read it: While this book is only tenuously a sequel to "Last Night at the Telegraph Club," I enjoyed it enormously. It reads like a standalone novel rather than a continuation, taking place decades later and starring a main character who has never met Lily or Kath, and having a completely different tone from the first book. None of this hampered my enjoyment of this new installment. It's an uncomfortable story, beautifully told, and I remain in awe of Malindo Lo's writing. Be warned that the romantic arc comes with a heavy dose of infidelity, but the author never makes light of this fact, and the guilt and conflict make up a huge portion of Aria's growth as a character throughout the book.
Neon Gods by Katee Robert
Society darling Persephone Dimitriou wants nothing to do with her mother's ambitions. She's biding her time until she's able to leave the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start her doctorate degree. The one thing she never planned on? Her mother ambushing her with an engagement to Zeus—a man with more than a few dead wives in his past. Persephone will do anything to escape that fate...even flee the sparkling upper city and make a devil's bargain with a man she once believed was a myth.
Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. Not even for the woman who flees into his territory as if the very hounds of hell are on her heels.
But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he's spent his entire life craving? It's all the excuse he needs to agree to help her—for a price. She'll be his for the summer, and then he'll see her safely out of Olympus and away from her mother and Zeus.
Hades and Persephone's deal might seem simple enough, but they both quickly realize it's anything but. With every breathless night spent with Hades, Persephone wonders at her ability to leave him behind. And Hades? Now that he has a taste for Persephone, he's willing to go to war with Olympus itself to keep her...
Why you should read it: I enjoyed this book a lot. Excellent erotica (and it is definitely erotica before it's anything else), with a compelling plot bolstering and propelling the story forward. I liked the characters, as well as what the author did with building a contemporary story around the classical Greek pantheon.
- — - — - — - — -
House of Frank by Kay Synclaire
Powerless witch Saika is ready to enact her sister's final request: to plant her remains at the famed Ash Gardens. When Saika arrives at the always-stormy sanctuary, she is welcomed by its owner, an enormous knit-cardiganed mythical beast named Frank, who offers her a role as one of the estate's caretakers.
Overcome with grief, Saika accepts, desperate to put off her final farewell to her sister. But the work requires a witch with intrinsic power, and Saika's been disconnected from her magic since her sister's death two years prior. Saika gets by at the sanctuary using a fragment of a fallen star to cast enchantments--while hiding the embarrassing truth about herself.
As Saika works harder in avoidance of her pain, she learns more about Frank, the decaying house at Ash Gardens, and the lives of the motley staff, including bickering twin cherubs, a mute ghost, a cantankerous elf, and an irritating half witch, among others. Over time, she rediscovers what it means to love and be wholly loved and how to allow her joy and grief to coexist.
Why you should read it: This book is so full of heart, with characters who are all genuine and kind and complicated. I adored the romance that takes place throughout the ebb and flow of this story, alongside so many friendships and challenges. The found family dynamics in this book are delightful, and there is something so cathartic in the way the story engages with grief. I'm glad I read it.
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A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo
Aria Tang West was looking forward to a summer on Martha’s Vineyard with her best friends—one last round of sand and sun before college. But after a graduation party goes wrong, Aria’s parents exile her to California to stay with her grandmother, artist Joan West. Aria expects boredom, but what she finds is Steph Nichols, her grandmother’s gardener.
Soon, Aria is second-guessing who she is and what she wants to be, and a summer that once seemed lost becomes unforgettable—for Aria, her family, and the working-class queer community Steph introduces her to. It’s the kind of summer that changes a life forever.
Why you should read it: While this book is only tenuously a sequel to "Last Night at the Telegraph Club," I enjoyed it enormously. It reads like a standalone novel rather than a continuation, taking place decades later and starring a main character who has never met Lily or Kath, and having a completely different tone from the first book. None of this hampered my enjoyment of this new installment. It's an uncomfortable story, beautifully told, and I remain in awe of Malindo Lo's writing. Be warned that the romantic arc comes with a heavy dose of infidelity, but the author never makes light of this fact, and the guilt and conflict make up a huge portion of Aria's growth as a character throughout the book.
Tags:
Once Upon a Dragon
by Yolande Kleinn
NB/M, Contemporary Fantasy, Romance
[35 Pages / 8,600 Words]
AMZ / Apple / BN / Kobo / SW / All Buy Links
The day Mo Dillavou comes home to a dragon nesting in their apartment is as confusing as it is magical. Dragons don't exist. Even if dragons do exist, surely they're not supposed to be this small. Or this cuddly. Or this unreasonably cute.
When Mo's neighbor, Tanner Linn, comes looking for his pet 'lizard,' Mo is intrigued: by the prospect of keeping a creature of myth as a pet; by the puzzle of how the dragon snuck into Mo's apartment in the first place; and most of all by Tanner himself, the gorgeous recluse next door.
If keeping Tanner's secret means getting tangled in his life, then sign Mo right up.
( Excerpt )
Just a Taste
by Yolande Kleinn
Queer Contemporary Flash Fiction
[102 Pages / 23,500 Words]
Paperback / AMZ / Apple / BN / Kobo / SW / All
From cuddly to explicit, romantic to platonic, unrequited to hopeful, silly to serious: enjoy twenty-five contemporary snapshots of queer love, each at one thousand words or fewer.
Collection includes:
Nearly Home—Compromise—An Icy Rain—Stubborn Care—Losing Sleep—In the Crowd—Frantic Heat—Longer Distance—Musical Notes—Sleeping In—At the Beach—A Messy Question—Rooftop Interlude—On a Mission—Midnight—An Intimate Morning—Something Green—Smitten—A Kiss to Start—A Terrible Idea—The Easiest Thing—Simple Equations—In the Library—Discordant Details
( Excerpt )
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The Phoenix Bride by Natasha Siegel
It is 1666, one year after plague has devastated England. Young widow Cecilia Thorowgood is a prisoner, trapped and isolated within her older sister’s cavernous London townhouse. Burdened by grief, at the mercy of a legion of impatient doctors, Cecilia shows no sign of improvement. Soon, her sister makes a decision born of desperation: She hires a new physician, someone known for more unusual methods. But he is a foreigner. A Jew.
David Mendes fled Portugal to seek a new life in London, where he could practice his faith openly and leave the past behind. Still reeling from the loss of his beloved friend and struggling with his religion and his past, David is free and safe in this foreign land but incapable of happiness. The security he has found in London threatens to disappear when he meets Cecilia, and he finds himself torn between his duty to medicine and the beating of his own heart. He is the only one who can see her pain; the glimmers of light she emits, even in her gloom, are enough to make him believe once more in love.
Facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, David and Cecilia must endure prejudice, heartbreak, and calamity before they can be together. The Great Fire is coming—and with the city in flames around them, love has never felt so impossible.
Why you should read it: I absolutely adored this book. It strikes a truly overwhelming balance between grief and joy, with characters who find each other and truly see each, other despite a world arranged to keep them apart. The depth of this story left me winded, and made me cry more than once. No spoilers of course, but there's one line that hit me in the chest so hard that I actually said, "Oh my god." Like. Out loud. While crying (good tears.) And then I had to rewind my audiobook, because I missed the next several paragraphs. This might well be the best book I read this year.
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Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles
Will Darling came back from the Great War with a few scars, a lot of medals, and no idea what to do next. Inheriting his uncle’s chaotic second-hand bookshop is a blessing…until strange visitors start making threats. First a criminal gang, then the War Office, both telling Will to give them the information they want, or else.
Will has no idea what that information is, and nobody to turn to, until Kim Secretan—charming, cultured, oddly attractive—steps in to offer help. As Kim and Will try to find answers and outrun trouble, mutual desire grows along with the danger.
And then Will discovers the truth about Kim. His identity, his past, his real intentions. Enraged and betrayed, Will never wants to see him again.
But Will possesses knowledge that could cost thousands of lives. Enemies are closing in on him from all sides—and Kim is the only man who can help.
Why you should read it: Oh this was lovely. I devoured it even faster than I anticipated. It's a marvelous tale of spies and sex and inconvenient feelings, setting up a very fun dynamic to follow, through more books in the series, and I enjoyed it enormously.
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The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley
As a master of disguise, Thomasina Wynchester can be a proper young lady—or a bawdy old man. Anything to solve the case. Her latest assignment unveils a top-secret military cipher covering up an enigma that goes back centuries. But when Tommy’s beautiful new client turns out to be the highborn lady she’s secretly smitten with, more than the mission is at stake…
Bluestocking Miss Philippa York doesn’t believe in love. Her cold heart didn’t pitter-patter when she was betrothed to a duke, nor did it break when he married someone else. All Philippa desires is to rescue her priceless manuscript and decode its clues to defeat a powerful enemy. She hates that she needs a man’s help—and she’s delighted to discover the clever, charming baron at her side is in fact a woman. Her cold heart… did it just pitter-patter?
Why you should read it: Charming and lovely and so incredibly satisfying, this book was a wild ride. I loved the chemistry between Tommy and Philippa, and their mischievous-partners-in-crime dynamic was such a delight to behold. I was also impressed by how well the story incorporates such a wide cast of characters without leaving me remotely confused about Tommy's numerous siblings and their distinct personalities. I didn't realize until I started that I was stepping into a series in progress, but I thought the author did a deft job of getting me up to speed without too much info-dumping. A genuinely fantastic read, I absolutely loved it.
The Phoenix Bride by Natasha Siegel
It is 1666, one year after plague has devastated England. Young widow Cecilia Thorowgood is a prisoner, trapped and isolated within her older sister’s cavernous London townhouse. Burdened by grief, at the mercy of a legion of impatient doctors, Cecilia shows no sign of improvement. Soon, her sister makes a decision born of desperation: She hires a new physician, someone known for more unusual methods. But he is a foreigner. A Jew.
David Mendes fled Portugal to seek a new life in London, where he could practice his faith openly and leave the past behind. Still reeling from the loss of his beloved friend and struggling with his religion and his past, David is free and safe in this foreign land but incapable of happiness. The security he has found in London threatens to disappear when he meets Cecilia, and he finds himself torn between his duty to medicine and the beating of his own heart. He is the only one who can see her pain; the glimmers of light she emits, even in her gloom, are enough to make him believe once more in love.
Facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, David and Cecilia must endure prejudice, heartbreak, and calamity before they can be together. The Great Fire is coming—and with the city in flames around them, love has never felt so impossible.
Why you should read it: I absolutely adored this book. It strikes a truly overwhelming balance between grief and joy, with characters who find each other and truly see each, other despite a world arranged to keep them apart. The depth of this story left me winded, and made me cry more than once. No spoilers of course, but there's one line that hit me in the chest so hard that I actually said, "Oh my god." Like. Out loud. While crying (good tears.) And then I had to rewind my audiobook, because I missed the next several paragraphs. This might well be the best book I read this year.
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Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles
Will Darling came back from the Great War with a few scars, a lot of medals, and no idea what to do next. Inheriting his uncle’s chaotic second-hand bookshop is a blessing…until strange visitors start making threats. First a criminal gang, then the War Office, both telling Will to give them the information they want, or else.
Will has no idea what that information is, and nobody to turn to, until Kim Secretan—charming, cultured, oddly attractive—steps in to offer help. As Kim and Will try to find answers and outrun trouble, mutual desire grows along with the danger.
And then Will discovers the truth about Kim. His identity, his past, his real intentions. Enraged and betrayed, Will never wants to see him again.
But Will possesses knowledge that could cost thousands of lives. Enemies are closing in on him from all sides—and Kim is the only man who can help.
Why you should read it: Oh this was lovely. I devoured it even faster than I anticipated. It's a marvelous tale of spies and sex and inconvenient feelings, setting up a very fun dynamic to follow, through more books in the series, and I enjoyed it enormously.
- — - — - — - — -
The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley
As a master of disguise, Thomasina Wynchester can be a proper young lady—or a bawdy old man. Anything to solve the case. Her latest assignment unveils a top-secret military cipher covering up an enigma that goes back centuries. But when Tommy’s beautiful new client turns out to be the highborn lady she’s secretly smitten with, more than the mission is at stake…
Bluestocking Miss Philippa York doesn’t believe in love. Her cold heart didn’t pitter-patter when she was betrothed to a duke, nor did it break when he married someone else. All Philippa desires is to rescue her priceless manuscript and decode its clues to defeat a powerful enemy. She hates that she needs a man’s help—and she’s delighted to discover the clever, charming baron at her side is in fact a woman. Her cold heart… did it just pitter-patter?
Why you should read it: Charming and lovely and so incredibly satisfying, this book was a wild ride. I loved the chemistry between Tommy and Philippa, and their mischievous-partners-in-crime dynamic was such a delight to behold. I was also impressed by how well the story incorporates such a wide cast of characters without leaving me remotely confused about Tommy's numerous siblings and their distinct personalities. I didn't realize until I started that I was stepping into a series in progress, but I thought the author did a deft job of getting me up to speed without too much info-dumping. A genuinely fantastic read, I absolutely loved it.
Tags:
Bring You Home
by Yolande Kleinn
F/F, Contemporary Fantasy, Romance
[19 Pages / 4,000 Words]
AMZ / Apple / BN / Kobo / SW / All Buy Links
When Karna completes her degree in magical studies, she's disappointed her girlfriend can't make it to the graduation ceremony.
Karna doesn't blame Celeste. It's always been a challenge, balancing grad school ambitions, a high pressure corporate job, and a long-distance relationship between them. Still, Karna misses Celeste so intensely that she's halfway convinced she can feel her through the magical tether connecting them.
But that's impossible. Celeste is busy in New York. She can't be here in Minnesota, just within reach. Can she?
( Excerpt )
A Scandalous Position
by Yolande Kleinn
M/M, Historical Romance, Friends-to-Lovers
[37 Pages / 8,000 Words]
AMZ / Apple / BN / Kobo / SW / All Buy Links
As chamberlain to the sixth son of the royal family, Lirren's relationship with Prince Ector has always been unorthodox. Theirs is a longstanding friendship, as irreverent as it is improper, a devotion that cannot be denied.
When a childish scuffle escalates to reveal uncomfortable truths, Lirren is shocked by his own reaction. Confusion, fascination, desire: suddenly he is craving intimacies he's never considered before, with an urgency that leaves him breathless.
But Lirren isn't the only one wanting scandalous things. Ector started this. Now Lirren just needs to persuade him to see it through.
( Excerpt )