Archive | May, 2025

Demisexual Love Stories: Manic Pixie Dream Earl and Two for Tea

28 May

Manic Pixie Dream Earl
by Jenny Holiday
Jenny Holiday’s latest romance is the second in her Earls Trip series which focuses on a group of close friends and their annual travels. I missed the previous book, which focused on Archibald Fielding-Burton, the Earl of Harcourt aka Archie. Now though is the perfect time to borrow it since Hoopla is offering it as part of its end of May Bonus Borrows; from now till the end of May you can borrow Earls Trip and a variety of other items without having them count towards your monthly Hoopla checkouts! Manic Pixie Dream Earl focuses on Archie’s flamboyant bff Effie. You do not have to have read the previous novel to enjoy this story or understand the dynamics between the various characters. I enjoyed that the story was as much about strong friendships as it was about romance. Effie’s is depicted as being demisexual, only attracted to those he has a strong long term connection with. He has developed feelings for Julianna, the editor of a Women’s Magazine, he frequently writes poetry and other pieces for. When she shows up at the seaside destination where she thinks her correspondent Euphemia is staying with friends, she is shocked to learn that Effie is actually a man. The pair also are divided by age and class so despite their deep feelings towards one another they still have a number of challenges. Julianna is also hesitant to marry because of past experiences and Effie is coming to terms with childhood physical abuse. Despite the fact that the novel focuses on some deeper issues there is also a lot of light hearted humorous moments. This a historical romance for those with modern sensibilities; fans of Bridgerton should swoon.

Two for Tea: Welcome to Azathé
by C.M. Nascosta
Two for Tea is the fourth in the Cambric Creek series by C.M. Nascosta which are set in town populated by witches and mythological creatures looking for love. I hadn’t read any of the other books in the series and did not feel like it effected my enjoyment or understanding of the world. In Two for Tea the main character Harper is a goth girl dealing with depression triggered by the death of a beloved family member. She is just looking for a quiet place when she discovers the Azathé Tea Room, but soon she makes a connection with the mysterious proprietor who is literally made of shadows. Like Effie, Harper is written as a demisexual character who is more attracted to the personality of her shadow love than their physical being. Despite the shadow nature of Azathé there are still two fairly steamy scenes towards the end of the story. Love however is not the only thing that helps Harper overcome her depression, therapy and also some antidepressant from the local healer are also realistically shown as being important in her mental health journey. I enjoyed the audiobook; Rachel LeBlang does a great job of bringing Harper and the other characters’ voices to life.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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Deliciously Delightful Foodie Fiction set in New York: Aftertaste and Food Person

21 May

Aftertaste
by Daria Lavelle
Aftertaste is an intriguing novel that will appeal to fans of foodie literary fiction and dark fantasy. If it were a restaurant it would be a mysterious fusion place which merges dishes in unique and delightful, but challenging ways. The story focuses on Konstantin Duhovny, whose childhood was defined by his family’s immigration to the United States from Soviet Ukraine and his father’s early death. Duhovny has a unique ability, clairgustance, which allows him to taste the foods that are most emblematic of unseen spirits. He is warned against interacting with these “Hungry Ghosts” by a beautiful young psychic, Maura, who he meets at a rave event, but Duhovny is spurred on by his desire to have closure with his father and works his way up the line at Micheline star restaurant in order to learn to recreate the dishes that linger on his tongue. Maura is also working through her own loss, her sister who committed suicide. There are many twists and turns and the story will keep you guessing till the very end. The books conclusion is satisfying and hopeful, if not a completely happy ending.

Food Person
by Adam Roberts
Food Person is like merging Top Chef with Entertainment Tonight, it gives a fictionalized insight into the world of cookbook writing something the author is familiar with from his past nonfictions works. There is a gossipy element to the novel which name drops famous chefs both for their culinary feats as well as their social mistakes. It is the literary equivalent of a juicy hamburger at the new celebrity hot spot. The story centers on Isabelle, who feels a bit adrift after being fired from her job. She has allowed a domineering mother and catty best friend make her feel unworthy. Working as a ghostwriter with a party girl former child star, Molly, seems like an ill fit at first but the story finds Isabelle finding her way towards being not only a successful author, but also more confidence in herself. I wasn’t expecting the dramatic moment that happened towards the later half of the story, but I liked seeing how it leads to Isabelle working through her judgmental attitude towards Molly and how Molly also works through her own self-absorption. I also enjoyed the sweet romance that develops between Isabelle and a sous chef at an up and coming restaurant.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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