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shayboote's reviews
2187 reviews
Upside Down by N.R. Walker
5.0
This was a perfect way to start out the new year, reading a fantastic book, loving the story and characters.
Jordan is quirky, foul mouthed for such a soft cinnamon roll, and loves books and his job at the library. Headphones guy, as Jordan has dubbed him, catches Jordan's eye as they ride the same bus home everyday. Jordan is too shy and too confused to talk to the beautiful man. His inner struggles with the thing that has ended so many of his relationships is one more thing that makes him neurotic on the best of days. His shyness adds to his awkwardness, making his mouth run a mile a minute saying things he would rather keep in.
Headphones guy turns out to be Hennessy Lang, hot, smart, loves books and has his sights set on Jordan. Meeting or liking Jordan was a sweet surprise. Hennessy, runs a support group for people like him. Hennessy Wanted to help those who have struggled or are struggling with their own sexuality. He knows what he wants in a partner, what he wants for himself. Jordan and Hennessey navigate a relationship like neither has had before, finding footing as asexuals wanting love and acceptance for who they are.
I think the asexual rep in this book is spot on, showing that there is a spectrum. Asexuality or aromanticism isn't linear and does not follow a set path, it is different for everyone who identifies as either. Some of the best moments in this book are when Jordan and Hennessy feel seen and explore how relationships exist without sex being a part or sometimes all of a relationship.
The friends dynamic in this text is amazing as well. It shows the truth of strength in found family.
This story touched my heart. So glad it was one of my first reads of the new year. It made me feel seen too. It's great when a text can have that kind of impact.
Jordan is quirky, foul mouthed for such a soft cinnamon roll, and loves books and his job at the library. Headphones guy, as Jordan has dubbed him, catches Jordan's eye as they ride the same bus home everyday. Jordan is too shy and too confused to talk to the beautiful man. His inner struggles with the thing that has ended so many of his relationships is one more thing that makes him neurotic on the best of days. His shyness adds to his awkwardness, making his mouth run a mile a minute saying things he would rather keep in.
Headphones guy turns out to be Hennessy Lang, hot, smart, loves books and has his sights set on Jordan. Meeting or liking Jordan was a sweet surprise. Hennessy, runs a support group for people like him. Hennessy Wanted to help those who have struggled or are struggling with their own sexuality. He knows what he wants in a partner, what he wants for himself. Jordan and Hennessey navigate a relationship like neither has had before, finding footing as asexuals wanting love and acceptance for who they are.
I think the asexual rep in this book is spot on, showing that there is a spectrum. Asexuality or aromanticism isn't linear and does not follow a set path, it is different for everyone who identifies as either. Some of the best moments in this book are when Jordan and Hennessy feel seen and explore how relationships exist without sex being a part or sometimes all of a relationship.
The friends dynamic in this text is amazing as well. It shows the truth of strength in found family.
This story touched my heart. So glad it was one of my first reads of the new year. It made me feel seen too. It's great when a text can have that kind of impact.
Snow, Glass, Apples by Neil Gaiman
4.0
The artwork was lovely. The retelling of Snow White was imaginative but brutal and flips the script on the story, giving us another perspective on what is good and what is evil.
This is not a graphic novel for kids. The strong sexual nature both graphically and in the text was a surprise to me. The story was well told and I believe that it is one of the best concepts for a retelling I have seen in a long time. The idea that the evil queen we know from the story of Snow White was the true victim, trying to make her kingdom safe and avenge her husband's death really turned this story on its head.
This is not a graphic novel for kids. The strong sexual nature both graphically and in the text was a surprise to me. The story was well told and I believe that it is one of the best concepts for a retelling I have seen in a long time. The idea that the evil queen we know from the story of Snow White was the true victim, trying to make her kingdom safe and avenge her husband's death really turned this story on its head.
Tic-Tac-Mistletoe by N.R. Walker
5.0
Such a sweet story. N.R. Walker has dominated the first three books for my 2021 reading. I am rarely a fan of insta-love, but having known people who have been together 30 plus years who fell in love over a few days., I can't deny that it can and does happen. Some say, when you know, you know.
Hamish has uprooted his entire life to move half-way around the world from Australia to Idaho. Weather stranded him at the wrong airport, but desperate to get to his sister Hamish rents a car. Navigating the road with the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car and people driving on the wrong side of the road, Hamish ends up driving in blizzard conditions, when he has never even seen snow before. Sliding off the road into a ditch in the middle of nowhere, Hamish fears the worst.
Ren lives the small town life, owns the local hardware store and loves his dog. For a gay man in the middle of nowhere Montana, he has resolved to be alone. That is until he pulls a handsome quirky and unapologetically gay man from the side of the road before he had a chance to freeze to death.
This story is heartwarmingly funny and the attraction between the characters is almost palpable. The text explores grief and what if feels like to not only be seen, but heard. Insta-love trope done well, dare I say. The thing I have noticed about Walker's writing is that even when the love is quick, the story on the page along with the well written attractions of her characters feels like you've been on this long, great journey with them and that the love was a product of that journey. It snuck up on me that this was a relationship forged and cemented within days of meeting each other. Well done, can't wait to read more of this author's work.
Hamish has uprooted his entire life to move half-way around the world from Australia to Idaho. Weather stranded him at the wrong airport, but desperate to get to his sister Hamish rents a car. Navigating the road with the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car and people driving on the wrong side of the road, Hamish ends up driving in blizzard conditions, when he has never even seen snow before. Sliding off the road into a ditch in the middle of nowhere, Hamish fears the worst.
Ren lives the small town life, owns the local hardware store and loves his dog. For a gay man in the middle of nowhere Montana, he has resolved to be alone. That is until he pulls a handsome quirky and unapologetically gay man from the side of the road before he had a chance to freeze to death.
This story is heartwarmingly funny and the attraction between the characters is almost palpable. The text explores grief and what if feels like to not only be seen, but heard. Insta-love trope done well, dare I say. The thing I have noticed about Walker's writing is that even when the love is quick, the story on the page along with the well written attractions of her characters feels like you've been on this long, great journey with them and that the love was a product of that journey. It snuck up on me that this was a relationship forged and cemented within days of meeting each other. Well done, can't wait to read more of this author's work.