queerafictionado's reviews
350 reviews

Throat by Ellen van Neerven

Go to review page

emotional reflective fast-paced

3.5

Cover Story by Rachel Lacey

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-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

5.0

A fake dating celebrity/bodyguard romance written by one of my favorite authors - what’s not to love?! After reading Stars Collide, which was absolutely wonderful, I was very excited to find out Taylor the bodyguard would be getting her own spinoff. And Rachel Lacey did not disappoint with this one! I loved the organic and palpable chemistry between these two. The desire and attraction was there from the beginning, but it was far from romantic. In fact, it was a bit clumsy and awkward which made it even better! Cause seriously…imagine walking the red carpet with someone you just met and pretending to be dating. 😳 But the sapphic pining. The “should we, shouldn’t we”. The growing emotional connection. The building sexual tension. And once that fire heats up…oh damn! THE CLOSET SCENE!!! 🥵🫠 ::swoon:: IYKYK! Natalie and Taylor, along with the adorable boxers, Luna and Orion, and rescue kitty Cassie, stole my heart! And if you love grand gestures…just you wait! 

Natalie’s story was told with such care and compassion. Her trauma from being stalked and abducted by a fan and the sense of safety that experience stole from her, leaving her in a constant state of alertness, always looking over her shoulder and being overcome with fear nearly 24/7. Plus the loss of her mom at a young age and being raised by an inattentive aunt and uncle who never seemed to truly care for her, let alone love her. Failed relationships. Layers of life experiences that make it nearly impossible for her to let anyone into her world, let alone her heart. Rachel captured her journey through trauma and toward healing beautifully in these pages. I could feel her fear, her sadness. Her healing, much like the embers of desire between her and Taylor, took awhile to really ignite - but it was so worth it! And so powerful to witness.

Taylor also had her own struggles. After a fall and injury to her back she is finally ready to go back to active duty. Even though (secretly) her back isn’t quite ready yet. But between her career in the army and her career as a bodyguard, it’s all she knows. And watching her battle all this on her own was heartbreaking. I know what it’s like when so much of your identity is wrapped in your career and then you lose that part of you. It feels like losing yourself. Which is why Taylor minimizes her pain and fights through. She doesn’t know who she would be without this part of her. 

I love a good “I never felt safe until I met you” kind of story. And if you love them like I do then you will love Cover Story. This element of the story is part of why I found Nat and Taylor’s relationship to be so authentic and their connection real. Nat had top of the line security and a bodyguard already. It wasn’t just having a bodyguard that had her suddenly finding a sense of safety she never thought she would. It was Taylor’s specific kind of care, attentiveness, and protection. It was simply Taylor.

I also love how Rachel wove elements of suspense and mystery into the novel. It took the celebrity, fake dating tropes and elevated them into something new and different. It was intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish! I also love Rachel’s intentionality in creating a diverse cast of characters with her books. There were so many amazing and lovable side characters - Jeremy, Ali, Tommy, Taylor’s parents! There was truly not a single character I didn’t like (well except for the stalker of course). Add to all that the astronomy pieces and aptly named pets, a backyard observatory, and stolen moments under the stars…this book contained a whole galaxy!

Basically….I love Rachel Lacey. I love this book. And I highly recommend it! Go read it and then check out her backlist titles too! 

🏳️‍🌈Rep: Lesbian MCs, Veteran MC; Gay, Chinese, Black, & Latine SCs, Disabled SC

📝Tropes/Themes: Fake Relationship, Celebrity Romance,  Star Gazing, Bodyguard/Actress, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, California, Movie Set, Trauma & Healing, Adorable Dogs/Kitten
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
A Fractured & Luminous Soul: A Poetry Collection by Lauren Eve, Lauren Eve

Go to review page

emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0

Zara Hossain Is Here by Sabina Khan

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense 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? No

4.0

 This was an amazing story that covers some pretty heavy and intense topics in a (for the most part) delicate way, without too much sugar coating or downplaying - racism, xenophobia, immigration, and gun violence to name the big ones. It’s the story of Zara, a bisexual, Muslim, Pakistani immigrant in Texas, as she navigates being a teen and growing up while being othered and dehumanized, all while she and her family deal with immigration red tape bureaucracy and the fate of their ability to stay in the country hangs in the balance. 

With all the intense topics that this story touches on, including homophobia, I love that Zara’s parents are not one of the sources. They are supportive and love and defend her and it made my heart so happy to see that. Zara has a close relationship with her parents as well as her two best friends and with all the bad things that were happening to Zara and her family, it was great to have so much love and support and goodness written into the story through these relationships. And I of course have to mention the adorable rescue dog, Zoro! 

At times it felt like Khan tried to pack too much into the book, and some parts felt rushed and too easily resolved. But overall it was an enjoyable story and I recommend checking it out. The narrator, Richa Moorjani, did a great job bringing this story to life! 

While this story did have a sapphic romance subplot, it is not a romance. This story is a coming of age novel about family and friendship, standing strong and remaining hopeful in the face of hatred.

🏳️‍🌈Rep: MC is a Bisexual, Muslim, Pakistani immigrant; LI is a white lesbian; several POC and queer SCs

📝Tropes/Themes: Young Adult, High School, Friendship, Family Relationships, Catholic School, Immigration, Coming of Age, Racism, Social Justice, Cute Rescue Dog
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Miss Meteor by Anna-Marie McLemore, Tehlor Kay Mejia

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted medium-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

5.0

Broken Parts Included by Alyson Root

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Alyson Root never disappoints! Broken Parts Included was a powerful story that delved heavily into the topic of female reproductive health (along with health care challenges) and the impact it can have on every facet of a person’s life. Relationships, family, mental health, jobs. This book was still very much a romance at its core. And, as with all of Alyson’s books, had a great deal of humor and spice throughout which I love! But it was so much more than that. It was a moving story about working through and overcoming physical and mental health struggles. A story about not just finding someone who loves you as you are, but about learning to love yourself completely and wholly - broken parts included. ❤️‍🩹

Lydia had my heart from the beginning. Her character was real and raw and her pain and suffering was captured in a way that felt truly authentic. My heart literally ached for her at times as I read her story and learned about her reproductive health issues and struggles with body dysmorphia. Her journey was deeply personal and incredibly beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed her friendship with Cathy and loved that she had such an amazing friend and coworker. Cathy CRACKED ME UP! And I was so glad to see Lydia begin to allow people into her life more as the story progressed and she came into herself more and found her power. 

Fe really frustrated me at times. She had some good sisterly moments with Lydia, but her need to control continued to get worse throughout. She always showed up at the WORST possible moments like she had some sort of sixth sense or something! And I won’t go into details…but the way she behaved after “the moment” - ugh! I was so mad at her. I know she was going through a lot of her own struggles though, too. So I forgive her. But dang…she really was a clam jammer! 😤

And then there’s Halle. Oh Halle. 😍 Fe’s best friend and the one person that was truly off limits for Lydia. I freaking loved Halle. She was funny and sweet and charming. And the way she always showed up for Lydia, always seemed to know what she would need or want, fought for her and cared for her. SO DAMN BEAUTIFUL! 🥹 And just incredibly heartwarming. I absolutely loved these two together. They just…worked. Everything about them. They fit together perfectly and you could tell from early on that there was clearly a pull between them.

And of course…I can’t forget the most adorable and lovable little side character - Monty. I’m a sucker for a cute dog and Monty was the best little emotional support pup and companion Lydia could have asked for. Love that little guy!

This story had all the things I love about an Alyson Root book, and the way she handled these heavy topics was honest and raw, but also delicate and compassionate. In a word, this story was simply breathtaking. I highly recommend it! 

I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.

🏳️‍🌈Rep: Pansexual FMC, Lesbian LI

📝Tropes/Themes: Sapphic Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Best Friend’s Sister, Forbidden Love, Friends to Lovers, Secret Crush, Family Relationships, Mental Health, Reproductive Health, Sex Toys, Femme/Femme, Body Positivity
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Brooms by Jasmine Walls

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? No

5.0

That Secret Something by Emily Wright

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 I LOVE me a good forbidden romance story and Emily Wright did not disappoint with this one! This story had all the things I love about this trope - tension, pining, spice, and of course…drama! I knew I was going to love this story from the start and I’m so glad Emily started by giving us a glimpse into their teen years - the (at least as Jess thought at the time) unrequited crush, the prom night disaster and Rebecca showing up in her swoon worthy burgundy suit to save the day, and the almost moment that never came… It reminded me of the Ross/Rachel prom story from Friends - but sapphic and happy because they actually went and therefore even better! 

I adored Jess and love the way Emily presented her struggles with anxiety. And the way Rebecca responds when Jess is feeling anxious is incredibly endearing. Jess was a big sweetheart who worked hard and always showed up for the people that mattered to her - like when her bff Lily gets engaged and wants Jess to be her wedding planner and becomes a bridezilla. The downside to being a people pleaser though (and I should know) is that you far too often set aside your own needs and wants for the sake of other people - like denying your attraction to someone for years.

And well…let’s just say I can understand why Jess harbored a crush on her best friend’s sister all those years - Rebecca Lawson is extremely crush worthy! 😍 She has that confident swagger, is effortlessly cool, and nearly everything that comes out of her mouth is flirty or sassy or combination of the two. I mean…the woman turned counting sheep into a sexual innuendo! 🫠 I fucking LOVE her!! And while the story was only told from Jess’s POV I liked that we got to see behind that calm, cool exterior to the internal struggles Rebecca dealt with - especially in regard to not feeling good enough. She had layers that added complexity and depth to her character beyond her heartthrob exterior. 

So when Jess is forced to work with her forbidden HS crush in planning her best friend’s wedding - it gets hard to squelch the horny teenager inside that is still clearly head over heels for the last person she should be starting something with - Lily’s sister. After chaos erupts at a wedding venue visit leading to a very charged moment in a supply closet - the pull becomes impossible to ignore. And oh boy! Do these two have chemistry! 🥵The dressing room…the car….the str🍆p scene…SO FREAKING GOOD!

You can tell from the very beginning that these two have something special between them. It crackles in the air every time they are in the same vicinity. Their connection was so strong I could feel it leap off the page and into my own heart. They just simply belong together. Plus this story has an adorable little sausage dog that will steal your heart! I highly recommend it! 

I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.

🏳️‍🌈Rep: Bi FMC with Anxiety, Lesbian LI, black queer SC

📝Tropes/Themes: Sapphic Romance, Forbidden Love, Best Friend’s Sister, Spice, Str@p Scene, Wedding Drama, Cute Sausage Dog
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
When Worlds Collide by Erin Zak

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

WHY?! Why am I just now discovering the captivating experience of an Erin Zak book? WHY? This is only my second novel of Erin’s and I am completely enamored with both her writing style and the beautifully broken and raw characters that she writes. When Worlds Collide pulled me in from page one and if stupid life hadn’t gotten in the way I probably would have finished this in a day. But in some ways I’m glad I didn’t because I got to enjoy the experience longer.

This story was a beautiful combination of celebrity romance, forbidden love, and instant attraction that immerses you into the world of live theater, screenwriting, and movie making - allowing you enough of a peek behind the curtain to experience life through the lens of the main characters. 

I am not a big insta love fan. It is one of my least favorite tropes. The connection can so often feel forced and inauthentic and I have a hard time buying into it. But the way Erin writes these stories - I fall in love with these characters as quickly as they fall for each other. 

Heather and Grace stole my heart from the start! Both as individuals and as a couple. I saw so much of myself in each of these two women. The insecurities and imposter syndrome. The fears and anxiety. I absolutely adore them both. They were real and authentic and utterly relatable. They are both beautifully imperfect people who struggle with focusing too much on their flaws and imperfections - the “bad parts” they don’t feel anyone should want or love. And UGH! There were so many statements and questions that I could have been making myself throughout this book. 

I live with insecurity and low self-esteem every day. I know the pain that comes from always wondering what is wrong with me, if I’ll ever be enough, if anyone could ever love all the bruised, broken, and ugly parts of me. And I felt so seen and understood reading this book…like Erin somehow pulled the thoughts right out of my head and put them on the page. And as Heather and Grace began to heal, I felt their story and words healing me a little bit too. 

And add to all that the undeniable chemistry between these two, the pining and longing (Act 2 killed me in all the best ways), and the heat between the sheets - this story had it all! I loved the growing sexual tension between them…and that first kiss was everything I wanted it to be and more. And once they finally open that door…🎇🥵

I also loved reading a book with an MC that has been divorced more than once. It’s not something you see a lot of in books and as someone who has been there…it was nice to see that representation. And to see her find love again. The kind of love that heals parts of you you didn’t even realize were broken. A love that helps you finally realize you are enough.

I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.

🏳️‍🌈Rep: Lesbian & Bi FMCs, queer SCs, Anxiety rep

📝Tropes/Themes: Sapphic Romance Author, Actress/Broadway Star, Forbidden Love, Instant Attraction, Celebrity Romance, Age Gap, 40+ MCs, Cute Dogs, Spice, Divorced MC, Dual POV
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

Go to review page

funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0