Waiting for the Flood: For a short book, this story packs a punch. It starts off dark, and bleak, slowly gaining shape and light as Edwin finds more ofWaiting for the Flood: For a short book, this story packs a punch. It starts off dark, and bleak, slowly gaining shape and light as Edwin finds more of himself reflected back from Adam's kind eyes. I love these two characters, separately and together. They're so wholesome! The bonus Aftermath to their story is beautiful and extremely satisfying.
Chasing the Light: Alexis Hall has this magic of making arsehole characters - if not quite likeable, then at least characters we can cheer for and be glad when they find happiness. Marius was no exception. Though I still think that Leo is too good for him, and doesn't deserve M's nastiness....more
Outstanding, even better than the first book! I had my doubts about the wisdom of writing a sequel to a wonderful standalone, but Eliot Schrefer pulleOutstanding, even better than the first book! I had my doubts about the wisdom of writing a sequel to a wonderful standalone, but Eliot Schrefer pulled it off with flying colours....more
This book was the most fun I've had all year! What an utter delight. A complete tonal shift from the previous book set in this world; the author has eThis book was the most fun I've had all year! What an utter delight. A complete tonal shift from the previous book set in this world; the author has explored very different themes in this one. The protagonist narrator was SUCH a delightful little shit! So clever and emotionally intelligent, while pretending to be an intolerable horny idiot. Bratty sub to the max.
Also, I cannot believe this book was fade to black, yet somehow it was the horniest thing I've read in ages.
Loved the plot, loved the queer-normative society, loved every one of the zany characters to bits. Loved the positive portrayal of polyamory. The running bit about good luck was the icing on the beautiful cake (hehe)....more
**spoiler alert** Okay so it's been six years since I fell headlong into AFTG fandom, and I'll be real with you - the shine had worn off in the last c**spoiler alert** Okay so it's been six years since I fell headlong into AFTG fandom, and I'll be real with you - the shine had worn off in the last couple of years. I floated around the periphery because of friends, without engaging much in fandom myself anymore.
And then Nora dropped her bombshell announcement of new book(s), and I was right back where I was six years ago. Haunting Nora's socials for any hints, counting down to the publication date. I'm so happy to say that after devouring the book over the course of a weekend, and then letting it simmer in my thoughts for a week, The Sunshine Court absolutely lived up to all expectations - and then some.
Firstly, I was amused that I had correctly predicted a few scenes - playing boardgames, going to the beach, spending lots of one on one time with Jeremy.
I did NOT foresee Jean having a vicious rapist in the Nest with him, and it not being Riko.
I was delighted by how blatantly horny everyone was. It felt much more typical of college culture. I was pleasantly surprised at Jean and Jeremy both finding each other attractive from the start and ogling each other every chance they got.
Jean being canon bisexual and being gobsmacked by Laila and Jeremy both in swimsuits was an iconic scene.
Jean's attitude to his trauma and the way it affected him was really interesting - clearly distinct from Neil's. In some ways he seemed to cope better than Neil had, maybe because Riko is already dead by this point, but in other ways he's definitely coping way worse.
The final scenes were WILD and I really didn't expect more mafia trouble but honestly I don't know why I was surprised, considering they're a fundamental part of this series.
Love love love Jean's burgeoning friendship with the Floozies ...more
Absolutely outstanding; a worthy successor to We Could Be So Good. I simply devoured this mid-20th century romance. The way this book dealt with griefAbsolutely outstanding; a worthy successor to We Could Be So Good. I simply devoured this mid-20th century romance. The way this book dealt with grief over the death of a spouse was simply beautiful. I loved how soft the overall tone of the book was - it was high stakes but low tension, and it worked beautifully. The romance developed very naturally, and I bought into it fully and completely. The side characters added colour and texture to a delightful novel....more
Kris Ripper doesn't miss! Loved this take on a trope-filled sports romance. Snowed in together, only one bed, rescuing an animal, enemies to lovers, aKris Ripper doesn't miss! Loved this take on a trope-filled sports romance. Snowed in together, only one bed, rescuing an animal, enemies to lovers, a bit of epistolary, and let's not forget the fairy gay mothers. But all that is just the window dressing - what underlay this story was a deeply flawed protagonist, someone who had made a terrible, unforgivable mistake. What's more, he continued to screw up, in small ways, over and over. But despite it all, he found a way to be simply human - flawed, but worthy of being loved. I really liked how Ripper handled a lot of the more difficult moments and conflicts in this story.
Let's face it though, this book could have been utter garbage and I still would have lapped up a gay soccer romance. ...more
Well, KJ Charles' first official murder mystery is officially a masterpiece! The last scene left me with the biggest grin on my face that I couldn't wWell, KJ Charles' first official murder mystery is officially a masterpiece! The last scene left me with the biggest grin on my face that I couldn't wipe off. I already worshipped at the altar of KJC, but god. GOD. How is she so good? The craft that went into writing this book! I'm just. Wow.
Let me try to be coherent. The exploration of moral good versus lawful good. The prominence of women's issues. The spotlight on class inequality and the injustice of prejudice. The emphasis on reparations and justice, rather than punishment. The bravery of Jem, standing in the face of significant social and peer pressure. The amazing found family vibes, and themes of second chances.
Perfect resolution, too.
I just adored every word of this book! Especially "Thank you for your innocence ... I will treasure it" ...more
3.5 stars, rounded up. This was, hmm. I wanted more from it, definitely. This story teased a lot of plot and world building that simply didn't have th3.5 stars, rounded up. This was, hmm. I wanted more from it, definitely. This story teased a lot of plot and world building that simply didn't have the time or space to play out, which was a shame. Such as it was, it was sweet enough, a cute little friends-to-lovers accelerated slow burn....more
A moving little prequel story, focusing on a couple of characters who play only a minor role in the main book. A really fascinating glimpse into theirA moving little prequel story, focusing on a couple of characters who play only a minor role in the main book. A really fascinating glimpse into their earlier lives, and a sweet depiction of how they came to be together....more
Un-put-downable. Utterly compelling. Kept me on tenterhooks throughout, despite being extremely tender and generally low conflict. The slow burn was mUn-put-downable. Utterly compelling. Kept me on tenterhooks throughout, despite being extremely tender and generally low conflict. The slow burn was magnificent torture. I adored this book and everything it had to say about the two historical periods that it spanned, and how platonic and romantic friendship has evolved over time.
After how much I loved Honeytrap, I kept meaning to go back and read this author's full back-catalogue. Maybe this will finally be the impetus I needed!!...more
An odd book! Writing a first person POV story where the protagonist is essentially constantly drug-affected for the first significant part of the bookAn odd book! Writing a first person POV story where the protagonist is essentially constantly drug-affected for the first significant part of the book was a brave choice from the author. I think it just about worked, but it was a bit of a slog to get through.
I would say that the second part of the book made up for it quite well, regardless. I loved reading about Anne's slow forays into society, learning how to interact with a world she had always been excluded from. I *adored* the sapphic romance! And I thought that the solution the author came up with for the inheritance plot problem was genius.
If the book ended there, that would have suited me fine, but the author made another odd and brave choice in writing the final part of Anne's life. I'm honestly still not sure how I feel about that last section of the story.
Absolutely outstanding. The book I needed to read right now! The very best kind of Age of Sail novel, with pirates and ship battles and terrible stormAbsolutely outstanding. The book I needed to read right now! The very best kind of Age of Sail novel, with pirates and ship battles and terrible storms that must be weathered. The extremely slow-burn romance was a charming, thrilling backdrop to an exciting plot. I will be re-reading this one, I'm sure!...more
I liked much of what the author was trying to do here, although it still didn't quite all come together perfectly, for my taste.
The protagonist was a I liked much of what the author was trying to do here, although it still didn't quite all come together perfectly, for my taste.
The protagonist was a supremely dislikeable character, at least at first glance. He is brusque, direct and outright rude more often than not. Naturally, we learn that he is actually a kind-hearted softie, but I do like that he never changes his fundamental personality. It's more that the people around him learn to interpret his true feelings, much in the same way that he strives to derive meaning from general society's behaviours.
The backstory for the love interest was unusual, and tragic in its own way. I loved the cathartic scene where he finally gets to tell his story. The idea of being someone who is made to love people is very touching!
Otherwise, the plot itself didn't really work for me, but I did think that the mother stole the show every time she was on the page. What a glorious character!...more
The purple prose was a bit much for me, but I did kind of perversely enjoy the way you had to unlock the plot, setting and characters like a complex 1The purple prose was a bit much for me, but I did kind of perversely enjoy the way you had to unlock the plot, setting and characters like a complex 12-D puzzle. The sapphic love story was gorgeous, and I did find the plot resolution satisfying, even if I saw it coming. A solid 3 stars....more
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