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Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'
Even If the Sky is Falling by Charish Reid, Sarah Smith, Farah Heron, Lane Clarke, Denise Williams, Taj McCoy
11 reviews
elderwoodreads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
At the risk of sounding like a puritan I will echo other reviewers in saying that I was not expecting this to be essentially a collection of porn. I don't feel like this book is advertised well based on its description, while I expected sex I did not expect every story to be essentially a formula leading to a new sex scene. I am sad that there were not more existential questions and/or emotional revelations.
For what it is it's fine, thus 3.25 stars.
For what it is it's fine, thus 3.25 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Cursing and Alcohol
kirjakimalainen's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
Based on the description of the book i was expecting stories full of existential questions and contemplation of life, dreams, happiness, etc. I thought the characters would really ask themselves if they're happy with their lives and what they should change in the future.
This book gave me none of that. The only answer to "what do i want from my future" was "i want to fuck that person". The the only purpose the setting seemed to serve was spicing up the sex scenes. That would be fine if it had been explicitly clear in the description but the way it was now...i was disappointed. Sure i expected SOME spice, but that's basically all i got out of this.
If you're looking for smut with some light plot, this is for you.
(If you share my feelings, Blackout is another short story collection by black authors that has a somewhat similar premise but had more exploration of identity etc. Definitely recommend giving it a go!)
This book gave me none of that. The only answer to "what do i want from my future" was "i want to fuck that person". The the only purpose the setting seemed to serve was spicing up the sex scenes. That would be fine if it had been explicitly clear in the description but the way it was now...i was disappointed. Sure i expected SOME spice, but that's basically all i got out of this.
If you're looking for smut with some light plot, this is for you.
(If you share my feelings, Blackout is another short story collection by black authors that has a somewhat similar premise but had more exploration of identity etc. Definitely recommend giving it a go!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
kshertz's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I think that this was amazingly written! I enjoyed all the smut and found a new trope for myself ! End of the world! I love it. It’s definitely worth a read if you like romance and smut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
karazibri's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
feleiciaj's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
This book has a heavy presence of intimacy which caused for the lack of plot. However because it is an anthology of short stories, it is fine to not have an in depth character development and analysis.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
hereforthefunofit's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
All the Stars by Taj McCoy - ⭐⭐
I saw someone saying that this could have been the last story instead as it it would be kind of funny for it to be revealed they were all freaking out over nothing and I second that. Otherwise, I do not think this story was very very good, especially since it is supposed to be a romance. The writing is abysmal. The romance is horrible. The sex scene is fine, but it makes so little sense where it is that I genuinely restarted the book because I thought I missed something. So you may wonder? Why did I give it 2 stars? Well, I don't give out 1 stars very easily, I oddly don't think it's 1 star worthy. And also, it does its job in setting up the context of the collection. But Griffin leaving Halley cause he was stressed then coming back like he didn't do anything, only to be like I still want you is...no, just no. And Halley just lets him like hello???? Our standards??? I could understand if this was hate sex and like palpable sexual tension but I didn't even get that so, this first story is just a hard pass for me on the romance front. But although I though Willy was ridiculous, I did at least find that plot point interesting and I like that they lied to the whole country even though it still puts all their incompetence is on display.
Keep Calm and Curry On by Farah Heron - ⭐⭐⭐.75
After the first book, I got very scared so this story saved me. However as it went on, I thought Maya was losing it a bit. I was going to give this one 4 stars but she kept confusing me. I can vibe with a useless grudge and that being the reason why she doesn't like/would never work with Tarek's family but as she kept explaining I realised she had a different reason for being all anal with him and I can't even remember what it was but that's how I ended up at 3.75. Also the main reason this was a docking from 4 stars and not 5 is because of the dialogue. I just found it a bit stilted at times, robotic yet still childish.
My Lucky Stars by Lane Clarke - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This has a whole star for GOOD LESBIAN SEX. Jones is a LEWWSSEEERR and she's been outwardly mean to Dianna all because of storylines she made up in her own head. I understand making assumptions, but I think it's ridiculous to be smart enough to be in law school but not understanding that your assumptions of a person is not fact and it is ridiculous to treat them based on your assumptions. THE SEX IS SAUR GOOD THOUGH.
Bunker Buddies by Charish Reid - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why I love this one so much? The writing I felt was lovely. They sounded a bit younger than their age but it wasn't egregious.The roleplaying almost got me. I almost died. I thought I would absolutely hate it, but I just didn't like it. WHICH IS A WIN. so no stars docked for that. Realistically, this is a 4.25 or 4.5 but I wanted a 5 star so we're sticking with it.
Interlude by Sarah Smith - ⭐⭐.5
THIS GIRL IS SO HORNY OMG. It was cringey and that's its biggest fault. I lived.
Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better by Denise Williams -
I actually didn't read this one in time for the book club meeting and everybody scared me away from it so it will remain unread.
Overall, it has its high points and it's really really low points. I don't think short story anthologies like this really worked for me, but it was a book club pick (lily reads book club) and a harmless read. Plus, I found some new authors to look out for.
Keep Calm and Curry On by Farah Heron - ⭐⭐⭐.75
After the first book, I got very scared so this story saved me. However as it went on, I thought Maya was losing it a bit. I was going to give this one 4 stars but she kept confusing me. I can vibe with a useless grudge and that being the reason why she doesn't like/would never work with Tarek's family but as she kept explaining I realised she had a different reason for being all anal with him and I can't even remember what it was but that's how I ended up at 3.75. Also the main reason this was a docking from 4 stars and not 5 is because of the dialogue. I just found it a bit stilted at times, robotic yet still childish.
My Lucky Stars by Lane Clarke - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This has a whole star for GOOD LESBIAN SEX. Jones is a LEWWSSEEERR and she's been outwardly mean to Dianna all because of storylines she made up in her own head. I understand making assumptions, but I think it's ridiculous to be smart enough to be in law school but not understanding that your assumptions of a person is not fact and it is ridiculous to treat them based on your assumptions. THE SEX IS SAUR GOOD THOUGH.
Bunker Buddies by Charish Reid - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why I love this one so much? The writing I felt was lovely. They sounded a bit younger than their age but it wasn't egregious.
Interlude by Sarah Smith - ⭐⭐.5
THIS GIRL IS SO HORNY OMG. It was cringey and that's its biggest fault. I lived.
Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better by Denise Williams -
I actually didn't read this one in time for the book club meeting and everybody scared me away from it so it will remain unread.
Overall, it has its high points and it's really really low points. I don't think short story anthologies like this really worked for me, but it was a book club pick (lily reads book club) and a harmless read. Plus, I found some new authors to look out for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
kollieollie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
I’m conflicted about this book. The concept is creative and the characters are endearing. I also really appreciated the diversity of the main characters. It was a breath of fresh air among romance novels. That said, because it’s an anthology, everything in the book moved way too fast. It made some of the stories feel very rushed, forced, and unrealistic in a way I didn’t totally appreciate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Racism and Sexism
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
General disclaimer if you've read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You're correct that I don't really give starred reviews, I feel like a peasant and don't like leaving them and most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. Thus, no stars doesn't indicate that the book wasn't worthy of any starred system. It just means I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all, even if the lesson is that I'm a ho for the smut, or confronting my own mommy/daddy issues lol. Everyone's reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Happy reading! Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial
There are seven short stories in this collection and they are all equally delightful, steamy and cozy!!!! The first short story gives you the reasoning behind why a nationwide emergency alert system goes off, implicating that a meteor is going to hit Earth. Then we dive into the rest of the short romcoms that include many tropes, like second chance romance, forced proximity, locked in, "lets-just-bang-it-out-once-to-get-it-out-of-our-systems" and more!
Because these are short stories, the romance moves fast so just keep that in mind! Highly, highly recommend if you're looking for diverse romance, as I adore all of these authors, and I will absolutely be buying my own copy of this for times I want a fun, steamy quick read, especially since the cover is so stunning too.
All the Stars by Taj McCoy
NASA senior comms specialist Halley & her colleague Griffin broke up over a year ago, & haven't spoken since. However, when he is assigned to her unit at their Colorado base. When someone on her team accidentally sets off the national alert system, Halley & Griffin have nothing but time to revisit the demise of their relationship.
Keep Calm & Curry On by Farah Heron
Maya runs a spice booth at the Verona County Flea Market with her sisters, called Masala Girls (a fun twist on 'Spice Girls') when she runs into a childhood friend-turned-family-enemy, Tarek Mizra, the owner of Curry Junction, a new food truck. When the alert rings, they are stuck together at the market and forced to face the past that ripped their families apart. Shoutout to Tarek for not only NOT knocking romance, but naming romcoms as his favorite film genre.
My Lucky Stars by Lane Clarke
I love an opposites attract sapphic awakening. Jones is three months off of a breakup while her ex is newly engaged to the woman he left Jones for. Dark skinned, grumpy Jones is in law school, but was disappointed when the only other Black girl, light-skinned, green-eyed, sunshiny pageant-queen Dianna, seemingly betrayed her by performing the most palatable version of herself for their White classmates. When they're stuck together at school, Jones navigates new feelings that she didn't realize she had until being in such intimate proximity to Dianna.
Bunker Buddies by Charish Reid
I think this was my favorite story because it was probably so many booktrovert's dreams come true hahaha. Shea, a university professor, visits a local bookshop frequently, and after 20 orders, has finally worked up the courage to ask the bookstore owner, Nick, out to coffee. Then the emergency alert rings and Nick takes Shea to safety to his grandpa's underground bunker. These two had such great chemistry and even did a little role play (sheeeesh!) so it's no surprise that I devoured this story!!!!
Interlude by Sarah Smith
Talk about another steamy fantasy!!!! Songwriter and jingle-writer Jocelyn is stuck in her basement with her contractor, Caleb, and plays out the "we just met but we're both hot and the world is ending so wanna bang?" trope if there is one hahaha.
Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better by Denise Williams
This is academic enemies to lovers and second chance romance and it is an absolute delight! Hale and Piper (which I can't get over that this character is named Piper Drake when there is a steamy romance/fantasy/steampunk author named Piper J. Drake, although I could totally imagine her as this character HAHA) are stuck together during the emergency alarm and reconcile their past feelings for each other while they were classmates. Such a treat!
Epilogue by Taj McCoy
Lovely, predictable and sweet epilogue of the first short story.
There are seven short stories in this collection and they are all equally delightful, steamy and cozy!!!! The first short story gives you the reasoning behind why a nationwide emergency alert system goes off, implicating that a meteor is going to hit Earth. Then we dive into the rest of the short romcoms that include many tropes, like second chance romance, forced proximity, locked in, "lets-just-bang-it-out-once-to-get-it-out-of-our-systems" and more!
Because these are short stories, the romance moves fast so just keep that in mind! Highly, highly recommend if you're looking for diverse romance, as I adore all of these authors, and I will absolutely be buying my own copy of this for times I want a fun, steamy quick read, especially since the cover is so stunning too.
All the Stars by Taj McCoy
NASA senior comms specialist Halley & her colleague Griffin broke up over a year ago, & haven't spoken since. However, when he is assigned to her unit at their Colorado base. When someone on her team accidentally sets off the national alert system, Halley & Griffin have nothing but time to revisit the demise of their relationship.
Keep Calm & Curry On by Farah Heron
Maya runs a spice booth at the Verona County Flea Market with her sisters, called Masala Girls (a fun twist on 'Spice Girls') when she runs into a childhood friend-turned-family-enemy, Tarek Mizra, the owner of Curry Junction, a new food truck. When the alert rings, they are stuck together at the market and forced to face the past that ripped their families apart. Shoutout to Tarek for not only NOT knocking romance, but naming romcoms as his favorite film genre.
My Lucky Stars by Lane Clarke
I love an opposites attract sapphic awakening. Jones is three months off of a breakup while her ex is newly engaged to the woman he left Jones for. Dark skinned, grumpy Jones is in law school, but was disappointed when the only other Black girl, light-skinned, green-eyed, sunshiny pageant-queen Dianna, seemingly betrayed her by performing the most palatable version of herself for their White classmates. When they're stuck together at school, Jones navigates new feelings that she didn't realize she had until being in such intimate proximity to Dianna.
Bunker Buddies by Charish Reid
I think this was my favorite story because it was probably so many booktrovert's dreams come true hahaha. Shea, a university professor, visits a local bookshop frequently, and after 20 orders, has finally worked up the courage to ask the bookstore owner, Nick, out to coffee. Then the emergency alert rings and Nick takes Shea to safety to his grandpa's underground bunker. These two had such great chemistry and even did a little role play (sheeeesh!) so it's no surprise that I devoured this story!!!!
Interlude by Sarah Smith
Talk about another steamy fantasy!!!! Songwriter and jingle-writer Jocelyn is stuck in her basement with her contractor, Caleb, and plays out the "we just met but we're both hot and the world is ending so wanna bang?" trope if there is one hahaha.
Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better by Denise Williams
This is academic enemies to lovers and second chance romance and it is an absolute delight! Hale and Piper (which I can't get over that this character is named Piper Drake when there is a steamy romance/fantasy/steampunk author named Piper J. Drake, although I could totally imagine her as this character HAHA) are stuck together during the emergency alarm and reconcile their past feelings for each other while they were classmates. Such a treat!
Epilogue by Taj McCoy
Lovely, predictable and sweet epilogue of the first short story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Chronic illness and Cursing
thisreadingcorner's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
My favorite stories are the ones by Charish Reid and Denise Williams. Charish Reid had me at “he owns a bookstore” but the unveil of the mutual pining was equal parts sweet and funny in a relatable way. I only wish I had the kind of book budget sis was spending in that store trying to gauge his interest. Denise Williams wrote the final story, college rivals living out their unspoken fantasies in their old stomping grounds. The legacy white man angle is a risky choice imo, but Hale is fairly humble and Piper’s podium dreams made up the difference.
All in all a fun read to pass the time. Last thoughts - despite the cover, this isn’t a collection of exclusively Black couples so the cover art feels misleading, it’s a mix of South Asian, Black, and interracial pairings so something more abstract like Blackout would ring true to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content