Scan barcode
zarahzoe's review against another edition
4.0
So basically I wanted healthy, happy, sexy shit which is what I expect from Kris Ripper after reading the Scientific Method series like, the three times, and the Love study series which I just adore, so I forgot that this series is basically a murder mystery circling around a serial killer targeting queers. Not so happy, tbh. Still, I appreciate, as always, the diversity in this, and loved reading from Ed's perspective. And reading smut featuring trans people in a non-fetishizing way? Hell yeah! However this particular love story didn't really click for me the way Ripper's other couples/throuples etc do. Will only continue reading when I'm in a better headspace, though.
ariel_is_a_dreamer's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's kinda rare to find straight trans male characters for some reason, which is why I picked up the book. The romance is cute and the sex scenes are great. I loved all the characters pretty much and the mystery is great.
Ed is very relatable for me, as another trans guy. I like the representation of unsupportive families, cuz it do be like that. Overall, worth a read. I had a good time.
Ed is very relatable for me, as another trans guy. I like the representation of unsupportive families, cuz it do be like that. Overall, worth a read. I had a good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Death, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault and Transphobia
scrow1022's review
3.0
I liked Ed's voice in this book - what I've liked most in this series so far is how strong each MC's voice is with each book and that continues - and I liked continuing to hang out with the community. But I didn't feel I ever got a good sense of who Alisha is (and the bit I did I wasn't wild about) and therefore couldn't get excited about their relationship. It also felt that the book kind of just... ended, I didn't have any sense of resolution they way I did with the others.
I have to confess, I already know what happens in the rest of the series, I took the last two books out of the library a while back and half skimmed/read them - that was what made me want to buy the books for myself and then start at the beginning. So I see this book as one that carries along the overall narrative of the series, but doesn't entirely work on its own.
I have to confess, I already know what happens in the rest of the series, I took the last two books out of the library a while back and half skimmed/read them - that was what made me want to buy the books for myself and then start at the beginning. So I see this book as one that carries along the overall narrative of the series, but doesn't entirely work on its own.
veethorn's review
4.0
Somehow a queer romance that also includes a serial killer was just about perfect.
the_novel_approach's review
4.0
This series takes place in the town of La Vista, where a string of murders have been occurring around the new local gay club. A harbor with a balmy climate, La Vista has liberal attitudes and a strong Latino population. I want to say it’s a fictional city, but I wasn’t paying much attention. Each book in the series tackles a different member of this LGBTQ club, so in one book you’ll have a lesbian protagonist, in another a bisexual protagonist, and so on. There are even books with BDSM and ménage à trois elements. The Queer and the Restless has a transman protagonist. I started the Queers of La Vista murder mystery series with this book, but in retrospect I wish I’d started at book one, Gays of our Lives.
The Queer and the Restless doesn’t really work as a standalone for one important reason—it’s a murder mystery, and by the end of the book the murder isn’t solved. From what I can tell, the series is set up so that in the first book the first murder occurs, and each book has more people being offed. The series is still going, which means the murder isn’t solved by the end of book three.
There is also a healthy dose of romance, but I wouldn’t label this a Romance. From scanning some of the reviews, I think my gut instinct is correct. Most of the Romance-lovers didn’t feel ‘the magic’ (that chemistry you’re supposed to feel when you read a Romance). For me the chemistry between the main characters was fine, and the character development was adequate, but I can see how they wouldn’t think the story was all hearts and squishes.
I was more interested in the mystery elements, which had a good level of suspense and detective work…but which also weren’t solved. However, while I admittedly had a WTF moment after I finished the book, I didn’t take those frustrations out on the rating. I did my own detective work and figured out what was going on with the series, because I’m that kinda guy.
I want to give thanks to Ripper for writing a full LGBTQ spectrum cast. I look forward to experiencing the rainbow by going back and reading the first two books, and then finishing the series. And if that isn’t a solid recommendation, I don’t know what is.
Reviewed by Ben for The Novel Approach Reviews
The Queer and the Restless doesn’t really work as a standalone for one important reason—it’s a murder mystery, and by the end of the book the murder isn’t solved. From what I can tell, the series is set up so that in the first book the first murder occurs, and each book has more people being offed. The series is still going, which means the murder isn’t solved by the end of book three.
There is also a healthy dose of romance, but I wouldn’t label this a Romance. From scanning some of the reviews, I think my gut instinct is correct. Most of the Romance-lovers didn’t feel ‘the magic’ (that chemistry you’re supposed to feel when you read a Romance). For me the chemistry between the main characters was fine, and the character development was adequate, but I can see how they wouldn’t think the story was all hearts and squishes.
I was more interested in the mystery elements, which had a good level of suspense and detective work…but which also weren’t solved. However, while I admittedly had a WTF moment after I finished the book, I didn’t take those frustrations out on the rating. I did my own detective work and figured out what was going on with the series, because I’m that kinda guy.
I want to give thanks to Ripper for writing a full LGBTQ spectrum cast. I look forward to experiencing the rainbow by going back and reading the first two books, and then finishing the series. And if that isn’t a solid recommendation, I don’t know what is.
Reviewed by Ben for The Novel Approach Reviews
ladydewinter's review
4.0
TFW you realize you’re slowly but surely falling for an author. The only reason I haven’t bought everything by Kris Ripper already is because it’s January and I am still pretending to be sensible. Zir books and zir characters are such that I keep wondering about them when I can’t read. I’ve been completely pulled into the world of Queers of La Vista, and have zero regrets.
nikkihastings67's review
5.0
I don't normally venture outside of the M/M Romance genre (unless I am reading YA). The only reason I started reading this series is because the first book, [b:Gays of Our Lives|29862883|Gays of Our Lives (Queers of La Vista, #1)|Kris Ripper|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1460214554s/29862883.jpg|50229217], cam up in a list of monthly M/M Romance new releases (as a bonus, it had a disabled MC!).
By you know what? I am REALLY enjoying this series. The romance that is the focus of each story, while alright, isn't anything spectacular, but the overarching story and the interesting and complex characters are sell me every time.
In this book we start to see a little more of the background story, as transman Ed is a reporter, and is following the series of murders that is haunting the queer community of La Vista. I also quite like the fact that the author explored what it is like when a couple is perceived to be "straight" within the queer community, and how they can be at times (unfairly) alienated for this. It is obvious that the author, [a:Kris Ripper|8053438|Kris Ripper|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1396033483p2/8053438.jpg] is part of our community themselves, on how well they explore issues like these. Not many people outside our community even consider what these scenarios really mean, when a community that has previously sheltered you, and given you an identity, decides that they thing you no longer belong.
This series is only getting better and better. I really hope there will one day be an audiobook recording, as I think my wife would love these books and they would fast become an insta-buy for her.
By you know what? I am REALLY enjoying this series. The romance that is the focus of each story, while alright, isn't anything spectacular, but the overarching story and the interesting and complex characters are sell me every time.
In this book we start to see a little more of the background story, as transman Ed is a reporter, and is following the series of murders that is haunting the queer community of La Vista. I also quite like the fact that the author explored what it is like when a couple is perceived to be "straight" within the queer community, and how they can be at times (unfairly) alienated for this. It is obvious that the author, [a:Kris Ripper|8053438|Kris Ripper|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1396033483p2/8053438.jpg] is part of our community themselves, on how well they explore issues like these. Not many people outside our community even consider what these scenarios really mean, when a community that has previously sheltered you, and given you an identity, decides that they thing you no longer belong.
This series is only getting better and better. I really hope there will one day be an audiobook recording, as I think my wife would love these books and they would fast become an insta-buy for her.
laurendrover's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
goodbyepuckpie's review
5.0
Again, another solid book in this series, and I really loved both of the people this one is focused on. Ed is a fucking delight, and I really enjoyed Alisha, and I really, really enjoyed the way Kris Ripper writes relationships. They both feel like three dimensional people and their issues are never bold to identify and easy to work around; there's a subtlety and a complexity to how they fit together and interact that I can't even imagine how challenging it is to build rather than default to a more stereotypical romance arc of meet-misunderstanding-resolution. It's a much more nuanced version of that, and it also works with how they (and especially Ed) interact with the other characters in their lives, who are also all clearly doing their own things rather than just propping up a story. Really dug it. Also, loved the reference to one of my favourite of all times books (and thanks to zir for confirming in the end notes which book ze meant). I continue to really enjoy the sense of community among all the overlapping characters and I'm looking forward to reading the next book (and angsting about having to wait for the one after that to actually be released.)
Content notes:
Since I know it's a major for some of my friends, there is a description of child death in conversation in this book.
Also one of our characters is trans and while the book is not *about* that fact (also appreciated) there is mention of transphobia he has to deal with/has dealt with.
If we're mutuals, hit me up if you would like more details before reading. <3
Content notes:
Since I know it's a major for some of my friends, there is a description of child death in conversation in this book.
Also one of our characters is trans and while the book is not *about* that fact (also appreciated) there is mention of transphobia he has to deal with/has dealt with.
If we're mutuals, hit me up if you would like more details before reading. <3