3.5 stars? I don't actually know how I feel about this! I hope it all works out for them? The MC's voice was compelling -- I didn't want to stop readi3.5 stars? I don't actually know how I feel about this! I hope it all works out for them? The MC's voice was compelling -- I didn't want to stop reading -- but also whiplash-y a little, hard for me to keep up with. She appeared to be satisfied in the end but I'm still filled with questions: his keeping Summer a secret required so much deception and hiding for months, and I'm not sure it got adequately addressed, emotionally or logistically.
(It was a relief that they did not in fact go camping and instead to a luxurious cabin and what appeared to be a SHOCKINGLY expensive getaway. How much money did dude have?? If he's THAT loaded, why hasn't he paid off her student loans? Seriously, that vacation -- cabin, expensive food and booze, helicopter rides for four, renting a car unexpectedly, buying her clothes and hiking boots in advance -- must have cost, like, $5000? For four days?)...more
I mean, she is just so good at this big world business! It's like the joy of Star Trek or Tamora Pierce.
I just wish they weren't all romances? I do aI mean, she is just so good at this big world business! It's like the joy of Star Trek or Tamora Pierce.
I just wish they weren't all romances? I do appreciate that as the books have gone on, the whole alpha thing is about caring for community, positive touch, protection, consent, etc. But blech, there's still so much unnecessary toxic masculinity vibes. This book was really working for me until it got to their first explicit scene about 80% in, when he got all dominant/bossy sexy times and was like "yo, this is a sexy fun game". Did he ask? Not even a little! She's literally almost never touched another person, has massive fear and concerns about agency and her psychological integrity and freedom, and he's gonna be all "ooh I'll have to punish you sexily if you're a bad girl!" WTAF. It doesn't make any sense in the context of their relationship or either of their personalities - like a whole other book scene just dropped in.
I am, however, rounding up my stars because I can't wait to find out what happens next in the world and SHE INTRODUCED HORSE SHIFTERS. why isn't every author really exploring the shifter possibilities out there? Nalini Singh: truly out in front of the pack....more
It's hard for authors to jump from YA to adult, but this one really worked beautifully. The spicy scenes were smooth and unforced (def not for a high It's hard for authors to jump from YA to adult, but this one really worked beautifully. The spicy scenes were smooth and unforced (def not for a high school library tho). I especially loved that the plot didn't depend on miscommunication -- there were a few moments when I worried that it would be a lying/faking plot line but happily it didn't go there. Loved the family (I'm a sucker for awesome loving parents of queers), the friendships, and the modeling of consent and communication. No villains!...more
I don't personally love an oldskool clinch cover but you know what? In these days of "let's make everything an A solid installment in a solid series!
I don't personally love an oldskool clinch cover but you know what? In these days of "let's make everything an illustrated cover that gives you no information about what you're getting," I respect it....more
4.5 stars rounding up for how much I enjoyed it. Upper middle grade, genuinely spooky, Halloweeny. Didn't love the "now you're grown --> romantic feel4.5 stars rounding up for how much I enjoyed it. Upper middle grade, genuinely spooky, Halloweeny. Didn't love the "now you're grown --> romantic feelings" at the end....more
Queer fantasy locked room murder mystery set on a magical ship! I have a feeling this one is going to be polarizing: it's got a very fic-style snark aQueer fantasy locked room murder mystery set on a magical ship! I have a feeling this one is going to be polarizing: it's got a very fic-style snark and banter that feels more like In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan than anything else I can think of.
I didn't like the multiple scenes in the first half of stress eating to self-soothe, but I did find an interview with the author where she talked about her intentional choice to do that and make an imperfect fat character (fighting Good Fat / Bad Fat). Our fat MC is messy, desirable, flamboyant, complicated: certainly not there for moralizing and no weight loss. Still didn't love those bits but respect that they were thought through.
If recommending, big cw for suicidal ideation....more
3.5 stars, rounding down just for the constant uses of "man" and "woman" as adjectives (ie "man-rod", "woman pleasure")... and honestly bc it was a li3.5 stars, rounding down just for the constant uses of "man" and "woman" as adjectives (ie "man-rod", "woman pleasure")... and honestly bc it was a little more reliant on plot than is my particular jam. But loved the setting and the historical context and placement of (many! Not just one!) Black Scots....more
It took me a minute to really get into this, partly because I found it hard to enjoy the MC, but once I was in I was ALL in.
It shines especially in tIt took me a minute to really get into this, partly because I found it hard to enjoy the MC, but once I was in I was ALL in.
It shines especially in the side characters... that was what really won me over and will keep me coming back for all the future books. For example, there's a moment when the MC has been doing some very frustrating not-communicating with the love interest, causing "if they just talked to each other, this would be solved" vibes, and one of her besties sits her down for such a smart, loving, direct come-to-Jesus talk. It was perfectly written but also so perfect for the story, character development, and plot. At another point at the end (no spoilers), her mom tells the MC that she prayed on something that had bothered her, sharing her distress and love so poignantly that I wanted just a whole other book about the family.
One very specific... quibble? question? Ok, so: during one very active and enthusiastic penetrative sex scene, she says "Each time he bumped into my cervix, he tapped into something spiritual within me." Putting the spiritual part aside even, WHAT? I'm honestly baffled. Banging into the cervix over and over sounds excruciatingly painful. Is this a thing that could be pleasurable? I'm genuinely curious: that's not my experience, but maybe it's a thing?? Really took me out of the story, though! EDITED TO ADD UPDATE: I asked a professionally sex-knowledgeable person about this and the answer is YES! Cervix-banging during penetrative sex can apparently be A+ Good Times, among other reasons bc it's the underside of the cervix being bumped, which doesn't cause nerve reactions like the gyno, and because you're relaxed rather than tense. Different strokes for different folks!...more
3.5 rounding up! Loved the sense of place and all the excellent rep, and the great relationship cyn has with her family.. Also the workout scene bc ng3.5 rounding up! Loved the sense of place and all the excellent rep, and the great relationship cyn has with her family.. Also the workout scene bc ngl I was wondering about what kind of strength training she does to do all that pole work!...more
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