Last night I did a thing. Often I have ideas and then quickly talk myself out of them, especially if it’s a thing that I shy away from … especially praising myself in any way. *Gotta love that shitty self-esteem stuff* … BUT as my 40th birthday approaches and the last few years have seen many major things (both good and heartbreaking) happening in my life, I’ve really started to understand how short and special life itself is.
And, sometimes I even catch myself thinking how proud I am of how far I’ve come and wow, I might actually be good at something.
So the thing I did was set up a buymeacoffee page to help fund the time, equipment and books I review and fangirl about over on my YouTube channel Hyperactive Bookworm.
I did the technological thing, all by myself … *pats back enthusiastically* .. but then didn’t know how to test if it was all working.
A wonderful friend helped me test it. I agreed she was free to share the link if she wanted. I didn’t expect the huge words of praise for myself but it has certainly made my day … and made me brave enough to share it here.
If you are interested in helping me, I’d appreciate it, but there is no pressure. I love what I do and will endeavour to keep doing it
12 books for May. Pretty darn good effort if I do say so myself. 10 of the books were Sapphic reads and all of them enjoyable, some more so than others.
Entangled by Melissa Brayden – I really enjoyed this book. I’ve never read a Melissa Brayden before and I really enjoyed her writing. The story is sweet and sad with some delicious spice thrown in to the mix. I enjoyed the enemies to lovers trope here because it wasn’t dragged out too much or filled with too much angst. I love the supporting cast. They are hilarious and wonderful. I mean how can you not love characters that use food in everyday speech. Love the movie and popcorn references to the MC’s romantic adventures and omg my favourite two lines in the book have got to be: – ‘food and conflict pair well together’ Brenda-Anne – Why did she overthink everything, which of course was an ironic topic to subsequently overthink leaving her in a neurotic cycle. Look forward to reading more of this author.
The Impossible Girl by Lydia Kang – What a fantastic read. I truly enjoyed this. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into but it was a fun and interesting read with beautiful poetic writing that feels almost uniquely allowed in historical fiction.
Let Love Be Enough by Robyn Nyx – Wow! From the moment I dove into this book I fought against blinking. Let love be enough was the kind of ride you white knuckle on to while simultaneously loving every moment of, with some brilliant laugh out loud moments thrown in just to make the rise complete. Three points of view from three incredibly different women who have surprisingly similar overlaps in the human struggles they face. Madison Ford – An award winning journalist not scared of going into the trenches to get her story. Elodie Fontaine – most beautiful woman in the world actress with an ex-marine history Therese Hunt – Ring leader of a nasty organ trafficking business. Nyx investigates the human dynamics of independence, trust, brutality, and fear. Especially when one or more of these things have been broken for our characters in their pasts. I adore Nyx’s writing style. Her ability to balance beauty in her words while describing horror in the actions and thoughts of her characters is breathtaking. A wild ride.
Breathe by Cari Hunter – Another brilliant combination of writing and story from Cari Hunter and smashing audio from Nicola Victoria Vincent. I really enjoyed the build up of the relationship between the two main characters. Yes, there was danger and the awesome adventures that Cari Hunter is known for. Crime and danger. But it felt like there was a little more focus on the relationship then some other stories and I enjoyed the slow build between Jemima and Rosie.
Without A Front: The Warrior’s Challenge by Fletcher DeLancey – Video review: https://youtu.be/Y566e7TaoZc) Stayed up until stupid o’clock to finish this book because how could I not. The last 100 pages were truly an addiction. Something I adore about speculative fiction is the ability for authors to truly examine human nature in ways that can relate to people in all different situations. Fletcher Delancey does this is such beautiful and amazing smoothness, she makes it look easy. I never thought I could love any of the books in this series as much as I do the first one, but damn have I been proven wrong. The writing is delicious and the mystery and intrigue is fantastic. Themes of family, loyalty, and pride are so strong in without a front: the warriors challenge and handled so fantastically. I was really happy to see Ekatya and even Lynn have some small cameos but Aldira and Salomen definitely kept me intrigued and falling in love with them both. The struggles of each of them accepting both the strengths and the weaknesses of the other is beautifully written with such depth and raw truth. I also adore so many of the minor characters and hope I get to see more of them in the books to come. The divine sex scenes, respectful treatment of trauma, loss, and pain balanced with flirty banter and laugh out loud moments are reasons I will go back again and again to read this book. As well as some of the most beautiful descriptions of a land I can only ever visit between the pages.
The Delicate Things We Make by Milena McKay – (Video review: https://youtu.be/FAV19JEWRCo) – A reclusive artist, a down on her luck journalist, and some minor characters to make you squeal with laughter, sob along with, and cheer on their moments of victory balancing the bad guys that encompass so much of the nasty side of humanity. But not even the injustice within the book can take away the beauty that is all encompassing. And I do so love a story where those bastards get their comeuppances in the end. Milena pulls you into Jamie’s world with such ease and poetic prose. And through Jamie’s eyes we see the beauty of the elegant icey woman with the haughty looks and acerbic tongue. I love how the mystery is a gentle thread throughout, and damn I was slightly stunned and then nodding with, oh it was absolutely foreshadowed as the darker edges of the mystery is peeled back and revealed. I laughed and gasped. I will say, while listening to Abby Craden’s narrations are always delightful, the part of the Coitus Interruptus is not recommended to listen to while out in public. I had some wide eyes flashed in my direction at my sudden outburst and cussing. Big mention for the delightful minor characters who brought such depth to this book: Luce – You gorgeous and hilarious creature (the dad jokes, oh yes the dad jokes) who is lovely and loyal and will not pull punches to save a friends feelings when they are in need of some harsh truths. Her speech about standing up. Damn, it was powerful and brilliant. Olivia – Such acerbic hostility that all wonderfully stemmed from pain and loyalty, and a determination to protect and find truth. Arabella – you crazy old broad. I just adore you and oh my, your speeches, one in particular 😉, had me laughing my arse off and fist pumping the air.
Three Ways to Ruin a Perfect Wedding by Chris Zett – What an adorable after the HEA short story for Heart Failure. Loved it.
Infested by C.M. Forest – Olivia wakes up in her own pool of vomit during a thunderstorm to find her husband absent and the electricity off. She goes in search of her missing husband and finds so much more than she planned. This modern gothic horror story made me cringe and even turn my head away from the words on the pages. It doesn’t shy away from any of the nasty things. And boy are there some hella nasty things going on in the New Leaf building. I did have an issue was a character’s situation a little too reflective of some negativity toward the transgender community in the current climate, but don’t believe this was the authors intention. Especially considering they are one of the most likeable characters in the book. Almost all the characters are unlikable even the main character, though she definitely redeemed herself by the end. I really enjoyed the modern day gothic horror vibes – the use of setting and weather played a brilliant part in building the anxiety and reflecting the characters own states of mind. I had major nostalgia of playing the resident evil computer games mixed with many moments reminiscent of the Aliens movies.
Firewyrm by Eric Schubach – A great continuation to the first in the series. I love the characters and the humour. I am freakin adopting the expressions and find myself saying ‘space me naked’ and other such charming things throughout the day. The story of firewyms was good, interesting mystery, but I find myself more intrigued by the detailed information of the leviathan itself and revelations of characters. I love the hooks and things left unknown. Bring on book three.
The Tell Tale by Clare Ashton – (Video review: https://youtu.be/6s4nam4NbTQ) I could not stop listening to this book. Lucy Rayner did a fabulously sultry and wonderful job. The story itself. Oh my. Clare Ashton has outdone herself with this book. The descriptions and threads of mystery were delicious. I adored the characters, and even those I despised were so fleshed out and well rounded I couldn’t help but nod and purse my lips, having known them at some point in my life. The turns and twists in this book had my head spinning in all the right ways. I loved thinking a theory, and then having it blown out of the water, only to wonder was it really? I distinctly remember getting a very Sweeney Todd feel at some points, despite the apparently more enlightened time The Tell Tale is sent in. The representations of identities in The Tell Tale were absolutely incredible and I couldn’t help by feel for them all. But with amazing lines like this: – they both laughed, the kind that shifts you into the person you once were. – Sophie’s past eerily walking through her present. – There was nothing like being stripped back to childhood to make a person vulnerable. How can you not love the language of this book.
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston – (videos – Narrator love: https://youtu.be/PJcQSpWRKvI Review: https://youtu.be/hwA9kYABF8I) – There are so many things I love about this book. Themes of family and connection; blood and found. Ideas of fate and belonging. Banter and humour. The different representations of race, gender, and sexuality. Pop cultural references. And oh my let’s not forget the truly poetic language. The author, Casey McQuiston also managed to weave a lot of queer history in without making me go cross eyed. Instead, I felt the real trauma that statistics and bland facts could never evoke. I listened to this book narrated by the truly incredible Natalie Naudus. If you haven’t heard her narrate yet, prepare for a treat. I wanted to list some of my favourite lines but I got swept up in the mystery of the story, of Jane’s existent and it’s unravelling that I forgot to stop and actually take note of many, but here are two that I did manage to capture before the pull was just too big – Bella Swam eat your horny little Mormon heart out – You and I come at subtlety from very different directions Highly recommend this book. And then ending, oh my the ending.
Something in the Wine by Jae – Sweet, slow burn, coming out later in life romance. The characters were flawed and wonderful and I felt so broken for Annie with her family issues and how much they effected her confidence as a person.
I’m really looking forward to getting into some fantasy LGBTQIA books for pride month, even if every month is Pride filled 😉
It’s been a rough month and for a while I wasn’t sure I would get many books read, but 10 isn’t too shabby. A little behind in my overall goals but that’s the way of the roundabout 😀
The video wrap up will be up shortly over at the Hyperactive Bookworm. Jump on over and subscribe to make sure you don’t miss out on all the monthly wrap ups, extended reviews, and author interviews throughout the month.
Leviathan by Erik Schubach – My first book by this author and damn I can’t wait to read more of the series. Brilliant sci-fi fantasy blend with elves and sprites on the world ship. A ship, in essence that is travelling to the new home world. I love so much about this book, from the use of 80s and 90s music, to the snark and humour, to the kick arse main character and a story line that while not entirely unique is set up in fantastically unique and brilliantly described ways.
Departure from the Script by Jae – If you’re after low angst, slow burn, SVU references, and brilliant chemistry look no further. I always know when I open a book of Jae’s I’m going to be swept alone with well rounded characters, beautiful writing and an interesting story. I adore Michelle and the family relationships both characters have. I also really enjoyed the less glitz and glamour Hollywood focus of this book. I can’t wait to read the rest of Jae’s Hollywood books.
Tumbledown by Cari Hunter – A brilliant sapphic crime and mystery story with action and brutality thrown in. It’s balanced masterfully with humour and down moments to let you breath, just not too much before something else drops and you are racing to figure it all out. This sequel to Desolation Point made it impossible to stop reading. Firstly, wwwhhhyyy? *sobs ugly* Had Sarah and Alex not been through enough?! And yet, I was so excited to see them again. The writing is spectacular, the characters brilliant, and the story gripping. I loved that it was a carry on from events of the first book. And that is made sense that these two would become embroiled once again in the cross hairs of a psycho. Cari Hunter, making me an insomniac since I picked up No Good Reason, the first of the dark peak series.
Shattered by Lee Winter – YES! I’m rereading it again. BUT this time I finally did a video review … you can watch it here.
Alias by Cari Hunter – BAM! What a start, and then it just gets better from there. The writing is fantastic and the action and story pulled me along with ease. I loved how there is so much going on in the story and the mystery that keeps unfoldIng and twisting. I really enjoyed the relationship between the main character and the ‘love interest’ and how it grew organically and as a second aspect to the main story. Nicola Victoria Vincent is a brilliant narrator, very underrated. Would love to find more brilliant books narrated by her.
Sunshine by L.T. Emery – Loved the nasty grissly descriptions of the perils and dangers Cyra must face in her search for Sunshine. Lots of great lines and insults that made me laugh out loud between the gore.
No Strings by Lucy Bexley – I heard such amazing things about this book and I wanted to love it sick. If you like quirky eccentric character meets wound tight corporate tropes, laugh out loud moments and some fun kiddo scenes, this is a good read. I enjoyed Elsie’s character, I loved the relationship between her and Avery and how Jones’ first ideas of who Elsie was is questioned as you see how well rounded Elsie is as a human and how judged she has been because she doesn’t follow the more traditional life paths. The writing has some really beautiful and chest punching moments. And more than once I had the actual laugh out loud squeals. Gummy bears and fart attacks I’m looking at you. Elsie’s internal monologues and the way she thinks in Fangley is brilliant. One of my favourite things about the book is the twist on who is actually the workaholic (psst- it isn’t the business suit, rich, older woman this time). What I did also love about the book was the way mental health was treated, though at times I felt like I was told it more than shown it. For me it was sort of Jones’ saving grace. I did struggle with initially getting into this book. Jones’ reactions to Bentley to begin with really put her offside for me, but I mean that’s what character arcs are all about so I pushed through. She soon made up with the Bentley love but her character frustrated the hell out me more often then not. At times I got frustrated with the tendency and writing style to end a scene and then recap what wasn’t on the page in the next scene, it really pulled me out of being inside the characters heads. And there were some scenes I really would have loved to see play out in real time, like the roller skating. The relationships of the four main players were so wonderful and well developed. It was a little jarring the lack of relationship and development of other characters like Jones’ mum and all the ‘evil’ corporate males. I didn’t love No Strings sick, but I did enjoy the majority of the ride and I’m glad I read it. Also, besides Elsie my favourite character is Avery, closely followed by Benz. I would love to see more of both of these characters. Their stories would be epic.
Damage Control by Jae – I couldn’t resist diving into the second of the series :-). I love Jae’s writing, the characters and the build up, the slow burn romance. But boy oh boy was I ready for the characters to finally get it on when they did. I adored the adult respect each character gave the other in terms of their relationship with understanding each other’s point of view and position in situations without them having to be hit on the head repeatedly before they got it. I also adore Jae’s Easter eggs/cameos in her books. I love that so many of them are all in the same world. Beautifully written and a great story.
Chasing Dreams by A.L. Brooks – Before now I have only read one other A.L Brooks book and I loved it. But having read Chasing Dreams I’m definitely scurrying off to get her back catalogue sooner rather then later. There is so much I loved about this book so let me break down some of my favourite points and ramble a bit more about others. – Amazing seamless and realistic safe sex. I have no idea how she did it but the author managed to incorporate a safe sex scene that was smooth and natural and still sexy while also managing another scene discussing characters last tests and checks in a way that is believable. – Mature characters (mostly lol) who actually think before they dive in. – Realistic and well rounded characters with their own unique personalities, lives and dreams seperate from each other. They both have pasts and lives, scars and fears that influence their decisions and reactions in the world. – Side characters that I adore who are just as real as the main characters. Extra shout outs to Shannon, Katie, Ned, and Wayne. – Writing that is beautiful and encompassing. Yes, it’s true the story starts with an enemies to lovers trope but even that didn’t feel as pitted against each other as is often the case. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my fair share of the binary tropes – sunshine vs grumpy etc. but I truly adored that neither of the main characters were ‘perfect’ or ‘the bad one’. I loved that they were both wonderfully flawed and brilliant in such a human way. They are both on their own journeys of facing very real and painful pasts and fears, and they do this for themselves. Yes they find each other and it helps them face these things … they don’t NEED each other to sand down any rough edges. And if that hasn’t given you the desire to read it … damn, the sex scenes throughout the book are simply delicious. 😉
Breathless by Lianyu Tan – I have been umming and ahhing about reading Captive in the Underworld. I love the idea of twisting gods and turning them into Goddesses and examining the sapphic versions of old stories. But, I’ve never been known to be a fan of dark romance. Other dark genres yes, but not so much romance. Then I saw this short story that fits within the Captive in the Underworld book and I thought, hey let’s finally give dark romance a chance. I was right, the genre isn’t particularly for me but this story was mostly well written and intriguing. A few moments I found a bit confusing in the description but overall not a bad short read. So if dark romance is your cup of tea I recommend giving this one a try.
Be Safe Be Brave Be Kind
Neen x
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It was a less crazy kind of month, well busy as all hell but not filled with the same insanity that seemed to happen so far this year.
This month I managed 12 books. Not too shabby. Surprisingly a few non-sapphic books this month, and a few meh books that were ok but nothing to overhype about. No terrible horrible one star books so all in all, a successful reading month. So here we go.
Miracle Growth by Tim Mendees – Alice in wonderland meets Little Shop of Horrors with some Evil Dead thrown in for good measure, all coated in brilliant humour reminiscent of Hot Fuzz, and Shaun of the Dead. Buddy Review, and Author interview
The Principle’s Office by Jae – What a gorgeous little short about Ky and Regan. I love and adore Jae’s way of also bringing in characters from other books. Even ones you wouldn’t automatically think about, ok you all might but I hadn’t. The cuteness of this story made me smile and that’s just what I needed. A short happy read 🙂
Blue Horses by Mary Oliver – Her poetry speaks to me in ways I’ve not found before. There is beauty and sadness in this collection, with a clarity and humour that seeps beneath the skin.
Dead Pretty by Robyn Nyx – Second person, 2 POV sapphic crime book. What more could a girl really ask for. A fantastic combination of crime and love story twisted together in a well balanced flow. I adored both main characters but I am easily team Dak. I fell in love with the family dynamics, the imperfections of the characters, the red herrings, and the humour and tension. Nyx’s writing is power and beautiful. Video Review
Win by Harlen Coben – I’ll admit. I went into this with a little trepidation. I love the Myron Bolitar series. True, I always loved Win and his psychopathic mood and humour but I didn’t know how it would go. Next minute, I’ve read the entire book in one day. Harlen Coban is brilliant. His writing style makes the pages fly by, the mystery is fascinating, and the humour had laugh out loud moments.
The Immortal by E.G Creel – Overall the story is interesting and a really cool idea. There are some wonderful moments. For me the most noteworthy ones are the very beginning (brilliant set up) and Emma’s dream after she almost drowns. I wanted to love this book, but in the end I struggled with the introduction of too many characters who didn’t feel unique enough and the way information was given too easily. I would have liked to have discovered the history of the Vikings in a more gradual way.The main character was a little too detached and the flow could have been better with a few chapters swapped around. I still enjoyed moments and I love the ideas behind it.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston – A brilliantly written story with characters you can’t help but adore. Single POV (y’all know how much I love them) third person from Alex’s perspective. I adore this character. He’s so driven and smart and so ridiculously stupid at the same time. There were some true moments of ooomph right to the feels. The push and pull had me up at all hours dying to read more of this amazing book.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon (Narrator Liyah Summers) – Amazing epic fantasy. I now understand why so many people have raved about it. Beautiful writing, wonderful stories all coming together with brilliant characters. I did get a bit bogged down in the stories for a small time but glad it wasn’t enough to stop me from pushing through. Adored so much about the ending.
Almost Ruth by Tyler Jones – What a rush. The small town vibes with superstitions, rituals, and characters I swear I’ve met. I loved the story and the build up of things being not quite right, the tension was delightful. What I adored most about this book is the writing itself. The description of the small details is phenomenal and delicious. I struggled a little with the end, feeling like the answers only raised more questions for me, and boy do I want the answers.
The Magical Femme: A Lesbian Short Storyby Fiona Zedde – Hot damn. Zedde’s words are powerful and her imagery is magical. A hot AF short story that manages to sizzle while also managing to create an entirely realistic and complete main character in just a few pages.
Bulletproof by Maggie Cummings (Narrator PaigeMcKinney) – I listened to the audiobook of this. I wasn’t too fussed on the narrator, the emphasis didn’t sit right for me, but once I sped it up to x1.2 speed I found it a lot more enjoyable as I could focus easier on the story. This was an enjoyable read. I liked the crime element and the tongue in cheek reference to SVU. I enjoyed the dynamics of characters and the story overall, though I would have enjoyed more risk to the crime itself, but that’s probably just me.
Pyotra and the Wolf byElna Holst – If you love fractured fairytales, explorations of family and the monster under the bed turned on it’s head, I highly recommend this book. This is a queer retelling of a fairytale I am not familiar with. If I were I’m not sure if my opinion on the book would change. I loved Pyotra and the Wolf. It pulled me along with such ease and enjoyment. It’s a multiple third person POV story with themes of love, responsibility, family and what equates to strength. Elna holst has such an incredible way of describing the world of characters, emotions, beauty and horror in epic ways. Pyotra and the Wolf reaffirms why I love her writing so much. Video Review
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Major highlights for the shortest month of the year (because with the world in array I’m determined to find the positives where I can): * I found my poet * I did three video reviews – links beside individual books.
A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver – I have found my poetry. My love/hate and at best luke warm relationship has been replaced with OMG I want everything this woman has ever written. Highly recommended for those who love poetry about nature and the small things. Those who love words that are used with delicious purpose, and hints of humour. My favourite poems (after the first read and in this mindset): The Mockingbird Green, Green is my sister’s House Video Review
The Terralight Collection by Pamela Jeffs – Jeffs is a true master of the 1st person POV short story. The worlds she is able to create in such a small amount of words is mind blowing. Her descriptions and characters are so tangible and enveloping. I adore this entire collection and think it brings together some of the most brilliant and wonderfully weird worlds and stories. A collection of 10 short stories and I have four that I love even more than I love the others. Six-Gun Reckoning – who doesn’t love a female Van Helsing – just going to leave it at that lol Fifty Mile Bone Beach – the use of seemingly incongruous words that make an entire post apocalyptic world seem to shudder with realism. Rusted Wings – metal dragon *mike drop* Terralight – a world painted in a sentence … Devine and cruel and wonderful.
Ardulum: First Don by J S Fields – What a fabulous sci-fi adventure. The wo rld building, the characters, and the descriptions were wonderful. I struggled a little with some of the multitude of characters and how they all intersected. I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.
Desolation Point by Cari Hunter – I love crime and mystery, action and darkness. And desolation point hints all these for me. Cari hunter’s writing is beautiful. A balance of action, beautiful description, horrific events, and wonderfully rounded characters. This book had me on edge and I literally had to stay up until stupid o’clock because I couldn’t stop.
A Knife and a Blade by Adelaide Blaike – (ARC READ) – So I don’t normally read MM books, but I do read dark fantasy and damn, this book is dark and brilliant. The darkness seeps underneath your skin and you stay up way too late to read more of it. The story is fascinating, and twisty. Characters revealing more of themselves as they stroll or sulk through the pages. Mystery and intrigue, mixed and balanced perfectly with humour made this book not just easy to read but a hell of a pleasure. The writing is delicious in its description and flow. I can’t wait until it comes out, and even more excited for the second book because, holy crap I need to know what’s happened.
The Forever and the Now by KJ – Not a romance. For me, it is the ultimate love story. It gave me every feel you can imagine from laughing out loud, snorting, wanting to throw my device AT the arrogant homophobia of a few side characters, to making me love to cry. I even hit level 10 on the NINSAABO scale (Neen-I’m-Not-Sobbing-At-All-Bugger-Off). A few times in fact. Bron and Kate are so different and so complimentary to each other. They bring out the best in each other in the most wonderful of ways. From the drawings Bron gives to Kate and the origami cranes Kate gives to Bron, to the different world views and life perspectives they bring to each other. Everything about this wonderful book is raw and realistic, wonderful and heartbreaking. The trials and tribulations of a relationship, the highs and the lows. And then we get the wonderful character developments of Bron and Kate. As the book is from Bron’s point of view we see a bit more of her development but we also discover Kate’s as well. And both are wonderful and realistic. There are so many parts I loved about this book but my favourite scene of all time is the intervention with Bron and her sisters and mother. There is so much realistic and raw passion in this scene. It got the tears flowing and the heart pumping. It made me feel like I could have been in my sister’s kitchen being on either end of the situation. And damn did that hit home. With KJ’s trademark flowing sentences, wonderful descriptions, and perfect balance of humour and heartbreak, The Forever and the Now is a book that will stay with me, and I’m so glad to have been able to read it. Just make sure you have tissues nearby when you dive in to this wonderful love story.Video Review.
Gold by E J Noyes – Beautiful second chance at life book. Narration was delightful and the story was beautiful with delicious descriptions of scenery and soul searching. E J Noyes had such a wonderful skill at creating lives and worlds so real and intriguing I have a sudden urge to risk breaking body parts up on the slopes despite my inability to balance in high heels let alone anything else. I adore the single 1st person POV and the characters developments throughout this book. It was a pleasure to read.
The Awkward Truth by Lee Winter – If you love single POV, opposites attract, ice queens, steamy sex scenes and laughing while you get an insight into human nature, a wonderful storyline and brilliant characters. I totes recommend this book. First, a little rant about the brilliant way Lee Winter writes characters. I adore her characters and am continually shocked how much I relate to them when there is nothing similar in me or my life to their personalities or experiences. I shouldn’t be shocked though. She doesn’t just write, ‘ice Queen’, or ‘yokel’ or even ‘lesbian’. She writes humans who go through growth and change, she writes people who struggle when the outside looking in their lives may seem perfect. She is able to sum up in a paragraph a human condition that has papers on it that can never quite sum it up so clearly. Now, The Awkward Truth. What a fabulously well written and delightful story. I laughed so many times during this book. I also found myself feeling like a fish out of water when something else dropped for our delightful main character. I loved Felicities attitude in The Brutal Truth, she amused me so much with her black and white way of seeing everything, but this sidequel brings up the full roundness of Felicity. I love the dynamics between her and Cooper. The banter as always was mike drop brilliant and I adored the little extra cameos, specifically Elena, and ooh I adore Rosalind. A fabulous read, and if you get the chance, definitely indulge in Angela Dawes’ narration. The woman is a voice goddess.
Must Love Silence by Lucy Bexley – What a perfect balance of hard topics, brilliant humour, and well rounded characters. I loved the writing; poetic and light. And the single POV always rates extra points from me. Topic of addiction, and mental health all play a huge part of this book and I couldn’t love the way Lucy Bexley treats this issues any more than I do. I am really excited to read more of her work.
Girl Island by Kate Castle – This book was a thrill and rush to read. One of the best YA sapphic fictions I’ve read. I saw this book advertised as mean girls meets lord of the flies and boom! The most accurate description but there is so much more to it then that. The set up of the main character (and the other characters as well) is fantastic, and as I moved through the story I recognised many of them. There are so many delightful layers of this story and I really enjoyed the way a second POV is brought in throughout the main characters story. There are moments where I couldn’t help myself from highlighting and making notes on the beauty of the scenery, the crackle between characters, and the way the author has used darkness and beauty to crash and sweep you away like the storms.Video review.
For the verbal babble and February bookshelf wrap up you can find that here.
KJ is one of the most amazing authors I’ve read, and even better, one of the sweetest, kindest, and funniest humans. I am so completely honoured to have been a beta reader for KJ’s latest novel The Forever and The Now.
I wanna scream and rant about how much I love this book (see Hyperactive Bookwork for this such thing) but I’ll try to find actually words to interpret *aaaaaaahhhhhh*
Firstly, The Forever and The Now is not a romance. For me, it is the ultimate love story. It gave me every feel you can imagine from laughing out loud, snorting, wanting to throw my device AT the arrogant homophobia of a few side characters, to making me love to cry. I even hit level 10 on the NINSAABO scale (Neen-I’m-Not-Sobbing-At-All-Bugger-Off). A few times in fact.
Bron and Kate are so different and so complimentary to each other. They bring out the best in each other in the most wonderful of ways. From the drawings Bron gives to Kate and the origami cranes Kate gives to Bron, to the different world views and life perspectives they bring to each other.
Everything about this wonderful book is raw and realistic, wonderful and heartbreaking. The trials and tribulations of a relationship, the highs and the lows.
And then we get the wonderful character developments of Bron and Kate. As the book is from Bron’s point of view we see a bit more of her development but we also discover Kate’s as well. And both are wonderful and realistic.
There are so many parts I loved about this book but my favourite scene of all time is the intervention with Bron and her sisters and mother. There is so much realistic and raw passion in this scene. It got the tears flowing and the heart pumping. It made me feel like I could have been in my sister’s kitchen being on either end of the situation. And damn did that hit home.
With KJ’s trademark flowing sentences, wonderful descriptions, and perfect balance of humour and heartbreak, The Forever and the Now is a book that will stay with me, and I’m so glad to have been able to read it. Just make sure you have tissues nearby when you dive in to this wonderful love story.
I may have mentioned this before. I tend to follow the shiny bouncy ball of life, but only once it’s smacked me in the face a few times. My stubbornness gets in my way, and even when it’s a decision I already teetered on the edge of, I demand the push before I fall up.
Only three days into the new year and I’ve been smacked left right and up the back of the head. Poetry and feelings. Two things I have love/hate and decidedly complicated relationships with.
I used to cry a lot. But after years of being told to suck it up, years of learning to school the icy shards of emotions from my face and reactions. And while the tears have been easy to tame, I have never stopped apologising for my excitement over what others deem insignificant. I still get ‘overly’ enthusiastic about the things I love, only to ruminate about them later and worry I expresses TOO much emotion. But when it comes to crying, I don’t. Or at least I hadn’t for a very long time. Not only had I come to think of tears as distasteful in myself (I love people who can cry) but almost impossible to reach.
Enter last year and my introduction to some of the most amazing authors and human beings I have ever been lucky enough to know. The LGBTQIA writing community I have found have been ridiculously supportive and boosting.
Last year, 5 books made me cry. I almost fell over the first time it happened. I remember it clearly. I was stirring a pot of pasta, ensuring it didn’t stick to the bottom of the pot, I’m not a terribly good or attentive kitchen person. But I was reading, holding the book in one hand while the other hand half mindedly stirred the pasta and water. I didn’t realise I was crying. I was reading and my chest grew hot and tight. Being constricted as though wrapped up by a boa. My cheek tickled. My brows furrowed and I lifted the hand stirring up to my cheeks. Before I could really take in the tears I yelped as hot water splashed on me and my book. Saving me from investigating the phenomenon. 4 more times it happened. And by the end of the year I felt a fear and an excitement over being able to. More than that, I felt indebted to these amazing authors who plucked at the chains wrapped around my emotions and let them be expressed.
Three days into the new year and the first book I’ve read has made me cry. The second book is a poetry book and I’ve felt winded as it talked about societies pressure to not feel. To not admit we are human with all the ranges of emotions. Bring on my burgeoning relationship with poetry.
As if these weren’t enough, just this morning I had a conversation with a fellow author whom I am beta reading for, below is what happened when she asked me for some specific details and feedback for the book.
My first reaction was horror. How can I be associated with sobbing? But that lasted a mere micro second because now I can’t take the smile off my face.
So here is to a new year of poetry and feelings. A year of rating books on the NINSAABO scale.
Here’s to not apologising for my emotions, the sadness, the fullness, the fear, and the excitement.
The final reads for the year. Some good, some painful, some a little different then expected, but all part of the wonderful reading journey. Books can be there for you in so many different ways. Even re-reads often offer different insights, not because they change, but you, the reader, changes. You come to the book as who you are in that moment, and between the pages you are offered a variety of things; education, entertainment, understanding, visibility, anger, revenge, a way to sort through your own human turmoil. I have experienced all of these and more, just this year.
But enough of me waxing lyrical, here are my December books
An Unexpected Gift by KJ – Washing machine of emotions. As I read each of these stories I made little notes throughout and then my main point for each on their titles. Some of my favourite comments (the ones that aren’t spoilers) range from: It’s the hallmark movie I want to see Ooh stealing this wording, not even sorry The KJ line in a KJ story. Well now that’s rather sexy isn’t it Good god woman Ooh the threads and Easter eggs. A tapestry tale. So basically what I’m saying is, every single story has something beautiful to add to this Southern Hemisphere Christmas. And I loved each of them for their own unique characters, story, and wording.
All at Sea by Cheyenne Blue – Total Gilmore girls vibes at parts and damn I’ve never wanted to feel a deck beneath my feet so much. A brilliant adventure that starts with a chance meeting. This book is so much more than the coincidences I often roll my eyes at. Everything flows and the real human insights that are delved into are so spot on. I got frustrated with one character near the beginning but as you get to know her, the reasons for her frustrating actions become understood and even acceptable. I loved that neither character is perfect. There is no idea of ‘but they are too good for me.’ I adore Cheyenne Blue’s way with words. Beautiful phrases from ordinary words. My book is a neon sign of highlights and scrawled writing in the margins. Cheyenne is a master of relationships. The relationship between the two characters is beautiful. I love that it wasn’t Insta love and the development is real. Best of all, they find themselves arguing, and then they talk it though. Then don’t clam up despite lumps in the throat. They don’t create unnecessary tension (human lives have enough of that already) by biting their tongues. The relationships don’t end there. I fell in love with the sisters and their support for each other, and the focus on family obligations. *chefs kiss*. Well worth a read if you love brilliant character development, insights into human nature, and want to find yourself smiling while you read.
Cosa Nostra by Emma Nichols – 3.5 Stars for me. I loved the gangster story here. From the beginning I adored Maria and understood that she wanted out of the life she’d been born into, and the job she had unwillingly inherited. I was less impressed with the insta-love of the characters. I understood what the authors was wanting to achieve here but for me it felt like there were no moments between the two characters that showed me why it was anything more than lust. A little too much telling of events and not enough showing their growing attraction beyond the physical. The writing was interesting and I really enjoyed the lines of family, love, responsibility, and friendships. I enjoyed the gangster story, but if I were to read it again I would skip a lot of the repetitive love story that stated the two were in love with each other without showing how lust grew to love.
Slattery Falls by Brennan LaFaro – If you like well written horror and ghost stories, give it a go. I did a video review of this amazing book. After a week of finishing this book I still found myself thinking about how LaFaro managed to build and drop the tension with such seeming ease. This book is the best example of a written rollercoaster ride I’ve read. I’ve read many books where the rollercoaster feels as though it’s just going up and down the same slope, the same issues, but this pushed forward with each dip and climb. The end left a few things unanswered but that sort of made me feel like it was more realistic, we don’t always get closure, and for me that made it even more terrifying and wonderful. Note, I also LOVED that one of the characters appears to be on the autism spectrum, go LaFaro.
Jericho by Ann McMan – What a wonderful book to listen to. Over 20 hours and I couldn’t get enough of it. Christine Williams did an amazing job narrating. My first, but will not be my last, Ann McMan book. The BEST slow burn that focuses on the two main characters truly developing a friendship before attraction and complications arise. The banter is wonderful and the characters, Main and side are all so well rounded and relatable. I’m excited about their being a sequel 😀
Go Around by E J Noyes – A second chance romance with amazingly realistic and terrifying stalking aspects and law enforcement thrown in. Did I squeal with excitement and glee at the Easter egg of Alone that happens just after the halfway mark? Why yes, yes I did. I love the self referential deprecation as well as the internal monologues. If anyone was going to make a gamer geek kick arse, I’m not at all surprised that it’s this amazing author. Noyes has smashed it out of the park once again. I listened to the audio version of Go Around and damn, the combination is a heady experience. Noyes’ amazing build up of arousal and heartbreak, tension and fear mixed with the husky tones and amazing voice acting from Abby Craden … gurgle and puddle.
Ask, Tell by E J Noyes – Recommended for those needing to be emotionally ruined and put back together in loving and beautiful ways. I bought this book months ago, but I’ve been so nervous to start it. I needn’t have been worried. Yes, the book handles some very heavy themes and is set in a time where our community was allowed to exist as robots and something less then human. But this book. The fifth book this year to have me in tears. 😭 The writing is beautiful and heart wrenching. There are pages now highlighted and margins with scrawls. So often a line would get me for the beauty and emotion pressed into the words surrounding it as much as the words of the line itself. 📝 I had moments where it reminded me of the movie Serving in Silence and tension would tighten around my chest. Would someone overhear? Did someone know? Did they have proof? But my god, the way Noyes writes it is everything. 😚 The story itself is insightful and the insight of armed services and family made me smile and weep. 🎖 And though I feel like it goes without saying, for anyone who hasn’t read an EJ Noyes book before. As always her sexy scenes are 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Language of Love: A Flirty, Festive anthology – A beautiful collection of Christmas short stories set in all different places in the world. I laughed, I awed, and I loved the stories. Was a brilliant read over the holiday period.
Shattered by Lee Winter – This was a reread. It was my first Lee Winter novel and it hooked me right from the start. This time I listened to it and that only increased my love for this story. The characters, the world, the dynamics are all so wonderful and powerful.
Happy Holidays and however you welcome in the new year
November is a crazy month. NaNoWriMo takes up so much of my time. But with that being said, I love that reading is still a priority. In fact, I think I would be nervous to call myself a writer if I gave no time to reading. To me, they have and always will go hand in hand. So six books in November isn’t terrible, but I think it is my least amount of books all year.
Fetish by Tara Moss – This was a re-read and this time I listened to it. It’s a really awesome book. I actually enjoyed it more this time than I can remember enjoying it years ago when it was first published. There is some awesome tension and mystery going with Mak, and I still LOVE this character so much. I think it’s held up pretty well, as long as you remember it’s set before EVERYONE had mobile phones. Great read, looking forward to listening to the rest of the series. I’ve not read all of the books so that’s exciting to look forward to.
Compass Rose by Anna Burke – There are so many things I adored about this book. The dystopian world and all it’s dynamics, the star trek gone wrong underwater sort of vibes and the characters, of the characters. Yes, of course I related to Rose, I damn near swooned over Miranda, but heck the other characters were what made it such a fun and interesting journey. I adored the pirates and the powerful balance of action, responsibility, lust, longing, and humour. I can’t wait to read the sequel. I squealed a little when I found out there was a sequel.
A Place to Call Home by Jae – So in the past I have said that I prefer Jae’s longer fiction … bite my tongue. This was the most delightful and delicious short story. It is a beautiful insight and wonderfully realistic portrayal into the dynamics of Luke and Nora as they start their new lives. They struggle against the social norms and finding a place to call home in each other. One of my favourite short reads of the year. If you are after a historical short feel-good read that has beautiful representation of characters fighting against the roles society this is definitely the read for you.
Brimstone Bound (Firebrand #1) by Helen Harper – If you’re looking for a British take and twist of true blood, without the overly sexual focus and more on the crime and mystery. This is the book for you. I had so much fun reading this book. The crime and mystery were fantastic. The characters were great. It had a grittier, more realistic sort of feel to it and ooh the breadcrumbs and red herrings throughout the whole thing had me loving every reveal and twist. Now if only we could get some sapphic in the mix this would be an ultimate book for me 😜
Sliced Ice by Lee Winter – Everything I wanted and more. 10 incredible short stories, each with their own one two punch. Here’s my break down (I also did a reading Vlog of it, there is blushing and fangirling here: Five Times Felicity Met Elena – Oh Elena Bartell, my all time favourite of Lee Winter’s Ice Queens. I mean, what a perfect way to start this collection. And from Felicity’s point of you, I always found her snarkiness rather interesting, but now I’m even more excited about The Awkward Truth. It’s on my list I promise! Aliens in New York – OMG I didn’t know we would be getting more than one story about the wonderful Elena. I mean, it’s awesome to see what happens to Madeliene with her writing after The Brutal Truth. *phew, got away with that one*. A magnificent snap shot into Lee Winter’s ability to craft beauty and emotion. The Brutal Lie – ELENA! Cold shower required, and a truly interesting look into the ideas of outing others and the growing acceptance of people, irrelevant of sexuality. Skye Storm’s Invite Absolutely Everyone Ultimate Pool Party – I adore Skye and her eccentric and wonderful take on life. An LA hippy. I also laughed out loud (in the middle of the shops) at her openness with her children, and ability to make them groan. She’s wonderful. Oh, I had also forgotten just how much I love Bess, so charmingly british and wonderful. The Friend – This was a surprising addition but I think it might possibly be my favourite. Christmas in Australia, family drama, an Ice Queen in the most unexpected of places (or at least that’s how I interpret it) Number Five – BLUSH! Holy Hannah. This is what happens when I refuse to know what’s coming up … BOOM! Hot as hell erotica story from the Madame herself of Duxton Hotel. Flash Bang – Indeed. A nice hot scene with amusing insights into the crazy world of fashion. When DC met Iowa – I LOVED this story so much. I am adoring Lee’s insights into side characters. This starts hilariously with a wake up in an unknown room and unknown woman in bed. Turns, with snarky humour, into something quite sweet. First-Class Villians – All for a special bottle of Champaign, three of Lee Winter’s most delicious villians and one insidious bitch tell their stories for the prize. Yeah, there’s no secret that I hate Grace, but seeing others not put up with her shit was brilliant. Love Is Not Nothing – My very first Lee Winter writing and it was the story I fell in love with her characters and her writing. A melted ice Queen, but only for her faux mouse. Sexy delicious writing with assassination and protectiveness thrown in.
Worthy of Love by Quinn Ivins – There is something truly beautiful about the way Quinn Ivins writes a balance of the beauty of humans and the worst part of humans. Characters you wanna cuddle and others you want to throttle. The characters in Worthy of Love are so real I feel like I’ve known many of them (not always happily) my entire life. I adore the sex scenes in this book. Not only are they hot as hell without being an instruction manual but the realism even down to consent and internal monologues are balanced and smooth. Quinn Ivins also manages yet again to make me care about things I’ve never really known much about before in my life. Another great tick in the box is the way the characters talk to each other instead of having long drawn out angst because they simply won’t have a conversation. Definitely recommend this book if you love real dynamic and diverse characters, hot sex scenes with realistic consent, an interesting story, and brilliant writing. Worthy of Love ticks all the righ
Paper Love by Jae – The beauty of this books makes me wish I could fly overseas right now and explore the beauty of Freiburg that Jae describes within the pages and step over (or into) a Bachle, grab a coffee and go sniff some stationary. Susanne and Anja are pitted against each other in the beginning. A softish Ice Queen and a stationary junkie. And it’s delicious on so many levels. In true, wonderful Jae style, the angst is low and conversations that need to happen actually do happen, and before 75% of the book. In fact, most issues of communication get resolved pretty quickly and I’ve never been so happy. The development of the relationships between the characters, all the characters not just Susanne and Anja, are realistic and human. I also have a bit of a soft spot for Anja’s best friend, Miri. I feel akin to her, and her huge family and the effect of being the only childless sibling (at least until I was in my mid thirties). Of course, Miri is the funnier, cuter, and braver version of my life but I really adore this side character. So if you love low angst, slow burns, steamy sex scenes that are 100% worth the wait and characters you hope to meet when visiting the sunniest city in Germany, Paper Love might be just what you are looking for.
Hope you enjoy my reviews of these books. I’d love to know if any interest you enough to try them out.
Seeing as I usually read a good amount of spooky books all year round I didn’t focus on reading just spooky for October. Turns out I should have. I read a pathetic amount of scary books, less than every other month. I make my own rules, usually through lack of planning and being too busy to realise what is going on in the world outside my lunchbox. In my defense, I did read 10 books and ended the month on an awesome spooky high.
Top Reads of the Month:
Pics of the Month
Quantum Rule: Terror Underground by Jay Sandlin – 4.5 stars – Best start I’ve read in a novella in a while. I was hooked from the get go. There were breadcrumbs that made you suspect what comes next but never enough for you to be sure. A few HA’s out loud as I got completely surprised a few times. This was an epic addition to the AFTER series. Great fight scenes and an intriguing world dynamics.
Born with Teeth by Kate Mulgrew – 4.5 stars – Oh my. Ten plus hours of listening to Captain Kathryn Janeway to fall in love with Kate Mulgrew. She narrates as the true actor she i s and oh how it’s a beautiful memoir of her life. Her memories, her perspectives of her life. The rawness she goes into. It’s riveting and heartbreaking. If you listen to the audio, the interview at the end is well worth it, and possibly bumped up my experience with the book at least half a star.
The Best New True Crime Stories: Serial Killers by Mitzi Szereto – 4 stars – Some lesser known serial killers and what we know of them and their crimes. A lot of speculation as many of the crime facts have been lost to the past, but they do a good job of piecing what they do have together and coming to very plausible outcomes.
Carry On by Holley Cornetto – 4 Stars – Delicious and dusty. I loved the characters and the realistic portrayal into human nature, and what we might be willing to do to survive. Absolutely loved and adored the main character, and the books look into the importance or lack there of to names.
A Quiet Death (The Dark Peaks #3) by Cari Hunter – 5 stars – WOW! What an ending to an amazing trilogy. I both love and hate that that’s the end. I want more of Meg and Sanne. One of my favourite things about this instalment to the dark peak series is seeing inside a third persons POV. Gotta love a woman in charge. The writing and story was brilliant, and Cari Hunter is definitely one of my top new found authors. If you like brilliantly written mystery with characters so real you discuss them as you would a mate up the street, check out this series. Incredible.
Freedom to Love by Ronica Black – 3.5 star. There was lots to love about this book. I loved the immediate plunge into the action of the story, it sucked me right in. I also loved that there were no chapters that dragged with the characters umming and ahhing about wanting to be together. They were adults thrown into situations and instead of lying or hedging, they pretty much said what they thought, mostly. I wasn’t a fan of the sex scenes, though I’m sure they are other peoples cup of tea.
Easy Nevada and the Pyramid’s Curse by Georgette Kaplan – 4 Stars – I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. Navada is quirky with history and layers, and even with the self-referential mentions of being like Jane Jones or Lara Croft, it was that sort of fun adrenaline spiked adventure. Mix in some The Mummy feels, with Brendan Fraser being a hot chick and you’ve pretty much nailed how this read felt. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the ending but I’m still really looking forward to the next book in the series.
Unbreakable by Cari Hunter – 5 stars – OMG, the rollercoaster and speed of this book is epic and fantastic … the writing is natural and hooks you in the entire time. Characters are wonderful and real and flawed and hilarious. I love reading crime, I always have but there is something so much cooler about reading a genre you love that has representation you can relate to
Coming Home by KJ – 5 stars – Ok, so I may have read these books backwards but damn, I regret nothing. This book is so delicious and sweet and funny and Aussie. It’s literally everything I love about KJ’s writing. There are lines I wish I had written and lines that made me spit coffee with laughter … and yep, it’s true, there’s even a line that made this cold hearted bitch burst into tears. 4th book of the year, bugger I’m going to start getting a reputation of having a heart. It’s a truly delicious celebrity romance book with amazing characters and real people.
The Pseudopod thatRocks the Cradle by Time Mendees – 4 Stars – Perfect way to end the spooky month. This short story collection from Tim Mendees is twisted and titillating, terrifying and tentacle filled, so naturally I loved it, and highly recommend it. There was something disturbing to take away from each story but my stand out favourites were definitely: * Afterimage – feel the burn – such an intense story and idea. Blinked many times after finishing it. * Mr mannequin – anyone for a tattoo – the creepy crime that made me shiver. * The Face in the Fabric – looking at clothes never seemed so terrifying. So if you like twisted gritty stories about disturbed minds (or insanely normal minds twisted to insanity) and worshippers of the old gods this is the collection for you.
This month I completed ALL of my reading challenges for the month. Which is awesome. I made some sapphic reading challenge videos over on the Hyperactive Bookworm channel. Drop by and take a look, leave a comment, or if you like what you hear/see you can always subscribe.
Neen Cohen 