Reviewed by Anelynde Smit for Readers' Favorite

The Unlit Candle by Caren J. Werlinger is a deep and touching novel about three women who struggle with not only their faith but their sexuality. We are introduced to Pip (or Patricia) and her family. Her father and brother both work in the family business in the mill but Pip has bigger plans. She sees them running a bakery and controlling the market with Mr. Wasserman, the hotel chain owner, who sees the brilliance of her plan. There she meets Toni Andretti, a wild female who also visits clubs for women at night. She is the first to help Pip build the bakery and bring her own sexuality to life. The 1950s was not such an accepting time. She befriends a nun called Ruth who takes her and her little sister to St. Bridget’s and it changes her life forever. We later skip in time to Mother Theodora who is almost near retirement and is questioning her decisions and her stay at the abbey. We also meet Lauren who has lost Mickey (Michele) in an accident and still deals with the pain of loneliness and loss herself. What they all have in common is their stay at St. Bridget’s and their journeys overlap in the most incredible way. This is not an easy read but one worth doing. These three tales will change your life.

The Unlit Candle by Caren J. Werlinger is a breath of air after all the sexual tension you might find in other LGBT books. This is a story from the heart about making decisions and staying with them even if it costs you everything. This was a deep look into people and who they are versus who they think they are. Pip’s story surprised me as she made the change from a bakery owner to a nun in a couple of chapters but she had her reasons and the story unfolds so nicely. Lauren’s story was one of tragedy and the power to move forward even if you don’t have it all figured out. The fact that she had such a great support system was touching and kind. You welcome the characters into your world and you hold them close as only a friend can because that was so touching about this story. You do not see them as far-off characters being portrayed in a book; you find them close to your heart. A must-read for someone looking for direction in their own lives.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

In Daniel Weisbeck's sci-fi biopunk thriller Moon Rising (The Upsilon Series, Book 1), a young girl is held captive in a basement and forced to live the life of someone she has never met by her captor. Her everyday existence is a nightmare until an unexpected savior gives her a chance at freedom. Now identified as Silon, she and Doctor Bobby Houndstooth, together with Charlie, the eccentric but brilliant bio-robotics engineer, and his dance-loving android, Nutt, have to face enemies who have agendas of their own. As she begins to understand more about herself and what she is capable of, Silon must find a way to protect her new family and be someone of her own choosing.

In a future where technology has greatly advanced, life-like, biological androids are widely developed and can be bought. Human morality is up against corporate greed, power, ambitions, and sinister intentions. The world-building is filled with details tied to the characters' individuation and motivations as the engaging narrative alternates between the first-person point of view of young Silon, the brilliant Bobby Houndstooth, and Charlie's android, Nutt. The first few chapters are not an easy read. A survivor who becomes a fighter and protector, Silon powers through a traumatic experience; her true capabilities start to take shape as Bobby and Nutt provide her with a sense of belonging and camaraderie. The characters' personal conflicts are coupled with controversial ethical sense when it comes to the subject of sentience. Bobby, better known as 'Teacher,' is worth rooting for in her determination to do right versus her responsibility toward her powerful employer. Moon Rising is an immersive story of morality and survival in a captivating but corrupt futuristic world, an excellent start to Daniel Weisbeck's Upsilon Series with a fast-paced plot and high-octane action.

Reviewed by Emma Megan for Readers' Favorite

Looks Are Deceiving: A Will Christian Mystery by Bill VanPatten is a brilliant mystery novel about hate crimes. A forty-nine-year-old Latino gay man, Will Christian, discovers a dead body during a routine bike ride in late June. Will recently moved to Mañana to start a new career in writing and live near his sister. But instead of focusing on writing, he thinks of the dead boy he found. He can't help but learn more about the crime due to his insatiable curiosity and inability to let go of unsolved problems. After learning that the dead boy was Latino and gay, too, Will starts to wonder if it was a hate crime. However, right after finding the dead body, Will meets a potential boyfriend, then learns about another crime. Is Mañana a home to racists and are the crimes indeed hate crimes?

In Looks Are Deceiving, Bill VanPatten gives readers a little insight into the lives of racists to make them understand where the hatred might come from. This mystery novel with a side of romance is thoroughly absorbing and exhilaratingly well-written. The ending caught me off guard even though I tried guessing who the murderer was. Looks Are Deceiving is suspenseful and wildly creative with realistic characters that get under your skin. It delves into bullying and its lifelong impact, into racism, family dysfunctionality, dating apps, and LGBTQ stigma. It also delves into sibling bonds, friendship, love, and justice. Bill VanPatten delivers a compelling and simply unexpected story that reveals how psychopathic minds work. Fans of mystery crime novels will definitely love it.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

We Don't Matter by Juliet Rose is a coming-of-age story of a young man who discovered himself in the strangest of ways. Aidan was just 22 years old and was on his way to graduating from college. However, Aiden wasn’t so sure what he wanted in life, who he was, and where he was headed. Meeting Zeke in a chance encounter was the best thing that could happen to Aiden. Zeke opened new avenues for Aiden, and before they knew it, their friendship turned into something much more. Getting closer and falling in love was as easy as breathing. However, things changed when they witnessed police brutality. Before they knew it, Aiden and Zeke were fleeing from the police, hoping to get away before it was too late. Hiding in North Carolina, the lovers had no idea they would be running from the present and getting caught up in their pasts. What would happen next?

Nothing could have prepared me for the intensity of We Don't Matter. Aiden’s past left a huge mark on his present and future, and the kicker was that Aiden had no idea how much the death of his brother affected him. Zeke was the breath of fresh air he needed, but Zeke was also a sign for Aiden to wake up and finally live. Zeke was calmer, more centered, and more courageous than Aiden (even though his teens were no less traumatizing). While Aiden was spiraling, Zeke was keeping him grounded. Author Juliet Rose did a fantastic job of creating a powerful subplot to support Zeke and Aiden’s relationship and their journey to discovering themselves. The dialogues revealed a lot about the characters and their mentality at any given point in the story. Mind you, this is not just an LGBTQ romance. It is a much more powerful, reality-based narrative that will wow readers! A fantastic approach to a coming out and coming of age story.

Reviewed by Emma Megan for Readers' Favorite

Chemistry Lessons by Jae is a light lesbian contemporary romance novel about two women who can't decide what they truly are: best friends or lovers. Regan Romano, an amazing chemistry teacher, and Kylie Wells, a great cafeteria worker, have been best friends since kindergarten; therefore, they know everything about each other, except one little thing. Everyone who knows them thinks they're a couple. But Regan and Ky insist they're not. One day, one of their friends gives them the idea to go on a date to see if there's something more between them. Thus, they conduct a little experiment that hopefully will prove that there's no chemistry between them. But, do they agree with this chemistry experiment to prove something to their friends or themselves? What's keeping them from taking their relationship to the next level?

Chemistry Lessons by Jae is a charming and sexy friends-to-lovers lesbian romance. Jae built her characters and the romance between them quite well. You can't help but fall in love with this book and also roll your eyes quite frequently at Regan and Ky's unwillingness to admit what they truly feel for one another. Jae is a skillful writer who crafted an electrifying story with lovable characters, smooth dialog, and a love for good food and t-shirts with clever jokes that capture the beauty of true love. Chemistry Lessons by Jae is a dose of hope for those who are afraid to take risks in their relationship, to express their feelings. This slow-burn romance is quite funny and sexy, and it's a perfect combination of the most-wanted ingredients in a relationship: friendship, romance, love, and sex.

Reviewed by Shrabastee Chakraborty for Readers' Favorite

The inhabitants of Little Sister Island have grown accustomed to the ancient magic that lingers in the bedrock, entwining the island and the islanders together. When an unexplainable quake hits the island, they believe it foretells some future event, although no one is certain what it might be. Meredith Turner, miles away from the island, once again wakes up from the recurring, haunting nightmare of a shipwreck. After knowing the same dream plagues her mother, Meredith seeks help from a Native American healer. When she spots a photograph of Little Sister Island, all the puzzle pieces fall into place. Why does the island call the Turners? What fate awaits them there? To learn the answers, read Face the Wind by Caren J. Werlinger.

Caren J. Werlinger’s novel is a combination of romance, LGBTQ fiction, and magical realism. Although this is the second book of the Little Sister Island series, not reading the previous one posed no issues. Werlinger sketched each character down to the minutest detail; however, Molly and her partner, Kathleen, stole the show for me. The island community as a single unit helped and looked out for each other. When the arrival of the Turners raised conflicts among the islanders, some bitter memories resurfaced, and I waited impatiently for the issues to resolve. Despite the perils of living at the mercy of the sea, the simple life on the island lured me. I would recommend Face the Wind, a story of love, acceptance, and healing, to anyone looking for a heart-warming read.

Reviewed by Natalie Soine for Readers' Favorite

Carlos (The Gates Book 6) by Michelle Pashko is an intriguing, suspenseful novel. Renowned artist Carlos Fernandez meets his younger brother Miguel for the first time at their mother’s funeral. The brothers form a close relationship and Carlos moves to LA to pursue his art career and finally rejoin society after being in hiding and allowing his manager Jeremy to administer the sales of his work. Carlos attends Miguel and Finn’s wedding where he meets Clay Everett, an LAPD Central Community Police Officer. Clay and Carlos discover that they have much in common and were both abused as children. When Carlos’s foster father Earl Roy is released from Ironwood State Prison, Carlos fears for his life. Clay and Detective Ross investigate Earl and his new wife Sally, hoping to arrest Earl for stalking. Carlos’s new family will do whatever it takes to protect him from evil.

Michelle Pashko is a fantastic author and does a great job of capturing the essence and personality of each character. The relationships and love scenes are beautifully written and show that we all need family and friends such as Miguel, Clay, and Carlos even if we don’t always agree. The various locations visited by Clay and Carlos are vividly described, especially Little Tokyo and Santa Barbara. This novel will help people to understand that the trauma of childhood abuse remains with people for the rest of their lives and will always have an impact on their own relationships. The story is smooth flowing and comfortable to read – highly recommended to adults only.

Reviewed by Jose Cornelio for Readers' Favorite

Crystal’s House of Queers by Brooke Skipstone is a sweeping and passionate romance with strong gay themes, following compelling characters. It is the second time that Crystal Rose wakes up drenched in sweat after dreaming of having sex with Haley Carson, a girl with whom she has previously had a thing. At school, Haley is assaulted by her abusive boyfriend and Crystal comes to her rescue. They renew a love that has been kept hidden in the past, and this time, with the help of Payton Reed, they are ready to face life and anyone who may stand in the way, including Crystal’s addicted parents. Follow these characters on a rollicking ride to transform Crystal’s home into a haven where they can be free to do what they want — free to be themselves and to love.

The setting is well-written in the small town of Clear, Alaska, and the author does a wonderful job of capturing elements of the weather, the locale, and social realities like the strain of the Covid pandemic. It is a small town in which many people think that Covid is a hoax, a reality that still persists in many small towns. The characters are well-written and the author explores their personalities and their qualities in depth. For instance, Crystal has a great gift for drawing and it is intelligently communicated in the novel. The world-building is excellently accomplished. The plot builds up with emotional intensity, and the characters develop throughout the story to a point where they realize it is time to override the prejudices of society, a time to fight: “Because we love.” This is an immersive narrative with a tense plot and characters that swept me away. Brooke Skipstone’s exploration of character and her gift for atmospheric writing are elements that augment the entertainment quality of this emotive and engaging tale.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

The Straight Crimes by Matt Juhl is a brilliant romantic suspense novel that follows the relationship of teenagers Harper Jones and Nik Roberts. Harper is trying to start over. When she becomes the new kid in town and meets Nik, sparks fly and they fall in love. This sounds like your typical girl meets boy premise, but the thought-provoking twist is its man versus society conflict. Their heterosexual relationship is forbidden to blossom in a society where homosexual relationships have become the norm. This is alternate America where straight relationships are perceived as taboo and have become the new target of prejudice. Throughout her life, Harper had longed for stability, a place to belong, and someone to love her. Despite an uncertain future that their relationship faces, Harper and Nik will fight for each other.

The Straight Crimes not only delivers an entertaining read but also a powerful social message. Matt Juhl boldly writes about a sensitive hypothesis that will challenge your perception of gender bias. It is a heart-piercing tale that invites you to exercise empathy, by placing yourself in someone's shoes and gaining an insight into their experience. The narrative is fast-paced without making you feel rushed as it delicately balances how Harper settles into the rhythms of an alienating place in which she has found herself. In a world where Harper and Nik’s relationship does not fit societal patterns, you cannot help but feel happy and protective over them when you come to grips with the thought that they live in a world that could possibly come true. The Straight Crimes is a highly-recommended read for the challenge that it poses to society to make a stand not only on its position about gender bias, but about drug addiction, bullying, mental abuse, and other contemporary social problems.

Reviewed by Soumya Sreehari for Readers' Favorite

Denny is shy and introverted, qualities that do not fare well in the dating scene. She is also hard-working, kind-hearted, and fun to be with. She lives a contented life, with a steady job and a cozy family. Out of the blue, a text message from a wrong number sparks a series of life-changing events for her. Eliza is an extroverted and bubbly woman. She is looking for a deep and fulfilling relationship and struggling to find it through dating. A text message she meant to send her friend asking for outfit advice lands in Denny’s phone and there begins an unusual story. Could she find the deep connection she is looking for with a woman? That is the crux of Jae’s story in Wrong Number, Right Woman.

Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae is a heart-warming love story of two women. Denny and Eliza struggle with dating for different reasons. When fate brings them together, they find that they make a perfect match. What does that mean to each of them? Eliza has never dated women before. How does she reconcile her feelings for Denny? Denny knows what she feels is real but must also empathize with Eliza’s conflicting feelings. Their journey of discovery is a story of warmth and acceptance. I greatly liked the premise, the setting, and the whole cast of characters. In addition to Denny and Eliza, all the other characters are also relatable. The book left me with a warm feeling in the end. Pick it up for a relaxing read over a weekend.