Pages & Pothos

Official Summary:

Torian Razner finally bought a starship, and contrary to Amelia’s assessment, it was not “a meteoric sign of stupidity.” Sure, the alien starship may have been abandoned for a century, and it may be covered in moss now… but it’s Torian’s ticket to freedom, regardless of what her ex… ah, captain… said. Except Torian’s first flight reveals a surprise passenger: the moss is actually an organic computer with a snarky attitude and serious abandonment issues. The target of its loathing? The immortal alien who built it (and then parked the starship, with Moss inside, and forgot about it). The same alien who just found Torian and accused her of “stealing” the ship. It’s entirely possible that Amelia was right about this meteoric stupidity.

My Thoughts:

Torian just bought the only spaceship she could afford so she can visit humans' only terraformed planet, in hopes of moving her ill sister there. Moss, the sentient moss that covers most of the interior of the ship, is excited to finally be leaving the space station on which it was abandoned. Okay, maybe it wants to find its former owner so it can toss him out of the airlock, too. 

Torian is a great main character: she's kind, optimistic, and she has a goal that makes her easy to root for. Moss is hilarious; I was expecting it to be sweet or maybe even a mentor-like guide for Torian. Instead, it's a little bit of a jerk, but in a seriously charming and funny way. In the author notes, Rebecca Thorne says that Murderbot inspired Moss, and I think that definitely comes through. Like Torian, Moss has its own goals (besides throwing its former owner out the airlock), and the two work together to ensure they can both accomplish them. 

There are multiple queer romances in this book; the one that gets the most focus is a Sapphic romance between Torian and Amelia, a woman with whom she's had a complicated relationship. The two have a lot of tension over things that have happened between them, but it's clear that they both still have strong feelings for each other. I'm really looking forward to seeing how their romance continues to develop in future books in this series. I already adore their dynamic! 

The biggest relationship in this book is the friendship between Torian and Moss. It is the heart of the Found Family that develops between them and a unique cast of new friends that they meet along their journey. The book has so many queer and misfit characters! I truly fell in love with every one of these, and I can't wait to see how they grow over the series. 

This is very much a cozy sci-fi, but it does have stakes, and there is even a small space mystery. This is one of my favorite parts of this author's cozy books: there's just enough intrigue, long-term plot, and character motivations that keep the pace from feeling slow or meandering. 

One final thing I have to mention is that if you, like me, love and keep houseplants, there are some scenes in this that you will love. Moss' disdain for the potted plants on its ship and its recounting of their thoughts and complaints are so funny. This whole book felt like it was meant for those of us who love taking care of plants and then curling up to read a good book. 

This is the kind of book that will leave you smiling every time you pick it up. It's a feel-good story with humor and hope. This is my favorite kind of cozy fantasy/science fiction, and I am genuinely excited for the next book in this series!

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗 (4.5/5 stars)

Pages: 352 (Kindle Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Science Fiction, Cozy Sci-Fi, Queer, Sapphic, Slow Burn

Contains Depictions Of: Classism, Abandonment, Chronic Illness

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound | RebeccaThorne.net

Moss'd in Space will be released on June 30, 2026, and is available for pre-order!

I received an advanced copy of this book for free, thanks to Netgalley , Macmillan, and Bramble. The above are my honest feelings about the provided book.

Official Summary:

When a fierce rivalry between two professional wrestlers heats up beneath the spotlight, neither man can fight the attraction burning between them, in this steamy sports romance. From death-defying stunts to campy character gimmicks, everything in the world of professional wrestling is an act. Asher Ross’s hatred for Caleb Knight, however, is not. When Asher finally gets drafted to Global Elite Wrestling’s main roster and is thrown into a feud with Caleb for the World Championship title, he’s hell-bent on making Caleb’s life a living nightmare. But as both men trade barbs and blows across arenas, they’re each surprised to find their chemistry is so electric, it can’t be just for show. Through rehearsals, training sessions, and injuries, Caleb’s icy walls begin to thaw, revealing the real man hidden behind the cruel person GEW has molded him into. An unlikely truce blossoms into feelings neither want to deny, but, set in old ways, the company won’t let them be seen as anything more than bitter rivals, both in and out of the ring. With the risk of their forbidden romance upending their lifelong dreams, Asher and Caleb grapple with what they truly want in an industry known to erase queerness from its history, and square up against the hardest challenge yet: how much of their hearts they are prepared to give up, and if they are willing to fight to leave a legacy of their own.

My Thoughts:

Note: I read an earlier ARC of this late last year. This is now being published independently, with a new cover. My review is an updated version of my earlier review, which you can find here!

I rarely reread books. Of the hundreds of books I've read over my life, I think I've reread maybe 10 or so. I have a long list of books I would like to reread, but I'm always getting too distracted by new books to make time for rereading. I say this because as soon as I saw that Hold Me Like A Grudge was finally (finally!!) being released, I knew I was going to be reading this again as soon as I got the chance! I loved it so much the first time I read it, and I was excited to get to experience it again!

This is a sports romance about two wrestlers. Asher, a rookie, and Caleb, the current belt-holder. Asher and Caleb are paired for a storyline where they will be rivals. This is easy at first since Asher holds a serious grudge against Caleb, but it gets a lot more complicated as they get to know each other. As they grow closer, they have to grapple with restrictive rules that could decide the fate of their relationship and determine whether they stay stars in their sport.

The characters in this are excellent. Asher admired Caleb for years (he had a poster of him above his bed!), but a bad first meeting soured his feelings toward his former hero. Asher is lovable, and as an up-and-comer in the wrestling world, he is so easy to root for. His relationship with his parents and friends is so sweet, and he's incredibly charming and kind. As the son of Singaporean immigrants, Asher also feels like he has a lot to prove to the fans and decision-makers of his sport. He is determined to be a champion and a role model for kids like him.

Caleb is equally lovable. He's the sort of wounded soul that made me want to protect his fictional heart from all the fictional hardships he's going through. He's closeted with estranged parents, and he has almost no friends. He's desperately lonely, and he uses his Ice Prince persona in the wrestling ring as a way to keep everyone at a distance. I loved him from his first POV chapter and just knew this man was going to make me cry my eyes out.

The supporting cast is just as enjoyable and is wonderfully diverse. A great Found Family dynamic develops between Asher and Caleb's fellow wrestlers. I always love the Found Family trope, but this one felt especially meaningful due to Caleb's history.

The romance is full of so much tension. There's the enemies-to-lovers dynamic, of course, but these two are so intrigued with each other from the beginning. Every interaction they have is delicious! The relationship only becomes more interesting, heated, complex, and emotional as it progresses. I was hooked and could not get enough of it the entire time!

Rereading this made me notice a few things that I think could have been improved with more editing, but I still love this book. I cried so much when I first read this, and I found myself getting teary-eyed the second time around, too. I got so emotionally invested in this story both times I read it!

I recommend this to anyone who loves good M/M romances, especially sports romances. I know every new Achillean romance is pitched "for fans of Heated Rivalry" these days, but it really is a great comp for this book. If you're missing Shane and Iliya, give this a read while you wait for season two and Unrivaled; I think you will love Asher and Caleb!

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗 (4.5/5 stars)

Pages: 332 (Kindle Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Queer, Achillean, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance, Enemies-to-Lovers, Found Family, Bisexual Main Character

Contains Depictions Of: Blood, Injuries, Homophobia, Panic Attack

Other Notes: This will be available on Kindle Unlimited on the release date!

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound | WriteWithCel.com

Hold Me Like A Grudge will be released on June 30, 2026, and is available for pre-order!

I received an advanced copy of this book for free, thanks to NetGalley and Solaire Press. The above are my honest feelings about the book provided..

Official Summary:

Having someone else support your bad decision feels kind of good. After volunteering to run a rescue mission, Murderbot realizes that it will have to spend significant time with a bunch of humans it doesn't know. Including human children. Ugh. This may well call for… eye contact! (Emotion check: Oh, for f—)

My Thoughts:

This latest entry in The Murderbot Diaries begins with Murderbot and Three at the start of a new mission. We're not certain what the two are up to at first, but all becomes clear once Murderbot goes off on its own to finish their plan.

Its mission involves rescuing a group of humans who are related to Dr. Mensah. Once it finds them, the group is pushed into another rescue mission before they can all get back to safety.

I loved everything about this newest addition to one of my favorite series. Murderbot is especially lovable in this novella. I love seeing it working on communicating and processing its feelings. I also loved seeing it interact with the kids in the group!

There are some developments in this that I'm really looking forward to seeing how they affect things in the future. I also adored the setting and thought it was one of the most interesting areas we've explored in the series thus far.

This novella's plot is fast-paced and exciting, and I got attached to the new characters so quickly. Murderbot continues to be one of my absolute favorite fictional characters ever, and this installment gives it so many great moments. Network Effect remains my favorite book in the series, but this one is now pretty high on my list of favorites! I loved every second of it!

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 (5/5 stars)

Pages: 242 (Hardcover Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Science Fiction, Novella, Series

Contains Depictions Of: Violence, Death, Gun Violence

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound | MarthaWells.com

Yes, we want to make it to $80K, but more than that, we want to make sure that there are even more queer books available to even more people across the country. 

Official Summary:

A not-so-evil villain strikes a deal with a not-quite-perfect hero to fake a feud, boost their reputations . . . and try not to fall in love in the process—in this hilarious, tender, sexy, and outrageously fun romp that blends the humor of Assistant to the Villain with the unforgettable romance of Heated Rivalry and the cozy fantasy vibes of Legends & Lattes. Fake nemeses. It’s a dastardly plan that can’t go wrong… until love crashes the act. Nobody is more surprised than Cyrus to learn that he’s no longer considered the greatest villain in the land of Athaca. Sure, he’s lying about the fact that his magical power is making flowers grow. And maybe lately he’s spent more time embroidering pillowcases than tormenting the locals. But that doesn’t mean he’s ready to be yesterday’s evil news. Enter the hero Maximillian: the realm’s golden boy, complete with a blinding smile, chiseled abs, and an infuriating habit of spreading hope and joy. (Gross.) If Cyrus wants to be taken seriously, he’ll have to take this guy down. But Maximillian isn’t quite as perfect as he seems. When he proposes a scheme to fake an epic rivalry and increase their fame, Cyrus can’t resist. Stage the battles, soak up the spotlight, share the spoils—it’s a villainously good marketing plan. There’s just one hitch. Pretending to hate your nemesis becomes a lot harder when you start falling for them instead.

My Thoughts:

Nemesis Mine is set in a medieval-ish fantasy world where some villages benefit from a Champion's protection, and others are under the control of the local Wrongdoer. Champions are gallant heroes who swoop in to rescue kittens from trees and save townspeople from harm. In return, they get sponsorships, power, and fame. Wrongdoers are foils for the heroes, and mostly just terrorize the peasants for laughs. Cyrus is his town's Wrongdoer, but he's not actually very good at it. Maximillian is his town's local hero, but he's mostly bored and starting to feel a little jaded about the whole thing. After a battle, the two start corresponding, and Maximillian has a proposal: what if they fake a rivalry to get good press for both of them? Surely, nothing could go wrong with this plan.

This is a genuinely fun, sweet, romantic, exciting, emotional, and surprising story that I enjoyed very much. The story starts by introducing us to Cyrus, Maximillian, and the world they inhabit. It takes some time for the two to interact, but once they do, the story goes from great to seriously addictive very quickly. I read the second half of this book in one day because I became so enthralled with both their ploy and their growing feelings for each other. I wasn't expecting this to be so action-packed and to have multiple big, dramatic moments, so I was thrilled by how exciting the plot was.

Cyrus might be a Wrongdoer, and Maximillian may be a hero, but neither character is the one-dimensional archetype their world cast them as. Cyrus is actually delightful, and so funny! Meanwhile, the villagers would be scandalized if they knew the real, flawed person behind the hero they idolize. It sets up a dynamic where the two are perfect for each other. In a system that doesn't allow much nuance, these two recognize and understand each other in a way no one else can. It leads to such a wonderful Enemies-to-Allies-to-Lovers journey.

Every stage of their relationship is captivating: their first big battle, the early conversations as they work out their plan, their staged fights, and every exciting moment after. I genuinely enjoyed every moment of this book, but especially the moments that focused on these two!

I recommend this most to those who love the Enemies-to-Lovers trope and queer romantasy. This starts funny and lighthearted, but it grows more emotional as the story progresses. Because of this, I think that readers who love both humorous romantasy (like Bromantasy by Máire Roche or Yield Under Great Persuasion by Alexandra Rowland) and more intense romantasy (especially books like Our Rogue Fates by Sarah Glenn Marsh or Shoestring Theory by Mariana Costa) will enjoy this most.

I truly loved this, and I'm looking forward to more from Amy Archer in the future. 2026 is producing so many great queer romance and romantasy novels. Since these are my two favorite genres, I'm having the best reading year of my life! I've already read so many great 5-star books, and this is another new favorite. This struck a perfect balance between funny and emotional, and it surprised and thrilled me with the directions it took. The ending is very satisfying, but I'm going to be keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel. I'd love to see more of Cyrus and Max, and learn more about how they deal with the events of this book!

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 (5/5 stars)

Pages: 432 (Kindle Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Queer, Achillean, Rom-Com, Romantasy, Enemies to Lovers, Slow Burn, Touch Him And Die, Secret Relationship, Us vs. The World

Contains Depictions Of: Violence, Injuries, Deaths

Other Notes: I love the US cover (pictured above), but be sure to check out the stunning UK cover!

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound | Author's Instagram

Nemesis Mine will be released on June 23, 2026, and is available for pre-order!

I received an advanced copy of this book for free, thanks to Netgalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager. The above are my honest feelings about the provided book.

This is so deeply surreal to share, but Desperate Hollow, the queer romance western that I've been working on for the last eight years, is finally going to be something you can actually read. I'm trying a totally new-to-me thing - releasing it chapter by chapter on the @atypicalartists Patreon. Sign up for free now to read the first five chapters (which will be available for everyone) as they come out!

But more importantly, LOOK AT THIS ART BY NOAH DAO!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!! THEY'RE SO GORGEOUS!!!

If you don't see this art and immediately want to know who these men are, you are a stronger person than I but also I should tell you a bit about the story.

Seven years after a near-fatal argument, two former friends and outlaws find themselves face to face once again, forced to work together to hide from the law and confront their complicated feelings in the process. 

It's friends-to-enemies-to-lovers. It's second chance except the first chance ended in bloodshed. It's guard dog character vs. guy who didn't ask to hold his leash character. It's one bed. It's presumed dead. It's would-kill-for-you/would-die-for-you except that actually really sort of happens.

It's probably my favorite thing that I've ever written. And I can't WAIT to share it with you on my own terms.

Illustration by Liam Eisenberg. Art direction by James Iacobelli.

Synopsis:

From the nationally bestselling author of Chef's Kiss and A Lady for All Seasons, a COVID-conscious trans romance in which a cryptid hunter searching for a mythical lake monster finds love with a grumpy skeptic. Twenty-something Nathan Camber is fresh out of both grad school and ideas on what to do next. Dealing with a dire job market is hard enough as a gay neurodivergent man—so he doesn’t. Instead, he decides to pursue his lifelong hyperfixation: cryptids. Leaving the city behind for the rugged, pine-scented landscape of upstate New York, Nathan sets his sights on the Salamander Man, a Nessie-like local legend with none of the Loch Ness clout. (Start small, his therapist always tells him!) But Nathan’s new fifty-something landlord, Mack, is a grumpy, grizzled, handsome skeptic who wants to protect his peaceful isolation and hard-earned safety deep in the woods. Nathan refuses to settle for a lackluster, normie life, though, and convinces the stoic recluse to help him find the creature. As the hunt (and their growing attraction) heats up, Nathan and Mack realize there’s more than one mystery to uncover in the lake. But if the secrets they’re keeping from each other come to light, they might both get dragged under. Kinky hijinks and monstrous mayhem abound in this queer, trans love story for our bizarre modern age.

Preorder at your local shop or retailer of choice.

This Bookshop link gives me a tiny bit of $.

You can also order a signed, personalized copy from my local nonprofit bookstore Word Up Community Bookshop.

We’ve raised just over $100 to split between our two chosen charities – the Queer Liberation Library and the Transgender Law Center. We’ve got 10 days left before the end of June to try to up that amount so we can get your help helping others even more. So – have you heard about our Pride Bundles for Charity yet?

The General Imprint Bundle costs $25 USD (60% off normal!). 40% of this sales price will be divided equally between the two charities. This bundle contains 25 stories, which combine to a length of 381 pages or 130,140 words!

The Explicit Imprint Bundle costs $15 USD (60% off normal!). 44% of this sales price will be divided equally between the two charities. This bundle contains 15 stories, which combine to a length of 237 pages or 80,768 words!

The Art Bundle costs $10 USD (66% off normal!). 24% of this sales price will be divided equally between the two charities. This bundle contains 10 artworks, a whopping 247 mb of art!

How This Works

You buy one or both bundles between now and June 30th, 2026.

We tally up all the proceeds earned and do some math-e-magic to figure out how much we’re donating!

Before the end of July, we divide our total raised amount in half and donate equal amounts to the Queer Liberation Library and the Transgender Law Center. (note: I’ll be making a preliminary donation to QLL on June 30th, to ensure our donation counts toward their June fundraiser.)

We post the proof that we’ve made the donation (you can see past proof here, here, and here.)

You get fantastic stories and art!

We all get that happy, glowy feeling of knowing that money has been well-spent on fantastic causes!

About Our Selected Charities

Note: These charities are not affiliated with the Press, do not know we’re doing this fundraiser, have not endorsed this in anyway and are, as such, utterly uninvolved in this beyond being the beneficiaries of our efforts! Text is from their webpages.

The Queer Liberation Library: “Queer Liberation Library (QLL) is fighting to build a vibrant, flourishing queer future by connecting LGBTQ+ people with literature, information, and resources that celebrate the unique and empowering diversity of our community.”

The Transgender Law Center: “Transgender Law Center is the largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people. Since 2002 we’ve been organizing, assisting, informing and empowering thousands of individual community members towards a long-term, national, trans-led movement for liberation.”