#That Could Be Enough by Alyssa Cole

[betterbooksandthings]

"Radically reimagining queer joy is the project of the best queer historical romance books.

Historical research and fantasy are the founding pillars of historical romance. There are certain things about the past that any historical romance is willing to hand-wave away. In return, readers of the genre buy into that imagined past.

Queer historical romance is perhaps more radical in its approach. Not because it is less historically accurate than any other historical romance but because it works against the myth that queer people never existed in the past.

Patriarchy, Teleology, and Queer Historical Romance

Patriarchy and teleology undoubtedly work against queer historical romance. The teleological view of history is the idea that history works in a forward march of progress to a single unified goal. Teleology works against historical romance’s aim to humanize people from the past. The genre gives characters access to joy and agency that often feels anachronistic, especially to readers unfamiliar with the periods.

Pair teleology with a frankly overwhelming body of historians using patriarchal lenses to interpret history, and many dismiss all historical romance as entirely inaccurate. Not to mention, a general de-prioritization of joy and the humanization of people throughout history complicates the idea that everyone should view the past one way.

As historical romance books continue to include queer and BIPOC characters, arguments of historical inaccuracy continue to pile onto the genre. Queer historical romance rejects the claim, “In the before times, things were bad, everyone was horrible, and queer people or non-white people didn’t have power.”

So, while all historical fiction will include fiction by its genre category alone, diverse historical romance bears the brunt of historical inaccuracy claims.

What Makes a Great Queer Historical Romance?

So maybe it is unsurprising that I love queer historical romance quite so much. It’s radical, fun, engrossing, and sometimes downright silly.

Selecting just a dozen books to feature in this list was difficult, especially when so many queer historical romance authors have excellent backlists. If I were you, I would start with the twelve best queer historical romance books here and then go into each other’s backlist for an even better time."

[lgbtqreads]

Fave Five: Historical F/F Romance

Feminine Pursuits and Hen Fever by Olivia Waite Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban The Spinsters of Inverley by Jane Walsh That Could Be Enough by Alyssa Cole A Little Light Mischief by Cat Sebastian Bonus: For cozy mystery/romance mashup, check out Proper English by KJ Charles Double Bonus: These are all realistic fiction, but for historical fantasy, try Heather Rose Jones’s…

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🖤 Black History Month ❤️

💛 Queer Books by Black Authors 💚

[ List Under the Cut ]

🖤 Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender ❤️ Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta 💛 Warrior of the Wind by Suyi Davies Okungbowa 💚 I'm a Wild Seed by Sharon Lee De La Cruz 🖤 Real Life by Brandon Taylor ❤️ Ruthless Pamela Jean by Carol Denise Mitchell 💛 The Unbroken by C.L. Clark 💚 Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova 🖤 Skin Deep Magic by Craig Laurance Gidney ❤️ The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi 💛 That Could Be Enough by Alyssa Cole 💚Work for It by Talia Hibbert

🖤 All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson ❤️ The Deep by Rivers Solomon 💛 How to Be Remy Cameron by Julian Winters 💚 Running With Lions by Julian Winters 🖤 Right Where I Left You by Julian Winters ❤️ This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kacen Callender 💛 The Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum 💚 This Is What It Feels Like by Rebecca Barrow 🖤 Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa ❤️ Black Boy Joy by Kwame Mbalia 💛 Legendborn by Tracy Deonn 💚 The Wicker King by K. Ancrum

🖤 Pet by Akwaeke Emezi ❤️ You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson 💛 Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole 💚 Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron 🖤 Let's Talk About Love by Claire Kann ❤️ A Spectral Hue by Craig Laurance Gidney 💛 Power & Magic by Joamette Gil 💚 The Black Veins by Ashia Monet 🖤 Treasure by Rebekah Weatherspoon ❤️ The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow 💛 Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James 💚 Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett

🖤 The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta ❤️ Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee 💛 A Phoenix First Must Burn (edited) by Patrice Caldwell 💚 Rise to the Sun by Leah Johnson 🖤 Things We Couldn't Say by Jay Coles ❤️ Black Boy Out of Time by Hari Ziyad 💛 Darling by K. Ancrum 💚 The Secrets of Eden by Brandon Goode 🖤 Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé ❤️ Off the Record by Camryn Garrett 💛 Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers 💚 Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

🖤 How to Dispatch a Human by Stephanie Andrea Allen ❤️ Black Girl, Call Home by Jasmine Mans 💛 The Essential June Jordan (edited) by Jan Heller Levi and Christoph Keller 💚 A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark 🖤 A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney ❤️ Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo 💛 Dread Nation by Justina Ireland 💚 Punch Me Up to the Gods by Brian Broome 🖤 Masquerade by Anne Shade ❤️ One of the Good Ones by Maika Moulite & Maritza Moulite 💛 Soulstar by C.L. Polk 💚 100 Boyfriends by Brontez Purnell

🖤 Hurricane Child by Kacen Callender ❤️ Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby 💛 Coffee Will Make You Black by April Sinclair 💚 The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi 🖤 If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann ❤️ Sweethand by N.G. Peltier 💛 This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron 💚 Better Off Red by Rebekah Weatherspoon 🖤 Friday I’m in Love by Camryn Garrett ❤️ Rainbow Milk by Paul Mendez 💛 Memorial by Bryan Washington 💚 Patsy by Nicole Y. Dennis-Benn

🖤 Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon ❤️ How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole 💛 Yesterday is History by Kosoko Jackosn 💚 Mouths of Rain (edited) by Briona Simone Jones 🖤 Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia ❤️ Love's Divine by Ava Freeman 💛 The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr 💚 Odd One Out by Nic Stone 🖤 Symbiosis by Nicky Drayden ❤️ Thanks a Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas 💛 The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons 💚 Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

🖤 Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert ❤️ My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson 💛 Pleasure and Spice by Fiona Zedde 💚 No Gods, No Monsters by Cadwell Turnbull 🖤 The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus ❤️ Filthy Animals by Brandon Taylor 💛 The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin 💚 Peaces by Helen Oyeyem 🖤 The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk ❤️ Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh 💛 Bingo Love by Tee Franklin, Jenn St-Onge, Joy San 💚 The Heart Does Not Bend by Makeda Silvera

🖤 King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender ❤️ By Any Means Necessary by Candice Montgomery 💛 Busy Ain't the Half of It by Frederick Smith & Chaz Lamar Cruz 💚 Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo 🖤 Sin Against the Race by Gar McVey-Russell ❤️ Trumpet by Jackie Kay 💛 Remembrance by Rita Woods 💚 Daughters of Nri by Reni K. Amayo 🖤 You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour ❤️ The Summer of Everything by Julian Winters 💛 Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi 💚 Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyem

[rebelumbrella46]

HOTD 2x05 - SPOILERS

As a fan of House of the Dragon, I'm disappointed by the characters' lack of depth this season. Their clear motivations and predictable actions make the story drag.

I expected this season to explore moral ambiguity, especially with Team Black versus Team Green. Instead, both sides feel one-dimensional. Aemond and Daemon are becoming cartoon villains, while Rhaenyra is a goody two-shoes. Baela, Corlys, Rhaena, and even Heleana are sidelined.

For example, what was that disappointing five second scenes between Aemond and Heleana, i thought the promo photo meant that we were going to get a scene that hinted at a complex dynamic that's now forgotten. The potential conflict between Heleana and Aemond's relationship that seemed to be hinted at in S1 and Jaehaerys' parentage. Instead we got a unnecesary scene that looked pulled out of a anime, just so we can see Aemond having his villain moment.

The Daemon/Alyssa scene in Harrenhal felt unnecessary. While Game of Thrones had similar moments, what purpose did it serve? Introducing Alyssa Targaryen, one of my favorite targaryen women, in such a way feels like a missed opportunity. The initial shock value quickly fades into absurdity. The hallucinations were intriguing at first, but they've become tedious. Time to move on.

Corlys offering Baela the Driftmark heirdom? Her cool 'I'm blood and fire' moment followed by a swift exit felt forced (and cringy). Yes, she's channeling her inner Daemon, a true Targaryen. Bu there haven't been scenes that convince me Jace and Baela truly desire marriage. They seem closer to friends or cousins (understandably, having grown up together and actually being related). But power, potentially through Driftmark, is so important to have considering that we are fighting for a queen on the Iron Throne.

Sunfyre's death? I sincerely hope Cole simply believed him dead and left him behind. Sunfyre is crucial to the plot. Please don't deviate from Rhaenyra's death in Fire & Blood. It's a pivotal moment for her son, Aegon III, and a fascinatingly horrific demise.

The loss of Rhaenys, arguably the show's most captivating figure, is a significant blow. Daemon and Aemond, who shouldered the narrative last season, are now falling flat as one-dimensional villains. I do have to say, Jace was really good in this episode.

In conclusion, we have a wealth of potentially fascinating characters who could enrich the story, but it's become clear that, sadly, even Rhaenyra isn't compelling enough to carry it alone. Here's hoping, as always, that tonight's episode offers her a chance to truly shine.

House of the Dragon's potential is undeniable, but to truly capture the complexity of Game of Thrones, it needs to delve deeper into its characters (and give them all their own stories beyond the "I want Rhaenyra on the Throne", "I'm team black" or "I'm team green")

Simple good versus evil isn't enough.

[thunderthighsxd001]

Summary: This is more or less a flashback segment. With Alyssa Targaryen ll and Rhaenyra Targaryen. Spending some time together flying their dragons. I want to show the close relationship these two have with each other. Despite the differences between Rhaenyra and Alicent.

///I made Alicent and Cole more horrible in this fic. I thought making them more horrible and more toxic would make for a more interesting story. Think about it as a mean girl type of thing. Making Alicent more jealous of Rhaenyra and making Cole more salty.

_______________________________________________

In the skies of Kings Landing a bright red dragon and a golden dragon can be seen flying overhead. Alyssa Targaryen ll and her half sister Rhaenyra Targaryen, were racing each other. Trying to see who could get to DragonStone first. Syrax was smaller than Phoenix, which allowed her the advantage of being more speedy. "Faster Phoenix, faster!" Alyssa called out in High Valyrian. With a flap of his wings. The large red dragon speeds up to Syrax passing her within seconds. The dark castle that is DragonStone in full view. Syrax, doing her best to keep up pulls up next to Phoenix the two now next to each other. Both dragons are doing their best to out fly the other. Letting out a mighty roar and quickly flapping his wings. Phoenix, was able to out speed Syrax flying ahead of the she dragon. With a loud screech of her own and a command from her rider to go faster. Syrax, was able to get up to Phoenix's neck keeping pace. The castle of DragonStone was coming up quickly. The two dragons doing their best to out speed the other and land on the bridge. As the bridge was coming into view just a few wing beats away. Syrax, playfully bumped into Phoenix causing him to lose his concentration. Giving Rhaenyra, and the she dragon the opportunity to get the lead and land onto the bridge. With Alyssa and Phoenix, landing a moment later. "That was cheating!" Alyssa, called out her dragon letting out a puff of smoke as he too felt cheated.

"All's fair in love and war~" Rhaenyra, called back in a playful tone. Alyssa, couldn't help but let out a hmph feeling salty. The young Princess couldn't stay mad for long as a smile broke out and she let out a fit of giggles. Rhaenyra, unable to contain her own started laughing out loud. If anyone was watching they would see two dragons sitting on the bridge in DragonStone with their riders losing it. Probably would think they went mental.

"Rematch is in order, dear sister." As if feeling the need to redeem himself. Phoenix, leaped into the air letting out a loud shriek. Taking the lead on the flight back to Kings Landing. "Now whose the cheater?" Rhaenyra asked shaking her head and ordering Syrax to take flight. The two princesses and their dragons raced each other back to the dragon pit.

Both Alyssa and Rhaenyra, made it back to Kings Landing. Flying around just a little bit longer loving the feeling of freedom being in the sky brings. Rounding the large castle and landing just outside of the dragon pit. A couple of the dragon keepers quickly rushed out. Rhaenyra, slid off of Syrax who was then led back into the dragon pit by a couple of the dragon keepers. Alyssa, hoped off of Phoenix who was kind enough to lower himself low to the ground in consideration of his rider. "Next time we should invite Laenor and Seasmoke to join us." Alyssa, suggested to her older half sister. These two had a special bond. With everything that has been happening around Rhaenyra, through all the false accusations of birthing bastards. The false rumors being spread around the realm. Alicent, a childhood best friend who turned her back on Rhaenyra. Even her once sworn shield Cole doesn't miss out on talking shit about the Queen to be. Alyssa, has been one of the few who are on Rhaenyra's side. Seeing her as a wonderful older sister and going out of her way to be kind to her nephews. Despite all the filth her mother and older brothers try to cram into Alyssa's head.

The two princesses went their separate ways for the day. Alyssa, was walking through the halls of the Red Keep her own guards behind her. She saw Aegon, leaning against the wall looking like a drunkard. "Mother's been looking for you." He said letting out a laugh. Unclear if he found that amusing or it was the alcohol. Upon hearing this Alyssa, made her way to Alicent's chambers. The guards standing at the door opened it announcing her arrival to the Queen.

Standing up quickly "Where have you been!?" Alicent asked crossing her arms glaring down at her second youngest. "I went flying on Phoenix, your grace" Came the reply from Alyssa. She couldn't understand why her mother would be so upset. This is a normal occurrence coming from a family of dragon riders. "You were with Rhaenyra, again weren't you? How many times have I told you not to associate yourself with that whore!" Alyssa, could hear the venom dripping from her mother's words. The Queen should be lucky the guards had left the chambers so no one else heard this exchange.

"You shouldn't say things like that mother! Rhaenyra, is family. Why wouldn't I want to spend time with my older sister?" Alyssa replied to her mother with surprise at Alicent's anger seeming to come from nowhere. "Rhaenyra, will one day sit on the iron throne. You along with your other siblings are a threat to her. She'll have you killed! Especially if she doesn't want any of you to compete with her bastards." Alyssa, couldn't believe what she was hearing. Rhaenyra, loved her and she was pretty sure she loved her other siblings. Why would she want to kill them? And bastards? It was no surprise to anyone where those children really came from. Alyssa, knew the truth but refused to speak about it.

"I want you to stay away from Rhaenyra, she's a danger to you. She's a danger to us. If you truly love your family you'll do the right thing." Alicent said placing her hands onto Alyssa's shoulders. Her grip firm almost to the point of digging her nails in. "Very well mother." Is all the young Princess said. A horrible feeling forming in her gut. How would her father King Viserys, think about all this? Surely he wouldn't approve of his wife spreading all these rumors about his own daughter to her kids....

[watermelons-dont-grow-on-trees]

Appetite

An early timeline piece for Aly, back at the old house before they moved

taglist: @risk606

masterlist

TW: implied kidnapping, starvation, sleep deprivation, emeto mention (doesn't happen), carewhumper, intimate whumper, defiant/stoic whumpee, captivity

It must have been over a week, no way to say it accurately though. Alyssa tried her best to keep up with the sunsets and sunups, as much as it was possible through the little window just below the ceiling. It was facing north, she knew that much, there was never any direct light coming through it, and she saw trees above.

The branches were almost completely stripped of leaves by then, they looked like horribly burnt skeleton hands reaching towards the sky. They were mostly still, eerie, the soft autumn breeze wasn’t strong enough to move them without the foliage to reign in the gently moving wind.

The basement was mostly dark. Although it seemed to never have been finished, the space must have been constructed as a secondary living quarter, or at least it was her best guess. All the way to the left side of the room, the monotony of the brick and concrete of the wall and the floor was broken up by exactly 178 white tiles, surrounding what was supposed to serve as a bathroom. The toilet and sink were mostly decent, the shower looked dark and grimy, not that she could get a close enough look to decide if it was simply dirt or long-dried blood. It was unfinished, there were clear lines on the floor indicating where a wall should have been pulled up. 

The first few days Alyssa found herself barely sleeping, just trying to take the space in. Memorise every detail, so that she can report it when she gets out. She took note of every feature of the two guys whenever they went downstairs to check on her. 

It happened less and less, or time stretched out, as the boredom started to set in. Both of them worked during the day, and whenever the door opened and she heard the stairs creak, she steeled herself to withstand whatever they would throw at her. It wasn’t much. Luke slapped her around for not speaking the first day, but it got old quickly so he gave up, resigned. From then on his visits were brief and uncomfortable at best. He spoke to her, asked questions, and when she didn’t answer he left. 

Alyssa thought if she was boring enough they’d let her leave. Cole told her she was there for entertainment after all. If she could hang on long enough not serving that purpose, they’d surely have no reason to keep her.

Her own boredom was killing her. She started counting the bricks of the wall, after she was sure of the tiles, but the numbers got harder and harder to keep track of. Not sleeping or being fed started getting to her more than she would have liked to admit.

There was no relief to be found on the merciless concrete floor and in metal cuffs around her wrists and ankles. She was getting colder and colder, and she was still wearing her dress - now dirty and ripped up - from the night of the party, it did nothing to warm her body. When Luke caught her curled up and shivering he asked if she’d like a blanket. All she had to do was ask. Alyssa glared at him, miserable and non-threatening, but it was a glare nonetheless. He found it amusing.

He told her if she wanted to eat she could. He would hand feed her, and she didn’t even have to ask. She wanted to throw up at the thought, retching when she thought about it for more than a fleeting moment, but nothing came out, other than some faint bitterness of her stomach acid.

There was no way in hell she would ever demean herself like that, Alyssa would rather starve. But she needed to consider it, especially when she slumped from her sitting on the floor unable to keep herself upright for a second longer.

“Would you look at that!” She couldn’t lift her head to look up at him. She didn’t have to see his face to know he was gloating over her misery. “I don’t want to starve you to death, you know…” He nudged her ribs with the tip of his shoe, when she didn’t respond. It wasn’t meant to hurt, still she whined, wrecked by the constant ache that radiated through every cell of her body.

“I brought you this” he placed a box next to her head on the floor. She couldn’t help but lock her eyes on it. It smelled heavenly and familiar. He took off the lid and the scent got stronger. “I stopped by that one Chinese place next to your house” 

“...you-” Tears collected quickly in her eyes, she gave up. Her throat hurt. “You s-said we- we’re in a different city” The last part of the sentence was only a whisper.

“We are” he pushed the box closer to her. She still couldn’t move, and even if she could, the chain on her hand would not let her reach it. “You’re worth those extra few miles”

“Fuck you” she whispered. There was a steady stream of tears running across the bridge of her nose and down on the floor. She pulled weakly at the chains.

“This stubbornness gets you nowhere” he sighed and actually sat down next to her. He lifted her upper body in his lap, so she was at least halfway sitting up. It hurt so bad where he grabbed her arms, she was convinced it would bruise.

He took a piece of meat and pressed in against her lips. It was sticky, covered in a honey flavoured, slightly spicy sauce, and it hurt so bad. 

“Come on. Eat” She took a bite. And then another one. She didn’t care anymore that his fingers brushed over her lips, or that his other hand snaked across her torso pulling her up even closer flush against him. His body was warm and soft, and the food was delicious. He grabbed a spoon for the rice and fed her. 

“Say thank you” The words got to her slower than usual. His voice was faint, barely audible. 

Alyssa weighed her options. She could resort to silence again, to become boring, now that she had the energy to do so. His proximity and her body against his only started to register. His warmth was like knives stabbing her skin.

“Thank me, I don’t like to repeat myself” His hold got tighter around her abdomen. Her stomach was uncomfortably full, if he pressed his hand down even just a little more…

“It would be a shame if that meal went to waste” Luke knew it too. His free hand wrapped around her throat.

“Thank you” barely louder than a whisper. 

“You’re so welcome” He let go of her and lowered her back on the floor. She was cold again. 

Luke wiped the tears away from her face, smudging some dirt around, it rubbed at her face painfully. 

“I’ll get you a blanket, if you want one” he taunted with a smile that didn’t fade even when Alyssa steeled herself once again and shook her head. 

[atopvisenyashill]

In your Male!Rhaenyra (let's call him Rhaenor) only having daughters au what else might change? Like does Daemon try going after Helaena since she would be Viserys only daughter? What about Criston Cole? What about Aemond? Does he still lose an eye if Laena is still alive and there are no strong boys? And how do Aegon, Aemond and Daeron feel about Rhaenor and his daughters as opposed to Rhaenyra and her sons in canon? And as for the names of Rhaenor's daughters maybe Baela and Rhaena could be Rhaenor's in this au and after them he has Visenya, Alyssa and Aemma.

Well the thing is that Rhaenor is still quite young when Viserys dies - only 33. I think there’s no reason anyone would suspect he won’t eventually have a son and name that son. It’s not like people were itching to cut Aemon out just because he only had Rhaenys - it wasn’t until Aemon died that anything happened on that front. So things are likely a lot more chill for several years - Alicent marries Viserys probably figuring her children will marry Rhaenor’s and is fostering feelings of friendliness between the kids while Viserys is still alive. I mean, it’s not to say I don’t think there’s some tensions here because I’m sure any 10 year old is going to be a bit hostile towards the lady who married his dad before the grieving period is even over for his mom, and I’m sure Otto feels some type of way about this whole thing. But Viserys isn’t making the succession confusing by keeping Rhaenor as his heir - he’s literally just following every single law of the land including Dorne (bc Rhaenor is the oldest). Rhaenor probably does marry at roughly the same time since Laena is five years older, and they might have their first daughter at around the same time as Daeron. So this issue doesn't come up until Laena has had three kids and they're all girls but it's not something that's going to be pressing yet, not only Rhaenor is king himself and has surprised everyone by stubbornly naming his first born daughter his heir instead of keeping Aegon as his heir. So to answer some of your questions-

Yeah I definitely think Daemon is feeling particularly neglected in this scenario without a Rhaenyra OR a Laena to marry. I'm not totally sure if he would get fixated on Helaena but that is his only way back into the main line/keeping his kids pure Valyrians. But part of Daemon's fixation on Rhaenyra was not just that she was Viserys' daughter but that she was his rival for the throne - it's the same reasoning as Visenya uses, this "let's tie our blood lines and claims" type deal, and Daemon is conflating the Iron Throne with acceptance and love and family. Helaena is not his rival for anything, and Daemon wasn't ever heir presumptive because Rhaenor has been a man this whole time and therefore prince of dragonstone since birth.

While I can see a little boy being enamored with Criston Cole managing to best Daemon Targaryen, there's also less opportunity here for Criston to become Rhaenor's sworn sword, since he's not asking a prince for a favor in tourney. I think regardless of whether Criston can impress a young Rhaenor enough to get named to the Kingsguard - or perhaps a slightly lesser position, like the City Watch - Criston is just less likely to turn so violently against Rhaenor because even if Criston catches Rhaenor fucking and sucking on the Street of Silk, Criston is not going to take it so badly because Rhaenor is a man. LIke, he clearly doesn't give a shit about Aegon being a slut, why would he care about Rhaenor? He's also not technically opposed to women inheriting over men - he did support Rhaenyra initially - so imo if Rhaenor's daughters aren't insane, I can see him continuing to impress Rhaenor and being a friend. The problem is if one of Rhaenor's daughters get fixated on Cole. Or, I suppose, if Rhaenor ever puts the moves on Criston lol.

I think it's unlikely Aemond loses an eye in this scenario. Again, while I'm sure there's significant tension between Rhaenor and Alicent's kids - the only remarriage we have outside of the dance is Nymeria and we don't have enough information on her to know if things between her daughter and her sons were intense, but I do imagine Alicent is very aware that if Rhaenor dies, Aegon is king - but even if Aemond has the same issues with getting a dragon, he's not likely to take it out on Rhaenor's girls because they aren't training with him, they're legitimate, and things aren't as tense between them.

In general, things are probably okay for a while. No Driftmark issues to fight over, no Vhagar to fight over, Rhaenor's ascension makes perfect sense, etc. It's probably at some point in the mid 120s that things get tense, because at this point they've had several daughters. If Rhaenor brings this up with Viserys - ie, listen dad i know i've had a bunch of girls but can't they rule after me anyway? - and gets support from him, that's likely to piss Alicent off the same way Viserys naming Rhaenyra pisses Daemon off. BUT if Rhaenor deals with this by marrying his oldest to one of Alicent's, that calms things. HOWEVER. If Rhaenor deals with this by refusing to marry their kids, that's when things get tense. Rhaenor can also just not say anything until his father dies, and then name his oldest princess of dragonstone. Obviously this is still going to cause an issue, but that way he can deal with it however he wants.

I actually think it's more likely Rhaenor names his first born Visenya or Aemma lol. Visenya not just for Visenya but also for his father, Viserys. But yeah after that I can see Baela, Rhaena, and Alyssa for sure. I wish there was an Aegonette name because it would be funny if he named one of his daughters that one.

[blackcat419]

Why the only reasonable answer is that Jace, Luke, and Jeoffrey are bastards.

Jace, Luke, and Jeoffrey have the rumors of bastards because they do not look like a traditional Targaryen, Velaryon, or Valyrian person. They do not have the silver gold hair to the purple eyes. They have brown hair and brown eyes. So if these brown haired and brown eyed boys are true born, where do they get that from?

You might think Rhaenys is the obvious source of the brown hair because she had black hair. But we know both her children have silver hair. Rhaenys also doesn’t have the brown eyes, she has purple eyes. If you believe (and I do not) that Adam and Alyn of Hull of Laenor’s sons, why don’t they have brown hair? They are more likely to have brown hair as their mother is not noted as being Valerian. Both Addam and Alyn have pale hair and purple eyes. If you don’t believe that Addam and Alyn are Laenor’s kids, then let’s look to Laena’s daughters. Her children are both pale haired with purple eyes with no trace of brown hair or brown eyes.

You might instead point to Rhaenyra’s mother, Aemma Arryn for the source of the brown hair and brown eyes. We never get a description of Aemma Arryn’s hair or eye color but we know her mother was not different enough in coloring from her family to note a mention (this is in contrast to Alyssa Targaryen who has heterochromia). We also don’t know what Rodrick Arryn or Jeyne Arryn look like so we don’t know if they have brown hair. But if we assume that the brown hair and brown eyes came from Aemma Arryn, why isn’t Rhaenyra described as having brown hair and brown eyes? Why only her sons with Laenor? Why are her kids with Daemon silver haired and purple eyes?

For Jace, Luke, and Jeoffrey to be true born, you must assume that brown hair and eyes are actually recessive traits that can pass through multiple generations without showing but then can pop up three times in a row. You must assume that either Corlys has brown hair and eyes or that Aemma or Rodrick Arryn do even though their hair color and eye color is not mentioned in the book.

So where is this brown hair and brown eyes coming from if not in the family? It can’t be Criston Cole because he’s estranged from Rhaenyra before her wedding to Laenor and has black hair and green eyes. It can’t be Daemon because we know what his children with Rhaenyra look likes. We don’t hear of any other person who could be getting Rhaenyra pregnant, except Harwin Strong. We never get his hair and eye color, but why? Is it to suggest that the kids are not his? No, it’s to leave the situation mysterious because if the history said Harwin is brown of hair and eyes, we would have a clear cut case. Who else could it be?

Fire and blood is supposed to be a biased text in universe, but it’s also biased in our world. George omits details to add in uncertainty to his text. With what we are given, it is reasonable and completely expected for the reader to come to the conclusion that Jace, Luke, and Jeoffrey are not Laenor’s kids. Ambiguity is left in for the reader to decide who they think is the true father but it’s obvious to me that out of the 4 men Rhaenyra is romantically involved with, only one does not have his hair and eye color clearly stated. To me, this is clear evidence that George intended for Harwin Strong to be seen as the true father.

Extra: if Jace, Luke, and Jeoffrey are meant to be true born, then why did the show make it clear that Harwin is their dad and not Laenor? Food for thought

[longsightmyth]

what's a book or series that you genuinely love? I'm always seeing your commentary on "not so great" (bad) books (no hate, love ur commentary) but I'd love to know the ones you like best.

Ah tumblr search function you fail us yet again (inexplicable fondness).

"The ones I like best" is a very broad category that I will try to narrow down I guess?

My favorite book of all time remains The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by NK Jemisin. The other books in the trilogy are still excellent (I have yet to read anything by NK Jemisin that is not excellent) but specifically the first book of the inheritance trilogy remains my favorite. Other standouts of hers include the short story The Effluent Engine and the second book of the Dreamblood series, The Shadowed Sun (though, again! I cannot stress enough that I'm not even sure NK Jemisin could write a bad book/story if she wanted to!)

I routinely recommend all of Alyssa Cole's romances: not only are they incredibly inclusive, the characters navigate believable conflicts based around their characterization and not simply Because Of The Plot. Her contemporary romances are some of the few contemporary romances I enjoy: it's not usually my genre, but anything Alyssa Cole writes I will read. Shoutout to her expansion into horror, she's also one of the few authors who will get me to read THAT genre. Standouts include Can't Escape Love (novella), A Duke by Default, and Let It Shine (also a novella). Another author who I cannot stress enough: just go read her entire backlog okay. She's got historical romances in a range of time periods. She's got contemporary romances. She's got horror, god help me.

The other author who can convince me to read horror is T Kingfisher, aka Ursula Vernon. Her fairytale retellings are A+ and always contain horror elements, and she is another author who has yet to write a dud for me. Standouts include Nettle & Bone (NETTLE AND BOOOOOOOOONE), The Raven and the Reindeer, and The Seventh Bride.

Tamora Pierce is sort of a no-brainer here for me. Her books are not always perfect by any means, but they are always progressive for the time they are written and she continues to improve and take feedback into account. Plus you probably owe the existence of your favorite stabby ya lady to her. Tortall owns my heart because I read it first but she has a lovely magic school series in a different world where friendship is literally magic and social commentary the norm.

The Dragonriders of Pern is not for everyone. Much of the sexual politics in the early novels are, as I have discussed elsewhere, outdated, but the books evolved as Anne McCaffrey's understanding did, and there are soulmate dragons and impeccably rendered closed time loops (multiples! Happening at the same time!) and a constant discussion and tension of evolving social norms and the needs of society: at what point does technology become Too Much? Does it at all? What happens when the people in charge stop giving a shit about their responsibilities? Seriously the impeachment plot in Dragonseye/red star rising is nearly prescient. Most of these conflicts originate early on but don't truly come to fruition until later, and please take my word for it and simply don't read the books written by her son. They are bad.

The Witchlands series by Susan Dennard! Tbh I think this series deserves more love than it gets. It's not perfect, it can improve, but that's the thing: it routinely does. Dennard puts time and care into her work from all sides and discusses openly her early and middle mistakes, from a technical level to a 'needing a sensitivity reader' level.

Sarah Rees Brennan! Y'all know I love Sarah Rees Brennan, right? You should. She likes to explore tropes and genre convention and snappy, snappy dialogue. I haven't reread The Lynburn Legacy yet this year, but that's an anomaly. In Other Lands is pretty widely acknowledged as superior portal fantasy, I think. Tell The Wind and Fire was constrained by the book it was retelling and I think suffered for it, but that just means it wasn't as good as I personally think it could have been, not that it wasn't good at all. The Demon's Lexicon trilogy is her first series and yes, okay, it shows a little, but have you ever thought to yourself, hey. What if Supernatural was actually, like. Good. And wanted to actually explore in a thoughtful manner morality and what it means to be a person and nature vs nurture and how complicated your relationships with parents can be. Because if so, go give The Demon's Lexicon a shot.

The Rivers of London! We will excuse magic cops this once because they are specifically *magic* cops and because Nightingale literally fought nazis and Peter is pretty critical of the met in general. These books almost make me like London, and as a bonus Peter is fully aware that King Arthur was Welsh (look this is important to me okay)

Lockwood & Co! I am on the final book now and really enjoying my feral child soldier ghosthunters. I want to give them all soup. I want to wrap them all in blankets. My inexplicable attraction to the actor playing Kipps in the show is irrelevant to book enjoyment but I am still flabbergasted, by all accounts it doesn't make sense.

The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold is space opera. I love it. I admittedly love the Cordelia and Ekaterin novels most, but that is a matter of my eternal love for ladies who are generally nice but willing to fuck shit up, they're all good.

Artemis Fowl! Criminal mastermind child WHO JUST NEEDS FRIENDS OH MY GOD. I cried at the end of the third book. It's fine! We're all fine! Colfer does an excellent job of portraying the fairies as having a culture different from ours with real reasons that they haven't taken over the world, and if you don't love Holly you're wrong.

I have more but I'll stop here for now I guess. Whoops.

[mediaevalmusereads]

The Duke Who Didn't. By Courtney Milan. 2020.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Genre: historical romance

Series: Wedgeford Trials #1

Summary: Miss Chloe Fong has plans for her life, lists for her days, and absolutely no time for nonsense. Three years ago, she told her childhood sweetheart that he could talk to her once he planned to be serious. He disappeared that very night.

Except now he’s back. Jeremy Wentworth, the Duke of Lansing, has returned to the tiny village he once visited with the hope of wooing Chloe. In his defense, it took him years of attempting to be serious to realize that the endeavor was incompatible with his personality.

All he has to do is convince Chloe to make room for a mischievous trickster in her life, then disclose that in all the years they’ve known each other, he’s failed to mention his real name, his title… and the minor fact that he owns her entire village.

Only one thing can go wrong: Everything.

***Full review below.***

CONTENT WARNINGS: graphic sexual content, microaggressions

OVERVIEW: I was so excited when I saw this book at my local bookstore. I love Courtney Milan's work, and I was excited to get my hands on a hard copy of The Duke Who Didn't. It was wonderful to read more from Milan - and even more wonderful to read a historical romance that centered East Asian (particularly Chinese) characters. While there are little things here and there that I could nitpick, I found this book to be overall very charming, so it gets 4.5 stars from me.

WRITING: I don't think I have anything to say about Milan's prose that I haven't already said before. I love the way Milan makes her writing seem so effortless; it's quick, it's descriptive, it's full of emotion, and it balances showing and telling well. It's also full of heartfelt speeches that I've come to associate with her stories, and it had a tendency to grip my heart at the most unexpected times.

PLOT: The plot of this book follows Chloe Fong, the daughter of a Chinese immigrant living in a small village in 19th century Kent, as she helps her father start a commercial business selling sauce. Chloe plans to sell jars of sauce during the Wedgeford Trials - an annual event that draws visitors from all over the UK. If everything goes according to plan, her father's sauce will become popular enough that they can have a more comfortable income. The trouble is that the sudden appearance of Jeremy Wentworth, the Duke of Lansing after a 3 year absence threatens to throw a wrench in Chloe's plans, especially since the two have a powerful attraction to one another.

I really loved the story of Chloe and her father trying to get their sauce business off the ground. Not only did it show the two working together and butting heads in ways that clearly betrayed their affection for one another, but it also provided a nice commentary on what it meant to be "from" a place.

And perhaps this is an easy thing to like, but: I did appreciate the fact that this was a historical romance that focused on non-white characters. The genre is overrun with white characters, and though things are changing, I feel like anything I read by Milan (or various others like Beverly Jenkins or Alyssa Cole) is a breath of fresh air.

CHARACTERS: Chloe, our heroine, is easy to like and root for because of her dedication to her father and his business. Chloe is stubborn and determined but also over-works herself and refuses to accept help; these qualities make her relatable without making her perfect, and I liked that her arc involved learning to accept help.

Jeremy, our hero, is also easy to like because of his teasing and laid-back manner. I enjoyed the way he pestered Chloe without being mean-spirited and I liked that is arc involved not only learning to be "serious" ("earnest" might be more accurate?), but also accepting that maybe what's best for him can't be found in white British society.

Chloe's father is an effective supporting character in that he challenges both Chloe and Jeremy to grow. I liked that he and Chloe shared some of the same faults (overworking and refusing to accept help) while also having clear affection for one another. Descriptions of his cooking skills also made my mouth water on more than one occasion, and I laughed whenever he made his food overly spicy in order to mess with Jeremy.

Most other supporting characters are only minimally involved in the story, so a thorough analysis isn't really necessary. All of them served their purpose, so I didn't really feel like any were dead weight or distracted from the story.

TL;DR: The Duke Who Didn't is a delightful, heartfelt romance that really shines when showcasing the father-daughter relationship and the contrast between the two protagonists' personalities. If you're a fan of historical romance but are getting tired of Regencies about rich white people, you might want to give this one a try.

ROMANCE: Chloe and Jeremy's relationship was fun to read about in part because the character personalities contrasted nicely. Chloe is a planner and is always making to-do lists while Jeremy is more laid back and impulsive. Despite this difference, they played off each other well, and I liked that their disagreements were good-natured while also challenged each other to think and grow.

I also very much liked how their arc involved supporting one another. Jeremy fills an emotional need in Chloe's life by helping her learn to share her burdens, while Chloe helps Jeremy feel worthy after being rejected by a lot of people for being half Chinese. Their individual arcs and growth as a couple complemented each other well, so on the whole, the romance was very emotionally satisfying.

[bookcub]

Hi! 10, 17, 24 bookish asks

What was your favorite new release of the year?

Easy, The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi was fantastic, I loved it so so much and it was everything I wanted and more. I think it wll be a great reread as well. Also, why do I always forget I like Gothic books?

Did any books surprise you with how good they were?

I said earlier City of Brass and Lone Women but I should also say Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Cordova was so much fun. It's part of a series of modern romance novels re imagining Disney princesses and the first two were ... fine, but since they keep switching stories and authors, I keep reading them. This was by far the best, I had a blast, I really liked how Cordova took key elements of the Disney tale and worked them into a realistic setting.Like, yeah it was cheesy but it was the kind of cheesy I wanted.

Did you DNF anything? Why?

lol yesssss I DNF so often I don't even track all of them. Goose Chase by Patricia Kindl was a DNF for me because a. not a goose girl retelling as I had been led to believe, and b. incredibly cringy faux medieval talk. If it had just been the first, I would have continued but the dialogue was too much for me.

I also had to DNF The Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero-Lacruz because it came very close to triggering me due to some content. I did find it interesting but not engaging enough for me to risk very upsetting responses.

I really enjoyed what I read of When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole, but since it is a thriller/horror I read for class, this also walked the line of, hmm this could trigger me, so I skipped to the end. Would highly recommend to those who like really intense and disturbing stories.

Send me ass about books!

[betterbooksandthings]

Romance Book Recommendations

Here is a complete guide to books I would recommend without question to anyone looking to read romance. This was, in fact, the shortest I could get it so have fun!

Straight Sci/Fi Fantasy romance The A.I. Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole that time i got drunk and saved a demon by kimberly lemming Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert

Straight Historical Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins The Duke who didn't by courtney Milan Unclaimed by Courtney Milan

Trans Historical A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall M/F (transfemme) Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian M/N Something Spectacular by Alexis Hall N/N

Sapphic Historical

The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley The Lady’s Guide To Celestial Machanics by Olivia Waite That Could be Enough By Alyssa Cole

Gay Historical The Gentleman's Book of Vices by Jess Everlee The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by K.J. Charles We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian Tommy Cabot Was Here by Cat Sebastian Slippery Creatures by K.J. Charles Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat sebastian Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian

Sapphic Fantasy Romance Walk Between Worlds by Samara Breger The Rogue Crown by A. K. Mulford (third book in a series first two have m/f pairings) A Song of Silver and Gold by Melissa Karibian Can’t spell treason without tea by Rebecca Thorne A Restless Truth by Freya Marske

Trans Fantasy Romance The Demon's Bargain by Katee Robert F/N The Evergreen Heir by A. K. Mulford N/M

Gay Fantasy Romance Socially Orcward by Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey Red Heir by Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey a marvellous light by Freya Marske wolfsong by t.j. klune (series) A Veil of Gods and Kings by Nicole Bailey (series) A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows (read TW) Witchmark by C. L. Polk (series) Reforged by Seth Haddon Frostbite by J Emery A Rival Most Vial by R. K. Ashwick The Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles Bisclavret by K L Noone Human Enough by E.S. Yu From The Dark We Came and Help Wanted by J. Emery

Poly Fantasy Romance Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert Elf Defence by Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey

Sapphic Contemporary Romance D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole

M/F Contemporary Romance (Some Bi and Ace) A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone Scandalized by Ivy Owens A Thorn in the Saddle by Rebekah Weatherspoon The Comeback by Lily Chu Forget Me Not by Julie Soto Knot My Type by Evie Mitchell Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert Take a hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert Haven by Rebekah Weatherspoon Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon Xeni by by Rebekah Weatherspoon Trade Me by Courtney Milan The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann

Gay Contemporary Romance A Dash of Salt and Pepper by Kosoko Jackson The Missing Page by Cat Sebastian Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun The Hate Project by Kris Ripper Counterpoint by Anna Zabo Just Like That by Cole Mccade Syncopation by Anna Zabo

Poly Contemporary Romance The Life Revamp by Kris Ripper

[mccoppinscrapyard]

Books Read/Listened To in 2023

* = owned

The Hellion’s Waltz by Olivia Waite (audiobook) : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In My Own Moccasins by Helen Knott- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Girls that Never Die by Safia Elhillo- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Who Put This Song On? by Morgan Parker (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Almost American Girl by Robin Ha- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The Weary Blues by Langston Hughes- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez (audiobook)- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

And Yet by Kate Baer - ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ana María and the Fox by Liana de la Rosa * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Black Roses by Harold Green III- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Patience and Esther by S.W. Searle- ⭐️⭐️⭐️

She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

In the Neighborhood of True by Susan Kaplan Carlton (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

That Could Be Enough by Alyssa Cole * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Maus by Art Spiegelman * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jewdrowski (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sasha Masha by Agnes Borinsky * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Cheer Up! Love & Pompoms by Crystal Frazier * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Home Field Advantage by Dahlia Adler (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love Charade by Allie McDermid * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Yazidi! by Aurelien DuCoudray and Mini Ludvin - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Private Charter by N. R. Walker (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Island Wisdom by Annie Daly & Kainoa Daines - ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies: A Lyric Essay by Julian Aguon (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bi: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality by Julia Shaw - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fire from the Sky by Moa Backe Astot (eARC) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fall Into You by Georgina Kiersten - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Sing Anyway by Anita Kelly - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The Times I Knew I Was Gay by Eleanor Crewes * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jazz Owls by Margarita Engle * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

She Was Made for Me by Jen Morris - ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck * - DID NOT FINISH

The Tiny Journalist by Naomi Shihab Nye - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gender is Really Strange by Teddy G. Goetz (eARC) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Well Matched by Jen DeLuca (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love Flushed by Evie Mitchell - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Skip! by Sarah Burgess (eARC)- ⭐️⭐️.5

The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Home is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Minor Detail by Adania Shibli (audiobook) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw * - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Her Night With the Duke by Diana Quincy (audiobook) - currently reading

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata- currently reading

You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky - currently reading

[paperback-bitch]

When No One is Watching - Review

When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole Hardback: $n/a – Paperback: $12.99 Approx. 352 pages – Audiobook 8.5 hours Mystery/Thriller

SYNOPSIS

Sydney Green is Brooklyn born and raised, but her beloved neighborhood seems to change every time she blinks. Condos are sprouting like weeds, FOR SALE signs are popping up overnight, and the neighbors she’s known all her life are disappearing. To hold onto her community’s past and present, Sydney channels her frustration into a walking tour and finds an unlikely and unwanted assistant in one of the new arrivals to the block—her neighbor Theo.

But Sydney and Theo’s deep dive into history quickly becomes a dizzying descent into paranoia and fear. Their neighbors may not have moved to the suburbs after all, and the push to revitalize the community may be more deadly than advertised.

When does coincidence become conspiracy? Where do people go when gentrification pushes them out? Can Sydney and Theo trust each other—or themselves—long enough to find out before they too disappear?

Themes: Gentrification, Erasing History, Racism, Abuse of Power, Classism

Tropes: These White People are Dangerous, “Mad Black Woman”, Adding Insult to Injury

Warnings: Forced drug use, Kidnapping

REVIEW

I’m sure most of you have heard of Barnes and Noble, even if you’ve never been to one. What you may not know is that they have a little mini-Starbucks in them, and they sometimes offer books at the counter for $5 if you purchase any café item. I call them café books, and I’ve ended up finding some interesting reads I’d never heard of by buying them that way. Some are great, some good, and some a total waste of time – luckily this one falls somewhere between the first two.

This book was a little bit of a slow read at first. I’m prone to TMI, so I don’t mind sharing that this started as a “bathroom book”. Books I’m interested in but don’t have the time or attention span to carry around and finish? They get relegated to the bathroom drawer, where I can pick them up and spare a few minutes to make progress. Some books live there until I finish them (or abandon them) and some eventually catch my interest enough to graduate out of the bathroom and into the regular roster.

When No One is Watching was one of the latter. Without going into spoilers, because I try not to, this book had such a slow, creeping dread as it progressed that really hooked me once it hooked me. It deals with gentrification in such a sinister, sci-fi way, and yet it also feels like it could almost – just maybe – be believable. It’s damn near impossible to avoid politics in a political climate like the one we’re experiencing in America at the moment, and gentrification and the subsequent downslide of the middle class are a significant part of that. We’re experiencing what’s considered the erasure of the middle class, in fact, with more and more people falling into the realm of poverty while the wealthy just hoard even more.

Sydney was a great protagonist to follow through the story. She was one of the most realistic leads I’ve read in a book. She’s a woman worn down by the weight of debt, of her mother’s illness and their awful, expensive health insurance that won’t cover her care. She has realtors breathing down her neck to try and undersell her house and flip it into some fancy new condo. She’s out of a job and barely scraping by, and her mother’s beloved community garden is being ripped up and paved over for corporate greed. Sydney felt like every struggling friend I’ve known; every dark moment I’ve experienced over my life where I felt like the whole world was crashing down. She was witty and fierce and never let anyone give her shit, even when she was miserable and wanted to lay down and drink herself into a coma.

The story waffles between thriller and sci-fi in a way that keeps you wondering if it’s really happening, or is it maybe just in Sydney’s head? It went about how I expected it to, but I didn’t even find that I minded being able to predict things because I was having such a good time with the story by the last quarter. There is a romance subplot, which I don’t always love in a thriller, but I didn’t actually mind it this time. It didn’t interfere with the plot and managed to add layers to the emotional dynamics.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It’s refreshing to be able to give this one a 4/5 stars. I’ve been encountering a lot of 3 star reads lately, and even an unfortunate 2 star that I’ve got a review coming for sometime in October.

RECOMMENDATIONS

One of the comp titles for this work was the film Get Out, and I actually find that to be pretty accurate. Honestly if you like any of Jordan Peele’s thrillers, this book might be a good fit for you.

[astreiants-archive]

do you have any wlw books that star women of colour?

i do!

girls of paper and fire by natasha ngan

girl serpent thorn by melissa bashardoust

take a hint, dani brown by talia hibbert

the bone shard daughter by andrea stewart

the space between worlds by micaiah johnson

the true queen by zen cho

empress of forever by max gladstone

falling into place by sheryn munir

waiting on a bright moon by jy yang

the avant-guards by carly usdin & noah hayes

that could be enough by alyssa cole

abbott by saladin ahmed

a dead djinn in cairo by p djeli clark

the stars and the blackness between them by junauda petrus

the henna wars by adiba jaigirdar

you should see me in a crown by leah johnson

burning roses by s l huang

yellow rose by yoshiya nobuko

don’t date rosa santos by nina moreno

clap when you land by elizabeth acevedo

shatter the sky by rebecca kim wells

the good luck girls by charlotte nicole davis

in the vanishers’ palace by aliette de bodard

once ghosted, twice shy by alyssa cole

afterlove by tanya byrne

buuza!! by shazleen khan

motor crush by brenden fletcher

not for use in navigation by iona datt sharma

ninefox gambit by yoon ha lee

a blade so black by l l mckinney

mangos and mistletoe by adrianna herrera

patsy by nicole dennis benn

escaping exodus by nicky drayden

we set the dark on fire by tehlor kay mejia

the weight of the stars by k ancrum

[biandlesbianliterature]

This is a really sweet story, centered around two queer black women and their journey from vague antagonism to love. We learn a surprising amount about both characters for such a short story, and we get a few glimpses into their work and into their relationships with others beyond the romance.

That Could Be Enough by Alyssa Cole was reviewed at the Lesbrary