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Lou Grande (148 KP) rated Radiator 2 in Video Games
May 28, 2018
Radiator 2 consists of three mini-games by Robert Yang: Hurt Me Plenty, Succulent, and Stick Shift). All three are gay in nature. In "Hurt Me Plenty," you play a faceless hand that spanks a gentleman. This game is pretty neat in that it has strong messages about consent, limits, and aftercare. You shake your "date's" hand until an agreement is reached via symbols, and you go to town. Afterwards, you provide a comforting touch to his shoulder.
In "Succulent," you guide a nice fellow as he deepthroats a popsicle. You win when it melts! (We all do.)
"Stick Shift" was my favorite game. You "stimulate" a car by shifting gears. The face of the driver is hilarious. The aim of the game is to get the car into its final gear, but it's tricky. The further you go, the easier it is to stall out. If you stall out enough, you get pulled over. If you get pulled over, you are automatically locked out of the game for ten minutes--unless you make kissy-faces at the cops, which I did. Each kiss adds ten minutes to your lock-out. I think I still have like, two hours left before I can play again. The same thing can happen in "Hurt Me Plenty" if you hit your partner too much or after he says his safe word.
These games are amusing, but they're not meant to have long term playability. It's a free game, so it's not as though you're not getting what you paid for.
In "Succulent," you guide a nice fellow as he deepthroats a popsicle. You win when it melts! (We all do.)
"Stick Shift" was my favorite game. You "stimulate" a car by shifting gears. The face of the driver is hilarious. The aim of the game is to get the car into its final gear, but it's tricky. The further you go, the easier it is to stall out. If you stall out enough, you get pulled over. If you get pulled over, you are automatically locked out of the game for ten minutes--unless you make kissy-faces at the cops, which I did. Each kiss adds ten minutes to your lock-out. I think I still have like, two hours left before I can play again. The same thing can happen in "Hurt Me Plenty" if you hit your partner too much or after he says his safe word.
These games are amusing, but they're not meant to have long term playability. It's a free game, so it's not as though you're not getting what you paid for.
ClareR (5854 KP) rated The Great Believers in Books
Aug 27, 2018
A truly touching depiction of the AIDS epidemic.
I loved this, really loved it. It’s one of those books where you turn the last page and there’s that empty feeling, knowing that there’s no more of it to read.
There are two timelines: the mid-1980s and the emergence and devastation of the AIDS epidemic amongst a group of gay friends; 2015, and one of the characters from the 1980s is travelling to Paris to try and find her estranged daughter. She meets up with one of the characters who was also in Chicago in the 80s.
This is such a heart breaking story, particularly the earlier timeline. The panic, disbelief and sorrow of the men as they and their friends contract AIDS (such was the speed of their deaths after they found out they had the virus, I can’t remember there being any mention of HIV) was described so well, and Fiona, who is in both timelines, was there for those who needed her starting with her own brother. That seemed like such a huge responsibility to me, and she’s such a strong character: we do see the repercussions of those years though, in 2015.
This is definitely a book to read with a box of tissues to hand, but it’s worth every tear. I can see this being one of my favourite books of the year.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this. And yes, it’s a completely honest review!
There are two timelines: the mid-1980s and the emergence and devastation of the AIDS epidemic amongst a group of gay friends; 2015, and one of the characters from the 1980s is travelling to Paris to try and find her estranged daughter. She meets up with one of the characters who was also in Chicago in the 80s.
This is such a heart breaking story, particularly the earlier timeline. The panic, disbelief and sorrow of the men as they and their friends contract AIDS (such was the speed of their deaths after they found out they had the virus, I can’t remember there being any mention of HIV) was described so well, and Fiona, who is in both timelines, was there for those who needed her starting with her own brother. That seemed like such a huge responsibility to me, and she’s such a strong character: we do see the repercussions of those years though, in 2015.
This is definitely a book to read with a box of tissues to hand, but it’s worth every tear. I can see this being one of my favourite books of the year.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this. And yes, it’s a completely honest review!
Merissa (12699 KP) rated Staying Home (The Call of Home #3) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Staying Home is the third book in The Call of Home series, and we meet Sam Carmichael, the Reverend for the local Church of Scotland. He is gay, but keeps it to himself. He has become friendly with Tosh, whose husband was murdered in the previous book. Darach, partner to Brice, is an ex of Tosh's and also had 'liaisons' with Sam when they were a lot younger, so he worries that Sam is using Tosh and does his best to stick his oar in!
Sam and Tosh both have different things to work through. Sam in particular has a little bombshell that he has been keeping to himself. I thought that this part of the book was extremely well written, with honesty but without any overdramatisations. With everything that these two go through, you hope for a happy ending, but you're not completely sure you're going to get one.
One thing I will just say (without saying too much) is that Sam and Tosh did something when they were away that I had been hoping for! It brought tears to my eyes, and I loved every moment of that scene.
Very well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt your reading flow, I would recommend you read the previous two books before starting this one.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sam and Tosh both have different things to work through. Sam in particular has a little bombshell that he has been keeping to himself. I thought that this part of the book was extremely well written, with honesty but without any overdramatisations. With everything that these two go through, you hope for a happy ending, but you're not completely sure you're going to get one.
One thing I will just say (without saying too much) is that Sam and Tosh did something when they were away that I had been hoping for! It brought tears to my eyes, and I loved every moment of that scene.
Very well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt your reading flow, I would recommend you read the previous two books before starting this one.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Debbiereadsbook (1413 KP) rated His Temptation (Unexpected Love #1) in Books
Apr 11, 2020
good, but not one for me!
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted my copy of this book.
*insert sigh*
I can't decide whether I actually liked this book, or not, and it's annoying me cos I can't figure out WHY!
The plot isn't a particularly original one, and you can see what's gonna happen coming at you like a freaking train wreck and you can't stop it. But I actually liked that, that I could see it all coming at me, for the most part, anyway.
Both guys have a say, in the first person. Each voice is very different, and clear, given their ages and upbringings. I liked that, again, for the most part. First person isn't my first choice of narrative though. However, I did feel more of a connection to Ryan, who is Cason's best friend and Emery's son, than to the two main characters!
It's hot and steamy in places, and sweet and funny and emotional in others. Everything comes across nicely, and is well written.
It just . . didn't float my boat! As to why? I can't pinpoint that fact and you all know how much that stresses me so, not being about to voice my book feelings!
Its GOOD, don't get me wrong, because it kept me engaged enough to finish, and trust me when I say, I would've dumped it if it hadn't. Just not one for me, I'm afraid.
3 good, but not brilliant, stars.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
*insert sigh*
I can't decide whether I actually liked this book, or not, and it's annoying me cos I can't figure out WHY!
The plot isn't a particularly original one, and you can see what's gonna happen coming at you like a freaking train wreck and you can't stop it. But I actually liked that, that I could see it all coming at me, for the most part, anyway.
Both guys have a say, in the first person. Each voice is very different, and clear, given their ages and upbringings. I liked that, again, for the most part. First person isn't my first choice of narrative though. However, I did feel more of a connection to Ryan, who is Cason's best friend and Emery's son, than to the two main characters!
It's hot and steamy in places, and sweet and funny and emotional in others. Everything comes across nicely, and is well written.
It just . . didn't float my boat! As to why? I can't pinpoint that fact and you all know how much that stresses me so, not being about to voice my book feelings!
Its GOOD, don't get me wrong, because it kept me engaged enough to finish, and trust me when I say, I would've dumped it if it hadn't. Just not one for me, I'm afraid.
3 good, but not brilliant, stars.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1413 KP) rated Snow One Like You (Snowed In - Valentine's Inc #9) in Books
Feb 13, 2020
LOVED this book!
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted a copy of this book.
Oh yeah, I LOVED this book! So much!
Angelo and Spencer have a great deal of . . .not hatred cos that is too strong a word, but they really dislike each other, with a passion. And it's that passion that spills things over into something much more, something neither of them dreamed of.
So much passion, from these two, it burned the page! While what they say to themselves is hatred of the other, deep down, they both know that there is something more between them and getting stuck in a snow storm together is the time to let it all out, and just FEEL, you know?? So much the feels!
I loved the speed at which these guys fell, once they admitted to themselves at least what they were actually feeling. Usually I don't but the whole book (bar the epilogue) takes place over a few days, some 125 pages, so for it to work, it has to be fast. I loved that they were all in.
Both guys have a say, in the first person, so we get it all from them both. How much Spencer riles Angelo up. How much Spencer gets a kick out of calling him Angel. How much what they both want from the other means to them. LOVED these guys, I really did!
Can't see that I've read anything else by this author, and now I want more!
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Oh yeah, I LOVED this book! So much!
Angelo and Spencer have a great deal of . . .not hatred cos that is too strong a word, but they really dislike each other, with a passion. And it's that passion that spills things over into something much more, something neither of them dreamed of.
So much passion, from these two, it burned the page! While what they say to themselves is hatred of the other, deep down, they both know that there is something more between them and getting stuck in a snow storm together is the time to let it all out, and just FEEL, you know?? So much the feels!
I loved the speed at which these guys fell, once they admitted to themselves at least what they were actually feeling. Usually I don't but the whole book (bar the epilogue) takes place over a few days, some 125 pages, so for it to work, it has to be fast. I loved that they were all in.
Both guys have a say, in the first person, so we get it all from them both. How much Spencer riles Angelo up. How much Spencer gets a kick out of calling him Angel. How much what they both want from the other means to them. LOVED these guys, I really did!
Can't see that I've read anything else by this author, and now I want more!
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in Books
Feb 14, 2020
I got this because I saw the film was out on DVD and I like to read the books before I see the film.
So, this centres around 16 year old Simon who's in the closet, scared to come out to his friends and family. He's instead having an email conversation with someone else from his school - someone whose identity he doesn't know - sharing tales of his life while starting to fall for this someone.
I actually really enjoyed this from the first page. I was drawn into the drama as Simon is pretty much blackmailed by a fellow pupil into helping him get a date with one of Simon's friends. Things escalate and don't go great in the end and I really felt for Simon. Kids can be so cruel to each other and over stupid things that shouldn't matter.
I just fell in love with this group of friends. I loved how protective they could all be of each other and then when Simon and his crush/Blue finally got around to meeting each other...I was smiling like a lunatic. It was so cute. I fell in love with them even more. There was just something so believable about this group. Crushes, friendships, parents.
I cannot write a truly fitting review of this book but if you like young adult books with gay characters or just a sweet romance, then you really should give this book a read.
I definitely feel like I need to read more books by Becky Albertalli now, if they're anything like this one
So, this centres around 16 year old Simon who's in the closet, scared to come out to his friends and family. He's instead having an email conversation with someone else from his school - someone whose identity he doesn't know - sharing tales of his life while starting to fall for this someone.
I actually really enjoyed this from the first page. I was drawn into the drama as Simon is pretty much blackmailed by a fellow pupil into helping him get a date with one of Simon's friends. Things escalate and don't go great in the end and I really felt for Simon. Kids can be so cruel to each other and over stupid things that shouldn't matter.
I just fell in love with this group of friends. I loved how protective they could all be of each other and then when Simon and his crush/Blue finally got around to meeting each other...I was smiling like a lunatic. It was so cute. I fell in love with them even more. There was just something so believable about this group. Crushes, friendships, parents.
I cannot write a truly fitting review of this book but if you like young adult books with gay characters or just a sweet romance, then you really should give this book a read.
I definitely feel like I need to read more books by Becky Albertalli now, if they're anything like this one
Philomena: (Film Tie-in Edition)
8.0
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Fatal Glamour: The Life of Rupert Brooke
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