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Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J. Brown – Review

Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J. Brown – Review

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J. Brown!

Escaping Christmas by Marie Landry

Refusing Compulsory Sexuality

by Sherronda J. Brown 

For readers of Ace and Belly of the Beast: A Black queer feminist exploration of asexuality—and an incisive interrogation of the sex-obsessed culture that invisibilizes and ignores asexual and A-spec identity.

Everything you know about sex and asexuality is (probably) wrong.

The notion that everyone wants sex—and that we all have to have it—is false. It’s intertwined with our ideas about capitalism, race, gender, and queerness. And it impacts the most marginalized among us. For asexual folks, it means that ace and A-spec identity is often defined by a queerness that’s not queer enough, seen through a lens of perceived lack of pleasure, connection, joy, maturity, and even humanity.

In this exploration of what it means to be Black and asexual in America today, Sherronda J. Brown offers new perspectives on asexuality. She takes an incisive look at how anti-Blackness, white supremacy, patriarchy, heteronormativity, and capitalism enact harm against asexual people, contextualizing acephobia within a racial framework in the first book of its kind. Brown advocates for the “A” in LGBTQIA+, affirming that to be asexual is to be queer—despite the gatekeeping and denial that often says otherwise.

With chapters on desire, f*ckability, utility, refusal, and possibilities, Refusing Compulsory Sexuality discusses topics of deep relevance to ace and a-spec communities. It centers the Black asexual experience—and demands visibility in a world that pathologizes and denies asexuality, denigrates queerness, and specifically sexualizes Black people.

A necessary and unapologetic reclamation, Refusing Compulsory Sexuality is smart, timely, and an essential read for asexuals, aromantics, queer readers, and anyone looking to better understand sexual politics in America.

Wow.
This book was eye opening. To the traumas I have livened, as an ace spec, demisexual, bisexual, latinx woman, and hadn’t realized came from being ace in an allo world.
But mostly about the black experience of sexuality, the expectations and scripts we as a society put onto entire communities.
It also made me realize the script put into other communities, such as Latinx people, and how huge the sexuality of our people is the first thing that comes to mind when people talk about us.
As Brazilians, we have been asked about our buts, our bikinis and beaches and if we’re abroad, of the prostitution we’re said to do.
The dominance and control of female bodies. The horrifying, but very present reality that a lot of ace people had been SAed, and why. Not just a coincidence.
It is horrifying, but so validating, to see aspects of my own experience, trough the lens of asexuality, in a way I had never before.
These and a lot more were the life changing, eye opening, realizations this book has brought me.

Well, that is all for today, I hope you like this post, hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Feel free to leave your opinion about it in the comments and I will see you next time! 

Bye sassy people! 

 

  • I know that some comments I make about decent guys on my posts are the bare minimum a guy should do, so no, they don’t deserve to be treated like gods for doing the minimum, but at the same time, I’ve read a lot of sexist books and I appreciate authors who make characters that can serve as role models and examples of how a decent guy acts and what a loving and respectful relationship looks like. I believe we should always encourage these authors and bring attention to the ones that still write sexist characters and stories. 
  • I make a lot of comments about sexism and healthy role models in books, but a lot of times these characteristics don’t make the book a bad book and definitely don’t make the author a bad author. Please never shame these authors and these books for these comments, I simply feel that we need to have awareness of the less than ideal situations some books bring us, and not use the romanticized problem as examples of what a relationship should be. Most of these authors are still amazing, and the content they write doesn’t reflect directly with their personal views and opinions. Always make sure to respect and be kind to everyone, even while criticizing their content. 

Find Me In 

Meet Me

Meet Me

Brazilian architecture student and book lover

One of my goals in analysing my readings was to talk about important topics, like feminist and consent, because literature, art and culture influence us, and I believe we should always encorage authors who talk about this topics.

Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J. Brown – Review

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J. Brown

The Cock Down the Block by Amy Award – Review

Hello sassy people! Today we’re talking about The C*ck Down the Block by Ay Award.

Catch and Cradle by Katia Rose – Review

Hello sassy people! Today I’m reviewing Catch and Cradle by Katia Rose!

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins – Review

Today’s post is about Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins!

The Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James – Review

Today’s post is about The Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James!

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace – Review

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about Icebreaker by Hannah Grace!

Only One Coffin by A.J. Truman – Review

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about Only One Coffin by A.J. Truman!

Top books of 2023!!

These are the best books I read in 2023!
It was an amazing year, full of amazing books and I hope 2024 is even better!

2023 Wrap Up

These are the stats for all the books I read in 2023!I post stats every month, but these are the ones I’m always most excited to analyze! It’s so cool to look back at the year and see how much you read, the different genres, authors, tropes, spice levels…These are all...

My Better Life by Sarah Ready and Non-Toxic Masculinity

Hello sassy people! Today we are talking about Non Toxic Masculinity.

Ana en Noir is currently-reading

The Fourth Time Charm


Ana en Noir's favorite books »

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023

I read 125 books in 2023! come see them!

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2022

I read 174 books in 2022, come see them!

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2021

I read 106 books in 2021, come see them!

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2020

I read 155 books in 2020, come see them!

Adsense

Books Ana en Noir read

The Fourth Time Charm
The Third Best Thing
The Second We Met
The Perfect First
Sidebarred
Appealed
Sustained
Overruled
Master Baker


Ana en Noir's favorite books »
The Cock Down the Block by Amy Award – Review

The Cock Down the Block by Amy Award – Review

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about The Cock Down the Block by Amy Award!

Escaping Christmas by Marie Landry

The Cock Down the Block

by Amy Awards 

Always the nerdy girl, never the girlfriend~
Until her cocky best friend and his *ahem* rooster take charge.

Look, I’ve had it bad for the girl with all the curves next door forever. She turned me down in high school and since I’m not a total douchecanoe, I lusted after her all by myself in my shower, and we stayed just friends for years.

Now she’s the adorkable librarian next door and I’m the star quarterback of the best pro football team in the league.
So when she asks me to be her fake date to her all-girls school reunion I am totally down to show her off to the mean girls who bullied her back then so they can see just how incredible she is.
I’ll be the best boyfriend they’ve ever seen. The best fake boyfriend that is.

Until I find out from her slightly-stalkery classmates that she still has her v-card. I don’t see how that is even possible. Not with how sexy and sweet she is. Could it be because she knows she belongs with me?

This curvy girl and football quarterback sports romance has a baddie plus-size woman who knows her own worth and a Bridgertons-meets-American-Football family you’ll wish you were a part of.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: Fake Relationship, Friends to Lovers, Football Romance, Librarian Romance, Plus Size Character, RomCom
𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: MF
𝐒𝐦𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 4/5 (Multiple sexy scenes)
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞: 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Spicy!)
𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐔? Yep!!!
𝐌𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
𝐌𝐲 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬? Yes!!!!

Super cute, I love a good fake relationship trope and Chris is just so swoony! I love Trixie and her personality, and I love the family!
The book touches many serious topics, like bullying, eating disorders, body image, workplace harassment, and p*rn, all in very respectful and light ways, while also being hilarious. Hope to read more books by this author soon!

Well, that is all for today, I hope you like this post, hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Feel free to leave your opinion about it in the comments and I will see you next time! 

Bye sassy people! 

 

  • I know that some comments I make about decent guys on my posts are the bare minimum a guy should do, so no, they don’t deserve to be treated like gods for doing the minimum, but at the same time, I’ve read a lot of sexist books and I appreciate authors who make characters that can serve as role models and examples of how a decent guy acts and what a loving and respectful relationship looks like. I believe we should always encourage these authors and bring attention to the ones that still write sexist characters and stories. 
  • I make a lot of comments about sexism and healthy role models in books, but a lot of times these characteristics don’t make the book a bad book and definitely don’t make the author a bad author. Please never shame these authors and these books for these comments, I simply feel that we need to have awareness of the less than ideal situations some books bring us, and not use the romanticized problem as examples of what a relationship should be. Most of these authors are still amazing, and the content they write doesn’t reflect directly with their personal views and opinions. Always make sure to respect and be kind to everyone, even while criticizing their content. 

Find Me In 

Meet Me

Meet Me

Brazilian architecture student and book lover

One of my goals in analysing my readings was to talk about important topics, like feminist and consent, because literature, art and culture influence us, and I believe we should always encorage authors who talk about this topics.

Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J. Brown – Review

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J. Brown

The Cock Down the Block by Amy Award – Review

Hello sassy people! Today we’re talking about The C*ck Down the Block by Ay Award.

Catch and Cradle by Katia Rose – Review

Hello sassy people! Today I’m reviewing Catch and Cradle by Katia Rose!

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins – Review

Today’s post is about Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins!

The Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James – Review

Today’s post is about The Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James!

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace – Review

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about Icebreaker by Hannah Grace!

Only One Coffin by A.J. Truman – Review

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about Only One Coffin by A.J. Truman!

Top books of 2023!!

These are the best books I read in 2023!
It was an amazing year, full of amazing books and I hope 2024 is even better!

2023 Wrap Up

These are the stats for all the books I read in 2023!I post stats every month, but these are the ones I’m always most excited to analyze! It’s so cool to look back at the year and see how much you read, the different genres, authors, tropes, spice levels…These are all...

My Better Life by Sarah Ready and Non-Toxic Masculinity

Hello sassy people! Today we are talking about Non Toxic Masculinity.

Ana en Noir is currently-reading

The Fourth Time Charm


Ana en Noir's favorite books »

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023

I read 125 books in 2023! come see them!

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2022

I read 174 books in 2022, come see them!

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2021

I read 106 books in 2021, come see them!

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2020

I read 155 books in 2020, come see them!

Adsense

Books Ana en Noir read

The Fourth Time Charm
The Third Best Thing
The Second We Met
The Perfect First
Sidebarred
Appealed
Sustained
Overruled
Master Baker


Ana en Noir's favorite books »
Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins – Review

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins – Review

Today’s post is about Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins!

Escaping Christmas by Marie Landry

Her Royal Highness

by Rachel Hawkins

 

Millie Quint is devastated when she discovers that her sort-of-best friend/sort-of-girlfriend has been kissing someone else. And because Millie cannot stand the thought of confronting her ex every day, she decides to apply for scholarships to boarding schools . . . the farther from Houston the better.

Millie can’t believe her luck when she’s accepted into one of the world’s most exclusive schools, located in the rolling highlands of Scotland. Everything about Scotland is different: the country is misty and green; the school is gorgeous, and the students think Americans are cute.

The only problem: Mille’s roommate Flora is a total princess.

She’s also an actual princess. Of Scotland.

At first, the girls can barely stand each other–Flora is both high-class and high-key–but before Millie knows it, she has another sort-of-best-friend/sort-of-girlfriend. Even though Princess Flora could be a new chapter in her love life, Millie knows the chances of happily ever afters are slim . . . after all, real life isn’t a fairy tale . . . or is it?

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: Enemies to Lovers, Roommates, Bisexual Rep, Royal Romance
𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: FF
𝐒𝐦𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫: 🔥 1/5 – Kissing Only
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞: 🌶️ 1/5
𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐔? Nope 😢
𝐌𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞: ⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
𝐌𝐲 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬? Yes!!!

Millie was cute and fun, with her love for Ireland, but the fact that she would give up her dream to be with a girl that dumped her in the end was a bit disappointing.
Flora was badass, but also kinda annoying at times. Very spoiled and immature at moments, even though you understand why she’s like that.
Plot: I like that this plot is a very common one, but turned on its head and made queer. And my favorite kinds of books are classic tropes made queer, so this one is on my lane.
Tropes: I’m not a huge fan of enemies to lovers and after this book, I remain not a huge fan of enemies to lovers, lol. I like that they were roommates, and the Royal Romance is always awesome.
I think my enjoyment of this book is based solely on it being queer, if it was a het romance, probably would be kinda weak…
Also, the fact that they stop being roommates when they get together, the author just threw away golden opportunities!
Spice: There’s no spice. Not a bad thing, just a fact.
Conflict: I honestly don’t remember the conflict.

Well, that is all for today, I hope you like this post, hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Feel free to leave your opinion about it in the comments and I will see you next time! 

Bye sassy people! 

 

  • I know that some comments I make about decent guys on my posts are the bare minimum a guy should do, so no, they don’t deserve to be treated like gods for doing the minimum, but at the same time, I’ve read a lot of sexist books and I appreciate authors who make characters that can serve as role models and examples of how a decent guy acts and what a loving and respectful relationship looks like. I believe we should always encourage these authors and bring attention to the ones that still write sexist characters and stories. 
  • I make a lot of comments about sexism and healthy role models in books, but a lot of times these characteristics don’t make the book a bad book and definitely don’t make the author a bad author. Please never shame these authors and these books for these comments, I simply feel that we need to have awareness of the less than ideal situations some books bring us, and not use the romanticized problem as examples of what a relationship should be. Most of these authors are still amazing, and the content they write doesn’t reflect directly with their personal views and opinions. Always make sure to respect and be kind to everyone, even while criticizing their content. 

Find Me In 

Meet Me

Meet Me

Brazilian architecture student and book lover

One of my goals in analysing my readings was to talk about important topics, like feminism and consent, because literature, art and culture influence us, and I believe we should always encorage authors who talk about this topics.

Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J. Brown – Review

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J. Brown

The Cock Down the Block by Amy Award – Review

Hello sassy people! Today we’re talking about The C*ck Down the Block by Ay Award.

Catch and Cradle by Katia Rose – Review

Hello sassy people! Today I’m reviewing Catch and Cradle by Katia Rose!

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins – Review

Today’s post is about Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins!

The Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James – Review

Today’s post is about The Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James!

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace – Review

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about Icebreaker by Hannah Grace!

Only One Coffin by A.J. Truman – Review

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about Only One Coffin by A.J. Truman!

Top books of 2023!!

These are the best books I read in 2023!
It was an amazing year, full of amazing books and I hope 2024 is even better!

2023 Wrap Up

These are the stats for all the books I read in 2023!I post stats every month, but these are the ones I’m always most excited to analyze! It’s so cool to look back at the year and see how much you read, the different genres, authors, tropes, spice levels…These are all...

My Better Life by Sarah Ready and Non-Toxic Masculinity

Hello sassy people! Today we are talking about Non Toxic Masculinity.

Ana en Noir is currently-reading

The Fourth Time Charm


Ana en Noir's favorite books »

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023

I read 125 books in 2023! come see them!

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2022

I read 174 books in 2022, come see them!

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2021

I read 106 books in 2021, come see them!

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2020

I read 155 books in 2020, come see them!

Books Ana en Noir read

The Fourth Time Charm
The Third Best Thing
The Second We Met
The Perfect First
Sidebarred
Appealed
Sustained
Overruled
Master Baker


Ana en Noir's favorite books »
The Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James – Review

The Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James – Review

Today’s post is about Icebreaker by Hannah Grace!

Escaping Christmas by Marie Landry

Irresponsible Puckboy

by Eden Finley and Saxon James

 

Tripp

The worst part of being in love with my straight best friend is the fact he’s too oblivious to see it.

Years of pining have left me exhausted, and I need a break from Dex. I need space to get over my feelings. But when his relationship falls apart and he turns to me for comfort, I cave immediately.

If there’s one thing I hate more than being hurt, it’s seeing Dex struggle. I can’t leave him in a time of need, even if my friends say it’s my biggest downfall.

They say Dexter Mitchale is my weakness, but if that’s true, I don’t want to be strong.

Dex

I’ve always been the dumb one. It’s what I’m known for, and usually I don’t let it get to me.

I have hockey, and I have my best friend, Tripp. What more do I need? To settle down? No thank you. Marriage? Hard pass. According to ex-girlfriends, that makes me “irresponsible.”

But the solution I come up with to get over my fear of commitment might be my dumbest idea yet. Not only does it have team management breathing down my neck, but it puts a strain on my friendship with Tripp.

This PR nightmare could lose me the only person I’ve ever loved. Losing girlfriends is nothing. Losing Tripp? It’s not an option.

I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: Friends to Lovers, Hockey Romance, Bi Awakening, Fake Relationship
𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: MM
𝐒𝐦𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 4/5
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5
I𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐔? Yes!!! 🥳
𝐌𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
𝐌𝐲 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬? Absolutely!
This book was super cute and hot!
Dex is such a golden retriever! He is so cute and innocent, he is the least toxic masculine guy I’v ever read! And his relationship with Tripp progresses in such a natural way, he only realizes he’s bi after 50% lol.
Tripp is the ultimate gentleman, so respectful, and sweet.
His friend group was amazing, I love that the queer hockey players have a group.
The main plot of fake dating was so fun, but the reasoning was a bit bonkers.
The spice was absolutely amazing.
The conflict was not the best, I believed that they would have developed beyond those choices and the communication in that particular bit could have been better sooner.
But overall, great book, great rep, great couple, just cuteness and hotness all around.

Well, that is all for today, I hope you like this post, hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Feel free to leave your opinion about it in the comments and I will see you next time! 

Bye sassy people! 

 

  • I know that some comments I make about decent guys on my posts are the bare minimum a guy should do, so no, they don’t deserve to be treated like gods for doing the minimum, but at the same time, I’ve read a lot of sexist books and I appreciate authors who make characters that can serve as role models and examples of how a decent guy acts and what a loving and respectful relationship looks like. I believe we should always encourage these authors and bring attention to the ones that still write sexist characters and stories. 
  • I make a lot of comments about sexism and healthy role models in books, but a lot of times these characteristics don’t make the book a bad book and definitely don’t make the author a bad author. Please never shame these authors and these books for these comments, I simply feel that we need to have awareness of the less than ideal situations some books bring us, and not use the romanticized problem as examples of what a relationship should be. Most of these authors are still amazing, and the content they write doesn’t reflect directly with their personal views and opinions. Always make sure to respect and be kind to everyone, even while criticizing their content. 

Find Me In 

Meet Me

Meet Me

Brazilian architecture student and book lover

One of my goals in analysing my readings was to talk about important topics, like feminism and consent, because literature, art and culture influence us, and I believe we should always encorage authors who talk about this topics.

Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J. Brown – Review

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J. Brown

The Cock Down the Block by Amy Award – Review

Hello sassy people! Today we’re talking about The C*ck Down the Block by Ay Award.

Catch and Cradle by Katia Rose – Review

Hello sassy people! Today I’m reviewing Catch and Cradle by Katia Rose!

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins – Review

Today’s post is about Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins!

The Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James – Review

Today’s post is about The Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James!

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace – Review

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about Icebreaker by Hannah Grace!

Only One Coffin by A.J. Truman – Review

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about Only One Coffin by A.J. Truman!

Top books of 2023!!

These are the best books I read in 2023!
It was an amazing year, full of amazing books and I hope 2024 is even better!

2023 Wrap Up

These are the stats for all the books I read in 2023!I post stats every month, but these are the ones I’m always most excited to analyze! It’s so cool to look back at the year and see how much you read, the different genres, authors, tropes, spice levels…These are all...

My Better Life by Sarah Ready and Non-Toxic Masculinity

Hello sassy people! Today we are talking about Non Toxic Masculinity.

Ana en Noir is currently-reading

The Fourth Time Charm


Ana en Noir's favorite books »

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023

I read 125 books in 2023! come see them!

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2022

I read 174 books in 2022, come see them!

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2021

I read 106 books in 2021, come see them!

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2020

I read 155 books in 2020, come see them!

Books Ana en Noir read

The Fourth Time Charm
The Third Best Thing
The Second We Met
The Perfect First
Sidebarred
Appealed
Sustained
Overruled
Master Baker


Ana en Noir's favorite books »
My Better Life by Sarah Ready – Review

My Better Life by Sarah Ready – Review

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!! 

This post may contain affiliate links for products and services I recommend. If you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission. 

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about My Better Life by Sarah Ready! Thank you, Sarah Ready and Social Butterfly PR for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review!

I think I will never find a book by Sarah Ready that I don’t love to pieces. This is one more. This story was so fun and cute, but so deep, at the same time, it’s the exact type of book I look for.

Escaping Christmas by Marie Landry

My Better Life

(Soul Mates in Romeo #6)

by Sarah Ready

 

When East Coast elite and wealthy bachelor Gavin Williams wakes up in a rural West Virginia hospital, he doesn’t remember who he is or where he’s from.
He doesn’t remember his heiress fiancée, his luxury homes, his exotic travels, or his private plane.
And he especially doesn’t remember insulting local country-girl and fiery redhead Jamie Sutton, smashing her dreams, and leaving her in a pinch.
So when a redhead in overalls stands over his hospital bed and convincingly tells him he loves banjos, hound dogs, and rustling chickens, what’s he supposed to do?
Suddenly Gavin is scrambling to fit into a country life that doesn’t feel familiar and that can’t possibly be his. A wife? Kids? A chicken coop?
His life is full of holes and secrets, desires and dreams, and as Gavin learns more he begins to wonder—will he ever remember? And what happens when he does?

Genre: Romance, ARC

Publisher: Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC

Year: 2022

Nº of pages: 336

Is it on KU?: Nope

Subgenres: Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Amnesia Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Fake Relationship, Forced Proximity, Single Parent, Small Town Romance

Smut factor: 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 4/5 (steamy)

Spice scale: 3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️

POP (Put Out Percentage): 44%

TRIGGER WARNINGS (Based on StoryGraphs): No TW (According to StoryGraphs)

 

Main characters: Gavin and Jamie

Hero: Sturn Brunch Daddy – “Cinnamon roll meets alpha male. Definition of a gentleman in the streets freak in the sheets”

Heroine: The Female Messiah – Fights for your cause and meets her commitments. She is the stubborn sister or friend who is determined and quick-tempered and says it like it is. She will tell you what you need to do in no uncertain terms. 

Pacing: Medium

Mood: Amazing, Cute, Deep, Delicious, Fun, Hot, Important, Sweet

Plot or character-driven: Character Driven

P.O.V.: Double P.O.V.

Character development: Deep

Diverse Cast: Nope

Read in: 2022

 

My Rate: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 

 

This story was pretty much perfect. It had a lot of depth, with trauma recovery and childhood trauma, but it was balanced by the humor of a small town and a very close family unit, the very sweet moments between the kids and Gavin, and also between Gavin and Jamie.

It was amazing to see the process of Gavin falling in love with Jamie, a woman he said, in the beginning, was unremarkable. It was amazing, to see him fall in love with a life that he deemed horrible when he first arrived. And it was an incredible growth process, to go from someone who despised that town, Jamie’s dirtiness, and their simple way of life, to be a guy who is just happy to be able to provide for his family. I love that his recovery was not caused by her. This is not a story of “man meets woman, woman fixes man”. He has his own process, he has his own journey, that is alongside her, but not because of her, and I love that.

It was also incredible to see the process of the whole family falling in love with Gavin, even the most resistant, like Grandma, but especially the kids. It was heartwarming to see these kids, who at such a young age, already had the trauma of losing their father, get someone to be there for them, to do all the things a father would do, and love them as such. And I am astounded by how well Sarah wrote these kids, they each had not only a unique personality but a unique trauma/reaction to their trauma. Each of them had a need, that Gavin arrived to fulfill.

I started this book hating Gavin, and I’m ending it with him as one of my new book boyfriends.

And I just loved the use of amnesia. I love this trope and think is not used enough, and this was the perfect balance between rom-com and heavy topics, with a lot of romance and sweetness, so it is just perfect. And as in all of Sarah Ready’s books, this almost made me cry several times, but it put me back together again.

 

Equality rate: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 

 

I love Gavin’s masculinity. He is an amazing example of non-toxic masculinity. He is a man, he is manly, he provides for his family and is proud to do that. He is a man, without the need to assert his dominance, who loves his children, who likes to help his wife take care of them, and the house. He is a man who can be without sex, to respect his wife’s wishes. He is a man who accepts that his partner has a dream and a gift and he will help her achieve them, even if his own job is shoveling poop every day. And he is a man who realizes, he made mistakes in the past, even if he doesn’t remember them, he wants to fix them.

The only reason this book did not get a 5-star Equality Rate is because of the lies. This is a fiction work, and a very enjoyable one, but this in real life would be absurd, even more, if we reversed the genders. If a man had gone to the hospital, to pick up a woman with amnesia and “force” her to work in his house, we would be horrified, so I feel the need to take down a point in this regard. But I still loved the book, it has entered my favorites of the year list.

Recommend this?: Absolutely

Fall in love today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/392paLT 
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/mybetterlife 
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3m0BTl6 
Nook: https://bit.ly/3M1HF0s 
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3x2Vckm 
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3alPKji

About Sarah Ready

Author Sarah Ready writes contemporary romance and romantic comedy. Her books
have been described as “euphoric”, “heartwarming” and “laugh out loud”. Her debut novel The Fall in Love Checklist was hailed as “the unicorn read of 2020”. She loves to write fast-paced, emotionally compelling romances about quirky, smart women and the men who love them.

Before writing romance full-time Sarah had lots of fun teaching at an Ivy League. Then
she realized she could have even more fun writing romance. Her favorite things after
writing are adventuring and travel. You’ll frequently find her using her degree at a dino
dig site, crawling into a cave, snorkeling, or on horseback riding through the jungle – all
fodder for her next book. She’s lived in Scotland, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland and
NYC. She currently lives in the Caribbean with her water-obsessed pup and her awesome family.

You can visit her online at www.sarahready.com 

Connect with Sarah
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2PVEe4j 
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3wt7D6B 
BookBub: https://bit.ly/3wtATKA 
Website: http://sarahready.com/ 

Stay up to date with all the things and subscribe to Sarah’s mailing list:

https://bit.ly/3sWxUbe 

Well, that is all for today, I hope you like this post, hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Feel free to leave your opinion about it in the comments and I will see you next time! 

Bye sassy people! 

 

  • I know that some comments I make about decent guys on my posts are the bare minimum a guy should do, so no, they don’t deserve to be treated like gods for doing the minimum, but at the same time, I’ve read a lot of sexist books and I appreciate authors who make characters that can serve as role models and examples of how a decent guy acts and what a loving and respectful relationship looks like. I believe we should always encourage these authors and bring attention to the ones that still write sexist characters and stories. 
  • I make a lot of comments about sexism and healthy role models in books, but a lot of times these characteristics don’t make the book a bad book and definitely don’t make the author a bad author. Please never shame these authors and these books for these comments, I simply feel that we need to have awareness of the less than ideal situations some books bring us, and not use the romanticized problem as examples of what a relationship should be. Most of these authors are still amazing, and the content they write doesn’t reflect directly with their personal views and opinions. Always make sure to respect and be kind to everyone, even while criticizing their content. 

Find Me In 

Meet Me

Meet Me

Brazilian architecture student and book lover

One of my goals in analysing my readings was to talk about important topics, like feminist and consent, because literature, art and culture influence us, and I believe we should always encorage authors who talk about this topics.

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I read 148 books in 2020, come see them!

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Out of My Head by Dillon Bancroft – Review

Out of My Head by Dillon Bancroft – Review

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!! 

This post may contain affiliate links for products and services I recommend. If you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission. 

Hello sassy people! Today’s post is about Out Of My Head by Dillon Bancroft! Thank you, Dillon Bancroft and RMWB for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was really good, it had all the dept I’ve come to expect from a Dillon Bancroft book, with a cool mystery background plot and a great couple who have great, individual, journeys and stories.

Escaping Christmas by Marie Landry

Out of My Head

My dirty little secret is my brother’s best friend.
I’ve loved Jay Parker my entire life. And we’re ready to stop hiding our two-and-a-half-year relationship. Our only problem is that my family and the entire town we grew up in views us as siblings.
But we can’t hide our love forever. When Jay is honorably discharged from the Marine Corps to finally live our dream life together, life as we know it starts caving in. Unaligned dreams. Skeletons in the closet. Jay’s inevitable post-war identity crisis. And if that wasn’t enough, a strange man is following us and threatening my family.
Were we right to think love conquers all? Or will the realities of life tear us apart?
*Out of My Head is the first part in the Jay and Annie Duet.

Author

Dillon Bancroft

Series

Sage Creek Series #2

Genre

ARC Romance

Publisher

Indie

Year

2022

Is it on KU?

Yes!!!!!

Subgenres

Contemporary Romance

Dark

Suspense

Tropes

Brother’s Best Friend

Military Romance

Relationship in trouble

Second Chance

Secret Relationship 

Small Town Romance

Smut factor

🔥 🔥 🔥 3/5 (sex on the page)

Spice Scale

3/5 🌶🌶🌶

POP (%) – Put Out Percentage

15%

Trigger Warnings

The author provides them with the book

Main characters

Annie and Jay

Heroine

The Female Messiah

– Fights for your cause, and meets her commitments. She is the stubborn sister or friend who is determined, quick-tempered, and says it like it is. She will tell you what you need to do in no uncertain terms. 

Hero

Alpha

– “Love interest who has a dominating personality or behavior, especially concerning socially aggressive, hypermasculine men.”

These heroes often have jealousy and possessiveness issues. 

Pacing

Medium

Mood

Deep, Heavy, Important, Sweet

Plot or Character Driven

Mixed

POV

Double P.O.V.

Character Development

Deep

Read in

2022

My rate

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5

I was not expecting all of this from this book, but it did not disappoint!

I loved the first book in this series, with all its romance and suspense and intensity, along with a good dose of heavy topics! But the author managed to match these elements while creating a completely new dynamic. This couple is very different from Aria and Derek, but they communicate the same level of dept the other couple did, they both have very personal journeys and inner struggles that were amazing to read, and this felt completely new, maintaining all the good stuff from book 1.

I also loved the interactions with not only the rest of the family but the whole small town. A really cool part of this couple’s dynamic is that they have known each other their entire lives, there is familiarity and inner jokes and shared experiences, that were related in the book in a very natural manner, where we didn’t feel lost, but we got all the information we needed and also the humor from the banter of a family.

For this book to be perfect, I would like a bit more from the mystery plot, I understand that it is a duet, and there is more to come, but I feel I didn’t get enough information or action to really understand or be engaged with that plot line.

 

Equality rate

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5

The book didn’t get 5 equality stars because I felt that Jay could be a bit sexist at times (I honestly didn’t see much offense in “carrying the sandals”, women have done that for centuries). And their ability to solve conflict is extremely limited.

And last but not least, I loved the dept of Jay’s story, not only as an ex-military and all the trauma and confusion going back to civilization comes with, but also being an abuse survivor. Dillon does a great job at respectfully relating trauma, but showing us realities that, unfortunately, many people go through, so I love reading these perspectives.

 

Recommend this?

Yes

Well, that is all for today, I hope you like this post, hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Feel free to leave your opinion about it in the comments and I will see you next time! 

Bye sassy people! 

 

  • I know that some comments I make about decent guys on my posts are the bare minimum a guy should do, so no, they don’t deserve to be treated like gods for doing the minimum, but at the same time, I’ve read a lot of sexist books and I appreciate authors who make characters that can serve as role models and examples of how a decent guy acts and what a loving and respectful relationship looks like. I believe we should always encourage these authors and bring attention to the ones that still write sexist characters and stories. 
  • I make a lot of comments about sexism and healthy role models in books, but a lot of times these characteristics don’t make the book a bad book and definitely don’t make the author a bad author. Please never shame these authors and these books for these comments, I simply feel that we need to have awareness of the less than ideal situations some books bring us, and not use the romanticized problem as examples of what a relationship should be. Most of these authors are still amazing, and the content they write doesn’t reflect directly with their personal views and opinions. Always make sure to respect and be kind to everyone, even while criticizing their content. 

Find Me In 

Meet Me

Meet Me

Brazilian architecture student and book lover

One of my goals in analysing my readings was to talk about important topics, like feminist and consent, because literature, art and culture influence us, and I believe we should always encorage authors who talk about this topics.

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Top books of 2023!!

These are the best books I read in 2023!
It was an amazing year, full of amazing books and I hope 2024 is even better!

2023 Wrap Up

These are the stats for all the books I read in 2023!I post stats every month, but these are the ones I’m always most excited to analyze! It’s so cool to look back at the year and see how much you read, the different genres, authors, tropes, spice levels…These are all...

My Better Life by Sarah Ready and Non-Toxic Masculinity

Hello sassy people! Today we are talking about Non Toxic Masculinity.

Ana en Noir is currently-reading

The Fourth Time Charm


Ana en Noir's favorite books »

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2020

I read 148 books in 2020, come see them!

2021 Reading Challenge

2021 Reading Challenge
Ana en Noir has read 18 books toward her goal of 100 books.
hide

2022 Reading Challenge

2022 Reading Challenge
Ana en Noir has read 5 books toward her goal of 100 books.
hide

Adsense

Books Ana en Noir read

The Fourth Time Charm
The Third Best Thing
The Second We Met
The Perfect First
Sidebarred
Appealed
Sustained
Overruled
Master Baker


Ana en Noir's favorite books »