Emmaline Strange

I love me some m/m and bl romance, but I'm picky because, frankly, a lot of it offends my grammar nazi, writing conscious self. I mean, writing erotica and romance is a skill, like writing anything else, and some do it better than others. Emmaline Strange does it VERY well. I picked up this with some doubt, as I tend to avoid anything that has a list of niche genres listed in the description, and if I roll my eyes at all, I usually find something else to do. However, I was snagged pretty much by page three, and by the third chapter I was hooked solidly. Characters are well developed, the romance was a nice slow burn, the humor actually made me chuckle, and the sex never once made my eyes roll or squicked me out for physical impossibility (I'm an old woman, and I know things). It was fun, it was engaging, and if MM/BL is your jam, or if you just like weird creatures and paranormal mixed into your romance and mystery, this is a good place to go.… (altro)

I've yet to figure out why some versions of writing first person as if it's third person bug me but some don'; regardless, this one is the latter. I found it in terns charming and amusing and sweet. I think the resolution could have been keener without being fraught, rather than somewhat slow, but their reactions were spot-on. I loved the teasing even when it went wrong. I loved the setting even when it felt impossible (staying separate in a tiny space? Sure you did). But the way the author handled the shifter reveal was brilliant. And I continue to approach shifter romance with caution, but have added this author to the *for me* list.… (altro)