Queer Literary Loft

Whilst i've enjoyed The Compass Series so far, this is my least favourite and fell quite flat for me.

The book does tie all the main character's stories up nicely and it was lovely to touch base with Espen and Dani from book 1, however i also found this to be the book's downfall, as there is little in the way of plot. The romance between Daisy and Victoria felt forced, as if there was a need to introduce another new couple, rather than just concentrate on Hannah and Kristine's wedding.

In addition, the storyline for Kate and Felicia in this book came across as false. I genuinely found it hard to believe that someone who'd decided they didn't want a child, would suddenly U turn on their thoughts and feelings when it's discovered they are already pregnant. What's more unbelievable is that any couple would embark upon the emotion and physical upheaval that is trying for a baby via IVF, without truly establishing if that's what they both want. It seemed rather unrealistic in my opinion and whilst i appreciate this is a romance and so the end goal is a HEA for everyone, it just didn't land well.

I wouldn't be put off re-visiting this series in future, but i'll probably skip the last book.

You'll literally cruise into Christmas with this sun-drenched, exotic romance.

Caribbean Dreams has just the right mix of Christmas and vacation vibes. If you're reading from the wintry northern hemisphere (like me) there's just enough Christmas to go with the Caribbean island hopping. Fast forward to post festive season and there's not too much Christmas to spoil your imaginary cruise in warmer climes. Kylne gets the balance just right, resulting in a story that is perfect to read in the run upto Christmas or indeed all year round.

I enjoyed how accurate the details were with regards to cruising and being on a cruise ship. If you happen to have been on a ship before, this is sure to have you reminiscing about your own adventures. From the speciality restaurants, to disembarkation, it's a whole other world. As a reader you can't help but be transported to a ship's balcony, with the Caribbean sun at your back and a vast expanse of ocean in front of you, stretching as far as the eye can see.

Cruising aside, the story features two main characters - Cori and Steph, who are both looking to escape or overcome their current situations. Their romance progresses naturally whilst on board and we get to see different sides to each of them once in Jamaica.
Klyne does touch on the topic of domestic abuse in more emotional sections of the book. This is done with grace and sensitivity whilst still highlighting how covert psychological abuse can be. The lasting emotional and mental impacts that a survivor may suffer from, long after the abuse has stopped, is gently depicted by Cori's present disposition and mannerisms.
Klyne also utilises Cori's mixed race heritage to incorporate conversations regarding race, showing the prevelance of racism and prejudice in society. 

That being said, inspite of what would appear to be some potentially heavy topics within the plot, i actually found Carribean Dreams to be a vibrantly light, feel good read. There are some brilliant visual imagery sentences throughout - my personal favourite being - ‘emotions are messy little gremlins'.
I finished the book genuinely feeling like i'd been along for every minute of Cori and Steph's vacation - the visual story telling is so strong. Now if only i had a suntan to match my imagination!

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

Merged review:

You'll literally cruise into Christmas with this sun-drenched, exotic romance.

Caribbean Dreams has just the right mix of Christmas and vacation vibes. If you're reading from the wintry northern hemisphere (like me) there's just enough Christmas to go with the Caribbean island hopping. Fast forward to post festive season and there's not too much Christmas to spoil your imaginary cruise in warmer climes. Kylne gets the balance just right, resulting in a story that is perfect to read in the run upto Christmas or indeed all year round.

I enjoyed how accurate the details were with regards to cruising and being on a cruise ship. If you happen to have been on a ship before, this is sure to have you reminiscing about your own adventures. From the speciality restaurants, to disembarkation, it's a whole other world. As a reader you can't help but be transported to a ship's balcony, with the Caribbean sun at your back and a vast expanse of ocean in front of you, stretching as far as the eye can see.

Cruising aside, the story features two main characters - Cori and Steph, who are both looking to escape or overcome their current situations. Their romance progresses naturally whilst on board and we get to see different sides to each of them once in Jamaica.
Klyne does touch on the topic of domestic abuse in more emotional sections of the book. This is done with grace and sensitivity whilst still highlighting how covert psychological abuse can be. The lasting emotional and mental impacts that a survivor may suffer from, long after the abuse has stopped, is gently depicted by Cori's present disposition and mannerisms.
Klyne also utilises Cori's mixed race heritage to incorporate conversations regarding race, showing the prevelance of racism and prejudice in society. 

That being said, inspite of what would appear to be some potentially heavy topics within the plot, i actually found Carribean Dreams to be a vibrantly light, feel good read. There are some brilliant visual imagery sentences throughout - my personal favourite being - ‘emotions are messy little gremlins'.
I finished the book genuinely feeling like i'd been along for every minute of Cori and Steph's vacation - the visual story telling is so strong. Now if only i had a suntan to match my imagination!

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

Unlike many post apocalyptic novels, this story isn't set in the immediate aftermath of societies collapse but a few hundred years after.

This difference lends itself nicely to creating a world that is wild and dangerous and whose human inhabitants can only ponder what some items would have been used for in days gone by.

I initially found the story a little slow to flourish, but in the end i really enjoyed this exploration of an untamed and vicious New York City, where animal predators are the new top dog and humans struggle for survival.

All kudos to the author for centering much of the books plot, action and dialogue on just the two main characters Lynn and Dani, plus their dog Skeever. Whilst there are other characters that do feature throughout the book, it's a strong writer who can ensure that a reader is kept engaged when most of the novel hinges on just the interactions of two characters. It shouldn't work and yet it wholeheartedly does.

Overall, a different take on this genre but absolutely well worth a read.

By the end of this memoir, you'll be hard pressed not to wonder what came next for Simon Smalley - such is the riveting nature of his early life.

At times - particularly for those of a younger audience - the depiction of life in the 1960/1970s feels much further away than the 50-60 years that it actually is. All too familiar however, is the bullying and emotional and physical assults dished out throughout Simon's early life for daring to remain true to himself - a recognisable experience for far too many individuals both past and present.

Whilst the retelling of Simon's start in life covers many trials and tribulations, one of the most moving and heart warming aspects is found in the form of Simon's dad. It's hard not to feel a deep respect for a man who not only continued to raise his family the best way he knew how, after the death of his wife, but who also managed to do it with grace, understanding and unconditional love, at a time when this would have been virtually unheard of.
The complete acceptance of Simon for who he was, without a shred of judgement, speaks to the calibre of Simon's dad and serves as a reminder that the right support, encouragement and love, goes a long way to establishing courage and hope in the face of adversity.

Despite the traumatic events told within this book, from the childhood loss of a parent to personal battles with body image and self esteem, the humorous style of this author's writing comes to the fore. In essence this provides the reader with a unique account of a journey that whilst heavily emotive, is nicely balanced by the humour, glitz and glamour of Simon's adolescent years.

This is an inspirational memoir with a powerful message that transcends any generation or time period.

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

Yet another literary triumph from author Robyn Nyx.

The Copper Scroll showcases one of my favourite qualities of Nyx's writing - the ability to wholeheartedly immerse a reader into the story. Whether it's the expansive plains of dusty Middle Eastern countries, the depths of ancient sea caves or the very real possibility of being blown to smithereens - there is nowhere that Nyx doesn't take you in pursuit of solving the mystery of The Copper Scroll.

You'll finish this book swearing you've been right there alongside Chase and Rayne for the whole adventure, because you'll certainly feel like you've felt and lived it all. The thrills and wonder, the danger and desire is all there for the taking in another epic Chase and Rayne story.

As this is the second book in the series, you can expect the plot to delve deeper in to whether Chase and Rayne will be able to make their fledgling relationship work now that they are back in the States.

Can they find common ground and compromise when they still operate at opposites ends of the archaelogical world? Can love and desire solve the issues which seem unsolvable? And ultimately can both Chase and Rayne share their vulnerabilities with each other and learn to trust in the other, in order to deepen and solidify what they have together.

What will it take to succeed, both professionally and personally, and what will each be willing to sacrifice in the process.
The journey to discover the secret of The Copper Scroll proves to be high stakes in more ways than just one for Chase and Rayne. Danger lurks at every turn, fuelled by the burning fires of ambition and moral righteousness.

In amongst all the soul searching, city hopping and danger dodging, there is of course still the trademark witty banter between all of the characters, but none more so than out of the mouths of Ginn and Tonyck.
They have to be two of my favourite side characters ever in a book. I really enjoyed that we get to learn a bit more about their backstory and evaluate/test the twins' loyalty to Rayne - a great little side story to wrap your head around.

The sexual tension between Chase and Rayne, picks up where they left off in The Golden Trinity (Book 1). Whilst they are now officially a couple, Nyx keeps the characters' chemistry at bonfire level throughout the course of this story. It ranges from outright lust and barely contained desire to suggestive comments, tender words, touches and looks. The sexual and emotional chemistry is well suited to the overall flow of the story, and this paired with the more indepth character development of Chase and Rayne makes for an engaging read.

The epilogue leaves you wondering whether we will see another book in the series - i could certainly see some potential openings for a plot. And I'd be lying if i said i wasn't 100% clamouring for another awesome installment of this series!

Judge Me, Judge Me Not is easily the most thought provoking, emotionally raw and sexually honest book you'll read this year.

You'd be forgiven upon reading the preface, for thinking that the chosen format for this book would lead to a story that is disjointed and difficult to immerse yourself into.

In reality the format is unique and works exceptionally well from a readers viewpoint. Whilst this is a memoir and not an autobiography, James's retelling of his journey in this format, is such that there is still a subtle chronological order from beginning to end, and within individual chapters.

Each of those “chapters” will leave you feeling like you've personally met each and everyone of the people that have played a part in James's life, such is the author's skill at drawing you in to the retelling of their memories.

The inclusion of “The Voices” makes James's internal conflict all the more palpable on the page, depicting a turbulent journey of self discovery and sexual awareness.

In parts i could easily draw parallels between my own history and that of James's experiences. I spent a large majority of my teenage years in a religious environment and my dad was a closeted gay man, hiding in a straight marriage up until a few years prior to his death. A death which lead to him being outed to family posthumously.

My dad's premature death whilst i was a child, created many questions to which there are no forthcoming answers.

By reading this book, the honesty and vulnerability of James's words in the telling of his own journey, has provided glimpses of an insightfullness i've been missing and prompted considerations of being closeted which i wouldn't have arrived at on my own.

As such I found James's story not only vastly interesting for what it is at face value, but personally both retrospectively and introspectively thought provoking.

There are many, many, things you could takeaway from this memoir - that homophobia is still rife, being truthful with yourself and others is not easy, asserting your needs can be even harder.

But perhaps the most prominent at every turn of the page, is that love comes in many forms and each have a place at the table of life.

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

A romance to span the ages - from 1939 to 2019, this book will whip the rug out from under your feet with its unique storyline and double romance.

The past and present are flawlessly brought together to showcase a timeless love story, that has weathered many storms - from a world war to ill health and unscurpulous family members. This story will make your heart ache with emotion and an unbridled ambition to achieve the level of love and care displayed throughout  Bea and Maud's lifetimes.

Whilst this book explores the past, it also firmly has one foot in the present. I enjoyed the inclusion of the (present day) budding romance between Hannah and Suki, and their discovery of Maud's past, and secret love via the letters sent between Bea and Maud in years gone by.

Hannah's own struggles with her Gammy, and her place in Suki's life, questions whether modern society is too quick to throw in the towel at the first sign of hardship. Love and understanding go a long way to repairing and reconciling the many broken and fragile relationships in this story. Ultimately paving the way for happiness and acceptance to win out.

All of the characters throughout the book are well developed. I particularly liked Harry and his laid back and tormentative, yet funny and caring older brother role. Meanwhile it was difficult to not want to give the self centred and hard arsed Amanda a literal slap at times.

The ending is truly sweet and heart warming and whilst this is a work of fiction, there are many factual points within this book which i found to be genuinely interesting. Not least the story of the paper cranes.

E.V. Bancroft's debut novel is certainly not one to be missed. The high quality of this initial debut ensures that i'll be seeking out what comes next from this author.

For now, Warm Pearls and Paper Cranes is sure to leave you warm and fuzzy, with a feeling of having traversed every minute of the last 80 years with Bea and Maud.

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

A solid first book from new author Valden Bush.

Firstly, the author gets extra kudos from me for not over doing the world building in their story. I tend to dislike books which require 10 chapters of description about said world, before you reach anything that resembles the actual plot. Valden however balances the need to build a world and tell the plot, perfectly. There's enough world building to give context to the story and set the scene, but not so much as to be off putting and detract from the actual story that is being told.

The story itself has a delicate balance of sci-fi and romance, with a subtle undertone of mystery as to Nero's hidden history and the true reasons for banishing individuals from the planet.

I enjoyed Stele's and Ariane's love developing from a distance, literally across a galaxy, as it's a different narrative to the usual romance plots.
It also allowed Stele to organically form meaningful connections with new friends on Alton, in particular Questa who is gender neutral, which again is another welcome difference to see in this story.

I really felt like the author spoke to the power of chosen family and friends in this book. That Stele only needed to find that one person on Alton (Kian) who could see past her rough exterior and encourage her to accept the good, the bad and the ugly about herself. In doing so, Stele was able to get her life together, accept herself and ultimately be empowered to achieve her destiny.

Whilst i'm not overly particular as to whether a book has an epilogue, i think it was a perfect fit for this book. It tied everything together and allowed the reader to see where both the main and supporting characters end up and what becomes of Nero.

The last few scenes encapsulate what i felt throughout the whole story, that home is wherever you make it, with whomever you choose.

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

I really enjoyed Scripted Love - so much so, that i finished it in a little over 24hrs. It's one of those books which has you turning the pages until the small hours, when the pages blur and you have to admit defeat - you won't be finishing it tonight, no matter how much you might want to!

Harte is a new author to me and after reading Scripted Love (their second release), they certainly aren't one to be missed. Harte has a style and flow of writing which i could really get onboard with. It's hard to be specific, but there's something about Harte's ‘voice' which makes the story all the more riveting.

The story itself is a sweet romance with an unusual dynamic between Rix, who believes in the whole shebang of HEA, and romance author -Layla, who may write HEA but only sees herself capable of a happy for now. The exploration of these completely opposite wants and beliefs makes for an interesting journey, set against the money driven and demanding backdrop of Hollywood.

The butch/femme pairing of Rix and Layla is swoon worthy and refreshingly different - whilst the sexual tension builds, Harte has Rix and Layla get to know each other on a more personal level before ultimately giving in to their desires.

Given the line in the sand of HEA or HFN, i would have welcomed more exploration of why Rix and Layla react the way they do as soon as a point of contention appears. Whilst there is some exploration of this, i loved these characters so much that i couldn't help but want that background to go deeper.

Overall, a really fantastic read. I adored both the main characters and the two supporting characters, Syd and Jack. None of their stories feel completely finished, i think there's more to know about and see from this foursome, so i'd be totally happy to see a prequel, sequel or spin off involving any of them!

The Road Home is such an emotional rollercoaster - make sure you bring a box of tissues for the ride, because this is without a doubt a tear jerker of a story.

There's alot going off in this story and so the romance doesn't overly take centre stage. But having experienced the loss of a parent at a young age, i did find that all the components worked seamlessly together. Afterall, when you're dealing with impending loss and grief, the rush of love and sex is not likely to be at the forefront of your mind, unless you're trying to escape the situation. I was pleased to find that Zak didn't go down this road with her characters. The story focused more on coming to terms with the past and making peace with the present.

Whilst the story is sad and heartbreaking, Zak did a great job of making her story true to life, in every aspect of the characters journeys.

My only dislike was the ending, i felt like having having Gerald turn up at the end of the book as Carol's long term partner, just jarred the flow of the story - mainly because we learn very little about him and their relationship, other than they'd been in love for 27 years.
In which case, you tend to think why keep Gwen's mum and dad together at all, if they were both seeing other people throughout the marriage?

Maybe i didn't understand the author's intentions with that aspect of the story, but i wish it had finished differently.

Everything else i enjoyed, but it's certainly not a book for the faint hearted considering the subject matter.

This is the first solo book i've read by Erin Zak - i've previously read her colloboration with other authors, in the book titled Swift Vengenance (go read it, it's ace!)

I really enjoyed Breaking Down Her Walls, i'm not a huge romance reader but i feel like Zak could be the one to win me over to reading more from this genre.

There's a unique style to Zak's writing that i can't quite put my finger on, but it makes for great story telling.

Breaking Down Her Walls is an emotional journey for all involved, but particularly the main characters, Julia and Elena. Their individual and shared journeys to overcome their past traumas and to learn to trust again is touchingly sweet. It's also set over what i feel, is a realistic timescale, and as such you'd probably consider this a slow burn romance.

That's not to say that the heat doesn't ramp up - Zak clearly knows how to take sexual tension to the brink and back again, before skillfully writing the inevitable explosion of hotness.

Aside from the main romance arc, there's a few supporting characters that fit well into the overall plot, in particular Cole and Elijiah are firm favourites - who add a dash of light heartedness and humor inamongst all the angst and emotional tension.

Zak also does a really good job of providing just the right level of information about ranching and riding horses. It's enough to properly set the scene and bring you, and all your senses, into the story without being so detailed as to be overbearing and detract from the story being told. The depiction of Julia's relationship with her horse Leia, is another level entirely and made me want to go ride a horse by the time i'd put the book down.

Overall, a really great read. An emotional rollercoaster on all fronts, but with a healthy dose of heat and light heartedness in there too.

Plus i picked up a new word - ‘lollygagging', which is always a welcome bonus!

A heart warming romance with a touching storyline.

Come Dream with Me is the story of two women, Dani and Angel, who navigate their existing lifes, commitments and emotional baggage to pursue their emerging attraction to each other.

This is the first book i've read by Karen Klyne and it hasn't disappointed. I do love an author that can take a difficult, emotive subject and weave it seamlessly and sensitively into their story.

Klyne achieves this beautifully with the dementia arc throughout this book.

My current personal experiences, initially created apphrension as to how well this topic would be handled, but it's ultimately realistic without being too heavy - this is a romance novel after all!

The depictions of the nuances of dementia, its impacts on the people living with the range of dementia diseases, and their families, is told with a gracefullness and truth which speaks to lived experience or excellent research by the author.

Klyne clearly knows how to create banter between her characters, which leads to some fun, light hearted conversations between Dani and Angel. Their blossoming relationship however, is kept within the realm of realism i.e. these are two women in their forties who actually have jobs, commitments etc, which require as much attention as any new relationship. No unrealistic relationship goals to attain to in this story!

As an aside, I also loved Zac's character as a confidante/second parent to his mum, Angel - their banter is exactly what i'd imagine for that dynamic.

Overall, i really enjoyed Come Dream with Me - the subject matter is handled with care and realism, without infringing on the often humorous and light heartedness of character relationships and dialogue. The main characters are realistic, and their romance is sweet, genuine and sexy when called for!

The one and only negative for me, was the ending of the story. I predominately don't read what i would call  ‘pure romance' books, i therefore don't crave a HEA, and so personally, the ending could have come sooner. That said for anyone else, it'll likely be spot on!

Oh and did i mention this book will make you  hungry? There's so much lush food and drink described, that your mouth can't help but water!

I received an ARC of this book for review from Global Wordsmiths, in exchange for an honest review.

I was initially drawn to this book due to its collaborative nature, having been produced by 3 authors writing one story together.
The concept alone, was unusual and intriguing enough to want to know more, and to see how the authors would make it work on the page.

Overall, i felt the concept landed seamlessly, the story didn't feel disjointed at any point and i didn't find it obvious who had written which sections despite knowing that some of the main characters and/or locations stemmed from the authors' previous works.
In fact, I'd actually love to know who wrote the viewpoint of the psychopath!

Aside from the flow of the story, i enjoyed getting to know all the main characters.

Leslie and Alice are adorable and i really enjoyed that they weren't portrayed to be a ‘past it' older couple. They're active, humorous and still have a zest for life and each other in their twilight years.

Meanwhile Brittany and Toni are both battling their own demons and whilst they hit it off fairly quickly, the progression of their romantic relationship, in particular when life decisions had to be made, felt more realistic than some romance plots.
It was refreshing not to see a couple rush off into the sunset madly in love without any consideration of what they want in the present or in the future.

For anyone who's had personal experience of having their trust broken, Toni's outburst at Brittany covering up her visions, will ring true with its emotional rawness.

In essence a solid 4/5, the story is emotionally led from every angle and successfully integrates a suspense/thriller plot with a sound yet realistic romance and slight paranormal twist.

I held back a star, as i like my thrillers on the darker side, that being said, for a collaborative story such as this, from predominately romance writers, the dangerous, suspenseful side of the story was darker than i had anticipated!

I enjoyed this book but i didn't love it like i expected to, that by no means makes it a bad story - it just wasn't what i anticipated.

Ice Queens (for me) are often hard nosed, difficult to reach and usually appear emotionless on the surface. And so i expected to see a firecracker of a ‘Fire Queen' waltz in and start demolishing those barriers.
With Amelia and Kai i think the ‘Queen' aspect is more addressed from their standpoint as being top of their fields and to some degree and for different reasons, emotionally unavailable.

They are completely different in character and whilst that does ram up the tension, i didn't think there was enough overall between them - though there was plenty within the plot itself, with regards to their hotel business dealings.

Overall, i'd still recommend this book to others. The heat was there, especially that first kiss! I enjoyed the human justice/corporate greed aspect of the storyline. And there are certainly two strong supporting characters, Quinn and Milly, which i could see somewhere further down the road in their own story.

I really enjoyed this story, whilst i haven't read many of Cari Hunter's books i know i'll be hard pushed to find one i don't like when i read the rest!

Personally, i think Cari writes the perfect mix of mystery/thriller, police/medical themed stories with a side of romance and No Good Reason is a fine example of the authors skill.

One of the aspects i most adore about this story is that it's set in Northern England and it's so very British. I'm able to obtain such a sense of familiarity and feeling of home from the language used and the images depicted.

How truly awesome is it to be able to read a wlw story that is in a genre that i enjoy and that as a reader i identify with on so many levels, especially when the story is set within an area of the world i call home.

No Good Reason was such a privilege to read and i can't wait to see what Meg and Sanne get upto next!

I'm not sure i could say anything about this book, which hasn't already been said, it deserves every inch of the high praise it has received.

Without a doubt i fell in love with this, it might be longer than the usual lesfic story but damn is it worth it. I don't know if anything will top this, ever, never mind this year!

A solid enemies to lovers romance which for once is believable because of the length of the story, the author has really been able to build up that element and make it feasible given the circumstances the characters find themselves in.

I don't want to give spoilers away, because i think anyone who reads this should experience it full force, but all i will say is those last 5-10 chapters are intense, like holding your breath, need to keep reading sort of intense. The twists and turns are perfectly executed right to the very end.

Completely and utterly blindsided by this story, the characters, the authors skill.

A must read for anyone and everyone; all about love, forgiveness, redemption, survival, friendship, trauma, sacrifice and being true to oneself.

What an unusual and yet terrifically done book.

I'm not sure i have the right words to do it justice. It's not like anything i've ever read before, it's so multifaceted and yet each little story is immensely intriguing and full of feeling all on it's own.

Such a heartfelt tribute to the lgbtq community. Stands out from the crowd that's for sure.

What i really enjoyed about this book is that it's something i wouldn't usually read - a sports romance, where sport is the main aspect and romance secondary to that.

I'm not a huge sports fan, but i was pleasantly surprised by this book. Keeley really does make you feel like you are there at the tennis matches.
Sport isn't just the setting for the plot, it is the whole plot and for that reason all the background provided for the story is really well done and it shows. I feel like i have a better understanding of the world of sport; the unseen pressures and behind the scenes aspects that aren't played out in everyday life for all to see.
Keeley adds this to serve a purpose and not just as a plotline filler, as a result the story is enhanced because of it.

I also enjoyed that Keeley didn't shy away from the issue of racism in sport. I thought the author handled this issue well and particularly liked that it was made obvious that Elin (who is a white player) was not to speak out in replace of people of colour i.e. highlighting the white saviour complex. A difficult but well tackled topic in my eyes.

The story didn't get 5 stars purely because the romance was more on the sweeter side, rather than the heat and fireworks i'd usually prefer. But that is personal preference and aside from that i really enjoyed what Keeley set out to do.

Whilst this story is one of a dystopian future, there were parts which felt eerily like the beginnings of our current reality.

Jackie D. does an excellent job of weaving a story that depicts what happens when fear of the ‘other' and a lack of understanding and communication of those differences is allowed to take root in a society.
In parts, it wouldn't take much to stretch your imagination, to see the footholds of the story reflected in some of todays more divisive rhetoric.


The ‘end of the world' aspect of the book is nicely balanced out with a story of hope, one which was put in place and has laid dormant for seven decades in the form of the Phoenix Project.

There's a beautiful synergy between the main characters; Macy, Valour, Arrow and Kaelyn. But none more so than the main relationship between Arrow and Kaelyn.
Whilst theirs could be perceived as instant love, i think the relationship corresponds nicely with their roles having been put in motion long before they ever meet.

Arrow has spent her whole life learning and training for the moment that Phoenix One is awakened. Kaelyn meanwhile awakens into a world which she though she'd be prepared for, but in reality seeks solace in the grounding force that is Arrow.
As such their romance may take root quickly but the progression of Arrow's and Kaelyn's relationship is a fitting balance to the turbulent and fraught world surrounding them.

All in all a really fantastic story, which i truly hope is the beginning of a series. I feel like this story is only just unraveling itself and there's plenty of scope to explore what happens next in a varity of directions, whether that be with Arrow and Kaelyn, Nora MacLeod or Phoenix Two, Three or Four. It's certainly a journey i'd like to see more of.

This book is a powerful story of coming out, finding your identity and finally becoming you.

The author has written this story so emotively that love or hate the storyline, you can't deny how real Airlie's and Olivia's journies feel at times.

Whilst some tough subject matter is covered, if you've ever struggled with finding your identity, accepting yourself or dealing with an unrequited love/crush, this book will speak to you for sure.

Personally, i really enjoyed that the author doesn't shy away from the issue that not everyone realises who they are straight away or readily accepts a drawn conclusion.

The struggles, fears and emotions of the main characters do justice to what i imagine is a somewhat familiar experience for many lgbtq people.

Whilst not always easy to read, Becoming You is a rollercoaster of emotion you can't afford to miss out on.

I'm on the fence with this series - i'm now on book 3 and whilst i like the potential of what the author is trying to do here, the text itself feels like it needs a good edit and development.

I will say that the author's writing style is different and so that takes some getting used to, there's more left off the page than on and the romance is very much ‘love at first sight', which isn't what i'd usually read.

However i'm a sucker for a series, i like recurrent characters that pop up further down the line and i like authors that aren't afraid to write about difficult topics, in this case PTSD. I'll admit to being emotional by the time i'd got to the part where Skyler desperately needs help before it's too late. For that reason i'm in for at least another few books in the series

What has always drawn me to Brey Willows' work, is her exceptional gift for writing across genres.
Every story told intrinsically displays Willows' talent for her craft and the ability to keep her writing unique and on point regardless of genre.
It's what keeps me coming back for more.

I'm not a sci-fi fan by any means, in fact i often avoid this genre for  dislike of being subjected to endless detailed information about new worlds, new beings and new objects. It's not for me. So, i did wonder if Changing Course would be the first book i wouldn't like from Willows.

I needn't have worried. There is a beautiful balance in Changing Course, between the world building that needs to happen from the author, and the use of the readers own imagination. At times it truely felt like Indemnion could exist out there, in space, somewhere.
It's people, places, objects, culture, felt of this world and other all at the same time.

And so i enjoyed this aspect the most, the ability to take what the author shares with you and then use it to stretch your own imagination, to ponder the possibilities of the unknown without being weighed down in minute detail.


The book's romance is layered and emotional, showing that love is not always straight foward. Kylin and Jessa have lived very different lives to this point, often dictated by the societies they were born into.
Their perilous journey explores whether Kylin and Jessa can be more than society has made them, and if so, can they adapt to build a meaningful relationship despite their vast differences.


Whilst Kylin and Jessa take the star roles, there are many supporting characters such as Asol and The Volare who are equally as interesting. I wouldn't say no if Willows decided to explore both these characters' past and future stories further!


Overall, Changing Course is testament to an author who is able to turn a readers head to consider a genre they wouldn't usually entertain, and has the skill to enduce actual engagement and enjoyment by the end of the book.

Author extraordinaire Robyn Nyx, once again delivers another superb wlw book to sink your teeth into.

Unchartered is just the right mix of adventure and romance with an enemies to lovers/second chances theme.  

Throughout the story the author weaves a fine balance of action, danger and love, punctuated in all the right places with humourous banter and sexual innuendo.

These interactions between Chase and Rayne give levity to the more angst filled parts of the story without diluting the excitment of searching for The Golden Trinity.

Chase and Rayne start out in contempt of each other but their journey together has a redemptive nature. Both of these main characters are multifaucted, with their own histories and hangups that are somewhat processed on their adventure - ultimately allowing us to see their emotional walls start to come down.

The author is deft at fully fleshing out any secondary characters. I felt like i knew Tonyck, Ginn and Pablo as much as the main characters which adds layers to their interactions and the story as a whole.

Nyx writes unashamedly strong women loving women characters and like all of her previous works Nyx isn't afraid to tackle hard topics. Uncharted delves into the plight of the Amazon and it's indigenous people with a range of food for thought; deforestation, illegal logging, the ethics and morality of the antiquities trade to name but a few.

If you've got this far and are wondering what sets Uncharted apart from other adventure style books, for me it's undoubtedly the ability that Nyx has to craft exquisite sentences. 

Just one of my favourites, ‘... Rayne still saw the escaping drops of liquid sorrow fall from Chase's face...', perfectly depicts Nyx's writing talent. The skill to elevate even the simplest of reactions to the next level, to draw a reader into the story as if you were there, experiencing it yourself.

Oh and if you've been lucky enough to read Robyn Nyx's wifes books written by Brey Willows, you'll have fun hunting the easter eggs in Uncharted!! 

I really enjoyed this book for a variety of reasons. 

Firstly, it was different to other military/women in uniform stories that i have read, with the author basing it upon their own life experiences with the military and thus the story being set against the backdrop of the DADT era. 

I felt that this added to the authenticity and realism of the story without it being overly technical to read. Plus the author does a great job of explaining military procedures and terminology in a simple but effective manner without interrupting the narrative.

I was surprised that the story of Ali and Lynn spans 10+ years, however by the end i felt this was a good choice by the author. It highlighted that such things as traumatic upbringings and the military lifestyle in general or even PTSD, can be difficult to navigate and process, with repercussions for an individuals relationships and life in general. It was realistic in showing that these issues don't get solved overnight and often the journey maybe more like a rollercoaster - as such a longer timeframe was appropriate to emphasize both the individual and joint journeys undertaken by the main characters.

Overall, a really well thought out story that stands out from the crowd in this genre. There is a good mix of military heaviness interwined with a blossoming romance. The icing on the cake however, is the ability of the author to integrate their own experiences into the narrative whilst highlighting the impact of DADT; this reflects in Ali's and Lynn's unique journey from beginning to end. 

Another fantastic installment of Lesfic Eclectic compiled and edited by Robyn Nyx.

This second anthology of short stories, offers a welcome mix of work from more established authors to those who are lesser known or brand new and covers an array of different genres for your enjoyment.

What i like most about this anthology is that it truly is eclectic; there's something for everyone. 
It's introduced me to up and coming authors to watch out for, alongside more established names who i hadn't yet come across. 

The variety of genres displayed is a positive way to combine discovering a new (to you) author with a new genre, that ordinarily you might bypass in favour of your preferred author or genre. 
This book is a great way to explore and have fun with that and i especially liked that the stories cover a wide array of identities and intersectionalities. 

Overall, every single story between the covers of this book, deserves its place, but my personal favourities are below - they tell stories of heat, hope, the bittersweet power of love and the acceptance of those that are different.

Nothing Ever Changes - AJ Mason

For Her Love - Anne Shade

Overload - Carla David

Into the Light - Brey Willows

The Elephant Trees - Valden Bush