Queer Literary Loft

An engaging memoir with a compelling narrative; reading What a Girl Wants felt like sitting down to put the world to rights with a good friend. Bourdillon's style of writing is easy to enjoy, flowing from one personal point to the next whilst also linking those experiences with key cultural and political moments, such as the release of The L Word and Section 28.

I think LGBTQ+ millennials are likely to find at least one aspect of this book with which they can identify. In reality most will find more than just one aspect that resonates; I know I certainly did. From coming out to finding the Leeds gay scene, there is a plethora of aspects to explore in this book.

I was initially drawn to picking up What a Girl Wants for review due to the author's role as editor in chief of Diva magazine: as a subscriber I recognised the name immediately. Within the first few chapters I was hooked as it became apparent that we're not too far apart in age, home location, or indeed upbringing, which always makes a memoir that more interesting as a reader. I love the memoir genre for this exact reason: its books often have the ability to be both fascinating and validating - What a Girl Wants is no different.

At one stage in her story Bourdillon reflects on the word ‘lesbian' - how it became weaponised by the patriarchy (amongst others), and the impact this had on her use of the word; these reuminations deeply resonated within me. To this day it is a word I dislike, and I completely  recognise that comes as a direct result of my own lived experiences such as those Bourdillon shares with her audience.

What a Girl Wants is a nostalgia filled, personable, and deeply relatable book... which will without doubt stand the test of time, as every inspirational LGBTQ+ memoir should - our stories are more important now than ever. 

Firecamp is a second chance, opposites attract romance told in two halves across a 10 year gap.

In the beginning we meet Fallon Monroe and Nora Palmer, as they both arrive at firecamp for the summer. Each of them have very different reasons for attending - Fallon hopes to find her inner confidence and forge a career path for herself. Whilst Nora has an agreement with her father - make it to the end of firecamp and he'll fund her last two years of college where Nora intends to study photojournalism.

I enjoyed the first half of the story, there is a decent amount of character development for both Fallon and Nora. During their time in the Colorado national forest, we get to understand their backgrounds and childhood in some detail, illuminating who they are now as twenty somethings. Plus there's an interesting cast of supporting characters also enrolled in firecamp. Some like Gwen and Tina lend themselves to loathing, others such as Kennedy add other personal journeys to the narrative. Although Kennedy's own path to coming out as non-binary would have benefitted from greater detail and progression.
By the end of firecamp there are more than just embers burning between Fallon and Nora but, with uncertain paths ahead, a firestorm soon threatens their Colorado paradise.

In the second part of the book, Fallon and Nora's stories jump forward 10 years; both now successfully embedded in their respective careers. A chance assignment to report on a forest fire sees Nora return to her old firecamp stomping ground where Fallon is now in charge.
Unfortunately, it's this stage of the story that I found unsatisfying. There's so much detail and growth in the first half of Fallon and Nora's story, yet when we meet back up with them 10 years later it's as if the issues of the past are no big deal; the romance felt like it progressed too quickly for the time that had elapsed. I was also fairly disappointed in the last two chapters and epilogue - there are some big transitions and decisions being made, but much of the story telling felt rushed with a lot of content left unexplored, a direct juxaposition to the first half of the book. We also don't see any of the supporting characters in the second half, which is a missed opportunity in my opinion given how much of a part they all play in the first half.

Ultimately, what saved this book for me, is the first half of Fallon and Nora's journey. The firecamp, fire fighting and fire mitigation aspects of the novel were also exceptionally depicted and interesting. The downside is that I found those aspects more entertaining than the plot and the romance at times.

Worth a read if you like the story theme and are aware of the pitfalls when it comes to the romance aspects.

Escape in Time is a poignant reminder of the past, our collective present and hope for the future.

I had the privilege of reading the original version of this story, and whilst undoubtedly improved and polished in places this new version continues to cement my adoration of this series. In its original form Escape in Time was one of the very first Sapphic books I read; 7 years later and it still highlights to me how much I wished I'd had the chance to access books such as this one as a young adult. A story that is full of grit, and the reality and rawness of life rather than a sweet romance, but where the characters on the pages are still proudly LGBTQ+.

If I were to sum up Escape in Time in two words, darkness and light would be my picks. It's a heavy hitting book with some graphic scenes and perhaps not for the faint of heart; there are however clear content warnings for those readers who would prefer to avoid those segments. But, in all honesty the value in reading this story is worth far more than simply words on paper, for reasons I'll explain below.

There is an enormous depth of character to the main protagonists - Landry Donovan and Jacqulyn Foster - both of whom work for Pulsus as an extractor and operative respectively. The comprehensiveness of each of their characters deepens a reader's connection to Donovan and Foster's angst, inner turmoil, and sexual desire. These qualities build and maintain the physical and psychological momentum of the story, creating the perfect pacing for a book that has a lot to give from beginning to end.

The mission of the Pulsus organisation to travel back in time to rescue very specific individuals, thus affecting the course of history (and the present day) is an authentic concept, generating both ethical, moral, and timeline questions. Questions that readers see Donovan and Foster explore: as a reader these aspects are massively thought-provoking and really add another layer to the base plot.

There's a strong supporting cast, some who I loved getting to know like Cait and Beth, and others (Simson) not so much. Each additional character fits well into the overall storyline, coaxing a different dynamic from the character and personalities of Donovan and Foster. This is particularly true of Landry's love interest: basketball player Jade Carter. Jade brings out a distinct side to Landry that you don't see when she's on a ‘mission', Jade's banter and ability to keep Landry on her toes is sweetly amusing in a flirtatious teasing way.

It would be remiss of me not to mention that the Pulsus' mission focuses on Hitler's reign and the atrocities carried out at a concentration camp. However, the depiction of Nazi Germany even in all its brutality is not gratuitous and is wholly relevant to the plot.
Given current happenings in real life, I personally find it tremendously important that we don't forget nor diminish history for the sake of palatability. If those few chapters make you uncomfortable, they should; let them serve as a reminder to not allow history to repeat itself.
By setting part of the story in Nazi Germany and exploring the impact that existing in that time period had on Donovan and her team, there is a real sense of their struggles with such pervasive darkness. But there are also resounding reminders in every square inch of this book that traces of light can still prosper: people need other people, love is powerful, hope exists, there is no light without darkness. Whether it's a soulful look of compassion, a shared understanding across a squalid bunkroom, or the comforting arms of a lover post nightmare, we all in our own ways need other people to be our glimmers in the dark.

Escape in Time is a fast paced, bold, and complex time travel story. It's also littered with empathy and passion; for lovers, for unrequited love, for the fate of the world and the human race. Those interlapping aspects weave many thought-provoking pathways giving rise to a fulfilling, and interesting book that surpasses all the hallmarks of quality literature.

Stories like Escape in Time must continue to be told, now more than ever. My heartfelt thankfulness goes to the author for courageously bringing the darkness into the light; gracefully and engagingly exploring everything it means to be human.

3.5*

Secrets of Her Heart is a low angst, age gap romance that is a quick and easy read.

Thea Fotini has been burned before; having learnt a harsh lesson the hard way, she's in no rush for a repeat performance. Closed off and with safety and security her top priorities, Thea has no intention of stepping out of her bubble, that is until Emma Bright lands on literal bended knee in her driveway. Thea's temporary transition to rescuer and taxi driver results in a budding connection that neither her nor Emma could ever have forseen. Despite the growing attraction doubts remain, can Emma move forward with her life after loss? Does Thea have it in her to learn to trust again?

The insecurities that Emma has regards a nineteen year age gap, plus moving on from the death of a spouse, alongside Thea's extreme distrust, are authentic issues that I think many readers will appreciate for their valid portrayal of real life concerns. I did however struggle to truly believe in Emma's decision making regarding Thea's children. Personally, I'm not sure a change of heart, or even adapting to the situation, would be realistic for someone who never saw children as part of the equation. But then love does funny things!

There's a decent depth to both characters, and their individual backgrounds are nicely fleshed out. I would have welcomed more exploration into Thea's situation with Riva - I felt like I really got to know Emma's life with Brid and what happened there in quite some detail. Where as with Thea and Riva I felt the plot lacked something beyond a surface level description of events, which in turn made it harder to see and feel Thea's perspective and internal thought process to the same extent as Emma's.

I loved the part of the story that was set on the Greek island of Zakynthos; the author did a great job of depicting the island and Greek family life. It was so easy to imagine being sat at Thea's parents taverna on the seafront, enjoying great food and drinks.

I also enjoyed Margot Templeton-Smythe's character, mainly because by describing her as a Hyacinth Bouquet personality, I knew instantly what she'd be like and could picture the scenes perfectly in my head. And I thought the conclusion of Margot's role in the plot was in keeping with that original image.

Secrets of Her Heart is a lovely return to the book world for Karen Klyne, and will make a great book to pick up if you're looking for something low angst with an interesting plot.

I received an arc of this book from Butterworth Books in exchange for an honest review.

Romantasy, steampunk, adventure, epic world building? I am here for it all, and more besides!

It isn't just the title of Willows' latest novel that is dreamy, the entirety of Ship of Dreams is a veritable dreamscape of words; imbuing enchanting visions that even Morpheus, the Greek God of Dreams would be envious of.

Set in a steampunk version of Victorian Great Britain in 1898, Ship of Dreams invites readers to join fearless raider, Captain Alexis Minty, as she dishes out her own brand of justice from the helm of the Devil's Urchin.
Hell bent on addressing the extensive wealth gap between the land and sky cities, Captain Minty can't turn down a chance to covertly board the elusive silver dragon that also sails the skies.
When the raid doesn't go to plan, Temp Strud, captain of the discreet yet lavish dragon pleasure ship, suddenly finds herself the custodian of a pirate. But, as fate would have it, Captain Minty might be the one person that Strud needs to progress her quest to locate the legendary Golden Apple.
If tenuously partnering with a pirate wasn't headache enough, Captain Strud isn't the only one searching for the Apple, making her mission one of danger and deception. Not to mention deliciously complicated by her growing desire, for non other than a pirate!

Of all Brey Willows' books, I think Ship of Dreams might be my new favourite. In amongst this scintillating sapphic steampunk romantasy, is not only a monumental quest for an ancient artefact, but all the other qualities of a Willows' story that I delight in. Both Strud and Minty have forged themselves found families within their respective crews; a version of platonic care and devotion that I love to see. There's also a variety of mythology and mythological creatures on display during the quest: elements that Willows' always excels at. And if you're paying attention, you might also spot a few of the eras literary greats on the passenger list, as they too explore their own pleasures of the flesh on board Captain Strud's elusive airship.

At approx. 360 pages Ship of Dreams is a slightly lengthier sapphic novel than most, but oh boy, does it pack a timely punch. Fans of opposites attract, or forced proximity tropes featuring strong female leads are sure to love this story. With a treasure trove of diverse and entertaining supporting characters, there are a tonne of themes from gender norms to wealth disparities to explore throughout the narrative. Thus, whilst I enjoyed navigating the points of the quest probably as much as the characters did, the overall storyline is also really interesting. I particularly liked the fun of Wade and his gizmos and gadgets, but also uncovering the secrets harboured by both Temp and Minty, was at times as high stakes as the quest itself!

I picked up Ship of Dreams after a long stretch of reading mainly pure romances so much so, that I'd forgotten the thrill of leaning into a new world. The rush that comes from discovering and traversing original landscapes and concepts. This story reminded me of that joy in the most beautifully rich and fulfilling way.

And, the best part? You don't need to have previously read a steampunk novel, to reap the wonders within the Ship of Dreams, because the charm of a Brey Willows' story, the allure of her writing, is her innate ability to world build in a manner that is as complex, as it is simple. She is an expert at show, don't tell, ensuring that readers can completely engage with the story, and thus will always recognise a Brey Willows' book by the fantastical escapade they've just participated in.

Ship of Dreams was a literal dream of a story to read, and for romantasy lovers a gorgeous book not to be missed!

I received an arc from Butterworth Books in exchange for an honest review.

The juxtaposition of conviction and confusion at each stage of Julie Rodgers' young life streams from the pages of her memoir. Her story is an extraordinary read not because of her truth, which is sadly all too familiar, but because of her willingness to share her journey in all its messiness. The vulnerability and strength to share the good, the bad, and the very ugly is a testament to the person she now is.

Outlove will be of interest to anyone who grew up amongst religion whilst discovering their sexual orientation. Or  those who are still trying to make peace with their sexual identity alongside the teachings of their faith.

I first came across Julie's story when watching the Netflix documentary Pray Away, which follows the survivors of conversion therapy: one of those survivors was Julie Rodgers.

Growing up a conservative Christian in a Baptist church, Rodgers came out to her mother at the age of16. In a sustained effort to ‘save' her daughter, Julie was ordered by her mother to attend Living Hope, eventually going on to become a speaker at Exodus International conferences; both organisations heavily involved in the evangelical ex-gay movement. As the pressure to follow God's word, and renounce all homosexual desires and behaviour warred with Julie's inner truth, she found herself spiraling into depression and self harm.

What follows is Julie's journey to accepting and loving her true self. To re-learning everything she was led to believe by the cult like conservative churches she frequented in her teens and twenties. Julie's journey is compelling; her writing having an honest and realness about it, wrapped in the determination to tell her story without the facade of pretending to know all the answers.

As one may expect the book often contains heavy and emotional descriptions of trauma, with an unsurprising focus on conversion therapy. At a time when battle lines are unequivocally drawn in the sand as to stances on conversion therapy and conservative religious teachings, it's perhaps unusual to hear someone confess that they mourn and miss their conservative family, friends or indeed faith leader. Strange as it may sound, perhaps it is Julie's honesty in this respect that makes her story all the more poignant. It highlights that leaving such a ministry,  surviving conversion therapy, and embracing all of ones self is not simply the end of the road. There are hundreds of minutes and hours, of formative years of life to unpick and reconcile, to evaluate and reframe. I think I found that notion the most moving of all, the reality that surviving the initial experience, the religious indoctrination, is but one small part of healing a life irrefutably changed in the name of religion, power, and politics.

And on that note, following Julie through three decades of her personal religious journey, also results in the creation of a timeline of the Church's stance on homosexuality. As Julie transitions into adulthood, readers in turn garner an understanding of how the inner circles of evangelical organisations function, and what their true priorities are.

Outlove is a memoir which I hope everyone will consider picking up because inside is a courageous, inspiring, and gracious story. With conversion therapy and associated practices still legal in many parts of the world, Julie's story is sadly timeless. But for those who are queer and still wish to have a relationship with God, her story is a powerful example that both of those things can exist in harmony side by side.

2.5 Stars (rounded up)

I enjoy a high stakes tryst story and I hoped that's what I'd be getting with the three stories in All For Her, but unfortunately for the most part the collection was underwhelming.

Across the board with exception to the last story I wouldn't class any of the stories as “forbidden”; unusual, maybe unorthodox, perhaps a bit awkward, but not anything that screams “we shouldn't be doing this”. There's a slight caveat to that with Aurora Rey's story, as I think anyone with a sibling would likely consider starting a relationship with your sibling's partner of a decade the day after they split up, pretty forbidden on a number of levels!

First and foremost before diving into each of the individual stories, these are novellas and so there's a certain grace given in terms of detail and timescales as is the case with most short stories.

Her Boss's Wife – Gun Brooke

January Wild has a crush on her boss's soon to be ex-wife, and yet she needs a letter of recommendation from said boss to move to her dream job. I couldn't get on board with this story at all, it genuinely felt like I'd picked up a book and started reading it half way through and was expected to gel with the characters. The brewing desire is at worst inconvenient to the two main characters as it might jeopardize the divorce proceedings, but it's certainly not what I would call forbidden. On top of that January's boss is a sleaze ball and the narrative seems to condone January putting up with his misogynistic behaviour in order to advance her career. Not to say that likely doesn't still happen in the real world but an outdated viewpoint in my opinion.

Her Therapist's Daughter – J.J. Hale

This story centered around the main character Freya and her self-discovery work in therapy – particularly that of maintaining a romantic relationship rather than fleeting hook ups. An outrageous flirt and good at the game, it doesn't take long for Freya to hit it off with Blake, the woman she literally ran into outside her therapist's building. What follows is the blossoming of a romantic relationship between Freya and Blake from flirting to first dates, Freya realizes that for Blake she'll do all the hard work in the world if it means the chance of a real relationship. That is until Blake introduces Freya's therapist as her mum, overwhelmed and panicked Freya turns tail and flees. This story was better, more engaging, and with depth to the characters and storyline. However whilst Freya's therapist being Blake's mum is for sure awkward as all hell, it was still not a coupling that I would class as forbidden.

Her Brother's Girlfriend – Aurora Rey

This is the only story out of the three that I truly see as forbidden in some shape or form. As a twin myself I cannot imagine sleeping with my twin brother's (ex) girlfriend – ever – never mind the same night they split up from a decade old relationship! I think what I like perhaps the most about this story though is that whilst Hadley has had feelings for Brianna since high school, she's never tried to muscle in on Brad's relationship with Brianna. For the most part Hadley's kept her feelings under wraps whilst still being a part of Brad and Brianna's life. And whilst coming home to run the family restaurant throws them all into the closest proximity they've all found themselves in for a while, I liked that the author didn't go down the cheating route. Instead we get to see the natural (albeit quick) demise of Brianna and Brad's time together as he finds a new love at the same time that Brianna realizes her true feelings for Hadley. Some of the re-couplings may feel a bit quick, but I think in some respects that has to be par for the course with novellas, other wise they'd become a full length novel.

Overall, I think Her Therapist's Daughter and Her Brother's Girlfriend are the stories that held the most promise enjoyment wise, but I'm not convinced that any of the three hit the point of sale blurb.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this book so much more than I actually did.

First of all, this isn't an anthology of trans joy stories which is what I thought it was when I bought it (my mistake, I know). Rather, it's snapshots of the author's experiences of trans joy organised by the changing of the seasons.

The thing is, a reader isn't ever told why certain memories or experiences evoke a certain season, and there's no chronological order to any of it. Even within the same season, passages skip between recent events and those from long ago, making it quite choppy to read.

And the content whilst referencing personal experiences which might be triggering for some e.g. violence, transphobia etc. is largely surface level with no great depth. Whether that's how the author intended it to come across who knows. It's a very quick, simple read, and whilst I took very little away from it, I think as an entry-level book on trans joy and experiences it would be of benefit perhaps to allies or young trans adults exploring who they are., and how to find their own moments of trans joy.

A Sapphic romance, a cute dog, and the festive season – what more could you need!

Collie Jolly has a great short yet cute storyline, and despite its length the plot is fairly detailed and flows well.

Set in New Orleans, Ashley is a bi main character who has just lost her job. In need of work to pay the bills, she accepts a position as a dog trainer, despite never having trained an animal before, let alone a mischievous Collie named Bacchus! Meanwhile Bacchus's owner Madison, needs him gone; he's too painful a reminder of all that she lost a year ago. But she knows she stands no chance of re-homing an unruly dog; Ashley is her chance to solve the problem that is Bacchus once and for all.

It should be obvious by now that aside from the romance, what ties all the elements of this story together is ultimately the cute dog! The story is told from Ashley and Madison's alternating viewpoints, as you follow a heartwarming femme/femme Christmas romance. Collie Jolly is a feel good book, it's relatively low angst, and a quick and easy read depicting how even after loss it is possible to re-open your heart to love, and the joys of living.

This is a book that I could see myself re-reading each time the festive season roles around, if only for the feel good factor and the cute dog.

Close to Home will have you sitting with your feelings all night long. It's tenderly emotive; the layout of the plot gorgeously engaging.

A second chance romance built on a rich history, provides the perfect fuel by which to feed a slow burn relationship between the main characters.

Eli Thomas goes home once a year for Christmas. A twenty four hour round trip that she hates, because it fills her every sense with the love she lost, and the broken family that's never been the same. But when Eli's Grandma suddenly dies, and the reading of her will gets complicated, Eli looks set to be staying for much more than her usual 24 hour stint. 

Twenty years of avoidance is a lot to deal with, and as Eli makes a start there is one person she didn't bargain on seeing again. 
Aracely Hernandez was the teenage love of Eli's life, but when Aracely made a devastating choice for the both of them, the abandonment ripped Eli apart, leaving a hole she's never been able to fill. As Aracely tries to make amends, it's down to Eli to decide whether she can risk her heart and the place she calls home for a second time.

So many aspects of this story deeply resonated with me, particularly the loss of a parent at a young age and exactly how that continues to impact Eli even as an adult. Alongside the devastating aftermath, the kind that wreaks havoc with your idea of happily ever after, when the person you had unwavering belief in abandons you for the “greater good”.

The story really is an exploration in second chances, not just when it comes to romantic love, but also that of the family unit. It's equally difficult and fulfilling to watch Eli's journey with both her mum and her brother Tommy. To see each of them begin to understand how the past continues to impact their present and their relationships with each other. I loved how Eli and Tommy's Grandma's death and will, is used as the catalyst for change. An opportunity for their Grandma to remind them of what's important, even from the grave!

As Close to Home is a December release, you won't be surprised to find plenty of festive spirit sprinkled throughout the book. The description of Santa Day, complete with parade, memorial tree, snowman building, and sugary snacks is exactly how I'd imagine small town holiday celebrations to be.

As far as I'm aware this is Bahney's first solo story, having previously co-authored the Badlands series, and I genuinely hope it won't be the last. The author clearly has a knack for painting a picture that weaves an abundance of depth and feeling, where each colour palette is a different snippet of the story, and when taken as a whole the result is breathtakingly in its beautiful.

An excellent slow burn romance that exposes the many vulnerabilties required of giving, and receiving, second chances. I can't wait to see what Allisa Bahney writes next.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first story from Stephanie Shea, and it most certainly will not be my last. I LOVE the Holiday/festive/Christmas season; stories set during that time period absolutely have to do it justice to score highly. That doesn't necessarily mean that I need to drown in a bath of Christmas cheer, but either the story or the scene setting needs to hit the time of year home – Shea does this really well throughout Noche Buena.

Whilst the story is only 136 pages long, there is a wealth of plot and character development in that condensed format; I actually would have loved for it to have been a full length novel, I was so into it!

Noche Buena is an unusual version of the much loved second chance romance trope. The main character's: Camila Morales and Sutton Davies, are already married, and thus the second chance concept is centered around the desire for re-connection in this established couple.

Camila Morales is a romantic who holds her parents marriage in high esteem, but as a divorce lawyer she knows all too well that happily ever after is not always set in stone. Sutton Davies meanwhile is floundering under a mountain of imposter syndrome, and whilst she secretly takes steps to work on that, she unknowingly fuels the well of doubt growing inside of Camila about their marriage and Sutton's fidelity. When Camila's parent's announce the end of their thirty year marriage three weeks before Christmas, Sutton knows she has her work cut out convincing Camila that true love and happily ever afters do still exist.

I enjoyed the focus of a story being on a married couple rather than new love for a change. It allowed for an exploration of what happens when both parties notice and feel the disconnect in their marriage, but each shy away from bringing it into the light for fear of their issues being unfixable. With the pressures of marriage and everyday life, Camila and Sutton's journey back to each other serves as a reminder to readers of what's important in any relationship. That maintaining true love, outside of the heat of passion and shiny newness, is a journey. One of continuous stoking of embers and re-fueling the fire to allow the flame between two people to forever burn bright.

I loved that Shea doesn't just suddenly have Camila and Sutton fix all their issues in one fell swoop, there is a depth of communication, openness and raw vulnerability to their discussions that many authors either never aim for or indeed miss. It creates a tender richness to their struggles and insecurities in a way that makes their story all the more heartfelt.

It would be remiss of me not to point out the BIPOC diversity and representation that can be found throughout Noche Buena; yet another reason to check out this holiday story for yourself.

I've had the pleasure of reading fantasy books under this author's other pen name (Silvia Shaw), but Carbide Creek is my first under Maggie Brown.

Despite this book being in a completely different genre, the author's ability to world build and transport a reader into the story is thankfully still astounding. Frankly, I felt immersed in the reality of working and living in the Australian outback during drought season at all times whilst reading. The tiniest of details that Brown injects are what have you on the ranch right alongside the main characters.

Jasmine Mattioli is a successful corporate lawyer, and the daughter of a Mafia Don. Undeterred by her father's control and influence, Jasmine is careful to remain on the right side of the law, and yet she finds herself on the receiving end of a death threat. With danger creeping closer Jasmine takes a job in the Australian bush - on a cattle ranch run by Kate Livingston.

With the dry season threatening to sink the ranch, Kate doesn't have time to teach a newbie the ropes, and wastes no time pushing Jasmine to her limits. But with no other viable option for help around the place, Kate resigns herself to keeping Jasmine around. The landscape might be as dry as a bone, but the same can't be said for the growing attraction between Jasmine and Kate.

I really liked Jasmine and Kate as the protagonists; both are strong, independent women, highly skilled in their respective professions. But there's also a guarded softness residing in each of them that the other helps to tease out. I thought the way they met was befitting of the Australian setting i.e. “backpacker” working on a ranch for their allotted three months. And the cast of supporting characters, particularly Heather and Maureen add a lot of value to the overall story, with both being very likeable from the outset.

The assassination attempt on Jasmine's life, and the danger which stems from that results in a thriller/intrigue theme for the overall plot. Whilst I didn't foresee the culprit (which is always a good thing), there is a lot happening in the story, and at times, although nothing felt surplus to requirements, the plot might have benefitted from a smaller scope with greater depth on some of the finer thriller/intrigue elements.
That said, I found the romance part of the plot to be solid and believable. It's somewhat a slow burn, and I really enjoyed watching Jasmine and Kate win each others hearts and minds.

A terrific story; loved the main characters and the outback setting, plus the intrigue theme was good enough to keep you guessing until the end... an enjoyable and worthwhile read.

I received an arc of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Frosted by the Girl Next Door is one of those books that draws you in with the synopsis, but doesn't quite cross the finish line.
That's not to say the story isn't good, more that I didn't find it to be anything over and above any other holiday romance. Thus it wouldn't be something I'd be jumping to re-read.

Casey Stevens is fresh out of a notorious marriage and looking to keep a low profile in the middle of nowhere. With no imminent plans to return home, maybe now would be the ideal time to pursue her dream of owning a sex shop.
Tara McCoy is all for the stunningly handsome customer who's just walked into her cupcake shop staying around town, especially when Tara learns she wants to open a shop next door. But Tara's day dreaming looks set to implode, when she discovers the shop will be one focused on the most intimate of acts.
What follows is a mid-burn, yet insta love romance between Casey and Tara.

I liked the small town holiday setting vibe, the spicy scenes, and that the narrative is explicit in being sex positive and trans inclusive. The choice of mature women and trans folk as some of the sex shop's customers does not go unnoticed. I would love the chance to know more about Aspen, as the character was a great addition to the storyline.

However, where the plot fell short is firstly, Tara is too quick to move from objecting against the idea of a sex shop next door, to agreeing with the proposal. Particularly when the discontent between her and Casey is essentially the initial crux of their journey together. A similar point can be made for one of the town's inhabitants, who starts out as the obvious antagonist for Casey's character, yet randomly fades off the page for most of the plot before suddenly re-appearing.
Secondly, the introduction of Casey's ex-wife and the subsequent miscommunication with Tara (where Tara doesn't afford Casey any opportunity to explain herself), is the type of saga I'm just not a fan of. It reads as Casey still being under the thumb and pandering to her ex because of how it may “look” if she doesn't. Added to that is Casey clearly not being enough to warrant the opportunity to explain her actions to Tara; which is what you'd expect to happen between two adults. Whilst the resolution of their angst is sweetly touching, and a unique take on the “12 Days of Christmas”, it still felt overshadowed by the communication breakdown.
I think the authors went down the wrong path in search of the angst/third act break up inspiration. I will say that I'm not a fan of the whole miscommunication trope and where it is used as a point of conflict in plots, it has to be perfectly executed with a super relevant and realistic need for it.

So there you have it, whilst I'm biased in my ability to really root for this sort of storyline, I probably enjoyed Frosted by the Girl Next Door sufficently to give another book from each separate author a whirl at some stage.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The holiday season is my favourite time of the year. So when ‘Nathan Burgoine asked if I'd like to review his latest festive short story collection, Upon the Midnight Queer, I jumped at the chance.

The first aspect I enjoyed about this body of work, is the interlapping characters between individual stories. I love it when authors seamlessly integrate their stories and characters in this way, it's such fun to stumble upon them as a reader.

I certainly had a few favourite tales within this smorgasbord of fabulously festive fables, starting with “Most of ‘81”. Christopher and Don's meet cute, and subsequent never in the right place at the right time is pure kismet.
“Future in Flame” was another excellent offering, a queer expansion on “The Little Match Girl” (penned in 1845). A beautifully creative take on the original with a significantly more heart warming ending.
And then there's “Folly” which I adored for its trans representation, particularly with the individual being a young child. How I wish every trans kid had a loving and supportive guardian as Uncle Hunt. The care he took to pick out little Suzy's doll, to ensure she would see herself reflected there on Christmas morning, was so touching. Not to mention that Suzy, Nellie, and Johnny's matchmaking of their Uncle Hunt with neighbour Micah is adorable! 

The one thing which I felt the absence of, (and would have delighted in because I'm that type of person), was the inclusion of a list or note, pairing each queer re-telling with its source of origin or inspiration. I'm super intrigued about all the ones I didn't recognise!

Upon the Midnight Queer is a twinkling, gloriously diverse spectacle of short stories, bound with the true magic of the season. Such an absolute joy to be able to fill up both my queer and festive cups at the sametime.

If you've watched any type of post-apocalyptic tv drama like “The Last of Us”, then The Last Bookstore on Earth is essentially a milder young adult versions- albeit in written format.

The front cover and the book's title initially grabbed my attention; promising the beginnings of something great. And overall I found The Last Bookstore on Earth to be a quick and easy read. It's worth noting that the story is clearly geared towards a younger audience as both the plot and the content lacked the usual angst and nitty gritty detail expected in this particular genre. For example, it's established that the Earth is now suffering from acid rain that melts people on the spot, but there isn't a great deal of backstory as to why, or how that has come to be. Whilst it doesn't take a genius to point towards some form of climate change, it is these aspects of the story which are very light touch.

The setting is mainly focused on the bookstore itself, which does get a little tedious after a while; part of the enjoyment of these types of stories is being able to explore what a barren and abandoned world would look like. I did also find one of the main characters Liz, to be fairly naïve of the dangers of just staying put in the bookstore, and ignorant of most things farther than the bookstore's stoop – I ultimately chalked that up to the age of the character. How worldly wise would any teenager really be in an end of the world scenario?

However, as a debut novel from the author, the book is a nice read with some interesting components. I liked that whilst Liz is holed up in the bookstore that she essentially sets up a local trade point, offering books (who'd have thought!), in exchange for goods. This obviously works as a mechanism for the wider plot in allowing other characters to enter, and providing a reason for unscrupulous folks to want what Liz has. It also provides the opportunity for Liz to collect stories from her customers, which increases the amount of supporting characters readers come into contact with, even though they don't directly feature on the page so to speak.

Definitely for a much younger audience than myself, but certainly worth picking up if you like the genre and fit the target audience in terms of age range.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm always pleasantly caught off guard by E.V Bancroft's Women in War history stories; tales of history are not something I ever thought I'd find myself enjoying.

Yet here I am.

Bancroft's latest venture, Encrypted Hearts, takes readers to Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire - the home of allied code breaking during the Second World War. From there we get to meet Cam Langley and Gloria Edwards, both as different as they come. Cam is highly intelligent yet reserved, and her work is her life. She doesn't shy away from who she is, openly dressing in masculine attire despite the judgements and unwanted attention it garners.
Gloria on the other hand, is a Yorkshire girl through and through. With a broad northern accent and a small-minded father, Gloria is willing to tread any path which takes her away from home and closer to a “proper” contribution to the war effort.

I like that Cam and Gloria are very different characters - they bring out aspects of each other that otherwise would remain hidden. Yet their differences also complement each other, particularly Gloria's ability to draw Cam out of her shell somewhat, without ever forcing her nor belittling who Cam is.
Watching Cam and Gloria navigate their fledgling feelings, and rising passions, at a time when mistrust of anything other, or out of the ordinary, would have held intense repercussions is anything but boring.
Bancroft does a terrific job at injecting life into both the risks Cam and Gloria faced in their personal endeavours, and the pressures of the code breaking job they were there to do. The ever-present threat of failure, of missing a key coded message, was a guillotine ready to drop at all times.

I loved getting to learn about an aspect of my nation's history that didn't become widely known until the 1970's, it added a little kick of closeness to the tale.

I felt like I got to know Gloria's background and her story in detail, and whilst I adored Cam's Aunty Florrie and the adorable relationship they shared, I didn't come away feeling like I knew Cam on the same level. I found myself wanting to know so much more about her and how she viewed the world (she reads as neurodivergent but this is not explicit), as she's such an engrossing character on the page.

I adored the epilogue, such a special way to tie the story together and in the perfect setting for the time period. I equally loved that Bancroft weaves some of her past characters into Encrypted Hearts as it's always fun to catch up with old friends again!

I urge any reader who wouldn't usually contemplate picking up Sapphic historical fiction, to re-consider. Grab one of Bancroft's Women in War stories and you might just surprise yourself.

I haven't come across a Matt Haig book that I didn't enjoy, until now. I wanted to love this book as much as all his others, but it entirely missed the mark for me.

There are chinks of Haig's writing that still highlight his ability to really make one stop and think about life, mental health matters, humanity, the world, damn even the universe.

But the actual story, I'm sorry to say I really disliked. The gist of everyone being interconnected to each other and to nature I grasped, but the way this was communicated was a combination of weird, boring and just overall uninteresting (unless you have an obsession with Ibiza)

I only pushed through to the end in the vain hope that it would get better. It didn't, and I'd have rather spent my time rereading The Midnight Library.

MORE, MORE, MORE!

Unwritten has a supremely hot friends-with-benefits plot whose conclusion embodies a Thomas Merton quote:
‘Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another.'
Harte's latest book in the Windy City Romance series not only gives pause to Merton's quote in the form of romantic love, but also the deep, unwavering love of the platonic kind found between friends and found family. I love that in each new instalment it is clear Harte not only intends to give us the most amazing romantic pairings, but also a continued strengthening of those new and established bonds of friendship: a veritable cocktail of love, family and friends.

This time around readers get a completely different coupling from the likes of Gabe and Lori in Sanctuary. For starters, Shay is a stud and a proud Black main character, with familial expectations weighing on her psyche ever since the death of her much- adored momma. No strings sex is all Shay has the time and emotional bandwidth for.
And then there's Rosie, eternally craving “the one”, yet always falling short. But with a new career path, and a wayward leech of a mum to deal with, Rosie might just be on the market for some harmless, sexually loaded fun.

Thus, Shay and Rosie's story is one of uninhibited desire driven forth by the need for simplicity. But hidden beneath those spicy yet, “straightforward” romps in the sheets, is a silent accumulation of emotion, stealthily simmering to a boil. And oh, what enjoyment there is to behold in watching this particular pot boil!

In between the scorching moments Harte still gives readers plenty of tenderness. As first Rosie, and then Shay explore what family and grief really means to each of them, and in the end when all is said and done, what they mean to each other. It is a reminder that everyone needs someone, sometimes.

Something that struck me immediately with Unwritten is that some of the plot overlaps with what happens in Sanctuary, but from completely new perspectives - in this case Shay and Rosie's. Rather than feeling stale it weirdly, yet wonderfully, feels fresh - like you're embarking on a completely new journey that's also tethered to an already established core. I wouldn't be sorry if every new book in the series runs onto the previous in this way: it's unique, interesting, and very well executed as a concept.
 
Two other things which starkly stood out to me in comparison to other Sapphic books I've read is firstly, Shay's character is not just Black in name only. It is clear from Shay's interactions, mannerisms, choices of words, and actions that her blackness is proudly and decisively on the page; as it should be. And secondly, Rosie's journey through her grief communicates that feelings less steeped in sadness and loss and more tainted by anger and indifference are equally as valid in that experience. Plus Rosie's grief journey gets a very apt and darkly humourous conclusion. Just deserts springs to mind...

Unwritten firmly cements the already solid foundations previously laid down by Sanctuary. It offers another glimpse of what is sure to be a WOW-factor series, individually, and most certainly as a whole. I can't help but submerge myself in the Windy City universe, and without exception completely invest in the characters that Harte is crafting into a freakin' awesome series. If book three in the series was released tomorrow, it would be one day too long to wait.

I received an arc of this book from Butterworth Books in exchange for an honest review.

Each new jaunt into the Rand universe is as delighfully magical as the last.

The Shadows Rise continues where the Daughter of The Light left off; Shadow Monsters are roaming across Rand, hunting the innocent, called forth by the Witches Coven. As Savannah, Pela and Co continue their Light Bender preparations, they are joined by the half-blood Sable cat Tempi in the race to thwart the Coven's attempt to wreak havoc across every inch of Rand.

The first half of The Shadows Rise is a little slow to get going, and the plot often felt here, there, and everywhere. However, by the second half the tempo increases with each chapter action packed, as Rand's smorgasbord of characters do what they do best: fight to save their homes and their loved ones.

This time around we get to experience a coupling which isn't born of royalty. The pairing is instead that of Tempi, a half-blood Sable cat and a member of the secret Guild of Hunters, and Ketra, a half-blood warrior and Guard to the Queen of the Sirens. It was a nice change to have a pairing that is removed from the pom and privilege of royalty and high society. It gave a different viewpoint of Rand and opened up another avenue to explore with respect to the Guild of Hunters.

Esme the fortune teller plays a more substantial role in this book. She's a great character, full of mischief, unabashed banter, and quite likely a hoot in any endeavour she turns her hand to. There's also more cuteness from Rand's princesses - Bea and Feya, with it becoming clearer with each passing day that Feya is a powerful telepath on a scale not yet seen in Rand. The happenings throughout The Shadows Rise make plain that Feya will play an integral part in Rand's final fate.

The scenes throughout the book also take place in more varied settings than previous books, perhaps reflective of the less noble characters of Rand being in the limelight for this installment. The use of a bondage club was an unexpected, yet delightful discovery despite its nefarious undertakings.

The real clincher however is the cliff hanger ending. As much as I enjoyed this story, I am so eager for the next book already!

A striking and passionate observation of history borne by the extensive memories retained by Simon, of his childhood and subsequent journey into early adulthood.

Gracefully expressive, and full of colour and vibrancy, Simon's way with the written word traces a path through not only his personal chronicles, but that of the music scene, and lgbtq experiences of yesteryear. 
I firmly believe that we not only should, but need to document lgbtq history, whether via personal memoirs such as Simon's or by other means.
At the Summer ‘24 Queer the Shelves literary event an author said “How do you know, what you don't know?”. It was in reference to growing up outside of a queer space, without a group of queer friends, or found family, and the question spoke to the fact that for many of us in those categories how do we learn or find out about queer history and culture? When you're outside looking in, how do you know to seek out, or ask about something that you don't know exists? It's this sentiment which makes memoirs like Simon's all the more important in my opinion.
They provide a gateway to the unknown, through which many of us who were previously lacking a queer education due to inaccessability, are finally able to garner a glimpse of our community's collective history and those shared individual experiences.

I did prefer the latter half of Book One - Before, and the whole of Book Two - After, as these focus more on Simon's years as a teenager and young adult which adds a different dimension to the childhood which was first explored in ‘That Boy of Yours Wants Looking At'. Whilst I love Simon's ability to evoke emotional engagement via his words, I did at times struggle with some overly descriptive passages. Occasionally  finding myself skipping text so as to not to lose the focus nor the flow of what was being conveyed.

As with Simon's first memoir his father, Sid, continues to play a pivotal role in Simon's upbringing and subsequent experiences. Sid's the epitome of everything a father should be, and it's still a wonderful gift as a reader to follow their loving and support relationship throughout the pages of Simon's life.

Chucking Putty at The Queen is a treasure trove; we need such stories to be told, penned, and documented within our community. If we don't write, publish, and root for our own collective history, our shared experiences, who else will? Simon's is an inspirational story, one that deserves to be heard, and shared over and over, until the sun sets for the very last time.

I received an arc of this book from Butterworth Books in exchange for an honest review.

Binding Bricks is a fantastic piece of writing that truly nails non-binary and autistic representation. The execution of these aspects formed a large part of my overall enjoyment of, and enthusiasm for this story.

Mica Davenport and Grace Khan have known each other nearly as long as they've known themselves. Inseparable from the get go, it seems ludicrous to imagine a world where they don't play a prominent role in each other's lives. But that's exactly what transpires when Mica takes a risk that apparently doesn't pay off.
Ten years later and a part of Mica is still haunted by their long ago decision, and regret burns even brighter when a chance encounter with Grace proves to them that everything, and nothing has changed, all at the sametime.

Mica and and Grace's journey is a slow burn, second chance romance. Their story is beautiful, with both Mica's and Grace's hopes, dreams, and heartaches pouring off the pages. The author has done a great job of capturing the mental and physical dynamics of experiencing mixed emotions; particularly the simultaneous heat of desire, and the cold deluge of doubt and wariness.

As a reviewer who resides in the North of England, it's always a novelty to find a story set in that region of the world. It generates the same joy as knowing the story you are reading has a major element of own voice storytelling to it too.

I love that Mica identifies as non-binary in a way that is clearly authentic. It allows the reader to see, and feel first hand their transition into the person they were meant to be. Their self-acceptance and willingness to share their identity journey is wholesome. An emotionally heart-warming, and uplifting scene occurs when Grace displays profound allyship for Mica's pronouns despite their absence; an act which we should all aspire to emulate.
Grace meanwhile is a complex character, beaten down by a loveless marriage, and a gaslighting and emotionally abusive husband. Her self-esteem and self-worth are through the floor, and you can't help but root for her to finally find self-compassion and self-believe. Grace also has an autistic son, Bobby, who is an awesome secondary character. Grace exhibits pure and unconditional acceptance of Bobby and who he is. This is mirrored by Mica too, who never skips a beat in their interactions, always making sure to involve Bobby in a way, and on a level, that he is comfortable with.

The overall plot does revolve around a point of miscommunication; which I'm usually not a fan of. However, the nuances of how and why this miscommunication occurs, makes the trajectory of the plot more believable, and a whole lot less infuriating than most. In addition, there is such strong character development of both Mica and Grace, that honestly, it's easy to be more invested in them, than the underlying trigger for the story.

Binding Bricks is a story that leaves you with the warm fuzzies. It is a strong example of the importance of representation, and the power and love that unconditional acceptance and found family can bring to bear. Definitely one not to be missed.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

The Promise will effortlessly appeal to YA audiences, with room for a smidge of crossover into the (new) adult category.

At its heart lies a story many a reader will likely relate to - a teenager's journey of self-discovery and identification. A confusing and complex time in one's young life, without your world upending in a sea of family tragedy and secrets. Which is exactly where protagonist Mika Lavigne, unexpectedly finds herself.

A typical teenager on the cusp of adulthood, Mika is a driven high schooler with a passion for science, maths, gaming, and all things Willow Parker. If figuring out her sexuality and feelings weren't trouble enough, school bullies make sure to remind Mika of her place in the food chain; there's no way Willow would be interested in her, even if Willow was gay, right? But as Mika's life unravels, she needs those closest to her more than ever, especially if she's to hold onto who she really is.

The Promise is jam packed with complex themes that are highly relevant to a young or even potentially older audience. It's an entertaining and emotive read, and is a book which I would have absolutely loved to have had access to as a young adult myself. Modern and engaging, The Promise doesn't shy away from tackling some tough issues in an appropriate manner. And whilst Mika's responses to happenings can sometimes come across as brash or immature, it's a genuine reminder of what it can be like to be Mika's age - dealing with more than most will ever have to in a lifetime.

Mika is a character who still has a lot of life left to experience, but she also has a story in the here and now that needs to be heard and shared. Mika's Aunt Val is a patient vessel for her niece's self discovery, and I think many readers will adore the steadfast qualities Aunt Val embodies even in the midst of her own troubles.

Through Mika and her Aunt (plus their wider network of family and friends), the author navigates readers through an arduous path constructed with the stones of sudden grief, family secrets and unrest, racism, bullying, homophobia, and conversion therapy. Juxtaposed against these however, is a core of care, understanding, and love. Showcased in self-sacrifices, accepting friendships, found family, and a beautiful reminder that family is who and what you make it.

Despite the copious moving parts and themes, the author does an excellent job at maintaining the flow of the story. But, sometimes less is more, and there is a section where Mika and other characters cross the border from America to Canada. This scene clearly prompts what takes place next, but I couldn't grasp why the group needed to cross into Canada in the first place. It is the only part of the story that didn't add any real value and I felt it was somewhat unneeded as aspects of what takes place in Canada would have still made sense elsewhere.
That said I do love that the author gives readers two whole chapters at the end which are set fourteen years later. It ties each characters' storyline up with a nice thoughtful bow, and it's something I appreciate wholeheartedly in comprehensive stories as this one.

In the end The Promise is a glowing YA novel. One that I know I'll want to re-read because there is so much relevant content to dive into again, and again.

I received an ARC of this book from Butterworth Books in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first JD Glass novel, and it's left me thoroughly on the fence as to whether I'd read another of the author's stories. There were elements of Fire Fall which gripped me but at the same time the overall storytelling didn't wow me like I expected it to, given the book's emergency worker trope.

Bennadette “Bennie” Grego is an emergency medical technician by day, a comic book illustrator in her spare time, and a smokejumper when fire season hits. Her hectic schedule leaves little room for romance, but Bennie is happy with her cousin Linda, and her Nana by her side. And when she's not with her family, Bennie has her best friend Tori as both a confidante and day to day work partner, with fellow smokejumper Trish Spence taking over those reins when fire duty calls.

As Bennie and Trish grow closer, a freak accident from a bad jump causes an injury which has dire repercussions for Bennie's future. Faced with never drawing again – a passion already tainted by past trauma, or potentially never working in the emergency field that she loves so dearly, Bennie faces an impossible choice.

I do enjoy stories that center first responders, particularly when they focus on the high adrenaline work undertaken by smokejumpers or hotshots. It shouldn't come as a surprise then that the cover and the blurb are what initially caught my interest, and for the most part the dangerous smokejumper job that Bennie does is what kept my attention when reading. In addition, I'm partial to a superhero movie or two, and so Bennie's side hobby as a comic book maker and illustrator lends itself to the inclusion of plenty of familiar superhero references.

Despite the things that I found myself liking about the overall story, I struggled with the length of the chapters, which felt far too long even with scene breaks. The story is also told from a first person point of view; which is great for when Bennie is smokejumping as it gives a real life feel to the danger. Unfortunately, this doesn't translate to the simmering romance brewing between Bennie and Trish, as you are only ever exposed to Bennie's thoughts and feelings.

The author also chose to include past trauma for two individual characters in the form of sexual assaults; I'm not sure that they added value to the overall story. Their inclusion whilst not gratuitous in any way, equally didn't seem to achieve their aim, even when I could understand what the author was trying to draw out from the characters during this part of their journey.

Overall, a story which I enjoyed for what it was, but which ultimately I wouldn't write home about.

I received a free copy of this book from Bywater Books in exchange for an honest review.

The Jensy Willett series by Sara Scott is one of my all time favourite romance stories. Comprised of The Touch of Her Voice, The Sound of Her Smile, and The Taste of Her Silence, the series explores Jensy and Sophie's relationship across their entire lifetimes.

Feeling a little bereft at the closure of Jensy and Sophie's journey, it was with great delight that I discovered Sara Scott was intending to release a short anthology of deleted scenes compiled from the series.

What ensues is a short read of brilliant snippets that were eventually cut during the author's writing and editing process. It is in essence a unique combination of entirely unseen, or materially different, aspects of Jensy and Sophie's journey, with some deletions also featuring other support characters such as Molly, Andie, and the Nelson family.

To be clear, this anthology is really only able to be enjoyed at its full potential if readers have also read the preceding series., as having done so gives this collection of deleted scenes a fabulous ‘peak behind the curtain' feeling. It is a genius way to give loyal readers a little bit more from the Jensy Willett world that they have grown to know and love.

I love that in addition to the deleted scene itself, Scott also gives each individual piece a precursor which efficiently and effectively provides relevant background information for each scene, alongside the overall reason as to why the scene didn't make the final cut. Ultimately, On the Cutting Room Floor is a wonderful and insightful accompaniment to both the series as a whole, and to the inner world of the author.

Each year a highlight of the calendar pages turning is the latest release of SapphFic Eclectic. Now into its fifth year, this free anthology gifted by authors and editors Robyn Nyx and Brey Willows - (wife and wife team over at Butterworth Books), continues to push the boundaries of both quality story telling and variety of transfixing morsels to delight any and all readers.

Before jumping into a selection of the twenty or so short stories on offer, I want to pay a little high five to the front cover of this fabulous melting pot of words. Interesting, vivid, detailed, and intricate without feeling overwhelming, this is a front cover that compels a second glance and rewardingly imparts a hint of the type of Sapphic temptation to be found within.

And on that note, here's a few of my favourites to pique your interest:

1. It's All About Me by Valden Bush - A poignant tale of growing old, the changes it may or may not bring, and a gentle reminder that not everything is all about you.

2. Bomb Cyclone by Leigh Alder - Wintery Christmas vibes abound, with a twist that will make your heart simultaneously sink and soar. Featuring both sadness and yet touching eternal ‘returning home' feels.

3. Check Her Out by Suzi Vilkman - When a crazy impulsive decision leads to quite possibly the best mistake of your life. The beginnings of an age gap romance in the least likeliest of places.

4. Not This Life by Yvonne Heidt - I'm always surprised when I enjoy a story that leans into the paranormal. This is a romance which spans literal lifetimes, and probably the story I would most wish to see brought to its entirety from this edition!

5. The Day by Lindsey Roy - This stands out from the crowd; a very different concept which explores the breakdown of a relationship, parenting, and loss in more than one form.

6 and 7. A Love Letter to My Creations by Brey Willows and A Letter to Her by Robyn Nyx - These two snippets of work compliment each other, particularly with their back to back placement in the anthology. One details a writers love and continued intrigue as to her existing creations, whilst the other explores both the hate and love that is imposed on an author by the very character that they brought to life on the pages.