To Plunder a Pirate Queen

                           

Title: To Plunder a Pirate Queen

Series: Dangerous Tides

Author: Nina Saxena

Published: October 24, 2023

Pages: 186

Genre: SciFi Romance

They called her the Pirate Queen.
She is the exiled royalty from a planet of breeders, a species raided and trafficked for their ability to produce children out of a reproductive cycle. Rumor has it that she slit the throat of the man who tried to touch her.

He's a human genius studying antibodies and contraceptive science.
Kidnapped from his planet eight years ago, he was locked in an underground lab of the breeder planet, where he worked tirelessly to create a contraceptive to free an entire race. 

But the enemy found his lab, and he needs the help of the Pirate Queen to save the species that exiled her, that shunned her for fighting for her right to make choices over her own body.

This book has everything! You have pirates. You have aliens. You have fighting for bodily autonomy. Which honestly hit way too close to home, but it was just fantastical enough to not be Too Real. You also have sex slavery and domestic violence which was ROUGH. 

The Pirate Queen is amazing. She's this larger than life woman, who's fought her way across the galaxy to keep as many of her people safe as possible. She stops off in the Port of Atlantis and runs across an intriguing seeder.

Vahman has been a prisoner for the last eight years. He's gone full on Stockholm Syndrome, which is harsh. But now he's been set loose so that he can try to get his discovery out there. He has to work together with the Pirate Queen to get word of the contraceptive out before the people enslaving her home world sweep it all under the rug. 

Their chemistry is PALPABLE. It is so, so good. But even with their very good chemistry, the most compelling part of this story is definitely the fight to keep interplanetary politics away from this entire species' bodies! Which is a fight that I will always be fully invested in. Read your trigger warnings at the beginning for sure. There are some dark themes like slavery and sex trafficking. But somehow it was also SO VERY empowering. 

Oh, and that epilogue?!?! Miss Ma'am! I clutched my pearls in the best way!

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 3/5

Time to Shine

                          

Title: Time to Shine

Author: Rachel Reid

Published: Carina Press, September 26, 2023

Pages: 382

Genre: LGBTQ+ Hockey Romance

For Landon Stackhouse, being called up from the Calgary farm team is exciting and terrifying, even if, as the backup goalie, he rarely leaves the bench. A quiet loner by nature, Landon knows he gives off strong “don’t talk to me” vibes. The only player who doesn’t seem to notice is Calgary’s superstar young winger, Casey Hicks.

Casey treats Landon like an old friend, even though they’ve only interacted briefly in the past. He’s endlessly charming and completely laid-back in a way that Landon absolutely can’t relate to. They couldn’t have less in common, but Landon needs a place to live that’s not a hotel room and Casey has just bought a massive house—and hates being alone.

As roommates, Casey refuses to be defeated by Landon’s one-word answers. As friends, Landon comes to notice a few things about Casey, like his wide, easy smile and sparkling green-blue eyes. Spending the holidays together only intensifies their bromance-turned-romance. But as the new year approaches, the countdown to the end of Landon’s time in Calgary is on.

Holiday hockey!!! What more could I ask for? Oh yeah...making it queer! And one of these cuties is a goalie?! Be still my heart. 

Landon is getting his shot in the big leagues. He is also struggling with some pretty intense imposter syndrome. But when his stint with the Outlaws extends longer than expected, Casey Hicks invites him to stay in his huge house with him! Which is a relief for Casey because it really is too big for one person. 

Casey is a delight. He's this cute little bundle of sunshine! He loves hockey and sex and not being alone. He also really likes the stoic new goalie! Landon also really likes Casey. He can't figure out why, until he does. And I loved every minute of his journey.

This is a very cozy book. But do check your trigger warnings. Landon is dealing with the grief of losing a family member in the past. But it is mostly cozy and I'm looking forward to rereading it in the swing of the Christmas season.

Thank you, NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC copy!

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 3/5

Down to a Science

                         

Title: Down to a Science

Series: I Heart Sapphic Pride Collection #1

Author: Haley Cass

Published: June 1, 2022

Pages: 160

Genre: LGBTQ+ Contemporary Romance

Ellie Beckett’s life is simple and uncomplicated; she’s on track to become a leading expert in biomedical engineering, she has a pub where she feels comfortable enough to hang out multiple times a week, and, so what if she doesn’t have time for… people? She doesn’t need or want them.

Until she meets Mia Sharpe.

As it it turns out, maybe Ellie does want at least one person.

This was cute. Some of the reactions seemed really disproportionate, but I kept having to remind myself that this story takes place over like 4 years or something! 

Ellie is not good at people. But Mia is very good at people. And she seems to be around a lot of new people, all the time. And Ellie only notices because Mia brings these new people to Ellie's favorite pub. Where she goes a couple times a week. Not because she's an alcoholic, but because if she doesn't get out of the house her sister will roast her for being a hermit. 

It's a whole thing. But they meet and they become best friends! And they both want to be more than friends but they're big hot dummies who really suck at talking about their feelings or what they want. So then we go like another YEAR or two just being friends. But now we also sort of resent each other? But we're still very turned on by the other. Don't worry, there is an HEA. It takes the ENTIRE book. But it does happen. 

I loved their vulnerability with another. They really did build this relationship from the ground up. And that part was very cute. Mia's ex and I share a name. I don't know how it's spelled in the book because I listened to the audiobook. But I can confirm that I didn't like sharing a name with the "villain." (She's not really the villain, but she is a source of ANGST.) So, anyway. Didn't like that. I don't think it was just the name thing though. I kind of wish she hadn't come back into the picture when she did. It was weird for me. But it all worked out.

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 1/5

Pride and Protest

                         

Title: Pride and Protest

Author: Nikki Payne

Published: Berkley, November 15, 2022

Pages: 409

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Retellings

Liza B.—the only DJ who gives a jam—wants to take her neighborhood back from the soulless property developer dropping unaffordable condos on every street corner in DC. But her planned protest at a corporate event takes a turn after she mistakes the smoldering-hot CEO for the waitstaff. When they go toe-to-toe, the sparks fly—but her impossible-to-ignore family thwarts her every move. Liza wants Dorsey Fitzgerald out of her hood, but she’ll settle for getting him out of her head.
 
At first, Dorsey writes off Liza Bennett as more interested in performing outrage than acting on it. As the adopted Filipino son of a wealthy white family, he’s always felt a bit out of place and knows a fraud when he sees one. But when Liza’s protest results in a viral meme, their lives are turned upside down, and Dorsey comes to realize this irresistible revolutionary is the most real woman he’s ever met.

Full disclosure. Pride and Prejudice is not my favorite. I KNOW. OK, I know. Obviously, Keira Knightley is a queen and Matthew Macfadyen's hand lives rent free in my brain. But otherwise, it's not for me. HOWEVER! This was so dang good.

This was one of the closer retellings that I've read recently. A true retelling, if you will. But it was much more readable because....eeee....I'm so scared to say it....I don't love a historical. That was scary! I don't though. I mean, there are historicals that I love. Just like there are classics that I love. Pride and Prejudice ain't it though. But Pride and Protest? This was very good.

Liza is just as obstinate for no reason. Dorsey is just as stoic. I mean. All of the big themes were there. And their chemistry was what really got me. I love that both of them can't stop thinking about one another, can't stop texting, all of this. And yet. We're still convincing ourselves that it's not going to work. It was hilarious. And much more relatable than letter-writing to my tiny snail-sized attention span. 

Their chemistry may actually be my favorite update. I mean, the chemistry has always been there. In all of the iterations of PandP. BUT we get to read about their physical chemistry here. This is not closed door, and this is not fade to black, and this is not Georgian England where even illicit handholding could get you ruined. These two are so hot for each other and they did not contain it and it was glorious.

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 2/5

Juliet Takes a Breath

                         

Title: Juliet Takes a Breath

Author: Gabby Rivera

Published: Riverdale Avenue Books, January 18, 2016

Pages: 320

Genre: LGBTQ+ YA Fiction

Juliet Milagros Palante is a self-proclaimed closeted Puerto Rican baby dyke from the Bronx. Only, she's not so closeted anymore. Not after coming out to her family the night before flying to Portland, Oregon, to intern with her favorite feminist writer--what's sure to be a life-changing experience. And when Juliet's coming out crashes and burns, she's not sure her mom will ever speak to her again. 

But Juliet has a plan--sort of. Her internship with legendary author Harlowe Brisbane, the ultimate authority on feminism, women's bodies, and other gay-sounding stuff, is sure to help her figure out this whole "Puerto Rican lesbian" thing. Except Harlowe's white. And not from the Bronx. And she definitely doesn't have all the answers . . . 

What a fabulously queer book. Just a celebration of queerness. This little gayby from New York travels to meet her hero in Portland, Oregon. And get paid for it? (Well, she better have gotten paid for it!) Then she sees a side of life she hasn't been exposed to in her short 19 years in the Bronx. 

It's when she visits her family in Miami when her eyes are really opened to everything being a Queer POC can mean. For as groundbreaking as the summer is for Juliet, she has some really hard shit to deal with as well. Her first breakup. The idea that meeting your heroes isn't all it's cut out to be. Coming out is scary. And she goes through all of this in like 3 months! 

But she also discovers the beauty of a summer fling. How books can be absolutely life-changing for you, and that doesn't have to change because the author is a whole, non-perfect human being. That people who don't prioritize you, aren't worth your priority. It was a beautiful summer of growth.

I usually am not a fan of main characters. It's a flaw of mine. Being inside someones POV allows me too much view into how similar/dissimilar we are, and I tend to be highly critical of female main characters. Because, you know, MANY MANY REASONS. We're working on it. But in saying that, Juliet is one of my favorite main characters in a long time. She just has this beautiful, open heart! She doesn't know everything, and she's not afraid to say..."Hey, IDK what that means." I mean, she is for the first day in Portland, but she QUICKLY breaks the habit. I saw this book tagged as romance, and for 1.5 seconds I disagreed. But I've decided it absolutely IS a romance novel. And the HEA is for Juliet Milagros Palante all by her damn self!! <3

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 1/5

The Fifth Season

                        

Title: The Fifth Season

Author: N.K. Jemisin

Published: Orbit, August 4, 2015

Pages: 466

Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy

This is the way the world ends. . .for the last time.

It starts with the great red rift across the heart of the world's sole continent, spewing ash that blots out the sun. It starts with death, with a murdered son and a missing daughter. It starts with betrayal, and long dormant wounds rising up to fester.

This is the Stillness, a land long familiar with catastrophe, where the power of the earth is wielded as a weapon. And where there is no mercy.

ROCK MAGIC! My geologist heart was singing with all of the earth magic. I feel like anyone watching me read this book would see a happy puppy. My head cocked to the side and my tail wagging at just the mention of gems and stones and mineral names. 

Now. As exciting as that was for me. Let's not gloss over the fact that these rock magicians were second class citizens. Slaves. The racial politics were all too familiar. These orogenes were used to keep the world still. They can calm earthquakes and tsunamis and volcanos with their power. That kind of power terrifies the "Stills" and so they do everything they can to keep the orogenes under control. Unfortunately, they can do a lot to brainwash and manipulate this whole population under control and terrified. 

Essun is one of these orogenes. And even if there was nothing else that made me want to read the next book in the series, I would want to read it to see Essun get her justice! Justice...vengeance. Honestly, both. I'm sure her story is not unique in this world. The story of a subjugated woman. But boy, am I ready to read about her vengeance. This round of vengeance at least. She's gotten some of it in the past! And it was glorious to behold. If only because reading about her reasoning was SO tough to read. 

I'm sure there is a comprehensive list of trigger warnings. I urge you to seek it out if you have any severe triggers. 

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 1/5

Pucking Wild

                       

Title: Pucking Wild

Author: Emily Rath

Published: Emily Rath Books, August 21, 2023

Pages: 636

Genre: LGBTQ Hockey Romance

My name is Tess Owens and my life is officially on fire. I never thought dancing at my best friend’s wedding would be the match to light the flames. But with one lingering touch, one longing look…and one sneaky caterer holding a camera phone, my almost ex-husband is ready to torch my entire life.

Unwilling to face the heat, I do what I do best: I run. Straight into the arms of Rachel and her team of NHL hockey players. One player stands apart from the rest. Jacksonville Rays star forward Ryan Langley is out with an injury. I get the surprise of my life when he shows up at my door, declaring himself my roommate.

Now I have six weeks to launch a new business. Six weeks to fight for my freedom…all while fighting my growing attraction to this All-American sweetheart with a charming smile and a career on the rise. Did I mention he’s ten years younger than me? Ryan doesn’t need my drama. And we have nothing in common. But it’s getting harder to deny the way he makes me feel. Wild. Fun. Free.

I want to believe him when he says age is just a number. I want to believe that our pasts don’t define us forever. But first I have to stop running. I have to face my fears. With one innocent dance, Ryan Langley helped me start this fire. What if we’re meant to fan these flames? What if, together, we’re meant to burn?

Oh man, I have some feelings about this dang book. Most are amazing. But the closer we got to the main conflict, the more frustrated I got! And frustration is maybe not the right word. I was getting frustrated with Tess, but she was a victim and I wasn't frustrated with *her.* More so the situation and her HEINOUS ex. 

My main complaint about Pucking Around is the same complaint that I have about Pucking Wild. Tess and Rachel are besties because they both have a martyr streak. Tess has been separated from her douche-canoe of a husband for 3 years. She hasn't wanted to rock the boat too much, and he's been pretty much leaving her alone, so she hasn't really pushed for the official divorce. Until he loses it when photos from a private event leak of her daring to dance with another man. It's wild y'all. They really were just dancing. Sure, flirting, too. But her ex is pathological and he will not stand for it. So he's going to burn down her life, Ryan's life, his life, anyone's life to "prove" that he's the real victim here. And this is where her martyrdom comes out because every time that man makes any kind of move or threat, she is ready to pack her bags and keep on running. Damn the connection or chemistry or hurt feelings she leaves in her wake. 

In saying that, I love Tess! She is a badass! And baby just has trauma that she's working through. I had to remind myself of that occasionally, but it was never far from my mind. Even when I was screaming at her to stop trying to hurt Ryan! Because as much as I love Tess, I was ready to punch her in the tit for hurting Ryan!!! 

Then there's Ryan. Sweet puppy Ryan Langley. Reading him talk about Tess was FIRE! So hot. He was so obsessed with her and I was here for it! I actively forgot that this was reverse age gap. Ryan did not read as 22 for me, and had to remind myself a few times that that was part of this whole thing. A very good part. And then of course there was Ilmari. The rest of the Prices as well....but Ilmari shone in this book. <3

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 5/5

Namesake

             

Title: Namesake

Series: The World of the Narrows #2

Author: Adrienne Young

Published: Wednesday Books, March 16, 2021

Pages: 363

Genre: YA Fantasy Adventure

With the Marigold ship free of her father, Fable and its crew were set to start over. That freedom is short-lived when she becomes a pawn in a notorious thug’s scheme. In order to get to her intended destination she must help him to secure a partnership with Holland, a powerful gem trader who is more than she seems.

As Fable descends deeper into a world of betrayal and deception, she learns that the secrets her mother took to her grave are now putting the people Fable cares about in danger. If Fable is going to save them then she must risk everything, including the boy she loves and the home she has finally found.

It has finally clicked for me that the gems themselves are not magical. They're currency. Wow. I feel like it should not have taken so long to figure that out. Maybe it was just my wishful thinking that they would do more than just....be valuable. Either way, the idea of gem sages is really cool! That you could hear the individual songs of a gem and just *know* that it is real. It would save a ton of time and eye strain! 

Fable and West are so toxic. Like I love these idiots, but dang. Always trying to one up each other with their own martyrdom, while also trying to manipulate these way older, eviler people. LOL it's truly laughable. Luckily Saint IS older and eviler, so he comes through for them in the end.

There were some really funny moments in this book. I don't think they were meant to be funny... but it just felt like there were 75 (capital "D") Dramatic reveals in this book. One more gasp to be wrung from you at every turn. After a little while, they seemed less...dramatic. But for the most part it was good. I'm a little sad my library doesn't have the next book in the series. I would like to see what comes of that exciting cache! Alas, it will probably have to wait for 2024 for me.

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 1/5

Reel

              

Title: Reel

Series: Hollywood Renaissance #1

Author: Kennedy Ryan

Published: Scribechick Media, LLC, June 8, 2021

Pages: 434

Genre: Contemporary Romance

For months I stood by, an understudy waiting in the wings, preparing for my time to shine.
I never imagined he would watch in the audience that night.
Canon Holt.
Famous film director. Fascinating. Talented. Fine
Before I could catch my breath, everything changed. I went from backstage Broadway to center stage Hollywood.
From being unknown, to my name, Neevah Saint, on everyone's lips.
Canon casts me in a star-studded Harlem Renaissance biopic, catapulting me into another stratosphere.
But stars shine brightest in the dead of night.
Forbidden attraction, scandal and circumstances beyond my control jeopardize my dream.
Could this one shot—the role of a lifetime, the love of a lifetime—cost me everything?

Heavy. This book is so heavy. Beautifully written and compelling and moving and all of that. But I was not ready for how heavy it got! 

I walk in expecting a spicy romp through Hollywood and I got that.... but I also got way more than I bargained for. From the PROLOGUE this book goes hard. We have family betrayal, we have chronic illness, we have grieving and healing and all of that. 

When Neevah hears from Canon after meeting him by chance, she thinks he's going to ask her on a date. Instead, he offers her an audition. For his hugely anticipated biopic. She gets that role and everything is coming up roses! Their chemistry is hard to fight, and for the most part, they don't. I really thought that their relationship would be more central to the conflict. Rather, them hiding their relationship. And while it does come up and it is an issue, it's definitely not a huge one. Someone outs them, and they just claim it and move forward. It was really nice.

Then you've got Neevah's family drama. Her sister betrayed her just before she was going to leave for college, and Neevah still hasn't forgiven her. However, Neevah has a chronic illness and has to ask for help from her family, and specifically her sister. But shooooot do they have some stuff to work through before all is said and done. 

And through all of this, Canon is with her every step of the way. They are so gone for each and it's very very sweet. Then they actually start acting on their desires and it is less sweet and more like a raging bonfire worth of hot! But it's good either way.

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 3/5

Fugitive Telemetry

              

Title: Fugitive Telemetry

Series: The Murderbot Diaries #6

Author: Martha Wells

Publisher: Tordotcom, April 27, 2021

Pages: 168

Genre: Science Fiction

When Murderbot discovers a dead body on Preservation Station, it knows it is going to have to assist station security to determine who the body is (was), how they were killed (that should be relatively straightforward, at least), and why (because apparently that matters to a lot of people—who knew?)

Yes, the unthinkable is about to happen: Murderbot must voluntarily speak to humans!

Again!

Someone has died on Preservation Station and Murderbot is on the case! Well, it's trying. The humans in charge of security on the station don't really trust it. But things would be much more efficient if they would let Murderbot handle things like pesky murder investigations! Preservation doesn't have much experience in these things. And they don't have a full archive of media to help them through the investigation!

This was a really fun one. It's kind of an out-of-time / slice of life look into how Murderbot spends its time on the station when it's not on a dedicated mission. But Murderbot always finds the action, and weasels its way into more human hearts along the way. I think it's also making a ton more bot friends than it ever wanted! 

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Network Effect

             

Title: Network Effect

Series: The Murderbot Diaries #5

Author: Martha Wells

Publisher: Tordotcom, May 5, 2020

Pages: 348

Genre: Science Fiction

You know that feeling when you’re at work, and you’ve had enough of people, and then the boss walks in with yet another job that needs to be done right this second or the world will end, but all you want to do is go home and binge your favorite shows? And you're a sentient murder machine programmed for destruction? Congratulations, you're Murderbot.

Come for the pew-pew space battles, stay for the most relatable A.I. you’ll read this century.

A full length Murderbot book!!!!! YES! 

This book was a ride. An emotional rollercoaster to say the least. And Murderbot is not great at handling its emotions! It has to save an adolescent human.... so annoying. Then they get kidnapped by a familiar transport. But something is VERY wrong. And Murderbot is NOT ok about it. 

They get through that nightmare, and have to deal with 7 other things. There was SO MUCH going on. But all of it was seen through the snarky, emotionally stunted lens of our favorite construct. 

Murderbot and ART may be in a relationship now. Definitely a friend...ish...ship. They make a good team at least. And also we have a new Rogue SecUnit onboard?! I sure hope we see more of it as well. 

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Bonus Novella Review!

Title: Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory

Series: The Murderbot Diaries #4.5

Author: Martha Wells

Publisher: Tordotcom, April 19, 2021

Pages: 20

Genre: Science Fiction

This short story is told from the point of view of Dr. Mensah and follows the events in Exit Strategy.

This was very good. Quick and enlightening. You know from Murderbot's POV that Dr. Mensah has been through a LOT. And while you do get emotions from Murderbot, he's a bot. So they're filtered down and reluctant. And while some of Dr. Mensah's emotional response is reluctant, you get to see her thoughts about Murderbot. <3 Big same, Dr. Mensah. Big same. 

Ratings

Stars: 5/5