Interview is a short story about an environmentalist who has contributed and brought huge changes to the environment along with his husband of over fiInterview is a short story about an environmentalist who has contributed and brought huge changes to the environment along with his husband of over fifty years. The interview mentioned in the book is the one that he gives for their latest contribution - the San Jose Carbon Scrubber System.
I loved the representation - LGBTQIA+, disability and Asian. I also loved the way Ali kept repeating that he only wrote the cheques, as if that was nothing. I won't reveal much about it since it's a short story but if you're interested in knowing what goes on in the minds of people who contribute selflessly to the environment, give this book a try....more
Far From Home is a collection of twelve short stories about LGBTQIA+ people from around the world, mostly homosexual men, trying to go about their daiFar From Home is a collection of twelve short stories about LGBTQIA+ people from around the world, mostly homosexual men, trying to go about their daily lives while living in places where their gender and sexual orientation puts them in different types of dangers.
Two of these stories are set in the US, the home country of the respective main characters, but even after that their lives are comparable to those that have left for foreign lands. The safety that one's home should provide is clearly lacking while the individuals navigate their ways in life.
This book was all about the lives and journeys of individuals belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community, but it was also about love - the literal and the perceived. So often, our definition of love and where and in whom to find it is dictated by the society. Most of us have to fight these to not just experience love but to also be able to keep it. This book portrays that in such a beautiful but often heartbreaking way.
Like Vincent's other books, this collection of short stories seemed we'll researched and I loved delving into the lives of all the characters. I wish all endings were happy but fiction imitates reality. The characters, as for real people, are often in their own countries, their houses, but it isn't home if an individual is not safe and loved, is it?
Another very unexpected story from the author, and just like First Born Sons, this one too touched my heart. This is the coming of age story of a Boy Another very unexpected story from the author, and just like First Born Sons, this one too touched my heart. This is the coming of age story of a Boy Scout, Nathan, and covers the years from when he's a teenager at school until he's through college and involves all the physical, mental and emotional transitions one goes through. His struggles and pains are beautifully described, so much so that I was transported to the 1960s when being yourself was a crime almost all around the world. Sadly, it still is at a lot of places.
Nathan is living in Illinois during the Vietnam War, which means music and drugs are on the high while homosexuality is a secret. He is unaware of his sexuality until he falls for a doctor living across the street and that's when his world first starts changing while the doubts arise. He tries to keep his feelings aside and focus on the acceptable thing, which is "liking" girls, but fails miserably. He is kind of a social outcast so to increase his likability, he starts taking diet pills which soon turn addictive. One day, he discovers the doctor having sex with another man while his wife isn't home. This incident affects not only him but also the doctor who is forced to leave town to protect himself but he never leaves Nathan's mind. All of this leads to him drowning more in drugs once he leaves home for college in New Orleans.
Just like the author's other books, this deals with reality in a raw and honest manner without sugarcoating the struggles of the characters. When life is not a bed of roses, why should fiction be? Another similarity with the other works by the author is that this too surrounds a real life tragic incident - First Born Sons had the entire story against the COVID-19 backdrop, Colton's Terrible Wonderful Year had the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement and The Mayor of Oak Street has arson fire at the Up Stairs Lounge in New Orleans in 1973, the deadliest attack on a gay club in the US until the mass shooting in Orlando in 2016. Just like the AIDS epidemic, the government was ignorant of this incident to the level that churches didn't hold funerals and media didn't cover the tragedy, all because of homophobia.
This was a quick read for me, one that I was completely engrossed in. It was unputdownable. Although the ending was more hopeful than happy, I am content with it. Definitely recommended. Oh, and if you were wondering, Nathan does cross paths with the doctor again ...more
Ms Perfectly Fine is the story of child prodigy Autumn, a brilliant pianist, and Elijah, an equally brilliant video game designer. One morning, AutumnMs Perfectly Fine is the story of child prodigy Autumn, a brilliant pianist, and Elijah, an equally brilliant video game designer. One morning, Autumn finds a stranger moving into her rented apartment and the adventure (or misadventure, if you will) begins. Autumn is a strong female character in several aspects and she doesn't budge. I know how uncomfortable and irritated I would have been if I was suddenly forced to live with a stranger. She was calmer than me, though ...more
I have read very few books about twins, let alone identical ones, so I was pleasantly surprised with this story. The main character, Hyunsuk, a high sI have read very few books about twins, let alone identical ones, so I was pleasantly surprised with this story. The main character, Hyunsuk, a high school student, has a twin brother who is better than him in every way, so much so that even their parents consider him to be an extra. This leads to him always feeling lonely, especially because he is not involved in anything at all. Abandonment is a huge part of his life, and that's the only thing in this story that triggered me because I am Hyunsuk, with a younger brother instead of a twin, but you get the gist.
A new student enters the school and makes Hyunsuk seen for the first time when she shows interest in him. He is so shocked that he thinks that Hialeah had mistaken him for his twin. But she wants to be friends so he moves ahead but with caution. Once burnt twice shy, but what about being burnt constantly? Slowly, he falls in love with her.
I once read an article in a newspaper, probably a decade and a half or so ago, titled "Siblings Rivalry: Are Parents Responsible?" and I had written a large "Yes" below it with my blue gel pen. This book reminded me not just of that article but of my very own life. It was just so relatable. Getting bullied by your own family? Yeah, been there. Never want to go back. But that's a story for another day.
This is a love story between two lonely people who go from being friends to lovers and it has all the feels. The writing is simple and easy to understand. It was a short and a quick read. Recommended for beginners of romance genre....more
A story with a female writer as the main character? Yes! Nadzia is a wonderful writer, creating fantastical worlds with amazing storylines. She hits hA story with a female writer as the main character? Yes! Nadzia is a wonderful writer, creating fantastical worlds with amazing storylines. She hits her first roadblock when her friend reads the story for the first time and instantly dislikes it. This breaks Nadzia's heart. Sad that her story didn't receive the kind of response she wanted, she somehow finds herself in a world different than her own. There's only so much time before she realises that she's inside her very own story. She knows the where but she doesn't know the how. Her only goal becomes to get out of the world she had so diligently created. Which should be easy right, because she's the one who wrote it so she already knows all the characters and working of the world at large? Only that she's gravely mistaken. Both her characters and the world they live in have so many layers that go deeper than what Nadzia created.
I loved the character development and the world building. I have not read many books with polyamory so reading about Nadzia's relationship with two of her own characters was intriguing. It is fast paced and overall very interesting. I liked how the characters go from simple to complex as Nadzia tries to find her way out of their world.
A writer falling into their own story only to realise they don't fully know about it although they wrote each word themselves? Sold. The story ends on a cliffhanger and I am looking forward to the sequel. Recommended....more
Ever seen a swimmer and a volleyball player together? Well, a water animal and a land animal interacting is less common, isn't it? But not here becausEver seen a swimmer and a volleyball player together? Well, a water animal and a land animal interacting is less common, isn't it? But not here because our swimmer had a heated argument with our volleyball player at their sports university where they are students. The best part is how this is depicted from the perspective of a neurodivergent person, how an incident keeps playing in their heads and how difficult it is to get it out, if ever. So relatable, I read it twice. I loved the neurodivergent representation. I have anxiety, among other things, and I could relate to those scenes a lot. Very well written.
I wanted to write so much about this book but at the end, I just can't put my feelings into words. Guess you'll have to read it to understand. I loved every part of it. Characters having meltdowns, characters questioning their identities, characters feeling like a burden, characters self-harming, parental neglect... There was so much happening. So relatable because this was real life. Incidents are never isolated, there's always an overlapping and that overlapping is so well depicted in this story.
I haven't read many sports romances so this was a welcome change. This book was character focused and driven. I loved the character development and their interactions with each other. They might be questioning themselves but they do try to understand each other. There is a rich cast of LGBTQIA+ characters. And the found family? Yes! A hundred times yes. I might have cried an ocean.
This book was a pleasant surprise. I did not know what to expect of it but there were so many things happening that it almost overwhelmed me. That's wThis book was a pleasant surprise. I did not know what to expect of it but there were so many things happening that it almost overwhelmed me. That's what life is, there is so much happening all at once and we cannot afford to take breaks. We have to deal with everything as it comes.
I like how none of Colton's fathers are disciplinarians. Dad is hard on the outside but soft on the inside while Papi is soft through and through. Both of them are easy going and always have their son as their first priority. I love how Colton knows and acknowledges this but doesn't take advantage of them. The mutual love and understanding in the family was very heartwarming.
Being a woman in my community, and country at large, I have and still deal with discrimination and prejudice on a regular basis. When I was Colton's age, I didn't always understand this because a bed of thorns was usually wrapped in red roses. But the way in which Colton understands at once that his friends are using racism at his expense to get an advantage is just eye opening. I am almost a decade and a half older than Colton and before I even finished the first chapter, I was so proud that the younger generation is already woke. The future is in good hands and that's such a relief.
I understand and completely sympathise with Colton. It's a lot to take for a young teenager. And doubts are inevitable depending on how quickly things were happening around him. One thing after the other, almost non-stop, so much so that it seemed neverending. But Colton comes out victorious and his parents play an important role in it. This story reminded me what it was like to be a child when everything bad felt like my life was falling apart. Recommended....more
This is one book I was very excited to have on this year's TBR. I was invested in the story since the moment I read the prologue. I didn't know it hadThis is one book I was very excited to have on this year's TBR. I was invested in the story since the moment I read the prologue. I didn't know it had dragons even though there's one on the cover ...more
I was really excited to read this book because I have hardly read three Christmas stories and I want to explore this sub-genre. This was more of a comI was really excited to read this book because I have hardly read three Christmas stories and I want to explore this sub-genre. This was more of a coming age story for Carmen than anything else. Her journey from being a teenager to being a tweenager was wonderful. The setting was realistic and the struggles of long distance relationships was depicted so well. I don't want to say much because it's a short story and I may end up giving up the entire plot but I can assure you that the title of the story is significant both literally and figuratively.
I read the story to my six year old twins and my two year old with some modifications and they loved it. Full marks from them.
I hope we all get our dragons for Christmas ❤️
This was a quick read. Definitely recommended....more
I am not into mafia books so this was a welcome change. The title indicates what's at the heart of the story - Callum's lost memories of his younger dI am not into mafia books so this was a welcome change. The title indicates what's at the heart of the story - Callum's lost memories of his younger days. The story is written in two timelines - the present where Callum meets Ambrose and wonders why he feels like he knows him but cannot place it and the past where they first met, became friends and what followed after. I don't want to reveal much about the plot because this is a recently released book but this story did keep me intrigued.
I'll be honest, I don't pick up mafia stories because I avoid "dark" storylines (too much darkness in real life) but this really wasn't what I expected it to be. And I never read blurbs so I had no idea what I was getting myself into. This was heart-touching and heartbreaking at the same time. I did not expect so many feelings and emotions from a mafia book. I liked the slow burn and I loved the found family. The story ended on a cliffhanger.
I have followed the author on Instagram for a long time, since when she was only a bookstagrammar and there were no mentions of writing a book as far as I recall, and I am glad to see the transition. Promising debut. Definitely recommended....more
In all honesty, I was really expecting a very different story because, as usual, I did not read the blurb. This was a welcome surprise. The story is abIn all honesty, I was really expecting a very different story because, as usual, I did not read the blurb. This was a welcome surprise. The story is about Christian and Liam, two schoolmates whose families have been friends for decades. They have known each other since childhood but are not friends themselves. Liam doesn't like Christian because he is handsome, intelligent and popular amongst the school crowd but has never personally done anything to hurt Liam's feelings. Christian knows about Liam's hatred towards him and is heartbroken. Their families go on a vacation at their joint beach house every Christmas and it is during these times that Liam finds it impossible to stand Christian.
During one of these Christmas parties, both Liam and Christian come out to their families and their personal equation starts to change. This was a beautiful enemies to lovers story with teenage jealousy and angst and the sweet realisation of one's true feelings. I liked this book. Recommended....more
First of all, I did not expect this book to be so dark. The name speaks a lot about the story but because I don't read blurbs, it wasn't enough for meFirst of all, I did not expect this book to be so dark. The name speaks a lot about the story but because I don't read blurbs, it wasn't enough for me to be prepared.
This story especially feels realistic when a social media influencer receives a bad comment and it influences his very mood. Bryan is an extremely successful social media personality with a large following but one negative comment spirals him into a state of self doubt. That is until he meets Victor. What happens when these polar opposites come together and an obsession of the other leads to gruesome crimes?
This book left me with some serious questions - How do you define love? To what extent can one be in love with someone? When does love turn into obsession? And how far can one go for their obsession?
This was unputdownable as I was always eager to know what would happen next. There were twists and turns at every nook and corner. And I didn't see that ending coming....more
Okay, can I start by talking about what a perfect marriage the two main characters had? For once I was supporting marriages (Long story.). But, as theOkay, can I start by talking about what a perfect marriage the two main characters had? For once I was supporting marriages (Long story.). But, as the title says, I had to second guess it too. At least the burglary brought me back to my senses ...more
Date At Eight is a dating company run by Tess Harding, a single mother, through which she organises dates for her clients based on their requirements.Date At Eight is a dating company run by Tess Harding, a single mother, through which she organises dates for her clients based on their requirements. One of her new clients is Frankie Davison, whose relationship has hit the rocks with her wife. She tries to mend it with her through a well thought out date but Olivia doesn't want to continue the relationship. The twist is that Tess's daughter and Frankie's son attend the same school, which means they come across each other outside of work too.
I have read less books set in Australia so this was a welcome change. Tess comes out of the closet late, depicting how it's not a race to have everything figured and be out in your teens itself. This will resonate with a lot of people. I liked the side characters too.
This is a friends to lovers romance, one of my favourite tropes. If you like slow burns, this is for you....more
First things first: I avoid paranormal horror at all costs (no ghost stories for me) but there were a few here. So, I basically got tricked but this dFirst things first: I avoid paranormal horror at all costs (no ghost stories for me) but there were a few here. So, I basically got tricked but this does not reflect on my opinion or review of the book.
This is a collection of twenty-five short stories inspired by real people in the author's life. A handful of them, like Georgiann And The Dolls and Dorothy's Spirit Friends, are basically flash fiction, which means they are too short for being short stories. I liked the variety in the storylines, no two are similar. There are all sorts of creatures from demons and ghosts to elves and gnomes. I read a couple of stories to my six year old twins and my two year old with some modifications and they enjoyed them.
My favourites were Patrick And The Leprechaun and Vampire Daughter: Lucy....more
I picked up a rom-com after so long and it didn't disappoint. This story is about teenage first love, first loss and first heartbreak. Cyra goes to heI picked up a rom-com after so long and it didn't disappoint. This story is about teenage first love, first loss and first heartbreak. Cyra goes to her grandmother's for the summer and meets Riley who is on a mission to tick everything off of her bucket list before she leaves. Cyra tags along with her and they fall in love. I was impressed by the items on the bucket list because it reminded me of my own ridiculous one; but I never got to do even one of those things. Sad life.
I loved the fun moments, and there were lots of those. It was insta love and so Cyra had her doubts about the future of the relationship. I loved the side characters too, especially Cyra's grandmother.
Overall, this was a sweet coming of age story set in a beach town and a welcome change from my current TBR filled with very heavy topics. A promising debut. Definitely recommended....more
**spoiler alert** I have never read an mm romance with older characters before so this was a welcome change. I guess the oldest an mlm character has b**spoiler alert** I have never read an mm romance with older characters before so this was a welcome change. I guess the oldest an mlm character has been in any of the books that I've read was 25, maybe younger. Just reading about people either in my age group or younger because I generally drift towards their stories.
The story is set in a place that was a winter wonderland with Christmas getting celebrated year around. I enjoyed reading about the place and what was situated where, mentioned as tiny nuggets here and there in the story. The description to Gregory's bookshop was so well done, I could imagine how the place looked like without any efforts. The reason for why it was named what it was named was very thoughtful. And John's Christmas farm was chef's kiss. From the bookshop and farm to the entire town as a whole, the story really is a visual treat.
Black, atheist and gay, Gregory was everything that Santa shouldn't be, religiously speaking. And that's exactly why I became interested in him and his journey of getting his dream job. Will he be denied outright on religious grounds? Will he face discrimination? Will he be out of the race even before registering himself for it?
There were a handful of light-hearted scenes here and there, especially the banter between John and Gregory. Loved it. And no, I didn't know that Santa was an elf although I have questioned why he only had elves for helpers. Guess I finally have my answer, thanks to John. It had its share of emotional moments, especially Colin's speech towards the end of the story. John's reason to become Santa had me teary-eyed and so did Gregory's. I shed tears a couple of times throughout the story.
I loved Colin from the very beginning, the way he came up and explained the procedure of getting a new Santa to the young kids was sweet. Thank you Colin for being Santa. You were definitely worthy.
Yay for the representation: Gay (MLM to be precise) ✅ Older men ✅ Black ✅ Wheelchair user ✅ WLW ✅ Pansexual (or let's just not put any labels to the person) ✅
There was the slightest hint of magic towards the end but it never materialized into anything. The same thing crossed my mind when I read what Colin told about himself, what Gregory later doubted but of course the author didn't give us an exact answer. Mean ...more
Sorrow’s Drive is a collection of four novellas combined in one book, each of different lengths but with the same themes of love and grief experiencedSorrow’s Drive is a collection of four novellas combined in one book, each of different lengths but with the same themes of love and grief experienced by gay men. These are rich in scenic visuals and human emotions. The first story is Izzie’s House; Eddie takes us through a flashback to San Francisco during 1981 when AIDS was spreading like wildfire and this young gay man was trying to find his way through it while having a brief encounter with Izzy. The second story is Wish You Were Here; an emotional rollercoaster between two UN Peacekeepers, Willie and Salim, that the former recalls on a flight. The third story is Mi Firenze; Flo, Riley’s aging grandmother, makes him read her unsent letters to a mysterious person, Georgie, for whom she had feelings but never followed through. The last story is Sorrow’s Drive; it is a journal of Samuel’s cross-country drive that he takes after learning of his brother’s death, reminiscing about all the memories of his childhood. I truly enjoyed all the stories and look forward to more works by the author....more
The story follows the lives of twin brothers Ivan and Misha over several decades, capturing things that happen in their respective lives. They have thThe story follows the lives of twin brothers Ivan and Misha over several decades, capturing things that happen in their respective lives. They have their own ghosts to fight while trying to survive. The book is written in the form of short stories with different narrators portraying their respective points of view of a particular situation.
Both parents of Ivan and Misha die tragically, with their mother passing away due to the complications that arose during child birth while their father unexpectedly passes away during a party. After the mother's passing, their father takes them from Kiev to New York to begin a new life. The boys are different in several ways, both physical and behavioural, but they love each other and are always there when needed.
The story has several heartbreaking scenes. My favourite trope, found family, plays an important role in it. This is a tale a love and loss, family and friends and life as a whole. Recommended....more
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