Tate is inspired to play violin after hearing a tween violinist play before the concert they couldn't complete, and they end up at the same summer musTate is inspired to play violin after hearing a tween violinist play before the concert they couldn't complete, and they end up at the same summer music camp. This was absolutely delightful, sweet, and wonderful, with a great story and great art. I loved seeing Tate's confidence grow as his music skills increased and they were comfortable enough to come out as non-binary and be open and vulnerable to make friends. Eli's stress over having to live up to their potential hit hard, and it was all beautifully resolved. ...more
Kris lives on an immersive island theme park where it's Christmas all year long for tourist vacations, Casey is a Christmas obsessed 20 something who Kris lives on an immersive island theme park where it's Christmas all year long for tourist vacations, Casey is a Christmas obsessed 20 something who is equally obsessed with getting his ex back, and Aaron is Casey's younger brother who is determined for Casey to stay single. Romance ensues for Kris and Aaron. This was charming and funny and cozy, with some great moments about grief, loss, and moving on. I really enjoyed it, and I could absolutely see a series set on the island being fun, too. Lots of different characters and story opportunities....more
Tara gets sent to HS after 7th grade, and she is emotionally and maturity-level not at ALL ready. I love how Tara really gradually grew up through theTara gets sent to HS after 7th grade, and she is emotionally and maturity-level not at ALL ready. I love how Tara really gradually grew up through the whole novel, but still had her hilarious flights of imagination and love of playing pretend with her baby brother. The English class boys were hilariously awful, and her crush was so perfectly played. Heart eyes!!...more
It's summer 1609 and Ellis has just arrived at Fort James with the family she is indentured to, but none of them have any idea about the horrors that It's summer 1609 and Ellis has just arrived at Fort James with the family she is indentured to, but none of them have any idea about the horrors that will come. This is a devastating story about The Starving Time, when 300 settlers were alive in the fall and only 80 were alive in the spring. Watching everything slowly fall apart is like a car wreck you can't take your eyes off. Ellis's life is hell even before the winter, with a mistress who can't get out of bed and an abusive man keeping them both in terror. Then there's Jane, who Ellis loves, and, it turns out, was a real person that archaeologists found the remains of about ten years ago. Don't look up her story until you finish this one, though.
It was chilling and awful and I read it in one sitting. ...more
Marlowe has a last minute new summer job as a docent at a historical mansion where two children died back in the 30s, and needs to solve both the mystMarlowe has a last minute new summer job as a docent at a historical mansion where two children died back in the 30s, and needs to solve both the mystery of where her boss disappeared to, what is going on now and what happened back then. Creepy and sad and absolutely fascinating. The whole time in the 30s, I had a new theory of what happened after each scene, as every new horror unfolded, but I didn't see it coming. I did guess the current day stuff, but only by chance, really. I really loved how this was set up!...more
Bobby is a second son who wants to do good in the world, James is a brand new Viscount used to being under his stepfather's thumb and doesn't know whaBobby is a second son who wants to do good in the world, James is a brand new Viscount used to being under his stepfather's thumb and doesn't know what to do with his power. Sparks fly and romance ensues. This was sweet and charming and low stakes, but glacially paced. And long. I kept getting distracted. Not the book for me....more
Widowed Muriel is determined to meet an artist at St. Ives to illustrate her next botanical presentation, who turns out to be Kit, a trans man who hasWidowed Muriel is determined to meet an artist at St. Ives to illustrate her next botanical presentation, who turns out to be Kit, a trans man who has traded art for bicycling. Romance ensues. This was pretty entertaining, low angst and stakes, and fun characters. ...more
Hockey player Landon is thrilled to be called up from a farm team to the NHL, where he meets superstar Casey who instantly befriends him. Romance ensuHockey player Landon is thrilled to be called up from a farm team to the NHL, where he meets superstar Casey who instantly befriends him. Romance ensues. Super charming and adorable, I loved these two and how naturally they were able to support each other. Plus Christmas! Loved it....more
Alex and Eli are settled into their relationship, when disaster strikes and everything changes on a dime. This is a direct continuation of the first bAlex and Eli are settled into their relationship, when disaster strikes and everything changes on a dime. This is a direct continuation of the first book, and almost feels like it could have been the second half of one book. But again, it was charming and fun, and a joyfully idealized story....more
Alex is a 19 year old professional hockey superstar who has to hide that he's gay and Eli is an 18 year old disabled ice skater, and they practice at Alex is a 19 year old professional hockey superstar who has to hide that he's gay and Eli is an 18 year old disabled ice skater, and they practice at the same rink. Romance ensues.
This was super charming and adorable. I liked all the hockey details and wish there had been more ice skating details, too. The style overall reminds me a lot of Steve Kluger - so much smooth banter.
I wish the author hadn't kept referring to "handicapped" parking spaces. They're accessible spaces....more
HOLY FUCK this was dark, heavy, and so very good. Autistic Silas was born with violet eyes, and since everyone believes him to be a girl, he is to be HOLY FUCK this was dark, heavy, and so very good. Autistic Silas was born with violet eyes, and since everyone believes him to be a girl, he is to be wed to bred violet eyed boys who can speak with the dead. Men have diagnosed violet eyed women who don't want to be perfect wives to breed violet eyed boys as having Veil Madness, and Silas is sent to a school to "train" it out of him--where the ghosts of dead students beg him to help them. This is extremely gory, with mutilations and vivisections and violence, and the world is a harsh one for anyone who isn't a white man--especially those who are queer, disabled, and/or women. But I loved these flawed, angry characters who wouldn't stand for status quo and would go down fighting. ...more
Joy is a trans girl who moves to Texas and joins the cheer team--until parents find out that she's trans and the superintendent kicks her off, leadingJoy is a trans girl who moves to Texas and joins the cheer team--until parents find out that she's trans and the superintendent kicks her off, leading to Joy and her family becoming activitists. This is very much a message book, and I'm sure it's a necessary one in a lot of areas! I laughed when Joy googled and learned about Kai (the trans activisit and tween author of this book) but kind of side eyed it a lot when Kai became a character and kept getting called smart, clever, beautiful, etc. That's Mary Sueing a little too hard, ha. But I think there will be some kids who need this and some kids who love it....more
3.5. Marvin is a kindergarten teacher up for Teacher of the Year, Olan is the father of his newest student. Romance ensues. Once I got into the first 3.5. Marvin is a kindergarten teacher up for Teacher of the Year, Olan is the father of his newest student. Romance ensues. Once I got into the first person present narrative voice, it was pretty charming. I really liked Olan a lot, and the romance was was sweet and earned.
But I worked in elementary schools 20 years ago, and the idea of a teacher being a current student's babysitter, the current student calling him by his first name out of class, and a teacher in a relationship with a current student's father stressed me out so badly. That just seems like such overstep in all ways. ...more
Andy is set up with his new PI gig above Ruby's, but can't build the trust he needs to get clients--until his ex from the Navy shows up with a good, sAndy is set up with his new PI gig above Ruby's, but can't build the trust he needs to get clients--until his ex from the Navy shows up with a good, solid case. All of which brings the past to the present and might be the end of him. SO engaging, such fabulous characters, a really great mystery. I didn't trust anyone, except the key to the whole thing, OOPS. lol I can't wait for more!!...more
2.5. Emily is a grouchy spinster who pretends to be her sister Amy to take Amy's job as governess when Amy becomes unwell, and romance ensues. I loved2.5. Emily is a grouchy spinster who pretends to be her sister Amy to take Amy's job as governess when Amy becomes unwell, and romance ensues. I loved Emily's grouchiness and prickliness, and Grace and the staff were endearing and charming. But the plot really lacked high stakes, and the language and thoughts were just too modern to make any sense. I am usually very good at going along with a book's worldbuilding, but this just didn't land for me. ...more
It's 1952 and Andy has just been let go as a cop after he's found in a raid of a queer bar. He gets hired by a woman whose wife has died to solve the It's 1952 and Andy has just been let go as a cop after he's found in a raid of a queer bar. He gets hired by a woman whose wife has died to solve the mystery, in their little family of queer relationships and staff. Super engaging mystery, interesting characters, and I am excited to read the next few books!...more
Scotty worked at a gas station in Hollywood during the 40s and as a bartender in the 50s, and used these jobs to help big stars score the (often same Scotty worked at a gas station in Hollywood during the 40s and as a bartender in the 50s, and used these jobs to help big stars score the (often same sex) date of their dreams. Like, everyone involved considered him a stand up guy, trustable, and completely honest. I watched the documentary about him too (but couldn't get through the Hollywood mini series that was created based on his life). Honestly, I found every single bit of this fascinating. He really had no idea how traumatic his life was, and I felt sympathy for him and especially his wife, but he was such a fascinating man! And I really do believe him. ...more
A new look at Kate Hepburn and the legacy she created for herself. When I read Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of thA new look at Kate Hepburn and the legacy she created for herself. When I read Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of the Stars, I couldn't understand how Scotty could say that Kate and Spence's relationship, so well documented, was not at all like the stories--and now I get it. I've read other bios of Kate before, and I think what sets this one apart is how well he added context to Kate, her roles, her ambitions, the stories she chose to tell about herself, etc. He dove into previously unused materials like her brother's coroner's report, the letters of her very close friends who shed light on a lot of the stories Kate chose to share, etc, plus interviews with her remaining friends and family. I was really impressed, and I do think this is about as close to Kate's actual truth that we'll ever know. Much like Rose Wilder Lane, she never let a fact stand in the way of the story she wanted to tell! I think the legacy she created for herself is broadly the truth, but the details are not. ...more
Jude is going through an eventful time--it's getting harder to hide their true queer self from their grandparents at weekly dinners, BFF Dallas's pareJude is going through an eventful time--it's getting harder to hide their true queer self from their grandparents at weekly dinners, BFF Dallas's parents are fighting worse and worse, a former popular girl has been ostracized and turns out to be a great friend and perfect third to him and Dallas, and their town needs a safe space. This is reassuring and fun, great lived rep of ADHD, delightful, flawed, and real characters....more
Georgia escaped to Canada to clear out her recently deceased aunt's cottage (and avoid the social media mess she accidentally caused) and immediately Georgia escaped to Canada to clear out her recently deceased aunt's cottage (and avoid the social media mess she accidentally caused) and immediately falls for the local shelter's vet Mel. Romance ensues. Cute and sweet all over!...more