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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1684310237
| 9781684310234
| B071253H8B
| 3.20
| 15
| May 29, 2017
| May 29, 2017
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really liked it
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*I received this book from NetGalley, and Less Than Three in return for a fair review.* ‘And that’s enough for me to keep playing superhero.� � Lacey, *I received this book from NetGalley, and Less Than Three in return for a fair review.* ‘And that’s enough for me to keep playing superhero.� � Lacey, near end of story. There’s several ways I can ‘read� and ‘take� the story. And yes, that has an impact on rating and enjoyment of the story. I chose to take the story, read it in a certain way that ended up causing the story to be an enjoyable enough read. Though I might not have liked it as well if I’d gone a different direction. I chose to go the direction that pulls in that quote above that started me off. The ‘playing superhero�. Because this story sure did seem to be filled with amateurs, people who didn’t really seem to know what they were doing, and were largely lucky to a) find someone to fight; b) ‘win�. Why do I say that? Amateur superheroes? Well, a lot of time and effort apparently went into recruiting a new superhero to the group � that’s good, professional. But . . . then it was all � okay, you are in, make sure to come to the meetings, here are some phone numbers, be on call. And . . . that’s that. No attempt at any kind of training. No words on what to do on a day to day basis. No words on fighting techniques. Nothing. Heck, you could have everyone be from a military or police background and there still would have been some ‘okay, I was trained to do x in a situation like y, how were you trained?� Here, no one seems to have any kind of background training. Nor do they appear to have taken any time to even think about how they might ‘mesh� together (‘I have fire power. As in, fire comes out of me. � ‘I have the ability to run really really fast.� ‘I’m largely unable to be hurt � largely, not sure about bullets. Oh, and I might be strong-ish�.) Nope just � you are in now. Nothing was even said about what kind of costume might be best; Elena had to ask about that. And the action that takes place in this book? Reflects that amateur hour approach to things. Like, they just kind of noticed/made mention of someone threatening the city without doing much about it. Elena, on her own, tracked down some information. Then she got some of her new teammates to help but � even there its amateur hour. Using your own personal vehicle? Um . . . a big thing was made about hiding your personal identities but . . .. *shrugs* And, what’s up with ‘everyone� heading to that first crisis event (after Elena joined) but only Elena and Lacy actually going into action while everyone else just kind of sat around in their cars (everyone available, some couldn't make it . . . for . . no explained reason - I mean, Elena came and she was dead asleep and had to come in her work-out clothing because she doesn't have a costume, what were the others excuses?)? No clue what anyone else on the team brings to the group, maybe they are just pretending to be superheroes � only Lacy and Elena have shown their ‘abilities� (super speed; ability to shoot fire out of fingers). Maybe the others stayed in the cars because they lied about having any kind of abilities (I know Guardian said they had something like invulnerable skin (or similar) but they never did get involved in any of the fights so . . . lying? Just . . . too busy to get involved in the fights? Fell asleep and forgot? Amateur hour. Can’t really blame Elena, really, for the amateurish stuff she did. Using her personal car. Basically hugging her new girlfriend out late at night in plain sight of parked cars that she has under surveillance, instead of doing the more professional thing of having separation (so one ‘blast� of whatever, bullets, magical power, fists, doesn’t take out both superheroes), and remaining in contact by the phones they did have (there are such things as hand free devices). As said, can’t blame her because no one taught her anything. And yes, this is also why I went this direction in my read � I think the author intended the story to be read this way � it is titled ‘Trial by Fire� � she’s just tossed out there, unguided, untrained, trial by fire indeed. Right, so, I wrote like three pages of notes while reading this short story. Let me see if I’ve covered everything in those notes. Oh, right. There’s a weirdly sibling like vibe coming off Elena and Lacey that I know isn’t intended, since they interact in sexual relations � and can’t keep their hands off each other (especially when they should, like when they are standing around watching a bad guy late at night). Made the sex scenes oddly disturbing. Mmphs. Bad vibe. Luckily the sex in the second scene quickly turned in a direction I want nothing to do with so I just leapt over it (eww, butt sex). First one was oddly interesting and arousing, though, so eww for a different reason. Hehe. Oh right. Heh. I lead into the ‘amateur hour� in my notes by noting that safe sex practiced, but they didn’t seem to practice safe . . . um . . . superheroing (see training and stuff like that). Bah. I kind of ranted for three pages about the amateur hour stuff in my notes so I don’t have anything else from there to add. Okay then. So, this story is about Elena, and from her point of view. She’s a paralegal living and working in Los Angeles California. She’s a Latina, a white Latina, as she puts it (parents from Chile), and has a superpower � the ability to have mild to strong resistance to heat and fire, while also being able to generate fire from her hands. She didn’t really want to actually use her powers until she got bored and decided to join a local superhero group. The story opens with them interviewing her. Fairly quickly she’s a member, doesn’t have a suit yet, but does have some phone numbers. Despite lacking training or a costume to wear, she’s put on call immediately. And, almost immediately, she’s out in the thick of things. Battling a villain who calls himself Consequence. Meanwhile, on the personal front, Elena picks up a new girlfriend named Lacy. Who happens to already be a member of the same superhero group Elena has joined (this kind of makes it seem like they meet first at a supermarket or something � no, Elena meets Lacy through the group). Luckily for my own sensibilities, they don’t go immediately from meeting to love, but they do seem to get to ‘can’t stop touching you� rather quickly. A good interesting story. I’d like to read more in this universe. And yes, I realize that I kind of said a bunch of stuff that could be seen as negative � I saw it as positives � as these are real people attempting to ‘do stuff� with powers in the real world instead of something like personifications of goodness . . . or something like that. ETA: Of note: If it's important to someone - Lacy, it is quickly learned, is transgender (MtF), and hasn't fully transitioned yet (and might never have 'bottom surgery' (did have whatever it is that is done to have breasts; still has a penis. Which she calls her lady cock . . . or clit)). Rating: 3.77 May 17 2017 Merged review: *I received this book from NetGalley, and Less Than Three in return for a fair review.* ‘And that’s enough for me to keep playing superhero.� � Lacey, near end of story. There’s several ways I can ‘read� and ‘take� the story. And yes, that has an impact on rating and enjoyment of the story. I chose to take the story, read it in a certain way that ended up causing the story to be an enjoyable enough read. Though I might not have liked it as well if I’d gone a different direction. I chose to go the direction that pulls in that quote above that started me off. The ‘playing superhero�. Because this story sure did seem to be filled with amateurs, people who didn’t really seem to know what they were doing, and were largely lucky to a) find someone to fight; b) ‘win�. Why do I say that? Amateur superheroes? Well, a lot of time and effort apparently went into recruiting a new superhero to the group � that’s good, professional. But . . . then it was all � okay, you are in, make sure to come to the meetings, here are some phone numbers, be on call. And . . . that’s that. No attempt at any kind of training. No words on what to do on a day to day basis. No words on fighting techniques. Nothing. Heck, you could have everyone be from a military or police background and there still would have been some ‘okay, I was trained to do x in a situation like y, how were you trained?� Here, no one seems to have any kind of background training. Nor do they appear to have taken any time to even think about how they might ‘mesh� together (‘I have fire power. As in, fire comes out of me. � ‘I have the ability to run really really fast.� ‘I’m largely unable to be hurt � largely, not sure about bullets. Oh, and I might be strong-ish�.) Nope just � you are in now. Nothing was even said about what kind of costume might be best; Elena had to ask about that. And the action that takes place in this book? Reflects that amateur hour approach to things. Like, they just kind of noticed/made mention of someone threatening the city without doing much about it. Elena, on her own, tracked down some information. Then she got some of her new teammates to help but � even there its amateur hour. Using your own personal vehicle? Um . . . a big thing was made about hiding your personal identities but . . .. *shrugs* And, what’s up with ‘everyone� heading to that first crisis event (after Elena joined) but only Elena and Lacy actually going into action while everyone else just kind of sat around in their cars (everyone available, some couldn't make it . . . for . . no explained reason - I mean, Elena came and she was dead asleep and had to come in her work-out clothing because she doesn't have a costume, what were the others excuses?)? No clue what anyone else on the team brings to the group, maybe they are just pretending to be superheroes � only Lacy and Elena have shown their ‘abilities� (super speed; ability to shoot fire out of fingers). Maybe the others stayed in the cars because they lied about having any kind of abilities (I know Guardian said they had something like invulnerable skin (or similar) but they never did get involved in any of the fights so . . . lying? Just . . . too busy to get involved in the fights? Fell asleep and forgot? Amateur hour. Can’t really blame Elena, really, for the amateurish stuff she did. Using her personal car. Basically hugging her new girlfriend out late at night in plain sight of parked cars that she has under surveillance, instead of doing the more professional thing of having separation (so one ‘blast� of whatever, bullets, magical power, fists, doesn’t take out both superheroes), and remaining in contact by the phones they did have (there are such things as hand free devices). As said, can’t blame her because no one taught her anything. And yes, this is also why I went this direction in my read � I think the author intended the story to be read this way � it is titled ‘Trial by Fire� � she’s just tossed out there, unguided, untrained, trial by fire indeed. Right, so, I wrote like three pages of notes while reading this short story. Let me see if I’ve covered everything in those notes. Oh, right. There’s a weirdly sibling like vibe coming off Elena and Lacey that I know isn’t intended, since they interact in sexual relations � and can’t keep their hands off each other (especially when they should, like when they are standing around watching a bad guy late at night). Made the sex scenes oddly disturbing. Mmphs. Bad vibe. Luckily the sex in the second scene quickly turned in a direction I want nothing to do with so I just leapt over it (eww, butt sex). First one was oddly interesting and arousing, though, so eww for a different reason. Hehe. Oh right. Heh. I lead into the ‘amateur hour� in my notes by noting that safe sex practiced, but they didn’t seem to practice safe . . . um . . . superheroing (see training and stuff like that). Bah. I kind of ranted for three pages about the amateur hour stuff in my notes so I don’t have anything else from there to add. Okay then. So, this story is about Elena, and from her point of view. She’s a paralegal living and working in Los Angeles California. She’s a Latina, a white Latina, as she puts it (parents from Chile), and has a superpower � the ability to have mild to strong resistance to heat and fire, while also being able to generate fire from her hands. She didn’t really want to actually use her powers until she got bored and decided to join a local superhero group. The story opens with them interviewing her. Fairly quickly she’s a member, doesn’t have a suit yet, but does have some phone numbers. Despite lacking training or a costume to wear, she’s put on call immediately. And, almost immediately, she’s out in the thick of things. Battling a villain who calls himself Consequence. Meanwhile, on the personal front, Elena picks up a new girlfriend named Lacy. Who happens to already be a member of the same superhero group Elena has joined (this kind of makes it seem like they meet first at a supermarket or something � no, Elena meets Lacy through the group). Luckily for my own sensibilities, they don’t go immediately from meeting to love, but they do seem to get to ‘can’t stop touching you� rather quickly. A good interesting story. I’d like to read more in this universe. And yes, I realize that I kind of said a bunch of stuff that could be seen as negative � I saw it as positives � as these are real people attempting to ‘do stuff� with powers in the real world instead of something like personifications of goodness . . . or something like that. ETA: Of note: If it's important to someone - Lacy, it is quickly learned, is transgender (MtF), and hasn't fully transitioned yet (and might never have 'bottom surgery' (did have whatever it is that is done to have breasts; still has a penis. Which she calls her lady cock . . . or clit)). Rating: 3.77 May 17 2017 ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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May 16, 2017
not set
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May 17, 2017
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 149671217X
| 9781496712172
| B071YY6ZT3
| 3.80
| 1,774
| Jan 30, 2018
| Jan 30, 2018
|
it was amazing
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None
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Notes are private!
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2
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Dec 20, 2019
not set
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Dec 21, 2019
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 099821793X
| 9780998217932
| B07NCN98M9
| 4.28
| 283
| Mar 01, 2019
| Mar 01, 2019
|
it was amazing
|
Other than a short story, I’ve mostly either loved or really really liked what I've read by this author, and yet I always seem vaguely . . . slow in g
Other than a short story, I’ve mostly either loved or really really liked what I've read by this author, and yet I always seem vaguely . . . slow in getting myself to start a book by them. Eh, no idea what that’s about. This specific book here involves an American with a deep connection to Ireland who has, after careful planning and preparation, set up a trip to Ireland. Specifically to the same place her grandparents are from (and the same place where ‘The Quiet Man� was filmed). Also a real life location � Cong, County Mayo, Ireland. A thirty-something librarian (her specific age was given, it slips my mind), Nora McNeill has spent most of her life, except for a more independent early period, living under the constraints of bowing to the will of more domineering individuals � including her sister, and later her . . . something like a girlfriend Amy. So this trip to Ireland is both something of a break from her lifelong personality, and a chance to reinvent herself (or, at least, ‘grow a spine�). The book is more about Nora and her interactions with her family’s Irish past, but does have a deep romantic storyline through the other POV character Briana Devlin (actually, there are more than two POV’s presented). There’s a neat story of the two growing close and becoming friends and stuff, but their story is overshadowed by another � one that’s in the book description and involves a ghost. Yeah, see, this isn’t a straight forward lesbian romance set in Ireland. There’s also a bit of supernatural stuff going on. Ghosts and witches, and all that. Both elements are handled well � the lesbian romance, and the more fantastical stuff. I suppose the thing I was slightly less than happy with were those parts that were not in either main character’s POV � those parts set in . . . hmm, mid-1800s when a certain family was living and working during the great potato famine in Ireland. There’s a reason why their story was told, an important reason, but I did find it distracting at times. Right, so, great book. Rating: 4.78 March 30 2019 Merged review: Other than a short story, I’ve mostly either loved or really really liked what I've read by this author, and yet I always seem vaguely . . . slow in getting myself to start a book by them. Eh, no idea what that’s about. This specific book here involves an American with a deep connection to Ireland who has, after careful planning and preparation, set up a trip to Ireland. Specifically to the same place her grandparents are from (and the same place where ‘The Quiet Man� was filmed). Also a real life location � Cong, County Mayo, Ireland. A thirty-something librarian (her specific age was given, it slips my mind), Nora McNeill has spent most of her life, except for a more independent early period, living under the constraints of bowing to the will of more domineering individuals � including her sister, and later her . . . something like a girlfriend Amy. So this trip to Ireland is both something of a break from her lifelong personality, and a chance to reinvent herself (or, at least, ‘grow a spine�). The book is more about Nora and her interactions with her family’s Irish past, but does have a deep romantic storyline through the other POV character Briana Devlin (actually, there are more than two POV’s presented). There’s a neat story of the two growing close and becoming friends and stuff, but their story is overshadowed by another � one that’s in the book description and involves a ghost. Yeah, see, this isn’t a straight forward lesbian romance set in Ireland. There’s also a bit of supernatural stuff going on. Ghosts and witches, and all that. Both elements are handled well � the lesbian romance, and the more fantastical stuff. I suppose the thing I was slightly less than happy with were those parts that were not in either main character’s POV � those parts set in . . . hmm, mid-1800s when a certain family was living and working during the great potato famine in Ireland. There’s a reason why their story was told, an important reason, but I did find it distracting at times. Right, so, great book. Rating: 4.78 March 30 2019 ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Mar 27, 2019
not set
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Mar 28, 2019
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 1635558727
| 9781635558722
| B08WLFS94H
| 3.89
| 303
| Mar 16, 2021
| Mar 16, 2021
|
it was amazing
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None
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Notes are private!
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2
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Mar 23, 2021
not set
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Mar 23, 2021
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 1626494878
| 9781626494879
| B01N34GG4B
| 3.65
| 252
| Jan 16, 2017
| Jan 16, 2017
|
it was amazing
|
I decided to try a book where there likely wouldn’t be much if any � likely no sex in it. So I tried a book where the main character was both asexual
I decided to try a book where there likely wouldn’t be much if any � likely no sex in it. So I tried a book where the main character was both asexual and aromantic. I relatively rapidly grew tired of that book so moved to another asexual lead character, but this time they are asexual bioromantic. That’s one of those things to be reminded of immediately � asexual does not mean that the person never absolutely never has any type of relationships and that they live their lives happily alone. Though it can mean that, depending on the individual. Though even if they are asexual and aromantic, they might end up in some kind of relationship (which I mention because one of the ‘couples� in this book does include someone who self-describes themselves as asexual and aromantic and yet are in some kind of relationship with someone who uses plural pronouns (referring here to Sarah and Bailey). Evie, one of the two main characters, has had relationships in her past � and is asexual. She’s had relationships with both men and women (not at the same time . . . I think), hence calling herself biromantic. Biromantic instead of bisexual because she’s asexual, in her sexual orientation, and bi-in her romantic orientation. She’s also a perfect example of someone who is both asexual and has sex � and, for that matter, is sometimes even quite eager ‘for it�. Eager might be pushing it, but sometimes it seemed that way. In general vague sense there are two types of asexual –in column 1 we have those who are ‘sex-repulsed�; and in column 2 we have � ‘I’ve forgotten the term� (oh, I think ‘sex-positive� gets used). Sex-repulsed asexual, as might or might not be obvious, want nothing to do with sex � at all. Sex-positive asexual doesn’t particularly want sex . . . except in certain situations; either they are willing to have sex because their partner wants sex, but they themselves will ‘get nothing� out of it; or they actually will ‘get something� out of it because they fall into the ‘demisexual� category � someone experiencing ‘sexual attraction� because they have developed, first, an emotional connection/attachment to someone � a somewhat better definition is actually used in this book by Evie to describe herself. Yet she doesn’t actually use the phrase ‘demisexual� (unless I missed it). But that is what Evie is � demisexual and biromantic. Evie is from York England and is 26. Her job just suddenly poofed on her, due to the company closing (or something like that), and so she has to find something to do for the next few months � she had already set herself up to go get an advanced degree at a university in Toronto, but she can’t just go there early (Visa issues). She can, though, go over early to scope the place out on vacation, to then leave then come back on an education visa. Which she decides to do. Strangely this book and the one I had started and stopped begin the same way � waiting next to a baggage carousel waiting for a suitcase to appear, and with some vague worries about whether it really will arrive, etc. etc. But it does arrive, and so Evie’s freed to exit and . . . see a sign and stuffed Godzilla for her. For she’s going to be staying in Toronto with her Tumblr friend � Sarah (who goes by ‘Greybeard� on Tumblr, while Evie goes by Queen Evazilla). They found they had some mutual interests � namely . . . um . . . drawings? Manga? Well, that and asexual stuff. That’s one of the things Evie’s over for, well not specifically asexual things, but for Pride events in Toronto (and to meet up with some other asexuals). Evie’s second or third day in Toronto finds her being talked into playing on a dance machine with Sarah � in competition with Sarah (since Bailey, Sarah’s roommate who appears to be vaguely more than that, doesn’t dance). Turns out that the dance machine ‘thingie� was being used to audition people for a dance competition between two dance studios who would take ‘non-professional� dancers, match them up with teachers, teach them for a week, then have a dance-off during Pride events. This is how we meet the other main character and main point of view � Tyler Davis. Course Evie and Tyler’s first meeting is a classic ‘meet bad�. The two heads of the dance studios are congratulating Evie on her ‘top score�, inviting her to join the event, and then arguing about who she would join. Evie begins to tell them that she didn’t realize that it was a competition, an audition, (well tell a third person who stepped up while the dance studio heads fought each other over her), when some man stepped up and said she’d do it. ”I’m very sorry,� she started, “I didn’t really know about-� Heh � I didn’t mean to quote all that, I did because it included a description of the other main character. Well, meet badly, as I said. Though she agrees to do the competition, though she didn’t immediately realize she was agreeing to dance with the arrogant self-entitled man. But with the fun looking gay man who was also there. Since Tyler, who is also Sarah’s friend, sounded ‘fun� in Sarah’s descriptions. Tyler Davis, meanwhile, is a 100% straight black (biracial) man of 25. Why is he working at a Queer Studios? Well, he is also transgender. He is FtM. The book was interesting and fun. Deeper and more mature than expected. One bit of annoyance - Evie has something of a . . . difficult relationship with her mother and there's a moment that occurs, via email (view spoiler)[that could change the relationship. She's in Toronto, mother is in York, though, so . . .. But then Evie heads back to York for a few months before returning to Toronto and . . . any type of scene with her family (good bad mixed indifferent) simply isn't shown - the reader is just told that certain things happened. That's the annoyance bit. (hide spoiler)] Rating: 4.80 May 23 2017 Merged review: I decided to try a book where there likely wouldn’t be much if any � likely no sex in it. So I tried a book where the main character was both asexual and aromantic. I relatively rapidly grew tired of that book so moved to another asexual lead character, but this time they are asexual bioromantic. That’s one of those things to be reminded of immediately � asexual does not mean that the person never absolutely never has any type of relationships and that they live their lives happily alone. Though it can mean that, depending on the individual. Though even if they are asexual and aromantic, they might end up in some kind of relationship (which I mention because one of the ‘couples� in this book does include someone who self-describes themselves as asexual and aromantic and yet are in some kind of relationship with someone who uses plural pronouns (referring here to Sarah and Bailey). Evie, one of the two main characters, has had relationships in her past � and is asexual. She’s had relationships with both men and women (not at the same time . . . I think), hence calling herself biromantic. Biromantic instead of bisexual because she’s asexual, in her sexual orientation, and bi-in her romantic orientation. She’s also a perfect example of someone who is both asexual and has sex � and, for that matter, is sometimes even quite eager ‘for it�. Eager might be pushing it, but sometimes it seemed that way. In general vague sense there are two types of asexual –in column 1 we have those who are ‘sex-repulsed�; and in column 2 we have � ‘I’ve forgotten the term� (oh, I think ‘sex-positive� gets used). Sex-repulsed asexual, as might or might not be obvious, want nothing to do with sex � at all. Sex-positive asexual doesn’t particularly want sex . . . except in certain situations; either they are willing to have sex because their partner wants sex, but they themselves will ‘get nothing� out of it; or they actually will ‘get something� out of it because they fall into the ‘demisexual� category � someone experiencing ‘sexual attraction� because they have developed, first, an emotional connection/attachment to someone � a somewhat better definition is actually used in this book by Evie to describe herself. Yet she doesn’t actually use the phrase ‘demisexual� (unless I missed it). But that is what Evie is � demisexual and biromantic. Evie is from York England and is 26. Her job just suddenly poofed on her, due to the company closing (or something like that), and so she has to find something to do for the next few months � she had already set herself up to go get an advanced degree at a university in Toronto, but she can’t just go there early (Visa issues). She can, though, go over early to scope the place out on vacation, to then leave then come back on an education visa. Which she decides to do. Strangely this book and the one I had started and stopped begin the same way � waiting next to a baggage carousel waiting for a suitcase to appear, and with some vague worries about whether it really will arrive, etc. etc. But it does arrive, and so Evie’s freed to exit and . . . see a sign and stuffed Godzilla for her. For she’s going to be staying in Toronto with her Tumblr friend � Sarah (who goes by ‘Greybeard� on Tumblr, while Evie goes by Queen Evazilla). They found they had some mutual interests � namely . . . um . . . drawings? Manga? Well, that and asexual stuff. That’s one of the things Evie’s over for, well not specifically asexual things, but for Pride events in Toronto (and to meet up with some other asexuals). Evie’s second or third day in Toronto finds her being talked into playing on a dance machine with Sarah � in competition with Sarah (since Bailey, Sarah’s roommate who appears to be vaguely more than that, doesn’t dance). Turns out that the dance machine ‘thingie� was being used to audition people for a dance competition between two dance studios who would take ‘non-professional� dancers, match them up with teachers, teach them for a week, then have a dance-off during Pride events. This is how we meet the other main character and main point of view � Tyler Davis. Course Evie and Tyler’s first meeting is a classic ‘meet bad�. The two heads of the dance studios are congratulating Evie on her ‘top score�, inviting her to join the event, and then arguing about who she would join. Evie begins to tell them that she didn’t realize that it was a competition, an audition, (well tell a third person who stepped up while the dance studio heads fought each other over her), when some man stepped up and said she’d do it. ”I’m very sorry,� she started, “I didn’t really know about-� Heh � I didn’t mean to quote all that, I did because it included a description of the other main character. Well, meet badly, as I said. Though she agrees to do the competition, though she didn’t immediately realize she was agreeing to dance with the arrogant self-entitled man. But with the fun looking gay man who was also there. Since Tyler, who is also Sarah’s friend, sounded ‘fun� in Sarah’s descriptions. Tyler Davis, meanwhile, is a 100% straight black (biracial) man of 25. Why is he working at a Queer Studios? Well, he is also transgender. He is FtM. The book was interesting and fun. Deeper and more mature than expected. One bit of annoyance - Evie has something of a . . . difficult relationship with her mother and there's a moment that occurs, via email (view spoiler)[that could change the relationship. She's in Toronto, mother is in York, though, so . . .. But then Evie heads back to York for a few months before returning to Toronto and . . . any type of scene with her family (good bad mixed indifferent) simply isn't shown - the reader is just told that certain things happened. That's the annoyance bit. (hide spoiler)] Rating: 4.80 May 23 2017 ...more |
Notes are private!
|
2
|
May 22, 2017
not set
|
May 22, 2017
not set
|
Sep 27, 2024
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 168431027X
| 9781684310272
| B07482Y3SQ
| 2.80
| 94
| Jul 26, 2017
| Jul 26, 2017
|
really liked it
|
*I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Less Than Three Press in exchange for an honest review.* I actually read this a short time ago, I th *I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Less Than Three Press in exchange for an honest review.* I actually read this a short time ago, I think on the 9th of June. But had been putting off marking the read since the story itself won't be out until the end of July. This story here, like another recently read short story released through Less than Three Press, is a Fairy Tale Retelling. The Little Mermaid was originally written and released April 7 1837 by Hans Christian Andersen. Based on what I recall of the story, I'd have assumed that it was by the Brothers Grimm, considering it's bloody nature, though maybe all fairy tales are deeply and graphically bloody and violent. I know less of Andersen's stories, though. Though I have read a few non-Grimm Fairy Tales, and while the Beauty and the Beast story is deeply misogynistic (the good pretty girl is destined, and happy for it!, to be bound to a whiny violent ugly brat (really, read the original story some time, that original story beast could give some of the modern day 'alphaholes' a run for their money in being a bastard asshole)) but, other than threatening it, wasn't deeply graphically bloody. Right, sorry, got distracted there. The original tale and the retelling is remarkably similar - though there is an addition of a sister for the Sea Witch in this story here. She takes on some of the role that had originally been given to others in the original story (with the addition of lesbianism). Looking at the original story, this story, and the Disney film - this story here is much closer to the original story (both the original and this one promise death to the mermaid if she fails in her quest; the film promised servitude to the sea witch). An interesting and super quick story. Satisfying. Rating: 3.75 June 12 2017 Merged review: *I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Less Than Three Press in exchange for an honest review.* I actually read this a short time ago, I think on the 9th of June. But had been putting off marking the read since the story itself won't be out until the end of July. This story here, like another recently read short story released through Less than Three Press, is a Fairy Tale Retelling. The Little Mermaid was originally written and released April 7 1837 by Hans Christian Andersen. Based on what I recall of the story, I'd have assumed that it was by the Brothers Grimm, considering it's bloody nature, though maybe all fairy tales are deeply and graphically bloody and violent. I know less of Andersen's stories, though. Though I have read a few non-Grimm Fairy Tales, and while the Beauty and the Beast story is deeply misogynistic (the good pretty girl is destined, and happy for it!, to be bound to a whiny violent ugly brat (really, read the original story some time, that original story beast could give some of the modern day 'alphaholes' a run for their money in being a bastard asshole)) but, other than threatening it, wasn't deeply graphically bloody. Right, sorry, got distracted there. The original tale and the retelling is remarkably similar - though there is an addition of a sister for the Sea Witch in this story here. She takes on some of the role that had originally been given to others in the original story (with the addition of lesbianism). Looking at the original story, this story, and the Disney film - this story here is much closer to the original story (both the original and this one promise death to the mermaid if she fails in her quest; the film promised servitude to the sea witch). An interesting and super quick story. Satisfying. Rating: 3.75 June 12 2017 ...more |
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Jun 09, 2017
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Sep 26, 2024
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| 1620049465
| 9781620049464
| B06WGQ6576
| 4.23
| 78
| Feb 15, 2017
| Feb 15, 2017
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it was amazing
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*I received this book from NetGalley, and Less than Three Press in return for an honest review.* I believe that the most recent werewolf story/book I r *I received this book from NetGalley, and Less than Three Press in return for an honest review.* I believe that the most recent werewolf story/book I read I made some comment about how it had been the best, or among the best or . . . well, I've this vague recollection I made a comment like that regarding a werewolf book relatively recently. I've also relatively recently rated two werewolf books close to 3 stars, so I've not exactly gone out of my head regarding werewolf stories. Why do I mention that? Why do I start off my review that way? Simple. I surprised myself here. I, somewhat randomly, looked at various books/short stories on offer on Netgalley, saw this story here, thought it looked interesting, and read it. And, I have to say, found myself in a warm fuzzy place that actually made me teary-eyed at a few moments (no idea what that's about, maybe my eyes are off). And, not only do I have this vague feeling that I've just read one of the better werewolf stories I've attempted, I also feel as if I've read one of the better lesbian stories. I do not wish to use the word 'best' or 'one of the best' as I seem to be miss-using that phrase/word lately. But . . . something like that. The story? Something like a slice of life look at a group of women living and working in England. At a bed and breakfast (there was some comment that flew past me without me paying much attention indicating that it was something different than that . . . but I might have misread that). All have some 'issues' they are attempting to get through, pasts to live down. A lot of those issues occurred/developed because of another thing all these women share in common - they are werewolves. There's Gloria, the 'not-the-alpha' who owns and runs the place, Nadine the chef, Lissa & Louisa who are loners/and or newly bitten (within six months) who are the waitresses (and have been circling each other. Then there's . . . the gardner man. Who is human. And whose name is escaping me for some reason. mmphs. Then there's Eben, another human, who comes calling one night looking for someone. Lovely story. As mentioned, warm and fuzzy. Fun. Unexpectedly explicit briefly (I had accidentally mixed several book snippets together and forgot this one did have that bit about 'some explicit content'). It probably hit me differently than someone else, especially if they read it after reading my review. Since I wasn't expecting anything and they would be (it's one of those 'went so far and then . . . new scene' type of explicit action). I've never read anything by this author. I now desire to dive into their stuff and hopefully find some more interesting stuff. Rating: 5+ February 28 2017 Merged review: *I received this book from NetGalley, and Less than Three Press in return for an honest review.* I believe that the most recent werewolf story/book I read I made some comment about how it had been the best, or among the best or . . . well, I've this vague recollection I made a comment like that regarding a werewolf book relatively recently. I've also relatively recently rated two werewolf books close to 3 stars, so I've not exactly gone out of my head regarding werewolf stories. Why do I mention that? Why do I start off my review that way? Simple. I surprised myself here. I, somewhat randomly, looked at various books/short stories on offer on Netgalley, saw this story here, thought it looked interesting, and read it. And, I have to say, found myself in a warm fuzzy place that actually made me teary-eyed at a few moments (no idea what that's about, maybe my eyes are off). And, not only do I have this vague feeling that I've just read one of the better werewolf stories I've attempted, I also feel as if I've read one of the better lesbian stories. I do not wish to use the word 'best' or 'one of the best' as I seem to be miss-using that phrase/word lately. But . . . something like that. The story? Something like a slice of life look at a group of women living and working in England. At a bed and breakfast (there was some comment that flew past me without me paying much attention indicating that it was something different than that . . . but I might have misread that). All have some 'issues' they are attempting to get through, pasts to live down. A lot of those issues occurred/developed because of another thing all these women share in common - they are werewolves. There's Gloria, the 'not-the-alpha' who owns and runs the place, Nadine the chef, Lissa & Louisa who are loners/and or newly bitten (within six months) who are the waitresses (and have been circling each other. Then there's . . . the gardner man. Who is human. And whose name is escaping me for some reason. mmphs. Then there's Eben, another human, who comes calling one night looking for someone. Lovely story. As mentioned, warm and fuzzy. Fun. Unexpectedly explicit briefly (I had accidentally mixed several book snippets together and forgot this one did have that bit about 'some explicit content'). It probably hit me differently than someone else, especially if they read it after reading my review. Since I wasn't expecting anything and they would be (it's one of those 'went so far and then . . . new scene' type of explicit action). I've never read anything by this author. I now desire to dive into their stuff and hopefully find some more interesting stuff. Rating: 5+ February 28 2017 ...more |
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Feb 28, 2017
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| 1619220822
| 9781619220829
| B00G7R8VGU
| 3.73
| 63
| Mar 25, 2014
| Mar 25, 2014
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it was amazing
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This is very much a story that requires the reading of 'Top Student' and 'Girl Trouble'. Considering this is a series of stories that are roughly 90 p
This is very much a story that requires the reading of 'Top Student' and 'Girl Trouble'. Considering this is a series of stories that are roughly 90 pages in length, the ones that get a full number, I am uncertain why Top Student (at 60 pages in length) is considered a .5; especially as Top Student and Girl Trouble go together as something like part 1 and part 2 of the Bonita Pritchard/Kat St. James story. Destiny & Johnny are in book 1. Alisa Mane and Mark Winters are the stars of book 2. Crystal LaRusso and Ryan something star in book 3 (which is actually more than 90 pages at 157). Then Bonita & Kat star in books 3.5 and 4 (well, Kat, Destiny & Johnny star in book 3.5, though Bonita’s presence is felt since Kat is there for Bonita). Therefore this is an interconnected series based around a sex shop called Come Again � owned by Bonita. So, since all but book 3 are nearish the same length (give or take 30 pages), then this should just be a five book series, not one where Top Student gets side-tracked as a ‘fill in�. Especially since books 3.5 & 4 go together. Or, in other words, if you read only one ‘sub-series�, read 3.5 & 4. Though ‘Girl Trouble� is currently missing. Curious if there’s a connection to the fact that the only F/F book in the series is the part of the series missing from Amazon (there’s a FMF scene at the start, but it’s a waking up from it scene, not graphic detailed scene). Wait, no, ‘Hook Up� is also missing. So scratch that idea. Right � that above wasn’t really what I wanted to say/write about. ‘Top Student� is currently free on Amazon as of this writing (September 8 2016). I read that story back in April of 2014 and really enjoyed it � a mix of FMF, and FF that one. A story about a woman who is attempting to locate and be with the woman who she loves, but who is dodging her ‘for reasons�. So she, Kat, heads from California to the east coast and the sex shop known as ‘Come Again�. Searching for that woman, for Bonita. But she can’t find her. She does, though find out that Bonita has been spending a good deal of time in the BDSM world. And she gets two of Bonita’s friends to help her understand that world, because she wants to do everything she can to get Bonita back. So that’s what ‘Top Student� is about � Destiny & Johnny teaching Kat. This story here, though, isn’t ‘Top Student�. It’s ‘Girl Trouble�. Part two of the Bonita/Kat story. Two years after I read part one; I finally got around to reading part two. No real idea why I took so long. Kat St. James and Bonita Pritchard grew up together. And played together. Sexy games. But St. James had a dream, a dream of making it huge in Hollywood, a dream that Bonita didn’t� feel like she could be a part of, or, in other words, she decided she had to step aside to allow Kat to spread her wings and fly. They did keep in touch over the years, yearly visits. Until three years before the start of this story here when Bonita started dodging Kat’s visits. Kat has sent out feelers/messages to try to lure Bonita back to her. Story starts, though, with a self-destructive Kat bouncing around, drunk, and looking for something to overwhelm her mind, so she hooks up with a man and a woman � mostly because the woman reminds her of Bonita. Eventually, though, Bonita breaks down and visits Kat. They have a lot of fun together, Kat and Bonita; mixed with both fearing what will happen in a week (Kat is determined to bind Bonita to her and Bonita is determined to leave after a week). Lots of feelings, emotions, graphic dominate/submissive sex; and the kind of ‘flash backs� I like. I do not particularly like flash backs (or forwards, or sides (a parallel story that follows a different plot line that may or may not intersect the current story)). This author here showed that you can reveal certain information in a few words without having to have hundreds/thousands of words � you can drop hints about that growing up together, of getting ready for prom together, of the games they played, by side comments, by lines here or there, without having to interrupt the flow for a mutli-chapter 10,000 word jaunt into flash-back land. Quite lovely, that. I mentioned in a status update that this is exactly what I had been looking for for years. And that I had had the book for 2 years before I got around to reading it. By ‘what I had been looking for� I mean a good solid strong dominate woman who has true feelings of love mixed up with a submissive, though in her own way strong woman who also feels the stirrings of love. That complements each other � Kat being wild and reckless and domineering � but pulled back from the edge by Bonita; Bonita being something of a control freak who needs, wants, and gets release from these control needs through the trust in Kat. Or something like that. I’ve probably overrated Domme/Submissive books in the past, and I probably overrate this one. Tis my life to do such. September 8 2016 Merged review: This is very much a story that requires the reading of 'Top Student' and 'Girl Trouble'. Considering this is a series of stories that are roughly 90 pages in length, the ones that get a full number, I am uncertain why Top Student (at 60 pages in length) is considered a .5; especially as Top Student and Girl Trouble go together as something like part 1 and part 2 of the Bonita Pritchard/Kat St. James story. Destiny & Johnny are in book 1. Alisa Mane and Mark Winters are the stars of book 2. Crystal LaRusso and Ryan something star in book 3 (which is actually more than 90 pages at 157). Then Bonita & Kat star in books 3.5 and 4 (well, Kat, Destiny & Johnny star in book 3.5, though Bonita’s presence is felt since Kat is there for Bonita). Therefore this is an interconnected series based around a sex shop called Come Again � owned by Bonita. So, since all but book 3 are nearish the same length (give or take 30 pages), then this should just be a five book series, not one where Top Student gets side-tracked as a ‘fill in�. Especially since books 3.5 & 4 go together. Or, in other words, if you read only one ‘sub-series�, read 3.5 & 4. Though ‘Girl Trouble� is currently missing. Curious if there’s a connection to the fact that the only F/F book in the series is the part of the series missing from Amazon (there’s a FMF scene at the start, but it’s a waking up from it scene, not graphic detailed scene). Wait, no, ‘Hook Up� is also missing. So scratch that idea. Right � that above wasn’t really what I wanted to say/write about. ‘Top Student� is currently free on Amazon as of this writing (September 8 2016). I read that story back in April of 2014 and really enjoyed it � a mix of FMF, and FF that one. A story about a woman who is attempting to locate and be with the woman who she loves, but who is dodging her ‘for reasons�. So she, Kat, heads from California to the east coast and the sex shop known as ‘Come Again�. Searching for that woman, for Bonita. But she can’t find her. She does, though find out that Bonita has been spending a good deal of time in the BDSM world. And she gets two of Bonita’s friends to help her understand that world, because she wants to do everything she can to get Bonita back. So that’s what ‘Top Student� is about � Destiny & Johnny teaching Kat. This story here, though, isn’t ‘Top Student�. It’s ‘Girl Trouble�. Part two of the Bonita/Kat story. Two years after I read part one; I finally got around to reading part two. No real idea why I took so long. Kat St. James and Bonita Pritchard grew up together. And played together. Sexy games. But St. James had a dream, a dream of making it huge in Hollywood, a dream that Bonita didn’t� feel like she could be a part of, or, in other words, she decided she had to step aside to allow Kat to spread her wings and fly. They did keep in touch over the years, yearly visits. Until three years before the start of this story here when Bonita started dodging Kat’s visits. Kat has sent out feelers/messages to try to lure Bonita back to her. Story starts, though, with a self-destructive Kat bouncing around, drunk, and looking for something to overwhelm her mind, so she hooks up with a man and a woman � mostly because the woman reminds her of Bonita. Eventually, though, Bonita breaks down and visits Kat. They have a lot of fun together, Kat and Bonita; mixed with both fearing what will happen in a week (Kat is determined to bind Bonita to her and Bonita is determined to leave after a week). Lots of feelings, emotions, graphic dominate/submissive sex; and the kind of ‘flash backs� I like. I do not particularly like flash backs (or forwards, or sides (a parallel story that follows a different plot line that may or may not intersect the current story)). This author here showed that you can reveal certain information in a few words without having to have hundreds/thousands of words � you can drop hints about that growing up together, of getting ready for prom together, of the games they played, by side comments, by lines here or there, without having to interrupt the flow for a mutli-chapter 10,000 word jaunt into flash-back land. Quite lovely, that. I mentioned in a status update that this is exactly what I had been looking for for years. And that I had had the book for 2 years before I got around to reading it. By ‘what I had been looking for� I mean a good solid strong dominate woman who has true feelings of love mixed up with a submissive, though in her own way strong woman who also feels the stirrings of love. That complements each other � Kat being wild and reckless and domineering � but pulled back from the edge by Bonita; Bonita being something of a control freak who needs, wants, and gets release from these control needs through the trust in Kat. Or something like that. I’ve probably overrated Domme/Submissive books in the past, and I probably overrate this one. Tis my life to do such. September 8 2016 ...more |
Notes are private!
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Sep 08, 2016
not set
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Sep 08, 2016
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Sep 24, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| 1684310318
| 9781684310319
| B072N5LC2K
| 3.27
| 11
| Jun 13, 2017
| Jun 14, 2017
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really liked it
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*I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Less Than Three Press in exchange for an honest review.* I was not aware of the Goose Girl story fai *I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Less Than Three Press in exchange for an honest review.* I was not aware of the Goose Girl story fairy tale before reading this story here. Well, I’ve a vague idea I’ve heard the title before, and that it was a fairy tale, but I’ve not read it so I can’t say how this story here is similar or different. *looks it up* Okay, so, ‘The Goose Girl� was put out by the Brothers Grimm in 1815. *reads* And, as might be expected, the Brothers Grimm story is vastly more horrifying than you might expect for a fairy tale, as the original tales actually are. I was reading along and the story was similar � the fairy tale and the retelling, then the horse’s head gets nailed to a door and the little girl talks to it when she passes by. That’s the Grimm tale. No severed horse’s heads appear in Gallica’s version. Right, enough of that. As both the Brothers Grimm story, and this story here has it � a young woman is sent off by her royal parent(s) (Grimm story � pop’s is dead; Gallica story � both king and queen are still alive) to be married. The young princess has no ability to get out of it, no choice. She is forced to conform, to do her duty. So she sent off to marry this mostly unknown boy (they had apparently been near each other at least once as very young children). One maid travels with her. As in the Grimm story, the maid refuses to continue serving the young princess, steals her identity and wanders off to the castle to marry the prince (actually, not sure if it is a prince in the Grimm version) while the real Princess is forced to be a servant. I already mentioned two differences (severed horse head, dead/not dead pops), another is that the goose boy in the Grimm story is named Conrad, and in the Gallica story is named Konrad. And here ends my comparison because I’ve not read any more of the Grimm version. Right, so, Ava (the princess, and the main point of view character) rides off on her favorite horse Falada (same name in the Grimm tale) with the maid Otilla. Before they left, the Queen � the mother � gives Ava a charm so that she would not be harmed on her journey by anything found along the way (which is important, of course, the wording). Along the way Ava is forced to change places with Otilla, and once they arrive at the castle where Ava was to be married, fake Princess Ava is warmly greeted while fake servant is said, by fake Ava, to be super bad as a servant and clumsy and stuff. So fake servant is lead away to work in the castle. Otilla � as Ava � says that the servant’s name is Margrit. One thing leads to another and Margrit works as a goose girl who, for reasons, pretends to be mute (and they are important reasons). She watches the geese, watches Otilla as Ava (who makes a point of always being nearby at the end of the day looking super happy), and lives this life for a week or so until the wedding day appears. But let’s not give everything away, eh? I rather liked this story. Quite interesting and entertaining. Ava sighed. She’d heard that many little girls dreamed of being princesses, but that was only because they had no idea what being a princess entailed. They thought of it as having all the money in the world and the freedom to do with it as one wished. They weren’t thinking of the impeccable manners, the endless tutors, the state visits, the social schedule so full that going for a ride was a treasured treat. Or the arranged marriages. For that matter, every single one of Ava’s friends had been chosen for her by her mother . . . Rating: 3.73 June 8 2017 Merged review: *I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Less Than Three Press in exchange for an honest review.* I was not aware of the Goose Girl story fairy tale before reading this story here. Well, I’ve a vague idea I’ve heard the title before, and that it was a fairy tale, but I’ve not read it so I can’t say how this story here is similar or different. *looks it up* Okay, so, ‘The Goose Girl� was put out by the Brothers Grimm in 1815. *reads* And, as might be expected, the Brothers Grimm story is vastly more horrifying than you might expect for a fairy tale, as the original tales actually are. I was reading along and the story was similar � the fairy tale and the retelling, then the horse’s head gets nailed to a door and the little girl talks to it when she passes by. That’s the Grimm tale. No severed horse’s heads appear in Gallica’s version. Right, enough of that. As both the Brothers Grimm story, and this story here has it � a young woman is sent off by her royal parent(s) (Grimm story � pop’s is dead; Gallica story � both king and queen are still alive) to be married. The young princess has no ability to get out of it, no choice. She is forced to conform, to do her duty. So she sent off to marry this mostly unknown boy (they had apparently been near each other at least once as very young children). One maid travels with her. As in the Grimm story, the maid refuses to continue serving the young princess, steals her identity and wanders off to the castle to marry the prince (actually, not sure if it is a prince in the Grimm version) while the real Princess is forced to be a servant. I already mentioned two differences (severed horse head, dead/not dead pops), another is that the goose boy in the Grimm story is named Conrad, and in the Gallica story is named Konrad. And here ends my comparison because I’ve not read any more of the Grimm version. Right, so, Ava (the princess, and the main point of view character) rides off on her favorite horse Falada (same name in the Grimm tale) with the maid Otilla. Before they left, the Queen � the mother � gives Ava a charm so that she would not be harmed on her journey by anything found along the way (which is important, of course, the wording). Along the way Ava is forced to change places with Otilla, and once they arrive at the castle where Ava was to be married, fake Princess Ava is warmly greeted while fake servant is said, by fake Ava, to be super bad as a servant and clumsy and stuff. So fake servant is lead away to work in the castle. Otilla � as Ava � says that the servant’s name is Margrit. One thing leads to another and Margrit works as a goose girl who, for reasons, pretends to be mute (and they are important reasons). She watches the geese, watches Otilla as Ava (who makes a point of always being nearby at the end of the day looking super happy), and lives this life for a week or so until the wedding day appears. But let’s not give everything away, eh? I rather liked this story. Quite interesting and entertaining. Ava sighed. She’d heard that many little girls dreamed of being princesses, but that was only because they had no idea what being a princess entailed. They thought of it as having all the money in the world and the freedom to do with it as one wished. They weren’t thinking of the impeccable manners, the endless tutors, the state visits, the social schedule so full that going for a ride was a treasured treat. Or the arranged marriages. For that matter, every single one of Ava’s friends had been chosen for her by her mother . . . Rating: 3.73 June 8 2017 ...more |
Notes are private!
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Jun 08, 2017
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Sep 23, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| 9781626495135
| B072KZKKWX
| 3.56
| 432
| Apr 22, 2017
| Apr 24, 2017
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really liked it
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mmphs, there's always all this kissing in Asexual romances. eww (they want to show intimacy, they don't want/enjoy sex, so . . . lots of kissing; I'd
mmphs, there's always all this kissing in Asexual romances. eww (they want to show intimacy, they don't want/enjoy sex, so . . . lots of kissing; I'd rather fuck than kiss, and I don't really wanna fuck...) Series: Seasons of Love; Can you read this book without reading any other book in the series? Like I said about the other book I've read in this 4 book series - yes. Though there might be things you'd miss. I've now read books 2 and 3 - both books include as characters (in level of importance in book 2): Abby (Abigail), Brie (Gabrielle), Nathan, Sara, Tony, Jason. Jason and Tony are barely in book 2; Jason is barely in book 3, though Tony plays a much larger role (at least compared to book 2). Sara stars in book 3; plays a much smaller role in book 2 than I'd have expected. Nathan is Abby's friend, and plays a large role in this book; and is Sara's friend and plays a large-ish role in book 3; Sara, herself, is also Abby's friend and is turned to a few times. Oh, forgot there was a very brief appearance by Laura - she stars in book 3; did Abby's make-up once as a favor in book 2. Brie stars in book 2 and is barely in book 3 (and by star, I mean love interest, this is all Abby's POV show). Abby stars in book 2, and is much less of a part of book 3 than might be expected. I believe I called her something like 'one of the barely seen friends' in my review for book 3. Wow, this paragraph is downright exciting. Abby is 29 (just like Sara was 29 in book 3; I suspect that if I read book 1 and 4, the two stars there will be listed as being 29 . . . heh, maybe). She works in a library in Brooklyn, and lives in a shoebox apartment with a roommate named Jena. The book opens with her being slutted up, sorry, with her having massive layers of make-up slapped onto her face (by Sara the diner waitress/manager (her job wasn't mentioned in this book, beyond a brief 'stopped by Sara's diner' type mention), and then with a very much 'barely there' dress pulled from Sara's closet (which is vaguely amusing considering what is found in her closet when book three stars Sara - not exactly that type of clothing). Why is she getting all . . . . um, slicked up? As a favor for her friend Nathan who has to go to a charity gala and his rich boyfriend has a meeting or is out of town or something. And Nathan doesn’t want to go by himself. Though he barely pays attention to Abby at the actual party. Abby, who has quite low self-esteem about her own looks, is hit upon by two people � a man, and a woman. Oddly enough, the man is Tony. Nathan had made some similar comments when he laid eyes upon the dressed up Abby, so when I realized that it was Tony who had approached Abby, I assumed it was something similar. Since Nathan is gay. And Tony spends most of book 3 looking for his ex-boyfriend Gee. Except . . . Tony is serious in his flirtation. Sooo, another bisexual. World be crowded with them. The woman? Gabrielle. Everyone’s dressed up nicely at the party. Including Gabrielle. But the red number she’s wearing is super alluring and attention getting. She looks, as someone might say, ‘model hot�. Well, I said that that way so I can then say, which is fitting since Gabrielle works as a model. Abby’s eyes are on Gabrielle almost immediately upon seeing a flash of red at the corner of her eye. Of course, as is fitting (that word again!), Abby’s first view of Gabrielle is of her in an angry little argument with some man. Later, near the end of the party, Gabrielle and Abby dance, and that angry man glares at them as they do. Reoccurring theme, that � angry man glaring at Gabrielle and Abby. He’s a massive dick, that Darren. Right, so, Gabrielle and Abby flirt, date as the weeks unfold. Meanwhile Abby’s library branch faces possible closure. And, there are several (many?) scenes in which Abby voluntarily goes near her mother so her mother could scream at her and berate her for doing stupid stuff like get a library degree (you’ll only get to work a few years, a decade, with a degree like that!), and/or for allowing herself to be asexual. Did I not mention that yet? I forget. So, yeah, Abby’s asexual, but not aromantic. She’s actually biromantic. Bioromantic. In love with biology. Pfft. I can’t recall how to spell the word that means that she is romantically interested in both men and women, while, at the same time, being quite uninterested in sex (that’d be the asexual part). A quite interesting book. There’s an issue where one or the other would suddenly go silent on the other (though I think that’s more of a trick Abby pulls), which is kinda frustrating to read. Go silent as in ignore their texts and phone calls. For days. Or a week or more. Then there’s the issue where the massive ‘conflict point� occurred, sadness all around and . . . I’m not really sure what exactly I witnessed. The word betrayal was batted around but . . . I’m not exactly sure how that word would ‘fit� the circumstances of the conflict point. Bah, but never mind. As noted, good, interesting book. Now if we can just get asexuals to stop slobbering all over each other in books . . .. Rating: 4.12 July 14 2017 Merged review: mmphs, there's always all this kissing in Asexual romances. eww (they want to show intimacy, they don't want/enjoy sex, so . . . lots of kissing; I'd rather fuck than kiss, and I don't really wanna fuck...) Series: Seasons of Love; Can you read this book without reading any other book in the series? Like I said about the other book I've read in this 4 book series - yes. Though there might be things you'd miss. I've now read books 2 and 3 - both books include as characters (in level of importance in book 2): Abby (Abigail), Brie (Gabrielle), Nathan, Sara, Tony, Jason. Jason and Tony are barely in book 2; Jason is barely in book 3, though Tony plays a much larger role (at least compared to book 2). Sara stars in book 3; plays a much smaller role in book 2 than I'd have expected. Nathan is Abby's friend, and plays a large role in this book; and is Sara's friend and plays a large-ish role in book 3; Sara, herself, is also Abby's friend and is turned to a few times. Oh, forgot there was a very brief appearance by Laura - she stars in book 3; did Abby's make-up once as a favor in book 2. Brie stars in book 2 and is barely in book 3 (and by star, I mean love interest, this is all Abby's POV show). Abby stars in book 2, and is much less of a part of book 3 than might be expected. I believe I called her something like 'one of the barely seen friends' in my review for book 3. Wow, this paragraph is downright exciting. Abby is 29 (just like Sara was 29 in book 3; I suspect that if I read book 1 and 4, the two stars there will be listed as being 29 . . . heh, maybe). She works in a library in Brooklyn, and lives in a shoebox apartment with a roommate named Jena. The book opens with her being slutted up, sorry, with her having massive layers of make-up slapped onto her face (by Sara the diner waitress/manager (her job wasn't mentioned in this book, beyond a brief 'stopped by Sara's diner' type mention), and then with a very much 'barely there' dress pulled from Sara's closet (which is vaguely amusing considering what is found in her closet when book three stars Sara - not exactly that type of clothing). Why is she getting all . . . . um, slicked up? As a favor for her friend Nathan who has to go to a charity gala and his rich boyfriend has a meeting or is out of town or something. And Nathan doesn’t want to go by himself. Though he barely pays attention to Abby at the actual party. Abby, who has quite low self-esteem about her own looks, is hit upon by two people � a man, and a woman. Oddly enough, the man is Tony. Nathan had made some similar comments when he laid eyes upon the dressed up Abby, so when I realized that it was Tony who had approached Abby, I assumed it was something similar. Since Nathan is gay. And Tony spends most of book 3 looking for his ex-boyfriend Gee. Except . . . Tony is serious in his flirtation. Sooo, another bisexual. World be crowded with them. The woman? Gabrielle. Everyone’s dressed up nicely at the party. Including Gabrielle. But the red number she’s wearing is super alluring and attention getting. She looks, as someone might say, ‘model hot�. Well, I said that that way so I can then say, which is fitting since Gabrielle works as a model. Abby’s eyes are on Gabrielle almost immediately upon seeing a flash of red at the corner of her eye. Of course, as is fitting (that word again!), Abby’s first view of Gabrielle is of her in an angry little argument with some man. Later, near the end of the party, Gabrielle and Abby dance, and that angry man glares at them as they do. Reoccurring theme, that � angry man glaring at Gabrielle and Abby. He’s a massive dick, that Darren. Right, so, Gabrielle and Abby flirt, date as the weeks unfold. Meanwhile Abby’s library branch faces possible closure. And, there are several (many?) scenes in which Abby voluntarily goes near her mother so her mother could scream at her and berate her for doing stupid stuff like get a library degree (you’ll only get to work a few years, a decade, with a degree like that!), and/or for allowing herself to be asexual. Did I not mention that yet? I forget. So, yeah, Abby’s asexual, but not aromantic. She’s actually biromantic. Bioromantic. In love with biology. Pfft. I can’t recall how to spell the word that means that she is romantically interested in both men and women, while, at the same time, being quite uninterested in sex (that’d be the asexual part). A quite interesting book. There’s an issue where one or the other would suddenly go silent on the other (though I think that’s more of a trick Abby pulls), which is kinda frustrating to read. Go silent as in ignore their texts and phone calls. For days. Or a week or more. Then there’s the issue where the massive ‘conflict point� occurred, sadness all around and . . . I’m not really sure what exactly I witnessed. The word betrayal was batted around but . . . I’m not exactly sure how that word would ‘fit� the circumstances of the conflict point. Bah, but never mind. As noted, good, interesting book. Now if we can just get asexuals to stop slobbering all over each other in books . . .. Rating: 4.12 July 14 2017 ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Jul 14, 2017
not set
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Jul 14, 2017
not set
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Sep 23, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| 1626393168
| 9781626393165
| B00O080EJA
| 3.60
| 1,436
| Oct 13, 2014
| Oct 14, 2014
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really liked it
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A 19 year old and a 20 year old meet at a strip club, one's there with her sister and her sister's friends - celebrating the sister's upcoming marriag
A 19 year old and a 20 year old meet at a strip club, one's there with her sister and her sister's friends - celebrating the sister's upcoming marriage. The other was there working. As a stripper. Alexis, the 19 year old, has a certain amount of social anxiety and 'issues', but she sits there somewhat frozen, clutching a bunch of money, and with somewhat bulging eyes (conceivably) not for these 'issues' but because of the woman dancing near her. Wiggling her breasts at her, wiggling her ass at her. The dancer/stripper being the 20 year old named Trisha aka Treasure. Alexis, it would appear, is quite aroused. Eventually, one thing leads to another and Treasure (Trisha's stripper name) gives a 'private dance' to Alexis in a back room. Both, by the way, appear to be quite aroused by the experience. Both go about their ways with life, never to see each other again. The end. heh. Trisha sat in the middle of the college class room, for a computer science class. She didn't want to sit too far in front, nor too far in back. She glanced around - a sea of men surrounded her. She, it would appear, will be the only woman in the class. The professor starts the class . . . and someone rushes in. Another woman. Who sits in the only seat left open - next to Trisha. The two women glance at each other. It's Alexis. So they meet again. An interesting and enjoyable book. The book involves two people from 'opposite sides of the tracks', both youngsters, both quite okay with the concept of 'starting something'. Families play a big part in the story - on both sides. As a side note, this is the second book I've read that begins, more or less near the beginning at least, with a woman giving another woman a lap dance in a strip club. The other book being Warriors of the Heart by BadSquirrel. Completely different types of stories, beyond that initial beginning. Both have their pluses and minuses. Both enjoyable. October 12 2016 Merged review: A 19 year old and a 20 year old meet at a strip club, one's there with her sister and her sister's friends - celebrating the sister's upcoming marriage. The other was there working. As a stripper. Alexis, the 19 year old, has a certain amount of social anxiety and 'issues', but she sits there somewhat frozen, clutching a bunch of money, and with somewhat bulging eyes (conceivably) not for these 'issues' but because of the woman dancing near her. Wiggling her breasts at her, wiggling her ass at her. The dancer/stripper being the 20 year old named Trisha aka Treasure. Alexis, it would appear, is quite aroused. Eventually, one thing leads to another and Treasure (Trisha's stripper name) gives a 'private dance' to Alexis in a back room. Both, by the way, appear to be quite aroused by the experience. Both go about their ways with life, never to see each other again. The end. heh. Trisha sat in the middle of the college class room, for a computer science class. She didn't want to sit too far in front, nor too far in back. She glanced around - a sea of men surrounded her. She, it would appear, will be the only woman in the class. The professor starts the class . . . and someone rushes in. Another woman. Who sits in the only seat left open - next to Trisha. The two women glance at each other. It's Alexis. So they meet again. An interesting and enjoyable book. The book involves two people from 'opposite sides of the tracks', both youngsters, both quite okay with the concept of 'starting something'. Families play a big part in the story - on both sides. As a side note, this is the second book I've read that begins, more or less near the beginning at least, with a woman giving another woman a lap dance in a strip club. The other book being Warriors of the Heart by BadSquirrel. Completely different types of stories, beyond that initial beginning. Both have their pluses and minuses. Both enjoyable. October 12 2016 ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Oct 11, 2016
not set
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Oct 11, 2016
not set
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Sep 21, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| 1684312922
| 9781684312924
| B07DVR1TWV
| 3.46
| 50
| Jun 18, 2018
| Jun 20, 2018
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really liked it
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I received an ARC of this book from Less Than Three Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Unlike many reviews I’ve attempted recently, I received an ARC of this book from Less Than Three Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Unlike many reviews I’ve attempted recently, the start of this one is easy: Why did I read this work here? Because it involves Sherlock Holmes, it’s a short story, it’s a mystery, and I like all three things. Plus it might be interesting to read what a female Holmes might be like, with a female Watson. I do not go in knowing if they are supposed to have a relationship or not, just that the two main characters have been ‘regendered�. The work was in the LGBT section, though. I’ve never read the author before, though, and no one else has read and reviewed this work. So I’m a risk-taker. *nods* That’s why I requested the story, though, what I said up there. It looked interesting. Was it? Well the opening was weird. About a dream, the dreamer dreamed they were a stingray swimming around the ocean. At the time of reading the opening for the first time, I had had no clue who the dreamer might be, though it becomes clear later. The second noticeable thing, after the weird dream, is that the police person Holmes tended to talk with (I’ve the vague idea this is the case) has also been regendered. Is everyone in this story female? Well the homeless woman lying dead at Lestrade’s feet is also female. So . . . yes? More information needed (ah, Holmes makes reference to an imaginary male police detective as the stand-in for the average police investigator, therefore, there be males on this world, question answered; a male in the flesh finally appears � Mycroft remains male in this universe). Right, let’s stop with writing about each word, sentence, and paragraph. Why was Holmes called in for the death of a homeless woman? Holmes name was carved into the body. Holmes doesn’t seem as outwardly all-knowing in this universe. Ah, wonder why it took me so long to realize why things felt ‘off�. Everything is from Holmes point of view, not Watson’s. It’s odd being in Holmes head, though other stories have done it. ----- This is set in modern times, based on well-hidden clues, like mobile phones. --- Eww, kissing. --- That’s what my reviews become with short stories: Random thoughts with Lexxi as she reads (oops, I admit now, I’m writing this as I read). -- There’s a nice buzz/vibe to watching Holmes investigate, but . . . I can’t say as it’d be spoiler-y. -- The mystery plot-line was interesting, though there was that issue I can’t mention for spoiler-y reasons. The romance plot-line was . . . different. Well, not really � romance has popped up in Holmes stories before and tends to be weird/different than the norm. As it is/was here. So I guess, in that sense, the romance plot-line meshes with my idea of Holmes, for being weird. Heh. All-in-all this was an interesting story. On one hand, making this be a Holmes story adds a certain tension to things, at least to me, to my reading of the story. Needing to watch closely at this interpretation of the character. On the other hand, this story probably works . . . better as a Holmes story, at least one set in modern times like the modern television series are. Better as there are added layers already built into the story � like I knew about Holmes drug issue, the connection to Watson, Lestrade, Moriarty, and Mycroft. And to boxing. Oh, and the vague not-clearly-stated asexual vibe of the character. There were only two things really missing from this story: I might have preferred it set a century ago for . . . reasons; and there was no connection to music like Holmes’s love of listening to or playing music in the original stories (or was that a later addition?). At least I do not think I noticed music. Was there music? Hmms. I don’t think there was. No matter. Rating: 4.44 June 23 2018 Merged review: I received an ARC of this book from Less Than Three Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Unlike many reviews I’ve attempted recently, the start of this one is easy: Why did I read this work here? Because it involves Sherlock Holmes, it’s a short story, it’s a mystery, and I like all three things. Plus it might be interesting to read what a female Holmes might be like, with a female Watson. I do not go in knowing if they are supposed to have a relationship or not, just that the two main characters have been ‘regendered�. The work was in the LGBT section, though. I’ve never read the author before, though, and no one else has read and reviewed this work. So I’m a risk-taker. *nods* That’s why I requested the story, though, what I said up there. It looked interesting. Was it? Well the opening was weird. About a dream, the dreamer dreamed they were a stingray swimming around the ocean. At the time of reading the opening for the first time, I had had no clue who the dreamer might be, though it becomes clear later. The second noticeable thing, after the weird dream, is that the police person Holmes tended to talk with (I’ve the vague idea this is the case) has also been regendered. Is everyone in this story female? Well the homeless woman lying dead at Lestrade’s feet is also female. So . . . yes? More information needed (ah, Holmes makes reference to an imaginary male police detective as the stand-in for the average police investigator, therefore, there be males on this world, question answered; a male in the flesh finally appears � Mycroft remains male in this universe). Right, let’s stop with writing about each word, sentence, and paragraph. Why was Holmes called in for the death of a homeless woman? Holmes name was carved into the body. Holmes doesn’t seem as outwardly all-knowing in this universe. Ah, wonder why it took me so long to realize why things felt ‘off�. Everything is from Holmes point of view, not Watson’s. It’s odd being in Holmes head, though other stories have done it. ----- This is set in modern times, based on well-hidden clues, like mobile phones. --- Eww, kissing. --- That’s what my reviews become with short stories: Random thoughts with Lexxi as she reads (oops, I admit now, I’m writing this as I read). -- There’s a nice buzz/vibe to watching Holmes investigate, but . . . I can’t say as it’d be spoiler-y. -- The mystery plot-line was interesting, though there was that issue I can’t mention for spoiler-y reasons. The romance plot-line was . . . different. Well, not really � romance has popped up in Holmes stories before and tends to be weird/different than the norm. As it is/was here. So I guess, in that sense, the romance plot-line meshes with my idea of Holmes, for being weird. Heh. All-in-all this was an interesting story. On one hand, making this be a Holmes story adds a certain tension to things, at least to me, to my reading of the story. Needing to watch closely at this interpretation of the character. On the other hand, this story probably works . . . better as a Holmes story, at least one set in modern times like the modern television series are. Better as there are added layers already built into the story � like I knew about Holmes drug issue, the connection to Watson, Lestrade, Moriarty, and Mycroft. And to boxing. Oh, and the vague not-clearly-stated asexual vibe of the character. There were only two things really missing from this story: I might have preferred it set a century ago for . . . reasons; and there was no connection to music like Holmes’s love of listening to or playing music in the original stories (or was that a later addition?). At least I do not think I noticed music. Was there music? Hmms. I don’t think there was. No matter. Rating: 4.44 June 23 2018 ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Jun 22, 2018
not set
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Jun 22, 2018
not set
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Sep 17, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| 1684310350
| 9781684310357
| B073FV46X7
| 3.60
| 15
| Jun 21, 2017
| Jun 21, 2017
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it was amazing
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I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Less than Three in exchange for an honest review. This story with the lovely cover is one that I shou I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Less than Three in exchange for an honest review. This story with the lovely cover is one that I should have read and reviewed long ago. There's really only one reason why it took me so long to get around to doing so - I'd read too many short stories around the same time I picked this one up that were . . . . vaguely off-putting and or outright involved sex with squids - sometimes sex between squids, and I really had no clue what this story was supposed to be about going by the description so . . . I hesitated until the point I'd waited too long. But I've read the story now. Strange thing occurred. I'd finished a book, but needed something else to dip into while completing a different task. So I figured I'd finally dive into this one. Few paragraphs here or there, maybe even the entire story (it is only 40 something pages after all). But then I started the work and . . . I couldn't stop. I felt like I'd fallen into a fast moving river that had caught me up and wouldn't let me loose. When I finally shook myself free . . . the story was over. And I was quite happy to have gone on the ride. It's a simple tale, really, beautifully told, but still a simple story. The story stars a young woman, who described herself in such a way that you know she's kind of . . . largely unattractive, with the best that could be said that she had nice dark skin and nice hair (hmm, eyes are normally another thing that people mention of those who are (and aren't) attractive, yet no mention of nice eyes to add to the few nice things people say about her). But she's a princess and so people have to say nice things about her. Anything they can latch on to, so they latched onto skin and hair. Her uncle, who is the king, is dying. A wizard cursed him and the only way to save him is to get a particular black rose from an enchanted forest. Many have tried, some have returned alive, but empty handed. The story starts with the girl taking on the task herself. She has spent her life reading about this forest, and about magical creatures, and knows most (all?) have attempted the task in all the wrong ways (going in while wearing iron, etc.). And so she enters. Comes to a river. Has a conversation with the river. Is allowed across, reaches the garden that has the rose, is given a task by the elves there - then more tasks. Etc. etc. It's a simple tale, as I said. But a quite lovely tale for what it is. Including the part wherein the river and the princess fall in love during it. Or, maybe I should say, the Naiad in the river (here used to describe a water nymph, not used to describe the aquatic larva of dragonflies/mayflies/or stoneflies). I look forward to finding more stories by this French author. Rating: 4.88 August 26 2017 Merged review: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Less than Three in exchange for an honest review. This story with the lovely cover is one that I should have read and reviewed long ago. There's really only one reason why it took me so long to get around to doing so - I'd read too many short stories around the same time I picked this one up that were . . . . vaguely off-putting and or outright involved sex with squids - sometimes sex between squids, and I really had no clue what this story was supposed to be about going by the description so . . . I hesitated until the point I'd waited too long. But I've read the story now. Strange thing occurred. I'd finished a book, but needed something else to dip into while completing a different task. So I figured I'd finally dive into this one. Few paragraphs here or there, maybe even the entire story (it is only 40 something pages after all). But then I started the work and . . . I couldn't stop. I felt like I'd fallen into a fast moving river that had caught me up and wouldn't let me loose. When I finally shook myself free . . . the story was over. And I was quite happy to have gone on the ride. It's a simple tale, really, beautifully told, but still a simple story. The story stars a young woman, who described herself in such a way that you know she's kind of . . . largely unattractive, with the best that could be said that she had nice dark skin and nice hair (hmm, eyes are normally another thing that people mention of those who are (and aren't) attractive, yet no mention of nice eyes to add to the few nice things people say about her). But she's a princess and so people have to say nice things about her. Anything they can latch on to, so they latched onto skin and hair. Her uncle, who is the king, is dying. A wizard cursed him and the only way to save him is to get a particular black rose from an enchanted forest. Many have tried, some have returned alive, but empty handed. The story starts with the girl taking on the task herself. She has spent her life reading about this forest, and about magical creatures, and knows most (all?) have attempted the task in all the wrong ways (going in while wearing iron, etc.). And so she enters. Comes to a river. Has a conversation with the river. Is allowed across, reaches the garden that has the rose, is given a task by the elves there - then more tasks. Etc. etc. It's a simple tale, as I said. But a quite lovely tale for what it is. Including the part wherein the river and the princess fall in love during it. Or, maybe I should say, the Naiad in the river (here used to describe a water nymph, not used to describe the aquatic larva of dragonflies/mayflies/or stoneflies). I look forward to finding more stories by this French author. Rating: 4.88 August 26 2017 ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Aug 26, 2017
not set
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Aug 26, 2017
not set
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Sep 16, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 1620049821
| 9781620049822
| B071CVJ742
| 2.64
| 14
| Apr 17, 2017
| Apr 19, 2017
|
really liked it
|
*I received this book from NetGalley, and Less Than Three in return for a fair review.* Strangely I had a large number of thoughts while reading this b *I received this book from NetGalley, and Less Than Three in return for a fair review.* Strangely I had a large number of thoughts while reading this book. Things like ‘unreliable narrator�, and ‘what makes someone a villain� in a story, people’s ‘obsession for other cultures�, and the like. There’s a certain amount of unreliable narration going on here, along with borderline ‘obsessive stalker like symptoms�. Well, as the reader finds out early on � Krystal and Brianna are roommates and both are graduate students. I believe both of them are somewhere around 27 years of age. Brianna is obsessed with Star Wars, while Krystal is obsessed with Indian culture � specifically Hindi culture. Krystal is so obsessed with it that she’s getting a degree in it (well, ‘Hindi Translation� and . . . something else). Where’d this obsession come from? Well, Brianna’s obsession was never explained, while Krystal’s is based on falling in love with the next door neighbor, Gita, who was from India (family was, I think the parents immigrated to Canada before the kids were born, but unsure; actually, now that I think about it, I think that story I’m basing that idea off of is about the uncle and his wife, not Gita’s parents). The description seemed to imply that the story would be told in at least two waves, when Gita moved in, and then ten years later. Except, the story begins when Krystal is around 27, and learns that Gita is getting married in or near Ottawa Canada . . . to a man. And, so, Krystal freaks out (not in the way that a flashback to that time occurs, no, everything is mostly in ‘the present�, with stories told of what had occurred in the past � told to others like to Brianna). Apparently Gita 1) hated the mere idea of arranged marriages (and apparently this will be an arranged marriage); 2) had given the impression, based on a promise, that they, Gita and Krystal, will love each other forever. 1 & 2 are part of where that unreliable narrator comes in. (view spoiler)[Probably just skip this spoiler, if you haven’t read the story; and if you have read the story, then you already know what could go here (view spoiler)[As evidence that Gita hated arranged marriages, Krystal points to a blog that Gita had put up � one with stories about how much she hates the idea. And stuff. Plus stories. Lots of stories. Including one about love and stuff, about how she might have fallen off a roof and injured herself but she also found love � and Krystal spends a lot of time rereading the lines that note that love. That had been found. On a particular occasion. (view spoiler)[ the blog put up under the name of Gita . . . . was actually written by Krystal. This and other things lead me to that ‘obsessive stalker� comment (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]. Strangely, despite certain things that get revealed, I did end up rather enjoying the short story. I knew, mostly, how everything would unfold based on the story description, despite being somewhat misleading in certain ways, it still lead me to ‘know� how things would unfold. Enjoyable story. And I am not left hanging, wanting more. For ‘reasons�, I’m sure others would want a little more here or there (like graphic stuff), but it worked for me. Rating: 3.88 Publication: Story will be available for purchase, if I’m reading things correctly, April 19 2017 And now, a music video � or what I had written in the review box before I even had access to the story � based entirely on ‘Desi girl�. I recommend watching a few videos like the one I link below before reading the story � not in any way required or needed to understand the story, just that it would put you in the right mood. Or something like that. Seeing: "The self-declared "Desi girl extraordinaire" lead me to , which in turn lead me to the thought 'gorgeous woman, two guys competing over her' and before they actually started dancing with each other and almost kissing each other, my thoughts were impure. I wanted to see them get together. This might be the first time I 'lusted' after two men getting together in a 'real life' setting (as opposed to textual). Bah, go away to that third guy, gorgeous woman, let see more of these two men. I had an idea, vague, tentative, about what 'Desi girl' might mean. This is why I looked it up, and ran across that video. I've read this author before; this story involves both mixing of cultures and an interesting premise, so I decided to read it. March 24 2017 Merged review: *I received this book from NetGalley, and Less Than Three in return for a fair review.* Strangely I had a large number of thoughts while reading this book. Things like ‘unreliable narrator�, and ‘what makes someone a villain� in a story, people’s ‘obsession for other cultures�, and the like. There’s a certain amount of unreliable narration going on here, along with borderline ‘obsessive stalker like symptoms�. Well, as the reader finds out early on � Krystal and Brianna are roommates and both are graduate students. I believe both of them are somewhere around 27 years of age. Brianna is obsessed with Star Wars, while Krystal is obsessed with Indian culture � specifically Hindi culture. Krystal is so obsessed with it that she’s getting a degree in it (well, ‘Hindi Translation� and . . . something else). Where’d this obsession come from? Well, Brianna’s obsession was never explained, while Krystal’s is based on falling in love with the next door neighbor, Gita, who was from India (family was, I think the parents immigrated to Canada before the kids were born, but unsure; actually, now that I think about it, I think that story I’m basing that idea off of is about the uncle and his wife, not Gita’s parents). The description seemed to imply that the story would be told in at least two waves, when Gita moved in, and then ten years later. Except, the story begins when Krystal is around 27, and learns that Gita is getting married in or near Ottawa Canada . . . to a man. And, so, Krystal freaks out (not in the way that a flashback to that time occurs, no, everything is mostly in ‘the present�, with stories told of what had occurred in the past � told to others like to Brianna). Apparently Gita 1) hated the mere idea of arranged marriages (and apparently this will be an arranged marriage); 2) had given the impression, based on a promise, that they, Gita and Krystal, will love each other forever. 1 & 2 are part of where that unreliable narrator comes in. (view spoiler)[Probably just skip this spoiler, if you haven’t read the story; and if you have read the story, then you already know what could go here (view spoiler)[As evidence that Gita hated arranged marriages, Krystal points to a blog that Gita had put up � one with stories about how much she hates the idea. And stuff. Plus stories. Lots of stories. Including one about love and stuff, about how she might have fallen off a roof and injured herself but she also found love � and Krystal spends a lot of time rereading the lines that note that love. That had been found. On a particular occasion. (view spoiler)[ the blog put up under the name of Gita . . . . was actually written by Krystal. This and other things lead me to that ‘obsessive stalker� comment (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]. Strangely, despite certain things that get revealed, I did end up rather enjoying the short story. I knew, mostly, how everything would unfold based on the story description, despite being somewhat misleading in certain ways, it still lead me to ‘know� how things would unfold. Enjoyable story. And I am not left hanging, wanting more. For ‘reasons�, I’m sure others would want a little more here or there (like graphic stuff), but it worked for me. Rating: 3.88 Publication: Story will be available for purchase, if I’m reading things correctly, April 19 2017 And now, a music video � or what I had written in the review box before I even had access to the story � based entirely on ‘Desi girl�. I recommend watching a few videos like the one I link below before reading the story � not in any way required or needed to understand the story, just that it would put you in the right mood. Or something like that. Seeing: "The self-declared "Desi girl extraordinaire" lead me to , which in turn lead me to the thought 'gorgeous woman, two guys competing over her' and before they actually started dancing with each other and almost kissing each other, my thoughts were impure. I wanted to see them get together. This might be the first time I 'lusted' after two men getting together in a 'real life' setting (as opposed to textual). Bah, go away to that third guy, gorgeous woman, let see more of these two men. I had an idea, vague, tentative, about what 'Desi girl' might mean. This is why I looked it up, and ran across that video. I've read this author before; this story involves both mixing of cultures and an interesting premise, so I decided to read it. March 24 2017 ...more |
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Mar 24, 2017
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Mar 24, 2017
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Sep 13, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| 1911153080
| 9781911153085
| B019BSOEZS
| 3.57
| 70
| Dec 13, 2015
| Dec 14, 2015
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liked it
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Neat to be in Ireland and to see Irish lesbians. Less neat to see a homophobic horrible family. And the reason behind the long time rivalry was kind o
Neat to be in Ireland and to see Irish lesbians. Less neat to see a homophobic horrible family. And the reason behind the long time rivalry was kind of stupid (though, sadly, understandable - stupid, but understandable - the part the two women involved played). Rating: 3.33 Merged review: Neat to be in Ireland and to see Irish lesbians. Less neat to see a homophobic horrible family. And the reason behind the long time rivalry was kind of stupid (though, sadly, understandable - stupid, but understandable - the part the two women involved played). Rating: 3.33 ...more |
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Jan 16, 2017
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Jan 16, 2017
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Aug 05, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| B08ZL6NB79
| 4.51
| 1,731
| Apr 16, 2021
| Apr 16, 2021
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it was amazing
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Cori inherits a house, though that also includes proving, to the house, she deserves the house. Or something like that.
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1
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Feb 10, 2022
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Feb 10, 2022
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Feb 09, 2022
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| 1542033535
| 9781542033534
| B08YZ1D682
| 3.76
| 17,256
| Dec 01, 2021
| Dec 01, 2021
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it was amazing
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For a good portion of this book, I thought it would end up on my 5+ shelf. But . . . there were certain things here or there that were just enough off
For a good portion of this book, I thought it would end up on my 5+ shelf. But . . . there were certain things here or there that were just enough off-putting to knock off that + (the interaction between Jane and family; between Jane and Rosie when that "significant event" occurred). Right, so. A well-written book about a 29 year old (turning 30 over the many months, six (roughly October to March), covered by this book) bookstore owner in Manhattan, Rosie, who becomes entangled with three women: 1) her favorite author Brie (the two have gotten friendly with each other the last few years); 2) the gorgeous woman who visited Rosie's bookstore with her niece; 3) and 35 year old Jane Breslin, the woman who sent a letter letting Rosie know her 30+ year business (opened and operated by Rose's mother until Rosie took over) would have its lease not be renewed and her building would be demolished. That second woman was more of a "that's your type" kind of woman mentioned by Rosie's best friends and roommates. The other two, Brie and Jane, were separate entanglements. Until they weren't. Is that a spoiler? It was kind of hinted at in the book description. If it is a spoiler I do not really have much more I can write. Hmms. Well, going well-written part, since it leads to one of the off-putting parts. The author, for the most part, really seemed to pull me into scenes, and "feel" what was happening, notice things as they occurred. The interaction with the two POV characters (Jane & Rosie) with their environment, with their friends, with each other was heightened by this aspect (whatever it is I'm talking about). To the point that the interaction between Jane and her father, which has been built up as to why the 35 year old ins in the position she is in her live (working for the family business, etc. etc.), seemed weak in comparison. Eh, I'm probably overthinking this without being overly descriptive of what I'm referring to here. Right, so, I liked the two main point of view characters, the friends, family (mostly Jane's sister), and Brinkley, the dog. Rating: 5.0 November 7 2021 ...more |
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Nov 05, 2021
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Nov 07, 2021
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Nov 01, 2021
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Kindle Edition
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| B09DGSHPJ8
| 4.27
| 406
| Sep 14, 2021
| Sep 14, 2021
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really liked it
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The series that involves a young woman being pulled from an earth like world to a fantasy world that has "dungeons" and "quests" and the like more in
The series that involves a young woman being pulled from an earth like world to a fantasy world that has "dungeons" and "quests" and the like more in the Dungeons & Dragons type dungeons than the bondage dungeons theme continues. I've liked each book in the series, and, like the prior books, I devoured the book in quick gulps and end up wanting more. And this was a 500+ book. So it probably should have taken longer to read, but, eh, I was having fun and stuff. Enjoyed the book. One thing I disliked is that the thing I thought wouldn't happen, but could pretend could happen because nothing was being said/done that would destroy that plot line, has been confirmed by the actions in this book as being something that plan won't happen ((view spoiler)[three women where adventuring together and they kept displaying somewhat vague and someone less than vague deep feelings for each other that "might become more"; but no, the lead character and POV, Broccoli, it turns out, did actually see what was happening with her friend Awen, and did notice Awen was lusting after her. But Broccoli finally admitted to being more into boys than women; Awen continued to be a lesbian, though, so there's that for the LGBT crowd, eh? Amy (a shortening of her name, possibly never used in the book) sexual orientation still a mystery). (hide spoiler)]). Right, where was I? Broccoli and her friends continue wandering around the world. ON missions, taking side quests, visiting a Bun town (that was super cute and super fun). Enjoyable book. Rating: 4.50 October 2 2021` ...more |
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Sep 29, 2021
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Sep 30, 2021
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Sep 28, 2021
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| B084LR8QR1
| 4.33
| 21
| Feb 07, 2020
| Feb 07, 2020
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really liked it
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I need to pay more attention to when books are published, especially by authors I've read and enjoyed, and even more especially when the book is in a
I need to pay more attention to when books are published, especially by authors I've read and enjoyed, and even more especially when the book is in a series I've read and enjoyed. I read and loved the first story I read set in this series, even though that was a short story in a short story collection (Touch of the Traakyn by Sandra Barret in Spread the Love - rereading my review just now: I'd forgotten the short story was erotic in nature - this book here is not erotic in nature, and I do not recall if the other two books in the series have any eroticism in them). All about a military woman rehabbing in a facility after various parts of her had been changed, "upgraded" by "metal". I read that short story in 2016, and shortly thereafter read the first two book length works in the series the same year. Though the first book came out in 2007, and second came out in 2013 and third came out in 2020 (and the short story came out in 2014). First book, Face of the Enemy, stars Helena 'Dray' Draybeck and Jordan Bowers. While they are in military training (well, training to be pilots, I forgot now if they are in the military at that point in the series), war breaks out between the Terrans and the Novans. Two humanoid species from the same home planet (Earth) who took divergent paths to evolve themselves and spread across the galaxy (Terrans believe in the "purity" of human DNA and use technology to advance their abilities - like mechanical arms, eyes, etc; Novans, instead, "play" with their DNA (to the point wherein they are no longer considered Homo Sapien Sapiens)). Second book, Blood of a Traitor, involved Ayaan Nassien & Kay. Ayaan comes from a high ranking Novan family. Kay is a clone, grown by the Novan's to test stuff (looking for stuff to take and add to their own DNA, like looking for a gene for strength, duty, situational awareness, etc.). Conflict finds both in the second book, as the war continues. Third book, Eye of the Damned, finds all four back again. Mostly from the point of view of Jordan & Kay - or, in other words, one half of each of the two couples. I don't think Ayaan or Dray ever take over as POV, but they might at some point. Right, so. Dray was on a ship that was in a battle that caused certain injuries. While the ship is being repaired, and while Dray is rehabbing (and no, rehabbing Dray and the woman from the short story are not the same person), a certain problem develops with one of Dray's new implants. Which is how the book opens, from the point of view of Jordan tracking down Dray and learning certain things. Then leaving again - to go to a neutral planet for some tests on herself. I mention all of this to get to - while on this neutral planet, Jordan learns why they (Jordan and Dray) have been having so much trouble getting pregnant. Beyond the Terran-Novan issue. Jordan is half-half. Well, it's not Jordan that's the issue. The issue is with Dray's DNA. Which is extra problematic because Dray is in a military hospital with certain issues which will require DNA testing. A Terran military hospital. And Terrans, as mentioned above, are deep into purity. And, again, I mention all of that because that is the focus of the book. Dray and her family and many others get swept up into something like, but isn't officially, a prison. For being impure. Meanwhile, Kay's growing very bored being her super high ranking girlfriend's bodyguard. Spending basically 24/7 as her appendage instead as Ayaan's girlfriend or as herself. Then internal Novan conflict erupts and some action occurs. Then a special guest comes to visit to get some help with a problem they are having. That guest being Jordan. This is/was actually a pretty fun lesbian science fiction series. Also a lot more interconnected after the third book was published. Enjoyable read. Rating: 4.63 - two books in a row I've rated, on GoodReads, 4 stars, and the rating is actually a full star apart (3.63 vs 4.63 - which is where I remembered 3.63 gets counted as 3 stars on GoodReads not 4) August 12 2021 ...more |
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1
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Aug 10, 2021
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Aug 11, 2021
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Aug 01, 2021
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Kindle Edition
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| B08JLGZHZ3
| 4.31
| 1,885
| Sep 28, 2020
| Sep 28, 2020
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it was amazing
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My quest to keep increasing the number of new, to me, lesbian fiction authors continues. To this book here. A book that confuses me - no no, not for t
My quest to keep increasing the number of new, to me, lesbian fiction authors continues. To this book here. A book that confuses me - no no, not for that reason *waves hand*, but because this is not an author I'd seen bouncing around my eyeballs for years before I finally tried them (unlike some of the others I've read in the past few months). I'm fairly certain I've not spotted their name before. Yet they've written something, like, 10 or 11 books. hmms. Oh, right, why would I be so surprised by all of that? Because this specific book here is possibly within the range of being within the top 20, 10? 5? Well, let's stick with 20 for now, within the top 20 favorite lesbian fiction books I've read. This book stars two 23 year-olds in a small lake-side town in New York. Both with their point of views expressed in this book. Both with certain flaws. Both, apparently, super gorgeous (though, almost like always, that's through the eyes of two women lusting after each other). Both college graduates. But, also, with many differences. Olivia Carver is the local towns girl working two different jobs, while pursing a third. While also having a kind of laid back look (until her mouth opens and her sarcasm escapes). She helps her dad run a boating shed alongside the lake (mostly renting out paddle-boats); works as a bartender in the bar beneath her apartment; and also pursues a career as a writer (though she's mostly been writing and submitting, and not exactly been publishing). Valerie Maycomb comes from the part of the small town that Olivia likes to sneer at. Those super rich "summer people" (they are not actually all summer people, though not important) who live in vast mansions in a gated community and with private piers. The kind who spend their time in their own community without visiting the small town. And other such stuff. hmm. Right, so. Talked more about what perceptions Olivia has of that rich area, and less about Valerie (or the actuality of the rich people). So - Valerie is someone who has lived her live to a plan - get outstanding grades, get a double-major, go to law school, please her parents, have no friends or social life (not her plan, but a side effect of following her plan). Valerie spent the summers in Lake Cabot, that is until she spent her summers interning. But this summer, between college and law school, she's going to . . . something. Rest? Well, something less plan like than normal. On her first day putting her plan into motion to live a summer without a plan, she flees her rich mansion to go jogging. Ends up near a boat rental shack. Begs the gorgeous wet woman there dressed only in a bikini top & wrap for some water. Thereupon Valerie & Olivia meet. Spend time bumping into each other in the small town. Flirting, running away, etc. Until they fall into a "summer fling". Great main characters. Great side characters (for the most part). Great plot; romance; story; etc. This is a top tier writing and book. Rating: 5+ June 8 2021 ...more |
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Jun 08, 2021
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Jun 08, 2021
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May 26, 2021
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Kindle Edition
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Lexxi Kitty
>
Books:
best-by-author
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| 3.20
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really liked it
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May 17, 2017
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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| 3.80
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it was amazing
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Dec 21, 2019
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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| 4.28
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it was amazing
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Mar 28, 2019
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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| 3.89
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it was amazing
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Mar 23, 2021
not set
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Sep 28, 2024
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| 3.65
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it was amazing
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May 22, 2017
not set
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Sep 27, 2024
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| 2.80
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really liked it
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Jun 09, 2017
not set
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Sep 26, 2024
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| 4.23
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it was amazing
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Feb 28, 2017
not set
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Sep 26, 2024
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| 3.73
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it was amazing
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Sep 08, 2016
not set
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Sep 24, 2024
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| 3.27
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really liked it
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Jun 08, 2017
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| 3.56
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really liked it
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Jul 14, 2017
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Sep 23, 2024
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| 3.60
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really liked it
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Oct 11, 2016
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| 3.46
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really liked it
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Jun 22, 2018
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| 3.60
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it was amazing
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Aug 26, 2017
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| 2.64
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really liked it
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Mar 24, 2017
not set
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| 3.57
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liked it
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Jan 16, 2017
not set
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Aug 05, 2024
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| 4.51
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it was amazing
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Feb 10, 2022
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Feb 09, 2022
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| 3.76
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it was amazing
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Nov 07, 2021
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Nov 01, 2021
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| 4.27
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really liked it
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Sep 30, 2021
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Sep 28, 2021
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| 4.33
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really liked it
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Aug 11, 2021
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Aug 01, 2021
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| 4.31
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it was amazing
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Jun 08, 2021
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May 26, 2021
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