Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

Book: Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

Read From: 17th October - 24th October 2021

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: With her new astronomy PhD, Grace Porter goes on a girls' trip to Vegas to celebrate. She is not the kind of person to get drunkenly married to a woman whose name she doesn't know, until she does exactly that. This one moment of departure from her stern ex-military father’s plans for her life has Grace wondering why she doesn’t feel more fulfilled from completing her degree. Staggering under the weight of her father’s expectations, a struggling job market and feelings of burnout, Grace flees her home in Portland for a summer in New York with the wife she barely knows.

This book has been described by so many people as a 'rom-com' and whilst the romance does play a part in this book, this description couldn't be further from the reality. This novel is more about Grace's own self-discovery, her battle with mental health (lots of TW's so be sure to check before reading!) and dealing with pressure and burnout.  

As someone who will be graduating from higher education in a matter of months (scary), this book was excellent. It shows the inevitable dread that comes with finishing education - of not knowing where to go and what to do. This book was reassuring; it can often seem like everyone has their lives worked out but as someone who most certainly doesn't, it was great to see this represented.

I want to talk about the romance but I'm also fully aware it wasn't the main focus of the story and also the love story between Yuki and Grace was what made this book a 4 star rather than a 5 star for me. Ironically, I hate insta-love but this book didn't feel too insta-lovey and this wasn't the aspect I disliked. I just couldn't get on board with Yuki as a love interest, I thought that her and her friends could be really pretentious and the CONSTANT repetition of 'lonely creature' very quickly started to annoy me rather than endear me. I suppose the romance sub-plot was kind of relevant (the book ends up being very character driven) but in the grand scheme of things I would have much preferred to see Grace and ONLY Grace's journey. 

For the most part, I really enjoyed the writing style. There were some really beautiful passages where I found myself wanting to tab everything, but there were also some things that really irritated me - alongside the 'lonely creature' repetition, we are almost constantly reminded that Grace has golden hair (as if the title of this book isn't literally HONEY Girl), and the 'I am a Porter, Porter's don't give up etc' mantra started to get too repetitive and it began to lose its desired effect for me. I understand why it was included, but I think a lot more could have been done with much less repetition. 

I feel like I've drawn on so many not-so-great aspects within this review which was definitely not my intention at all! I absolutely loved this book and I was pleasantly surprised that it was far more than a fluffy rom-com. I liked how it approached and dealt with sensitive topics and I loved Grace's character and her journey so much. This is a book I will highly recommend, particularly to people in their 20s. Just make sure that you check the trigger warnings before going in.

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

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Book: Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

Read From: 15th October - 20th October

Rating: 5/5 stars 

Summary: When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead. Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop's owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over. But Wallace isn't ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo's help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.

It’s incredibly hard to not compare two works by the same author, especially when the first one you read was an all time favourite. It’s even harder when the two books couldn’t be more different from each other - whilst The House in the Cerulean Sea was an uplifting and fluffy found family novel, Under the Whispering Door is extremely heavier in its deep exploration into grief and death.

It feels almost wrong to say that this was a book I enjoyed. It would be completely wrong too, considering I was a blubbering mess by the end - my emotions couldn’t be further from enjoyment. This novel struck a chord in me like no other book has done before and it couldn’t have come at a better time. It was of course upsetting, but I also found a lot of comfort from it - the last few pages in particular.

I could quite easily sit here and gush about every single one of these characters. Whilst I loved the found family as a whole, I also loved each one individually too. However I’m going to be vague deliberately in order to let you experience the magic for yourselves. All you need to know about this book is that its about working to the death, and spending an afterlife learning how to live. Oh and that its unapologetically gay too!

Of course the premise is sad but it's executed so well. Like The House in the Cerulean Sea, it's heart-warming and hopeful but for completely different reasons. I laughed and I ugly cried - this is a book I'm going to be thinking about for a long time.

Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

Book: Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

Read From: 11th October - 16th October 2021

Rating: 5/5 stars 

Summary (King of Scars): The dashing young king, Nikolai Lansov, has always had a gift for the impossible. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, Nikolai must find a way to stop the rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army. Yet every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha general, Nicolai will risk everything to save his country and himself.

Consider this the official petition for Leigh Bardugo to give her damn characters a break because they didn’t half go THROUGH IT in this book. I cried, I smiled, I got angry, I laughed. Then I got all sad again because I realised this is the Grishaverse FINALE!? (Although with that ending we must have another)😭 The Shadow and Bone trilogy was okay, the Six of Crows duology is one of my all time favourites and I loved the King of Scars duology so much - and was actually one of the rare instances where the sequel was better. Now that my journey with this world has come to an end I couldn’t be feeling more bereft. 

I'll admit, I initially gave this book four stars, which would place it on the same level as it’s predecessor King of Scars. Not only did I find this book to be better overall, I also found it to be a lot more memorable. I think any book that won’t get out of your head, or any book that instantly has you googling memes or fanart after finishing deserves a top rating. I was guilty of both after finishing Rule of Wolves and so I’m far from embarrassed to admit that I’ve bumped it up to a big fat 5 stars.

It’s going to be hard to say ANYTHING without spoilers, not just for King of Scars but also for the Six of Crows duology and even Shadow and Bone. It’s because of this that my review will lack any form of substance, so instead here are some out of context spoilers that were pivotal for me - if you have read the book, you’ll get it. But if you haven’t read the book, this won’t ruin anything for you either. 

• Chapter 20. That’s it. That’s the tweet.
• Absolutely living for the queer rep in this book
• "Kebben" 😭😭😭 These chapters seemed out of the blue but I ended up growing to love them and the back story/context SO MUCH
• “I hope it will bloom for you. And I hope you bloom too” crying
• THE LAST SENTENCE !!!!!

This was overall incredibly amazing and I will forever be holding out hope for another Grishaverse book. I regret taking so long to read this book but I couldn't be more glad that I finally got around to it, and that it was everything I could have wanted and more.

These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling

Book: These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling

Read From: 8th October - 10th October 2021

Rating: 3/5 stars 

Summary: Hannah is an Elemental witch living in Salem who, ironically, has to keep her powers hidden or else she will lose her magic for good. When dark magic begins to appear over Salem, Hannah is convinced it's the work of a Blood Witch and so reluctantly teams up with her ex - Veronica. While the pair attempt to smoke out the Blood Witch, Hannah meets Morgan, a cute new ballerina in town. But trying to date amid a supernatural crisis isn't easy: Hannah will have to test the limits of her power if she's going to save her coven and get the girl, especially when the attacks on Salem's witches become deadlier by the day.

Yet another brilliant pick for Fantasy Friends Book Club! I really enjoyed this read and I’m glad it won the vote because it finally gave me an excuse to pick it up off my shelves. It was very refreshing to pick up a fantasy that didn’t have extravagant world-building and a confusing magic system, it’s a quick and easy plot driven low-fantasy read with great characters and an intriguing mystery. There isn’t much to not enjoy!

I loved the characters in this book and they really remind me of that one tiktok sound… Hannah looks like a cinnamon roll and is a cinnamon roll (but she’s still a total badass), Veronica looks like she could kill you, would kill you, Hannah looks like she could kill you but is a cinnamon roll and Gemma looks like a cinnamon roll but could kill you🤣 I apologise if you have NO clue what I just said… point is, the characterisation was great and I really enjoyed their interactions and seeing the new relationships bloom.

The plot is fast paced almost without meaning to be, which I really enjoyed. There’s a lot of character development but because this happens alongside the events the book FLIES, this would be very easy to read in a single sitting. As for the twist, it pains me to admit that I saw it coming fairly early on but I still really enjoyed the tension built up throughout and how the reveal came to fruition, it’s a WILD ride.

Overall, I do agree with the reviews that say this is VERY YA and if you’re more of a fantasy reader rather than a YA reader, this is definitely something to bear in mind - especially since the setting in this book makes it read more like a contemporary! I really enjoyed reading this and will definitely be picking up the sequel when we organise our buddy read of it with the book club!

Layla by Colleen Hoover

Book: Layla by Colleen Hoover

Read From: 5th October - 8th October 2021

Rating: 3/5 stars 

Summary: When Leeds meets Layla it's love at first sight. When an unexpected attack leaves Layla fighting for her life, Leeds whisks her away to the bed and breakfast where they first met to put their relationship back on track. Not long after they arrive, things begin to take a bizarre turn and so Leeds finds solace in Willow, another guest of the B&B. As his curiosity for Willow grows, his decision to help her find answers puts him in direct conflict with Layla’s well-being. Leeds soon realizes he has to make a choice because he can’t help both of them. But if he makes the wrong choice, it could be detrimental for all of them.

I have NEVER been this conflicted over my feelings towards a book in my life. There were so many parts I absolutely despised, but there were also so many gripping bits too! I've gone for a middle of the road rating with 3 stars - mainly because the entire time I was reading, my mind was flicking between giving it a one star and giving it a five star. I told you I was conflicted, it was so mind boggling.

It probably didn't help that one of my biggest pet peeves in this book was the main couple. I'm sorry to everyone who loved Leeds but he is honestly a walking red flag😭✋🏼 and they are just the definition of insta-love, I feel like the beginning was meant to be cute but I just found it more cringe than anything. Then of course as the synopsis suggests, it only goes downhill from there. I did feel bad for Layla after the attack, especially because her boyfriend was the biggest piece of sh*t but I felt like something was missing, I couldn't really connect to her at any point. I also didn’t like how the book tackled eating disorders - so TW for that even though it’s quite brief. Which is my issue if I’m honest, I feel like if something like that’s going to be included it should be explored a bit further? Especially if the book could work well without it?

The paranormal aspect however... for Colleen Hoover's first dabble into the genre it was done SO well, I couldn't peel my eyes away from the book. Although, I’ll admit that I haven’t read much paranormal fiction so I can’t objectively say how good it is or how it compares to others! It’s very ironic that I was as gripped as I was because I still hated the story line! I was DESPERATE to see how things ended up, but it was so frustrating with Leeds going back and forth, not being able to make up his mind. 

I honestly don’t know whether I would recommend this. I normally find my 3 star books enjoyable (and therefore would recommend them more often than not), but this book has me feeling all kinds of weird things - some positive, most not! I think I’d suggest giving Layla a try if it sounds like it would be your cup of tea - a lot of people go in expecting a horror/thriller but it’s definitely a paranormal romance so do bear that in mind to avoid disappointment.

Scrunchie in this picture is 'Blossom' from Scrunch By Liv, you can use my code LUCIESCRUNCH for 10% off the website! 

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

Book: A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

Read From: 2nd October - 7th October 2021

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life in Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal—kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom. But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated and her court threatens mutiny. Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic, requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition. When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?

This West-African inspired fantasy was filled with SO much to adore. Not only was it infused with the most vibrant culture and folktales, there were also so many tropes that I love including a competition/games, court politics and making a deal with a devil (although an obosom isn't a 'devil' - it's more of a spirit. But I guess it still sort of fits the trope). All of these combined made for the most captivating read and yet there was so much more to the book too. Betrayal, magic, self-discovery, grief, mental illness, injustice... there is a lot packed into this fantasy novel which will grip you from the very first page. 

The world-building was just incredible, and the way it ended up shaping the plot (and the history of Ziran) was done so well. The magic system and the different deities, whilst not overly complex, were genuinely so interesting to read about. Whilst I didn't find the writing style to be anything ground-breaking, the world-building and characterisation more than made up for it, but what's not to love about an easy to follow read?! 

I absolutely loved these characters but I think after a while, Malik's indecisiveness started to become a little repetitive. His brain would tell us one thing, but then the next moment his actions told a completely different story. I suppose it's understandable that you would have your doubts when killing the literal Princess but I think I would have received it a lot better if it were done in a way that was less 'samey'. However, it was amazing to see anxiety represented - I don't think this is something I've ever seen in a fantasy before and I really appreciated this touch.

Karina was great - on the outside we see a strong heroine but being in her head gave a different perspective which was so refreshing. She goes through the motions of feeling like she doesn't belong in her position of power and we see the front she puts on for the rest of Ziran - all while managing her grief over the loss of her sister, father and her mother. It was great to see both sides to her, I think it's easy to get swept up by a badass female lead without considering the fact there may be more than what meets the eye. To have this reflected on paper made a nice change!

Overall, this was an amazing YA fantasy and I cannot wait for the sequel to be released. It's a book that seems easy to predict but there are several twists and turns that you won't see coming. It's been blurbed by Kiersten White as an 'immersive debut that should be on every fantasy lover's shelf' and that just about sums it up perfectly.

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

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Book: The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

Read From: 7th October - 14th October 2021

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: After the first settler on Titan trips her distress signal, two spacefarers from rival nations are sent on a rescue mission. But when they wake up in their conjoined ship, neither of them can remember the launch. Both Ambrose and Kodiak are forced to trust one another and work together, especially when they discover what they're truly up against.

Thank you so much @pridebooktours for including me on the tour and for sending me a copy of this book!

Clearly I've become a sci-fi convert as of late because I really enjoyed this book! Yes, it's a gay love story in space but it's also so much more than that. It's packed with plot twists that will leave you reeling, characters you can't help but fall in love with as well as themes of loneliness and grief but also hope. 

Kodiak and Ambrose are the embodiment of the grumpy x sunshine trope and seeing their relationship blossom filled me with only the most happiest of emotions. While their love for each other was undoubtedly convenient as a result of the forced proximity (which was admittedly a worry of mine going in), their feelings, or at least Ambrose's feelings considering he is the narrator, still felt completely organic. It was done really well!

There are so many reviews out there to say that the marketing of this book doesn't do it justice and I can't help but agree. There are some light-hearted moments and great banter from the characters, but it is also goes so much deeper and will literally invoke an philosophical crisis within you. The less you know about this book the better, but just know that if you finish this book late at night, you will be awake until the early hours of the morning contemplating the meaning of life. Think along the lines of Scythe by Neal Shusterman, and then times it by 100.

If you usually steer clear of YA books I highly suggest not applying that rule to The Darkness Outside Us - the characters are a YA age at 17 but it's truly a book that could be appreciated by most adult readers also. Tensions are running high, it's emotional and it's equal parts character driven and plot driven - there's a lot to love in this book.

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

Book: Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

Read From: 29th September - 4th October 2021

Rating: 3.5/5 stars 

Summary: This is the third book in the Wayfarer series - a companion novel that depicts the lives of various (somewhat interconnected) humans in the Exodus Fleet.

I think this was definitely my least favourite of the series so far but PLEASE take that with a pinch of salt because I still love these books and this world so much! I am very much missing the aliens though (this one was very human focused with the exception of a couple of Aeluons who had a minor role and Ghuh'loloan the Harmagian). However, it was also so nice to see the inner workings of the Fleet in more detail, especially because we get some hints of it in books 1 and 2.

Record of a Spaceborn Few had more of a cinematic feel in comparison to the other books in this series - we get a lot more different perspectives and whilst they are somehow connected, all of the characters are still very much on their own journey. I enjoyed learning about Eyas' role as a 'caretaker' and how the values within the Fleet are reflected in her job of dealing with the dead. Isabel's POV was really interesting because she is showing Ghuh'loloan around, who is an outsider to the fleet, and we get to see it through her eyes - it's like we are learning alongside her! Sawyer was the most wholesome soul who just wanted to start fresh🥺 I loved him! I wasn't as invested in Tessa and Kip's stories, but they were great characters and whilst I wasn't invested in Kip's story generally, I did love him as a character!

I absolutely love the world Becky Chambers has crafted within this series, they're very quiet and humble books but they do so much - I think anyone who loves a character-driven story would absolutely adore the Wayfarers series. I don't see anywhere near enough people raving about these books, they deserve to be extremely hyped up! The beauty of the series being full of companion novels too is that you can stop at any time - so there really isn't an obligation to commit. I can't wait to get my hands on the fourth book and I think at this point it goes without saying that I will 100% be reading anything else Becky Chambers has previously written and will write in the future! 

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

Book: A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

Read On: 1st October 2021

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: This is a queer, dark, lyrical retelling of Dracula's brides - told from the perspective of one of his wives, Constanta.

This was meant to be a buddy read... sorry girls🤦🏼‍♀️🤣 I had absolutely no intentions of reading this in practically one sitting but I couldn't tear my eyes away! Obviously the story itself was addicting, but the WRITING!!?? I've never read prose like it, every sentence left you wanting more and more and the next thing I knew, I'd finished the book!

This book deals with some potentially triggering topics so I would strongly advise you check those before I get into my 'everyone needs to read this book!!!' spiel. The entirety of this book is essentially dealing with gaslighting and the affects of a domestic abusive relationship, but it also depicts death, murder, violence and blood (note that although I've highlighted the main triggers, the list does go on, so please do check for yourself before reading)! 

If you feel as though you're in the right headspace to read this book then I cannot express how much you should. As I've already mentioned, the writing style was absolutely gorgeous. Not only were the characters written so well I had the most vivid image of them all in my head, there were so many STUNNING quotes and my book is now covered in tabs.

I think that the second person narration really helped in elevating the story and massively helped me as a reader connect to Constanta, particularly as whilst she is essentially reciting the story to us, it still feels like two separate timelines. When the events of the past are unfolding, you can't help but feel like you are there alongside the characters in the moment. But often, the story is interspersed with almost a 'present' timeline, which is more Constanta reflecting on her situation, and its toxicity, with the benefit of hindsight in the form of either specific paragraphs or even random sentences in the midst of her infatuation. I really haven't explained this very well but trust me when I say it's written in the best possible way and the only way to truly do it justice is to read it for yourself.

I can't stop thinking about this book! It's worth every single penny and I couldn't have timed this vampire-filled read more perfectly with it being spooky season! I'm so sad that I haven't seen this around on bookstagram because it's worthy of all the hype it's getting on booktube at the moment and it's time we brought that onto insta. Highly highly HIGHLY recommend!

Willow Moss and the Lost Day by Dominique Valente

Book: Willow Moss and the Lost Day by Dominique Valente 

Read From: 16th September - 29th September 2021

Rating: No Rating

Summary: Willow Moss, the least powerful sister in a family of witches, has a magical ability for finding lost things - like spectacles or socks. Useful, but not exactly exciting... Then the most feared witch in all of Starfell comes asking for Willow's help. Last Tuesday has gone missing and without it the whole world would unravel. Now Willow holds the fate of Starfell in her rather unremarkable hands...

So I've not given this one a rating, mainly because I didn't love nor hate it. It's not one that's going to stick with me, but at the same time I recognise that this middle grade book wasn't written for people my age and so it would be unfair to quantify my feelings into a star rating. The only time I rate middle grade books is if I think they will be enjoyed by adults too (such as Boy Everywhere by A.M. Dassu). Otherwise, I'll just have to hope that my review can do the talking, and will help you decide whether this would be a good one to buy for or read to any children in your life!

Three words to describe this book: whimsical, cute and fun. Willow's magic for finding lost things is really unique and (obviously) works really well with the plotline. We don't get an overwhelming amount of detail about her other sisters' magic but from what we're told by Willow, it's very clear she feels like an outsider in comparison to their extravagant gifts such as moving things with their mind. As a result, not only does this book follow Willow on her journey to finding last Tuesday, we're also tagging along with her on her journey of self-discovery. The message of self-love at the end of the book is such an important one to be giving young children.

Two of my favourite books of all time are The House in the Cerulean Sea and The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. One thing that those books have in common is an eclectic bunch of species/people/creatures all coming together to form the most heart-warming relationship, and this was so lovely to see in Willow Moss and the Lost Day too! Obviously we have Moreg Vaine, Willow and her kobold Oswin (who claims he is a monster but is most definitely a cat). But along the way, the gang meet a variety of different beings - Calamity the troll, Feathering the dragon, Nolin Sometimes the oublier and Essential - a young girl who can freeze things. I wouldn't say its 'found family' as such, but there were times it did give off those vibes and I think this is something a child would love - particularly when they're accompanied by the most gorgeous illustrations from Sarah Warburton!

Overall, I'd definitely recommend this for young children. It has excitement, mystery and great characters they will love reading about! This isn't a middle grade I would necessarily recommend to adults, but if you're interested in trying it out I would definitely recommend giving it a go. Although it took me a while to read, I still had a lot of fun with this, especially seeing the magic come to life in the illustrations.

Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton et al

Book: Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Nic Stone, Tiffany D. Jackson, Ashley Woodfolk, Angie Thomas and Nicola Yoon

Read From: 23rd September - 28th September 

Rating: 2/5 stars 

Summary: When a heatwave plunges New York City into darkness, sparks fly for thirteen teenagers caught up in the blackout. A first meeting. Long-time friends. Bitter exes. And maybe the beginning of something new. When the lights go out, people reveal hidden truths. Love blossoms, friendship transforms, and new possibilities take flight.

I'm in the MASSIVE minority here by not getting on with this book, I'm so sorry to those who adored it but it really just wasn't for me! I think it may have been because this is an anthology - giving me snippets of characters rather than having the time to fully connect with them and their stories. However, that being said I'm so glad, and it's so important, that this book exists for young black teens. And there was so much diversity within the various stores too - there's a wlw story, a mlm story as well as references to same-sex parents and a non-binary character. It was amazing to see this LGBTQ+ rep included so casually, especially considering the target audience for this book!

I haven't read any of Dhonielle Clayton's or Ashley Woodfolk's books, but I know first hand that Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas and Nicola Yoon are all amazing writers. I was aware before going in that several groups of interconnected teenagers all falling in love around the same time wasn’t going to be the most realistic, and it wasn’t this that I had a problem with. Instead, I think it was more the execution that didn’t hit the mark for me. Which was such a shame as I, like many others, had such high expectations going into this!

For example, I didn't like how the characters didn't come full circle at the end. It would have been so easy for a paragraph or even a couple of sentences to be included, especially as most of them were heading to the same place. The lack of this meant that some of my favourite stories within this anthology (such as Mask Off and Made To Fit) ended pretty abruptly. In contrast, The Long Walk was split up into 5 different acts, which not only made that story feel a little disjointed but also made me wonder why that specific story was getting more attention than the others. I thought that maybe if we kept revisiting The Long Walk, we would also be able to revisit some of the other characters too.

There were also a few questionable parts which didn't really make sense to me. No Sleep til Brooklyn was probably the most confusing of the bunch - I didn't really understand the need for such a pointless love square when that wasn't really related to the moral of the story. And the main character made such a big deal out of it, only to then resolve it after one small conversation which I guess just didn't fit with the build-up of the character we got to know. It's a shame this wasn't executed differently because I think the message of this story was so important, which makes me so sad to write because I LOVE Angie Thomas!

The Seymour and Grace story was also a little TOO insta-love for my liking where the character has a random 'epiphany' moment and the romance that blossomed as a result seemed more out of convenience than anything else. You all know by now that insta-love really isn't my thing, but there were some stories in this book where it was done really well and I could appreciate it (like Made To Fit which ended up being one of my favourites)!

Even though I didn't get on with this, I'd still recommend it. Like I said, I'm very much in the minority here and I think this reading experience has taught me to avoid picking up anthologies in future. It's an important read focusing on black love, with amazing LGBTQ+ rep. I'm sad I didn't love it but it goes without saying that I'm still going to read most, if not all, future books released (individually, of course) by these authors!