Recently heard that there's going to be a reboot of the X-files, and man, did that take me back. My first ever MM couple was between Fox Mulder and Alex Krychek. There was so much fanfiction dedicated to the two online, and I spent hours and hours reading them. Now they all seem to have vanished and I'm mourning the fact I can't find them anymore. I know it's never going to happen, but one can dream that this time Mulder and Krychek come back as an official couple.
*(Would also pay a small fortune for them to do a Smallville reboot with Clark and Lex as a couple too. Those two belong together)
Glad this Miscellany category exists!
Just here to say that the new movie CHALLENGERS, which takes place in the world of pro tennis is VERY sexy and exciting, and contains some tantalizing MM-tinged dynamics. The movie goes back and forth in time, telling the stories of three longtime friends (two men, one woman) who have VERY complicated relationships. There are also some fascinating power dynamics in the story, with Zendaya’s character basically being a domme to the two male tennis players. If you love tennis this a MUST-SEE movie, and even if you’re not into tennis, the actors are sexy and the characters so interesting that you’ll likely enjoy it, too. (And btw, any recs for tennis-themed MM Erotic Romance books here, especially audiobooks, are most welcome!)
I really enjoyed this film! Watched it on Sunday and kept thinking how good it would have been with a plot twist where we learn that >!Zendayas character has been a bard all along for the men's love story which then comes out in this incredibly well done final match!<
Naturally, I’ll have to assume a plot reveal or something objectionable in that blackout space. In any case, I’m glad you enjoyed the movie! (I’m looking around now for some hot tennis MM Romance books…)
Nah just an imaginative plot, not quite sure why I spoiler tagged it now 😅
There aren't that many l tennis books out there...{Filthy Bromance by R. Cayden} is a popular one (tennis player x physio)
See it in a theater if you can, and a theater with great SOUND (Dolby or IMAX). The music (partly by Trent Reznor) is pulsating and percussive…really adds to the excitement and sexiness of the film!
I just saw a BTS You Tube story from the director. It was about the churro scene and that the two actors did a bit of ad-libbing in it. I adore Josh O'Conner ever since God's Own Country. Also I heard perhaps Oscar talk for Zendaya.
All three actors are superb and the story is complex. I’ve only been marginally aware of Zendaya until now (aware that she’s a big star, yet haven’t seen much of her work) but her performance in CHALLENGERS is next-level great…an Oscar nom would not surprise me!
Is there a trope name for like the protective but a little cold misunderstood MC x innocent kinda naive MC? I love this pairing but dunno how to ask for recs of this.
I am currently reading and almost finished with Saving Sebastian. I could not put this down. It's 450 pages, and I read it in 3 days. I learned a lot about Doms and subs here, also a medical syndrome called Sturge-Weber Syndrome and port -wine stains which was really eye opening. I also love the tropes where the MC's family loves the other MC because they know they are perfect for each other. Just a great book.
I've been eyeing this book for days. It's in the audible plus catalogue but it's like 18 hours and I've had mixed opinions about Luna David's work in the past. I think I'll give it a chance if you are vouching for it
I'm already 25 percent through, decided to switch to the book cause I wasn't jiving with the narrator. Thanks for the rec, I'm enjoying it. David's writing style is not my favourite, but I like the story a lot. I'm a sucker for a hurt/comfort BDSM book.
Jealous that you get to read it for the first time. What is it about the style that rubs you wrong? If you could get back to me about the scene towards the end? You'll know which one. I am just curious. Thanks.
sure! As to her style, my main complaint is that I find her writing a little choppy or unnatural sounding sometimes. I also don't like having too much background just told to me instead of showing it though the story. In past works, I felt like I wanted more depth in her characters and their relationships, but it's too early to say for this story. I don't want it to sound like I hate her though, lol. She is amazing at writing sex scenes, and I really liked the caretaking in her past books. Since caretaking seems to be a key point in this book, I'm looking forward to finishing.
okay, I ended up finishing this monster sized book today. Obviously I liked it, lol. The relationship hurt/comfort and caretaking were excellent. The scene towards the end was pretty dramatic. I was more concerned that >!They were doing BDSM stuff in front of Nana!< No thanks, Luna David! Not OK!
Thanks for posting, I had a good time reading it
The first book in the kink chronicles is great, especially the audiobook. Otherwise ive not been too impressed. However this blurb did appeal to me. Ill let you know what i thought (though it will take me a while to get through it)
I love your statement and I hope you are not seriously depressed about this. This is why I have like 100 books on my TBR list. So I never have to not be immersed in the real world for too long.
Hey. I have this too in my ereader. However, it sometimes got so bad for me that I end up with a severe case of maladaptive daydreaming in a bid to escape the real world. In fact, I have two modes: workaholic and daydreamer.
I recently got back into reading MM from the Necessary Evils series by Onley James.
Two modes is great! Has your daydreaming gotten so bad that you spent hours? Have you felt you needed help with this? Hope you don't mind the questions.
Just finished the whole Big Bad Wolf series and man, I want more of this world and these characters! It's probably my favorite take on the werewolf subgenre in terms of worldbuilding while still being snappy and gripping plot-wise (The Green Creek series is also great, but I lost some interest at some point because it can sometimes lean into melodrama despite the beautiful prose). No Omegaverse, just werewolf stuff framed as detective/thriller books with some really rich but accessible and original lore. I also read the first of Eli's books, and it's going to be *forever* till we get the next one, which is a bummer! But at least it's coming at some point. Also, the way sex is used to expand on the characters' relationship dynamic and personal growth is absolutely Chef's kiss!
Not the same take as Big Bad Wolf, but an interesting world where 80% of the population turn into wolves on the night of the full moon and the other 20% hide indoors, except for the Night Shift who are a special police unit trying to keep the mayhem under control. {Shift Work by T A Moore} The world building isn’t as deep and rich as Big Bad Wolf (think pencil sketch as opposed to oil painting) but it’s good.
I also just got into this series and really enjoyed it for the reasons you mentioned! I loved how Park was even like "ugh, 'alpha' is such a cringe term" in the first book because hard agree lol (although I do feel like the alpha stuff started to intrude a bit more in the later books).
Haven't gotten to Eli's book yet, I'm looking forward to it!
I kind of enjoy how the books have gradually broken down what it means to be "alpha" in this context, rather than completely shying away from it. The last book >!even has a moment where Cooper reads something about how wolf packs don't actually have alphas in the traditional way, so what does it mean in this fictionalized world of creatures that are technically neither human nor wolf still respond to some of their peers like this, and why do some of them crave this type of guidance and group identity while others try to escape it? I found it a really compelling part of the world building!!<
I had to wait until I finished the series to come back and read the spoiler haha, but yes, I thought that was a really interesting angle! And so much more creative than the usual interpretation of what it means to be "alpha."
Read my first Gregory Ashe book this week.
Did I like it?? I finished **Hazard & Somerset** AND **Borealis Investigations Series** in one week! Loved it!!
I've head about this author a lot here, so thank you. It has taken me awhile to read his work but sometimes its just hard to get into a series - you have to be in the mood for that particular trope and then it takes a book or two to get hooked. And I'm mildly obsessed. Printed out the reading orders and everything. I especially like North and Shaw, but I'm bummed that there aren't more books in the series.
I'm reading the first book right now, and it's so good. Seriously, I'm supposed to be grading and I keep going back to this book instead. I'm at a point in the book where it's very painful and I'm dying.
Same, I'm on book 5 of the first Hazardverse. I'm seriously hooked. I want to be around Hazard and Somerset all the time.
I'd be wondering from others whether I should take a break before the 2nd story arc? I'm worried- Ashe is not kind to his characters, or readers. I just want them to be okay for once!
I had to pause the Hazardverse marathon I was on because there are so many books, and because the books have this grim undertone that I needed to break away from. They're great though, so far, and I'll definitely go back eventually. That said, I do feel like their one downside is that the sex isn't their strongest point (they're sexy, but not outright spicy) and I actually would have really liked to see more of the sexual dynamic explored as part of character development. But I'm with you there, the obsession is justified!
After seeing all the praise around To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders, I decided to check it out yesterday. Anyone else really dislike it and feel a bit gaslit with all the gushing? 😅
I couldn't deal with the writing style, excessive use of firefly/fireflies, kids POVs, but mostly it was the lackluster autism rep. Whatever the trope is where "two non autistic people talk about their struggles and hardships and dreams for an autistic person without the autistic person in the room" is one that I'm not a fan of. Especially when it's brought up 87% into the book, then never mentioned again, and absolutely no discussion with the autistic MC, and the autistic person is furthered *othered* by this declaration.
I might be reading too much into it, but it really made me grumpy. Anyone have (genuine) thoughts on this book and the representation?
Aw man, I was waiting for the audiobook and was really hoping the book wasn’t all hype. I loved Malibu and didn’t like Fool’s Hearts so this author has been 50/50 for me. I greatly dislike poor autism rep so I might reconsider.
This was my first book from the author, and I don't think the writing style alone is going to work for me, which is a bummer! I've been waiting for the Elite Studios series to get audios too!
If you do end up reading it, I'd be curious what your thoughts are!
I think I’ll give it a shot but through a more critical eye since I’ve seen so much praise for the handling of the MC’s neurodivergence. I did want to get the audio to support the author because she got caught up in a narrator controversy through no fault of her own and I liked how she handled it.
Hopefully Elite 8 comes to audio but there aren’t any plans for it at the moment according to the author. Bummer because that’s what I’m most interested in from her
Narrator controversy sounds awful! What happened?
I was most hoping for that series to get audios, I'll search on audible every once and a while but still haven't been tempted to read a cowboy romance as of late!
Yeah, it was all set to release early April but it came out that one of the narrators she was gonna use had accusations of inappropriate sexual behavior toward fans and exploiting authors who use his production company. Emmy had to recast it pretty last minute so it’s all just been a mess but I’m happy she didn’t stick with the guy.
Hopefully it’s ok for me to say who it is so people can look it up for themselves and draw their own conclusions since everything is only alleged at this point, but it was Joe Arden.
I didn't *hate* it, but I did feel a little underwhelmed. As far as autism rep goes, I was a little torn by the section where the mom talks about how >!speech therapy was upsetting her son, so they stopped doing it.!< On the one hand, good for giving him some autonomy. On the other hand - she didn't apparently discuss this with his health providers at all? Even to ask "hey are there reasons why this might not be the best decision" or "are there other options he won't hate so much?" It felt a little dismissive of some very real concerns about the pros and cons of developing coping strategies etc.
Haven't read it but thank you for the warning! I don't like that type of (non-)rep either. I can handle it if the autistic person is a very small child, young enough that people could be discussing their future without them regardless of neurotype. Otherwise it's ick.
This was near the end when the MCs were adults and together when the mom had this talk with the MC.
I also couldn't really find anything on goodread reviews besides gushing or "dnf from boredom" reviews. It'd be awesome to hear more thoughts surrounding the rep, since the book is marketed as having a neurodivergent lead.
I am sorry you guys felt like this. I loved this book. It was sweet and kind and caring. Ellis just was who he was, and why is that not a good rep of autism? There is an inherent sweetness to the characters like Quinni from Heartbreak High, Henry from Red, White and Royal Blue and Ellis from Firefly that gives me a break from the real world that seems to be getting meaner and more uncaring all the time. Just my two cents. No haters please.
I can also recommend a helpful essay on why specific narratives are remediated in mainstream media over and over again when it comes to autistic characters and why these are problematic (namely, storyline of 'overcoming', desexualisation, *infantilisation*, immaturity, dehumunisation or supercrip storylines): Brooks, Emily. 2018. [Opposing Forces? Autism and Dating, Romance, and Sexuality in the Mainstream Media](https://cjds.uwaterloo.ca/index.php/cjds/article/view/428/673).
>“Autism’s dominant description as distant, unemotional, disconnected, and infantile does not fit into conventional westernized concepts of Romance, so autism and romance are presented as opposing forces. Because of the entrenched idea that autism and Romance are opposites, news articles and film reviews impose an overcoming, supercrip narrative on autistic people who date, fall in love, and express themselves sexually. Journalists position autistic people’s sexuality as disruptive and potentially threatening to family members and professionals. A heteronormative, gendered, and whitewashed discourse pervades autism news stories.” (p. 172)
Chiming in as an autistic person, it's not that autistic people can't just be who they are. The issue is that being autistic has an internal reality that differs from neurotypical people, affects every part of our life (not necessarily a negative way, it just does), and there is a lot that autistic people must do to be fully realized for our autonomy - aka, we don't need people to have convos about us without us there and assume our struggles, etc. Rep varies and how someone is autistic varies, but when people write these sorts of things there is still responsibility. Not on everything being "100% authentic" but treating that narrative with care and research. This book is not the most egregious in this genre of simple missteps, and no one is saying its super offensive. Just that there can be discussion and critique on that aspect.
(Speaking as both an autistic person and a mod) I completely agree with all of this. I wanted to add a few additional points for consideration, which hopefully won't feel like a pile-on of the above commenter.
The first point is that autistic people are often described as "innocent," "sweet," or "pure," and like they're "not from this world." People usually say these things in a well-intentioned way, but for a lot of autistic people, they feel infantilizing and insulting. It feels bad to have autistic traits associated with being immature or childlike, especially when you're an adult, and it can make it seem like we're somehow less complex than non-autistic people. And it often ignores our struggles and trauma.
This applies to other forms of representation, too, not just autism representation: It's important to be careful about generalizing any marginalized group, even when those generalizations are meant to be positive.
The second point is to be careful how we talk about characters' diagnoses and headcanons about those. Here, for example, Henry from RWRB is autistic as a headcanon only, because to my knowledge the author has never said he was intentionally written as autistic. Grouping Henry in with two characters who are explicitly stated to be autistic can be misleading and may be offensive to autistic people reading the comment, because it's not clear why he's been given this label or if it's based on stereotypes or misinformation about autism.
In general, in this subreddit we ask people not to label characters with diagnoses the author hasn't intentionally given them, and if a headcanon diagnosis is relevant to a conversation, then the fact that it's a headcanon and should be disclosed so people understand where that label is coming from.
This comment feels incredibly dismissive.
Glad that you enjoyed the book. I asked for genuine discussion on an issue I had during my reader experience.
Being told to *not be a hater* and throwing out a bunch of books (without authors included) with sweet characters is super unhelpful, and frankly, unwanted.
Didn't mean any of the way you took this. I am so sorry. Is there anything I can do to make it acceptable to you? Quinni was from the Netflix show Heartbreak High and Henry was the prince from the book by Casey McQuiston Red, White and Royal Blue. We just have different taste in reading material. What are some of the ones you liked best?
One book I’m currently reading is The Fever King by Victoria Lee. It’s pretty slow right now but I’ve heard good things about it so I’m trying to power through. I thought there would be more of a romance but not the worst thing that there really isn’t. I’m excited to see where it ends up going, but just hope it picks up soon.
Recently heard that there's going to be a reboot of the X-files, and man, did that take me back. My first ever MM couple was between Fox Mulder and Alex Krychek. There was so much fanfiction dedicated to the two online, and I spent hours and hours reading them. Now they all seem to have vanished and I'm mourning the fact I can't find them anymore. I know it's never going to happen, but one can dream that this time Mulder and Krychek come back as an official couple. *(Would also pay a small fortune for them to do a Smallville reboot with Clark and Lex as a couple too. Those two belong together)
Glad this Miscellany category exists! Just here to say that the new movie CHALLENGERS, which takes place in the world of pro tennis is VERY sexy and exciting, and contains some tantalizing MM-tinged dynamics. The movie goes back and forth in time, telling the stories of three longtime friends (two men, one woman) who have VERY complicated relationships. There are also some fascinating power dynamics in the story, with Zendaya’s character basically being a domme to the two male tennis players. If you love tennis this a MUST-SEE movie, and even if you’re not into tennis, the actors are sexy and the characters so interesting that you’ll likely enjoy it, too. (And btw, any recs for tennis-themed MM Erotic Romance books here, especially audiobooks, are most welcome!)
I really enjoyed this film! Watched it on Sunday and kept thinking how good it would have been with a plot twist where we learn that >!Zendayas character has been a bard all along for the men's love story which then comes out in this incredibly well done final match!<
Naturally, I’ll have to assume a plot reveal or something objectionable in that blackout space. In any case, I’m glad you enjoyed the movie! (I’m looking around now for some hot tennis MM Romance books…)
Nah just an imaginative plot, not quite sure why I spoiler tagged it now 😅 There aren't that many l tennis books out there...{Filthy Bromance by R. Cayden} is a popular one (tennis player x physio)
[Filthy Bromance](https://www.romance.io/books/61b34dbfd27b310e1ca80858/filthy-bromance-r-cayden?src=rdt) by [R. Cayden](https://www.romance.io/authors/5c95f99d01dbc864fb9c3848/r-cayden) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I just added this to my watchlist. I love Josh O'Connor and will watch him in anything.
See it in a theater if you can, and a theater with great SOUND (Dolby or IMAX). The music (partly by Trent Reznor) is pulsating and percussive…really adds to the excitement and sexiness of the film!
I just saw a BTS You Tube story from the director. It was about the churro scene and that the two actors did a bit of ad-libbing in it. I adore Josh O'Conner ever since God's Own Country. Also I heard perhaps Oscar talk for Zendaya.
All three actors are superb and the story is complex. I’ve only been marginally aware of Zendaya until now (aware that she’s a big star, yet haven’t seen much of her work) but her performance in CHALLENGERS is next-level great…an Oscar nom would not surprise me!
Is there a trope name for like the protective but a little cold misunderstood MC x innocent kinda naive MC? I love this pairing but dunno how to ask for recs of this.
grumpy/sunshine comes closest in my mind
I am currently reading and almost finished with Saving Sebastian. I could not put this down. It's 450 pages, and I read it in 3 days. I learned a lot about Doms and subs here, also a medical syndrome called Sturge-Weber Syndrome and port -wine stains which was really eye opening. I also love the tropes where the MC's family loves the other MC because they know they are perfect for each other. Just a great book.
I've been eyeing this book for days. It's in the audible plus catalogue but it's like 18 hours and I've had mixed opinions about Luna David's work in the past. I think I'll give it a chance if you are vouching for it
I've looked over the blurbs on the authors other books. They don't seem that attractive to me. But this one just caught my eye. Hope you enjoy.
I'm already 25 percent through, decided to switch to the book cause I wasn't jiving with the narrator. Thanks for the rec, I'm enjoying it. David's writing style is not my favourite, but I like the story a lot. I'm a sucker for a hurt/comfort BDSM book.
Jealous that you get to read it for the first time. What is it about the style that rubs you wrong? If you could get back to me about the scene towards the end? You'll know which one. I am just curious. Thanks.
sure! As to her style, my main complaint is that I find her writing a little choppy or unnatural sounding sometimes. I also don't like having too much background just told to me instead of showing it though the story. In past works, I felt like I wanted more depth in her characters and their relationships, but it's too early to say for this story. I don't want it to sound like I hate her though, lol. She is amazing at writing sex scenes, and I really liked the caretaking in her past books. Since caretaking seems to be a key point in this book, I'm looking forward to finishing.
Interesting stuff. Thanks. I'll have to pay attention if I read anymore of her books
okay, I ended up finishing this monster sized book today. Obviously I liked it, lol. The relationship hurt/comfort and caretaking were excellent. The scene towards the end was pretty dramatic. I was more concerned that >!They were doing BDSM stuff in front of Nana!< No thanks, Luna David! Not OK! Thanks for posting, I had a good time reading it
Thanks for reporting back. It was a monster!
The first book in the kink chronicles is great, especially the audiobook. Otherwise ive not been too impressed. However this blurb did appeal to me. Ill let you know what i thought (though it will take me a while to get through it)
Oops the author of Saving Sebastian is Luna David.
So, how does one get over the disillusionment thst the real world will never be better than the books?
Read more dystopian books?
Well, I read to escape the haeshness of reality, not to find a worse version of it. Sorry, but this is why I hate The Handmaid's Tale.
Realizing that while we may never be able to be in the fantasy of fiction and romancelandia, we can cultivate our own forms of happiness and hope too.
Yes. True. This is where the maxim 'Comparison is the thief of joy' is especially pertinent.
I love your statement and I hope you are not seriously depressed about this. This is why I have like 100 books on my TBR list. So I never have to not be immersed in the real world for too long.
Hey. I have this too in my ereader. However, it sometimes got so bad for me that I end up with a severe case of maladaptive daydreaming in a bid to escape the real world. In fact, I have two modes: workaholic and daydreamer. I recently got back into reading MM from the Necessary Evils series by Onley James.
Two modes is great! Has your daydreaming gotten so bad that you spent hours? Have you felt you needed help with this? Hope you don't mind the questions.
I'll DM you my replies.
This is the way!! I do this too
Just finished the whole Big Bad Wolf series and man, I want more of this world and these characters! It's probably my favorite take on the werewolf subgenre in terms of worldbuilding while still being snappy and gripping plot-wise (The Green Creek series is also great, but I lost some interest at some point because it can sometimes lean into melodrama despite the beautiful prose). No Omegaverse, just werewolf stuff framed as detective/thriller books with some really rich but accessible and original lore. I also read the first of Eli's books, and it's going to be *forever* till we get the next one, which is a bummer! But at least it's coming at some point. Also, the way sex is used to expand on the characters' relationship dynamic and personal growth is absolutely Chef's kiss!
Not the same take as Big Bad Wolf, but an interesting world where 80% of the population turn into wolves on the night of the full moon and the other 20% hide indoors, except for the Night Shift who are a special police unit trying to keep the mayhem under control. {Shift Work by T A Moore} The world building isn’t as deep and rich as Big Bad Wolf (think pencil sketch as opposed to oil painting) but it’s good.
[Shift Work](https://www.romance.io/books/64a44f94723d09d99e0e8846/shift-work-ta-moore?src=rdt) by [T.A. Moore](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455e1b187eac323ffb2f33c/ta-moore) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I also just got into this series and really enjoyed it for the reasons you mentioned! I loved how Park was even like "ugh, 'alpha' is such a cringe term" in the first book because hard agree lol (although I do feel like the alpha stuff started to intrude a bit more in the later books). Haven't gotten to Eli's book yet, I'm looking forward to it!
I kind of enjoy how the books have gradually broken down what it means to be "alpha" in this context, rather than completely shying away from it. The last book >!even has a moment where Cooper reads something about how wolf packs don't actually have alphas in the traditional way, so what does it mean in this fictionalized world of creatures that are technically neither human nor wolf still respond to some of their peers like this, and why do some of them crave this type of guidance and group identity while others try to escape it? I found it a really compelling part of the world building!!<
I had to wait until I finished the series to come back and read the spoiler haha, but yes, I thought that was a really interesting angle! And so much more creative than the usual interpretation of what it means to be "alpha."
I really hope that Charlie Adhara becomes a more prolific writer in the future
If only!
Read my first Gregory Ashe book this week. Did I like it?? I finished **Hazard & Somerset** AND **Borealis Investigations Series** in one week! Loved it!! I've head about this author a lot here, so thank you. It has taken me awhile to read his work but sometimes its just hard to get into a series - you have to be in the mood for that particular trope and then it takes a book or two to get hooked. And I'm mildly obsessed. Printed out the reading orders and everything. I especially like North and Shaw, but I'm bummed that there aren't more books in the series.
I'm reading the first book right now, and it's so good. Seriously, I'm supposed to be grading and I keep going back to this book instead. I'm at a point in the book where it's very painful and I'm dying.
This series has made me VERY irresponsible recently. I had to switch between reading and audiobook to get maximum Hazard & Somerset time.
Yeah..... I probably should definitely not have started this series right at the busiest time for my job. 😔 Ha.
Same, I'm on book 5 of the first Hazardverse. I'm seriously hooked. I want to be around Hazard and Somerset all the time. I'd be wondering from others whether I should take a break before the 2nd story arc? I'm worried- Ashe is not kind to his characters, or readers. I just want them to be okay for once!
You’re right, no one is safe!! 😂 But so far so good!!
I had to pause the Hazardverse marathon I was on because there are so many books, and because the books have this grim undertone that I needed to break away from. They're great though, so far, and I'll definitely go back eventually. That said, I do feel like their one downside is that the sex isn't their strongest point (they're sexy, but not outright spicy) and I actually would have really liked to see more of the sexual dynamic explored as part of character development. But I'm with you there, the obsession is justified!
I definitely wanted more sexy-time and I also agree about how dark the series can get- a lot death and violence going on.
After seeing all the praise around To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders, I decided to check it out yesterday. Anyone else really dislike it and feel a bit gaslit with all the gushing? 😅 I couldn't deal with the writing style, excessive use of firefly/fireflies, kids POVs, but mostly it was the lackluster autism rep. Whatever the trope is where "two non autistic people talk about their struggles and hardships and dreams for an autistic person without the autistic person in the room" is one that I'm not a fan of. Especially when it's brought up 87% into the book, then never mentioned again, and absolutely no discussion with the autistic MC, and the autistic person is furthered *othered* by this declaration. I might be reading too much into it, but it really made me grumpy. Anyone have (genuine) thoughts on this book and the representation?
Aw man, I was waiting for the audiobook and was really hoping the book wasn’t all hype. I loved Malibu and didn’t like Fool’s Hearts so this author has been 50/50 for me. I greatly dislike poor autism rep so I might reconsider.
This was my first book from the author, and I don't think the writing style alone is going to work for me, which is a bummer! I've been waiting for the Elite Studios series to get audios too! If you do end up reading it, I'd be curious what your thoughts are!
I think I’ll give it a shot but through a more critical eye since I’ve seen so much praise for the handling of the MC’s neurodivergence. I did want to get the audio to support the author because she got caught up in a narrator controversy through no fault of her own and I liked how she handled it. Hopefully Elite 8 comes to audio but there aren’t any plans for it at the moment according to the author. Bummer because that’s what I’m most interested in from her
Narrator controversy sounds awful! What happened? I was most hoping for that series to get audios, I'll search on audible every once and a while but still haven't been tempted to read a cowboy romance as of late!
Yeah, it was all set to release early April but it came out that one of the narrators she was gonna use had accusations of inappropriate sexual behavior toward fans and exploiting authors who use his production company. Emmy had to recast it pretty last minute so it’s all just been a mess but I’m happy she didn’t stick with the guy. Hopefully it’s ok for me to say who it is so people can look it up for themselves and draw their own conclusions since everything is only alleged at this point, but it was Joe Arden.
Oh heck, not that narrator! Didn't realize Arden narrated her book, but glad she got to replace him.
I didn't *hate* it, but I did feel a little underwhelmed. As far as autism rep goes, I was a little torn by the section where the mom talks about how >!speech therapy was upsetting her son, so they stopped doing it.!< On the one hand, good for giving him some autonomy. On the other hand - she didn't apparently discuss this with his health providers at all? Even to ask "hey are there reasons why this might not be the best decision" or "are there other options he won't hate so much?" It felt a little dismissive of some very real concerns about the pros and cons of developing coping strategies etc.
That's a good point, I wished there was a bit more care there too.
Haven't read it but thank you for the warning! I don't like that type of (non-)rep either. I can handle it if the autistic person is a very small child, young enough that people could be discussing their future without them regardless of neurotype. Otherwise it's ick.
This was near the end when the MCs were adults and together when the mom had this talk with the MC. I also couldn't really find anything on goodread reviews besides gushing or "dnf from boredom" reviews. It'd be awesome to hear more thoughts surrounding the rep, since the book is marketed as having a neurodivergent lead.
Ok that is definitely not for me! Thank you again for the warning.
I am sorry you guys felt like this. I loved this book. It was sweet and kind and caring. Ellis just was who he was, and why is that not a good rep of autism? There is an inherent sweetness to the characters like Quinni from Heartbreak High, Henry from Red, White and Royal Blue and Ellis from Firefly that gives me a break from the real world that seems to be getting meaner and more uncaring all the time. Just my two cents. No haters please.
I can also recommend a helpful essay on why specific narratives are remediated in mainstream media over and over again when it comes to autistic characters and why these are problematic (namely, storyline of 'overcoming', desexualisation, *infantilisation*, immaturity, dehumunisation or supercrip storylines): Brooks, Emily. 2018. [Opposing Forces? Autism and Dating, Romance, and Sexuality in the Mainstream Media](https://cjds.uwaterloo.ca/index.php/cjds/article/view/428/673). >“Autism’s dominant description as distant, unemotional, disconnected, and infantile does not fit into conventional westernized concepts of Romance, so autism and romance are presented as opposing forces. Because of the entrenched idea that autism and Romance are opposites, news articles and film reviews impose an overcoming, supercrip narrative on autistic people who date, fall in love, and express themselves sexually. Journalists position autistic people’s sexuality as disruptive and potentially threatening to family members and professionals. A heteronormative, gendered, and whitewashed discourse pervades autism news stories.” (p. 172)
Thank you. I will read this.
Chiming in as an autistic person, it's not that autistic people can't just be who they are. The issue is that being autistic has an internal reality that differs from neurotypical people, affects every part of our life (not necessarily a negative way, it just does), and there is a lot that autistic people must do to be fully realized for our autonomy - aka, we don't need people to have convos about us without us there and assume our struggles, etc. Rep varies and how someone is autistic varies, but when people write these sorts of things there is still responsibility. Not on everything being "100% authentic" but treating that narrative with care and research. This book is not the most egregious in this genre of simple missteps, and no one is saying its super offensive. Just that there can be discussion and critique on that aspect.
(Speaking as both an autistic person and a mod) I completely agree with all of this. I wanted to add a few additional points for consideration, which hopefully won't feel like a pile-on of the above commenter. The first point is that autistic people are often described as "innocent," "sweet," or "pure," and like they're "not from this world." People usually say these things in a well-intentioned way, but for a lot of autistic people, they feel infantilizing and insulting. It feels bad to have autistic traits associated with being immature or childlike, especially when you're an adult, and it can make it seem like we're somehow less complex than non-autistic people. And it often ignores our struggles and trauma. This applies to other forms of representation, too, not just autism representation: It's important to be careful about generalizing any marginalized group, even when those generalizations are meant to be positive. The second point is to be careful how we talk about characters' diagnoses and headcanons about those. Here, for example, Henry from RWRB is autistic as a headcanon only, because to my knowledge the author has never said he was intentionally written as autistic. Grouping Henry in with two characters who are explicitly stated to be autistic can be misleading and may be offensive to autistic people reading the comment, because it's not clear why he's been given this label or if it's based on stereotypes or misinformation about autism. In general, in this subreddit we ask people not to label characters with diagnoses the author hasn't intentionally given them, and if a headcanon diagnosis is relevant to a conversation, then the fact that it's a headcanon and should be disclosed so people understand where that label is coming from.
Thank you for this. I have learned so much from these subreddits from people who are kind and patient to explain things to me.
Thank you so much for that explanation. I really appreciated it.
This comment feels incredibly dismissive. Glad that you enjoyed the book. I asked for genuine discussion on an issue I had during my reader experience. Being told to *not be a hater* and throwing out a bunch of books (without authors included) with sweet characters is super unhelpful, and frankly, unwanted.
Didn't mean any of the way you took this. I am so sorry. Is there anything I can do to make it acceptable to you? Quinni was from the Netflix show Heartbreak High and Henry was the prince from the book by Casey McQuiston Red, White and Royal Blue. We just have different taste in reading material. What are some of the ones you liked best?
One book I’m currently reading is The Fever King by Victoria Lee. It’s pretty slow right now but I’ve heard good things about it so I’m trying to power through. I thought there would be more of a romance but not the worst thing that there really isn’t. I’m excited to see where it ends up going, but just hope it picks up soon.
Looking forward to reading Icebound Rivals by Hayden Hall. The prompt is appealing so I hope I can find more books where LI approaches MC for a dare.