#bentchcreates

[bentchcreates]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: WHAT IF IT’S US by BECKY ALBERTALLI and ADAM SILVERA + GIVEAWAY

Let me begin by saying this was my first Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera book. I already had Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda when I got this but I wanted this to be read with fresh eyes and make a good impression on me. I read Simon and bought More Happy Than Not right after so that’s how you know the impression on me was great.

So about What If It’s Us, it’s amazing! I don’t want to over analyze and give you boring specifics on why I liked it, but I LIKED IT. It had the right amount of fluffy kilig and angsty realness that I’m sure YA readers, especially those in the age bracket similar to Ben and Arthur, will enjoy.

I’m positive the meet-cute is born out of a daydream bec ugh, it is dreamy and serendipitous AF. It was also a great pre-cursor to the on-going theme of destiny and fate throughout the book, something that in my opinion, offset Arthur’s tendency to second-guess his actions or the situation and delivers unexpected hope for the character as well as the reader.

The summer-romance theme of this also drives the moderately paced story towards a deeper plot. Both Arthur and Ben seems to be unfit for romance when the story begins (Arthur isn’t staying long, Ben is on the rebound) but the attraction – and love, eventually – is palpable and inescapable. Once they realized they didn’t have the luxury of time to dilly-dally, they make their respective moves. And well, not all the moves garner their expected results, not really, but the fun happens whenever they try again.

I would also like to note the seamless execution of Albertalli and Silvera’s writing. Maybe this was just because I had been unfamiliar with their works before reading this but the sharp, witty and fun tones in the book were consistent and were peppered with right amounts of teenagers’ youthful innocence, as well as the believable maturity of real life.

This is set in contemporary times but the world-building is sound. I especially loved the parts describing New York in each of the protagonists’ perspective – one who’s live there all his life; and the other who was still in awe of the Big Apple’s grandeur. It was also filled with a lot of pop cult references that went over my head (I didn’t get the Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen ones, bec my Broadway taste is dated and unsurprisingly not that extensive, I’m sorry) but I’m sure the young’ins will appreciate them. Heehee.

Their families and friends were also well-thought in respect to the main characters. Arthur’s dramatic tendencies jived in well with his parent’s seemingly volatile relationship (I won’t give spoilers but the depiction of his parents’ relationship so please talk to me about this when you finish reading!) as well as his laid-back posse of Ethan and Jessie. He also has two New York work friends that I thought was gonna be mean to him, but were actually the best workmates one could hope for.

Ben on the other hand, who’s the more chill of the two, has this wild best friend, Dylan, who’s always got his back; and the messy situation with his ex, Hudson and their common friend, Influencer Harriet. And ugh, I love the inclusion of Sam. If I were gonna be best friends with any of the characters, I would be best friends with Sam.

Last thing I liked about this (because this got too long already. LOL)  is the diversity. It’s got gay rep, Jewish rep, ADHD rep, Puerto Rican rep, and shows what I gather as a more or less believable depiction of New York as a melting pot of culture and society. It had parts where race and skin color were no big deal, but also weren’t ignored and was celebrated, as it should be. It also had parts were homophobia was shown (“What the hell. I thought New York had it together.”) and it’s triggering, but also realistic. And while this book is chaste (by my standards) when it came to sex, I’m glad the authors didn’t just brush it off. They think about it, they talk about it; it’s natural, it’s fine.

And finally, we get to the ending. This may or may not be a spoiler for you but I am compelled to hand out a spoiler alert. Avert your eyes and skip to the bottom if it bothers you.

I am a huge contemporary romance fan and I hate cliffhangers so this, with an epilogue like that gave me mixed feelings. It wasn’t that the resolution didn’t tie up loose ends, it did, and I liked how they did it at the chapter before the epilogue; but I felt like after all the things that happened in all the other chapters, and how they happened to Arthur and Ben, the epilogue was unnecessary. But this is YA and not really romance so maybe it’s unfair of me to look at it this way. IDK.

IN ANY CASE, it didn’t take away the wonderful experience for me, I still recommend this book to those who likes light and cute MM stories that has enough angst, enough wish-fulfillment, and over all a feel good YA book that honestly, teens’ shelves need more of.

4 of 5 Stars.

*I received a free eARC from the blog tour host and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It doesn’t affect my opinion of the book, whatsoever.

G I V E A W A Y ! ! !

Thanks to JM (Book Freak Revelations) and Harper Collins’ International’s generosity, you have 3 chances of winning a finished copy of this book!

Join the giveaways on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and  RAFFLECOPTER.

They are open internationally (with the exception of the UK, South Africa, Australia, and India, due to publishing/selling rights)

All of these will end on October 19th so hurry and good luck!

Also! Because I want to maximise the MM feels of this book, here’s a video of my favorites singing Only Us from Dear Evan Hansen. Enjoy!!

BLURB:

Critically acclaimed and bestselling authors Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera combine their talents in this smart, funny, heartfelt collaboration about two very different boys who can’t decide if the universe is pushing them together—or pulling them apart.

ARTHUR is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it.

BEN thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things.

But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them . . . ?

Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated.

Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited.

But what if they can’t nail a first date even after three do-overs?

What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work and Ben doesn’t try hard enough?

What if life really isn’t like a Broadway play?

But what if it is?

What if it’s us?

BUY LINKS:

Harper Collins Website: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062795250/what-if-its-us/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/What-If-Its-Becky-Albertalli-ebook/dp/B075QC5X3C

Print Edition is available where books are sold.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Becky Albertalli is the author of the acclaimed novels Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (film: Love, Simon), The Upside of Unrequited, and Leah on the Offbeat. She is also the co-author of What If It's Us with Adam Silvera. A former clinical psychologist who specialized in working with children and teens, Becky lives with her family in Atlanta. You can visit her online at www.beckyalbertalli.com.

[bentchcreates]

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli 

#YAWeeks over but my latest read is this! LOL. I’m actually *cheating* because I technically started this last month in an attempt to knock me out of the reading slump but it took a while for me to warm up to this.

Now, maybe it’s because of my moods™ that’s why I found the start slow and I was annoyed that there were too many characters, but oh my god, when I got past 9% of it and got back to it (at 3am today, true story), it was a breeze!

I loved Simon’s POV. I’m usually iffy with first-person-present, but when the pace picked up, I couldn’t put it down. Simon is funny and insightful and well, all too normal, which is both refreshing and a relief. I haven’t read YA contemporary in a while and this reminded me of why I liked it so much in the past.

I loved the idea of the emails, the epistolary parts of the book bore amazing depth to “Blue” and “Jacques”, and the added mystery subplot of the whole thing was super enjoyable. I kind of knew who Blue was before the clues were obvious, but maybe that’s just because I’m a lot older than the target demographic. It didn’t take away the satisfaction for the final reveal, though, and actually, when Blue finally showed up as his true self, I was left grinning uncontrollably at a medical clinic’s waiting area this morning. Heehee!

I also liked how this book dealt with the heavier themes. The coming out parts, the whole trouble with Martin, and then Leah, and then Abby towards the end. I liked how a well-meaning and well-loved character like Simon could mess up the way he did - hurt his friends without really meaning to, esp. Leah! Argh! - and still come out of it changed, but fine, without compromising any of the characterization. People who made mistakes had to ask for forgiveness, and people who got hurt had to reconcile that things like that had to happen because that’s the truth of life. Everything changes.

I have so many things I liked about this book and i could talk about it all night!!! I can’t wait to go and finally see the movie. But I’ll wait for a couple of weeks before I do, I think. Everything’s so fresh right now and I don’t want to be disappointed when the movie changes all the parts I love about it. LOL

*my Kindle copy of this was a special birthday gift and huhu, I am so much more grateful for this now! <3

4.5 of 5 Stars. 

Blurb:

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised. With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

Buy Links: 

Print book is available in most bookstores internationally.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062348671

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/simon-vs-the-homo-sapiens-agenda-becky-albertalli/1119908802;jsessionid=2F817EE2E237FDE04AF14128E932AC39.prodny_store01-atgap10?ean=9780062348678&st=AFF&2sid=Goodreads,%20Inc_2227948_NA&sourceId=AFFGoodreads,%20Inc#/ 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/simon-vs-the-homo-sapiens-agenda-3

Audio book is available in leading sellers:

About the Author:

Becky Albertalli is the author of the acclaimed novels Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (film: Love, Simon), The Upside of Unrequited, and Leah on the Offbeat. She is also the co-author of What If It's Us with Adam Silvera. A former clinical psychologist who specialized in working with children and teens, Becky lives with her family in Atlanta. You can visit her online at www.beckyalbertalli.com.

[bentchcreates]

Accelerants by Lena WIlson

The story follows Lucy in life changing moments of her life. The first one is her discovery of her pyrokinetic abilities, ensuring her life won’t be easy anymore. The second one is her quest for freedom  and justice for the life she had lost in all the years after her first manifestation.

I initially didn’t realize this was one of those angry-girl fictions and I absolutely loved it! Because the anger is justified and because it’s not all that there is in the story. There is warmth and love and friendship, and towards the end, liberty and hope. There were painful parts, and maybe it would so good to include a TW list (homophobia, allusion to conversion therapy, torture, some violence, etc.), but the writing is sound and Lucy’s POV is mostly optimistic. The inclusion of real world pop cult references is amazing, too, as it gives the whole story lightness and a more authentic teenage voice.

I don’t want to spoil too much but I have to say something about the ending. Now, maybe this is just me, but when I finished reading, I was a little on the fence with how things wrapped up in the last page. It was sensible, and the build-up towards it made sense, but on a deeply personal level, I kind of wished Lucy made a different call, forged a different path. HOWEVER, the more I thought about it after, the longer I imagined things ending differently, I realized what happened was important for Lucy (and to everyone who might find themselves in her character). It had to happen precisely as it did for her to move on from all the pain and hurt, for her to reclaim her power and agency, and ultimately, for her to finally burn all the horrible things in her life down to ashes.

I would definitely get a follow-up story to this bec I want to know what happens after. I got so invested with Lucy and Jessa (and Fatima!), as well as this rich world of Omnis fighting for their right to live in peace and acceptance.

**I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher: https://www.thebooksmugglers.com for an honest review. It doesn’t affect my opinion or the content of this review.

4 of 5 Stars.

Blurb:

Spring, before

When Lucy is six years old she finds two things that will change her life forever: she is an Omni that can control fire, and her power is deadly. Under the sharp watch of her secretive father, Lucy is confronted with the consequences of the worst mistake of her life every day. On the eve of her eighteenth birthday, things finally seem like they are getting better—with the promise of freedom at college on the horizon, and the dream that Jessa, the girl of Lucy’s dreams, might reciprocate Lucy’s feelings. But in an instant, everything changes.

Winter, now

Incarcerated and stripped of her rights, Lucy’s new world is behind locked gates and antiseptic interrogation rooms. Like other Omnis, Lucy is separated from her family, seen as a criminal for trying to live with other humans, and locked away—possibly forever. But Lucy and her fellow Omnis aren’t going quietly into submission.

Accelerants is a novella about first love, cold-hearted betrayal, and the implacable truth that sometimes you have to burn it all down.

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Accelerants-Lena-Wilson-ebook/dp/B07FZPGR4Z/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1533204410&sr=8-2&keywords=accelerants+lena+wilson&linkCode=sl1&tag=theboosmu-20&linkId=d5556dcce9ce419dc07686c94b7a274c&language=en_US

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/884254

Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40983453

About the Author:

Lena Wilson lives in New York City with her dog, Young Neil. When not crafting cultural criticism for sites like Slate, Bitch, and The Playlist, she writes fiction about marginalized women and lesbian experiences. Accelerants is her first novella.

[bentchcreates]

A Glimmer of Silver by Juliet Kemp

Hi, Hey! So I’m starting my #ARCAugust with a Sci-Fi YA novella that’s only been released yesterday!!! I’ve been in an awful reading slump last month and I’m happy this book cured me of it! ;) Set decades after the First Contact between humans entering a new ocean planet and the sentient planet itself, the story revolves around Jennery, a sixteen-year-old who had previously passed the Test and was waiting for Ocean to finally speak to xem. Or not. See, xe’d rather be doing something else with the rest of xyrs life than be a Communicator. Three days before xe is released from xyrs Communicator duties, though, Ocean finally speaks to xem, and Jennery is faced with a choice that will change xyrs plans for the rest of xyrs life. This was amazing! The plot, the pacing, the character development - I am in love with it! First, I like that the beginning hinted at what the main vein of the conflict would’ve been: Jennery’s aversion to xyrs role in the community. I love that xe sounded like an actual teenager, internally debating a lot of things and screwing a lot of things up. And then Ocean talks to xem  and a lot of things happen, everything that’s been hidden deeper is unearthed and it becomes larger than life for Jennery! The way it was written, with solid worldbuilding and sound background on community and politics, made it an even more satisfying read for me. My favorite parts are •Those when Ocean talks to Jennery because it has that unsettling feeling of things not being in humanity’s control, as well as a sort of serene tranquility because it’s a whole planet talking to a person! • Those when opposing beliefs of people clash (they’ve been living a certain way for so long and there has to be a change at some point!) because they are presented in layered reasoning, not just black vs. white, good vs. evil, left vs. right sort of thing and it makes the characters more well-rounded and relatable. • Lastly, I love how the whole Kira situation is handled, and how Jennery changes from the beginning of the book towards its end. The whole story, in conclusion, is about change and growth. Not only of Jennery and xyrs view of the world, but of everyone, even Ocean itself. I wish there was more! 

*I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher: https://www.thebooksmugglers.com for an honest review. It doesn’t affect my opinion or the content of this review.

4.5 Stars. I haven’t read something this fast in a while and I loved it so much!

Blurb: Jennery is floating on xyr back when Ocean speaks for the first time. Just three days away from freedom, all Jennery has ever wanted to do was become a musician—because if you reach sixteen and Ocean hasn’t spoken to you once, then you can pursue a different life instead of becoming a Communicator. But Ocean speaks to Jennery—only to Jennery. And Ocean is angry. And when Ocean is angry, bad things happen to the humans who have colonized Ocean’s world. Jennery must choose whether to listen or to swim away. A Glimmer of Silver is a novella about responsibility, growing up, and what happens after first contact.

Buy links: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Glimmer-Silver-Juliet-Kemp/dp/1942302754/ref=as_sl_pc_as_ss_li_til?tag=theboosmu-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=51f6c37ea66c23e9d487b8136fc8f68b&creativeASIN=1942302754 Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/885612 Add it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41027057-a-glimmer-of-silver 

About the Author: Juliet Kemp lives in London with their partners, child, and dog. Their novel The Deep And Shining Dark (Elsewhere Press) came out in 2018, and their short fiction has appeared in assorted magazines and anthologies. In their free time, they go bouldering, tend their towering to-be-read pile, and get over-enthusiastic about fountain pens. They can be found on Twitter at @julietk.

[bentchcreates]

The Crime Circle by Yeyet Soriano (Blog Tour)

Four stories/arcs make up a circle, where the lines are blurred between victim and perpetrator, between innocent bystander and involved participant, and between right and wrong.

The Crime Circle print versions (local through POD and international through Amazon CreateSpace) were released on March 24, 2018. The novella 3B4U (TCC #1) was also released at the same time as an ebook on Amazon. The other novellas are planned for release as follows:

 Release Dates

(TCC #2) Lost - May 31, 2018

(TCC #3) Climb - August 2018

(TCC #4) Breathe - October 2018

bitly.com/TCC-print  → The Crime Circle local print order form

bitly.com/TCC-print-I  → International (CreateSpace)

bitly.com/TCC-3B4U  → ebook TCC #1 3B4U (Amazon)

bitly.com/TCC-Lost  → ebook TCC #2 Lost (Amazon)

bitly.com/TCC-GR → The Crime Circle in Goodreads

bitly.com/TCC-3B4U-GR → TCC #1 3B4U in Goodreads

bitly.com/TCC-Lost-GR → TCC #2 Lost in Goodreads

EXCERPTS:

3B4U David Roces is the front man of Baliw, one of the biggest rock bands in 90’s Manila. He is young, talented, driven, and extremely popular. He also just received an anonymous letter with newspaper clippings saying, “There’ll be 3B4U.”  And then the front men of other bands start dying.

Blackout.     1-2-3.     A steady drumbeat pierced through the din of voices and suddenly everyone in the dark, cramped room was silent.     A seemingly bizarre bass guitar riff floated through the smoke-filled air, and people started moving, slowly but deliberately.     A rhythm guitar joined the fray, and the energy level of the spectators increased.     A voice, more a musical groan, took up the melody, and the crowd started going wild.     The music slowly reached its climax, and suddenly there was silence.     A single spotlight turned on and focused on a lone figure caressing a sleek black electric guitar. The sounds made by his fingers running across the strings brought the people in the club to a frenzied state. The guitar solo was both powerful and heartrending, the guitarist’s face was covered by a mass of unruly long hair.     Blackout and silence.     The anticipation was palpable. A few seconds more and the music exploded. The lights went on, and a voice pierced through everyone’s consciousness. From that moment, everyone’s focus was centered on the singer, whose voice soared above the music; every word he uttered went straight to the heart. He was taller than normal, lean, wearing a simple white T-shirt, black ripped denims and boots. His eyes were deep-set and expressive, and his mouth was wide, his lips full, but his mop of longish unruly dark brown hair concealed half of his face. Ordinarily, offstage, he was considered almost handsome, but when he was onstage and making his music, he was beautiful.     The crowd went crazy.     Very apt, since the band onstage was named . . . Baliw, the Filipino word for crazy.

Lost Zia is an artist with a lot of inner demons to slay. A victim of rape as a child, her road to recovery has been long and arduous. In fact, she is still on it. But then she starts receiving anonymous emails with links to her old court case. Then she gets an offer of a lifetime any artist would die for. Are they related? Can she ever really escape her dark past and not let it define her?

Trigger warning: this is about a child rape case and the effects on the person when she grew up. There are scenes that pertain to the act itself and this is definitely not for the faint hearted.

The Artist   Zia is a mad woman. Her hair is disheveled, her hands and knees stained with colors. The canvass is on the floor, and she is moving her entire body on the canvass, to distribute the colors in the bizarre pattern that is in her head. There are tools scattered around—brushes, paints, different types of cloth and material, and in the middle of it all, Zia, operating on adrenaline, coffee, and a mad propulsion to let out all her feelings on the canvass.   The painting that is on its way to being created is not for the faint of heart, but neither is it without appeal. It is hauntingly beautiful, and more so because the person creating it is possessed, haunted. Her seemingly random scattering of colors blend in a way that makes the painting more alive. More heartbreaking. More forlorn.   It is sad. Frightening. Magnificent.   After a few hours, Zia collapses just beside the finished painting. She is of the same color as the canvass, and as she remains unmoving, she seems to be an extension of the painting. A spillage.   Many hours later, she wakes up. She had been dreaming. She looks at the canvass beside her and realizes she hadn’t been dreaming. She surveys herself in the mirror, and she doesn’t recognize herself, all covered in paint.   She takes a shower and the paint and dirt and everything else is washed away.   She is clean.   On the outside.   She will never be clean on the inside.

*****

  Another email, this time with no link, just a picture and a screenshot of part of a document. The picture is of a child on a long bench or pew surrounded by important-looking people, inside what looks like a courtroom. The child is playing with a Barbie doll while eating what looks like a pack of biscuits.   The document screenshot underneath the photo had portions blacked out.   "That sometime on the _____ week of _______________, ______, at ______________, Barangay __________________________, Municipality of _____________, City of __________________, Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the abovenamed accused, by means of force and intimidation, did then and there wilfully, unlawfully and feloniously lie with and have carnal knowledge with ____________________________________, a six (6) year old minor, against her will and consent.   Contrary to law."   Notwithstanding the misspelling and wrong tenses, it should hurt, but it really doesn’t anymore. I am numb. Even with the details blacked out, I know what the words would say. How can I not?   I know the name of the child in the picture. Elizabeth F. Henson.   The child in the picture is me.   The case is of my rape when I was six years old by my next-door neighbor.   No wonder I’m screwed up, right?   Whoever sent this email wants me to be flustered.   But I am not.   So, whoever you are, bring it on.   Nothing more can hurt me.   The bastard who raped me made sure of that.   My own family made sure of that.

Climb Pablo is an IT practitioner by day and an erotic fiction writer by night. He is also an information broker, responsible for the recent heists in different executive subdivisions. He suddenly develops a conscience, but he knows his policeman contact will not take kindly to this very lucrative venture ending abruptly. So what can Pablo do? And will the friendly neighborhood sari-sari store owner with a checkered past and his tall, dark and sexy Law student niece be instrumental in helping him out?

Note: This has a high heat level written in the POV of a male erotic writer.

“Qing bu yao shang hai wo men! Bu yao shang hai wo men de hai zi!”     I motioned to her to keep quiet, to keep her toddler boy close to her. I couldn’t understand what she was saying, but I was sure that she was pleading for me not to hurt them. The look of fear is universal. She embraced him with her arms, and that’s how they were when I tied her hands.     “Which room has a sturdy lock?” I asked.     “Zhu wo shi wei sheng jian,” she whispered. She must not have realized that she was speaking a language I could not understand. Stress and fear made people do strange things, because I was sure she could speak perfect English and Filipino.     “I don’t understand,” I said, shaking my head.     “The master’s bathroom.” Her English was impeccable. She motioned with her head and eyes toward the said room.     I heard the others ransacking the other rooms.     “Quickly!” I led them to the bathroom. There was a large tub. Oh boy.     “Lock the door, get in the tub, and don’t make a sound. Don’t open the door unless you know who it is. Don’t open it even for me.”     “Xie xie,” she whispered.     I understood that she was thanking me, even if I didn’t understand the words she uttered. I felt like a cad. She was looking at me like I was saving her life, when it was my fault that their house was being robbed. My fucking fault.

*****     There had been a series of home burglaries in the executive subdivision where the Chinese mom lived. The village was huge, situated over three big local areas—Pasig, Cainta, and Taytay. There had been speculations as to who were involved. People said the police were involved. Some said the burglars were residents.     They’re almost correct. There is a policeman involved, some hired muscle, and yes, a resident—me.     I’m no mastermind. I am no longer sure why I am still involved. Okay, I know why.     I do it to be accepted.     I am an information broker. You can’t imagine how much information can be had from different sources that we don’t know can actually make us very vulnerable.     First, there is Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and other social media platforms. The amount of information you can get about someone from the internet is actually insane, if you know how to consolidate and use it.     Next, there are the people we usually let into our homes without a second thought. People who can be asked to divulge information without them even knowing it. The maids, the electricians, the plumbers, the construction workers, the guys who deliver the mineral water and gas, the men who deliver and pick up party tables and chairs, the home service masseuses, and even the tutors.     If you have a way to get specific pieces of information from all these sources and know how to weave them together, then you get enough to stage a burglary.     Take the pretty Chinese mother, for example. A construction guy known for being a tsimay killer (or someone who likes getting pretty, young house help as his girlfriends) is in my payroll, to an extent. We would hang out for drinks after he does some work on my house, and I just let him talk. I make prodding follow-ups, and on his fourth shot, he would basically tell me anything. Sometimes, I can ask him to date a maid and transmit to me what he finds out. What he knows is that I am a writer, and I need lots of material. He never questioned my motives for the questions.     From him, I found out (courtesy of a not-so-young-but-still-single nanny) that the beautiful woman’s husband was a prominent businessman who had lots of cash lying around the house toward the end of the month. He also liked his gadgets and toys and has a state-of-the-art entertainment center. The maid bragged that when the family is out, she would watch her favorite noontime show on the big-ass screen with surround sound. From her too came the schedules of his frequent out-of-town trips. She was also too glad to share that she was happy not to have to clean up after any house dogs, and that she usually cleans the garage on the dot at 5 PM, opening the gate to let the garbage out.     I should have told the beautiful woman to fire her blabbermouth maid.

Breathe Rachel is a horror fiction writer known for her dark and disturbing stories, but she doesn’t look it in her bright summer dresses and perennial smile. She tries her hand at writing a true-to-life crime story from her past and in the process, discovers that she was never just an innocent bystander but an integral part of the story. Can a wizened crime novelist join forces with an elegant psychiatrist to help unravel Rachel’s past in order to save her future?

Trigger Warning: This has some themes of child abuse—physical, emotional and psychological—as well as crimes of passion, police brutality, and suicide.

The Monster     “Mom, you’ve got to believe me! There’s a monster inside the closet!”     “Liam! For the thousandth time, there is no monster in your closet! You should stop watching those horror cartoons and playing those stupid games on your tablet!”     “But Mom!”     “Go to sleep! I have an early conference tomorrow, and I need to prepare!”     Liam’s mom tucked him in and hurriedly kissed his forehead. She left the door open a bit, but she forgot to turn on the night light before she left.     Liam sighed. He switched on his night light and waited. He had made up his mind. This had been his mother’s last chance. And she had blown it.     Liam stared at the door of the closet intently. He tried to still his breathing, because he had to be prepared to go through his plan. It was the only way he could be free.     The closet door opened a fraction of an inch. Liam had to rub his eyes, because he wasn’t sure whether it was just his imagination or if there was really something there. Some part of him wanted to suddenly confirm that he was really just imagining everything, like what his mother said.     But then the door opened another inch. And when it was opened around six inches, it stopped. Liam knew from experience that it would take a few more minutes before the door opened wider and the monster appeared and his nightmare would begin. He had only a few minutes.     He took the glass of water on his bedside table, drank a few gulps, and then screamed at the top of his lungs.     As always, it took his mother a few minutes before she stomped into his room, irritation on her face.     “Liam! I swear! You are just doing this to annoy me! I need my sleep! I don’t need your drama tonight!”     “Mom, I am seven years old. Couldn’t it be possible that I screamed because I really am scared and I just need my mother? You are still my mother, right? Not just someone who looks at me like a burden?”     Liam’s mother couldn’t speak. She stared at the little boy that used to mean the world to her. The little boy that she loved to death, and for a moment, she almost went to him to embrace him, sorry that she had been short with him the past couple of weeks.     She had been struggling to make ends meet. The separation from Liam’s father had taken a toll on her, and she just didn’t have time to coddle a troublesome little boy at this point in time. So instead of softening, she hardened and said the words that sealed her fate.     “Do you blame me for looking at you like a burden? You have done nothing but try to make me believe this far-fetched lie about a monster in your closet. Liam, we have to face reality. We no longer live the perfect life. The sooner you realize that the better. I am trying my best!”     “Mom, I’m seven. I don’t have to face reality just yet. But you do.”     Liam’s mother looked at the steely resolve of her son, dressed in his Transformers pajamas, tucked under the Marvel superheroes blanket on his bed. He looked at her, not as the innocent seven-year-old boy she was trying to make grow up fast, but as a person that was years beyond his age. And there was something in his eyes.     She heard a loud creak and the closet door to her side opened wide.     “Goodbye, Mom.”     Before she could ask Liam what he meant, she saw something emerge from the closet, something she would not have ever imagined existing in her entire life. This “something” was huge and dark and had lots of teeth. And this something had suddenly taken hold of her and was dragging her into the closet. It was happening so fast, she couldn’t react. She didn’t even have time to scream. She felt the most exquisite pain and then there was blackness as the closet door closed.     The monster will no longer bother Liam, ever again.     Liam stood up, went to the closet, and opened it gently. Inside, he saw the familiar sight of his clothes and toys on the shelves. He smiled, and closed it again, just as gently.     He went back to bed, prepared to have a good night’s sleep, something he has not had for the past weeks. Before he closed his eyes, he whispered some final words to his mom.     “If only you believed me . . .”

[bentchcreates]

Scandalized - Tara Frejas (New Cover Reveal!!!)

Remember when I reviewed this book last year? Well, HO HO HO! It has a strapping new cover!! (Artwork by Shai San Jose and calligraphy by Porcupine Strongwill)

This repackaged edition has the same story as the previously released one, as well as two short stories: Gabriel’s Checklist from the #romanceclass Christmas anthology Make My Wish Come True, and 548 from The Reading Belles’ Say Feels Special - which all happen in the same universe! 

It will be available on Amazon and paperback very soon, but if you already have a copy, there will be an option to be get the ebook for FREE once it's ready. Follow Tara on Twitter and Instagram (@tarafrejas) or Facebook (/authortarafrejas) for updates on how to download it.

IN OTHER NEWS (THAT IM SUPER EXCITED ABOUT!!)

Preorders of the paperback edition will include freebies (like these UBER CUTE cartoon stickers of Fi and East Genesis Project!!!) and i’m super excited to get these! I hope they’d be available on April Feels Day (and huhu, I hope i still have money to spend by that time bec I’m spending too much [on other stickers, lol] this month!) 

ANYWAY, Get it when it’s ready!!

“You are Golden!”

[bentchcreates]

Hi hey! #romanceclass is guesting on @mellow947 tomorrow night to talk about #StartHere! 💕 Set your frequencies to Mellow Nights (FM94.7) from 8 PM onwards! Hosted by @Cazedmunds947 & @indigirltwitz! 😘🏳️‍🌈👑 You can also stream it at @mellow947 's website:http://www.mellow947.fm/ ! See you! . . . . . #bookish #booknerdsPH #romance#SupportLocalPH #indiepublishing #FMRadio#mellownights #lovewins #bookobsessed

[bentchcreates]

Start Here, Stories of First Encounters 

Let me just say this right off the bat, I’m giving this 6 of 5 Stars! First of all, the editors and my co-authors deserve the 5.5 of 5 Stars. This is my favorite book this year, cheesy for me to say, but it is! I’m giving a half star more for my own story because I’m very proud of this, okay? :P I’ll talk more about that on a separate blog post, haha.

To begin, I want to thank the editors (and our PM, Hi Mina!) for coming up with this anthology. The intros by Ron and Brij, in itself, were already strong messages to those who are looking for contemporary romance that represents Filipinos of this time, LGBTQIAP or not. It perfectly put out the reasons behind the conception of this anthology, as well as the hope that this sparks a flame towards more Queer Romance and Queer HEA in Philippine Literature.

1. In the Moonlight by Agay Llanera

This was a sweet start to set the tone for the rest of the stories. It’s an awesome sequel to my other favorite, Another Word For Happy. And like what I said in my review for AWFH last year, Caleb seems to have been made after my own heart.

I wish I was exaggerating, but the indecision, the awkward reaction to ‘the kiss’, the hyperawareness to the smallest of things, IT ME! When I was Caleb’s age, at least. LOL. And I’m sure a lot of gay people (maybe not even gay people, everyone, really) will find it relatable one way or another.

What Caleb is better than me, though, is his courage towards the end of the story. He did something I never would’ve been able to do. And I hope when others read this, they’d be inspired to be braver, too.

2. Come Full Circle by Bobbi Moran

I love me some slow burn romance and huhu, the slow burn in this one killed me (in a good way!).

This short felt quite episodic as the characters are shown through different stages of them finding themselves – and eventually, love – but that slow progression allowed me to really root for them to be together at the end.

I found the attention to detail fascinating (especially the architectural ones when Alana and Marion went on a holiday) but what I loved most about this is the accuracy of tiptoeing in a relationship when one is still unsure where the other one stands. I mean, relationships are already complicated without the whole guessing-and-hoping-the-other-one-plays-on-the-same-team narrative, but add in sexual confusion (and tension!) and you’re in for a wild, but nonetheless more interesting, ride. This story tied to a full circle satisfyingly.

3. Gorgeous by Motsie Dapul

This is probably my first F/enby romance and it certainly lived up to its title. This might also be the first fiction story I’ve read using the singular they/them pronoun and while it took me about a minute to re calibrate my [faulty] sense of grammar, it wasn’t jarring and it told Jays and the MC (I’m not 100% sure she was named, I need to reread the story, stat!)more genuinely for me.

It is also somewhat a variation of the enemies to lovers trope which is always interesting. I’m happy to note that there is grovel. :) 

I think what I want to focus more about this story is how something that happened years ago, something that seemed small and irrelevant to you, might mean a whole different world to another person. And simple things like words said haplessly, or actions that weren’t well thought of in our youth, could still impact us as adults no matter how much we’ve changed in the time in between.

This story tells and awesome story of discovering one’s self, discovery of love, and acceptance of the MC’s past, present and future with Them. :)

4. Shipping Included by Danice Sison

Can this be any cuter?? <3 <3 <3

I will admit that I didn’t get all the KPop references but I know those who are knowledgeable (and obsessed) with oppas will appreciate and enjoy this.

Done in alternating POVs between the protagonists, David and Kiko, the story’s strength lay on the well-rounded characterization of the heroes, as well as the kids who made their meetcute extra cute! There is a glimpse of what it must be like to be a Filipino KPop fan while also focusing the spotlight on those who don’t share the dedication but support their loved one’s hobbies nonetheless.

The Kuya and Tito may not be in their girls’ fandoms but Kpopocalypse gave them (all of us, really) a different reason to swoon and make fingerhearts at each other.  

5. Delubyo by Barbie Barbieto

This is beautifully written.

This was the first work from the author that I’ve read and I loved it so much, it made me seek out her other work. Haha. The style and flow of words are smooth and easygoing, it hooked me up real quick.

Add to that is Pebbles’ odd four-month relationship rule which I thought was mean at first, but actually makes so much sense and is understandable from someone who’s constantly afraid to put her heart on the line. Still, I don’t tolerate it. (I loved this so much, I’m super invested and I want to have a talk with Pebbles bec huhu, the poor ex-girlfriends! LOL)

I love the progression of her feelings towards Gabrielle, told brilliantly somewhere in the middle of the story – after that awesome beginning! It made the ending such a relief and a source of immense kilig!

6. The Other Story by H. Bentham

*sly grin emoji*

7. Blooms and Hues by Ella Banta

I loved the softness of the themes in this short story, reminiscent of Gay YA fiction I used to devour in college (from foreign authors like Brian Sloan, Alex Sanchez, John Hall, etc.) and the short films I still find on YouTube from time to time.

It is a lovely addition to this anthology, despite not being heavy on the romance like the other stories, especially since being queer in this country, love, relationships - and matters of the heart in general - are less likely to be this soft and dreamy. (At least during my time as an actual young adult. IDK, maybe kids these days are allowed this gay tenderness we weren’t given access to. It wasn’t even such a long time ago, I mean…anyway, that’s not what this review is all about. I got distracted. lol)

The artistic MC and LI are adorable. And flowers! I’m never not in love with stories where flowers come into play.

8. Another First by Yeyet Soriano

I admit that I felt scared to continue with this once it was established that Jess, the MC, is in a long term relationship at the beginning of the story. I dislike scenes with messy break-ups due to cheating, but I soldiered on and was greatly relieved that this didn’t go that way.

I liked that the characters acted like the adults that they are and that this did not turn into a rehash of popular love-triangle telenovela plots. I especially loved the part where things had to settle down and fall into place for all characters (Jess, Lili and even Matt) separately at first – on a personal level – before the romance could be resolved. It showed a healthy depiction of self-discovery and acceptance a little bit later in life.

9. Luck from the Skies by Katt Briones

This one I’ve actually read before the book came out and ugh, rereading it second, third and fourth time did not make it less wonderful! The characters have supporting roles from Katt’s other book, Chasing Mr. Prefect, but the timeline here is before that book’s time.

I liked the fictional artista/modeling angles and the progression of friendship between Chan and Asher towards a romantic ship (#ChaSher5everr!!!). The rainy weather theme is also very Filipino and how it plays in the advancement of the plot is just brilliant! And kilig! So kilig!

Sab is defineitely a scene stealer (I love bestfriends!) but since the romance was so strong in the first place, she didn’t overshadow my boys. LOL.

Also, prepare to crave bulalo!  

10. Lemon Drop Friday by Brigitte Bautista.

“Here goes [Brij] again, making a mess [with my heart]”

When I was reading the review copy and got to this point in the book, I stopped for a full day before I started this story. Part of me knew I would breeze through it and I didn’t want the book to end just yet. And I was right.

Brij did it again! Made me fall in love with her mastery of words and then made me cry because this was so good and so satisfying.

I was highlighting passages throughout the book (for review notes) but with this one, I couldn’t even stop to highlight words, I just wanted to fully immerse in that universe and feel the love, and the fear of rejection, and the ultimate HEA where these messy girls finally, finally got together!

I have a favorite quote (aside from the mis-quote above. Lol)

“If she looked at me a tad longer, she would figure it out.”

Argh! MY HEART! I loved Tala’s POV so much! It’s quirky and funny and honest and SO relatable. I’m done talking about this because I WILL SPOIL IT FOR EVERYONE so please get the book and read it! :P

To end, again I want to thank everyone who worked (and continue to work hard to promote) this book! I cannot fully express into words how important this is to me, as well as to others who might need these stories in their lives (whether they know it or not). I hold this dear this not because it is among the first queer books from #romanceclass, but more because all were written with wonderful skill and heart. Each story offers something unique for the reader who might be reading queer for the first time as well as someone looking for themselves in the written page,

We yearned so much to be represented well. We craved for stories we can connect to on a deeply personal level. We waited for our happy endings, in fiction at the very least.. This is definitely the beginning of us getting all that. And more.

Blurb:

There’s a first time for everything. Gatecrashing a KPop concert with an oppa in a business suit. Taking shelter from the storm with the girl you’ve been meaning to shake off. That kiss that blurs the line between friendship and something more. A one-night stand (or, is it?) with your best friend from across the hallway.

Dive into these 10 stories of first encounters – unapologetically queer, happy endings required, with a smattering of that signature #romanceclass kilig. Whether you’re recalling your own firsts or out there looking for one, there’s a story in here for you.

So, go on.

Turn the page.

Start here.

Edited by Ronald S. Lim and Brigitte Bautista. Featuring short stories by Agay Llanera, H. Bentham, Ella Banta, Danice Sison, Yeyet Soriano, Barbie Barbieto, Katt Briones, Bobbi Moran, Motzie Dapul, and Brigitte Bautista. This anthology contains M/M, F/F, F/NB romance stories with happy endings. Some stories have a high heat level.

Release Date: January 27, 2018

Book Cover Design: Dani Hernandez

Additional Photography: Alexandra Urrea & Chachic Fernandez

Buy Links:

Pre-order Start Here on Amazon: bit.ly/rcStartHere Order Start Here on paperback (PH only): bit.ly/StartHere-PrintPH

Add Start Here on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37880247-start-here

Author links:

Katt Briones: @kttbri (Twitter& IG)

Ella Banta:  @gabbie_ellaine (Twitter) , @ellamaepot (IG),  gabrielluna.wordpress.com (blog) , https:// www.facebook.com/ ellabantawriting/ (FB)

Agay Llanera:  http:// amzn.to/ 2k2gj34.(Amazon)

Yeyet Soriano: @ysrealm (Twitter & IG) @Yeyetsorianowrites (FB), www.yeyetsoriano.com (blog), [email protected]

Danice Sison: @hastyteenflick (Twitter)

Bobbi Moran: [email protected]

Motzie Dapul: FB.com/atemozzarella, FB.com/atemozzarellastories, @atemozzarella (Tumblr) , mozzarellastories.wordpress.com (blog), motzie.dapul@ gmail.com.

Barbie Barbieto: @barbiebarbieto (Twitter),  barbiebarbieto.com (blog) 

H. Bentham: this is me. heh.

Editors: 

Brigitte Bautista: @brijbautista (Twitter & IG), brijbautista.wordpress.com (blog)

Ronald S. Lim: @tristantrakand (Twitter), [email protected]