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menshevixen's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastically varied and diverse collection. Further notes here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-pick-love-16982082
auntie_terror's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
nyx_knight's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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? No
3.75
libgremlin's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastically diverse collection of queer love stories, including fantasy worlds, contemporary romances, and Solarpunk settings and protagonists of identities across the I'm tells/marquee of queer identities and orientations. I especially enjoyed Birthday Landscapes, a story about a disabled aromantic warrior who comes home to celebrate his children's birthday, and First Light at Dawn, a lesbian love story about a trans lady pilot and a librarian. The only shortcoming (pun fully intended) is that I want more of all of the worlds described and built in the stories.
candidceillie's review against another edition
4.0
This was a pretty good anthology! The inclusion of a screenplay style story threw me off a little, but otherwise, it was very enjoyable!
yoda32's review
4.0
Review Update.
Review also on my blog
Miss me with that gay shit By Sacha Lamb
TW: None.
Rep: Trans Boy MC, Queer side character, POC MC, POC side characters, Muslim & Jewish characters, m/m romance.
This was a sweet story about a trans boy named Elijah and his on crush on Nik. A guy he doesn’t want to be crushing on. I really enjoyed this story and it was a perfect start to the novel. Elijah was a funny MC and I loved the relationship he had with his twin sister, who also had a girlfriend.
4/5 Stars.
Gifts Of Spring by Shira Glassman
TW: Violence.
Rep: Trans Women MC, POC characters, M/f romance.
Adult fantasy story about a Rosamund, Trans women who is on the run from the king and is hiding in a village. It’s super sweet and follows Rosamund as she navigates the village and meets a handsome stranger along the way. I loved it.
5/5 Stars.
Wishing On The Perseid by Kay. C Sulli
TW: None.
Rep: M/m romance, Gay MCS.
The story of two boys meeting at a camp before they’re due to head off to college. They get along great and soon friendship turns to more. This was adorable. I loved both MC’s and I was rooting for their HEA.
4/5 Stars.
Hunt and Peck by Teresa Theophano
TW: Homomisa , Homomisic Parents, Internalized homomisa.
Rep: f/f romance, Queer MC, Queer Side characters.
This was a very sweet story set in the 1980’s. Its about two girls who compete in a type writing contest and fall in love along the way. This is probably one of my favorite out of nine stories. I just loved it so much.
5/5 Stars.
First light at Dawn by Nyri Bakkalian
TW: Violence, Flash Backs to the Army, transphobia.
Rep: Trans Women MC, F/F romance, MC with PTSD.
This story is told in a letter format. It’s about a trans women named Kate, who writes a letter to her former friend. Describing her ptsd from the army and talking about how she met her girlfriend and their life together. It’s so fucking good I cried. Very well written, I wouldn’t complain if the author decided to write a novel about just Kate’s life.
5/5 Stars.
Dragons Do Not by Evelyn Deshane
TW: Grief.
Rep: Queer MC, Deaf MC, Queer side characters, Side characters with disabilities.
Fantasy about a girl who tries to speak with her Dragon and figure out if her Dragon has a preferred gender. Dragons are used as campions to people with disabilities. It was really sweet and very unique.
4/5 Stars.
Planchette by Carolyn Gage.
TW: Violence, Sexual assault, on page murder, homophobia.
Rep: Queer MCS, Queer side characters.
A play set in 1879. A conversation between two young girls both 14 years old. This was my least favorite story. Unlike the rest it didn’t have a definite happy ending and also included a very graphic scene were a queer girl is murdered in front of her lover. I understand why the story is necessary. However I didn’t enjoy it.
2/5 Stars.
Birthday Landscapes by EH Timms.
TW: Violence, Flash Backs to the army.
Rep: Aromantic MC’s, Platonic relationship.
Set in a fantasy world were a warrior and a weever are both Aromantic and have decided to have children together. They have a contract and a very sweet plantonic relationship. It was really good to see the word Aromantic used on page and to see the two MCs happy. The children were so sweet.
4/5 Stars.
A gallant rescue by A.P Raymond.
TW: Homomisic parents.
Rep: Poly romance, Trans MC, Non binary MC, Queer Side characters, side f/f romance, MC that use Xie pronouns, MC that uses Ey pronouns.
This was a sweet sci-fi story about a crew of people from ship saving one of their Members after her father has refused to let her leave the house. He is forcing her to marry someone else, even though she is already in a f/f relationship. This was like a heist and I loved it so much. It was very interesting to read about the different pronouns and I loved seeing some much representation in one short story. Very enjoyable.
5/5 Stars.
Overall, Queerly loving is exactly what the tile suggests: nine wonderful short stories about queer people happily in love. Honestly I loved this book so much. Each story was unique and every one of them brilliant. I also loved the use of consent in every story. This book has a wonderful range of diverse characters and I highly recommend. Unfortunately like most amazing queer reads this book is way under-hyped and deserves so much more love.
I’ve finished this wonderful short story collection and friends!! You. Need. To. Read. This!
It was so wonderfully queer and the stories were amazing.
Full review to come tomorrow :)
Review also on my blog
Miss me with that gay shit By Sacha Lamb
TW: None.
Rep: Trans Boy MC, Queer side character, POC MC, POC side characters, Muslim & Jewish characters, m/m romance.
This was a sweet story about a trans boy named Elijah and his on crush on Nik. A guy he doesn’t want to be crushing on. I really enjoyed this story and it was a perfect start to the novel. Elijah was a funny MC and I loved the relationship he had with his twin sister, who also had a girlfriend.
4/5 Stars.
Gifts Of Spring by Shira Glassman
TW: Violence.
Rep: Trans Women MC, POC characters, M/f romance.
Adult fantasy story about a Rosamund, Trans women who is on the run from the king and is hiding in a village. It’s super sweet and follows Rosamund as she navigates the village and meets a handsome stranger along the way. I loved it.
5/5 Stars.
Wishing On The Perseid by Kay. C Sulli
TW: None.
Rep: M/m romance, Gay MCS.
The story of two boys meeting at a camp before they’re due to head off to college. They get along great and soon friendship turns to more. This was adorable. I loved both MC’s and I was rooting for their HEA.
4/5 Stars.
Hunt and Peck by Teresa Theophano
TW: Homomisa , Homomisic Parents, Internalized homomisa.
Rep: f/f romance, Queer MC, Queer Side characters.
This was a very sweet story set in the 1980’s. Its about two girls who compete in a type writing contest and fall in love along the way. This is probably one of my favorite out of nine stories. I just loved it so much.
5/5 Stars.
First light at Dawn by Nyri Bakkalian
TW: Violence, Flash Backs to the Army, transphobia.
Rep: Trans Women MC, F/F romance, MC with PTSD.
This story is told in a letter format. It’s about a trans women named Kate, who writes a letter to her former friend. Describing her ptsd from the army and talking about how she met her girlfriend and their life together. It’s so fucking good I cried. Very well written, I wouldn’t complain if the author decided to write a novel about just Kate’s life.
5/5 Stars.
Dragons Do Not by Evelyn Deshane
TW: Grief.
Rep: Queer MC, Deaf MC, Queer side characters, Side characters with disabilities.
Fantasy about a girl who tries to speak with her Dragon and figure out if her Dragon has a preferred gender. Dragons are used as campions to people with disabilities. It was really sweet and very unique.
4/5 Stars.
Planchette by Carolyn Gage.
TW: Violence, Sexual assault, on page murder, homophobia.
Rep: Queer MCS, Queer side characters.
A play set in 1879. A conversation between two young girls both 14 years old. This was my least favorite story. Unlike the rest it didn’t have a definite happy ending and also included a very graphic scene were a queer girl is murdered in front of her lover. I understand why the story is necessary. However I didn’t enjoy it.
2/5 Stars.
Birthday Landscapes by EH Timms.
TW: Violence, Flash Backs to the army.
Rep: Aromantic MC’s, Platonic relationship.
Set in a fantasy world were a warrior and a weever are both Aromantic and have decided to have children together. They have a contract and a very sweet plantonic relationship. It was really good to see the word Aromantic used on page and to see the two MCs happy. The children were so sweet.
4/5 Stars.
A gallant rescue by A.P Raymond.
TW: Homomisic parents.
Rep: Poly romance, Trans MC, Non binary MC, Queer Side characters, side f/f romance, MC that use Xie pronouns, MC that uses Ey pronouns.
This was a sweet sci-fi story about a crew of people from ship saving one of their Members after her father has refused to let her leave the house. He is forcing her to marry someone else, even though she is already in a f/f relationship. This was like a heist and I loved it so much. It was very interesting to read about the different pronouns and I loved seeing some much representation in one short story. Very enjoyable.
5/5 Stars.
Overall, Queerly loving is exactly what the tile suggests: nine wonderful short stories about queer people happily in love. Honestly I loved this book so much. Each story was unique and every one of them brilliant. I also loved the use of consent in every story. This book has a wonderful range of diverse characters and I highly recommend. Unfortunately like most amazing queer reads this book is way under-hyped and deserves so much more love.
I’ve finished this wonderful short story collection and friends!! You. Need. To. Read. This!
It was so wonderfully queer and the stories were amazing.
Full review to come tomorrow :)
blauschrift's review
4.0
I have never read a story that covers ace people and there are more "i have never read ..." phrases I could drop about "QUEERLY LOVING" all of which made me very happy to now have had.
Since it is a collection of very varied writers there were two stories I skipped that did not work for me. BUT the three I loved most need to be mentioned here: "Miss me with that gay shit" >> tonality, humour and light-heartedness, Sacha Lamb - you rock! "Dragons Do Not" >> a protagonist getting the gender + pronouns of their dragon right. I am not crying, you are. (Evelyn Deshane, can we have a whole novel of that? Pretty please?!). And "Hunt and Peck" >> there is something tomboy-ish about typewriters as an ... instrument that only Teresa Theophano made me see.
Do judge this book by its cover for once, it is what you get. A queer bunch of loving stories in the most colourful mix.
Since it is a collection of very varied writers there were two stories I skipped that did not work for me. BUT the three I loved most need to be mentioned here: "Miss me with that gay shit" >> tonality, humour and light-heartedness, Sacha Lamb - you rock! "Dragons Do Not" >> a protagonist getting the gender + pronouns of their dragon right. I am not crying, you are. (Evelyn Deshane, can we have a whole novel of that? Pretty please?!). And "Hunt and Peck" >> there is something tomboy-ish about typewriters as an ... instrument that only Teresa Theophano made me see.
Do judge this book by its cover for once, it is what you get. A queer bunch of loving stories in the most colourful mix.
ortija's review
4.0
(two aromantic main characters (short story "Birthday Landscapes"), both in QPR (platonic relationship))
souslesignedelalune's review
3.0
I bought this book on a whim thinking it was a comic anthology so you can see how prepared I was. All I wanted was to read something quickly and queer and that exactly what Queer Loving was. It was good but I feel like it could have explored different identities and a different way (the trope of the LI being mistaken for a woman/man to show that they were either a butch woman or a trans person was used a lot in my opinion, and not always well)
_____
1. Miss Me With That Gay Shit (Please Don't) by Sacha Lamb
3.5 ⭐️
A cute story between two gay Jewish boys. The main character is trans and trying to navigate life with his crush on another guy from school. I liked that his twin sister was supportive, she's in a relationship with a Muslim girl, Ayesha.
The only thing that made me uncomfortable was the way Elijah and Nick texted
2. Gifts of Spring by Shira Glassman
2⭐️
rep: The main character is a trans woman, LI is Jewish
warning sex on page
I wanted to like this, really. I've read [b:Knit One, Girl Two|34732711|Knit One, Girl Two|Shira Glassman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1490847932l/34732711._SY75_.jpg|55918009] by the author and loved it. The novella started out strongly with a fantasy world in which Mage exist, a main character with secrets, a acrobat who has to escape a crowd. Really I couldn't ask for something better. Sadly I felt like it was rushed and nothing was really explained, as if the story had to end quickly.
3. Wishing on the Perseid by Kay C. Sulli
3⭐️
rep : m/m relationship
Not my favourite either but it was still very well written. My only problem was again that the end felt rushed. I know it's a short story and it's complicated to take the time to build the relationship but I wish there were more pages because I loved the atmosphere. But that's only my opinion
We follow Zach who decided to spent the summer in Colorado to relax before going back to study for his PhD
4. Hunt and Peck by Teresa Theophano
4⭐️
rep sapphic characters, one of them a butch lesbian, and a f/f side couple
tw use of 'dyke', lesbophobic parent
It was one of my favourite. Two girls meet during a typewriting competition (probably set in the 80s) and they start hanging out. The writing was good and I loved how their relationship evolved. It wasn't easy but it was hopeful and they had the positive representation of two women living together with their child, and they helped them.
5. First Light at Dawn by Nyri Bakkalian
5⭐️
rep: f/f relationship, bi LI, the mc is a lesbian trans woman
tw: PTSD attack described, war, attack of a military camp
This story was without a doubt the best of the anthology. Kate writes a email to Hannah in which she talks about her life, how she's struggling with PTSD and what happened during her time serving in the military. It was so well written, moving, hard and hopeful at the same time. I could have read an entire book about Kate's story, her transition and her relationship with her girlfriend Bree who's bi. I loved them, their domesticity, their love for book and the way they helped each other.
6. Dragons Do Not by Evelyn Deshane
4⭐️
rep: sapphic Deaf main character, a side character is a trans woman who uses crutches
tw: PTSD, ableist world, misgendering (call out on page)
Juneau used to work in a mine with her partner Melody until a explosion killed everyone. Since then she has been living far away from society with a dragon who's like her service animal. The world that Deshane's created is brillant, I liked that we can really understand how important dragons are and how they can help someone. They communicate with the help of painted dominoes and like humans, they deserve respect.
I also liked that Juneau doesn't understand everything but she's willing to learn and challenge the society she lives in.
7. Planchette by Carolyn Cage
1⭐️
tw: sexual assault, violence, murder of queer side characters (graphic and on page), queerphobia, alcohol consumption, mentally ill parent
The only reason I gave this one star is for the style, it's all written in a play-form which fitted the plot and the way it flowed. Sadly nothing about it was hopeful and loving and I couldn't understand what the author wanted to do with Jude. Are they a trans boy? A butch lesbian? Who knows? Because it's all very vague. It could have stayed that way to show that Jude is questioning and hasn't figured it out yet, but a big part of the plot is about the way they dress, act and want to be treated by the world.
Ok, this is set in 1879 but this could have been better and less graphic. I felt like it was unnecessary and suffering porn in a way. The ending is vague and again is not about love, being loved or being hopeful. The two main characters don't really understand each other and throughout the story Mollie was so disrespectful toward Jude, especially when she asked them to remove their shirt to know if they had breast...
I really don't know why this story is in the anthology
8. Birthday Landscape by E H Timms
3.5⭐️
rep: two aro characters in a relationship, the main character has a prosthetic foot
tw: PTSD attack described on page
Really good story set in a fantasy world. Cavallan comes back from the war to stay with his loving family. I loved their dynamic, I felt as if I was with them in their home, cutting apples and drinking tea. The descriptions were well written, I could pictured the drawing Cavallan made for his kids.
But more importantly Cavallan and his wife Rose are both aro and live happily together. And you know they communicate and talked about what they wanted in their relationship and it's such a positive representation.
But I wished asexuality was explored too, even if it was to say that they are aro but not ace (or on the spectrum) because this part made me wonder if Rose was aroace:
9. A Gallant Rescue by A.P. Raymond
3.5⭐️
rep: polyamorous relationship between three people, one of them use they/them, another one is trans and uses she/her and the other use ey/eir. There's also a f/f side couple and a side character who use xy/xyr
This story was basically be gay, do crimes in space and save queer people which I'm all for.
Set in a futuristic world where people live in towers depending on their ranks, a group of people try to help a queer woman espace her home because her father wants to marry her for connections.
It was really good and I loved to see non binary trans characters
_____
1. Miss Me With That Gay Shit (Please Don't) by Sacha Lamb
3.5 ⭐️
A cute story between two gay Jewish boys. The main character is trans and trying to navigate life with his crush on another guy from school. I liked that his twin sister was supportive, she's in a relationship with a Muslim girl, Ayesha.
The only thing that made me uncomfortable was the way Elijah and Nick texted
2. Gifts of Spring by Shira Glassman
2⭐️
rep: The main character is a trans woman, LI is Jewish
warning sex on page
I wanted to like this, really. I've read [b:Knit One, Girl Two|34732711|Knit One, Girl Two|Shira Glassman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1490847932l/34732711._SY75_.jpg|55918009] by the author and loved it. The novella started out strongly with a fantasy world in which Mage exist, a main character with secrets, a acrobat who has to escape a crowd. Really I couldn't ask for something better. Sadly I felt like it was rushed and nothing was really explained, as if the story had to end quickly.
3. Wishing on the Perseid by Kay C. Sulli
3⭐️
rep : m/m relationship
Not my favourite either but it was still very well written. My only problem was again that the end felt rushed. I know it's a short story and it's complicated to take the time to build the relationship but I wish there were more pages because I loved the atmosphere. But that's only my opinion
We follow Zach who decided to spent the summer in Colorado to relax before going back to study for his PhD
4. Hunt and Peck by Teresa Theophano
4⭐️
rep sapphic characters, one of them a butch lesbian, and a f/f side couple
tw use of 'dyke', lesbophobic parent
It was one of my favourite. Two girls meet during a typewriting competition (probably set in the 80s) and they start hanging out. The writing was good and I loved how their relationship evolved. It wasn't easy but it was hopeful and they had the positive representation of two women living together with their child, and they helped them.
5. First Light at Dawn by Nyri Bakkalian
5⭐️
rep: f/f relationship, bi LI, the mc is a lesbian trans woman
tw: PTSD attack described, war, attack of a military camp
Of course if I bring it up even in passing, the first thing people ask is if I’m seeing a therapist. They’re trying to be helpful, and I get that, but I’m getting tired of the suggestion. Lately I just thank them and chuckle at it. Yeah, I am seeing a therapist, and this still happens. Therapists are great, but they aren’t magicians, and even under the care of the best therapist, the fact of the matter remains: trauma’s a bitch.
This story was without a doubt the best of the anthology. Kate writes a email to Hannah in which she talks about her life, how she's struggling with PTSD and what happened during her time serving in the military. It was so well written, moving, hard and hopeful at the same time. I could have read an entire book about Kate's story, her transition and her relationship with her girlfriend Bree who's bi. I loved them, their domesticity, their love for book and the way they helped each other.
6. Dragons Do Not by Evelyn Deshane
4⭐️
rep: sapphic Deaf main character, a side character is a trans woman who uses crutches
tw: PTSD, ableist world, misgendering (call out on page)
Juneau used to work in a mine with her partner Melody until a explosion killed everyone. Since then she has been living far away from society with a dragon who's like her service animal. The world that Deshane's created is brillant, I liked that we can really understand how important dragons are and how they can help someone. They communicate with the help of painted dominoes and like humans, they deserve respect.
I also liked that Juneau doesn't understand everything but she's willing to learn and challenge the society she lives in.
7. Planchette by Carolyn Cage
1⭐️
tw: sexual assault, violence, murder of queer side characters (graphic and on page), queerphobia, alcohol consumption, mentally ill parent
The only reason I gave this one star is for the style, it's all written in a play-form which fitted the plot and the way it flowed. Sadly nothing about it was hopeful and loving and I couldn't understand what the author wanted to do with Jude. Are they a trans boy? A butch lesbian? Who knows? Because it's all very vague. It could have stayed that way to show that Jude is questioning and hasn't figured it out yet, but a big part of the plot is about the way they dress, act and want to be treated by the world.
Ok, this is set in 1879 but this could have been better and less graphic. I felt like it was unnecessary and suffering porn in a way. The ending is vague and again is not about love, being loved or being hopeful. The two main characters don't really understand each other and throughout the story Mollie was so disrespectful toward Jude, especially when she asked them to remove their shirt to know if they had breast...
I really don't know why this story is in the anthology
8. Birthday Landscape by E H Timms
3.5⭐️
rep: two aro characters in a relationship, the main character has a prosthetic foot
tw: PTSD attack described on page
Really good story set in a fantasy world. Cavallan comes back from the war to stay with his loving family. I loved their dynamic, I felt as if I was with them in their home, cutting apples and drinking tea. The descriptions were well written, I could pictured the drawing Cavallan made for his kids.
But more importantly Cavallan and his wife Rose are both aro and live happily together. And you know they communicate and talked about what they wanted in their relationship and it's such a positive representation.
Now he had good companionship, a home that welcomed him, and no lopsided alloro love to cause problems on either side.
But I wished asexuality was explored too, even if it was to say that they are aro but not ace (or on the spectrum) because this part made me wonder if Rose was aroace:
She’d wanted children without the pressure to perform in bed, and had been happy to bring them up alone if necessary. He’d been neutral, not expecting to live long enough to see them grow, and not wanting to land someone else with unwanted work.
9. A Gallant Rescue by A.P. Raymond
3.5⭐️
rep: polyamorous relationship between three people, one of them use they/them, another one is trans and uses she/her and the other use ey/eir. There's also a f/f side couple and a side character who use xy/xyr
This story was basically be gay, do crimes in space and save queer people which I'm all for.
Set in a futuristic world where people live in towers depending on their ranks, a group of people try to help a queer woman espace her home because her father wants to marry her for connections.
It was really good and I loved to see non binary trans characters
theknightswhosaybook's review
3.0
Rating is based on the average of the rating I gave each short story. I didn't like it as much as the first volume, which I gave 3.5 stars, but there were a few stories I really liked: More Than Anything by Eden French, Tenderness by Xan West, and The Mermaid and the Pirate by Cameron Van Sant. Those are, respectively, a dystopian story about a girl dealing with a mutant gang, a contemporary story about recovering from a breakup, and a science fiction story about a pirate whose spaceship picks up a vagrant mermaid. Like the first volume, I think the anthology's length is good and premise is great.