A coming of age story which centres around romance, but really is about all kinds of love. Thomas-Edward is a young Black man who falls hopelessly forA coming of age story which centres around romance, but really is about all kinds of love. Thomas-Edward is a young Black man who falls hopelessly for his college roommate, the super-wealthy and privileged Dondi, and then for Dondi's brother Matthew. Those relationships, and those of the mostly gay men around them, in terms of friendship, romantic love, sexual love, family love, are the heart of the book, especially when Dondi contracts AIDS (it's 1980s setting) and we go through the agonies of his slow loss. Beautifully written, emotional, and intense. ...more
An opposites attract story. Mel is a stand-up comedian: loud, show-offy, class clown, wears ridiculous shirts. He's also blighted by anxiety and insomAn opposites attract story. Mel is a stand-up comedian: loud, show-offy, class clown, wears ridiculous shirts. He's also blighted by anxiety and insomnia and insecurity, and struggles with self esteem, but does his best not to dump those things on other people. Vivian is an uptight banker who doesn't laugh much and socialises less and wears blazers, and is still carrying profound damage from being parentified throughout her childhood.
It would be possible not to like these leads: the book doesn't shy away from helping us see how annoying Mel can be with the joking (he does the "pretend to have lost the rings at the rehearsal dinner" schtick oh god) and how Vivian pushes people away, sometimes literally and definitely hurtfully. But both of them are better than that and their relationship slowly develops, allowing Vivian to start to embrace life and open up, and Mel to be an actual solid, serious support to her. They are better together, in large part because Mel is a decent man who accepts Vivian's wants about, eg, not having children and living her life. Which ought not be a high bar to clear but you know, and is everything to Vivian, struggling under the twin weights of culture and upbringing. He's clearly very good for her. Vivian is...more difficult, because she's a lot less willing to give than Mel is. Having spent so much of her life being expected to give everything of herself, in an effort to course-correct she's veered too far the other way into something quite close to self-centredness, and the relationship is very much him making the running for a long time. We can absolutely see why, but it's tough on Mel. On the other hand, how often do you see a m/f romance where the man is doing 90% of the emotional labour?
Speaking of rarities in romance, both leads are bi, and Mel is a non-tall, non-lean, non-muscular romance hero. (He's Vivian's height and definitely chunky, both on page and, pleasingly, on the cover.)
I really liked this story and both leads, in all their awkwardness and difficulty. Flawed characters finding a way to fit together is pretty much my jam, and Jackie Lau writes them very well indeed. ...more
A very enjoyable cosy mystery, in which an elderly Chinese widow living a rather lonely (but doggedly determined) life in the US finds a dead body in A very enjoyable cosy mystery, in which an elderly Chinese widow living a rather lonely (but doggedly determined) life in the US finds a dead body in her teahouse and decides to solve the mystery, mostly for something to do. In the process, she turns most of the suspects into a found family.
Very amusing caper, with some horrible and many difficult people, and sharp edges but a kind, open heart. I do like a murder where we don't have to regret the murderee's passing in the slightest. ...more
Small town romance with a hint of paranormal. Heroine is a recently dumped and sacked news anchor, hero is a workman/fixer with a sideline in ghost huSmall town romance with a hint of paranormal. Heroine is a recently dumped and sacked news anchor, hero is a workman/fixer with a sideline in ghost hunting because why not, heroine's granny's house is supposedly haunted, heroine is sceptical. Entertaining and likeable romance follows, with, delightfully, absolutely no "give up your big city dreams and have babies" whatsoever at any point.
Note also: this is exactly how to line up sequels without them overwhelming the book at all. We get just enough of the next brother Tyrone to be interesting, and the third one is barely in the picture and thus rather intriguing. Having recently read a romance so laden with sequel bait that the book was about 20% longer than it needed to be, this was a skills *chef's kiss*....more
Millionaire romance with an age gap as well as the financial gap. A very low-angst, high wish fulfilment book, with basically no conflict in the relatMillionaire romance with an age gap as well as the financial gap. A very low-angst, high wish fulfilment book, with basically no conflict in the relationship to speak of, and a super lovely rich gorgeous hero who wants to give the heroine everything. Any friction comes from her annoying boss, plus the hero's snobbish mother and Evil Ex (this is a very bad case of the Evil Ex, I'm afraid.)
Dreamy made for a somewhat wacky heroine, with some great lines, and I really liked a sequence in which the klutz who kept knocking things over at the fancy restaurant was the smooth sophisticated hero, not the heroine. PROPS. It was a bit high on the wish-fulfilment side for my personal taste, but YMMV, and we can always use more stories of Black women getting the man, money, career and family of their dreams. ...more
An opposites attract romance, with bisexual commitmentphobe Steph, a stand-up comedian, and grumpy lesbian Rae, an ex cop and now bouncer, dealing witAn opposites attract romance, with bisexual commitmentphobe Steph, a stand-up comedian, and grumpy lesbian Rae, an ex cop and now bouncer, dealing with a recent trauma in which she lost an eye.
It's exceedingly slow burn, and very low conflict. I'd say what they have is issues rather than conflicts--they talk out their problems throughout, and if you're exasperated by the 'everything could have been resolved by a five minute chat' romance thing, here's your antidote. And in general, they were both emotionally mature, mutually understanding, and generous towards one another. It did mean for me that the stakes felt a bit low, but sometimes that sort of low-angst, 'people being kind to one another' safe space is exactly what you want in a read. Well written and edited.
However, I struggled with Rae's casting as a white US police officer in Los Angeles with 14 years on the job. That's just not a value-neutral role for a character in these times, and there's nothing addressed in the book about her experience except for the shooting that ended it. That felt like a very big elephant in the room to me. ...more
Demon-hunting lesbians with paired magic, battling against the demon hordes and their own strict nunnery-type Order. There's exciting demon-slaying acDemon-hunting lesbians with paired magic, battling against the demon hordes and their own strict nunnery-type Order. There's exciting demon-slaying action, plots, betrayals, looming apocalypse, and a slow burn romance. All my favourite things.
The story is told in alternating current events / flashback chapters till about two thirds of the way through. The pair come together as students, develop a relationship, and are torn apart with their memories wiped. So the now story is a reunion, and rebuilding of the relationship, while the flashbacks show us the actual beginning. This didn't entirely work for me at this extent, as I felt it pulled me out of the 'now' story when it was heating up, but possibly I'm just too linear. Lovely cover. ...more
Tremendous look at the United States empire, and how it has somehow managed to convince itself, if nobody else, that it isn't an imperialist colonial Tremendous look at the United States empire, and how it has somehow managed to convince itself, if nobody else, that it isn't an imperialist colonial power. There was a huge amount here I didn't know especially regarding the grotesque historical treatment and disenfranchisement of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico, which might be because I'm British but it sounds like a lot of mainland USians don't know either.
Starts with the empire-building in what is now the mainland, moves on to the very relevant history of birdshit and the guano islands, lots about taking over Spanish colonial holdings and the effect especially of WW2, going up to the military bases in Saudi Arabia and how that led in to 9/11. But there's also a lot on other non-tangible empire building, especially standardisation (genuinely fascinating chapter) and language.
A really interesting read, exceedingly well written, with a lot of terrific human stories and some cracking jokes, even. Absolutely how non fiction should be done.
Read for the 'randos rec me 12 books' Twitter challenge, and a definite win. ...more
Story of a Black uncle and nephew in LA, both gay, one trying to hang on to his newsreading career, the other trying to make it as an actor. Not a romStory of a Black uncle and nephew in LA, both gay, one trying to hang on to his newsreading career, the other trying to make it as an actor. Not a romance novel, though both the MCs have important romance arcs and the marketing leans that way. The story is more about giving an overview of the various challenges and joys both men live through: family, friendships, finding love and trusting it when found, parenting, work, the exhausting load of dealing with the US's pervasive and endemic racism. Which sounds like a lot, but it's very much a story that plants a flag for Black queer joy and makes that space and celebrates it.
Covers a reasonably large span of time, jumping from event to event, and is told in dual first person present narration. For me, 1pp can very easily feel like we're being told a series of events ('I do this, I do that') in an eternal present, which...is actually how people live, so now I think about it I'm not sure why I don't like it in fiction. Hmph. But I do find 1pp tends to keep me on the surface of the story, rather than feeling immersed. YMMV. ...more
Noir necromancy. You wouldn't think necromancy would need to be noir but here we are. Lots of violence, very bleak. The narrator is nor a whistling-inNoir necromancy. You wouldn't think necromancy would need to be noir but here we are. Lots of violence, very bleak. The narrator is nor a whistling-in-the-dark wisecracker, more on the suicidally depressed side of things, which made the tone a bit unrelenting for my tastes, but if you like necromancy and noir, it does exactly what it says on the tin....more
Highly recommended book about two Chinese American children in the post gold-rush West trying to survive. The writing seems good but they are lugging Highly recommended book about two Chinese American children in the post gold-rush West trying to survive. The writing seems good but they are lugging their father's decomposing corpse around with them in a box while bits drop off it, and I am really not in the right place for this so noping out. ...more
Excellent reportage account of the Theranos startup, aka massive scam, conveying just how much gullibility and hype is involved in all the 'next big tExcellent reportage account of the Theranos startup, aka massive scam, conveying just how much gullibility and hype is involved in all the 'next big things' of Silicon Valley. Reads like a thriller, and frankly shocking in the level of dishonesty and deception at Theranos, as well as the abuse of legal process, the number of people happy to go along with it, and the credulousness on display. Apparently the words 'too good to be true' will never sink in if you're an investor looking for the next big thing. Read with Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty to feel disgusted at corporate America....more
A poly story focusing on two participants of a V shaped triad. Mason really wants to get married, have a big wedding, whole white picket fence thing. A poly story focusing on two participants of a V shaped triad. Mason really wants to get married, have a big wedding, whole white picket fence thing. Diego is already married (to Claris, open relationship, she has a lot of no strings sex) but is looking for a second partner. Diego is committed to Claris and knows he isn't suited to monogamy with anyone. Mason really doesn't want to be anyone's second choice. But here we are.
This is a really chewy situation. Usually a romance shows us all the participants compromising, but here there's no compromise from Diego at all. It's his way or nothing. He's absolutely not a jerk about it, bends over backwards to make it clear from the start and works to make Mason happy with it, and we believe he's being completely honest about his needs and boundaries. But the fact remains that those needs and boundaries aren't compatible with what Mason wants. So if Mason wants to be with Diego, he has to adapt his own wants and needs pretty substantially.
I really liked this as a premise. It's not a situation that can be fixed with an authorial deus ex machina. Sometimes people's needs are just not compatible, and you have to decide if you give up on the need or the person, because one has to go. Mason has a really hard time of this, and we feel it.
It would be very easy to dislike Diego's role in this, as the man getting his entire way. We don't, because he does genuinely work his arse off to make Mason happy and is completely honest about it, and they are very lovely together, but it was a narrow squeak for me at points. I slightly felt that Mason's longing for a wedding/being the one and only were dismissed a bit too easily by Claris and his friends-- they're his feelings, he's allowed to have them. And their HEA is definitely going to involve a lot of couples (triples) therapy. (Claris takes everything in her stride: I kind of would have liked to see her feelings a bit more on page and how they fit as a three, but then again there's really already a lot here to be getting on with.)
Gnarly, yes. But we believe by the end that Mason loves Diego enough to go for it, and that Diego's going to do his best to make Mason happy, and sometimes that's what a happy ending looks like....more
Magic realism with a matriarch who's transplanted her life from Ecuador to Nowhere, US reuniting her estranged family when she dies. It's told in two Magic realism with a matriarch who's transplanted her life from Ecuador to Nowhere, US reuniting her estranged family when she dies. It's told in two interwoven stories: Orquidea's past, and her present descendents trying to find out who is trying to kill them and why.
I enjoyed the first part hugely, the interweaving of magic and reality. There's a massive family cast but you can vague through without memorising who's who, so it mostly just adds to the extent and richness of the family world. I did feel it slowed down in the second half--the cousins are mostly reactive for a long time, and the sense of dream overpowers the real to a point I began to feel a bit disconnected. Notwithstanding, I still needed to know the outcome, which ties up a lot of stuff nicely, though leaving much unexplained in the way of magical realism.
Entertaining romance about an exceedingly extroverted and free-spirited lawyer and a very guarded, joyless security consultant. Obviously she brings hEntertaining romance about an exceedingly extroverted and free-spirited lawyer and a very guarded, joyless security consultant. Obviously she brings him out of his shell and teaches him to have fun, etc, but more strikingly, she lavishes him with warmth and care, such that he starts working to improve himself (rather than having her do it for him) which is highly satisfactory. Very high octane romcom silliness abounds throughout, all good fun, with a highly entertaining cast of secondaries and a lovely bubbly feel.
One thing I regret is the third act misunderstanding. It doesn't actually affect the relationship or serve a plot purpose, especially as the hero doesn't immediately leap to the worst possible conclusions about the heroine. Which is refreshing, but invites the question of why bother. But I am exceedingly grumpy about the continued existence of third act misunderstandings in romance, ignore me. ...more
A hugely likeable romance with an Indian actor and a Pakistani-American make-up influencer. Very low steam for this author (heroine is demisexual and A hugely likeable romance with an Indian actor and a Pakistani-American make-up influencer. Very low steam for this author (heroine is demisexual and both are culturally inclined to wait for marriage). I loved all the build-up, and the supportive, positive relationship: these are basically both very nice people and we want them to be happy. It felt like it ran out of steam a little at the end, with a minor misunderstanding that didn't feel entirely necessary, but generally highly readable. Also, a book set post-pandemic (though I don't think Covid is named), which I'm not sure I've seen before (possibly because I'm hiding in historical and fantasy). ...more
Sapphic grumpy/sunshine romance between a yoga teacher and a CrossFit trainer.
I am very much here for foul-tempered women in romance (not to mention Sapphic grumpy/sunshine romance between a yoga teacher and a CrossFit trainer.
I am very much here for foul-tempered women in romance (not to mention weight-lifting women with big muscular thighs), but Tuesday crossed a line for me. The set up is that Tuesday is rude and aggressive, but she takes it to a point of seriously and repeatedly interfering with Sutton's business--plays booming music that messes up the yoga classes, sets up renovations (she owns the building) without warning, and has her packages delivered to Sutton. We eventually learn she was doing all this to get Sutton's attention which...that's what they say about boys pulling girls' hair. It put me right off.
Once Tuesday stopped being such a dick, there's a sweet and sexy romance here, but the weighting of the story is quite heavily towards the jerk parts. Those who like grumpy jerk redemption more than me will find much to enjoy. Ironically, I'm too grumpy for that.
Enjoyable urban fantasy with a gay lead and the start of a romance (with obligatory UF love triangle), very firmly grounded in the extreme poverty of Enjoyable urban fantasy with a gay lead and the start of a romance (with obligatory UF love triangle), very firmly grounded in the extreme poverty of US 'white trash'. The writing's rather plain in style but the storytelling builds up nicely. ...more
Romance with a pretty extraordinary start: Naomi is genuinely unhappy in her engagement. Not unhappy like 'my brooding billionare is mysteriously disaRomance with a pretty extraordinary start: Naomi is genuinely unhappy in her engagement. Not unhappy like 'my brooding billionare is mysteriously disappearing to be a superhero', but in a resentful 'i fucking hate these annoying things he does and his stupid laugh and he makes me feel bad when I'm with my friends' way, all bottled up and choked down because she doesn't know how to cancel the wedding and get out of this shitty relationship. It's well done enough to evoke very strong feelings in the reader and I was strongly in camp DTMFA and almost ready to ditch the book.
Pulling it back from there is a triumph. It partly works because we can see how Naomi is culpable too, in withdrawing emotionally from the relationship, refusing to say what's bothering her, and failing to extend the empathy to Nick she's upset he isn't extending to her. (The turning point is when they first tells the other exactly what they think. I don't think rows are particularly healthy, but it at least means they start communicating.) We move from efforts on both sides to make the other one call the wedding off to ridiculous prank type behaviour which is actually funny because they're both clearly enjoying it so much, and then into actual kindness, understanding, and communication as they fall back in love.
I did feel Nick's narcissist mother was a bit one-note, and I can see how readers might struggle to get over the opening, but by the end it was 100% feelgood romcom and thoroughly likeable. ...more
Aaaaah. At last, another instalment in the Blessings series, which is basically a massive soap opera set in Henry Adams and featuring descendants of MAaaaah. At last, another instalment in the Blessings series, which is basically a massive soap opera set in Henry Adams and featuring descendants of Ms Bev's July dynasty. Don't even think about starting here, there's ten books worth of characters, backstory, plot, and shenanigans you need to know. (I read all ten in a fortnight's massive lockdown binge, which I would recommend as the best way to do it, minus the global pandemic part.)
This one is fairly low conflict--we've got Mal and Bernadine finally getting married, and Paula at last getting a romance of her own, plus the working out of Preston's birth family, all of which has been fully conflicted out in previous books. So this almost felt like a book length 'last few chapters' in which things are coming right all round. This is absolutely perfect for immersed readers, and as noted, you wouldn't want to come in cold anyway. I have been reading this in snatched moments over a weekend in which my entire house broke, and it has been a total sanity saver.
I wish also to note that while it is a totally feelgood Christmas book with good people being good to one another, Ms Bev has just now and then slipped in a line of such startling brutality I actually said, "Woah" out loud. The edge is always there: it's what makes her work such a joy. ...more
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