Fans of beautifully written, character-driven mysteries à la Jane Harper and Tana French, take note: Real Easy just might become your new favorite.
The story is about Jonathan Morgan, a young gay man who stows away on an Antarctic expedition in search of his true identity and place in the world. Throughout the series, Lepionka juggles complex plotting with layered character development, anchored by Weary, who is bi, navigates a complex romantic life, and wears a tough exterior over a flawed and vulnerable interior.
They work together to unwind the mystery, which has the ambiance of a Graham Greene novel, the twists and turns of an Agatha Christie tale, and an ending with lasting emotional resonance. She takes a position working for the wealthy and secretive Verdeau family, not realizing the true nature of their business and lifestyle.
I appreciated this book in the way it explored the theme of addiction.
(Ilana Wexler air-quotes around “happy,” of course.) As a bisexual writer, I hope I’m not alone in feeling bummed about the rollback of LGBTQ+ rights. In it, we meet Alfie and his twin daughters, who are currently suffering the sudden loss of their mother, Pippa, who died nine months ago.
Alfie isn't immediately concerned about his girls' new imaginary friend, as he assumes it's their coping mechanism; but everything begins to change when they wake him up one night claiming “Daddy, there's a man in our room.”
He initially assumes its a nightmare, but the girls begin setting a place for him at the table, whispering to him, saying he's going to take them away…
Alfie asks Pippa's sister, Julia, a psychiatrist, for help.
They all have their secrets, fears, and regrets.
Kai Ailana( Queer Literature and Pop Culture Expert )
Diving into the kaleidoscope of queer stories, amplifying LGBTQ+ authors one narrative at a time.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, my fascination with our collective stories has always been boundless. Poppy Z. Brite’s work is not for the faint of heart or those seeking a lighthearted read.
Oliver Park has everything that should make him happy: his partner, Nathan, a handsome, attentive, and wealthy trauma surgeon; a sprawling townhouse in Washington, D.C.; and, after years of struggling with addiction, his sobriety. Lucky for us, they do. (Sound familiar?) Uber-wealthy gay couple Mason and Yunho are protected from it all, though, and so confident in their safety that they barrel ahead with an over-the-top baby shower even as an apocalyptic event hits their hometown.
The protagonist, Joel Whitley, is a gay man who left the town a decade ago but returned when his brother, Dylan, a popular high school quarterback, goes missing.
One of the things that stood out to me was how the book portrays homophobia, racism, and abuse in a grimly realistic view. This gorgeously written, suspenseful whodunit is about a strip club in the ‘90s where dancers begin to disappear, and beneath the drum-tight plot is a thoughtful examination of safety, femininity, and the roles women play—with a poignant F/F storyline about two dancers falling in love.
Herren imbues the novel with rich details about the town and its multilayered history. Osworth
I was excited to dive into A.E. Osworth’s novel; We Are Watching Eliza Bright. Audible is a great platform for listening to audiobooks because it offers a wide selection of books, including bestsellers and exclusive content.
I also appreciated how the author depicted the relationship between Jonathan and James Randall, his hero and the expedition’s leader. (Not every story with a queer protagonist needs to be about homophobia and/or their coming-out).