This week a lovely debut mm novella set in Eastern Europe by K. C. Carmine, a sweet fantasy mm novella by R. Cooper and a mmf poly thriller by Layla Reyne.
Whispers in the Woods by K. C. Carmine
I loved this mm novella (and the paperback cover is gorgeous!) set in Eastern Europe in the first decade of the 21st Century. The setting is an un-named post-communist country with endemic prejudice toward the LGBTQ+ community. Humanity is also prejudiced toward the recently out-in-public fae community, who when they first became widely known about suffered from terrible prejudice and eventually a campaign of medical suppression. The parallels between the two minority communities are not dissimilar. I liked the world building. The different fae–tree shifters, a selfie, a chap with snakes around his head–are all really interesting. And I loved the contrast between the prejudice and/or acceptance humans showed these different species contrasted with the tolerance/ intolerance they show the queer community.
The love story between Tomek and Robert was a sweet, gentle river that flowed through the world. I hope there’ll be more stories forthcoming. I recommend it.
What We May Be by Layla Reyne
I really enjoyed this first-in-a-new-series by Layla Reyne. It’s a contemporary second chance romance, written from the POV of Sean, a FBI agent who’s come back to his small town after ten years to investigate a series of murders based around Shakespearean tragedies–little quotes are left with the bodies. His exes are a detective (Charlotte) and a literature professor (Trevor). When he left them, their romantic relationship couldn’t sustain itself and they’re now best friends.
I found that bit a bit hicky…to me, poly relationships shouldn’t depend on each other to sustain themselves. However, YMMV. And the murder plot, the suspense and the characterisation let me put that aside, regardless. There are no bad guys here, just three hurt people who still have feelings for each other being given a second chance amid a terrible killing spree. The murder investigation is definitely weighted as heavily as the romance and it was all seamlessly interwoven. Between the emotional suspense and the murder-mystery suspense I was on edge all the time I was reading. And I had real trouble working out who the killer was!
A Heaven to Reach For by R. Cooper
A short, sweet little story set in an alt-medieval world. There’s tension between an undefined ‘church’ and traditional festivals. I loved the whole concept of the festival where blue flowers indicate you’re up for kisses or more. Owin, an older, slightly embittered guardsman, is in love with Maschi, a younger priest. Maschi returns his feelings, but Owin doesn’t realise. The story is a short, sweet resolution to their pining. As usual there’s wonderful world-building and I’d happily return to this universe.