#Jude Sierra

[mirims1997]

A Line Crossed

Summary: Following the Pr written statement released by Ashlyn, Bellingham’s new love interest, Jude Bellingham finds himself in the midst of media scrutiny. In an attempt to save his image, his mom hires a sharp Pr agent who takes over to fix Jude’s tarnished reputation and along the way ends up mending his heart.

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Chapter 1: A bad Impression

This is extremely personal' - Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham’s girlfriend Ashlyn Castro releases emotional statement as she hits back at dating history claims

Jude Bellingham's girlfriend Ashlyn Castro speaks out in 'extremely personal' monologue on claims about her dating past and 'escort site' hoax

I stared at my tablet in utter disbelief as the onslaught of news articles about Ashlyn Castro, Jude Bellingham’s alleged girlfriend, invaded my feed. “How can they be so reckless? I definitely thought he had a better media team. They work with whom again? This is such a rookie mistake. Don’t you think?” Sierra, my office mate, is barely ever right about anything. But today, she is spot on. This, indeed, is a textbook PR disaster. How can they do this to Bellingham? A 10 minutes video reiterating poorly woven arguments, easily detectable lies and a laughable show of self victimization on top of that? Someone is getting fired as we speak. I turn off my tablet, take a sip of my now-cold latte and watch Sierra continue her monologue about the does and donts of our job.

“My hair is getting longer. It needs a trim.” I try to shift the topic to something else and that seems useful enough to shake her out of her Bellingham stupor as she blinks at me incredulously. “Can’t you let it be a bob? You are too serious looking with that pixie cut. It scares off clients.” That’s the point, I mutter to myself.

A knock sounds on the door sparing me any further conversation with opiniated Sierra. Bernardo confidently strides in, smirking at me like he won the lottery. “You are called in for a meeting Miriam. HR and the lots. With that personality of yours, I am surprised you survived this long.” If glares could kill, Bernando would be withering at my feet. “3 months is a record in our company. Even interns stick around much longer, but can’t say I won’t miss your haughtiness.” I gather my tablet, drink the last sip of my coffee, ruffle my unruly hair and reapply my lipstick. “Bernando, darling, have you considered stand up comedy? Makes for a lovely career! And you are a natural. You make me laugh every morning with how ridiculous you are.” The last thing I heard as I slammed the door behind me was the shrieks Sierra let out as she laughed her ass off.

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As I stood outside the office. I stared at my reflection in the mirror placed next to the door. I cannot for the life of me figure out why a PR agency would have mirrors hang in all kinds of unseemly places there but today, I am glad it is. I smoothed down my sheer green shirt and perfectly tucked it in my black pencil skirt. I ruffled my dark locks one more time and toyed with my golden hoops to ease my anxiety. I looked really good today. And for what is worth, I’d rather be dismissed looking immaculate than walk out of the door looking like Bernando. I knocked the door and entered the office in confident strides, the sound of my heels clicking disturbing the eery silence. I looked at the head of HR searching her eyes for any sign of anger or at worst of disappointment. Too busy psychoanalyzing my terrifying boss, I did not notice the presence of another equally intimidating woman. “Hello Ms Miriam. I’ve heard great things about you. I am Denise Bellingham, mother of Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid football player. I’ve personally requested this company’s best media specialist agent and your name was immediately brought up by Ms. René over here. My son’s public image has been sabotaged due to an unreliable social media specialist and I need someone brilliant enough to rectify the situation as soon as possible.”

I stared at Denise as she spoke so gracefully as if she had everything she said written and memorized before coming here. Not one hair was out of place. Everything about her was pristine and monitored, from the spotless and ironed collar of her white blouse to the way she moved her hand in an enchanting manner. That is a woman used to bending the world to her way. That is a woman I understand and can work with.

“Miriam Gibran, Social Media and Digital marketing specialist. It’s lovely to make your acquaintance Ms. Bellingham.” I shook her hand firmly as she stared me down.

“You are quite young. You must be really good if you are your superior’s number 1 suggestion.”

“Thank you Ms Bellingham. I take my job very seriously. That is why I am baffled as to why Mr Bellingham has thought it wise to skip our first debriefing. I do understand that as the head of his affairs and mother, your presence should suffice. But in such delicate matters and if we are to follow my work approach, he needs to be here.” I can see Mrs Renée glaring at me from the corner of my eyes, probably fuming at the obvious jab at Jude’s character.

Something shifted in Denise’s face, her lips quirking to half a smirk.

“In fact, Ms Gibran, Jude is..”

“Here.” A masculine heavily accented English voice sounded from behind me as a door closed softly. I could feel the overwhelming presence of a tall body basking in the pin drop silence that followed his entrance. I turned around and there he was :the Jude Bellingham, hands in pockets, eyes dangerously piercing and lips tagged into a smirk. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him as he sauntered towards my increasingly flustered boss. He smiled at her nervousness and shook her hand then held it with both hands. What a disgusting display of good English boy charm.

When his eyes finally met mine. I felt a jolt in my chest at the blatant shift in energy. Gone is all that good lad charm. In its stead a predatory gaze Swiped across my face and body in a barely noticeable manner, knocking the wind out of me and sending a shiver down my spine. I will be damned if I show it.

“Miriam right? Beautiful day outside! Don’t you think?” He glanced at me trying to gauge my reaction at his infuriatingly irrelevant comment, an attempt at placing me in a category, so he can act accordingly for the rest of our transaction.

“Sure! Very beautiful. So is Ashlyn, but here we are dealing with ugly consequences. Sit down Bellingham. I don’t like my time wasted.”

Hello Jude girlies! This is the first chapter of A line crossed. I look forward to hearing your thoughts

[duckprintspress]

23 Queer Books for Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month! To celebrate, we asked our contributors to recommend their favorite queer books with disabled characters. The contributors to this list are: Neo Scarlett, Dei Walker, E. C., Polls, Rascal Hartley, Sanne, Meera S., Shadaras, Shea Sullivan, Annabeth Lynch, Tris Lawrence, Nova Mason, Nina Waters, and an anonymous contributor. Reminder: we encourage our rec list contributors to suggest books that spoke to them, which means that sometimes works on our rec lists do not include explicit representation.

Brooms by Jasmine Walls

Iron Widow (Iron Widow series) by Xiran Jay Zhao

Six of Crows (Six of Crows series) by Leigh Bardugo

Golden Stage by Cang Wu Bin Bai

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

The Tea Dragon Festival Treasury Edition by K. O’Neill

He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan

Feed (Newsflesh series) by Mira Grant

Into the Drowning Deep (Rolling in the Deep series) by Mira Grant

Nimona by N.D. Stevenson

Interesting Facts about Space by Emily Austin

Body, Remember: A Memoir by Kenny Fries

The Unbroken (Magic of the Lost series) by C.L. Clark

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus series) by Rick Riordan

The Monster Baru Cormorant (The Masquerade series) by Seth Dickinson

Chrono Crusade (Chrono Crusade series) by Daisuke Moriyama

Tokyo Babylon by Clamp

Godkiller (Fallen Gods series) by Hannah Kaner

A Tiny Piece of Something Greater by Jude Sierra

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

The Charm Offensive (The Charm Offensive series) by Alison Cochrun

Umineko When They Cry by 07th Expansion

Copper Coins by Mu Su Li

What are your favorite queer books with disability rep?

You can view this list, and our many others, as a shelf on Goodreads!

Looking to buy any of these books or others we’ve recommended? You can browse our rec lists on Bookshop.org!

Want to chat your favorite reads with us? Join our Book Lover’s Discord server!

Love reading queer books? Our Queer Book Challenge is running on Storygraph through the end of 2024. Come join us!

[pupsmailbox]

COWBOY ID PACK

NAMES︰ abeline. adeline. alfred. anderson. annie. archer. arthur. ash. aspen. austin. automata. axel. barett. beau. beckett. belle. bennett. betty. billy. blaise. boone. bree. brooks. bryce. cade. caleb. callen. callie. calvin. carson. casey. cassidy. chance. chase. clayton. clementine. clint. clyde. cody. colby. cole. colt. colton. connor. coraline. county. cree. cyrus. dagger. dakota. dallas. dalton. damon. darby. darla. delta. denver. dove. east. easton. edgar. eliza. elliot. ellis. emmett. emmylou. everett. everly. fallon. fang. farmer. fletcher. flint. flynn. fritz. gage. georgia. georgina. grant. graves. hank. harrison. harvey. hattie. hawk. hayes. heidi. holster. hudson. hunter. ida. jace. jack. jackie. jackson. james. jed. jesse. jessie. john. jolene. josh. joshua. jude. knox. leroy. lewis. loretta. lucille. luke. luther. lyle. maple. marshall. mason. maverick. meadow. millie. misty. myra. nash. nell. nina. oakley. oscar. otis. owen. pace. pamela. penelope. phoenix. pierce. pollyanna. prairie. quinn. ray. reed. reid. rhett. rhys. riley. river. rochelle. rory. roscoe. rosie. rudy. ryder. rye. sadie. savannah. sawyer. scarlett. sedona. selena. shep. shepherd. sienna. sierra. silas. skye. spanner. sparky. sterling. stevie. stormy sullivan. sundance. tallulah. tate. tess. todd. tucker. twila twyla. verily. wade. walker. walt. walter. waylon. wayne. weston. wilde. will. willa. willow. winona. wren. wyatt. zachariah. zane. zeke. zinnia.

PRONOUNS ︰ ace/ace. aim/aim. badge/badge. bandana/bandana. barrel/barrel. boot/boot. boy/boy. brash/brash. buck/buck. bull/bullet. cattle/cattle. clad/clad. clash/clash. colt/colt. cow/boy. cow/cow. cowboy/cowboy. cy/cyborg. denim/denim. dirt/dirt. dive/dive. drive/drive. fang/fang. farmer/farmer. fence/fence. fire/fire. foal/foal. gold/golden. gra/grass. gun/gun. hat/hat. herd/herd. hill/hill. hit/hit. hold/holdem. holdem/holdem. hoof/hoof. horse/horse. iron/iron. jack/jack. jump/jump. kick/kick. lasso/lasso. law/law. lawful/lawful. lone/lone. mech/mecha. metal/metal. mount/mountain. mustang/mustang. noon/noon. officer/officer. out/out. outlaw/outlaw. poker/poker. protect/protect. pry/pry. punch/punch. punish/punish. ranch/ranch. ranger/ranger. rev/rev. rev/revolver. rev/rev. revolvers/revolver. river/river. ro/ro. robo/robo. rug/rugged. run/run. rust/rust. ry/ry. save/save. sharp/sharp. sheriff/sheriff. shoot/shoot. shot/shot. shot/shotgun. shout/shout. spark/spark. spur/spur. star/star. steed/steed. steel/steel. sun/sun. thief/thief. tumble/tumble. weed/weed. wheat/wheat. wood/wood. yee/haw. yeehaw/yeehaw.

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🔪 What to Read After Watching The Bear (Queer Edition)

🦇 You bookish bats know I love a foodie romance (which is why I created my first "What to Read After Watching" list for The Bear last year). After watching The Great North episode of Ham and Crispin "yes chef" and "corner" -ing adorably, I realized I had to make a queer version. So here are a few queer books you should consider reading after watching The Bear!

🧁 Be sweet! Comment a "YES CHEF" if you love this list!

🔪 Bloom - Kevin Panetta & Savanna Ganucheau 🔪 Chef's Kiss - TJ Alexander

🔪 Love & Other Disasters - Anita Kelly 🔪 Café Con Lycee - Emery Lee

🔪 Rosaline Palmer Takes The Cake - Alexis Hall 🔪 The Romance Recipe - Ruby Barrett

🔪 Legends & Lattes - Travis Baldree 🔪 Queerly Beloved - Susie Dumond

🔪 The Dos and Donuts of Love - Adiba Jaigirdar 🔪 The Heartbreak Bakery - A.R. Capetta

🔪 Fake Dates and Mooncakes - Sher Lee 🔪 Served Hot - Annabeth Albert

🔪 Mangos and Mistletoe - Adriana Herrera 🔪 Idlewild - Jude Sierra

🔪 Chef's Table - Lynn Charles 🔪 Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble - Alexis Hall

🔪 Triple Sec - T.J. Alexander 🔪 You Had Me At Happy Hour - Timothy Janovsky

🔪 A Bánh Mì for Two - Trinity Nguyen 🔪 Lavash at First Sight - Taleen Voskuni

🔪 Chef's Kiss - Jarrett Melendez, Danica Brine, Hank Jones, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou 🔪 The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich - Deya Muniz

[v1olent-l1ttle-th1ng]

Alright y’all so I’m someone who likes to associate songs with character relationships so I figured I’d share some of my favourites on here. I have playlists for most of these so if you want more songs let me know!

Violet and Xaden:

Stand By You - Marlissa. This song gives me Onyx Storm vibes so hard. Like I actively squeal every time I listen to it it’s so good. “The hurt in your eyes” “I will stand by you.” Ugh. PERFECTION.

The Last Time - Taylor Swift. Listen to it. Need I say more.

Castles Crumbling - Taylor Swift. Again. Just listen to it. So. Good.

Sinners - Lauren Aquilina. “The world may disapprove but my world is only you.” Um hello. Yes.

Little Do You Know - Alex and Sierra. Pure. Gold.

High, high, high. - Camylio. This one’s from Xaden’s POV for me. “You get me high, high, high oh with just your smile, my love.” I mean ya. Basically all of Xaden’s feeling in summary.

In The End - Beth Crawley

I Did It For You - David Cook

Also, spoiler alert if it wasn’t already obvious, these two are my literally faves so apologies if I have more favourite songs for them than for others. I think my Riorgail playlist is several hours long at this point.

Feyre and Rhys:

Rescue - Lauren Daigle. “I will send out an army to find you, in the middle of the darkest night.” Cassian and Azriel coming to rescue Feyre and Lucian. Like hello. I swear this song was made for them.

You Say - Lauren Daigle. Again, just listen to it.

Right Here, With You - David Cook. Rhys accepting Feyre and her trauma and comforting her. Ugh. Amazing.

Broken - Isak Danielson. Basically how I think Rhys feels towards Feyre about Tamlin.

The Dark - Aracana

Kai and Paedyn:

Just Cause I Love You - Avery Anna. I just get SO MANY kaipae vibes from this. “Just cause I love you, don’t mean I want to.” UGH MY BABIES.

Hurts Like Hell - Fleurie and Tommee Profitt. If you’ve read these books and love these two like I do, seriously listen to this.

Jude and Cardan:

I like TCP, don’t get me wrong, but it’s definitely not my fave. I know it’s pretty popular on here though so I figured I’d add one.

Letting Someone Go - Zach Bryan. Honestly summarizes their feelings for basically the whole series after Cardan’s initial confession in my opinion.

Tris and Tobias:

I don’t know if anyone is still into Divergent, but this series (minus Allegiant because we pretend it doesn’t exist) literally gave me life when it came out. Like I re-read it so many times.

Just Give Me A Reason - Pink. Literally all of Insurgent. Like I don’t even think this requires an explanation.

June and Day:

Last Kiss - Taylor Swift. The ending of Champion absolutely wrecked me when I first read it but after I found out about Rebel (literally only like 2 years ago) I was saved.

I also have several TV show couples that I have playlists for too so buckle up:

Grey’s Anatomy:

I legit have like a 10 hour Grey’s Anatomy playlist so if this is something you want just message me. Early Grey’s Anatomy had me in such a chokehold in high school it’s not even funny.

Once Upon a Time:

I’m a sucker for Emma and Killian. I watched OUAT so much growing up.

Arms - Christina Perri

The Words - Christina Perri

Olivia and Fitz:

I have also been obsessed with Scandal for like ever! I’m also currently rewatching and ugh, Olitz, my babies.

The Only Exception - Paramore

Deep End - Birdy

Elizabeth and Ressler:

I don’t know how popular the Blacklist is on here, but I became OBSESSED with these two during covid lockdown. And no, I have not seen any of the latest seasons because I refuse to watch the last episode of season 8 so that I can pretend it doesn’t exist.

Break My Heart Again - Finneas. If you know these two, you know.

Don’t Give Up On Me - Andy Grammer

Start A Riot - Banners

Anyways, that’s all for now! Message me if you want playlist links :)

[lgbtqreads]

Hi! Can you please recommend something similar to whatever magic Roan Parrish is doing? Something to heal the heart 🙏🏾 (MM)

Thank you!

Well, she's cowritten with Avon Gale, so I'd guess she's a great place to go next! I also really love The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun and Showmance by Chad Beguelin. Oh, and try Jude Sierra, especially A Tiny Piece of Something Greater!

[mermaidsirennikita]

Need your Saltburn review though 👀

I will preface by saying that I personally find Emerald to be a filmmaker/writer that is rather boring at best and kind of... horrifically misled in that she thinks that shocking "darkness" = depth at worst. I think A Promising Young Woman had some fun visuals at points (and so does Saltburn--though I think this has less to do with Emerald having an eye and more for Emerald understanding aesthetic, which makes sense when you realize that her dad is an Eton-educated jeweler to the stars, King of Bling, I wonder if that possibly could ever have anything to do with a UK performer's rise, hmmmmm--) but the way it ended was just... Lol. Yes, Emerald! I know that this is how the story would probs end in real life, the women of the world NEEDED TO KNOW.

(Princess Weekes did a good little video essay about PYW btw, would recommend.)

But yeah, point is--I don't think Saltburn is a misstep for Emerald. I think she's just very mediocre and self-indulgent. You can be self-indulgent and get away with it when you have a vision and something to say (see: Baz). I don't think Emerald has something to say. I think Emerald has concepts, which she pushes to a point she thinks is edgy, but doesn't actually... string into a coherent idea.

First off, Saltburn is nothing new; and it doesn't need to be. I like the pretentious rich people problems aesthetic. I love the bacchanal of the upper crust sensibility. Hell, I loved Donna Tartt's The Secret History. Sierra Simone's Thornchapel series is one of my favorite things she's done. I love Cruel Intentions. I also love The Talented Mr. Ripley, which--

My good man. If you wish to watch what you think Saltburn was going to be, but with better actors (including Jude Law in what is essentially the Jacob Elordi role, which, uh, how we have fallen as a society) and honestly better homoeroticism in a movie made like 20 years ago... just watch The Talented Mr. Ripley.

But yeah. So, I think everything Emerald does is meant to shock but doesn't go quite far enough. It's little moments that happen, and aren't really contextualized in a way that feels like it's there to be anything more than shock value, which makes it less shocking. Like, the period fingerbang--if those characters had a dynamic which led up to that moment, if I felt the actual power play there, it might actually shock me. Or be sexy? For the record, Fair Play has a period sex scene within its first five minutes that is both more surprising and better in every way. The shit with Farleigh? Would be compelling. That was the one bit of chemistry in the movie, the moment when Oliver and Farleigh talked to each other right before the whole singalong disaster. But then it's happening and I'm like "why is Barry Keoghan fucking everyone in this movie except for Jacob Elordi? What is the point?"

And what is the point indeed. Jacob Elordi has the charisma of a medium-sized tree, and I suspect a medium-sized tree would do a better job of ditching the Aussie accent. Emerald's inadequacies could be overcome and made into a thing that is campy, maybe? Not good, but fun? Barry Keoghan does his best with the material. He's fun in the last like ten minutes of the movie wherein he's basically monologuing like a demented real housewife and dancing around naked. He tries so hard to create chemistry with Jacob, while Jacob's vibe is very "no homo". (But the character is supposed to be no homo, you say--is he, first off, because I honestly don't know what Emerald is saying, and second... Like.... The character can be not attracted to Barry's character will still giving us an essence of intrigue that would inform why Barry is spellbound.)

But the biggest issue is that the movie hinges on Jacob Elordi being worthy of obsession, and he is just a flop in this role. He doesn't sell himself as this posh, beautiful, Brideshead Revisited-But-A-Bro guy. He can't really act (there's a scene where the movie cuts to him giving a smile that I think is supposed to be charming and I went "yikes" out loud). He is up against people who are actually actors, which makes it a bit worse. Everything feels very forced and constructed, for want of a better term. If you do not get WHY this guy, then the movie flops. And try as I might, I cannot get WHY this guy.

(Might I add--the bathtub scene would've been more intriguing had we seen Jacob interact with the voyeurism, some sense that he knew, whether or not he enjoyed it. The queerness in this movie is so... It's just this queer guy being obsessed and rebuffed and murderous, and I don't know, there didn't seem to be enough exploring the ramifications of that kind of story.)

The Talented Mr. Ripley also hinges on the focal point of obsession being worthy of obsession. And again. It's Jude Law. And it's Jude Law giving a really good performance, too.

The movie also does some shit I really don't think it's equipped to do. Like, the premise is essentially the working class interloper (but like, he's not as working class as he saaaays so oooooohhhhh) is preying on this family of rich folks who offered him a place to land. And it's not inherently bad, imo, to tell that story. However, you need the rich people to have some role beyond being prey; you need to understand the predator's contempt beyond jealousy. But the rich people are cardboard. They aren't sharp. They may have a few throwaway lines that illustrate their own sins (including some very clumsily handled racism) but ultimately the movie gives Oliver more power than it does the elite upon whom he preys. So ultimately, you come away from it feeling like you're watching the anxieties of the upper class, re: the encroaching middle and working class... But there's no examination, because the rich people are just victims lol. I think it's genuine anxiety.

Yeah though, I thought it was really hokey basically.

[amethyst-geek]

Total Drama family headcanons (and my urban fantasy editions)- Killer Bass and World Tour additions

Bridgette- only child; her mom had her as a teen and she's hasn't met her father.

Courtney- oldest of 4 sisters. Her mother, Maria, was born in Peru but was adopted by an interracial Canadian couple at young age.

DJ- canon is giving me mixed signals regarding DJ's family situation. One episode has him mentioning brothers, but they never show up, not even in the Celebrity Manhunt special. As for his parental situation, I originally headcanoned DJ's dad as having died when he was around 4, but lately I've been getting into the headcanon that he has 2 moms. In my AU, he'd definitely be an only child, but I'm still not sure what the parental situation would be except that his dad's no longer in the picture (if he was even in the picture at all).

Duncan- youngest of 4 siblings with the eldest being the only girl.

Eva- only child

Ezekial- only child; in my urban fantasy AU, he is the cousin of Jude.

Geoff- his online bio says he's the oldest of 5 brothers, but in the show, he mentions having an older brother. So I say Geoff is the 2nd oldest. In my urban fantasy AU, the older brother is Wayne from the 2023 reboot (which almost certainly isn't the case in canon, though he could still theoretically be one of Geoff's younger brothers), and one of his younger brothers is Rock (which again I don't think is the case in canon, given their lack of interactions in the Ridonculous Race).

Harold- his bio mentions him having an older brother and a younger sister. The younger sister in question may or may not be Scarlett. His parents are divorced and have joint custody.

Katie- Jen the fashion blogger is her older sister. In my urban fantasy AU, she is also the cousin (and possibly adoptive sister) of Mike and Dawn.

Sadie- she canonically has a sister named Cindy.

Tyler- only child; his mom died in a car crash when Tyler was 7.

Alejandro- He is canonically the youngest of 3 brothers. I also headcanon that his mother, Esmeralda, was born in Peru and (at least in my urban fantasy AU) grew up in an orphanage and she worked as a lounge singer before meeting her husband.

Sierra- I hc her canon self as being an only child. In my urban fantasy AU, she has 6 older paternal half-siblings, one of them being Ashley (the fourth clone from that episode of 6teen).

[selfsabotaqe]

hi everyone! it's been a while & finally i'm making my comeback. work has finally left me some room to breathe so i'll be reappearing on your dash and hopefully getting back into the swing of replies. down below there's a full list of everything currently in my drafts. please let me know whether you'd like to continue or drop these threads. whichever scenario is completely fine and understandable (it's been a hot sec after all), just let me know. if you'd prefer to start something new, we can also do that. feel free to message me or reply to this post anytime. there's no rush at all to make up your mind, but just to start off i'll start with replies for threads people do actively express interest in. so if anything from this list is something you're still excited about, let me know and i'll prioritize. we can always waitlist the other stuff while we feel it out. anyway, let me know, come chat, let me love u down and can't wait to continue writing together. love u all! 💗🥹

with @persephonyed. carlos x lorenzo marley x camille

with @silvrmoon. nadiye x milo axel x kadri zehra x sierra

with @lilacwiine. drew x felice amara x maya

with @invcntions. alec x lucas mateo x saxon devrim x leo beau x koa emre x noah luca x jaiden (smth new?) jesse x finn peyton x vance soren x lincoln

with @horrorphase. dominic x percy milan x kendall

with @slumpcd. max x theo kendall x nolan jinny x gwen

with @gcldcnhour. eden x mathias rhys x bodie isabel x tate alina x priya zoe x knox ethan x violet marisol x miriam

with @temptedfates. emmett x aydin noor x solana

with @spectraled. maddie x rory tbd x dallas (thought abt replying if u would like replies <3)

with @vacationeyes. marco x conrad julian x callum emre x frankie xavier x tyson jude x forest

with @lovecharged. jonas x antonio aleksei x drake bridie x quilo tbd x amie jonas x antonio (part two) julian x zayn felix x robin nadiye x rasim tatum x uziah carlos x gabriel

with @fruitpoem. ambar x joel

with @inkiidreams. aera x selin davika x esra carlos x mallory merve x yaritza robin x aurelia lais x nova casper x knox lachlan x olivia

with @wutheringdevotion. lachlan x oliver rowan x ginny connor x evan meera x monique carlos x gabriel gwen x jonah margot x adrian

with @gardenwalls. meera x paloma alec x mack naiyana x nadine daniel x minako laura x andrea fabien x mei li nazli x rhys

with @felteverywhere. alina x rowan

with @sunstvne. santiago x constantin

with @gvngsigns. gabriela x lucas kai x mateo florence x liam tobias x zuri andrea x cruz ricardo x vincent

with @scbrvght. all of our formula one threads (don't think i owe u the replies but let me know if you'd like to continue them <3) lale x finley soren x everly

mAYBE im missing things. if there's anything i owe you that isn't on this list, feel free to point it out to me! and also vice versa, if you owe me something & you want to discuss continuing or dropping it, just come message me and we can chat about it!

[digitalfaehaven]

MY TBR LIST !

A list of (almost) every book I want to read, i’ll update as I complete each book ! Suggestions welcome !

I will give each book a rating once they’re read !

Loved - 🫀

Liked - 🥀

Meh/just okay - 🐦‍⬛

Didn’t like - 🪰

Hated - 🪦

Escorted - Claire Kent 🫀

Breaking - Claire Kent 🐦‍⬛

Last Light - Claire Kent

Grave - Shantel Tessier

Cross - Shantel Tessier

Bones - Shantel Tessier

A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas

Once You’re Mine - Morgan Bridges

That one Night - Emily Rath

Pucking Around - Emily Rath

Priest - Sierra Simone

Captured - Rosa Lee

Haunting Adeline - H. D. Carlton

Butcher & Blackbird - Brynne Weaver

The Mindfuck Series - S. T. Abby

Organized Chaos - Drethi Anis

Unfurl - Elodie Hart

Pretty Monster - Sheridan Anne

Twisted Love - Ana Huang

Vicious - L. J. Shen

Fatal Obsession - Drethi A.

Her Soul to Take - Harley Laroux

No Regrets - Claire Kent

Haven - Claire Kent

Better Run - Alina May

The Ritual - Shantel Tessier

Until I Get You - Claire Contreras

Hunt Me Darling - Maree Rose

No One Has To Know - Carin Hart

Fates and Furies - Lauren Groff

Release Me - J. Kenner

The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty - Anne Rice

Arse Over Irish Teacup - Jude McLean

Credence - Penelope Douglas

Den of Vipers - K. A. Knight

Scream for Us - Molly Doyle

Satans Affair - H. D. Carlton

The Never King - Nikki St. Crowe

Bonded By Thorns - Elizabeth Helen

Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros

Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas

The Pisces - Melissa Broder

Hitched - Lauren Biel

Across State Lines - Lauren Biel

Beneath the Stars - Emily Mcintire

Praise - Sarah Cate

Devil of Dublin - BB Easton

Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi

Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas

Icebreaker - Hannah Grace

The Irish Lake House - Colleen Coleman

Forget Me Not - Karissa Kinword

Christmas in Coconut Creek - Karissa Kinword

Captured - Lauren Biel

Punk 57 - Penelope Douglas

The Pucking Wrong Number - C. R. Jane

[angelvings-archived]

im     in     a     kinda     specific     mood     about     my     muses     so     like     for     either     verena     ,     matías     ,     anwar     ,     joe     ,     naya     ,     piper     ,     heath     ,     sutton     ,     hallie     ,     marcus     ,     bridget     ,     jude     ,     quentin     ,     ryder     ,     bex     , richie , grace , roman , sierra , lexi and     /     or     any of my crime related muses     and     i'll     write     you     a     lil     something     !

[daydreaming-sunflower]

Honest hour asks! (Hi DayDayie, love you!)

Do you have something that you collect? (kind of inspired by all your lovely textures - if you can call them that - in your journal)

What is one trope that you can go back and write again and again no matter how much you've done it?

How did you figure out/how did it come about that strawberry and sunflowers would be part of your aesthetic in a way? (again if you can call it that, but know I assosiate both with you, also bunnies!)

Where is one place in the world that you'd love to travel and who would you go with?

What is one book you'd recommend? (slyly looking for book recommendations)

omg hiiiiii thank you i love youuu ❤️💘💖

okay here we go (this is so long i appologise adhkafjs as always i have a lot to say):

Do you have something that you collect? I wouldn't say I actually collect specific things on purpose, but when I come across a thing that seems like I can stick it in a journal i WILL stick it in a journal, usually tickets from things, maybe packages from fun snacks, flowers, nice stickers... I wouldn't call myself 'a X collector' but I do like. stuff. ajksdhka

What is one trope that you can go back and write again and again no matter how much you've done it? I mean the obvious answer would be sad artists my beloved, although that probably isn't an actual trope asjdhks so probably hurt/comfort? I feel like no matter what story I'm writing or what tropes are in it, I can always find some space for some tears and cuddles (TM). There is definitely more but this is what immediately comes to my mind

How did you figure out/how did it come about that strawberry and sunflowers would be part of your aesthetic in a way? Okay I am not sure about the sunflowers, actually, I just really like the flowers lol I feel like there was a point in my life when I was like huh I actually don't know the answers to What is your favourite X for many things and everyone kept buying me like roses or random pink flowers for all flower occasions like by default and I was like hm I don't actually like. care about roses that much but if I had a fave flower people could buy me that one, you know what I mean? also might have been influenced a bit by dodie who's to say asjdhkad

I am not like 100% sure that it was JUST this but I actually do have a real answer for the strawberries and that is (fic rec tiiiime) the strawberry milk fic! which affected me a lot as a person and one of the ways was that it somehow made me (despite my ongoing half-emo persona) change my self care and/or dealing with mental health and stuff technique from like. dan howell-esque ugh darkness and edginess (lmao sorry dan that's such an unappealing description) to like hey soft and pretty and careful (speaking of fic rec time, everyone go read my safe space fic askjdkj) and it kinda went from there and turned me into a ray of sunshine (lmao insert the sonic from jen's pfp)

Where is one place in the world that you'd love to travel and who would you go with? God I would like to go to sooo many places I would like to go visit all the wwc friends, I would like to go to the countries in Europe I haven't been to yet, I would honestly like to visit at least one country from each continent at some point but also I really really love Greece for no specific reason and so I am always down to go there and I would either go with the wwc obviously orrr with my uni friends and we would settle down somewhere and live together forever in a queer little commune that is most definitely not a cult ^.^

What is one book you'd recommend? (slyly looking for book recommendations) hhhh it's so difficult to pick one (I'm looking at my 900 page clinical psychology textbook in front of me, wouldn't that be hilarious if I said that) but I am always eager to recommend either: Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan What It Takes by our beloved Jude Sierra OR closer baby closer by Savannah Brown (yes I not so sneakily said three oh well)

Okay that's it!! bye!! <3

[sameoldways]

💳 ˑ          ⸂    𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐒!         ও

         ↷         born   into   and   continuing   black   excellence   ˑ atl .

ayra starr's   lookalike    SIERRA   KESSE    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   21   ˑ   pre-law student   .

jalen hurts'   lookalike    ZAYVIAN   MCCLELLAND    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   25   ˑ   pilot   .

ja morant or polo g's   lookalike    KEYSHAWN   DUNKLEY    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   24   ˑ   medical student   .*

renee downer's   lookalike    AALIYAH   DUNKLEY    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   21   ˑ   nursing student / ceo of hair company   .*

shai gilgeous-alexander's   lookalike    MALCOLM   KESSE    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   25   ˑ   ceo of tech startup   .

🏁 ˑ          ⸂    𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐄!         ও

         ↷         street   racing   &   heist   crew   ˑ la .

damson idris'   lookalike    KAMERON   MOSLEY    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   32   ˑ   shop manager / mastermind   .

iamkaylanicole or jamilla strand's   lookalike    MAYA   VAUGHN    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   31   ˑ   auto shop secretary / daughter of owner   .*

jayson tatum or vic mensa's   lookalike    ROMEO   GUIDRY    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   26   ˑ   car mechanic / race host   .*

kaliii's   lookalike    RAVYN   HAYES    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   23   ˑ   marketing student / flag girl   .*

michael yerger's   lookalike    CAIN   WILSON-DAVIS    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   25   ˑ   underground fighter   .

raye or kehlani's   lookalike    BAMBI   FRANKLIN    ( she   /   they )   ˑ   26   ˑ   tire technician / cat burglar   .

ryan manick's   lookalike    JUDE   BABIC    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   22   ˑ   car mechanic / safe cracker   .

zarruecos's   lookalike    ANGELO   CARABALI   RODRIGUEZ    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   25   ˑ   hacker / online systems manger   .

🐚 ˑ          ⸂    𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒, 𝐁𝐔𝐌𝐒 & 𝐁𝐎𝐌𝐁𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐒!         ও

         ↷         reality   tv   show   ˑ miami .

alexa tiziani's   lookalike    SNOH   SACCONE    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   23   ˑ   content creator   .

matthew broome's   lookalike    BASIL   FRANCOIS    ( he   /   they )   ˑ   27   ˑ   lifeguard / smoothie shop worker   .

caroline hu's   lookalike    WINNIE   MAN    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   23   ˑ   tennis player   .

lucas white smith's   lookalike    BRIAR   CRUISE    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   23   ˑ   pro surfer   .

madison beer's   lookalike    ANALISE   KNIGHT    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   25   ˑ   beautician   .

rucheewawo or lola tung's   lookalike    ALINA   MAHTO    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   24   ˑ   resort concierge   .

alex   fitzalan's   lookalike    OZZI   MONTGOMERY    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   27   ˑ   business   student   /   actor   .

🎧 ˑ          ⸂    𝐊𝟒𝐘!         ও

         ↷         pop   /   r&b   inspired   girl   group   ˑ nyc .

alexa tiziani's   lookalike    PENELOPE   ALLEGRO    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   23   ˑ   singer   .

indiyah polak   or   monaleo's   lookalike    COVENTINA   INGRAM    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   25   ˑ   singer   .*

leah halton's   lookalike    GRACE   SUTTON    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   23   ˑ   singer   .

michelle domingos'   lookalike    CINNAMON   SAUNDERS    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   26   ˑ   singer   .

shai gilgeous-alexander's   lookalike    JAWAUN   GLASPIE    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   25   ˑ   stylist   .

sofia jamora's   lookalike    SHYANN   RHODES    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   26   ˑ   manager   .

🎸 ˑ          ⸂    𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐄!         ও

         ↷         rising   rock   band   ˑ london .

christian yu's   lookalike    VANCE   FENG    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   33   ˑ   manager   .

brayden bradshaw's   lookalike    SERGIO   KATZ    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   26   ˑ   drummer   .

dominic fike's   lookalike    BOOKER   BAUTISTA    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   26   ˑ   lead vocalist / rhythm guitarist   .

helena busch or jasmin hoppe's   lookalike    SIMI   AMARIN    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   25   ˑ   vocalist / keyboardist   .

isabelle mathers'   lookalike    GWENDOLYN   BAILEY    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   25   ˑ   videographer / social media manager   .

maggie lindemann or mikey madison's   lookalike    INDY   SCHAFER    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   26   ˑ   groupie / friend of the band   .

ryan manick's   lookalike    RAINER   HORVAT    ( he   /   they )   ˑ   22   ˑ lead guitarist   .

sab quesada's   lookalike    ALMA   GUERRERO    ( she   /   they )   ˑ   22   ˑ   bassist   .

🪩 ˑ          ⸂   𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃!         ও

         ↷         notorious   nightclub   ˑ hou .

manny jacinto's   lookalike    REMY   SANTOS   MENDOZA    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   35   ˑ   chef   .

tyler lepley's   lookalike    TAHJ   MILLER,   JR.    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   37   ˑ  owner   .

kaden hammond's   lookalike    ORION   BELFORD    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   24   ˑ   bouncer   .

india westbrooks'   lookalike    GIANNA   AMES    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   28   ˑ   bartender   .

mariah the scientist's   lookalike    CRYSTAL   HOBBS    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   26   ˑ   waitress / bottle girl   .

🩷 ˑ          ⸂   𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄!         ও

alexa demie's   lookalike    YESENIA   PALOMA    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   28   ˑ   international popstar   .

sab zada's   lookalike    ZINNIA   ANAND    ( she   /   they )   ˑ   25   ˑ   tbd   .

harris dickinson's   lookalike    CADE    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   29   ˑ   rancher   .

🏎️ ˑ          ⸂   𝐏𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐒!         ও

         ↷         selective   verse   ˑ @driptape .

lewis hamilton's   lookalike    MALAKAI    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   40   .

lando norris'   lookalike    JASON    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   25   .

oscar piastri's   lookalike    HARRY    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   23   .

carlos sainz,   jr.'s   lookalike    JOAQUIN    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   30   .

alex albon's   lookalike    MYLES    ( he   /   him )   ˑ   28   .

christina nadin's   lookalike    SPENCER    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   27   .

ashton wood's   lookalike    CORA    ( she   /   her )   ˑ   30   .

[maranull]

Books I read this year and quick thoughts about them cause last year when I did this I had fun remembering them.

Under the cut cause there are a bit too many.

~

Ratings are 100% subjective. Going by order I've read them, not rank or whatever. I'd generally rec everything above 3 stars.

~

Crier's War by Nina Varela

What if you were a human, the slave race under the ruling androids and you wanted to kill the "daughter" of the lord of your city, but she was actually nice. Gay and technically enemies to lovers..? Though only the human wants to kill the other. Just a pretty nice, enjoyable fantasy. 3/5

Iron Heart by Nina Varela

Sequel to Crier's War. Here it becomes less conflict between the main characters and more world-wide troubles. Consisted quality with the first book and it also has a scene where the main characters decide to pretend to be wives to trick their way into a mansion. Hilarity ensues, which was a great break from the world-wide conflict. 3/5

A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf

No notes needed, I think. As of writing this, this is the best essay I've ever read. Even though you can see its age at some points, I feel it's still very relevant. 4/5

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

In a remote mansion, a father and a daughter take on a sickly woman. At points it felt like I was reading a lesbian romance. Which is wild considering this is written by a man in the 19th century. Absolutely horrid ending. 2.75/5

Carmilla and Laura by SD Simper

What Carmilla could and should had been. Same premise, much, much better ending. 3.75/5

Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen

Quindlen has this uncanny skill that makes me feel and almost miss teen years I never had or would I have (cause all her works are set in the US). This particular book was a very... I think good portrayal of not fitting in, and what you might be willing to do and sacrifice to do so. And then the growth that (hopefully) comes through such experiences. 4/5

Whipping Girl by Julia Serano

Not much to say. The description, twice, promised arguments that included her knowledge of biology. That wasn't the case. A fine book to read, but the rating I gave it reflects my annoyance with that description and its setting of wrong expectations. Pay more attention to the title in this one. 3/5

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Top tier vibes. An orc adventurer settles down and makes a coffee shop in a town that doesn't know what coffee is. Did not vibe with the climax or the romance (that felt shoehorned in) but overall a very enjoyable read. 3.5/5

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

Giant alien sculptures appear all around the globe, and the world tries to understand what they are. The main character is one of the first that finds them. One of the most interesting premises I've read. And a very interesting book right up until the ending, which I really, really didn't like. Maybe book two fixes my problems with it, but it was too sudden and I was not in a good place to give it a try then. The rating might be too harsh, but it is what I felt right after finishing it. 2.75/5

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow

A pretty cool retelling of the Sleeping Beauty. A very hopeful book, even if the main character starts it by celebrating their last birthday. 3/5

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin

I still think about this story sometimes. Absolutely insane how Le Quin managed to write something this short and this good. I found out more about myself from this story. I know me better through thinking about this story. It's just amazing, read it and think on it. 4/5

Short Stuff by Kate Fierro, Alysia Constantine, Jude Sierra, Julia Ember, Jen Sternick, Tom Wilinsky

A short LGBTQ+ stories collection. I was in a really bad place at the time of reading it, I barely remember anything. Though I do remember that some were really good though, while others were... pretty meh to even just... bad. Overall 3/5.

Elysium Girls by Kate Pentecost

Praise be the dystopia that got me out of my reading slump! Really cool concept, I loved it. The magic and technology is also very well made. 3.25/5

The Druid's Call by E. K. Johnston

A book made to accompany the movie D&D: Honor Among Thieves and to expand on Doric's character. It's basically her whole backstory leading up to the movie events. I think there's nothing to say here, right? There is? Okay. I've watched, listened, read and played through maybe too many stories. Seen thousands upon thousands of characters. No one ever came close to how much I relate to Doric and her story. This book is the most accurate description of abandonment and trust issues I've ever read. It was also aware how something like that might heal, and how blind you might seem (or be) when carrying such baggage. Again, my thoughts are very subjective and biased, but this is one of the best books I've ever read. 5/5

The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien

I'm not writing a description for this. You know what it is. Dense writing and worldbuilding, but it so happens that I'm into that. :P 3.5/5

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

Not writing a description for this either. You're reading this on Tumblr, therefore you know the show. :P Some parts are better than the show, some are not. The kids' characters are much more well developed here, I think. Same with the Witch. Worth reading if you've seen the show, worth if you haven't. 3.5/5

A Different Kind of Us by Kelly Quindlen

At her first job, the main character finds out that her ex-best friend and first love works there as well. A fun, sad and more adult take on the type or stories Quindlen tends to write. A nice change to see adults struggle and work towards coming to terms with themselves and their relationships. 4/5 (Quindlen is one of my fav authors, I'm biased, shut up)

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

A deadly heist, attempted by a skilled band of thieves and thugs that you will end up loving (the vast majority of them anyways). It had been a while since I've read YA fantasy before reading this, and it was a bit surreal feeling like a 15yo again. The book itself is really interesting, but the characters are not 16yo, I'm sorry. Still, they are really, really cool in their own unique ways. The magic system is a really good one as well. 3.5/5

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Sequel to Six of Crows. Great book and a damn good ending. I would kill for Inej and Jesper. 3.75/5

Say the Name: A Survivor's Tale in Prose and Poetry by Judith H. Sherman

This is a book that I believe everyone should read. It's not a fun or light read, but I think it should be in everyone's library. It describes the experiences of a 14yo Jewish girl (the author at the time) who was imprisoned in the Ravensbruck Concentration Camp during World War II. No other book, movie or documentary about that part of history has hit me more than this book. I think that when we're just seeing numbers, it's so easy for our mind to numb out the horror each individual experienced. The way Say the Name focuses on a single experience gets you away from numbers and statistics, and the focus on one person was, to me, so much more impactful. Read it. 4/5

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

You meet a hot girl in your commute, but it turns out she's lost in time, stuck in the subway for eternity. What do you do? An absolute joy of a book. Main and side characters were all fantastic. It's a great story and top tier romance. One of the few books I loved so much that I went out of my way to grab a physical copy. It's better read while on the train by the way. It truly enhances the experience. 4.5/5

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

Big themes of following expectations (your own and others) and depression. Not an easy read, and I think it would touch some people more than others. 3.5/5

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

A big cast, and many different stories that are all interconnected through various means. I think this is another book that should be read by everyone. 4/5

Love Beyond Body, Space & Time by Hope Nicholson with David A. Robertson, Cherie Dimaline, Gwen Benaway, Richard Van Camp, Mari Kurisato, Nathan Adler, Daniel Heath Justice, Darcie Little Badger, Cleo Keahna, Grace L. Dillon, Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair

Another short stories collection. Some are amazing, some are meh and some I would had loved if they were more lengthy. A lovely collection overall. 3.25/5

The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien

Started great, then kinda slowed down to a point that even though I thought I like his writing style, it became quite tiring to get through. Still a really good book. 3.25/5

Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn

A Witch haunts a city, taking a young man every generation or so. Our protagonist is the daughter of the current duke, and in deep depression. So when the Witch comes for her toll once more, she volunteers instead. Very atmospheric. But I think what won me over, is the characters and their interactions. There's this thing in fiction, where you make two characters have a fight, but they reconcile because they each can see the error of their ways and are willing to swallow their pride cause they care for each other. That is a "trope" that I will eat up every single time, and it is done greatly here. 4.25/5

~

And now I haven't touched a book for over a month... Here's hoping that I'll start reading again by January. :P

~

[lgbtqreads]

Do you have any recs for m/m foodie books? Adult, preferably🙏

I do! These can also be found here: https://lgbtqreads.com/romance/by-tropearchetype/ under Foodie

Chef’s Table by Lynn Charles

Sweet by Alysia Constantine

Sotto Voce by Erin Finnegan

Paris Daillencourt is About to Crumble by Alexis Hall

A Dash of Salt and Pepper by Kosoko Jackson

Chef’s Kiss by Jarrett Melendez, Danica Brine, Hank Jones, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (GN)

Definitely, Maybe, Yours by Lissa Reed

Idlewild by Jude Sierra

Can't Stand the Heat by Season Vining

[mermaidsirennikita]

FINALLY finished Prince of Dreams (it took longer than usual, not due to a lack of enthusiasm but a lack of time) and my God... that shit was FIRE, and I will be expanding upon why at some point BUT!

I'd be remiss if I did not point out a clear pipeline from Jude Deveraux's CLASSIC A Knight in Shining Armor (which, yes, is dated in some ways, hello 1980s fat-shaming, but also is absolutely an integral romance novel, in my opinion, when you look over the span of the genre).

Jude is very much a foundational romance novelist. If you never try a Jude novel, I think you're missing out. There's this inherent comedy to her writing conveyed through witty dialogue and wacky hijinx, and some truly fucking INSANE plots. I also find that she does a really good job with setting up a Moment in her books, and you often get these really fun side characters. The Princess is the first Jude book I'd read in a WHILE, but it's so good. Even the "Daddy Montgomery" thing (in which the hero calls himself Daddy Montgomery even though he's just met this woman and is administering CPR) is like, fine. I'll accept it. It was the 80s.

A Knight in Shining Armor, which Jude has said (in a really good interview on the Fated Mates podcast, should you wish to listen) is a book that really changed her career... is really a daring romance novel. For so many reasons, some of which I can't get into. But it sets up this balls to the wall dual time travel thing (where the hero initially travels from the 1500s to the 80s, and the heroine later travels BACK to the 1500s) and like... a truly dickish hero. Who has to learn TWICE, for more reasons I can't get into.

But you have things like the insane mysticism which isn't ever quite explained because that's not the point. You have the element of love across centuries, which I think is really hard to convey, and many readers interpret it as like... cheating? When it's really this soul-deep connection that transcends time in both these books.

And you have. A Thing. That makes the hero look really bad. A thing that I don't think we see enough of in a genre that predates modern contraception, but like. It's not that presence of the Thing, it's the way the hero HANDLES it. Him becoming better in that sense is crucial to his character development, and it goes beyond the heroine and pleasing her and moves towards making him a whole person.

In some ways, I think I personally prefer Prince of Dreams, BUT I don't think it's difficult to see where Kleypas, a historical romance novelist writing in the aftermath of that book's success, would have some inspo and sort of do a response. I mean, there are many romance novelists who played with reincarnation and time travel back in the day, from what I understand, and I wish we saw more of that.

I mean. Sierra Simone is certainly doing it...

But I think this idea of a love story that transcends not only time but basic identity and has to fight for recognition in multiple eras is SO. SO. GOOD.