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mlettus's review against another edition
3.0
I don’t really like short stories, but I liked the idea behind this anthology. Some of the stories were ok, but others did not even make sense (having a February birthday, the Aquarius was extremely disappointing).
celadon's review against another edition
5.0
All Signs Point to Yes is the best romance anthology I’ve ever read. It gives you LOTS of queer rep, interesting plotlines, and a zodiac twist. I even loved eleven out of the thirteen stories which is pretty unusual for an anthology. Sadly the Sagittarius story–my sign–was one of the few I disliked. It was just too simple and too straight compared to its peers.
We start with an Aries story called Ruler and Killer by G. Haron Davis. We are thrust into a magical medieval world where Chi is trying to win the hand of the Coronet Álava through a competition open to the public. In this slightly murderous story, nothing felt completely defined with maybe even a bit too much room for imagination. Nevertheless, it was enthralling and a great way to kickstart a book. Especially with the Coronet being a nonbinary love interest…
The third story stars a Gemini protagonist. Doublespeak by Tehlor Kay Mejia (the author possibly being the reason I obtained an ARC) was simple but exceptional in its simplicity. I feel like Mejia is always very good at writing contemporary fiction but with a subtle twist of fantasy or unease that slowly moves into the spotlight. Similar to Anna Marie-McLemore’s work. In hindsight, I remember this story as both wild and tranquil with the lead slowly coming out of her shell yet carrying it with her as a backup plan. It shows how you can know and not know someone at the same time very well.
Alternative Combustion by Kiana Nguyen was an absolute favorite. Yes, I do have an extremely soft spot for nonbinary romances, no my opinion is not biased, and yes you can laugh at that. This story had an atmosphere. I could feel it and envision it. It was soft and light but surrounded you so you feel covered and safe. The sassiness made Princess (the lead) very easy to identify as a Leo along with her other cat-like qualities. Lala, the heartthrob Taurus that Princess likes, is the perfect match. Lala is chill and grounded while Princess is chatty and fiery. Striking a balance in their differences. Add in really good consent and a demisexual lead and you get this story.
I was really surprised to find a story with an Ojibwe character in this book. There is too little representation for indigenous people but Sometimes in September by Byron Graves did this well. Set in a rehab facility for people addicted to different substances, Waabooz is about to leave after staying for a couple of weeks. In general Sometimes in September is about having dreams and being hopeful. It does this without avoiding the harsh realities of living as an indigenous person in a world that stacked the deck against you. It focuses on healing, building yourself back up, and being ready for what comes next.
Cam Montgomery’s story Formation was a little underdeveloped in its worldbuilding but utterly amazing despite it. The Five, a group of witches all born on the same day, gather to live on a mountain and help the people who also live there. Luna meets the trans demigod who is there to help complete their divine duties and…he’s cute. I melted from this flirty story with its funny cultural references. Cam Montgomery is an author I would love to see the further works of.
Our Resident Capricorn story was a hit. Mucho Mucho Amor by Alexandrea Villasante is about a girl trying to come out to her mom. It’s a bittersweet story with a lot of heart. Set in the winter, I could feel the sharp pierce of wind and snow when out to run errands or the coziness and comfort to be in one's own home.
Lastly is Emery Lee’s The Cure For Heartbreak. Luis runs his family’s shop for magic. One day a boy from his math class named Alvaro asks for a spell after a breakup. Luis tries to help him and they start to form a bond. For a slow-burn romance, this was well done. Not too fast but also short enough for it to feel not unnecessarily pining.
This is a book I see many reading and loving. Inspiring minds by having a romance you see yourself in.
--Thank You Inkyard Press for Providing This ARC--
We start with an Aries story called Ruler and Killer by G. Haron Davis. We are thrust into a magical medieval world where Chi is trying to win the hand of the Coronet Álava through a competition open to the public. In this slightly murderous story, nothing felt completely defined with maybe even a bit too much room for imagination. Nevertheless, it was enthralling and a great way to kickstart a book. Especially with the Coronet being a nonbinary love interest…
The third story stars a Gemini protagonist. Doublespeak by Tehlor Kay Mejia (the author possibly being the reason I obtained an ARC) was simple but exceptional in its simplicity. I feel like Mejia is always very good at writing contemporary fiction but with a subtle twist of fantasy or unease that slowly moves into the spotlight. Similar to Anna Marie-McLemore’s work. In hindsight, I remember this story as both wild and tranquil with the lead slowly coming out of her shell yet carrying it with her as a backup plan. It shows how you can know and not know someone at the same time very well.
Alternative Combustion by Kiana Nguyen was an absolute favorite. Yes, I do have an extremely soft spot for nonbinary romances, no my opinion is not biased, and yes you can laugh at that. This story had an atmosphere. I could feel it and envision it. It was soft and light but surrounded you so you feel covered and safe. The sassiness made Princess (the lead) very easy to identify as a Leo along with her other cat-like qualities. Lala, the heartthrob Taurus that Princess likes, is the perfect match. Lala is chill and grounded while Princess is chatty and fiery. Striking a balance in their differences. Add in really good consent and a demisexual lead and you get this story.
I was really surprised to find a story with an Ojibwe character in this book. There is too little representation for indigenous people but Sometimes in September by Byron Graves did this well. Set in a rehab facility for people addicted to different substances, Waabooz is about to leave after staying for a couple of weeks. In general Sometimes in September is about having dreams and being hopeful. It does this without avoiding the harsh realities of living as an indigenous person in a world that stacked the deck against you. It focuses on healing, building yourself back up, and being ready for what comes next.
Cam Montgomery’s story Formation was a little underdeveloped in its worldbuilding but utterly amazing despite it. The Five, a group of witches all born on the same day, gather to live on a mountain and help the people who also live there. Luna meets the trans demigod who is there to help complete their divine duties and…he’s cute. I melted from this flirty story with its funny cultural references. Cam Montgomery is an author I would love to see the further works of.
Our Resident Capricorn story was a hit. Mucho Mucho Amor by Alexandrea Villasante is about a girl trying to come out to her mom. It’s a bittersweet story with a lot of heart. Set in the winter, I could feel the sharp pierce of wind and snow when out to run errands or the coziness and comfort to be in one's own home.
Lastly is Emery Lee’s The Cure For Heartbreak. Luis runs his family’s shop for magic. One day a boy from his math class named Alvaro asks for a spell after a breakup. Luis tries to help him and they start to form a bond. For a slow-burn romance, this was well done. Not too fast but also short enough for it to feel not unnecessarily pining.
This is a book I see many reading and loving. Inspiring minds by having a romance you see yourself in.
--Thank You Inkyard Press for Providing This ARC--
laceyharms's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
anniekslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
G. Haron Davis - Ruler and Killer 4/5
The anthology is off to a good start with this contribution. I enjoyed how we're thrown into the story, figuring out the world building as we go. I also loved that this is a competition-based story. I thought the romance and the ending were very rushed though. Ultimately I think this had potential for maybe a novella.
Roselle Lim - The Taste of a Kiss 4/5
This is an author I've read from before - I've read and enjoyed one of her books and have the others on my TBR. This was a very sweet story of a food blogger on the hunt for the best Korean fried chicken and looking to reunite with her childhood best friend who she's always had a crush on. Again, I found the ending a little rushed, but it was a cute story that made me hungry while reading.
Tehlor Kay Mejia - Doublespeak 4/5
YAY, a sapphic story! This is a story about the main character's toxic relationship with her cousin, who was born on the same day, so people have always called them twins. They don't look alike, but they have the same voice, and they've often used that to trick people on the phone. After something tears apart their family, they don't see each other for years, but eventually they reunite and that's where the story takes off. I enjoyed this a lot and I loved the writing, but again I thought the ending was a little rushed.
Karuna Riazi - L(Train)iminal 3/5
Maybe I'm just tired, but I found this a little hard to follow at times. I'll have to reread it at some point because I did find it intriguing!
Kiana Nguyen - Alternative Combustion 3/5
Another 3 star read for me. I liked the romance, between a demisexual girl and a non-binary person, but I feel like this barely had a plot.
Byron Graves - Sometimes in September 4/5
Finally this anthology is picking up for me again. This story is about an Ojibwe boy addicted to drugs, who's about to leave rehab. I thought this was very well-written, and it's the kind of story I would easily read a full novel about.
Mark Oshiro - Fake Scorpio 4/5
This was really funny!
Eric Smith - The South Street Challenge 3/5
My problem with short stories - and this is very much a me problem - is, at times, that I won't actually become immersed in the stories because they're so short. That's what happened to me with this story.
Cam Montgomery - Formation 3/5
This story wasn't entirely my thing. I don't consider myself a very spiritual person and I found it fairly hard to follow. I did love the writing style, though, and it did have a pan main character and a trans love interest, which was nice.
Lily Anderson - Anchor Point 4/5
This was really great - a collection of concisely described scenes set at archery competitions. There's a good amount of rivalry, which made this really fun to read.
Alexandra Villasante - Mucho, Mucho Amor 4/5
Another sapphic story! This was a beautiful coming out story centering a Puerto Rican girl.
Adrianne White - I Come From the Water 3/5
I loved the atmosphere of this story, but I found it slightly underdeveloped. It had a lot of potential, so I would have liked to read something slightly longer about it.
Emery Lee - The Cure For Heartbreak 5/5
This story was the main reason I bought this anthology, and it was my favourite story in it by far. It felt super fleshed out and it was a well-rounded story, but I will admit I'd happily read a fullsize novel about this.
The anthology is off to a good start with this contribution. I enjoyed how we're thrown into the story, figuring out the world building as we go. I also loved that this is a competition-based story. I thought the romance and the ending were very rushed though. Ultimately I think this had potential for maybe a novella.
Roselle Lim - The Taste of a Kiss 4/5
This is an author I've read from before - I've read and enjoyed one of her books and have the others on my TBR. This was a very sweet story of a food blogger on the hunt for the best Korean fried chicken and looking to reunite with her childhood best friend who she's always had a crush on. Again, I found the ending a little rushed, but it was a cute story that made me hungry while reading.
Tehlor Kay Mejia - Doublespeak 4/5
YAY, a sapphic story! This is a story about the main character's toxic relationship with her cousin, who was born on the same day, so people have always called them twins. They don't look alike, but they have the same voice, and they've often used that to trick people on the phone. After something tears apart their family, they don't see each other for years, but eventually they reunite and that's where the story takes off. I enjoyed this a lot and I loved the writing, but again I thought the ending was a little rushed.
Karuna Riazi - L(Train)iminal 3/5
Maybe I'm just tired, but I found this a little hard to follow at times. I'll have to reread it at some point because I did find it intriguing!
Kiana Nguyen - Alternative Combustion 3/5
Another 3 star read for me. I liked the romance, between a demisexual girl and a non-binary person, but I feel like this barely had a plot.
Byron Graves - Sometimes in September 4/5
Finally this anthology is picking up for me again. This story is about an Ojibwe boy addicted to drugs, who's about to leave rehab. I thought this was very well-written, and it's the kind of story I would easily read a full novel about.
Mark Oshiro - Fake Scorpio 4/5
This was really funny!
Eric Smith - The South Street Challenge 3/5
My problem with short stories - and this is very much a me problem - is, at times, that I won't actually become immersed in the stories because they're so short. That's what happened to me with this story.
Cam Montgomery - Formation 3/5
This story wasn't entirely my thing. I don't consider myself a very spiritual person and I found it fairly hard to follow. I did love the writing style, though, and it did have a pan main character and a trans love interest, which was nice.
Lily Anderson - Anchor Point 4/5
This was really great - a collection of concisely described scenes set at archery competitions. There's a good amount of rivalry, which made this really fun to read.
Alexandra Villasante - Mucho, Mucho Amor 4/5
Another sapphic story! This was a beautiful coming out story centering a Puerto Rican girl.
Adrianne White - I Come From the Water 3/5
I loved the atmosphere of this story, but I found it slightly underdeveloped. It had a lot of potential, so I would have liked to read something slightly longer about it.
Emery Lee - The Cure For Heartbreak 5/5
This story was the main reason I bought this anthology, and it was my favourite story in it by far. It felt super fleshed out and it was a well-rounded story, but I will admit I'd happily read a fullsize novel about this.
erin_is_reading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
leannj's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Overall Average Rating: 3.69/5 stars
Individual Ratings:
ruler and killer by g. haron davis: 4/5 stars
The Taste of a Kiss by Roselle Lim: 3/5 stars
Doublespeak by Tehlor Kay Mejia: 4/5 stars
L(Train)iminal by Karuna Riazi: 4.5/5 stars
Alternative Combustion by Kiana Nguyen: 4/5 stars
Sometimes in September by Byron Graves: 3.5/5 stars
Fake Scorpio by Mark Oshiro: 4.25/5 stars
The South Street Challenge by Eric Smith: 3/5
Formation by Cam Montgomery: 4/5 stars
Anchor Point by Lily Anderson: 4.5/5 stars
Mucho, Mucho Amor by Alexandra Villasante: 2/5 stars
I Come From the Water by Adrianne White: 3/5 stars
The Cure for Heartbreak by Emery Lee: 4.25/5 stars
Individual Ratings:
ruler and killer by g. haron davis: 4/5 stars
The Taste of a Kiss by Roselle Lim: 3/5 stars
Doublespeak by Tehlor Kay Mejia: 4/5 stars
L(Train)iminal by Karuna Riazi: 4.5/5 stars
Alternative Combustion by Kiana Nguyen: 4/5 stars
Sometimes in September by Byron Graves: 3.5/5 stars
Fake Scorpio by Mark Oshiro: 4.25/5 stars
The South Street Challenge by Eric Smith: 3/5
Formation by Cam Montgomery: 4/5 stars
Anchor Point by Lily Anderson: 4.5/5 stars
Mucho, Mucho Amor by Alexandra Villasante: 2/5 stars
I Come From the Water by Adrianne White: 3/5 stars
The Cure for Heartbreak by Emery Lee: 4.25/5 stars
kalindamage's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
becauseidontknow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
shanndelier's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75