“Can I?” (…) “Can you what, Simon? Kiss me? Kill me? Break my heart?”
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBTQIA+ Actual Rating: 3.5 stars Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis Content Warnings: Magical violence, death of parent, animal death, murder and murder attempts. Discusses suicide and suicide attempts, emotional abuse, and bullying. Describes fire injuries.
Simon Snow is in the middle of an identity crisis. He was the “Chosen One”, the one who’s beat the bad guys… so what now? After all is said and done, what is his purpose after the war? I guess a roadtrip will tell.
I did not feel like this book was true to the characters we met the first time around—hence the downmark from the previous book. Literally the only thing holding this book at 3.5 stars is Snowbaz. Simon and Baz are still as perfect as they come.
Another thing that put me off was that ending. Like, was it an ending at all? I feel like I just read some filler novel on the waits for the last book.
I would say only grab this book if you’re ready to not give up on the series. If you’re willing to read “Any Way The Wind Blows” even if you hate “Wayward Son”, then grab “Wayward Son”.
“Honesty game: I feel like I’ve known you forever.”
Genre: Romance, LGBTQIA+ Actual Rating: 5+ star emojis Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis Content Warnings: As given by the author—there are moments of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. Deals with generalized anxiety disorders and stigmas around neurodiversity. Mentions adultery and cheating.
“Kiss Her Once for Me” follows Ellie Oliver, an animator and demisexual hopeless romantic, through two very impactful moments of her life—both revolving around the winter holidays. Bring on December 2021, where Ellie has just moved to Portland and is working at an animation studio, when she unexpectedly has a meet-cute and calamitous one night stand with Jack, only to never see her again. Then flash-forward to December 2022, where she’s working as a barista after losing her dream job in animation and she somehow agrees to fake-marry the coffee shop’s cute landlord, Andrew, so he can get his inheritance. But before they get married, Ellie has to endure a few days at his family’s cabin, celebrating Christmas… only to find out Andrew’s sister who he’s referred to as Jacqueline is actually Jack. The same Jack who broke Ellie’s heart last Christmas. -Queue in “Last Christmas” by Taylor Swift (2007 cover)-
First things first: get this book as a Christmas/holiday gift for all your lesbian, bisexual, queer, and sapphic-loving reader friends. Now. Go order them so they’ll be there for the holidays. I cannot begin to explain how much I loved this book.
“Kiss Her Once for Me” will be hands down my favorite holiday book this season—I have no proofs but also no doubts. This book had it all. Fake dating? Check. Marriage of convenience? Check. Miscommunication? Check. Close proximity? Check. Diverse characters? Check. Character growth? Check. Epic sapphic couple? Check check check.
I would not change a single thing about this book. Alison Chochrun is a swiftie, alright? The amount of times Taylor Swift is mentioned cannot be a coincidence, and I was there for it. I, too, have devoted countless hours to listening to Taylor Swift. I, too, believe evermore is an ode to Christmas. I, too, believe Lover is the superior album.
It isn’t the most explicit read, but there are some steamy scenes—and although this usually knocks down some stars while rating, I didn’t mind it too much through this read. The kissed were sweet and the conversation and intimacy achieved through communication was stellar. I did not feel like something was missing when I finished this read.
I would highly recommend “Kiss Her Once for Me” if you’re looking for a sapphic romance full of wintery feels. If you enjoy books by authors like Casey McQuiston, Rachael Lippincott, and Alexis Hall, then Alison Cochrun’s writing is right up your alley. This was such a fluid, lovely read. Oh, how I wish I could start reading it for the first time all over again.
“When you spend your whole life alone, it’s incredibly appealing to move somewhere big enough to get lost in. Where being alone looks like a choice.”
Genre: Romance, LGBTQIA+ Actual Rating: 1.5 stars Spicy Meter: 1.5 fire emojis because technically there was spicy stuff, but it happened mostly on the subway which is so disturbing. Content Warnings: Describes homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, hate crimes, racism, death, car accident, suicide, classism and gentrification.
“One Last Stop” follows August Landry, a 23-year-old bisexual woman who just moved to New York City to run from her past. One day, on the subway, she runs into Jane Su, a wonderfully unique girl and immediately develops a crush. But when August asks Jane out, things get awkward. That is until August realizes Jane is actually stuck in time—has been since the 1970s. And so August will use all she’s learned from her past life to help Jane go back to her time—or get out of the subway in present day.
And really, “One Last Stop” had all the cards to make me fall in love with it: New York City? Check. Sapphic romance? Check. Shy main character? Check. Public transport crushes? Check.
Yet, I can’t even believe I finished this damn book. I found August and Jane’s relationship so weird. I’m sorry, but if I run into a subway crush that’s ‘stuck in time’? Hell no. I’m getting off that line and never getting on it again.
But it’s not only that. It’s not only that August got literally obsessed with Jane. No. The worst part of it all is that THEY HAVE SEX ON THE FREAKING SUBWAY. IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT. WHAT. THE. HELL. This book is unforgivable. I would rather die than have to read it again.
Which is weird, because I had never not liked a Casey McQuiston book. I am actually pretty upset her image of her will be tainted by this book in my mind. I can’t, in my right mind, recommend this book to anyone. God only knows why it has a 4+ stars rating in Goodreads. People are literally insane.
“I want to go scuba diving with you. (…) Like, the ocean is huge and terrifying and unknown, but if you want to go scuba diving, I want to. I want to make you happy or do the things that make you happy with you.”
Author: Meryl Wilsner Narrated By: Jeremy Carlisle Parker, Quinn Riley, and Stephanie Németh-Parker.
Genre: Romance, LGBTQIA+ Actual Rating: 4 stars Spicy Meter: 4 stars Narration: 4 mikes Content Warnings: Discusses divorce and big age-difference relationship. Includes very explicit sexual content.
“Mistakes Were Made” follows Cassie Klein, a STEM senior university student hoping to be a grad student in aeronautic engineering, after she hooks up with a hot older woman called Erin at a bar… an older woman that ends up being the mom of one of her close friends. But Cassie didn’t know Erin was her friend’s mom when they met. She just knew she was pulled towards Erin, and she wanted to be close to her—and close to her she was. Being an ode to secret relationships, this book brings you all the rush you can need for the foreseeable future.
This book comes in as steamy as they get, right from the start. It is fast-paced, although perhaps a bit unrealistic—hence the 4 stars I gave it. The writing and the narration was amazing, although I grew a bit tired of Erin’s voice by the end, it felt too sophisticated for its own good.
I also feel bad for pointing this out, but I think it simply can’t be ignored: the age difference was weird. Really weird. It’s almost unnatural how people accepted it in the end. I would not be okay with my mom dating my friend—my friend who is 20 years her junior. I know Cassie swears it isn’t mommy issues with her attraction to Erin, but girl… those were some hella big mommy issues right there, even if she refused to see it.
All in all, I would still recommend this book. It’s entertaining and exciting, and actually pretty sweet. If you like books with secret relationships and with very big age differences—and that end with a happily ever after anyways—then “Mistakes Were Made” is for you.
“People think of this lonely cat lady substituting affection in real life for fake people kissing, but there are so many people of any gender writing this stuff.”
Genre: Romance, LGBTQIA+ Actual Rating: 3 stars Spicy Meter: 1.5 fire emojis (Very descriptive, but it just wasn’t for me) Content Warnings: Veeery sexual, and mentions child and emotional abuse.
“Meet Cute Club” follows, well, the Meet Cute Club, a book club centered on romance books (hell yeah!). Jordan Collins is a recently-unemployed romance book aficionado who founded (and funds) the Meet Cute Club. As the club slowly loses member, Jordan is afraid his efforts and dreams have all been for nothing. Then in comes Rex Bailey, a new (and temporary) employee at Jordan’s favorite book store. In what I would personally call the least-cute meet cute, Rex makes fun of Jordan’s choice of books—until he decides to give romance a try himself, and ends up not hating it and deciding to help Jordan bring the book club back. Will they find their own romance in the process? Or will Rex’s impulses and Jordan’s nature get in the way?
This is a short, fast-paced romance. I feel like it’d be a great airport book. It really sucks you into the story, I read it in less than 24 hours, even though I had some busy days then. But I also felt like it was missing something.
I’m usually all for a queer romance, but this really wasn’t it. I’m not giving up on Jack Harbon quite yet tho, I’ll be looking forward to reading more of what they have to offer.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a gay romance. It is very explicit, I’ll give it that. And it’s truly face-paced, so if you’re not into slow-burn romances, then “Meet Cute Club” is for you.
“What did he say?” (…) “He said, ‘End Act I.’” (…) “And that means what exactly?” “I’m not one hundred percent sure. A start? The promise of Act II?”
Genre: Young Adult, LGBTQIA+ Actual Rating: 3 stars Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji Content Warnings: Abandonment of a baby and harassment.
Inspired on “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde, “Epically Earnest” follows Jane Grady, a high school senior who found her fame when she was just a baby, as she was abandoned at a train station and found in a Gucci bag, becoming #bagbaby. In a coming-of-age story, Jane is stuck between trying to find her biological family or moving on with her life, as she crushes on a girl who’s out of her league.
I loved the quotes in the beginning of every chapter, I loved the relaxed narrative that didn’t try to be overzealous, but mostly I loved the characters Molly Horan portrayed. In this queer story, we get to see how complicated it can be to just be a teenager—finding young love, starting to make life-changing decision… “Epically Earnest” is a short, sweet read. Actually, too short if you ask me. That’s why I only gave it 3 stars. It’s really well written, but I felt like there was just so much unresolved or under-explained.
I would recommend “Epically Earnest” to anyone looking for a short, sapphic or queer romantic comedy that’s not only a romance book, but that goes a little more in-depth into character development and family relationships.
“There’s this idea that if you’re not straight, you HAVE to tell all your family and friends immediately, like you owe it to them. But you don’t. You don’t have to do anything until you’re ready.”
Genre: Young Adult, LGBTQIA+, Graphic Novel Actual Rating: 4 stars Content Warnings: Deals with topics like homophobia, biphobia, outing someone, anorexia, eating disorders, anxiety, etc.
The “Heartstopper” graphic novels, volumes 1 through 4, follow two characters, Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson, and their group of friends. Charlie and Nick both attend an all-boys high school, but have had radically different high school experiences. While Charlie was outed as gay and bullied, Nick was a semi-popular rugby player with a bunch of superficial friends. After they’re assigned seats beside each other for one of their classes, they become friends. Well, Charlie develops a huge crush on Nick, but Nick’s straight, so that shouldn’t be a problem… right?
I started reading this graphic novel series because I saw a Netflix series was being produced about it and I just really wanted to get my hands on the novels before seeing the series. And so I did. And I must say I did not love it as much as I thought I would, at the start. The first two volumes are somewhat childish and superficial. Honestly, my rating for this series was very markedly bumped up to 4 stars thanks to the third and fourth volumes, where the interactions between characters started to become deeper and more realistic.
I loved the characters and I loved loved loved the art. The drawings are doodly and flowy. These books were a very fun read that was only enhanced by its Netflix series. I can’t even begin to explain how much more I appreciated that series thanks to the graphic novels. The real motion series almost goes scene by scene as compared to the graphic novel. It was truly a religious experience.
I would recommend this series to anyone trying to get into graphic novels, since these are easy, quick reads. Also, if you like queer romances, close proximity tropes, and books that face difficult topics like mental illness, bullying, and eating disorders, then grab these graphic novels. I can’t wait for Volume 5.
“It’s just like chess; there’s cheating, and then there’s outwitting your opponent. (…) One is dishonorable and vile. The other? Just good strategy.”
Genre: Romance, LGBTQIA+ Actual Rating: 4 stars Content Warnings: Has explicit sexual content, curse language, and mentions infidelity.
“Payback’s a Witch” is the first book in the The Witches of Thistle Grove series. Thistle Grove is a magical town, founded by 4 families (the Blackmoores, the Avramovs, the Thorns, and the Harlows), and set up as a whimsical and magic attraction for tourists—who won’t ever know the magic they see is 100% true. This book follows Emmy Harlow, a witch from the weakest founding family and who has actually even lost her magic due to staying away from Thistle Grove. But in a turn of events, she decided to go back and serve as Arbiter—a judge—, in the competition that will decide who the ruling (and strongest) magic founding family will be. The Blackmoores have almost exclusively ruled over Thistle Grove since it was founded… but what if this was bound to change? Gareth Blackmoore has inflicted heartbreak through every single over founding family, so what if the competitor and the Arbiter were to form a sort of alliance? What if the Blackmoores weren’t the center of Thistle Grove anymore? Oh, how wonderful that would be.
In total honestly, I only read this book because I was approved in Netgalley to get the advanced readers copy (ARC) of the second installment in this series, but I am so happy I grabbed this book. It is SO good. It definitely has a YA feel to it and it’s so entertaining. Is Thistle Grove a real place? Because I really want to go there.
This book is lighthearted, adventurous, and very very witchy-spooky. I was surprised most of my Goodreads friends didn’t enjoy this book as much as I did, but I stand by it: this first installment in the The Witches of Thistle Grove series is amazingly entertaining, charming, and captivating. I was essentially in a reading slump and this book is entirely responsible for me getting out of it. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book, which will be released next week.
I would recommend this book to any readers who enjoy LGBTQIA+ romances, witchy books, and who like series like Riverdale and the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. This book is fast-paced and dynamic, you’ll definitely finish it in one sitting if you have the time.
“How can that be possible, to feel estranged from a place where everyone loves you? To owe your life to a place and still want to run?”
Genre: YA, LGBTQIA Actual Rating: 4 stars Content Warnings: Homophobia, religious bigotry, and bullying.
“I Kissed Shara Wheeler” follows Chloe Green as she tries to solve her archnemesis’, Shara Wheeler’s, disappearance. Joined by Rory, Shara’s neighbor, and Smith, Shara’s long-term boyfriend, Chloe is set to find Shara and beat her to Valedictorian fair and square—if only her feelings of burning hatred won’t get in the way.
If you’re only reading this because you liked “Red, White, and Royal Blue”, don’t. Yes, there is queerness in this book too, but the plot is nothing like Casey McQuiston’s debut novel, and I say that as a fact, not as a good or bad thing… just a thing.
I gave this book 4 stars because I liked the writing and the ending, but the getting there was a bit boring and I was never able to empathize with Chloe Green, the main character of sorts. I was tired of the whole Shara-scavenger-hunt when I was 20% into the book but they don’t find her until well past 60%. So I guess you can see how this book was a bit boring for me. I had read the summary of the book but still, I was not expecting Casey McQuiston to write a mystery YA book.
I would recommend this book to actual YA readers, not new adults who read YA. “I Kissed Shara Wheeler” is a bit childish, but it’s entertaining and engaging, so don’t hesitate to grab it off the shelves as its release date is today!!!
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, LGBTQIA Actual rating: 3.5 stars Content Warnings: Discusses alcoholism.
“She Gets the Girl” follows Molly and Alex, two university freshman who are trying their best to get their girls. Molly, being close to home and having a deep relationship with her family, is looking to grow more independent and have her high school crush fall for her. Alex, running half way through her state to attend university as far away from her alcoholic mother, is trying to win her ex girlfriend back and looking to become a better person. After meeting in a party, Alex takes on the mission of helping Molly break out of her shell and get the girl, all the while Alex is trying to show her ex she’s changed, that she can have friends and do selfless things for them.
First things first, it’s SO cute that this book was written by a couple. Rachael Lippincott is an author I hold close and dear to my heart ever since I read “The Lucky List”. Alyson Derrick is Rachael’s wife and “She Gets the Girl” is her debut novel—even though she’s already set to publish another book next year, that’s how promising she is. They both built an interesting world through alternating points of view.
Now on to my review of the book: The self-pity and the “uh I’m too damaged to love or be loved” isn’t a trope I necessarily like, but this book delivers a nice feel-good story and I’m trying to focus on that instead. I don’t know who was more stubborn and annoying, Alex or Molly, but they were definitely exasperating.
I see books as, yes, works of fiction—but fiction in a way that they try to imitate real life at the best of their abilities. Even when reading dystopian or fantasy novels, those works of fiction carry real-life emotions and situations that seem possible in other realities. Sadly, this work of fiction did not hold this to be true. I felt like the characters and all the situation they lived through were so farfetched for the sake of being unique that they somewhat lost their magic.
I would recommend this book to high schoolers and young adults that enjoy LGBTQIA+ books. It’s a nice, light read, and could be a great book to give as a gift.
And yes, even though this wouldn’t be the first Rachael Lippincott book I would recommend, I still wouldn’t dismiss it.
andrea's galley 