Yes I know, it’s late but the world got busy and crazy.

5 books. I know, pretty light on the reading front but all books were fabulous and wonderful.

Dead Women Don’t Tell Tales by Adrian J. Smith
My first book by this author and I loved it. I dove into knowing very little but the cover told me all I ever really needed. A Futurist Steampunk pirate world, an ex-con, a virus, and an unexpected moment (or two) with a high society woman who isn’t afraid to ask for what she wants and to get what she needs.
The characters are fantastic and the sec scenes hot and intense.
The world building is brilliant and as I finished it I discovered this is a prequel to a brand new series. This makes me all levels of happy.
But I mean seriously, what do you really need to know except, sapphic steampunk pirates.

A Closed and Common Orbit (Wayfarers #2) by Becky Chamber
Oh my. This is book two, in the wayfarer series. Book 1, A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, I adored and that always makes me a little nervous going in to a book 2.
But oh my!
Pepper is a minor character in book 1, but she is not minor herself in any way.
Book 2 in essence is Pepper’s story (and Sidra’s). There are two time lines, now and back then. And both are intense and examine humanity in such wonderful ways, especially as the times draw closer together.
I laughed out loud many times, I ‘ohed’ even more times. My mind created different ideas and thoughts of what if this is going to happen. Sometimes I was right and other times I was way off and I loved it all the times.
Becky chambers’ writing is fantastic, her world building is epic, her creation of species is detailed and wonderful.
Also a huge shout out to the amazing narrator, Patricia Rodriguez.
Overall an incredibly brilliant sequel that could easily be read and understood without the first book, but why deny yourself the brilliance of either books.

Fake It by Lily Seabrooke
Wow. I love so much about this book and the perfect week to read it, for Trans Awareness Week.
Own voice author, and truly amazing representation. This story doesn’t wave the characters transness away as though it is nothing, but also shows the character as a well rounded and complete human, not her only personality trait being her transness.

The Club by A.L. Brooks
Firstly, the audio of The Club narrated by Sophie Hunter Scott is not the safest book to listen to while driving.
But it is a highly exquisite erotica novel that I definitely recommend, as long as you know just what you are getting yourself into and that is some mighty fine sex scenes and writing.
Having read and loved many of A. L. Brooks books before I already knew I quite enjoyed her writing and The Club did not disappoint.
The writing is brilliant and the hot scenes are 🔥 🔥 🔥🔥🔥.
For me this book read like a wonderful Mosaic tapestry of lives that all intersect in one way or another around The Club. There are two time lines and both are truly fantastic.
Did I expect the heart punch on the past time line, no. Did I love every moment of it. Oh yes.
I also adored the end story, and how even though I hadn’t expected a happy ending, we get one anyway.
I applaud the narrator’s brilliant job.
I’m so glad knowing there is a second book that follows on from The Club, because well there must be.
And now as I need to go recover, I’ll leave you with one of my favourite quotes from The Club.
‘I know it’s hard, of course it is. All the big shit in life is. But honey, the rewards are so worth it, if you’re brave enough.’

John’s Crazy Head-Boppin’ Mystery by A.J Sherwood
Another great read. Lots of fun moments with an interesting mystery thrown in. Though the sex scenes don’t do anything for me personally they are well written and I could see them being much fun if MM was your thing.

I’ll be doing a wrap up of my favourite books of the year soon. Once I get my voice back I will also be doing a video wrap up over on the Hyperactive Bookworm so make sure you are subscribed so you get notified as soon as it goes live 🙂

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind