I went into this one with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised by just how much I really enjoyed it!! A mixed group of humans and aliens in dI went into this one with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised by just how much I really enjoyed it!! A mixed group of humans and aliens in disguise connect and become friends in an online chat group and when they meet up IRL at a scifi fan convention, Jen and Seeker/Tam find themselves starting to develop deeper feelings. This story takes place over months and involves fun group texts and get to know you games. There's also a heartfelt story about acceptance, found family an making meaningful connections in a world that can be lonely for aliens and humans alike. I also enjoyed that Jen was grey ace and formed connections based on people's personalities more so than appearance. Good on audio and highly recommended if you enjoy authors like Ruby Dixon (although this one is more PG spice wise than her books). Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review....more
I really enjoyed this Sapphic romance with excellent Ace/Aspec rep that has a newly out queer librarian trying to embrace her new sexual3.5 rounded up
I really enjoyed this Sapphic romance with excellent Ace/Aspec rep that has a newly out queer librarian trying to embrace her new sexual identity and find someone for her first kiss through an internet influencer fueled scavenger hunt challenge. With help from her lesbian bartender crush, Angela tries to navigate her new identity. It's steamy, heartfelt and fun while also tackling difficult topics like toxic family relationships and online cancel culture. Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Claire Kann. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
This sounded really fun and interesting and did start off great for me. I mean a snail obsessed Ukrainian Canadian second generation res3.5 rounded up
This sounded really fun and interesting and did start off great for me. I mean a snail obsessed Ukrainian Canadian second generation researcher who seems more into her snails than dating (she read as asexual to me but its not something explicitly stated) but things got weird fast.
It was fantastic on audio narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Max Meyers and I liked the alternating POVs between the FMC and another Russian/Ukrainian Canadian second gen immigrant who is also trying to find a girlfriend.
The perspectives on the Ukrainian immigrant experience was excellent but the overall story felt too all over the place for me to really get as invested as I wanted to be. I definitely don't think this debut novel will be for everyone but it's very unique, cheeky, thought-provoking and again, great on audio!...more
I really enjoyed this holiday novella about Iris, a virgin, autistic, trans woman on the ace spectrum who is looking for love but has never been able I really enjoyed this holiday novella about Iris, a virgin, autistic, trans woman on the ace spectrum who is looking for love but has never been able to find someone who wants to date her until she gets a surprise visit from Jaya, a plus size cupid who has also never made the time for love and has been sent to help fulfill Iris's Valentine's day wish.
Steamy, with two diverse characters exploring love together for the first time. This was a bit of an insta-love situation but it didn't feel rushed and I thought there was a lot of great conversations about desire, consent and sexuality. Listening was fun and the story just felt like a big hug, a perfect Valentine's read and I'm looking forward to reading more from new to me author, Robin Jo Margaret in the future!...more
I really enjoyed this spicy best friends to lovers, dual POV romance featuring two Vietnamese American MCs. Zoe is a plus size, demisexual Lingerie stI really enjoyed this spicy best friends to lovers, dual POV romance featuring two Vietnamese American MCs. Zoe is a plus size, demisexual Lingerie store owner and designer working on her newest collection who gets surprised when her former college best friend, Derek shows up begging her to come work as a costume designer for the all Asian fairy tale inspired play he's trying to make happen.
Eventually all the forced proximity takes effect, despite Zoe's cat's dastardly interferences and all the white-washing attempts from Derek's anti-Asian play producer/mentor. Heartfelt, real and still super swoony, this was sex positive like all of the author's books and also great on audio. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Jackie Lau or Helen Hoang. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
I really enjoyed this friends to more, marriage pact romance that sees Jane and Evan making a deal to get married if they're still single after Jane tI really enjoyed this friends to more, marriage pact romance that sees Jane and Evan making a deal to get married if they're still single after Jane turns 33. The queer rep in this book was fantastic! Jane is on the aro/ace spectrum and demisexual and Evan is bisexual. Evan is also taking medication for his depression and the two communicate about these things SOOO well.
It was refreshing to read a slow burn love story where the characters really learn to love each other for who they truly are, flaws and all, and do so without any messy miscommunication or third act breakup. This is the third book in the Weddings with the Moks series, set in the GTA, and while it can be read as a standalone, there are some cameos from the other Mok family members.
Highly recommended especially for fans of authors like Jayci Lee or anyone who enjoys a good romance set in Canada with a cute penguin pal who likes to dress up! Many thanks to the author for a digital ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. I voluntarily read this book and all opinions are my own!
While this wasn't quite the five star read I was expecting (slightly longer than I thought it needed to be), I still really enjoyed getting to imme4.5
While this wasn't quite the five star read I was expecting (slightly longer than I thought it needed to be), I still really enjoyed getting to immerse myself in the competitive swimming/diving college sports world. The slow burn friends to lovers romance between diver Scarlet and Swiss Olympic champion, Lukas was delicious, as was their mutual love of BDSM (a fun new kink for author Ali to explore). There was great mental health rep (PTSD from a sports injury) and amazing friendships. Good on audio and definitely worth picking up, it just wasn't my absolute favorite Ali Hazelwood book. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
This was such a fun YA summer romance that sees three friends participating in a huge scavenger hunt at a Disneyland esque amusement park in order to This was such a fun YA summer romance that sees three friends participating in a huge scavenger hunt at a Disneyland esque amusement park in order to win a big cash prize. The main character, Lia is looking for a week long escape from her highly anxious and overprotective mother and also is the BIGGEST fan of all things related to the park and its various films and lore.
While there the three friends reveal secrets, bond deeper and Lia even falls in love with a fellow contestant. Great on audio, with excellent fat rep, ace/asexual rep (Lia's best friend comes out on the trip), anxiety rep and perfect for fans of authors like Julie Murphy and books like We could be magic by Marissa Meyers. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
I had really high hopes for this cozy fantasy mystery debut featuring a traveling fortune teller and a quest to find a missing child. While it was fulI had really high hopes for this cozy fantasy mystery debut featuring a traveling fortune teller and a quest to find a missing child. While it was full of found family, fantastical beasts and lots of tea, it was overall just an okay read for me. Nothing super standout or exceptional unfortunately but I would recommend it for fans of the Monk and Robot series. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review....more
I love a messy YA coming of age drama that explores friendship, new relationships and features a main character on the ACE spectrum. This was even morI love a messy YA coming of age drama that explores friendship, new relationships and features a main character on the ACE spectrum. This was even more fun set in the world of a high school theater production of A Christmas Carol with a secret online advice account run by the protagonist. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Claire Kahn and Melissa See. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
A new fav from Claire Kann! Part reality tv romance, part haunted house story, this book features Lucky, a Black, neurodivergent, paranormal investigaA new fav from Claire Kann! Part reality tv romance, part haunted house story, this book features Lucky, a Black, neurodivergent, paranormal investigator with ESP who is also on the Ace spectrum. When Lucky is picked to be on a show featuring a haunted house, she ends up reluctantly falling for one of the producers, Maverick, a single dad who falls hard for her first. Interesting, with a unique plot and GREAT Ace rep, this was great on audio narrated by Zenzi Williams and perfect for fans of haunted house stories. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
An excellent YA queer love triangle with a fun twist. Ex best friends compete to win the affections of the new girl who they are both crushing on onlyAn excellent YA queer love triangle with a fun twist. Ex best friends compete to win the affections of the new girl who they are both crushing on only to fall for one another. This had amazing queer rep with demisexual, asexual and bisexual MCs. I loved how complex each character was - they each had complicated parental relationships and were coming to terms with their sexuality and feelings for one another. Both a story of friendship, acceptance and first love and great on audio. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
An incredibly well written YA mystery/thriller/coming of age story featuring an autistic nonbinary/Ace teen with a strong sense of self who also sees An incredibly well written YA mystery/thriller/coming of age story featuring an autistic nonbinary/Ace teen with a strong sense of self who also sees ghosts and tries to solve a years-long murder mystery. Unique, compelling, heartfelt and excellent on audio narrated by Allegra Verlezza. Highly recommended if you're looking for something different with a great cast of queer characters!...more
Another hit from Canadian middle grade author Ronnie Riley. This book sees nonbinary Eden getting caught up in a web of lies when they mislead their sAnother hit from Canadian middle grade author Ronnie Riley. This book sees nonbinary Eden getting caught up in a web of lies when they mislead their single mother into believing they've made a bunch of friends at their new school.
Full of a great cast of queer friends (a lesbian, a trans boy, a genderqueer kid and more) this book has amazing representation, found family, anxiety rep and is an excellent look at how important it is to be accepting and learn from our mistakes.
HIGHLY recommended, especially for fans of authors like Kyle Lukoff and Alex Gino. A must-read book and one I wish would be in every middle school library!...more