More mini-reviews! This time we've got an f/f with royalty, an m/f contemporary, and an f/f erotic novella.
Rating refresher! Categories are based on whether or not we recommend them to fellow readers - DNF (Did Not Finish), Pass, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary), Read it Eventually, Read it Soon.
The Royal Court, by Jenny Frame
Eva says: DNF
Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo
From the blurb, I expected this story to be set in a fantasy world but it’s actually set in ours - with the difference that the Queen of England is a young lesbian (she’s happily married and overall same-sex attraction doesn’t seem to be an issue in this world). Also, unlike most romances, the book has several POV-characters apart from the main couple. I was surprised but I still read on. Untile I realised, about 25% in, that there was no real sign of a developing relationship between the leads. They still hadn’t talked outside of what was required due to them working together. They both think the other is hot but that’s not a relationship. And with the book being not very long, the already mentioned multiple POV-characters and a mystery side-plot that will also need space, I simply couldn't see how there would be enough left to develop a relationship I could believe in.
Additionally, there was questionable behaviour from multiple characters. Quincy doesn’t talk to Holly but looks up her personal files to find out information about her (now to be fair she is responsible for the security and as such has to do some digging but I did get the impression that she did more than necessary). Meanwhile, Holly’s friends decide that Holly - who has only dated men as long as they’ve known her - actually needs a woman and instead of discussing it with her, decide to plot an elaborate ruse to force her out of the Bi-closet which just didn’t sit right with me. All of that together was simply too much and I eventually quit the book.
Content Warnings: sexual threats, police misuse of power, sexual coercion, references to heroin and fentanyl, acephobia, transphobic joke
Eva received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley.
Shimmy Bang Sparkle, by Nicola Rendell
Amy says: Read it Soon
Amazon (in Kindle Unlimited), Barnes & Noble
I love a squishy alpha. After reading Rafe last year, I’ve been trying to find more stories that feature alphas with a heart of gold. Shimmy Bang Sparkle offers us Nick, a 40-something ex-con who is smitten by Stella. Stella is a dog walker, a friend, and one of the best thieves in America. She and her friends, the Shimmy Bang Sparkle crew, make imitation gemstones and swap them for real ones. When Stella’s friends can’t do their next job, she and Nick go on a road trip (with a dog!) to steal one of the world’s biggest diamonds. Rendell sweeps you up in the glitz of glamour of the gem heist, and Shimmy Bang Sparkle is very reminiscent of Ocean’s 8. Stella is always in charge of the heist, with Nick adding emotional and technical support. Their relationship is a true partnership, and their chemistry is electric, which helps the story too. If you’re looking for an alpha who is considerate, an action-packed story with no violence, or a story about two lovers on equal footing, check out this book.Content Warnings: issues with gambling, fat shaming
Amy borrowed this book from her local Library.
Going Down, by Barbara Bell
Suzanne says: Read it Eventually
Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo
This is the first f/f novella in Carina's Dirty Bits line, so you know I had to read it. It's boss-employee, which is one of my NO buttons, but it was navigated well, I thought. Through a flashback, we see the heroines hook up for the first time at an office party. In present day, they get stuck in an elevator together. And because this is a romance, the fire department can't come for a couple of hours because they're putting out a massive fire. (The heroines can come though. Had to make the joke, not sorry.)
Like so many of the Dirty Bits line, the heroines have an established history before the events of the novella. This means that the sexytimes have emotional depth and move the romance forward. This is good because the book reads a little like "how many different ways can women fuck," and isn't heavy on plot. It's very much a bottle episode (elevator episode?).
Read it if you want a quick, erotic story with two women, at least one of whom is bi. Yes, there's an HEA!
