#I Shall Never Fall in Love

[haridraws]

Behind the scenes of my new historical GN. From I Shall Never Fall in Love (x)

For comics you have to make the final costumes fairly simple, but I enjoyed looking up what would be realistic in the actual late Regency era and what queer people might wear. The reality of historical fashion is always so much more varied and WEIRD than the vague version in my head!

One of the main characters is transmasc, but I was interested in what they might wear when they had to wear 'women's' clothes. We have a lot of surviving documents of European men complaining about how women dress too masc nowadays, particularly about 'sport' clothes like riding habits from the 1600s-1900s - as well as specific records of lesbians wearing them - and I felt like that fit really well.

[sweetthingshavesharpteeth]

a selection of my favourite facial expressions from @haridraws' new book I Shall Never Fall In Love

[transbookoftheday]

I Shall Never Fall in Love by Hari Conner

The Prince and the Dressmaker goes to Austenland in this historically inspired, joyfully queer, stunningly romantic graphic novel mash-up of Jane Austen novels—where two friends discover their feelings for each other and find a space in their world for their love and identity.

George has major problems: They’ve just inherited the failing family estate, and the feelings for their best friend, Eleanor, have become more complicated than ever. Not to mention, if anyone found out they were secretly dressing in men’s clothes, George is sure it would be ruination for the family name.

Eleanor has always wanted to do everything "right," including falling in love—but she’s never met a boy she was interested in. She’d much rather spend time with her best friend, George, and beloved cousin Charlotte. However, when a new suitor comes to town, she finds her closest friendships threatened, forcing her to rethink what "right" means and confront feelings she never knew she had.

Perfect for fans of Alice Oseman and Ngozi Ukazu, I Shall Never Fall in Love shines a light on what it means to be true to yourself and rewrites the rules for what makes a happily ever after.

[lgbtqreads]

New Releases: October 8, 2024

Young Adult Lucy, Uncensored by Mel Hammond and Teghan Hammond Lucy imagines college as more than a chance to party with other drama nerds and be roommates with her best friend Callie. College will be her fresh start. For the first time, she’ll be able to introduce herself as Lucy to people she hasn’t gone to school with since kindergarten. Plus, she happens to live an hour away from one of the…

[bookshelvesandtealeaves]

✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨

I Shall Never Fall in Love by Hari Conner

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[instagram]

THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING OH MY GOSH. Thank you so much to Tandem Global and Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this one.

This is the kind of Emma retelling I’ve been looking for. It is absolutely perfect. Sort of Emma meets Gentleman Jack. I was LIVING for it.

The art style is absolutely gorgeous. I am absolutely in love with the art and these characters and everything about the aesthetics of this book. It’s soft and pretty and a little comical at times. The characters expressions are absolutely perfect in every frame and all the colours fit the tone perfectly.

I adored every character. So, so much. George and Eleanor are such a lovely, ridiculous couple, and Charlotte and Sophie are fantastic side characters.

This book explores heavy societal topics such as racism, classism and gender and sexual identity with so much care and nuance and love. I especially loved George’s gender journey and the way so many people accepted them as they are. Queer joy can and SHOULD exist in historical stories too.

I really just can’t recommend this enough.

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb:

The Prince and the Dressmaker goes to Austenland in this historically inspired, joyfully queer, stunningly romantic graphic novel mash-up of Jane Austen novels—where two friends discover their feelings for each other and find a space in their world for their love and identity.

George has major problems: They’ve just inherited the failing family estate, and the feelings for their best friend, Eleanor, have become more complicated than ever. Not to mention, if anyone found out they were secretly dressing in men’s clothes, George is sure it would be ruination for the family name.

Eleanor has always wanted to do everything "right," including falling in love—but she’s never met a boy she was interested in. She’d much rather spend time with her best friend, George, and beloved cousin Charlotte. However, when a new suitor comes to town, she finds her closest friendships threatened, forcing her to rethink what "right" means and confront feelings she never knew she had.

Perfect for fans of Alice Oseman and Ngozi Ukazu, I Shall Never Fall in Love shines a light on what it means to be true to yourself and rewrites the rules for what makes a happily ever after.

Review:

A queer take on Jane Austen stories all mixed together?? Oh heck yes. This was an absolute delight to read as a fan of queer romances and Jane Austen! The story follows George: born as a "daughter" but identifying as not, and they've inherited their father's manor and estate... and are realizing their own sexuality and attraction for their best friend Eleanor. Eleanor has always wanted to do everything "right" and yet she's never found the right boy she's interested in, however she is very interested in her best friend George. From dealing with balls, societal expectations, suitors, and estates, romance will bloom and love will find a way! The story mixes a bit of Pride and Prejudice with Emma, and it's just so cute and sweet and I loved the queer take on it. It's a must read for sure.

Release Date: Oct 8,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperAlley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[stump-not-found]

i don't think the theraprism is a good thing, guys

[forzathunder]

"I have many fears, most of them about Lucrezia." — Cesare Borgia (The Borgias, 2011-2013) + hints of insecurity

that she adores someone that much / if she will reject his dark nature and act of love and violence as Ursula did / if he truly is not part of her desires / that she easily forgets him

[a-scary-lack-of-common-sense]

I am exhausted, good heavens.

[suenitos]

never forget that one person on here (not dtblr) who was shooting for cconnor on the basis that george's lore only got attention because he has pretty privilege and not because it was actually good in a sense implying that their guy is less attractive like WHO REMEMBER. but also what an insane thing to say because georges "joke" lore outsold more than their guy's actual JOKE lore like what gives

[mossypidder]

Working on finishing up a cloak for a cosplay while Nugget was out. She thinks she needs to steal my fleece.

[haridraws]

I Shall Never Fall in Love - meet the characters (1/3): George

One of my first big ideas for this book was classic historical romance but with a nonbinary/ transmasc romantic lead - inspired by real queer history, but still a comfort read. Think:

Historical romance repressed emotion and longing / but including gender longing

Gentlemanly manners vs. butch chivalry

Difference that puts them at odds with high society, and leads them to question it

More info here

[deusfoundry]

reacting to zayne's secret times audio sudden rain IM ABOUT TO BE SO ANNOYING

post-secret times notes: can i kill myself like actually oh my god this was so soft ... EXPECT ZAYNE FLUFF DRABBLES IN THE CAR SOON

OH INFOLD YOU KNEW I WAS A ZAYNE DOMESTIC FLUFF ENJOYER

HEHHEHEHRHEHE

DID YOU JUST SAY WE TO YOUR COLLEAGUE

im actually so unwell im sorry SOBRANG OA

FUCK IM GONA KILL MYSELF

the way he says these particular lines can he kill me oh my god why is he so soft spoken

OH SHIT WE'RE IN A CAR???? WE'RE STUCK IN TRAFFIC JAM WITH ZAYNE??????

GOD THE WAY HE SPEAKS WITH SO MUCH CARE HSWBJSJSS I WANT ME A ZAYNE

HE LEANED IN TO HELP W RECLINING THE CAR SEAT IM GONNA BE SO SICK

[thebirdandhersong]

on the good news train today: I have finally finished the last chapter(!!!) of my Inklings challenge story, which marks the FIRST ever Inklings challenge story I've ever completed properly :'D coming in at 30,810 words (yikes) (it did get out of hand, I must admit), it is definitely not a short story, but it IS a piece that I think articulates a lot of what I've been thinking about lately re: love and death, and, considering everything, is probably something I needed to write. I am very happy!! It has been a wild ride, but a deeply clarifying one.

[hiddenintheveil]

nominal vs. titular-nominal self-labels

[bookshelvesandtealeaves]

🚨 TANDEM READALONG ALERT 🚨

Thank you so much Tandem Collective and Simon & Schuster Australia for sending a copy of this one my way! The date for this readalong is tomorrow (I think? 😂) so go grab a copy and join in!

I can’t wait to hear everyone’s thoughts.

[instagram]

✨ I SHALL NEVER FALL IN LOVE BY HARI CONNER

SYNOPSIS:

George has always been in love with their best friend, Eleanor – and has always tried to ignore it.

Now Eleanor is coming of age and expected to marry a suitable man, it doesn’t matter how George feels – they have to let her go. Besides, George is busy avoiding their aunt’s matchmaking, taking over the failing family estate, and trying to keep their dressing in men’s clothes a secret.

Eleanor has always wanted to do everything ‘right,’ including falling in love – but she’s never met a boy she’s interested in. She’s more concerned with finding the perfect match for her cousin Charlotte, and working out why George is suddenly pulling away. But Eleanor’s friendships seem to be falling apart, and she’s beginning to realise that she likes George more than any man she’s met at a ball…