iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

This book is a definite slow burn, but somehow fast paced. It is definitely not a bad thing. Slow burns always move at that pace, slow. They can sometimes drag on. This one had me drawn in from the very beginning. It never felt overly tense and it wasn't a constant back and forth of angst

000

And with her mother gone, she's scared to figure out what these feelings mean. Parker tries to get closure on her feelings for Leah but ultimately her feelings deepen.

100

She sees all the things that need to be fixed before it can be sold. Parker offers to help and they start spending even more time together. Parker has loved Leah for as long as she's known her. Leah has felt a connection to Parker that she wasn't allowed to figure out due to her mother's homophobia

100

She notices all the ways that Leah has changed but in all the ways she's the same. Eli tries out for the team and makes it. That means more time for Parker and Leah to get reacquainted. Leah is trying to fix up her sister's house so she can sell it and get back to her life in Boston.

100

Leah finds Eli at the soccer field participating in a summer soccer camp that is being led by Parker. Leah and Parker were best friends until Leah left for college. Leah makes a mental note of all the ways that Parker has changed. Parker notices Leah.

100

She used her knowledge and skills to create an app that would help him. Parker takes that app and turns it into a whole company with its headquarters in Oakridge. She's also the local youth soccer coach.

100

Leah and Eli have an emotional confrontation and he walks out of the house. When Leah goes to look for him, he's gone. Parker Reed also grew up in Oakridge. Unlike Leah, Parker stayed in Oakridge. Her dad's health started failing and she wanted to be there to take care of him.

100

Leah learns that her sister has written letters for her to find and read. The first letter came directly from Rachel's lawyer. She has to read the letter to find out where to go next. She's on a scavenger hunt for letters from her sister.

100

Leah Hale has temporarily left her life in Boston to bury Rachel, her sister, and to take care of her 10 year old nephew, Eli. She's staying in her sister's house in her hometown of Oakridge trying to handle everything without coming apart.

100

A sort of second change romance Friends to lovers Sexual awakening 4.5⭐ 🌶️🌶️ Spice level Content warnings: death (happens off page) Homophobia Homophobic slurs I have never read any novels by Niki Fixtion but she's definitely on my radar now.

100

Can they turn that rage into something hot? It's an enemies to lovers sapphic romance so expect lots of bickering and tension! Also, as it is part of a series, expect to see some of your favorites from Tell Me Not to Kiss You!

000

When Drea mentions that business has been slow at her store, Cara convinces the both of them to do a book signing at Drea's store for Blair's newest release. Blair and Drea don't have the best history working together. Hostile is a good word to describe it. Hostile but definite chemistry!

100

When her friends start to notice how it's affecting her life, her best friend's fiancee gets her to agree to a sex ban. Enter best selling author Blair Stirling. Blair and Drea share mutual friend, Cara, who is also a publisher.

100

In this second release from the author, she steps up her game! We met Drea Voss in Tell Me Not to Kiss You. She's a sassy bookstore owner who is using one night stands to get over her ex.

100

The three of them navigate their complicated histories both apart and together. One guarantee of a Frances M. Thompson novel is that all the characters get a happy ending and this one is no different! Love, love, love this whole series! I think it's time I do a reread of it!

000

Ten years have passed since Lexi broke Mari's heart and we are introduced to Roos, a trans woman, that has woken up to an empty bed. Lex has left her. Cut to present day in Amsterdam, Mari is in town for work and meets Roos outside an art exhibit. Chemistry is abundant and they hit it off.

110

Mari wants to stay in England but Lexi feels Amsterdam is where they need to be to flourish in their art. There are a lot of time jumps throughout this book but it's usually made clear when a jump has happened and how much time has passed.

100

Author Frances M. Thompson does not shy away from telling the details of her characters' lives but she does it in a way that is respectful to the characters. Monarch opens with Mari and Lexi as teenagers and the end of their relationship.

100

While I am not a part of either community, reading the scenes left me eager to read more of Roos, Mari, and Lex together. This book is also heavy in other ways, like dealing with SA and health conditions (be sure to read content warnings before reading).

100

This book is a heavy one. It dives into the world of kink and polyamory, which aren't topics covered in many books. And when they are, they aren't necessarily done in the most positive of ways.

100

Anna (she/they) @ampmet83.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Monarch serves as an excellent close to this series as it ends on the romantic life of Keeley's child from the first book, Hummingbird. Perfect end to a deep and thoughtful series. 5⭐ from me!

100

This weekend, I discovered one of the obscure, local TV stations airs Xena: Warrior Princess every day. My closeted, teenage self is very excited. But my openly queer self is also very excited!

100

Anna (she/they) @ampmet83.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

The book kept me hooked despite the cause of any drama. Being something of a shorter publication, things happen fast. This novella takes place over the course of a month so be warned if some of the time jumps seem drastic.

000

Anna (she/they) @ampmet83.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Silma has regained her royal status and the attitude she once had has returned with it. Can their relationship survive all of the changes in their lives? TW: derogatory terms are used in this book when describing a particular group of people.

100

Anna (she/they) @ampmet83.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

In the follow up to Not What I Ordered, we catch up to Silma and Vatima six months into their relationship. Silma has stepped into her role as a fashion designer. Vatima has started focusing on writing but still wants answers about her family she never knew.

100

I gave this 4.25 stars out of 5.

000

Once I got to the end of the book and the whole story was laid out in front of me, I understood the quick development of the feelings between Noelle and Shay. And I'm not too proud to admit that some parts of the book actually had me tearing up.

100

It takes even less time for that crush to turn into something steamy! Overall, I loved the vibe of the book. I'm very much an autumn person, and this was a good start to my fall vibe reading season.

100

Noelle and Shay aren't exactly enemies, but they definitely aren't friends when the book starts. Noelle has a grudge against Shay and Shay has no clue why. When they are forced to work together, it doesn't take long for that grudge to dissolve and a crush to develop.

100

It felt like it went from 0 to 100 practically overnight, but there were emotional and somewhat traumatic experiences that led to the quick feelings. That being said, I love a story that is short and to the point. Generally, I love to see a relationship develop, but I'm impatient.

100

To me, personally, this storyline felt a bit rushed. However, being a novella that is under 250 pages, the story has to develop faster than a title that is longer in pages.

100

I was given the opportunity to read this book as an ARC reader. This marks ARC read #7 for me for the year and I have yet to be disappointed in any of them. This is the 2nd book of the series but my first by this author. I may go back and read the first book soon. It can be read as a standalone.

110

It's actually Lylah but my autocorrect didn't like that 🤷‍♀️

000

Without giving too much away, if you like instant chemistry with spicy scenes that will run on repeat on your head, this is definitely a must read! Warning: whole lotta content warnings. Be sure to read the complete list before diving in! #wlw #sapphic #booksky

030

It's fast paced and SO HOT! The spice jumps off the pages! I ate this novella up in no time and I will definitely be recommending it to my fellow sapphic readers 🥵 The chemistry between Tatum and Layla was off the charts and when that connection mixes with wine... It's explosive!

200

Signed up to be an ARC reader for this and it was one of the best decisions I've made. I've yet to be disappointed with any ARC reads I've done over the past year and this one is no different. This was first venture into either author but I may have to check out some of their other titles!

100