Homeward for a Spell Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Is Homeward for a Spell by Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos worth reading? Our review of the cozy sapphic quest fantasy — the 3/5 heat, the instant-lust problem, and book one.
Forbidden Love
Forbidden sapphic romance: boss and employee, rival families, royal and commoner, and love that has to stay hidden. Every review explains what makes the relationship off-limits, how the book handles it, and the heat level. Related reading: our guide to secret, closeted and private relationships in sapphic romance and the age gap romance list.
If I Don’t Ask Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Verdict: An aching, beautifully observed retelling of Ask, Tell from the closeted commanding officer’s side, and the highest-rated book in its series — limited only by the fact that it is a companion, not a starting point. Best for: Readers who have already loved Ask, Tell, who want pining, restraint and military-medical angst, and who … Read more
The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Verdict: A dark, beautifully written YA pirate fantasy with an anti-colonial heart and a starred Kirkus review, held back by a romance that falls into place too fast and a plot that tries to carry more than it can. Best for: Readers who want lyrical, fairy-tale prose, a queer-normative world, and a fantasy willing to … Read more
The Devil She Knows Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Verdict: A sharp, genuinely funny deal-with-a-demon rom-com with a great love interest, let down by a romance that spends most of the book waiting for the ex-girlfriend plot to get out of the way. Best for: Readers who come to Bellefleur for banter and a high-concept premise, who enjoy a heroine making bad decisions on … Read more
All Things Beautiful Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Verdict: An absorbing slow-burn, age-gap romance set in a New York fine art atelier: Leighton Vaughn, a divorced artist and mom, falls for Casey Norford, her gifted new scholarship student and a single mom herself. Readers love the art detail, the palpable chemistry and a book they could not put down; a vocal minority felt … Read more
Cover Story (Celia Laskey) Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Verdict: A heavy, divisive traditionally published romance: in 2005, a grieving, anxious lesbian publicist is assigned to keep a rising, openly unruly gay starlet in the closet — and falls for her on the worldwide press tour. Fans find it moving and sexy; many more found Ali hard to like, the second half weaker and … Read more
When Worlds Collide Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Verdict: A reader favourite from Erin Zak: Broadway star Heather McCarthy and bestselling novelist Grace Elliott fall hard — just before a studio casts Heather in Grace’s film and forbids any off-screen romance. Readers call it raw, emotional and beautifully mature; a minority found it slow and hard to connect with. Best for: Readers who … Read more
Perks of Office Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Verdict: A funny, very Australian debut: hapless electorate office manager Emma Ives falls for her polished, presumed-straight MP boss, and a political scandal lands them in bed. Readers love Emma’s voice and the humour; the single point of view leaves Bridget a mystery, and the closeted-boss dynamic won’t convince everyone. Best for: Readers who like … Read more
Code of Conduct Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Verdict: A warm, well-written forbidden romance between a fading Australian tennis star and the umpire whose calls cost her a US Open. Many readers call it Cheyenne Blue’s best, with intense court scenes and a lovely ending — though non-fans may lose some of the tennis jargon. Best for: Readers who want a sports romance … Read more
Roller Girl Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Verdict: A warm, big-hearted roller derby romance with a trans heroine who gets to be the star of her own story and some of the best female friendships in the genre, held back by a romance and a secret-relationship conflict that most reviewers found too thin to carry the weight. Best for: Readers who want … Read more