#150-200k

[isthequeerbookgood]

Storygraph Goodreads

Short answer: yes… Slightly longer answer: … but I didn't enjoy it

It's taken me a long time to get around to reading any Sarah Waters, mostly because I just didn't feel like I'd vibe with her books all that much. And I was right! I didn't!

Don't get me wrong, this is a well-written book. It's distinctly not a romance novel, though it does have romance in it. Romance, and quite a lot of fucking. Our story follows Nan, a simple oyster-seller's daughter, as she becomes enchanted by cross-dressing singer Kitty and follows her to the glamorous underbelly of Victorian London.

The story is vivid, the characters are complicated, interesting and alive, and the sex is impressively nasty at times. Waters does a great job of showing just how kinky the Victorians could be behind all the repression. It's a great book - so why didn't I enjoy it?

Honestly, I think it was just genre. It's a book set in the real world with realistic (albeit historical) problems. Nan makes a lot of bad choices and faces the consequences. Although I wouldn't say the story wallows, it definitely dwells in her misery, and it's a quite mundane misery. I was compelled enough to finish the book (and I genuinely really liked the ending) but the overall vibe was not for me.

Conclusion: Tipping the Velvet is Good (if you like that sort of thing)

[theficpalace]

Cinnamon Series by lbmisscharlie

Cinnamon Series by lbmisscharlie

pairing: johnlock

word count: 150,130

rating: from general audiences to explicit, depending on the story

Author’s Description:

When Sherlock invites John to live with him, he fails to mention that he's a single father to a four-year-old girl.

My Notes: First, I have to say that this series is technically WIP, but only in the awesome way that the author plans to add more stories, but they are unnecessary for the enjoyment of the series as it is; they're like additional bonus gifts that may pop up now and again.  The series is built around the main story, Fill our mouths with cinnamon now, and all the other stories take place during, before, or after that fic, and are just extras, really.

Anyway, I love parentlock, and this is a great example.  I loved seeing Sherlock’s parenting here; it’s very much in character and sometimes a  little dubious, but you can clearly see how much he loves his daughter, Imogen.  I also loved the way John came into their lives, and seeing their relationships grow.  I don’t want to give too much away, but I’ll just say that this is beautifully written, and I find it easy to imagine John and Sherlock acting this way in this scenario.

Also, sidenote, I like the way Imogen is written as well.  She’s different than most kids, but then, with Sherlock as her father, she would be.  At the same time, she’s age-appropriate and written like a real child, unlike some parent fics with a 2 year old speaking in complex sentences, etc.  It’s a great fic.

Cinnamon Series by lbmisscharlie

[anyfandomficrecs]

[Eridan Ampora x Sollux Captor] [M] [COMPLETE/151,844][Recommended by: CaBe]

[warnings:Major Chracter Death ]

There exists a disease in which a child is born with only half a functioning heart. The right side may work on its own for a time, but a heart cannot beat without its other half. But with care the other side of the heart can be guided toward life.

This is the single greatest Homestuck fanfiction I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It's amazing, even if there is a character death in it.

[swansbookstore]

"Indecent Proposal" by pattyrose

When Doctor Edward Cullen is told that he has a patient waiting in the ER he definitely didn't expect a young and beautiful brunette whimmering in pain like she just lost both of her legs - when all she really needs are some stitches in her arm. To make matters worse, the mysterious woman starts singing horribly off key and the moment his fingers touch her body an immense electric shock literally runs through his whole body. Baffled, Edward takes care of her wound and tries to ignore the strong pull he feels towards her. After all, he still pines for his ex and is determined to get her back... So when said ex-girlfriend, Doctor Bree Tanner, enters the exam room, Edward acts before he thinks. He pulls his patient, whose name he learned to be Bella Swan, to his side and introduces her as his new girlfriend. And when he sees the jealousy in Bree's eyes, Edward knows what to do. After making sure that Bella had a decent meal, he makes an indecent proposal to the quirky women: if she poses as his girlfriend until the end of the summer, she will get $15,000 in cash which she can use to fulfill her longtime dream to travel to Tuscany. Important is that Bella does everything in her power to make Bree jealous enough to want Edward back. The plan backfires though, as neither planned to fall in love...

Just like every story written by pattyrose Indecent Proposal leaves you spellbound. What might sound like a dirty and overly angsty fanfiction is in fact incredibly funny and romantic. The character of Bella is full of humor and and an absolut live wire. From her awful singing, to her sassy behavior, this girl is a force to be reckoned with. Furthermore it might be helpful to know that each chapter includes Bella's and Edward's POV. Yet instead of retelling one and the same event from different perspectives the plot is constantly moving on. Indecent Proposal is a must read that you will hardly be able to put away!

Indecent Proposal consists of 33 chapters and a total of 167,197 words. The story is rated M for language and lemons.

COMPLETE Song recommendation: "Where I Stood" by Missy Higgins

[swansbookstore]

"Taking Chances" by Butterfly Betty

When Bella takes her shy and nervous five-year-old son Alex to his first day of kindergarten, she runs into Edward, a very handsome young man and also father of Anthony, one of Alex's class mates. The two boys hit it off immediately and constantly bug their parents with sleepovers, play dates, and shared dinners. And while Alex and Anthony spend time watching animals in the zoo or fight Star Wars battles, Edward and Bella get to know each other really well and begin to feel more than just friendship for each other. Yet as both have already experienced what it means to lose a beloved person, will they be willing and able to fall in love one last time?

Taking Chances has its flaws. Apart from a number of typos, one and the same word is often used in three or more consecutive sentences which is a little detrimental to the style. That said, the story needs to be recommended nonetheless as Butterfly Betty describes the lives of Edward, Anthony, Bella, and Alex in very realistic kind of way.

Bella often gives others a piece of her mind, especially when friends and family behave awkwardly around her because of her late fiancé. She also doesn't let Alex go to Anthony's house the first day they met as she doesn't know Edward and is unsure whether she can trust him with her son. Finally, Bella and Edward's relationship takes some time to evolve - just like in real life. Yes, the two feel attracted to each other, but it needs good friends and family to push them in the right direction.

Taking Chances consists of 47 chapters and a total of 151,767 words. The story is rated M for description of adult situations and foul language.

COMPLETE

[swansbookstore]

"The Search" by Amber1983

  Bella Swan has a secret that, although neither shameful nor her fault, cost her her marriage and life in Forks, Washington. In order to leave her disastrous past behind, she decides to take over a job at the London branch of her company Volturi Executive Search and Selection. Once safely in the UK, Bella visits her future work space to meet her new colleagues and boss, number one headhunter Edward Cullen. She is definitely not prepared for what life has in store for her...

When Edward Cullen meets his new PA he is blown away. Forgotten are the old days as notorious womanizer; the headhunter now only has one woman in mind - Bella. And even though the latter makes clear that it would be better for both of them to remain friends, Edward can't manage to hide his feelings. But will he be willing and able to deal with Bella's secret?

Amber 1983 really knows how to deal with a delicate topic because Bella's little secret is... as unusual as it is unexpected, to say the least. Honestly, I had no idea "problems" like these even existed and definitely learned a lot while reading the story! But don't worry, even though this slightly unorthodox "secret" is the source for a lot of drama and some angst, the whole matter is neither frivolous nor cheap. Well, have I aroused your interest? Trust me, you REALLY want to read this! : )

The Search consists of 31 chapters and a total of 182,812 words. The story is rated MA for graphic description of sexual activities, insinuation of domestic abuse and foul language.

COMPLETE

Note: The manip used in the banner and cover was made by GalleryGestapo.

[swansbookstore]

"Spinning Bottles" by knicnort3

If there was one thing that 18-year-old Edward Masen was absolutely sure of, it would've been his love for Bella Swan. So it isn't surprising that, when he decided to go to business school in New York while Bella remained in the small town of Forks, Washington, he had no doubts that their love would prevail and the two of them would remain the amazing couple that they were. Twelve years later, however, the once so charming young man has turned into a manwhore extraordinaire and ruthless business man. Edward's busy schedule prevented him from keeping in contact with Bella and the latter eventually stopped calling and texting him... that is, until, one day, the 30-year-old receives a small package from his former girlfriend. Drowing the wine it includes Edward falls asleep in the bed of his expensive New York apartment. When he wakes up, nothing is like it used to be: instead of in New York, Edward is back in Forks. Instead of designer suits, Edward's closet contains Wall-Mart clothes. Instead of having to face his much despised fiancé Tanya, Bella turns out to be his wife... and the mother of his two children... This story is the Twilight version of the old movie The Family Man. Edward wakes up to what appears to be an alternative universe in which he stayed in Forks and started a family with Bella. In the beginning Edward tries everything in his power to "wake up" and return to his old life, yet he slowly has to realize that being a father and the husband of the love of his life could be what he really needs and wants. A very entertaining story! Spinning Bottles consists of 31 chapters and a total of 163,489 words. The story is rated M for description of sexual activities.

COMPLETE Note: The manipulations used in this banner belong to nawelh and Illicit Writer.

[swansbookstore]

"Mask of Indifference" by Isabella N Edward

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas! Well, not really - Bella Swan can attest to that. Drunk and not her usual cautious self, the young woman spends the night with a handsome stranger and finds out weeks later that she's pregnant. As Bella sees no chance of finding her baby's daddy she decides to raise the little boy on her own - even though looking into Joshua's small emerald green eyes constantly reminds her of a man she has no hope to ever meet again. Once Josh is 9 months old Bella decides to start working full-time again. She manages to get the position as PA of one Mike Newton, manager of the marketing department at Cullen International. During her first couple of days Bella meets the company's founder Carlisle Cullen, his lovely wife Esme, and their sons Emmett and Edward. The latter is Cullen International's CEO and a real prick, well at least to Bella. While others know Edward for his kindness and willingness to help, the young woman only receives evil eyes and disinterested looks. Little does she know that there is more to mysterious Edward Cullen than she thinks there is... Hard to believe, but true: Mask of Indifference is Isabella N Edward's first, and so far, only fanfiction! Well, her debut was definitely a success! The characters of the story are nicely portrayed and very likable (Josh is an angel!). It takes a couple of chapters for Bella to find out who her son's father is (*mmh* Who could that be?) and at least as much time for her to work out the courage to let him know. In the meantime, there are a lot of sweet moments between her, Josh, and Edward. Can't wait for Isabella N Edward's next story!

Mask of Indifference consists of 41 chapters and a total of 159,174 words. The story is rated M for lemons and foul language.

COMPLETE