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indiekay's review
4.0
Another book I really enjoyed by one of my favourite authors!
This book includes 5 short romances revolving around a bar called Whirlwind. Each story includes a kinky sex scene or two.
The first story is a m/m romance with a genderqueer character, about two best friends that have loved each other since they were teenagers. This one has absolutely fantastic best friend pinning angst, which I'm a sucker for.
The second story is about a reserved Dom that's never really met the man of his dreams, and a trans disabled man who is visiting a BDSM club for the first time ever and doesn't know what to expect - and he's definitely not expecting to get to have a group sex scene! I really liked this one and would have loved to have gotten a longer story with these two characters!
The next story is about two Doms that are best friends and rivals - they're constantly competing against each other in stupid competitions, and are also both completely infatuated with one another but know their sexual preferences are completely at odds, as they both like to be in charge. Then they meet a sub at the bar and realise that they might have found the perfect key to making their relationship work. This story includes a trans man and an intersex nonbinary person. I really liked this one too, although I found the dynamic between the two Doms a little difficult to understand, because the rivalry thing just did not compute to me. But the sub was an absolute joy, and I definitely would have loved to spend longer with these three characters!
The next story is Sapphic, and includes two trans women who knew each other as teenagers, and had almost had a romantic relationship but a misunderstanding pulled them apart. Now they meet by chance after a friend introduces them, and they have a second chance at romance. I really enjoyed this story too! I loved the concept of two trans characters having known each other pre-transition and meeting again later in life, and being older and wiser now, so they can tell each other exactly what they want.
Final story in this lovely collection is about the owner of the bar and someone who hosts trivia night at the bar. I think it's safe to say both characters in this story are gender queer (AFAB). The bar owner is in her 50s and has a lot of self doubt and doesn't believe anyone could want to date her. The person that runs trivia night has had a crush on the bartender for years and has been flirting forever, but has never had any luck. They finally gettogether in this story. I really appreciated this story. I found Charlie, the bartender, to be really easy to sympathise with, and really appreciated her addition to this story. I'd love to find more stories about older butch women like her. (I also really appreciated the little interludes Charlie had between each story, where she'd basically think something along the lines of "A lot of people who come to my bar sure do like kink. But that's not something I've ever tried - or want to try, of course!" and at the end she gets to try kink herself and really enjoys it. I loved that for her.)
So, yeah. If you love queer romance in all it's shapes and sizes, this is a fantastic book for you!
This book includes 5 short romances revolving around a bar called Whirlwind. Each story includes a kinky sex scene or two.
The first story is a m/m romance with a genderqueer character, about two best friends that have loved each other since they were teenagers. This one has absolutely fantastic best friend pinning angst, which I'm a sucker for.
The second story is about a reserved Dom that's never really met the man of his dreams, and a trans disabled man who is visiting a BDSM club for the first time ever and doesn't know what to expect - and he's definitely not expecting to get to have a group sex scene! I really liked this one and would have loved to have gotten a longer story with these two characters!
The next story is about two Doms that are best friends and rivals - they're constantly competing against each other in stupid competitions, and are also both completely infatuated with one another but know their sexual preferences are completely at odds, as they both like to be in charge. Then they meet a sub at the bar and realise that they might have found the perfect key to making their relationship work. This story includes a trans man and an intersex nonbinary person. I really liked this one too, although I found the dynamic between the two Doms a little difficult to understand, because the rivalry thing just did not compute to me. But the sub was an absolute joy, and I definitely would have loved to spend longer with these three characters!
The next story is Sapphic, and includes two trans women who knew each other as teenagers, and had almost had a romantic relationship but a misunderstanding pulled them apart. Now they meet by chance after a friend introduces them, and they have a second chance at romance. I really enjoyed this story too! I loved the concept of two trans characters having known each other pre-transition and meeting again later in life, and being older and wiser now, so they can tell each other exactly what they want.
Final story in this lovely collection is about the owner of the bar and someone who hosts trivia night at the bar. I think it's safe to say both characters in this story are gender queer (AFAB). The bar owner is in her 50s and has a lot of self doubt and doesn't believe anyone could want to date her. The person that runs trivia night has had a crush on the bartender for years and has been flirting forever, but has never had any luck. They finally gettogether in this story. I really appreciated this story. I found Charlie, the bartender, to be really easy to sympathise with, and really appreciated her addition to this story. I'd love to find more stories about older butch women like her. (I also really appreciated the little interludes Charlie had between each story, where she'd basically think something along the lines of "A lot of people who come to my bar sure do like kink. But that's not something I've ever tried - or want to try, of course!" and at the end she gets to try kink herself and really enjoys it. I loved that for her.)
So, yeah. If you love queer romance in all it's shapes and sizes, this is a fantastic book for you!
misssleepless's review against another edition
The first three stories were fine, but there's something with me and f/f stories that often makes me lose interest incredibly quickly.
caiacassiopeia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
3.75
Review in progress
5 short stories
1. MM / BFF2L / POC MC / fat MC / pining / dating app / deception / internalized fatphobia / BDSM d/s dynamics and kink incl. blindfolds, lace & lingerie, body worship, praise, …
2. MM / Trans MC / Disabled MC / BDSM d/s dynamics and kink incl. restraining, group scene, sharing, …/
3. MMX / Trans MC / Genderqueer & Intersex MC / POC MC /
4. FF / Trans MC / POC MC / second chance / foot worship / roleplay / spanking /
5. XX / Genderqueer MC
1. MM / BFF2L / POC MC / fat MC / pining / dating app / deception / internalized fatphobia / BDSM d/s dynamics and kink incl. blindfolds, lace & lingerie, body worship, praise, …
2. MM / Trans MC / Disabled MC / BDSM d/s dynamics and kink incl. restraining, group scene, sharing, …/
3. MMX / Trans MC / Genderqueer & Intersex MC / POC MC /
4. FF / Trans MC / POC MC / second chance / foot worship / roleplay / spanking /
5. XX / Genderqueer MC
ruthiedr89's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, and Dysphoria
Minor: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Sexism, Transphobia, Toxic relationship, Ableism, and Abandonment
meingee's review
4.0
This is a wonderful collection of stories about finding love in all shapes and sizes. In each of these stories we see that love does not fit in any kind of box and that it can be found anywhere and by anyone. I loved seeing the different kinds of characters represented in this collection. However you feel that you identify as there is always someone out there for you. Love does not discriminate. These characters may face struggles in life, but they are strong and are ready to fight. I loved seeing the relationships build and grow strong as the stories built. The author does a good job of showing and developing characters that are not always written about. Each of the stories moves at a good pace and pulled me right in, proving that there are no restrictions when it comes to love.
lucsbooks's review
5.0
This short story collection is an ode to queer love and lives and I loved every moment of it.
Be warned, this is Ao3 dirty but all the erotic scenes are loving and respectful and I enjoyed seeing such diversity in the way people are and love. I loved seeing differences acknowledged without ever making anyone feel lesser.
Every story is very, very short, the more you like it the shorter it feels but thankfully, the characters from previous chapters appear and matter to the general plot of the ones that follow.
I liked that I not only got to read about people and identities that I never see represented but that is focused on queer people of all kinds of ages and in different places in their journeys and addressed their different challenges without never letting the reader or the characters forget about the beauty of being queer.
Thank you to the author for this DRC.
Be warned, this is Ao3 dirty but all the erotic scenes are loving and respectful and I enjoyed seeing such diversity in the way people are and love. I loved seeing differences acknowledged without ever making anyone feel lesser.
Every story is very, very short, the more you like it the shorter it feels but thankfully, the characters from previous chapters appear and matter to the general plot of the ones that follow.
I liked that I not only got to read about people and identities that I never see represented but that is focused on queer people of all kinds of ages and in different places in their journeys and addressed their different challenges without never letting the reader or the characters forget about the beauty of being queer.
Thank you to the author for this DRC.
karentje's review
5.0
Waiting for You: Julio and Taylor’s story is my favorite. I love that they have both been pining for each other, and then suddenly, unexpectedly, get their chance at happiness with the person they’ve always dreamed about and never thought they could have. Swoon… Taylor is so insecure and unhappy with his own body. My heart ached for him. Julio is far more self-assured and so determined to make Taylor happy. I love that they are both so different yet fit so well together.
Here for You: Eric and Micah are next and fall in love & lust at first sight. Their connection is instant and deliciously filthy and sweet at the same time. I love how considerate Eric is of Micah, and how he gives the other man all he needs and desires. I also thought it was great how open and honest they both were. Micah’s courage in going to the club alone and the way he’s overcome the challenges he faces because of being trans and having cerebral palsy is nothing short of inspiring. I was so happy for Micah as he got to know Eric and found that Eric could be his safe place. His first meeting with Eric’s friends was also quite memorable.
Game for You: Same as with Julio and Taylor, Ben and Parker have been the subjects of bets for their friends, as it is clear for all of them that there is something more there than friendship. There’s not as much angst with Ben and Parker because they both seem more aware of the other’s feelings, but they can’t seem to envision a scenario where they could work as a couple. Neither of them identifies as poly, or at least, they don’t seem to have considered the possibility of a poly relationship until very recently, but then along comes Dakota. Dakota feels drawn to Ben and Parker both, and their playful nature helps bring the three of them together. I loved how Dakota teasingly egged on Ben and Parker, opening their eyes to new possibilities, and loved the way Ben and Parker each gave them what they needed too. First MMX romance I’ve ever read. Loved it.
Back for You: This is a heartwarming second chance at love romance. Nina and Angel knew each other as boys when their mutual crush ended in disaster and misunderstandings. They meet again years later and find out they’ve both transitioned. The spark is still there, and they have a moving heart-to-heart, neither of them wanting to lose any more time. I loved the power dynamics in their relationship and the way Angel encourages Nina when it comes to her art. The heat between these two is off the charts.
Time for You: Finally, it’s Charlie’s and Carla’s turn. We’ve gotten teasing glimpses of Charlie through the short introductory chapters linking the stories of all the other main characters, so it was more than time for Charlie to get her turn. There’s so much to love about her story! Charlie comes across as strong and gruff, someone for the others to lean on and confide in, so it was surprising and incredibly touching to get to know her backstory and see her more vulnerable side. Carla is an intriguing, warm character. I loved him for Charlie. I loved the age difference between them and that Carla, even though so much younger, is the dominant one, the caretaker, and in some ways, the more experienced one out of the two of them.
What I loved about all of these stories is that we get to know and love so many wonderful queer and trans characters and are subtly educated about gender identity/presentation. I also very much appreciated the body positivity and that there were MC’s with very different body types, not all of them fitting societal norms of what’s considered attractive. The emotional connection and chemistry is there for all the couples/throuples, enthralling and convincing, even though the stories take place in a very short time frame.
Here for You: Eric and Micah are next and fall in love & lust at first sight. Their connection is instant and deliciously filthy and sweet at the same time. I love how considerate Eric is of Micah, and how he gives the other man all he needs and desires. I also thought it was great how open and honest they both were. Micah’s courage in going to the club alone and the way he’s overcome the challenges he faces because of being trans and having cerebral palsy is nothing short of inspiring. I was so happy for Micah as he got to know Eric and found that Eric could be his safe place. His first meeting with Eric’s friends was also quite memorable.
Game for You: Same as with Julio and Taylor, Ben and Parker have been the subjects of bets for their friends, as it is clear for all of them that there is something more there than friendship. There’s not as much angst with Ben and Parker because they both seem more aware of the other’s feelings, but they can’t seem to envision a scenario where they could work as a couple. Neither of them identifies as poly, or at least, they don’t seem to have considered the possibility of a poly relationship until very recently, but then along comes Dakota. Dakota feels drawn to Ben and Parker both, and their playful nature helps bring the three of them together. I loved how Dakota teasingly egged on Ben and Parker, opening their eyes to new possibilities, and loved the way Ben and Parker each gave them what they needed too. First MMX romance I’ve ever read. Loved it.
Back for You: This is a heartwarming second chance at love romance. Nina and Angel knew each other as boys when their mutual crush ended in disaster and misunderstandings. They meet again years later and find out they’ve both transitioned. The spark is still there, and they have a moving heart-to-heart, neither of them wanting to lose any more time. I loved the power dynamics in their relationship and the way Angel encourages Nina when it comes to her art. The heat between these two is off the charts.
Time for You: Finally, it’s Charlie’s and Carla’s turn. We’ve gotten teasing glimpses of Charlie through the short introductory chapters linking the stories of all the other main characters, so it was more than time for Charlie to get her turn. There’s so much to love about her story! Charlie comes across as strong and gruff, someone for the others to lean on and confide in, so it was surprising and incredibly touching to get to know her backstory and see her more vulnerable side. Carla is an intriguing, warm character. I loved him for Charlie. I loved the age difference between them and that Carla, even though so much younger, is the dominant one, the caretaker, and in some ways, the more experienced one out of the two of them.
What I loved about all of these stories is that we get to know and love so many wonderful queer and trans characters and are subtly educated about gender identity/presentation. I also very much appreciated the body positivity and that there were MC’s with very different body types, not all of them fitting societal norms of what’s considered attractive. The emotional connection and chemistry is there for all the couples/throuples, enthralling and convincing, even though the stories take place in a very short time frame.
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