Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
This was my favourite of the series and redeem it after Book 3. It was a nice, short, light read. I would have given it a higher rating if there was more substance and if the ending wasn't so rushed.
This is book 4 in the Rainbow Place. We previously met the characters in books 2 and 3, but Simon's interest in Lady Gogo was obvious in book 3 and I was overjoyed when Jay said he would be writing their story next.
This is an excellent exploration of sexuality and gender. Jay expresses the confusion that surrounds these realisations and the subsequent upheaval and that these revelations can cause. And he handles it all with the sensitivity the situation requires while still keeping the reader entertained.
As with the rest of the series we get glimpses of the previous couples, especially Cam and Alex.
If you've not visited Rainbow Place before suggest that you start with book 1, because, why not? However this book can be read as a standalone if you must.
Well written, these books have a great sense of place and an excellent British feel.
I hate to chose but I think this might be my favourite.
All I can say in closing is 'Please, Jay, can I have some more?' Quentin's story, maybe.
This is an excellent exploration of sexuality and gender. Jay expresses the confusion that surrounds these realisations and the subsequent upheaval and that these revelations can cause. And he handles it all with the sensitivity the situation requires while still keeping the reader entertained.
As with the rest of the series we get glimpses of the previous couples, especially Cam and Alex.
If you've not visited Rainbow Place before suggest that you start with book 1, because, why not? However this book can be read as a standalone if you must.
Well written, these books have a great sense of place and an excellent British feel.
I hate to chose but I think this might be my favourite.
All I can say in closing is 'Please, Jay, can I have some more?' Quentin's story, maybe.
There's not many people do this type of sexual exploration and awakening quite as well as Jay does as far as I'm concerned.
He's a master at not only handling the awkwardness of someone realising their sexuality isn't what they'd always expected, but also at bringing in the inadvertent hurt that can come alongside someone exploring how they express gender as well.
With this one, there's a double dose of confusion as each of the men in this pairing has some way to go in working out just what their emotions are telling them.
For Wicksy aka Simon, it's knowing that underneath the sexy hot Lady Gogo is a man and coming to terms with the fact he loves the femininity of a drag queen but also the male bodily parts.
For Charlie it's realising that exploring his feminine side doesn't necessarily mean he wants to change his gender and become a woman.
Together the progression of their relationship starts as a hot and a little bit kinky hook up and moves into genuine feelings as Charlie's feminine layers peel back more and Simon continues to be attracted to the person he finds underneath.
The sex in this starts off all kinky and dirty talk, which both men are turned on by, it's not just Simon pretending he's with a woman, but turns into a very much mutually loving connection.
Most of the angst comes from Simon working his way through his feelings about Charlie's gender and how he deals with it felt relatable to me.
I loved both characters, they're each full of awareness that they could be on the verge of something special and their relatively young ages (20 and 24) never actually came across as anything other than mature enough to know their own minds.
There's great support from the other Rainbow Place cast and we get to meet journalist Quentin again, who I hope is going to be the subject of book five.
No sign of his significant other on the horizon though if it will be his romance next. This whole series is a delight though.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
He's a master at not only handling the awkwardness of someone realising their sexuality isn't what they'd always expected, but also at bringing in the inadvertent hurt that can come alongside someone exploring how they express gender as well.
With this one, there's a double dose of confusion as each of the men in this pairing has some way to go in working out just what their emotions are telling them.
For Wicksy aka Simon, it's knowing that underneath the sexy hot Lady Gogo is a man and coming to terms with the fact he loves the femininity of a drag queen but also the male bodily parts.
For Charlie it's realising that exploring his feminine side doesn't necessarily mean he wants to change his gender and become a woman.
Together the progression of their relationship starts as a hot and a little bit kinky hook up and moves into genuine feelings as Charlie's feminine layers peel back more and Simon continues to be attracted to the person he finds underneath.
The sex in this starts off all kinky and dirty talk, which both men are turned on by, it's not just Simon pretending he's with a woman, but turns into a very much mutually loving connection.
Most of the angst comes from Simon working his way through his feelings about Charlie's gender and how he deals with it felt relatable to me.
I loved both characters, they're each full of awareness that they could be on the verge of something special and their relatively young ages (20 and 24) never actually came across as anything other than mature enough to know their own minds.
There's great support from the other Rainbow Place cast and we get to meet journalist Quentin again, who I hope is going to be the subject of book five.
No sign of his significant other on the horizon though if it will be his romance next. This whole series is a delight though.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I've never met such a sweet, precious lunkhead in a romance as Wicksy. His coming out process was charming, and honestly he was so lovely in the previous book, I was thrilled to see him again. The other lead, Charlie, was a huge breath of fresh air to watch explore his own gender fluidity; it felt real to me, and nourishing to see. The sex here has an edge that I've not often found in Northcote's books, and matches the initial, exploratory sex-fueled journey the leads go on. Overall this book (and series) is a favorite for kind, flawed, enjoyable characters loving each other.
I was a bit hesitant going into this one because I worried it would be uncomfortable dynamic for me...but I should have had faith! Jay Northcote has done it again.
There's a lovely character who has been in all of the books in this series. he's a rugby playing, rough talking, sweet and supportive friend and ally to his roommate, Cam. Cam is bisexual and is introduced early on in the series as well. Wicksy presents as the rough and tumble, messy, bit of a disaster but absolutely loveable "straight" friend.
When Wicksy first sees Lady Gogo on stage at Rainbow Place... he's instantly attracted and as the two get to know each other, the exploration begins.
What's not to love about this book??? So - we have Wicksy who is the most open-minded man (if occasionally accidentally a bit too blunt). As soon as he sees Lady Gogo he's attracted and because it's mutual the two of them begin their encounters coming from a place of "kink" and "mutual pleasure". slowly things change though. Wicksy begins his slow journey to self-realization as he explores the physical side of. his relationship with Lady Gogo.
Over time.... Lady Gogo becomes Charlie in Wicksy's mind. He begins the sweetest exploration of what it is to be attracted to someone. Do body parts matter? What exactly IS he attracted to? Even though he's always been a supportive ally will his friends still accept his exploration?
At the same time as Simon Wicks is exploring his sexual attraction to Charlie, Charlie is having his own dilemma.
Very few people know that Charlie does drag. His best friend often goes on about men who are "too femme" and Charlie isn't sure it's even a good idea to tell anyone. When he meets Wicksy, he feels remarkable as Lady Gogo and being the center of his affections.
the exploration for Charlie takes a very different path. He explores wanting to express himself in a less traditionally male way. He lets his relationship with Wicksy spark to life his understanding of his own wants and desires, and his own self-expression.
This book is about true self-discovery as two people begin a relationship. At first, neither of them has a real understanding of "where they're at". Jay handles this delicate situation flawlessly. It was a pleasure to see Wicksy struggling to "come out" in spite of the overall open-mindedness of his friends. there was a real sense that it was important for him to just talk about his queerness... not that he felt he "had" to ...it just felt important to him.
Of note too in this story are the mothers of both Wicksy and Charlie. These supporting characters represented the type of person one would want as a parent when coming to terms with significant self-identity issues. The passages between the parents and their children were lovely examples of what an open and loving family relationship should be.
These two may be a couple of my favorite characters in the series so far!
There's a lovely character who has been in all of the books in this series. he's a rugby playing, rough talking, sweet and supportive friend and ally to his roommate, Cam. Cam is bisexual and is introduced early on in the series as well. Wicksy presents as the rough and tumble, messy, bit of a disaster but absolutely loveable "straight" friend.
When Wicksy first sees Lady Gogo on stage at Rainbow Place... he's instantly attracted and as the two get to know each other, the exploration begins.
What's not to love about this book??? So - we have Wicksy who is the most open-minded man (if occasionally accidentally a bit too blunt). As soon as he sees Lady Gogo he's attracted and because it's mutual the two of them begin their encounters coming from a place of "kink" and "mutual pleasure". slowly things change though. Wicksy begins his slow journey to self-realization as he explores the physical side of. his relationship with Lady Gogo.
Over time.... Lady Gogo becomes Charlie in Wicksy's mind. He begins the sweetest exploration of what it is to be attracted to someone. Do body parts matter? What exactly IS he attracted to? Even though he's always been a supportive ally will his friends still accept his exploration?
At the same time as Simon Wicks is exploring his sexual attraction to Charlie, Charlie is having his own dilemma.
Very few people know that Charlie does drag. His best friend often goes on about men who are "too femme" and Charlie isn't sure it's even a good idea to tell anyone. When he meets Wicksy, he feels remarkable as Lady Gogo and being the center of his affections.
the exploration for Charlie takes a very different path. He explores wanting to express himself in a less traditionally male way. He lets his relationship with Wicksy spark to life his understanding of his own wants and desires, and his own self-expression.
This book is about true self-discovery as two people begin a relationship. At first, neither of them has a real understanding of "where they're at". Jay handles this delicate situation flawlessly. It was a pleasure to see Wicksy struggling to "come out" in spite of the overall open-mindedness of his friends. there was a real sense that it was important for him to just talk about his queerness... not that he felt he "had" to ...it just felt important to him.
Of note too in this story are the mothers of both Wicksy and Charlie. These supporting characters represented the type of person one would want as a parent when coming to terms with significant self-identity issues. The passages between the parents and their children were lovely examples of what an open and loving family relationship should be.
These two may be a couple of my favorite characters in the series so far!
Adorable story of self discovery. Better representation of femme and gender concerns than the last one I read but a WAY more simplified version of coming out that wasn’t entirely believable. I’m stoked there wasn’t massive external conflict but I’d have liked to see more of the internal journey.