#chemistry woes forever

[iliveinprocrasti-nationn]

“determine molality” but i can’t do that without molar mass “determine molar mass” but i can’t do that number of moles “determine number of moles” but i can’t do that without the molality. do you see my dilemma

[comingdownwithme]

People say that you need to make a good first impression but uhhh, idk where this would be on the "this is alright" to "holy shit what was that" scale.

Anyways, woe, ticcijeff be upon ye because I read ONE, singular fanfic that was too good for something made in 2016 and it changed my brain chemistry forever

[faefrosting]

Woes is me, lover of fish

Suggestive warning :] oc x cannon

(Just after an interesting kiss)

It's just a wip and noncannon to the comic I'm working on (or is it?) (Yes it is, but maybe not?)

Nothing like making fun of the person you just kissed without warning, whose never had such close touch before

Comet's brain chemistry has been forever changed from this event

[stephreviews]

Ossan's Love TH (2025)

Heng (Earth Pirapat) is a silly, clueless, average guy who suddenly finds himself tangled in a love triangle between his boss, Kongdech (Krit Shahkrit), and his old friend and new colleague, Mo (Mix Sahaphap). Then, to make him even more confused, his childhood best friend Chicha (Kapook Ploynira) confesses to him as well! Who will ultimately win Heng's heart?

I haven't watched a Thai comedy before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But I really enjoyed this one! I had to get used to the constant sound effects and over exaggerated facial expressions a little bit since that's just the Thai comedy style.

The Characters

I really enjoyed the characters. Typically, I'm a love triangle hater. While watching this drama, I was trying to figure out why I didn't hate the love triangle, and it really was because no one character is perfect and no one character sucks more than the others.

Heng isn't just some naive "oh woe is me" bottom. (In fact, it's never clear whether Heng is a top or bottom, which is a rare slay from GMMTV.) He's clumsy, kind, goofy, a pushover, and unobservant. Because of that, even the people he likes often scold him for making mistakes. He gets called out in the drama for not learning to say no.

Mo isn't the all-knowing, "white knight" top. (Once again, we never know what his position is, which like yass queen give me more switches and ambiguous couples!) He's protective of Heng, honestly a bit of a sassy bitch but in the fun way, but also gets defensive easily and quick to make decisions to protect himself. He gets called out by Chicha in particular, but also by Kongdech himself for making decisions that hurt himself and others.

Kongdech is the boss, and he's sort of the antagonist in the story, but he isn't just some evil guy who's super smooth and tempting around Heng while being an ass to Mo. If anything Kongdech is kind of an endearing loser. He's never dated a man before because he's a widower who lost his wife years ago, and he hasn't even dated in a long time. So at first, he seems kind of pushy with Heng, but Kongdech has no experience, and Heng never says no, and it's a perfect storm. Kongdech gets called out by Mo for being too pushy and by his own daughter for keeping things from her.

Ultimately, all of the characters face a reckoning for their character flaws, which made me feel satisfied with their actions.

The Story

The story itself is where a lot of the comedy comes in. There's an entire episode where Heng gets stuck on the roof of a hotel without his clothes and the rest of the employees are looking for him. It's honestly so funny. I really enjoyed the rest of the workers in the office because they brought a lot of the comedy and helped Heng, Mo, and Kongdech grow as people.

(Also there was a FirstKhaothung cameo in 2 of the episodes!)

I can't say much more about the plot without giving some insane spoilers, but I thought a lot of the story made sense with their characters, and a lot of it was necessary for growth, UNTIL EPISODE FUCKING 12.

The Bad

Without revealing too much of what happens in the last episode, basically they decide to give Heng amnesia, which like fine, whatever, very K-Drama style. But how do they use this trope?

THEY RETCON THE ENTIRETY OF THE CHARACTER GROWTH.

I was so mad. I was so ready to give this drama a good review, and then all of a sudden we're back to square one??? Motherfucker what? Mo and Chicha even have the exact same conversation they have before? For what?? Anyways, I will be mad forever about this. This drama could have easily been an 8.5 or 9 for me, and now it's a 6.

Overall: 6/10

Chemistry: 🔥🔥🔥

Love triangle I enjoyed? 1000/10

Realistic adult gays? 10/10

Amnesia retcon? -♾️ fuck you GMMTV

[visualtaehyun]

Hi ✨ chances are you're here because of one of my posts about language in Thai shows (mostly BL tbh). And since I kind of keep writing more of those, I thought I should do some better housekeeping and neatly collect them in a pinned post. So here ya go!

- all posts about language in Thai series and fandom: #local woman harps on about linguistics Thai QL fandom 101 & 102

- all other posts related to Thai language, culture, shows or artists: #bella and the blorbos (edits, gifs, memes, basically any original post lol) #local woman harps on about znn (translations, edits, etc. related to NuNew, Zee Pruk, and ZNN) #ql musings (meta, thoughts etc.) #thai - #thai language - #thai music - #linguistics

- specific posts and series tags under the cut!

-- BY SHOW

Be My Favorite

Hidden Agenda

Only Friends

Naughty Babe

Lucky My Love

Love Senior

Last Twilight

Dead Friend Forever

1000 Years Old

23.5

We Are

Love Sea

The Trainee

Jack & Joker

Pluto

Apple My Love

The Heart Killers

Your Sky

The Boy Next World

The Next Prince

> La Pluie - #bella watches la pluie > Cutie Pie - #bella rewatches ning hia

-- ONE-OFFS

Wedding Plan ep. 2 - Wa & Rine

Wednesday Club - Wednesday's child is full of woe | Naming conventions of Tam's yadom

Cooking Crush ep. 1 - Onion-or-kiss pun

Pit Babe ep. 13 - CharlieBabe NC

Only Boo! - pilot | official trailer | 'phi chai'

My Love Mix-Up! - re: an ask about the pronouns

Sunset x Vibes ep. 3 - re: Thai subs of the Mandarin portion translated | chronically online Pim

Star in My Mind - re: an ask about how KluenDao speak

Monster Next Door - 'khrap'

LITA - re: an ask about PrapaiSky + pronouns

-- MISC.

re: a BossNoeul clip - sugar daddy/DILF meme and song (ฟ้ารักพ่อ by Badmixy)

re: a Last Twilight post - A clownery of typos and homonyms in romanization

re: a Pavel tweet - an attempt to explain and contextualize ผัว /pua/ and เมีย /mia/

re: an ask about Cherry Magic - Khun X's twt space about the Marriage Equality lines translated

re: We Are ep. 2 - Stir-fried water spinach aka Flying Morning Glory

re: GMMTV Pride 2024 roundtable discussion (link) - พระเอก /phra ehk/ and นายเอก /naai ehk/

KengNamping 5 month anniversary live - translation

ZNN 4th anniversary - all Cutie Pie boxset deleted scenes subbed

re: ThomasKong chemistry - the acting coaches involved in Domundi's productions

re: an ask about DMD's 2025+ series - directors & acting coaches

translation of Den Panuwat's twt space about Zomvivor, The Next Prince, Khemjira & Love Upon a Time

[mermaidsirennikita]

ARC REVIEW: A Simple Twist of Fate by April Asher

3.75/5. Releases 5/13/25.

—Gilmore Girls but make it paranormal

—high school sweethearts

—fated mates gone wrong

—on the page teenage ward

Heat Index: 6.5/10

The Basics:

Witch Harlow (AKA Harry) and shifter Jax were each other's first love, and she thought it would be forever. Until, that is, a sacred ceremony identified Harry's best friend as Jax's fated mate, sending her fleeing from town. Over a decade later, she's back in Fates Haven, seeking help for her best friend's daughter as she deals with unidentified shifter woes. Too bad the new alpha shifter in town is, in fact... Jax.

The Review:

Okay, when they pitch this as "supernatural Gilmore Girls vibes", they aren't kidding. And that's not a callout, it's honestly really cute. But you get it all—a quirky erotic bakery that I would literally pay to have in my town, funky little town residents, a random stable of horses, the various relationship tensions that have stakes but not like, super high stakes?

Obviously, our central relationship is Harry and Jax, and I do think Asher dialed into the second chance romance longing really well. I totally believed that these were two people who truly wanted each other and had never really resolved their feelings. The chemistry was sparking, there was an easiness to their interactions...

And honestly? Once I realized how hard this book was going to lean into small town romance, I was a little worried, because that vibe can be challenging for me. But there's a real charisma to April Asher's writing that kept me going. I wasn't like, OBSESSED, but I had a good time—and a better one than I usually have with small town romances and cozy magic.

I didn't even mind Grace, Harry's teenage pseudo-daughter (though I am both intrigued by her semi-absent mother and confused). She was a pretty real teenager, and she existed to push Jax and Harry together in a way that didn't feel contrived. Hard to pull off!

I will say, the fact that Harry just assumed that she and Jax were done after his supposed fated mate was identified... I mean, I get the drama because they were teenagers. But it did feel like a stretch for her to have no idea that she was completely wrong over the course of a 10+ year timespan. That's where she didn't feel like a real adult to me, and it's why I would say that... I liked her, but she definitely bugged me at points.

The Sex:

There isn't a *ton*, but what you get is good. Jax is a mountain lion shifter; I could've used a bit more of that in the sex scenes. I mean, in general, the magic in this novel is a light touch. But why not dial it up a bit during the sex scenes? I see nothing but win with that approach.

Conclusion:

While I can't say this is going to be one I remember forever, it was a fun, cute time. And I'd say that for Gilmore Girls fans in particular, this could be a good "baby's first paranormal romance" before you decide to run with the big dogs. Nicely done!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[bitchysunflower]

ok i think we all know about the incorrect quotes generator and I'm sad and that little website always brings me joy. so here are some steddie (and the gang) incorrect quotes! there's a lot of them because i have too much free time :D

Steve: Eddie and I have the kind of easy chemistry where we finish each other's- Eddie: Sentences. Steve: Don't interrupt me.

----

*steve visiting eddie in the hospital*

Steve: Must be hard not being able to laugh Eddie: I do have a sense of humor you know Steve: I’ve never heard you laugh before Eddie: I’ve never heard you say anything funny

----

Steve: Change is inedible. Eddie: Don't you mean inevitable? Steve, spitting out coins: No, I did not.

----

Steve: *Kicks the door down looking panicked* Eddie: What did you do? Steve: Nobody died. Eddie: WHAT KIND OF ANSWER IS THAT?!

----

Steve: Don’t worry, I know exactly what I’m doing. Everything is going to be fine! Eddie: How can you still say that? Steve: Because sometimes, when things get tough, denial is all we have.

----

Steve: *Stubs their toe* FUCK! Eddie: Mind your language! Steve: What else am I supposed to say, “Woe is I”??? Eddie: Steve: You have to accept that swear words are necessary sometimes.

----

Steve: Can you keep a secret? Eddie: Do you know anything about my life? Steve: No I do not. Good point.

----

Steve: Do you take constructive criticism? Eddie: I only take cash or credit.

----

Steve: I am not out of control! I'm a law abiding citizen! Eddie: Really? Name one law Steve: Don't kill people? Eddie: That's on me. I set the bar too low.

----

Steve: English is a difficult language. It can be understood through tough thorough thought, though. Eddie: You need to stop.

----

Steve: In light of what you did for me, you can hug me for four to five seconds. Eddie: FORTY FIVE SECONDS?!? Steve: No! Four to five seconds! Eddie: Too late!!!

----

Steve: Is letting someone win at chess sapiosexual bottoming Eddie: Does anyone in this godforsaken group ever think before they speak

----

Steve: In my defense, I was left unsupervised. Eddie: Wasn't Robin with you? Robin: In my defense, I was also left unsupervised.

----

Steve, in a high voice, holding barbie: hey ken! I was thinking about going back to school and starting a career! Eddie, in a deep voice, holding ken: nonsense, barbie. you’re staying home and having my kids Robin: what the fuck are you guys doing? Steve: playing systemic oppression

----

Steve: I told Eddie their ears flush when they lie. Robin: Why? Steve: Look. Steve: Hey Eddie! Do you love us? Eddie, covering their ears: No. Robin:

----

Steve: Eddie, what do IDK, LY, and TTYL mean? Eddie: I don’t know, love you, talk to you later Steve: Ok, I love you too, I’ll just ask Robin.

----

Steve: Please bring home PURIFIED water with NO minerals added for taste Eddie: We got spring water Steve: NO. Robin: with EXTRA minerals Eddie: it's like licking a stalagmite Steve: DON'T COME HOME. Robin: Mmmmm cave water

----

Robin: Do you ever want to talk about your emotions, Eddie? Eddie: … No. Steve: I do! Robin: I know, Steve. Steve: I’m sad! Robin: I know, Steve.

----

Steve: I love you guys, you're the best thing that's happened to me. Eddie: We're the best thing that's ever happened to you? Steve: Yes! Robin: I'm starting to feel a little sorry for you.

----

Steve: If I accidentally sat on a voodoo doll of myself, would I be trapped forever in that position, doomed to starve to death? Eddie: How am I supposed to know? Robin: You say, as if we don’t use you as a source of knowledge of the occult. Eddie: *sighs* Eddie: You wouldn't be trapped.

----

Steve: While I’m gone, Eddie, you’re in charge. Eddie: Yes!!! Steve, whispering: Robin, you’re secretly in charge. Robin: Obviously.

----

Steve: You have to apologize to Eddie Robin: Fine. Robin: 'Unfuck you' or whatever.

----

Steve: I know you snuck out last night, Eddie. Robin: Play dumb! Eddie: Who's Eddie? Robin: NOT THAT DUMB!!!

----

Steve: I can’t believe you live nearby, and you won’t let anyone crash at your place. Eddie: You people already know too much about me. Robin: I know exactly three facts about you, and one of them is that you won’t let any of us crash at your place.

----

Steve, trying to ask Eddie out: Would you like to stay for dinner? Robin: WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY FOREVER?

----

Steve: Hey Eddie, Eddie: Yes? Steve: Can a person breathe inside a washing machine while it’s on? Eddie: Eddie: Where’s Robin?

----

Steve: I trust Eddie. Robin: You think they know what they're doing? Steve: I wouldn't go that far.

----

Steve, about Eddie: Apparently we’re getting someone new in the group. Robin: Are we stealing them? Nancy: New or used? Steve: Wonderful responses, both of you.

----

Steve: On a scale from “damn Daniel” to “fre sha vaca do”, how are you feeling? Eddie: In between “it’s an avocado, thanks” and “how did you defeat Captain America”, but as a solid answer I would say “I don’t need a degree to be a clothing hanger”. How about you, Robin? Robin: Probably “road work ahead”. Nancy: I speak many languages, and this is none of them.

----

Steve, Eddie, and Robin are sitting on a bench Nancy: Why do you guys look so sad? Steve: Sit down with us so we can tell you. *Nancy sits down* Eddie: The bench is freshly painted.

----

Steve: How did none of you hear what I just said? Eddie: I’ve been zoned out for the past two and a half hours. Robin: I got distracted about halfway through. Nancy: Ignoring you was a conscious decision.

----

Steve: You lying, cheating, piece of shit! Eddie: Oh yeah? You’re the idiot who thinks you can get away with everything you do. WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD Steve: I’m leaving you, and I’M TAKING ROBIN WITH ME Nancy, picking up the monopoly board: I think we’re gonna stop playing now.

----

Steve: I think we're missing something. Eddie: Teamwork? Robin: Cohesion? Nancy: A general sense of what we’re doing?

----

Steve, setting down a card: Ace of spades Eddie, pulling out an Uno card: +4 Robin, pulling out a Pokémon card: Jolteon, I choose you Nancy, trembling: What are we playing

----

Cop: You’re receiving a ticket for having three people on one motorcycle. Steve: Shit. Eddie: Wait, three? Cop: Yeah? Robin: OH MY GOD NANCY FELL OFF!!!

----

Steve: *Gently taps table* Eddie: *Taps back* Robin: What are they doing? Nancy: Morse code. Steve: *Aggressively taps table* Eddie: *Slams hands down* YOU TAKE THAT BACK-

----

Steve: Eddie, I'm sad. Eddie: *Holds out arms for a hug* It’s going to be okay. Robin: Nancy, I'm sad. Nancy, nodding: mood.

----

Steve: Can I be frank with you guys? Eddie: Sure, but I don’t see how changing your name is gonna help. Robin: Can I still be Robin? Nancy: Shh, let Frank speak.

----

[bowansparrow]

Book Review: A Veil of Gods and Kings - Nicole Bailey

1/5 stars

This book felt like the author saw the names Apollo and Hyacinth and decided that was enough. Most things that clearly are associated Apollo especially regarding his mythological origins are completely changed or nonexistent- I would be able to tolerate and accept Apollo having a mortal mother instead of Leto or even that he was born as a demigod and had to ascend later (as some myths do classify this as a requirement for gods), but to completely change the fact that Artemis is his twin sister and instead turn her into his mortal half sister was completely unfounded. Again: taking the name without any regard for attempting to stay somewhat loyal to the source.

While the book wanted to tell you that this was set in Ancient Greece, everything that the book showed clearly evidenced to the contrary. I should have expected this from the author’s note at the beginning saying that there were “liberties” taken with historical accuracy, but there is a large difference between adding saddles for horses and the blatant disregard for what technologies and architecture the ancient Greeks actually had- such as, at one point, the characters going to an indoor theater complete with a hanging glass chandelier.

This book is advertised as a slow burn- which is accurate, as the only characters that had chemistry aren’t even the ones who ended up together. The relationship between Apollo and Hyacinth is dull and lifeless- there was an attempt to brand this as an “enemies to lovers” but there was nothing of substance beyond “This guy is annoying and I don’t want to spend time with him- oh wait, now I do.” In addition, the set up for the story doesn’t make sense unless you harbor a rather obscene amount of suspension of disbelief or jump through hoops yourself attempting to justify it because the story certainly doesn’t.

Epiphany was a character that was simultaneously somewhat interesting and also annoying. There’s an attempt in the story at having a commentary about the societal role of women- which it fails to do because the only one that’s enforcing the standards of a woman’s role in ancient Greece is Epiphany herself, as it’s told multiple times to her that she doesn’t have to go through with her presentation to meet eligible marriage candidates if she doesn’t want to, and that she doesn’t even need to get married if she doesn’t want to, but SHE is the one who keeps saying, “No, this is my role, woe is me.”

All of this doesn’t even mention the lack of quality of just the line to line writing. I’ll give the book credit where it’s due: there are some very good descriptions especially when it comes to scenery. However, everything else is juvenile and repetitive at best. The book is absolutely rife with repetitive cliche mannerisms like rolling eyes, smirking, “sucked in a breath”/“blew out a breath”, “bobbed their head”, and chuckling- oh god, the chuckling. Everyone is chuckling. Always. Forever.

There was some attempt slightly made with some of the curses: Hera’s plight, Hades’ realm- but these were few and far between and littered with an absurd amount of modern language and lazy curses such as “shit” and “badass”- with “what the hell” being perhaps the most egregious as the Greeks didn’t have a concept of hell and only referred to the Underworld as such or Hades.

TL;DR: This book is basically a modern au of characters that share the same names as the Greek Apollo and Hyacinth that tries to tell you it’s set in Ancient Greece.

The only reason I finished this book in the first place was because it was short and I didn’t want to find another audiobook in the meantime. I would have dnfed an hour in (approximately 10%).

Spoiler Part:

Also, I cannot for the life of me fathom why, if desiring to overthrow Zeus and the Greek pantheon, the author would choose the Roman pantheon, which is the Greek one but objectively worse.

[beautifulblhell]

Living Together With Them Headcannon

Ft: Kuroo, Ushijima, Bokuto, Oikawa

A/N: Just a little something since I’m in the middle of writing a 1k 3k Mikey from TokyoRev fic why do my fics always end up growing so big😭

Kuroo Tetsurou

•There’s always sticky notes with cheesy chemistry jokes and puns around the house, and one time when you were stressed, you found them even in the inside of your shoes (it nearly gave you a paper cut though)

•During your first winter while living together the heater in his room broke down

•You got woken up one night when he came into your bed and stuck his ice cold feet under your legs

•Luckily you had a double bed

•Never moved out of your bed so now he sleeps together with you permanently

•He always ends up hugging you in his sleep

•Downside is that he wakes up earlier than you and takes photos of your sleeping faces and teases you about it

•It’s his phone wallpaper

•Expect good morning kisses, leaving for work kisses, coming home kisses, random kisses, just get ready for him to shower you with affection 💕

Ushijima Wakatoshi

•Volleyballs

•Get ready for volleyballs decorations

•Joking, he doesn’t have volleyball decorations

•Enough volleyball live in his head rent free

•Sleeps with a volleyball though

•Human alarm. Wakes up at precisely 5 every morning and go to sleep at 9

•No self awareness. Walks around clad only with a towel around his waist after bath

•Plus when he works-out at home only in his shorts, you get an eyeful 👀

•Evenings during the weekend consist of you sitting in between him and with his arms around you on the sofa watching your favourite movie. He will probably end up giving you neck kisses while you are watching

Bokuto Kotarou

•say goodbye to your eardrums

•Mr Loud

•at first gets complaints from neighbours, but apologies really nicely and the neighbours low-key feel bad for complaining because he’s always lending them a helping hand

•sleep doesn’t exist

•maybe you’ll get an hour of peace when he’s too worn out

•cleanliness doesn’t exist. He’s waiting for the house elf to clean up for him

•eats all the food in the fridge then surprise-pikachu face when he opens it and finds it empty

•wanted to paint his room GREEN for some reason, but the project got dropped halfway as he got bored, so he got a half-green room

•will have delivery guys knocking on your doors at 3AM because he’s hungry

•but will always order your favourite food alongside so you can’t stay angry

•if you are worried about eating too much so late at night he’ll exercise together with you at your pace

Oikawa Tooru

•what’s-yours-is-his but what’s-his-stays-his

•steals your facemasks, then question you why you have the others in your drawers

•needs he beauty sleep, but sometimes he’ll stay up for the good gossip

•wake up early for his skin care regime, will blast music alongside so no lie-in for you

•silk pillowcase and sheets, only the best for his skin and hair

•he’s the type that separates his laundry into materials then colours, and woe betide if you mixed them

•He cooks together with you, but it always ends up as a sing-off battle session because he’s forever saying he’s the better singer out of the two of you

•If you stay out late he will always be up and waits until you come home, will complain on the outside but he will wait up for you every time to make sure you got home okay

Masterlist | Ko-Fi | 2021.08.23

[ransomedrogue]

Tales of Woe - Scenes from S1

well... this was taking forever so just gonna leave it here and say it’s done? as always, it ended up longer than intended, then I wasn’t going to include all the scenes then I thought well it’s all written anyhow so, may as well...

1.18

It seemed like ages until the scene was secure and documented; there was so much to deal with between the dead art thief and his house full of stolen treasures.

As usual, Weller was running the show so Jane had little to do except keep an eye on the irritating criminal who had gotten them all involved in the unlikely scheme. Which was enough of a task in itself, as Rich had started jabbering again, once he'd gotten over the shock of seeing the damaged painting.

"That was a pretty slick move you guys pulled off back there, even if it did almost destroy a priceless piece of art," he commented.

"All that silent communication, interpreting body language, talking with the eyes stuff, if you will. That is 100% my jam."

"Especially in the heat of the moment, with lives on the line. You two must have worked together a long time to read each other that well."

Jane flashed Rich the fiercest glare she could manage, while simultaneously checking around to see if Allie was within earshot. Although she knew he was just trying to rile them all up by getting underneath their skin, it was hard not to feel tense whenever he opened his mouth.

Even when she kind of liked what he was saying.

Jane shook her head mentally as she felt her stomach swim with conflicted emotions. She wanted what was best for Kurt, and Allie seemed to be a perfect fit. No matter how much it hurt to see another woman in his life, she knew it couldn't be her place. Not with everything she was hiding from him; all that she really was.

And yet she hadn't entirely hated Rich's commentary, said just loudly enough that she and Allie could overhear him at the doorway.

Tell me again why you're with Allie? When Jane's the one you look to first whenever anything goes wrong, or goes right for that matter?

Weller hadn't even denied it, and that was another thing altogether.

"You realize you do it too, right?"

Jane snapped out of her reverie and turned her head back towards Rich, doing her best to appear uninterested in whatever he was about to say.

"You're always watching him, checking in. Like he's your responsibility."

"I mean, I get it. You're like partners and all. That intense bond between cops, that's actually one of my fetishes, unlikely as it might seem…"

"Shut up, Rich," Jane growled, unwilling to let him go any further into his thought.

Of course she didn't bother to tell him that they weren't partners in any sense of the word and had not been working together for long at all. Especially not when they'd first encountered the mouthy criminal, when they'd supposedly had so much chemistry.

It was true though. No matter how much she'd tried to shrug it off, she'd felt it. The way he touched her; even back then. It had seemed so easy, and right. Just like how they did look to each other first, whenever something happened.

She'd never even questioned it, the way in which she and Weller worked so perfectly in sync. It had just always been the way between them, even way back at the start when he'd trusted in her abilities more than she did.

"Okay, okay, sorry, I just thought it'd be a good chance to put it out there, seeing as how you're definitely not pining over Stubbles, and we have some chemistry too. I mean not like the way it is between you two of course. But if he's not willing to see what he has, then…"

"Rich!"

Allie was walking by and gave him a solid death stare before closing her eyes tiredly and striding away. Jane exhaled irritably in Rich's ear, hoping it would at least keep him quiet until the Marshal was out of earshot again.

"She looks like she has a headache," Rich mused. "She should probably get that checked out; you should see the studies on concussions coming out these days. I mean I'd be pretty worried if my girlfriend got knocked out like that."

Jane frowned, both in concern at Allie's head and at Rich's implication. Weller had checked on Allie right away, as soon as he could. But then she thought about the conversation that had followed, where Allie had said she was seeing two of him.

At the time Jane had just assumed it was mostly a joke, a way to shrug off the injury. It was something she would do herself, in an attempt to throw off Weller's overprotectiveness.

But then Kurt had taken Allie at her word and had gotten right back to work. He hadn't even demanded that she get checked out by a doctor, or tried to tell her to rest while he dealt with the scene.

Jane couldn't help but remember all the times she'd been forced into the medical room by him, after taking much smaller hits than the one that had left Allie unconscious. Maybe Weller just felt he couldn't tell Allie what to do because she worked for another agency and wasn't under his command. And yet she knew that wasn't it.

"I'm sure Allie's fine," Jane said, scowling in an attempt to deter any more comments.

Rich nodded sagely, as if agreeing with her. But of course he still didn't shut up.

"I'm sure she is," he mused. "I mean, Weller's her man and he doesn't seem worried at all."

Of course both Weller and Allie came within hearing range at that moment, making Jane close her eyes in dismay. No matter what she did, Rich's non-stop commentary wouldn't stop.

"I'm sure he'd be just the same if you were showing obvious signs of brain trauma."

Jane groaned inwardly as Kurt stepped closer and frowned at Rich's words, before turning towards her and looking into her eyes carefully.

"Did you take a hit I didn't see?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine," Jane sighed. "He's just going on about nothing again."

But of course Rich nudged her with his elbow and raised his eyebrows suggestively as Allie stepped up beside them. And still Kurt's eyes remained on Jane for a long pause before finally accepting that she really was okay.

"Let's get back to the NYO," Weller finally said, sounding annoyed at the situation in general.

"We need to figure out what to do about the damaged painting"

Jane exhaled in relief, glad to get away from the irritation of babysitting Rich. He seemed determined to screw with their heads, and their hearts. And, despite the little twinge of joy she got from hearing the mouthy criminal go on about how she and Kurt should be together, Jane knew that it was wrong. She hated the idea of breaking up Weller's relationship, especially because Oscar had tasked her with just that. Kurt deserved to have someone that was as great as Allie seemed to be; someone who could make him happy.

She had to find a way to tell him.

Even if it ended up being as awkward as it played out in her head.

###

Allie Knight walked out of the conference room at the NYO, fuming on so many levels. Getting played by Rich Dotcom after agreeing to his wild scheme and dealing with his 'insightful' comments all day was already making her a little crazy. And then there was Kurt.

He'd been pissing her off since that morning. The worst part was he was completely oblivious to it; had no idea he'd done anything wrong.

Which in turn made her even more mad. And maybe a little bit sad.

It had been going so well, or so she had thought. He'd even invited her to meet his dad, an unbelievable occurrence in more than one way.

But you knew, Allie told herself. You asked and he answered.

What's the deal between you and Jane?

That is not what this is about.

But obviously it was, even if he somehow couldn't see it.

She couldn't even be pissed off at Jane, who seemed to be doing everything she could to stay out of their relationship. Surprisingly, Allie actually kind of liked the other woman, despite her obvious effect on Kurt.

But the way he looked at her and acted around her. That wasn't the Kurt Weller Allie knew. That was some other man, full of emotion and a softness she didn't recognize at all.

Their relationship was still mostly based on mental and physical release; which was why the invitation to family dinner had seemed like a big step. But even though she'd come over and met his dad, Allie had always had the sense that she'd never really know all of him. Weller would always be that guy with her; good-hearted and fun but emotionally guarded. Yet it was obvious that he wasn't like that with Jane.

She could feel him walking out of the room just behind her and knew it was time to make a choice. He'd shown his hand, with far too many tells.

When she'd walked in on them that morning, it wasn't so much that Jane was hugging him. It was that Kurt had let himself be so emotionally vulnerable in front of her; crying while letting himself be held. And it had been pretty clear that they would have been there for awhile if she hadn't interrupted.

If she'd hugged him, of course he would have accepted it too. But a little stiffly and definitely with dry eyes; as if trying not to take too much comfort from it. He would have been her Kurt, so desperate to remain in control of his feelings that he buried them deep and pretended they weren't there.

Allie sighed, knowing what she had to do and yet still a little reluctant to let go. It had already been a shit day, right from that awkward moment in the locker room onwards. Goddamned Rich and his stupid escapades and his never-ending spiel of comments.

She was pissed at herself for letting him win, both in his plot and in his head games. But Allie had to admit he'd really only vocalized what had been itching at her the entire time. Kurt did look to Jane first, and worry about her more than anyone else. It was impossible not to see when around them.

"All right, so we gonna wash the day away with some nice scotch?" Weller asked.

Allie turned and swallowed back the last of her regret.

"I think I'm gonna pass," she replied.

"Why?" Kurt asked, reaching out for her.

"Hang on."

Allie sighed internally as she stopped and faced him. He really had no idea.

"Because of what Rich said on the roof?" Weller asked.

"He was just trying to throw us all off balance."

"It's not about what he said, all right. It's about what I saw," Allie retorted, feeling all of her annoyance ball up in her throat.

"And what'd you see?"

Did he really not understand how it looked from the outside? Especially to the people who knew him the best. Or even to the criminal who'd only met them twice.

"That there's something between you and Jane, okay?" Allie stated.

"I don't know what it is, and I don't know if you know what it is. But don't make me feel crazy by pretending it's not there."

To his credit, Weller didn't try and argue. Just stood there dumbstruck as Allie declared that she needed some space and strode off before the sadness kicked in.

Walking away, she felt both lighter and heavier all at once.

Even if he didn't know it, she'd confirmed that day what she'd always suspected - that she'd never have all of his heart. It was entirely possible he was lying to himself about how he felt; she knew those Kurt Weller walls and his ability to burrow behind them. But she couldn't lie to herself anymore.

So she wasn't going to let him hide behind her anymore, use her as a way to avoid the truth that they all could see. He was in love with Jane and couldn't keep his eyes off of her. Even if he couldn't admit it to himself.

It stung a little but not as much as Allie thought. Every step forward in their relationship had been a struggle, and now she understood why. Seeing him with Jane was like being around a different man.

Now it was just time for both of them to accept it and move on.

###

"I don't know what it is, and I don't know if you know what it is. But don't make me feel crazy by pretending it's not there."

He hadn't denied it because she was right of course. Well, and also because he'd been a bit stunned; somehow hadn't seen it coming at all. Even after dealing Rich's comments all day, Weller thought Allie's skin would have been thicker. But then her words sank in and he forced himself to actually look at his behaviour.

What Kurt realized was he'd been doing his best to pretend that none of it existed. All the ways Jane made him feel, every time he looked to her first. After he'd declared her off limits in his own mind, he'd tried so hard to treat her the same as everyone else. And obviously failed miserably at it, as pointed out by the annoyingly observant Rich Dotcom.

So Weller hadn't examined what it was, or put words to it. But, then again, it wasn't like he didn't know. Jane made him feel things that were entirely new, all the time. The emotions he'd gone through in the relatively short while that she'd been in his life were so intense, sometimes he was completely overwhelmed by them.

Kurt watched Allie walk away, feeling bad about the situation in various ways. He thought he'd been successfully avoiding the mistakes of the past with her. But he knew she was right too. He wasn't being honest with himself or with her.

Weller walked down the hall in a daze, angry and sad and everything in between. They'd gotten played by a smart-mouthed crook and then he'd gotten dumped. Oh, and his dad was dying.

He really needed that scotch.

"Hey, are you okay?"

His neck tingled at the sound of her voice and his head snapped up to meet concerned eyes.

"Fine," Weller deflected, feeling his heart rate start to amp up. She'd caused him so much stress that day and yet none of it was her fault at all.

"Um, I'm sorry about today," Jane said, a bit timidly. "I wish he would have just shut up."

He shook his head, having had the same thought the entire mission. He would have given anything to close the whole thing down and send the mouthy criminal back to maximum security. But he also couldn't get Rich's words out of his head.

"Tell me again why you're not with Jane?"

"Some would say it means that you're more worried/excited about her."

"Life's too short, Jane. Follow your heart. Tell Weller how you feel."

Now though, the irritation at having a criminal comment far too astutely on his love life had mostly seeped out. But that meant Kurt was just left standing there with the obvious truth in Rich's words still ringing in his mind; all while Jane was standing in front of him looking too worried for his liking.

How did she feel?

And why did his heart thump even harder just at the thought?

"He was just trying to mess with us," Weller said. "Don't worry about it."

"None of this is your fault."

Jane's expression lost a little of that guilty edge, and she offered him a small smile, as if she was trying her best to believe him.

He wanted to deflect her attention from that line of thought, trying to put it out of his own head too. Searching for another topic to focus on, his mind traitorously turned back to that morning, where he'd broken down in front of her and found himself crying in her arms.

The comfort he'd found within them had been immediate and somehow familiar; even though he normally felt awkward accepting hugs. Even now he was somehow okay with how much emotion he'd shown her and how soothing it had felt to be held by her.

He wanted that comfort right now too, for her to hold him and tell him everything was going to be okay. Of course he didn't give in to that inclination but it gave him an inspiration; a way to distract both of them from the day they'd just had.

"Hey, I'm about to head to the hospital to see my dad. Do you want to come?"

Jane's eyes lit up at the idea, like she was so happy to be able to do something for him. And Weller couldn't deny how it felt in his chest, seeing a shy hopeful grin tug at her lips as she nodded eagerly.

He hated that Rich was right. He did look to her first.

And it seemed like the entire world already knew why.

###

The entire day had been so incredibly awkward. Yet slipping her hand into his and tucking their fingers together felt so normal and comforting. And when Weller returned her tentative squeeze with a more forceful one, Jane finally remembered to breathe.

For a long moment they just stood there silently, and Jane could see that Kurt was doing his best to contain his emotions but they continued to spill out. He'd been so thankful to her for visiting his dad, which felt good in a way. But then there was the lie.

She felt so guilty. And yet, the little lie had made him so happy. The look on his face when she said she'd remembered. It broke her heart.

So there she was, standing there with his hand in hers, wishing she never had to let go. That he could be hers.

Tell Weller how you feel.

There was so much she wanted to tell him that she couldn't. Especially now, when he was with Allie and his dad was dying. What would she tell him anyways? That she had plotted all this, planted herself in his life and had known it for weeks now but not told him. Oh and I'm in love with you, that too.

She'd tried to tell him just the opposite, in the most awkward way she could come up with. She still cringed thinking about it.

So Jane just stayed silent until Kurt let go and started to set up an emotional wall.

"I should take you home," he said, staring at his feet.

"You can stay, I can make my own way back," she said, sensing he was on the verge of something he didn't want to share.

"No, I don't want…" he stammered.

"It's hard to be here alone and he's going to be out for awhile now."

She wanted to reach for him again but held back. He wasn't hers, she had to remember that.

"Okay, let's go then," Jane said.

Weller was distant, a little lost looking on the way back to the car. She wondered what he was thinking about, if he wanted to talk about it.

He isn't yours she reminded herself again. He had someone to talk to if he needed to.

And yet when they sat in the car and he was still so quiet, it was all she could do not to physically reach for him. He kept glancing over but didn't say anything, and she couldn't think of anything that didn't sound trite.

When they got to her safe house, he insisted on seeing her in even though she told him it wasn't necessary. At the door, she turned and he was giving her an undefinable look.

"Are you going to be okay?"

Weller turned his head quickly, wearing that same sad frown that made him look so vulnerable. But then he reshaped his features, attempting a small smile but not quite succeeding.

"Yeah, it's just been a long day, and not a very good one," he muttered.

"I know… I'm sorry," she started, feeling the need to apologize for everything going so wrong at the penthouse party.

"No, you did everything you could," he said. "We should have never let him set any of this up."

He shook his head and looked so weary.

"It's just been hard. I messed it all up. I should… I need… "

Weller sputtered a bit, losing his words again. And just the same as that morning, Jane instinctively reached for him, wrapping her arms around him.

He was shuddering a little and she pulled him close, wishing she really could tell him how she felt. Instead, she was just offering him some comfort, for whatever his unspoken need might be.

After awhile she realized he was crying into her shoulder, at about the same time he came to that realization as well.

"Shit, I'm sorry," he muttered. "I didn't mean to…"

"Shhh, it's okay," she soothed. "You can let it out, I won't tell anyone."

He laughed against her, then cried some more. And Jane had to admit she wanted nothing else than to keep on holding him, telling him everything was alright.

So for that moment at least, she did.

I love you Kurt Weller, she thought. And I want to hold onto you forever.

That's what Rich would want me to say.

[rawrmeansmemes]

GREASE 2 ( 1982 ) LYRIC STARTERS

( Love Will) Turn Back the Hands of Time

No more midnight rides with you

No more secret rendezvous.

I'm gonna miss all the things we'll never do.

I just can't believe you left me here alone

How in this world can I make it on my own?

Remember, I love you, I won't be far away.

Baby, don't you know it's hard to let you go?

Back to School Again

Spending my vacation in the summer sun

Woe is me, all summer long I was happy and free.

Well don't they know that I deserve a better fate?

Biology and chemistry destroys my brain.

Cool Rider

Well, I'm lookin' for a dream on a mean machine with hell in his eyes.

I want a devil in skin tight leather, and he's gonna be wild as the wind.

If he's cool enough, He can burn me through and through.

If it takes forever, Then I'll wait forever.

Girl for All Seasons

I'll be yours in springtime when the flowers are in bloom.

I'll be yours in summer, when we're playin' in the sand.

We'll spend the day together, makin' love and gettin' tanned.

If you fall in the fall, you'll see, September can be heavenly.

I'll warm you through December, and I'll always be around.

We'll kiss below the mistletoe, when Santa comes to town.

Score Tonight

I'm gonna show you how to knock 'em down.

Hey, come on, let's get this show on the road.

We're sittin' on a bomb that's about to explode.

We're gonna score tonight

If you're lookin' for a fight, then the time is right.

We're gonna wipe the floor with you tonight.

We’ll Be Together.

We'll be together, always together.

You were the one, the one in my dreams, but I never knew it.

I wanted to tell you time and again, but I couldn't do it.

All that you are is all that I need, no more pretending

I like what you got, I guess it's okay if you wanna show it.

I am what I am, and I'm all for you, just want you to know it.

MISC

We're goin' prowlin', we're goin' prowlin' tonight!

I see you're hungry for a lover.

I'm all dressed up in my finest attitude

Why can't I be just what I am and speak my love without any shame?

For if we give our very best , I know that we will more than pass the test.

They make it sound like a track meet, gross!

[ravenbrenna09]

fanfiction writer appreciation: skamverse edition

okay, so, earlier this week, @yaraaimsakul created a gif-maker appreciation for the skamverse fandom and i decided that i wanted to do something similar but for the writers of our little fandom. writing can sometimes take a lot of work out of us but it’s also such a beautiful thing and sometimes, it doesn’t get the recognition that it deserves. so, if you see this and you aren’t tagged, i want you to know that you are an amazing writer OR if you are a reader and aren’t tagged, but would like to spread the love to the writer’s YOU enjoy, do it! DO IT! spread all the love. i know all the writers of all fandoms (not even limited to the skam fandom) would love to hear from those who read their fics. 

also, if you want to tag more than one person. do it! if you want add questions, do it!! 

if you’re a writer:

a fic that you’re really proud of:


it’s really a tie between just friends and jij verliest. i really love both of them and i love how they both turned out—even if it was sometimes a little stressful because of irl events and the deadlines i put on myself. but i love the story about robbe and sander falling in love in another universe(s).

a fic that you were nervous to post:

safe. with unattainable, i felt very comfortable about robbe’s pov and his story but i wasn’t comfortable with sander’s. in addition, i would have probably liked to change his backstory—but it was the one i envisioned when i wrote unattainable so it felt weird to change all of a sudden. but it was probably the one i was most nervous about.

a fic you wished got more hits/kudos/comments:

overall, i will always wish that the curse of betrayal would get more hits. i know that it’s a fic centered on jana but i’ve thrown my heart and my soul into this fic and i love it to death. i love harry potter and i love wtfock so why not combine my two loves (tho i am putting a lot of pressure on myself lol)

one of your favorite tropes to write:

childhood friends to lovers, everyday. i love the trope so much it’s great. i really wish i could write a sobbe fic like that again lol.

another ship that you don’t write but you’d like to write:

omg there’s so many, you(s)mina is definitely one that i’m interested in writing because i just love them so much. the basketball clips the chemistry! it’s just impeccable. and zoënne. like real zoënne not whatever the hell attachment is LOL.

one of your abandoned wip you never wrote but wish you did:

um... my beach au. i love the idea but the plot isn’t tangible to me right now. i think i’m going to potentially write it someday but as of right now, it doesn’t look good. and maybe my royal au but idk if that’s abandoned yet.

another writer you would love to collaborate with:

@sonderthroughthestreets, @carolineworld, and @tsjernobyl <3 oh and @genjasafin ( ;) )

if you’re a reader:

a fic (or more) that you love to reread:

i know i had the questions, but it’s like i completely blanked on every fic that i reread. i really love anything by @aholynight because their way with words is simply amazing and their sobbe fics are to die for. i remember counting down the hours until they would post the chapter on sundays and it was amazing. oh and i’ve been loving @sobbefairytales’s the things you once said to me and i can’t wait to see how it turns out (but no pressure babe).

tag an author you always love reading:

@honeyandsinn cat i’m so behind on reading everyone’s fics but i always love reading yours because it’s always so sweet and beautiful and amazing. keep writing and conquering uni’s ass, you amazing queen. 

recommend a story to your followers:

if you haven’t already go read @tsjernobyl’s fic right this second. here’s the link. okay, i really can’t say anything personal about this fic because i haven’t had the time to actually read it yet because graduation and stuff and negative thoughts but i’m getting on it. but, i’ve been talking to her since she’s started this fic months ago and she’s thrown so much of her heart and soul into this fic and i know for a fact that it is going to shine in her work.

as for non-skamverse recommendations, go read the life of times. it’s a marauders fic and is the whole reason i’m a writer. 

tag an author you discovered recently:

i haven’t been in any ao3 tag in a while so i haven’t been able to catch up on fics so i don’t have an answer for this one :( though once i watch skam france i’m probably going to read @earthlingeliott and @luxandobscurus‘s fics, does that count?

spread the love!

tag someone who inspires you to write:

@peaceoutofthepieces, nat idk how you fucking do your amazing writing months in advance without dropping it but i am so inspired by you to try and do that. you’re fucking amazing and one of my best friends. dottori/croissenne, i miss her love and takes so much. @luludemauryyy, jess, i know you’re not writing skamverse right now but seriously though your motivation and excitement to write your fic is so contagious and amazing, i love you babe.

tag someone who you’ve admired forever:

@aholynight (i’m sorry to tag you twice), @dearrobbe/@dearsander, @sonderthroughthestreets, @luludemauryyy

tag your writing support and loves!

where to start... the aewb server for being the absolute shit and listening to me drown on my writing woes and conflicts. @tsjernobyl, emma, you give me so much support even when i’m struggling and i’m probably so annoying but you’re such an amazing person and thank you for supporting me. @sonderthroughthestreets, @honeyandsinn, thank you both for putting up with my random questions and bursts of inspiration and ideas. @hidden-joy, @sandersyasmina, @sanderxrobbee for helping me when i’m struggling and supporting me even with my hogwarts au and other stories. and everyone who has ever liked/commented on my fics or sent me an ask. you guys have all supported me in more ways than one. 

tagging: 

everyone who has already been tagged in this and @dagcutie, @carolineworld, @lot-bubbel, @luxandobscurus, @earthlingeliott, @mijnlief, @birthdaysentiment, @sander-klaas, and anyone that wants to do it. yes, even you.

[somersetmummy]

(A/N) This chapter takes place right at the beginning of the story, prior to TNA Chapter 1. Some characters property of Pixelberry.

Original characters: Katie Hide (MC), Jenny Blake

New characters: Lucinda Hansen

Rating/Content Warning: Mild adult language

Word count: 2005

Summary: MC Katie Hide is an English rose, living in New York. She’s down on her luck and desperately needs a job before her visa expires and she’s sent back to London. A chance conversation with a friend leads to an unlikely opportunity. Little did she know that one little interview would change the course of her life forever.

- Bonus social edits at the end -

Just like any other Thursday morning of recent weeks, Katie and Jenny were killing time together in their favourite coffee shop just down the street from their shared apartment. It had become Katie's haven and her go-to place when she wanted to lose herself for a few hours people watching, letting the stories of their lives unfold around her.

She'd always had a knack for paying attention to the details, noticing things which passed by most others. It was a skill she'd relied on heavily in her work, always giving her the edge, at least it had until the time it led to her downfall at Panacea Labs.

Katie had recently walked out of her job after piecing together a scheme under the radar to roll out a costly new drug for treating MS, despite there being multiple warning signs that it was ultimately ineffective but instead just masked the symptoms. Anyone else would've just glossed over the signs, not even noticing, but to Katie, the anomalies jumped off the page unmistakably. It was when she tried to escalate her concerns that she was shut down and her life in the lab made a misery by the VP, Declan Nash.

It hadn't taken long for her to realise that the company was more concerned about profits than actually helping people and she knew that the battle to fall in line and keep her job wasn't worth it. After calmly and quietly sending a company wide report on her findings, she gathered her things and walked out before she could be accosted by security. Little did she know that Nash had already been keeping tabs on her communications, in his eyes she was a trouble maker, and the report never saw the light of day.

Unfortunately for Katie, the current opportunities for young women in the biotech and pharmaceutical world just weren't what they should have been and she spent the next few weeks furiously searching for something else to avoid her work visa being revoked. 

Having moved from London to attend the New York Institute of Technology and graduating with a Masters in Chemistry & Bio Engineering three years ago, she'd fallen in love with the city and the life she'd built. She didn't know exactly what the future held and couldn't put her finger on why, but she had a very strong feeling that she needed to stay in New York.  

Today, Katie had planned to work through all the job adverts remotely relating to her experience and qualifications, with Jenny on hand to offer moral support. Tiring quickly of hitting one brick wall after another, they'd long forgotten the laptop and instead had spent the last 30 minutes idly chatting about Jenny’s upcoming gallery event when Lucinda arrived, phone to her ear, her body tense and voice sharp as she wrapped up a call with her boss.

"Of course I've got someone Angela, I wouldn't put my name in the mix if I didn't. My candidate is going to blow the others out of the water, I just know Mr Dalton will be impressed....no not just impressed, he'll be awestruck..."

While waiting for her to wrap up her call, Katie heads to the counter to order Lucinda a much needed coffee and returns to place it down in front of her just as she hangs up. She tosses her phone onto the table and slumps back in her chair, defeated.

Jenny stares her down waiting for an explanation which she and Katie both know Lucinda desperately wants to give but is holding off for dramatic effect.

After a long sip of coffee and a moment of holding her head in her hands she finally exhales.

"I am so SO SCREWED."

Katie and Jenny share a look before returning their attention to Lucinda.

"I've just promised my boss that I have the perfect candidate for some billionaire business man's nanny position....." She glares at them both as if they should understand why that's a problem. "I never touch these sorts of jobs, I only ever look for candidates in finance, nannying isn't worth my time."

Katie chooses her words carefully, knowing how Lucinda can bite back pretty quickly when she's stressed. Speaking softly, cautious not to poke the bear, she looks Lucinda in the eye and internally braces herself for whatever might come next.

"So what made this one so different?"

Fortunately Lucinda seems to finally be relaxing, she replies more quietly.

"Filling this position will put me on the map, nobody in the firm has been able to secure someone for this guy, they only seem to last a few weeks before they quit so the sign on bonus never kicks in. If I could find the perfect person I wouldn't only get a great bonus, I'd be next in line for promotion to Senior Head-hunter."

Her demanding demeanour melts away and she's left looking almost vulnerable. Something Katie knows Lucinda doesn't find at all comfortable.

"Anyway, I'll figure it out, I always do."

She gives Katie and Jenny a soft smile, allowing herself to momentarily forget about her woes so she can refocus the attention back to them.

"So what were you guys talking about before I came in?"

As Katie opens her mouth to speak Jenny cuts in on her behalf.

"Oh Katie's just been trying to work out how to get a job before her visa renewal date comes up in a couple of weeks."

Katie lets out a sigh of her own, suddenly remembering how dire her employment prospects are and feeling equally as defeated as Lucinda.

"I can't believe I've worked so hard for my degree, I found the perfect job in the perfect city but now it's all gone down the drain and I'm going to have to go back home and never see you all again."

Jenny wraps her arm around Katie's shoulders, pulling her close. "Oh come on, like you'd be able to shake us off. Even if you are in another country!"

As suddenly as Lucinda dramatically entered the coffee shop she slams her hand onto the table making the others jump.

"THAT'S IT!" She cries, her idea almost exploding out of her. "This is just too perfect...."

Katie and Jenny share a confused look before turning back to Lucinda who is practically foaming at the mouth, clearly onto something, though they're not quite sure what.

"You need a job, I need a candidate." She says in her signature matter of fact style.

Katie still has no idea where Lucinda's going with this.

"It's win win. I'll put you forward for the nanny position, you'll get a great job which means you get to stay in New York, I'll get my bonus. Not to mention I'll look like a damn superhero at work!"

The cogs start to turn in Katie's brain as she begins to digest what Lucinda is proposing.

"But I'm not a nanny....and what about my visa, it's only valid for work in relation to my degree."

Lucinda waves her hand at her, dismissing her concerns. "No problem there then. This guy's family owns one of the biggest Biotech companies in the country, surely that's related to your degree? He's so desperate for a successful match I'll make sure the visa thing is part of the contract."

She cuts back in quickly just as Katie opens her mouth to object.

"And as for you not being a nanny, what about all those times in the lab when you had to pull rank and sort out the shit that went down between your useless colleagues? You've done more nannying of adults in the last two years than most actual nanny's do in their whole career with children."

Jenny suddenly chimes in "OH MY GOD, this is genius!"

Defeated, Katie turns to look at Jenny in disbelief. She may have had a chance saying no to just Lucinda but with Jenny on board with this idea as well she may as well give up now.

"This will solve both your problems, I mean come on, who wouldn't want to work for this guy..."

Jenny turns her phone to Katie, clearly having been searching while she and Lucinda were talking. On the screen Katie sees the most devastatingly handsome man she's ever come across. He's nothing like the guys she'd known before, this person, was a real man and the sight of him caused her stomach to flip.

While undeniably handsome, it's not just the physical attraction that she's drawn to. Her eyes move to the company bio underneath his headshot and in true Katie style, she scans all of the accolades and achievements the company has to boast about. Her mind races at the possibilities. There's no mistaking that working for this man could open the door to so many opportunities and experiences in the future.

With a sigh she resigns herself to the fact that Lucinda might actually be on to something, this could be the break Katie had been waiting for and would certainly solve her imminent visa problems if she could get it taken care of as part of the contract negotiations.

With a silent nod and slight shrug of the shoulders, she begrudgingly agrees, much to the delight of her friends who squeal at each other in delight. Lucinda immediately pushes her shoulders back, standing to attention, furiously beginning to type on her phone.

"You TA'd for your old professor right?"

"Yes, I did a year as their assistant after graduating. Mainly doing research and going to conferences with her."

Lucinda's eyes never leave her phone as she works her magic, spinning Katie's words into an impressive resume. After a moment she raises her eyebrows and flits her eyes over to Katie, a small gesture which Katie realises is an invitation to elaborate.

"Oh, yeah so that's actually how I got into Panacea Labs, I met a rep at one of those conferences."

Jenny rolls her eyes at the mention of Katie's old company, now affectionately known by them both as Pariah Labs. Despite what she felt about Katie's previous employer, she was immensely proud of Katie's achievements and wanted to make sure they were included.

"Weren't you the youngest lab boss thingy they'd ever had?"

"Senior lab technician." Katie corrects, knowing full well that Jenny hasn't got a clue about the finer details of her work. "Well, yeah eventually, after two years of working my butt off. But I hardly think they'd rave about that in any reference they give me. If they even give one to begin with..."

Lucinda waves a dismissive hand at her.

"With this resume, you won't need any reference from those bastards. Trust me."

Katie had no idea what Lucinda had written or how she'd managed to spin her experience to be more favourable for a nanny position but it must've worked because half an hour later Lucinda slammed her hand down on the table once again, causing everyone around them to jump out of their skin.

"YES! It worked...he wants to see you, you've got an interview tomorrow at the Dalton Enterprises headquarters".

She turns her phone to Jenny to show off the email and they fall into an animated conversation, no doubt planning how they're all going to celebrate once Katie inevitably gets offered the job. As they fall into a blur in the background, Katie looks back over the picture of Sam Dalton on Jenny's phone, not quite sure how she can be so hypnotised by someone through a photograph.

There's something about him which feels familiar, something drawing her in. It's almost as if they're viewing each other through a looking glass and she wonders whether in this exact moment he is feeling the same magnetic pull towards her, a stranger whom he hasn't even met yet. Tearing her eyes away from the phone, Katie's tries to steady the stream of unanswered questions flooding her mind and focus on how she's going to win this man over.

"Here goes nothing."

TAG List: @shewillreadyou @chemist-ana @txemrn @silma-words @thefrenchiemama @secretaryunpaid @sfb123

- Bonus - pre-interview pep talk with the girls -

[hopevalley]

Season 8, Episode 10: Old Love, New Love, Is This True Love

All right, so...like I said, work has picked up and my eyes feel like old marbles from staring at numbers (the woes of working in accounting I guess) so I want to get this written up and tossed into the nether before I lose steam and motivation to do it. The interesting thing about these little write-ups is that as the week goes on they just get harder and harder to write...

I do apologize in advance to those who like the long-winded write-ups. I’m just not up to it at the moment. Still feeling kind of bleh from the episode.

Let’s go back to an old format, shall we?

The Good

We might as well start out with the things about this episode that I enjoyed! 

Gossip Hour with the Men was one of the best openers they’ve had on the show in a while. It was genuinely funny without being meanspirited. Nobody looked like the bad guy. Everyone just calmly talked about it alike it was a normal thing to maybe call off the wedding. Bill calling out Carson for giving marriage advice was pretty funny, Mike was a delight. I don’t know what to say. I’d watch a whole episode of The Boys just hanging around spending time together.

--

Florence’s worry that she’s ugly was...not a terrible idea for a storyline, but the actress is too good-looking to pretend to be ugly (I saw her in this pretty yellow dress on Instagram a couple years ago and she was smashing)? Also, it’s not like Ned is a handsomely aged gentleman (like Henry lol) so it makes even less sense for the characters. I think they should have gone with Florence feeling she’s “plain” and that dressing up Super Nice makes her feel uncomfortable because she just doesn’t feel like Herself and worries maybe it’s projecting a false sense of Who She Is or something? I guess overall I still liked that an attempt was made to add some depth to Florence and her difficulties in choosing a dress/hairstyle, so...it goes here.

--

Ned asking Henry to be his best man was nice, too. I can forgive the shoddy pacing and weird placement of this request (like I do with almost everything in the show) but only because the scene was just...so incredibly wholesome. 

I like how Henry just casually is like, “Well maybe today’s just not the day.” I think it eased Ned’s mind just a little that he CAN back out if he really wants to.

I think it’s worth thinking about the fact that Ned and Henry would have always worked very closely, since the mercantile would have been a company store before the mine closed down... I like Henry and Ned as pals.

--

I’m glad the “investment” thing with Jesse and Clara’s savings was brought up in a way that...makes sense. And also, glad it wasn’t forgotten.

--

I really liked Molly and Florence in this episode. I’m a little sad Florence married Ned because I AM SORRY BUT I WANTED TO KEEP SHIPPING MOLLY AND FLORENCE TOGETHER UGHGHGHH

But their relationship is so good and maYBE Elizabeth will learn something from them.

Hey Elizabeth...you see that?

YOU SEE THAT?

Just saying.

And then later...

“You are the sister I never had, the mother I forever wanted, the friend I have always needed. From the depths of those dark and terrifying coal mines you’ve walked beside me, picking me up whenever I’ve stumbled along the way.”

AAAAAAAAA IT GOT ME.

--

I’m...really liking Fiona and Mike’s relationship, whatever it is. I kind of think they’re not headed toward anything romantic. Everyone thinks Mike is really into Fiona but at the end of the episode we realize he likes talking to her about business; it’s almost like they have this shared passion for numbers/ideas and he likes infodumping to her (and vice-versa).

I think they’re going to end up being “just friends” and Fiona will end up paired off with the man Elizabeth doesn’t choose. They hinted at Nathan briefly in this episode (with Allie’s hair), but who knows? I’m over trying to speculate on where the triangle is going at this point, but I actually like Fiona’s relationship with Mike so much that I’ll be disappointed if she fades into the background with Nathan or Lucas. Mike deserves more screentime. 

--

Ned and Florence sharing their fIRST KISS. My husband got emotional over this. And I admit, it was starting to get to me, too. I can’t NOT root for them. 

--

I said it before and I’ll say it again: I WOULD DIE FOR THE CANFIELDS.

--

The wedding was nice. I liked that Bill and Joseph officiated it together; it gives Joseph a li’l trial run of pastoring and finally Bill gets to use some of that power of his to officiate a wedding.

“Please, if you’d like” is such a Bill way to say that they may kiss LOL.

--

Also, I have to admit that I did enjoy Lucas calling Nathan out about Allie. She wouldn’t be caught in the middle if he’d leave Elizabeth alone AND HE IS RIGHT LMAO.

The last good thing: Elizabeth telling Nathan she doesn’t blame him for Jack’s death. Nice. Good. Thank you. He probably needed to hear that.

--

...THE BAD

Carson and Faith. UGH. UGHHHHHHHHHH. BREAK UP ALREADY I HATE YOU BOTH.

I appreciated that Carson had the ring ages ago, and I did like his conversation with Minnie—or more accurately, her advice to him. I felt like she was nudging him toward, “Remember why you became a surgeon in the first place.” If he became a surgeon to help people, then there’s no reason he can’t help people where he is. Sure, he might not be doing state of the art procedures but with Faith working alongside him, he can afford time to learn new things and go to doctor conventions or even take a specialized class now and then. No other doctor could get away for very long but he has that chance!

And he’ll arguably be doing more good in the middle of nowhere than in the city. All the doctors want to live in the city. Nobody wants to barely get paid for their time in the countryside.

We had a whole episode that made it clear that Faith and Carson don’t make a lot of money and do a lot of charity work. They also work for trade goods (mostly food). So it’s like...a pretty big difference in lifestyle? 

Half the reason I can’t get invested in these characters is because I really can’t stand Paul Greene. He just...annoys me on every single level imaginable. But he’s a decent actor and I can’t help but feel that his character was a massive waste of space for the past few seasons through no fault of the man himself. Imagine introducing a character like Carson and then leaving him to rot before you try to make him interesting with a romance plot that nobody asked for.

Yes, some people really like Faith and Carson, but as a whole I think the fandom didn’t buy into them as a ship due to the lack of chemistry.

It really is a shame. This episode didn’t do a thing to endear me to either character. Please, Carson. I am begging you to leave town.

--

This one particular line of dialogue almost enraged me.

WE KNOW WE KNOW WE KNOW WE KNOW WE CAN SEE THAT FOR OURSELVES. WHY DID THEY HAVE ROSEMARY SAY THIS LIKE IT’S AN EPISODE OF A CHILD’S TV SHOW?

--

Elizabeth.........

How could Katie have...looked up to her? She was never in her class? That was? Never part of anything? It was just something they threw in here to force Elizabeth to make 1% more sense in the role she’s in but IT STILL DOESN’T WORK.

I felt like I was back in Season 5 again with Lori and Elizabeth putting their nose in everyone’s business except it’s just Elizabeth!! The whole plot, which was boring and contrived anyway, should have gone to Molly, since she’s Florence’s best friend and another woman from town that Katie would have known as a child.

AND ALSO, MOLLY WOULD HAVE KNOWN KATIE’S MOTHER AND WOULD REMEMBER THE GRIEF THAT NED STRUGGLED WITH.

I know they wanted to make Elizabeth give advice so that she’d Realize that she needs to, I don’t know, make better choices or something, but it was too on the nose for me and I hated it.

GinithePooh on Reddit made a good comparison to Elizabeth in this episode by saying she reminded them of Clippy from Microsoft Word, always popping up and offering to help when nobody really needs or wants advice.

To honor their incredible idea, I opened Photoshop and created this gem, which I will also be posting separately so that people can reblog it if they wish to.

I also don’t think I need to say also filed under The Bad is the fact that Elizabeth didn’t even apologize for being awful to Rosemary and then gave her unsolicited advice to other people for two days straight. I can’t believe they wrote that? 

All I can say is that her apology to Rosemary, when it comes, better be good.

--

And I didn’t like this either:

I wish it had been followed up by literally anything: Nathan saying he’s sorry he didn’t tell her sooner or something to make the hand-holding actually be a little more innocent.

As it is, it just seems so deliberate? 

Maybe the next episode starts off right in this scene and we’ll get that? If so, this might actually end up being fine. I just don’t think it is if it doesn’t get a little more direct attention.

--

& THE UGLY

I debated on putting anything in here, because I’m not ready to talk about my feelings on this matter, at least not fully. But I’ve been pretty quiet all season so far, and...eh, why not just mention things in advance? What will it hurt?

Let me preface this section by saying I’m biased and I doubt hardly anyone on this site will agree with me, so feel free to just ignore this part if that’s the case.

There are two things that I really didn’t like in this episode.

I hate the slanting toward Bill/Molly.

I like Molly just fine but I don’t like her with Bill. I’m biased as all getout and also worried about the future/potential Season 9 with regards to this. I don’t want to see it. Like at all. Why, you ask? You should know why if you follow me. I’m super transparent.

It’s because I like AJ AND I WANT HER BACK LOL.

John Tinker rewatched the series so we know he wouldn’t have missed that hanging plot thread—especially since he didn’t forget any of the other things that were brought up this season! So why didn’t she appear this season? The love triangle absolutely needed to be a focus or it would have never ended, so that’s part of it, but I’m also pretty sure Josie Bissett wasn’t interested in doing any filming last year during Covid. My only “proof” is that Wedding March 6 wasn’t filmed last year even though it was scheduled to be filmed, but it makes sense. Last year was chaos.

THAT SAID, Jack Wagner posted on his Instagram the other day that they are actually filming Wedding March 6 now, so... I guess AJ’s re-appearance in Season 9 wouldn’t come as too much of a surprise if they wanted to write it.

You’d think I’d be hyped about that, and I kind of am? But it doesn’t come without its share of worries, too. We just had the worst love triangle in the history of love triangles and I really don’t want another one, especially if it makes any of the characters in question look stupid or mean.

I fully admit a well-written love triangle could be a LOT of fun for them* (low stakes because they’re not front and center characters), but I saw how Nathan was written so far this season and I really, REALLY do not want to see that happen to Molly, Bill, or AJ.

Anyway, not a fan of the Molly/Bill stuff. No chemistry. I don’t want it.

*I would totally write a fanfic like this lmao.

--

And finally...the part that everyone will hate me for:

I DO NOT WANT TO SEE ABIGAIL COME BACK. And I specifically do not want her to come back ‘cause I do not wanna see Henry/Abigail happen.

I fully recognize that a lot of you like it and ship the heck out of it, and that’s...good. I’m glad you enjoy it. I loathe it, though, and I worry that all these hints (more like...mentions) are leaning toward...something. Like, either they’re:

1) Sending Abigail off/tying up that loose end with Henry (since nothing was ever clarified either way), or

2) Warming up the audience to receive Abigail back on the show.

I’m pretty into the idea of one-sided Henry/Abigail. Hindsight is 20/20, regrets, that’s all some juicy stuff to give a character like Henry. Some things can’t ever be made right again. He had too direct of a connection to the death of her husband and son for me to ever want to see them together. Forgiveness? Yes. A careful but meaningful friendship? Yes. Romantic relationship? Uh...no thanks.

I liked the Abigail mentions at first because I felt like...the character still mattered (as she should) but I’m at a point where I feel like they’re trying really hard to steer the fandom’s view a certain way and not knowing where it’s going is extremely unsettling to me.

--

I’ll probably talk more about the things that bother me when the season ends, because I’m hoping to have a better idea of where things are going to be headed, but for now just...know that I feel very apprehensive.

And keep in mind that I primarily watch this show for Bill these days, since all my previous faves (AJ, Frank, the old Abigail, Dottie) have exited, stage left. I also always really liked seeing Henry. So as you can imagine, seeing plotlines I hate for the only two characters I’m invested in? Is making me consider dropping the series next year.

My husband told me I should hate-watch it, but I don’t know if my heart can take it. I’ve been following this series for so long...it just...kind of hurts to feel let down like this? 

But sometimes an ongoing series ends up going where you...didn’t want it to, and it becomes something that’s no longer right for you. I hope that doesn’t happen, but last night’s episode makes me feel like...it might be happening for real this time.

I guess if that holds true it’ll be back to fanfiction for me. Will that novelization I planned ages ago end up getting written? Will I write the best love triangle fanfic known to man? WHO KNOWS.

For now, we’ll all have to wait and see! Two more episodes left. I’m really curious to see how they resolve some of the open plots right now. :>

[wlw-lovestruck-fiction]

“hi!! can i get from the supper sappy prompts: 21. “I’m better when I’m with you.” with wrath/mc? (preferably if it’s mutual, please and thank you)“

Written by @evoedbd

It should have been finished. She’d had the confrontation, found the conclusion. Every I was dotted, every T crossed, yet somehow MC still couldn’t settle. Blood boiled in her veins, molten and vengeful as she stared down at her phone. Specifically, her call history. There, that offensive dead number taunted her, flickering back into view as she let her screen go ape after a particularly harsh swipe. She watched white and black combat, swirling combinations next to red and green little phones along with dates. There was so much there, even now, that bubbled up from time to time. Memories of a childhood destroyed as she tried again and again to be good enough to being daddy home. The answers she’d probably never have received if not for the musclebound beauty she leaned against. If Wrath, no, if Ranza had any thoughts about the situation, she stayed dutifully silent, instead wrapping both of her large arms around the petite Asian bike mechanic and drawing her close. It was a tender embrace MC was happy to fall into, to forget about the woes of the world once she found refuge within her castle. “Can you hug me tighter?” MC gently requested, allowing her phone to fall onto the bed, forgotten. Wrath’s biceps flexed instinctively, something which never failed to make MC swoon, as she gently squeezed her little mechanic. The fact she could probably pop MC’s head off like a grape if she squeezed to hard was far from both minds, despite the strength on display. Strength MC allowed herself to fall into. “I’m here for you.” Ranza sounded so sincere, whispering her reassurance into MC’s small ear before she pressed a loving kiss to the Asian’s cheek. “You always are. You’d never let me fall.” MC responded instantly, burrowing her nose into Wrath’s warm throat. Wrath’s scent overwhelmed her, filling her lungs and senses so potently that her head would have spun if she tried to stand. Wild curls tickled her cheek, almost as if caressing away the tears she hadn’t allowed to fall. That was enough to make her giggle, if only for a second. The big bad sin, Wrath herself, with such a gentle heart that even her hair wanted to be comforting. Though… was it so unbelievable? Wrath loved hard, in all elements of her life. Her fierce loyalty to even those who’d hurt her time and time again was a miracle to behold, an inspiration. If MC could achieve even HALF of that… “You make me brave, Esperanza.” She whispered, unable to contain the affection any longer. Warm flesh met her palm when she reached for Wrath’s face, cradling the spectacular jawline with all the love within her heart. When MC left the refuge of Ranza’s neck, she found the most hypnotic eyes shining back at her, glassy with a mix of tears and joy… tears? She’d never known Wrath to be one to tear like that. Wrath had always been a driving force, the wings lifting MC from the rocks disappointment had dashed her upon and returning her to everything she loved. Back to her bike. Back to passion. Back to love. “I’ve been Wrath for so long that I’d almost forgotten who I was. You let me be Ranza again.” Wrath returned, smiling so warmly at MC that the mechanic felt the sun would forever be cold in comparison. There were so many words she could say, so many things she wanted to, yet she had no idea where to begin. There was so much to unpack, gods above, an entire apartments worth of joyful emotions to sift through. The jumble sat in her muscles, liquifying all her tensions until she melted back into her girlfriend. The angel named for a sin. The one who had sacrificed so much, and continued to sacrifice to protect others. The mechanic smiled, leaning closer in an effort to touch her forehead to her brawler’s. It took a sacrifice, all of MC’s willpower to leave that embrace and turn her own body into Ranza’s, yet it was entirely worth losing a moment of warmth to press her lips so lovingly to Ranza’s darkening cheeks. One kiss became two, which quickly became ten, then MC lost count. She peppered little gestures of affection everywhere, wordlessly showering Ranza in devotion. Wrath smiled, cradling MC’s hips in her own large, callused hands. Hands which were immeasurably delightful. Her thumbs playfully hooked into the beltloops of MC’s jean shorts, drawing the mechanic closer still. Without space between them, heat was their existence. An intimate warmth that left MC boneless without any debaucherous suggestions or activities. How just touch could be so sating, well, med school may have explained brain chemistry, but it still felt like magic. Like fate. “We make each other better.”

[mediaeval-muse]

Book Review

The Leopard Prince. By Elizabeth Hoyt. New York: Warner Forever, 2007.

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Genre: historical romance

Part of a Series? Yes, Princes #2

Summary: The one thing a lady must never do... Wealthy Lady Georgina Maitland doesn't want a husband, though she could use a good steward to run her estates. One look at Harry Pye, and Georgina knows she's not just dealing with a servant, but a man. is fall in love... Harry has known many aristocrats---including one particular nobleman who is his sworn enemy. But Harry has never met a beautiful lady so independent, uninhibited, and eager to be in his arms. with her servant. Still, it's impossible to conduct a discreet liaison when poisoned sheep, murdered villagers, and an enraged magistrate have the county in an uproar. The locals blame Harry for everything. Soon it's all Georgina can do to keep her head above water and Harry's out of the noose...without missing another night of love.

***Full review under the cut.***

***Mild spoiler under “Other” section.***

Content/Trigger Warnings: sexual content, drunkenness, parental abuse, references to torture, sexual coercion, and animal mutilation

Overview: After really enjoying The Raven Prince and not really enjoying Wicked Intentions, I figured I’d read something else in Hoyt’s Princes series to see if Wicked Intentions was a fluke for me. Turns out, it might be The Raven Prince that’s the fluke. I had hoped I’d get a romance that was focused on overcoming class obstacles, and there was a little of that. However, I couldn’t really get invested in the main mystery or in the protagonists’ relationship, as it seemed both were surface-level and without many stakes until about 200 pages into the book. Thus, this romance only gets 2 and a half stars from me, not because the romance was problematic, but because I just couldn’t connect with anything that was happening.

Writing: Hoyt’s prose is fine for the genre she’s writing in; it’s not full of poetic expressions - it’s simple and gets the point across fairly efficiently. I don’t think that’s a bad thing for romances, as the point isn’t to wow your reader with elaborate metaphors. Hoyt knows how to reach her audience, and I commend her for that.

However, I do think she relied a bit too much on expositional dialogue. Characters will have extended conversations that deliver a lot of information - about their pasts, about the setting, etc. - and while I think most of it was important, I soon grew tired of being told instead of shown. I do think some expositional dialogue can work well - for example, if a character exhibits odd behavior for a good part of the book then reveals the origins of that behavior, I think that works because it keeps the reader wondering. But so much is dumped on us in the first half of The Leopard Prince that I felt like exposition was being substituted for purposeful craft.

Moreover, I think Hoyt’s shoe-horning of the fairy tale themes worked just as poorly in The Leopard Prince as in The Raven Prince. Georgina, our heroine, would babble about fairy tales at seemingly random moments, and the themes of her tale did not parallel the events of the book as a whole, which made the whole tale feel out-of-place. It felt like a gimmick rather than an integral part of the story, and I wish Hoyt had done more to make the two narratives parallel one another.

Plot: Most of the plot revolves around a mystery. Someone has been poisoning the sheep on the estate next to Georgina’s, and most people think it’s Harry, our hero, because of his past with the owner, Lord Granville. On the surface, it seems like a good setting for a plot about class; Granville (and Georgina) have all the power, and servants and villagers (like Harry) have to fight against that power in ways that don’t bring aristocratic wrath down on the entire population.

Unfortunately, it seemed like the mystery was treated as an excuse to throw the two protagonists together for the first 200 pages. Harry and Georgina would go around questioning people about the sheep, and the scenes felt incredibly insubstantial. Though Hoyt tried to show the stakes of the mystery by saying that Harry would be arrested and villagers would starve if the culprit wasn’t caught, there wasn’t much to make me feel like these stakes were real. We don’t really get to know any characters who would be threatened with starvation, nor did I care enough about Harry to be concerned with whether or not he was arrested (more on that below). Personally, I think this book would have worked a lot better if Hoyt had just admitted that the mystery was a secondary interest and Georgina was merely using it as a way to exercise her power over a servant. At least then there could have been some growth and an exploration of class dynamics.

Around 200 pages, my interest piqued a little more due to the intensity of the mystery being heightened. It’s also around this time that discussions of class were beginning to happen more frequently, which I liked. I do wish more was done in the first 200 pages to emphasize class difference so that when these conversations happened, they felt more significant - maybe Harry’s way of going about solving the mystery is based in his knowledge of the lower class, while Georgina gains them access to people and knowledge that is reserved for the gentry. Maybe there’s pressure for Georgina to marry higher because of some family history or something. I think reforming the first 200 pages to show off class dynamics would have gone a long way in making the barriers to the relationship and the stakes of the mystery feel real.

Characters: Georgina, our heroine, has some admirable qualities (like prioritizing the well-being of her tenants over her personal income), but other than that, she’s fairly useless. She doesn’t bring much to the table in terms of solving the mystery (she doesn’t use her status to gain access to people) and she seems completely ignorant in everything from how to run an estate to how to seduce a man. I don’t mind a little naivete in some heroines, but Georgina had no ambitions other than to get Harry into her bed. It made her feel shallow.

Harry, our hero, is devoid of any personality that would have made him interesting. He’s gruff and not really afraid to defy conventionality, but that’s mostly it. Granted, he does have his quirks - he likes to carve little animals out of wood, but as nice as that is, it didn’t really show much about who he is as a character - it was just used so that there would be something tangible to use to frame Harry for the sheep killings (a little carved animal is found at every scene). I would have liked to see more of a connection between him and the poorer villagers so at least it would have felt like he had more of a reason to be invested in the mystery. Granted, I think he gets more interesting around page 200, when his relationships with Bennet (his half-brother) and Will (a kid he pseudo-adopts) brings out more of his admirable qualities, like loyalty to family.

Side characters are largely bland in that they don’t do much. Georgina’s sister, Violet, has her own woes to deal with, but her plot seems to be a distraction, and Violet doesn’t seem to undergo much independent growth. Lord Granville is a bit too overtly sexist to be believable, but at least he’s consistent. Georgina’s brothers seemed to be included just to throw some male authority around, when needed. I did like her brother, Tony, why seemed to care for his sisters’ emotional lives. I wish he was more involved throughout the book. Probably the most interesting character, for me, was Bennet, Granville’s second son who was conceived during an affair between the aristocrat and Harry’s mother. Bennet, at least, seemed to make use of his privilege by standing up to his father and being vocal about wishing he was raised by his mother. Will also had potential, but he seemed to be included to make plot points more convenient. I wish he had his own arc, however small.

Other: Try as I might, I couldn’t get invested in the romance between Georgina and Harry because I felt like I was expected to care about them and their relationship solely based on scenes where I was told they noticed each other’s bodies. None of their interactions felt like they were truly getting to know one another; even when they talked about their pasts or Georgina forced Harry to listen to her fairy tale, it’s very clear that Georgina still has power over Harry based on social rank and class, so it felt like she was entertaining herself more than anything. When they did get together, it felt like it was purely out of lust; there wasn’t much that made me think they enriched each other’s emotional lives, so I didn’t quite believe they were connecting beyond a surface level. Later, when class became a more pressing issue, I don’t think Hoyt showed that it was a significant barrier to their relationship, nor do I think the issue was resolved in a meaningful way - it just simply wasn’t as much as an issue because Georgina gets pregnant. I do think the class dynamics could have been done well if the book acknowledged Georgina’s power over Harry and more was done to portray them as intellectual (if not social) equals (I’m thinking along the lines of Jane Eyre, which also has an employer-employee relationship that ends up working). The mystery could have been a good way to do this, but alas, it seemed like Hoyt didn’t take advantage of that.

TL;DR: The Leopard Prince suffers from bland characters with no real chemistry between the hero and heroine. Moreover, the mystery had little urgency and though the discussion of class had potential, it wasn’t treated as a significant barrier to the relationship or a real lived experience.