#romance recommendations

[shawnxstyles]

any romance book suggestions that have a really good slow burn? i’m talking like the characters brush hands on page 300 and i’m blushing and kicking my feet. friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, anything please 🙏🏼

(could be smut or no smut)

[stormlightarchivist]

Also this is a complete side note but Ashley Herring Blake continues to get better at writing hot as fuck sex scenes between women within romance novels that are fairly well written overall ✌🏼

[neowitcher]

QUEER ROMANCE TO SPICE UP YOUR VALENTINE’S | RECOMMENDATIONS

In the mood to spend your Valentine’s curled up with a good romance book? Here are some recommendations with non-binary, asexual and sapphic leads.

1. Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly | 2022 | 368 p. | f/nb | 🌶️🌶️

The first openly nonbinary contestant on America’s favorite cooking show falls for their clumsy competitor in this delicious romantic comedy debut “that is both fantastically fun and crack your heart wide open vulnerable. (Rosie Danan, Storygraph)

Starting off with one of my favourite romance reads of last year, Love & Other Disasters is a delicious romance in multiple ways. It focuses on the main characters’ struggles and dreams, and you’re bound to be rooting for them the entire way. The f/nb romance is both heartwarming and sexy, and with its competitive setting, it surely is impossible to put down!

2. The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann | 2022 | 336 p. | ace f/m | 🌶️

Thirty, flirty, and asexual Joy is secretly in love with her best friend Malcolm, but she’s never been brave enough to say so. When he unexpectedly announces that he’s met the love of his life—and no, it’s not Joy—she’s heartbroken. Malcolm invites her on a weekend getaway, and Joy decides it’s her last chance to show him exactly what he’s overlooking. But maybe Joy is the one missing something…or someone…and his name is Fox. (Storygraph)

My second favourite romance of last year won’t reel you in with spicy scenes, but does a rather incredible job portraying intimacy between two gorgeous love interests. Asexual representation is still lacking in romance novels but Claire Kann proves that there absolutely should be more of. The fake dating trope used is the cherry on top for this wonderful romance that I won’t stop recommending. Perfect summery read to start counting down to warmer days. (Full review can be found here.)

3. Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner | 2022 | 404 p. | f/f | 🌶️🌶️🌶️

A sharp and sexy rom-com about a college senior who accidentally hooks up with her best friend’s mom. What should have been a one-time fling quickly proves impossible to ignore, and soon Cassie and Erin are sneaking around. Worst of all, they start to realize they have something real. But is being honest about the love between them worth the cost? (Storygraph)

Mistakes Were Made is the total package if you want it all this Valentine’s: amazing humor, exciting romance, and an abundance of steamy scenes. Probably the most binge-worthy book on this list, I highly doubt you would need anything more to fall in love. Despite the slightly scandalous romance, the conflict never takes away from the enjoyment. For any MILF lover: this book is made for you!

4. For Her Consideration by Amy Spalding | 2023 | 320 p. | f/f | 🌶️

When an aspiring L.A. scriptwriter falls head-over-heels for a bossy and beautiful movie star after a devastating break-up, the two take a risk on love and cast themselves as the leading ladies of their own star-struck romance in this sweet and spirited love story from critically-acclaimed writer Amy Spalding in her adult debut. (Netgalley, Storygraph)

If you’d prefer to buy yourself a new book instead of reading something, then this is for you! Releasing 21 February, For Her Consideration is a relatable and swoonworthy sapphic romance fully coated in Hollywood dreams and sapphic film culture. It has great plus-size representation and fun side characters, making the book really awesome, both with and without the romance. (Full review can be found here.)

5. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree | 2022 | 318 p. | f/f

Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen. A hot cup of fantasy slice-of-life with a dollop of romantic froth. (Storygraph)

Last but not least, the perfect cosy recommendation for anyone who loves a cute romance without it being the entire genre. The sapphic romance in this is very slow burn and while they’re slowly falling in love, you’re bound to fall head over heels with the book in its entirety. Nothing better than a book that feels like a hot cup of coffee to cuddle up in bed with.

[kursed-arcana]

Stranger By The Shore Movie Review

The Stranger By The Shore is the kind of lgbt content we need more of. It doesn't fettishize us or make light of us, but treats lgbt people like normal human beings. It is a character drama and full blown romance that treats its leads with agency and respect.

Homophobia is something that a lot of LGBT people experience. It's almost unavoidable. There will always be people who hate us and our own insecurities eating away at us. Shun is the focal point of this struggle for the story. He experienced homophobia from his classmates in high school before even coming out. When he over hears his classmates riddiculing him for being femmine he runs away and experiences a panic attack, something he suffers from to this day. Later we are shown Shun being asked by his female fiance if he is really ok with marrying her. He replies it's fine as long as its her. We later learn he said the same words to her as a child where she is thrilled and his expression is one of accepting a hard truth.

From his early childhood, to his highschool days, to his wedding day. Shun tried to bury his feelings and live a life of least resistance. A normal hetero life. But like many real people, Shun couldn't put up this front forever. When he comes out to his parents, he is ridiculed for breaking  things off with his fiance and asked by his mother to deny his truth. In response, Shun accepts his parents scorn and leaves. But the scars of the past aren't soon forgotten. These experiences left him with some trauma, taking the form of internalized homophobia. Shun believes he would be better off if he could of loved a woman, and even as he grows closer to Mio, he tries to warn him of how society will view their relationship. With flashbacks and scenes of judging eyes sprinkled in between romantic moments in public, we are given a glimpse of what homophobia may be like for someone in Japan, as well as what the environmental can do to a person.

Now Mio has a different story to tell. The focal point of his character is overcoming loss and depression. When we are introduced to Mio, he has just lost his mother. We are given glimpses into their relationship via flashbacks and other sources. The flashbacks are beautifully incorporated into the scenes. Often while Mio is by the beach. Be it his special bench overlooking the water or his secret spot he shared with his mother.

There is a scene where mio and shun are talking on the beach while Shun fishes. While this conversation is happening, a young Mio and his mother are scene in the background having a conversation. There voices played along side the conversation Shun and Mio are having in the present. This perfectly illustrates how Mio is living in past. Unable to let go of his mother even while interacting with Shun. It is also a great example of the effort that was put into the cinematography of each scene. something I will touch on more later.

Mio's depression is demonstrated by his facial expressions and the way he interacts with the world. Despondent and  wanting nothing to do with the present. That is until Shun slowly breaks through the darkness surrounding Mio. Interacting with Shun slowly opens Mio up. Shun gave Mio the strength to keep living and the we see the true Mio when he returns later on. This time it being his turn to help Shun.

This isn't a romance with no grounds as some people might want to claim. Both men are given reason to be attracted to the other. Initially, Mio is shown to be Shun's type. A flashback shows a boy Shun had a crush on who shared a similar appearance. And Mio's depression and circumstances drew Shun in with the desire to reach him. Shun's kindness and attempts to reach Mio via his bench and the bread he used to enjoy with his mother, leads to Mio giving him flower trimmings from his Mother's plant. While a misunderstanding about Shun pittying Mio leads to a brief fight, it brings them closer together when Mio realizes Shun was in fact flirting with him and not pitying him. Shun even accidentally gives Mio his favorite food that he shared with his mother, curry. And by providing Mio a hot meal and the sensation of a warm home, Mio finally laughs and smiles.

The romance is there for both boys. It's demonstrated both subtlely and unsubtlely , but beautifully done. When Mio returns later on it is his turn to reach Shun, who has succumbed to his depression and own inner homophobia. Mio spends the rest of the movie being the more active member of the relationship. He breaks down Shun's walls and making Shun realize that he does deserve to be loved.

There is a beautiful scene where Shun discusses with Mio his family situation and how he doesn't want to go back to them. It cuts to their reflection on a TV screen and a picture of a young Mio and his mother beside it. A few seconds later Shun leaves and it cuts back to the TV screen and picture, with shun leaving Mio alone in the reflection. While Shun has the chance to reunite with his family, Mio never can. Something Shun doesn't seem to realize. It perfectly illustrates how Mio is still holding onto his past and how he is truly alone without Shun.

The cinematography put into this scene and the scene on the beach I mentioned earlier is phenomenal. The effort put into these scenes alone shows that this movie was made with a lot of love. Some other recuring symbolism is the two bracelets mio wears.  It is never outright stated, but it can be infered via flashbacks that these matching bracelets were worn by Mio and his mom since he was a child. There are several subtle frames  where mio is shown looking at them or gripping them as he is missing his mother and feeling distant from Shun.

Another recuring symbol is the two cats often being shown embracing eachother as they sleep. Something Mio wants and Shun resists. These cats are shown in this pose when mio is longing to sleep side by side with Shun and again shortly before the boys have sex for the first time.

Speaking of the sex scene, it is also done excellently. Shun turns Mio's attempts to get him in bed down repeatedly throughout the film, and while displeased, Mio accepts. It is only after both of them are ready do they engage in the act. And the sex scene makes no attempts at ignoring the basic requirements of anal sex all gay men face. It addresses them head on, and it is portrayed with consent for various acts being asked and comfort being asssed before proceeding. It is done tenderly without taking the romance out of the moment or fetishizing the two men. Since this is not a hentai nothing outright explicit is shown. Camera angles, cuts and strategic use of showing them in reflections are used to dance around the act. This is far less visual then most American produced content aimed at teens and should be considered acceptable for age rating the program was given.

By the end of the film, both Mio and Shun have healed from their traumas. Shun will return home to face his family, and Mio who was stuck living the past, finally let's go and has a new home with Shun. This is symbolized by him smiling as he bids farewell to his parents grave, shun by his side,  ready to leave their island sanctuary for the time being and sail into the future together.

I have covered most of what I wanted to adress in this review. I'd gladly analyze the entire film but I think you readers deserve to experience it fully for yourselves. I won't cover anymore of the plot but I'd like to briefly cover the main supporting cast of characters, as well as the cut content that hindered the movie.

While the supporting cast isnt the focus, they leave a strong impression. Shun's aunt serves as a wise adviser who provides shelter and jobs to lost souls in need. While her presence in the series is small, you can tell she truly cares for those she welcomes into her home and restaurant. Eri is the kind, big sister like friend we all deserve. Someone who teases us and wants what's best. She repeatedly tries to look out for both Shun and Mio, and pushes their relationship forward as best she can. Her and her girlfriend, Suzu, show the future Mio and Shun can have if they come together. They show that even amidst a judgemental society with subtler homophobia like Japan, two people can be in love and have a happy healthy relationship.

Then there is Sakurako, Shun's childhood friend and ex fiance,  arguably the most important supporting cast member. She brings Shun's past to the forefront. While he has secluded himself from his family and past she breaks into his sanctuary with the intent to make him face it. She views the island as his paradise with Mio and while she wants what's best for Shun, she can't help but resent him and his life with Mio. She supported Shun through their youth, even being his confidant in matters concerning his homosexuality, yet she held onto her childhood feelings of love for Shun even after he called off their engagement. This trip to see Shun is just as much for her to move on from their shared past and her feelings as it is to help Shun reconnect with his parents before it's too late.

There's this powerful scene where Sakurako steps into the water at night after a big fight with Shun. It's as if she's ready for the sea to take her away, giving into the pain she feels. But it is Mio who comes to her rescue. His pure love for Shun and wish for him to be happy and to reunite with his parents, even if it means Shun leaving him behind, speaks to her. And the scene takes on a new meaning. Instead of giving into her despair,  Sakurako's pain is washed away by the water. She sees that Mio's love for Shun is far purer then her love that was willing to live a lie

Sakurako is a character with many subtleties. Love, resentment, concern, relief, despair and even comedy can be seen through her actions. She knows Shun could never love her but was willing to accept their engagement. She knows Shun could never kiss her and yet they had sex. She proclaims she's not their to get back together with Shun, but clearly is testing Mio and still holding onto feelings for Shun. She knows shun and Mio are together and yet she wants a goodbye kiss from Shun. She's a girl full of contradictions, who puts up fronts for those around her. While she leaves the island, she proclaims she'll never come back and it's yours. Subtlety saying Shun belongs to Mio and they can have their life together.

Finally  I have only read one chapter of the manga as of now, but I encourage viewers to read the book as well.  Within the first chapter a lot of set up was skipped entirely.  Not to mention, the series is acually ongoing, with a sequel series currently being published. Now  a lot of the cut content offered insight into Shun and Mio's characters. Scenes focusing on Mio's mother and his situation after her death were left out, as well as details about Shun's life on the island and basic info about his character. To me the most unforgivable cut though, was this touching scene where Mio and Shun were walking back to Mio's foster home after their curry dinner and Mio pulls Shun aside to his secret sanctuary thay he shared with his mother. Together they stare at the sea as Mio proclaims he's giving this spot to Shun and tells him of his departure.  The anime equivolent scene on the bench also cuts a brief kiss that Mio gives Shun before parting.

What's weird about this cut scene is the anime shows Mio heading to this location later with no context.  Mio's flashlight goes out leaving him in the dark after his fight with shun and before his effort to find Sakurako. While the scene in the anime is symbolic of Mio's despair and loneliness and animated beautifully, it loses its meaning without this context.

Some other cut content also explains how Shun won an award and became a published author within the three year time skip. Only ever receiving a congratulatory letter from Mio.  While not crucial to the story, these scenes give context that heightens enjoyment. And with the movies short run time it's bizarre that content had to be cut. It's barely 58 minutes long. If it received a proper feature length runtime no content would have had to be cut.

In closing, if you enjoy lgbt content that doesn't fetishize lgbt people and treats its characters with respect, The Stranger By The Shore is a great movie to watch. It does not shy away from the issues we face or sex, but tackles them head on. I'd say the characters and their struggles are highly relatable to LGBY people and broadly relatable to the general populous as well.  This story certainly spoke to me and helped me reavaluate my own feelings and past struggles.  I hope that  people of various ages can come across this story and relate to it. I think it could have a valuable impact on people questioning their sexuality. Everyone deserves the chance to fall in love and be loved back.

I highly encourage fans to check out the manga and the ongoing series for more content. Who knows, maybe enough support will get the sequel an anime series one day or an adaptation that portays the full content of the first book.

If you like my review please mark it as helpful on mal too

Umibe no Étranger - KursedArcana's Review

This will be an analysis as much as a review. And their will be some spoilers. The Stranger By The Shore is the kind of lgbt content we nee

[plvt0es]

romance manga recs for romance deprived freaks #5

Tonari no Stella

Status: Ongoing -> 8 chapters

Licensed in English: No

Tropes: Childhood friends to lovers, Showbiz, Fl falls first, Popular ml x Unpopular fl, Unrequited love

Thoughts: I'm really looking forward to this one. If I had to guess, I think this one is going to be around 30 ish chapters. I doubt its gonna end anytime soon. I love the childhood friends to lovers trope, especially with an added unrequited love layer of angst to it.

[northern-pirate]

*puts a pile of gay pirate books on the table with a bam* ALRIGHT FOLKS, PIRATE STORY REC TIME

In lack of more Our Flag Means Death episodes, Imma gonna go reread the queer pirate adventure/romance trilogy Wavesongs by Elvira Bell. JOIN ME.

You might enjoy the following aspects of it:

- Brooding pirate captain with a softer side? Check.

- Adorable crew with sweet relationships on deck? Check.

- Jealous and violent and quite handsome first mate with slightly complicated relationship with said brooding pirate captain? Check.

- Swashbuckling and ships with cool names? Check.

- Coming to terms with who you are + romance and sexy times? Check.

- Drama and serious shit? Check.

- Hanging out on cool piratey islands and stumbling into more cool pirates, including lady pirates? Check.

Seriously you guys, GO READ IT if you need more piracy in your life <3

(This does tbh not have the delicious pirate captain/pirate captain dynamic that we all love and adore, but please have a frustrated young Englishman suddenly on a pirate ship instead of a gentleman pirate. It is also pretty dark at times but whoo boy, this is a NICE pirate story. There's even treasure maps! Also, my friend wrote it so I am shamelessly promoting it, which she doesn't know about yet, and she's not (yet) in the OFMD fandom. But I think the OFMD fandom might enjoy this a lot, so I want you guys to know this lovely little book series exist. <3)

Link to book one:

Astray (Wavesongs Book 1) - Kindle edition by Bell, Elvira. Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

[weebsh-tlol]

Top 5 Badass Female Leads

There is no other way to describe them.

5. Ripley - The First Night With The Duke

Ripley is one of the most iconic and amazing characters in the Manhwa community. I am completely in love with her attitude, sass, and ability to somehow continually screw up. The best thing about her is that she really is human. She has flaws, doubts, and sometimes really messes up.

The most impressive thing about her is that her moral compass and her loyalty to the Duke. I really can't wait to see how she grows throughout the rest of the Manhwa.

Available on: Webtoon

4. Empress Yulia - I've Become the Villainous Empress of a Novel

Next up, Empress Yulia. I love her because...

1. She doesn't need a man to run a country

2. She manages to be a bad bitch and a fleshed-out character at the same time. She fixes the mistakes of the previous Yulia, cleans up her court, and maintains diplomatic relations, all while figuring out how to be an empress.

She is coolheaded, a wonderful ruler, and a great strategist. While Ripley I can relate to, Yulia I aspire to be.

Available on: MangaOwl and Tappytoon

3. Detective Sinclair - Purple Hyacinth

Honestly one of the most underrated female leads/protagonists in the manhwa community. After her family was murdered, Detective Sinclair makes it her mission to take down their murderer. She enlists the help of one of the most famous assassins in the country and doesn't bat an eye.

She has amazing skills, a fearless personality, and human emotions. She is in no way a "flat character". Also, she doesn't come off as fake or too righteous, which makes her truly relatable.

Available on: Webtoon

2: Lady Medea Solon - Your Throne

We all know her, we all love her, it's Lady Medea. This list wouldn't be complete without her. She is an outstanding strategist who can bend the country under her control. Not to mention that she carries her manhwa. In the beginning, I only read it because of her. Truly the no. 1 girl boss.

The thing that I love about her the most is how her backstory affects her as a character. Sometimes characters, especially female leads, become flat in course of a story. Truly her character arc and her personality reflect the things that have impacted her life.

Available on: Webtoon

1: Empress Navier - The Remarried Empress

I've loved her from the moment she came onto the panel. Simply put she's amazing. Her etiquette around the nobles, her sweet personality, how she manages pain, and how she's a strong leader, represent everything that I love in a character.

Even when dealing with a divorce she handles herself with grace, and manners. She always has her subject's best interests at heart even if it hurts her in the end. I will continue to root for her throughout season 2. If you haven't read this manhwa I would HIGHLY recommend it!

Available on: Webtoon

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If you have made it this far, thank you for reading! I had a lot of fun making this list and if you want to see more, let me know! Have a great day, and happy reading!