Spectral's Selections

June 1, 2026: Travelers' Tales

Happy Pride Month! 

I was going to pick my favorite Pride-related stories for this month, then I decided you are going to have no trouble finding those stories. I might even offer a few of my own. 

The travelers in these tales are restless. They don’t know how to settle down, nor do they think they want to. They haven’t stopped moving for some time. Then they meet someone who makes them reconsider. 

Coming up with themes and ways stories are connected isn’t always easy or obvious. But somehow, these three stories fell together immediately.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

The June Fic Recs

1 Corinthians 13 1-13 by ffinoppop  @ffonippop

Rated: M

Published: February 2024, 21K words, 1/1 chapters

Summary: Restless traveler, Aziraphale Fell, meets settled-down Anthony Crowley in middle-of-nowhere, Texas. Aziraphale goes through life flitting from place to place, never staying long. He runs on the belief that if he’s not going, he’s missing out on something better. Crowley’s life is stationary. He keeps himself rooted with the belief that his life is the best it’s ever going to get, and to go would be to risk that. Aziraphale has to go. Crowley has to stay. They have to take what they can get from each other, and that needs to be enough.

My Take: I’ve read this story at least three times now. Each time I get a little more from it. The central question here is, what do you do when you are terribly in love and yet that isn’t enough to make you change who you believe you are at your core? Can one person ever be enough to make you give up everything else? Should they be? It’s something a lot of us have struggled with. It’s very well done, heartbreaking, and the ending makes more sense than you might expect. 

Adaptive Innovations for a Changing World by amelia_airheart

@she-makes-things

Rated: E

Published: March 2024, 70K words, 22/22 chapters 

Summary: When Anthony Crowley meets Aziraphale Fell at Aziraphale's library, little do they know that they will turn each other's worlds upside down. After a magical week spent falling in love, they face a hard reality. Will they be able to make the choices they need to make to build a real life together?

My Take: I’ve read this one several times, too. Imagine my delight when I finally realized the author was my friend Thingy! It takes me a while sometimes. (Those of you who remember my story about my bday fic written by @brenna will understand.)

This story has so many great tropes: strangers to friends to lovers, long-distance relationship struggles, commitment issues, secrets, misunderstandings, jealousy. And of course my BIG requirement: a happy ending.

Here, the problem is Crowley can’t seem to stop moving, to settle into a relationship, to commit—even though it appears he wants to. It takes a while to find out why. When you do, be ready for a bit of heartbreak before the guaranteed happy ending. 

Buddy Boating by CuriousPupsicle @curiouspupsicle

Rated: M

Published: September 2025, 63.5K words, 21/21 chapters

Summary: Azira Fell is happy sailing solo and living aboard her sailboat, Meander, with her cat Oscar. Toni Crowley is happy sailing solo and living aboard her sailboat, Siren. What will happen when the two independent cruisers meet?

My Take: This is the femme Good Omens human AU you never knew you needed. Hell, until I beta’d it, I didn’t even know I needed it. But I did, and so do you.

CuriousPupsicle knows her boats (she lived aboard for years; don’t ask me about it, I’m not the expert) and makes you feel as if you are there when you read any of her sailing stories. This isn’t an adventure story like Anchored (also an excellent story, but much different). This is a lazy, slow, will-they-or-won’t-they summer romance, perfect for reading right about now. Other GO characters pop up (Tracy and Shadwell as long-time sailing friends, Gabriel as, well, Gabriel) and the whole thing feels like a comfort read the first time you read it. 

Okay, that's it for June. We'll be well into summer by the time I write my next set of fic recs. Maybe something about vacations? Or maybe something on the water? We'll see what floats my boat. (See what I did there? Yeah?)

I'm cross-posting this to my main blog for those who might be seeing this twice. Just so you know.

May 1, 2026: Book Omens

With the premiere of Season Three of Good Omens upon us in just twelve days (TWELVE DAYS!), I thought I would look back to a time when we hadn’t even seen Season One, when Aziraphale and Crowley were mere names on a page and not so closely associated with Michael Sheen and David Tennant. 

If you have never read the book (what, you haven't read the book?!), I encourage you to do so.

Here are four stories I consider Book Omens. There are plenty more, but these are ones I really enjoy and have read multiple times. 

I hope you enjoy them too.

The May Fic Recs 

Anthophilia by FortinbrasFTW 

Rated: M

Published: July 2014, 49.5K words

Author’s Summary: Anthony J. Crowley's life seems like it's finally falling into place: his floral shop has begun to gain an undercurrent of appreciation in the design elite of London, and he might have even finally found a boyfriend who looks just right lounging on his Tenreiro sofa. Things seem almost perfect, until one day the empty shop across the street is leased to frumpy fellow Oxford alumni, who doesn't seem to remember Crowley nearly as well as he remembers him, which really shouldn't bother him as much as it does - it was ten years ago after all, and it wasn't even that good of a kiss. My Take: I’ll start with a disclaimer—if you are a stickler for spelling, punctuation, and grammar, you might be annoyed as your read along. Hang in there. I have read this more than once. Maybe more than a half dozen times, but who’s counting? I found it to be such a lovely human AU, and one of the few written so early—2014. Things are revealed slowly, sweetly, and the ending is well worth the wait. BTW, an anthophile is a person who loves, admires, or is deeply fond of flowers, often drawn to their beauty, scents, and colors. Hence, the title. 

Except You Enthrall Me (orphan account)

Rated: M

Published: September 2019, 3758 words

Author’s Summary: The point is that old habits die hard, and when you’ve spent six thousand years repressing your feelings because your feelings are very dangerous for everyone involved, it turns out there’s not a switch that you can flip to make you wholeheartedly accept the tenderness that your beloved bastard angel offers you. or, "Tie Me Up and Tell Me I'm Important: The Anthony J. Crowley Story" My Take: I only read this story recently, and while the author doesn’t say this is a Book Omens story, I feel it absolutely is. The attitudes of both Aziraphale and Crowley are spot on for the book. Crowley’s guilt is high, as is his insistence that not only does he not know how to deal with his feelings for Aziraphale, he doesn't feel he as if he deserves to be treated so well. Aziraphale, on the other hand, is ready to share all of his feelings, and one or another, he's going to force Crowley to sit still and take it. It’s all in how you tie the knot, you see… 

It’s Funny Because Nobody Ever Says “Burkina Faso” by indieninja92 

Rated: G

Published: October 2021, 5K words

Author’s Summary: Aziraphale gets stuck in a time loop. The first Crowley knows about it is when the angel shows up at his flat one morning armed with knowledge he could only possibly have got from Crowley's previous self. My Take: The author writes that they “kind of pictured this as book boys while i was writing, but it certainly doesn’t have to be.” I humbly disagree. While it was written after Season One, this story relies heavily on Book!Aziraphale and Book!Crowley. Would either of the television versions ever smoke?  I have read this multiple times and it never fails to amuse me. It's funny and well written, and offers a take on Aziraphale and Crowley we don't often see. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Aid and Comfort by TurnSpitDog

Rated: T

Published: November 2023, 13K words

Author’s Summary: NOW IT IS TIME FOR QUESTIONS FROM OUR LISTENERS. TODAY WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM BYLETH, COMMANDER OF THE MEPHITIC LEGIONS. OH, IT’S A QUESTION FOR THE ANGEL. Crowley’s hands clenched on the steering wheel. BYLETH, COMMANDER OF THE MEPHITIC LEGIONS, WRITES, “CROWLEY IS A CRAVEN TRAITOR SO WE UNDERSTAND WHY HE ASSOCIATES WITH AN ANGEL. BUT WHAT’S IN IT FOR THE ANGEL? WHAT IS HE GETTING OUT OF THIS?” “That’s a good question,” said Aziraphale. Crowley glared at him. “No, it isn’t.” Cut off from access to Earth, the hosts of Hell find other ways to torment Crowley. Aziraphale provides a refuge. My Take: While this was written after Season Two was released, this fic is set shortly after the end of the book and is definitely a Book Omens story. In fact, the author says so! I’m cheating a little, because I already wrote a review for Aziraphale’s Hidden Gems and I’m going to use pretty much the same one here. (If you don’t know Hidden Gems, follow the link; you won’t be disappointed)  In this fic, Aziraphale and Crowley don’t live in each other’s pockets, and Aziraphale is actually rather snippy and somewhat protective of his private space. But when Crowley starts having a problem with Hell, Aziraphale immediately steps up to help him.   With funny, clever dialogue, we’re treated to multiple scenes showing how Hell is slowly driving Crowley mad, until all seems lost. But it's not. In the end, our angel and demon come to the conclusion that they are better off (and safer) together than apart. It's a very happily ever after of a different sort, and one I think you'll enjoy.

I know it's hard to believe, but by the time I write my June Fic Recs, we will be well past Season Three, hundreds (if not thousands) of new fics will have been written based on what we have learned, and we'll be in a completely new Good Omens era. Until then, I hope you enjoy reading these and many other fan fics. Don't forget to leave kudos and comments! See you on the other side of Season Three!

I'm cross-posting this to my main blog for those who might be seeing this twice. Just so you know.

April 1, 2026: And They Were Flatmates

No, this is not an April Fool's Day post. I honestly dislike April Fool's Day quite a bit. I wait it out and breathe a sigh of relief when it's over. Onward.

Forced Proximity is a great romance trope, and in my opinion, Good Omens fan fiction writers have taken off and run with it. I couldn't possibly list all of the great stories that use that particular trope here. I can't even list all of the great flatmates stories. Instead, I picked four of my favorites. I hope there is something here that is new to you!

The April Fic Recs

Hold Me, Don’t Hold Me Down by scullyphile  @brenna

Rated: M

Published: May 2025 23.5K words, 6/6 chapters

Author’s Summary: Aziraphale has always been a sex-positive asexual and aromantic, and he enjoys regular physical touch to ground himself. When his platonic snuggle partner and his flatmate get married and move away, Aziraphale needs to fill both spots in his life. Then he meets Crowley. Crowley is kind, funny, and so good at cuddling. It could be the friendship of Aziraphale's dreams or it could be more. Perhaps Aziraphale is demiromantic after all? My Take: First off, scullyphile wrote this story as a birthday gift for me, but believe me when I say that did not influence my recommendation one bit. How do I know? When I was coming up with this recommendation list, I wanted to include this story, but I couldn’t remember the title (a common problem). As I was describing it, scully told me the title. Then she told me she wrote it. She let me figure out for myself that she wrote it for me. I will never live down the embarrassment.  I remembered “Hold Me” because there is so much packed into these six chapters, from the lovely friendship Aziraphale and Crowley establish from the moment they meet to the budding romance on Crowley’s part to Aziraphale's very, very slow recognition that he, too, is catching feelings. Their friends see what is happening before either of them do. Obviously. Add in the fan fiction trope, a really funny scene involving noodles, and something about birdsong that I will always cherish, and you (nor I) really couldn’t ask for anything more. 

Life’s a Pitch by thisisshiny @thisisshiny

Rated: T

Published: February 2026, 20.5K words, 8/8 chapters

Author’s Summary: After more than twenty years in publishing, Aziraphale Fell finds himself redundant and desperate enough to try advertising. As a senior copywriter he's paired with Crowley, a cynical art director who's spent years in the agency coasting on talent and contempt. They shouldn't work together well – Aziraphale with his passion, his fountain pens, and faith in craft; Crowley with his irreverence, his sunglasses, and studied indifference. But somehow they do. My Take: The forced proximity trope is here all along, as these two work at an ad agency where the hours are brutal and the boss is Gabriel. (Draw your own conclusions.) But from the moment Aziraphale moves in with Crowley, it turns into a “they were flatmates” story, with all of the awkward, angsty, will they/won’t they moments you might expect. Because of one tiny misunderstanding, nobody is getting it right, and we wait… and wait… and wait for someone to make a move. Thank Someone that someone finally does. I loved this story from the first sentence. It’s the perfect example of how shiny spins a rom-com. You really can’t go wrong reading it. 

Group Chat: Flat 3B by whatkeepsusalive

Rated: T

Published: May 2025, 31.5K words, 16/16 chapters

Author’s Summary: Aziraphale likes his tea hot, his routines quiet, and his flatmate reasonably sensible. Unfortunately, he lives with Crowley, a sunglasses-wearing menace who sings Queen in the shower, sets pastry on fire for fun, and keeps stealing his clothes. They’re definitely not flirting. Definitely not falling in love. Just… mutually annoying. With benefits. Emotional ones. Probably. My Take: This is such a cute idea. It’s not really a group chat so much as it’s two flatmates, texting. Constantly. Even when they are across the hall. I only wish I was as witty as these two when I send texts. But as clever as they may be, they somehow miss that they are already in love minutes after Aziraphale takes Crowley's spare room. Even when they are mistaken for a couple. Even when someone gets jealous in the cheese aisle of the grocery store. Even as… You get the idea. From the first text, this story is flirty, fun, and as cozy as drinking a cup of tea while wrapped in a warm blanket.  

Pieces of My Heart by NaroMoreau

Rated: E

Published: August 2020, 14K words, 4/4 chapters

Author’s Summary: From that reddit: Straight guy worries he’s being homophobic to gay roommate, realizes he’s fallen in love with him. Or: It turns out I don't have any problems with Aziraphale kissing guys, says Crowley, if it's me he's kissing. My Take: From the Lockdown Days, this is  another one I have always remembered (just maybe not the title). I love a good queer-awakening story, and this is one of the best. Crowley’s self recrimination when he thinks he’s homophobic is somehow both sad and hilarious. Anathema is a great friend (as always), and her way of showing him that he is obviously not homophobic is classic. Watching Gabriel get his comeuppance is always satisfying. And of course there is a happy ending. 

So that's it for this month (no fooling). I'll be back on May 1 (just 12 days before the Season 3 Finale!) with another set of recommendations.

Until then, I hope you read these (and other) stories, and when you do, don't forget to offer kudos and comments. Leaving those encourages writers to write more, and that's a very good thing. 😊

I'm cross-posting this to my main blog for those who might be seeing this twice. Just so you know.

March 1, 2026: In Times of War

I had this set up and ready to go for March. Given the most recent developments, I almost didn’t post it, but I’m not the problem here. Onward.

Maybe it’s good to look back on war as a historical artifact and recognize that humans have always faced it, along with all of the associated tragedy. Even so, it seems we are always doomed to repeat it.

I am offering stories from three authors this month, set in three time periods, focusing on three wars. One is a chaptered fic, one is a series, and the final is a one shot. Lots of choices. I’ll present them in chronological order, by time period. 

Remember, I read a lot of fics to find the ones I want to recommend. As always, my selections are my own. Your mileage may vary. 

The March Fic Recs

The Soldier's Bond by gayangeltrap

Rated: E

Published: February 2025, 69K words, 20/20 chapters

Author's Summary: Angelus Aziraphale, a respected Roman centurion, is stationed with his legion in a Roman camp. As a man of discipline and honor, Aziraphale has long suppressed any personal emotions, focusing solely on maintaining control over his men and ensuring victory for Rome.  However, everything changes when a Celtic prisoner is captured and brought to their camp. Aziraphale stumbles upon a shocking sight: One of his own men, a young legionary named Antonius Crowley, quietly assumes the submissive role in an intimate encounter with the prisoner. This unexpected revelation shakes the centurion to his core, as he begins to question the nature of power, control, and his own desires. Initially repulsed by the vulnerability he witnesses, Aziraphale struggles with his growing fascination with Crowley, whose boldness and courage in battle contrast sharply with the image of submission in the hut. Aziraphale and Crowley find themselves drawn together in an unspoken bond, complicated by the rigid Roman norms and the tension of their military roles. My Take: Set during the Gallic Wars (58 BCE to 50 BCE), the author puts a TW right at the start: violence and death, mention and depiction of slavery, depiction of colonization, dubious consent, the characters can be cruel at times.  If you can get past that (and I admit, it took me a few tries; I put the story down and came back to it more than once before I settled in and finished it in a binge), the story is a fascinating look at the life of Roman soldiers, including military tactics, living conditions, friendships, and the political climate of the day. This story is not so much a slow burn, as a slow build. We watch as Aziraphale and Crowley develop mutual respect, then friendship, and eventually a friends-to-lovers relationship unlike anything I’ve read before. I don’t imagine this story is for everyone, but it is certainly a great story for certain readers. 

Be Still My Soul (series) by MirjamOmens  @mirjam-writes

Rated: E

Published: May 2022, 3 works with 157K words total

Series complete: Yes

Series description: Despite the class differences, landowner Azirafel Fjäll and sawmill worker Anton Crowley have been friends since childhood. The Great War rages over Europe and the Empire of Russia is in the firm grip of a revolution. The echoes of these fateful events carry over to the Grand Duchy of Finland, vaguely sauntering towards independence. Azirafel and Crowley find themselves on the opposite sides of a conflict that will eventually lead to a bitter civil war, tearing the country apart. Is there a possibility for them to find their own side, or will this be the end of their budding love story? My Take: I’ll be honest—before I read this story, I had never heard of the Finnish Civil War. By the time I finished, not only did I know that it had happened, I knew a lot about what happened.  Mirjam offers plenty of information about the war in the story and the footnotes, but more than that, she provides supplemental information in a Tumblr blog, plus links to articles, audio clips, photographs, Spotify playlists… the list goes on. Trust me, it’s a multi-media presentation.  The stories in the series follow Aziraphale and Crowley, who have known one another since they were children, from a budding romance through their separation during the war to their reunion in its aftermath. But the focus isn’t just on their love story; this is a sweeping epic, with an entire cast of characters and their lives, as well as the fate of a divided country. With more than 150K words total, it’s a lot to take in, but well worth your time, not only for what you’ll learn, but for what you’ll feel while you learn it. 

Resurgam by HolRose @hasturswig

Rated: T

Published: August 2023, 13K words, 1/1 chapters

Author's Summary: When two damaged people meet in a time of war, it is quite possible that anything might happen. They might change each other’s lives. They might even fall in love. A human AU set at the time of the London Blitz featuring two lonely souls from very different worlds who belong together. And a lot of very necessary tea. My Take: I’ve read this story more than once, and each time I find something new to love about it. Aziraphale and Crowley couldn’t be more different, and yet there is something that draws them together. Doesn’t that sound familiar? For all that is familiar, HolRose manages to make this a brand-new story, even as they drop in nods to Good Omens (Crowley falls, Aziraphale worries about doing the wrong thing...). Though the setting is London during the Blitz, the focus is on two hearts as they navigate the unfamiliar territory of falling in love, ending in a beautiful resolution that always makes me smile.

I'll be back on April 1 (no joke) with another set of themed Good Omens fan fiction recommendations. Until then, I hope you read these (and other) stories, and when you do, don't forget to offer kudos and comments. Leaving those encourages writers to write more, and that's a very good thing. 😊

I'm cross-posting this to my main blog for those who might be seeing this twice. Just so you know.

February 1, 2026: Love Without Sight

This month I am focusing on just two authors, though between them you’ll find an abundance of stories. If you only read those recommended here, you’ll have twenty to keep you company until March. 

I was thinking about recommending love at first sight stories, but then, because I am fond of reversals, I began to wonder about love without sight. Falling in love when you’ve never seen the person, before you've ever laid eyes on them.

My selections are my own. I’m not trying to be inclusive. These are simply a place to start. 

First up is ghostrat’s “Postcards From Paris.” It’s mentioned that Crowley does see a terrible, old, internet photograph of Aziraphale before meeting him face to face, but we are given the impression that the photo didn’t do the angel any favors. I’m going to say this story counts. (Besides, he was falling for him anyway.) 

The second author is thisisshiny. In her notes for “In the Margins,” she writes that the story was inspired by “Postcards.” Before she wrote it, she had written a one-shot, “Postcards From Paris: the lost postcards.” 

This is another story where the characters are in love before they ever meet. Pouring your heart out on the page and having someone hear what you are saying—and what you are not—can be a very strong aphrodisiac.

Shiny shows us how there might not be anything more romantic than finding your soulmate in the margins. Her first story led to the creation of an entire series. It's where the other 17 stories come in.

The February Fic Recs

Postcards From Paris by ghostrat

Rated: G

Published: October 2023, 12K words, 3/3 chapters

Author’s summary: Crowley has just moved into his Mayfair apartment and finds a postcard addressed to the previous tenant. With no return address, he's left to collect and read the mysterious A.Z.F.'s adventures across Europe, where he hunts for bizarre bibles and rates ridiculously expensive wine in his free time. The question is: How will A.Z.F. react when Crowley finally gets his return address and writes back?  It was different, he knew, to accidentally read someone else’s postcard versus intentionally perusing one in place of a good newspaper over coffee. Crowley decided he was allowed that indecency, to balance out the good deed of safeguarding the mail in the first place. He kicked his feet up onto his desk, scooped up the takeaway coffee that was brought around by their newest intern, and settled in to read some of the most densely crowded handwriting he’d ever laid eyes on. My take: I don’t know how many times I’ve read this now, and I just read it again to write this blog post. It’s a favorite comfort fic.  Like everything by ghostrat, the writing is wonderful, and the illustrated postcards give the story a “you are there” feeling. Told from Crowley’s POV, we’re taken on a ride from his usual too cool to care attitude when the first postcard arrives to his amusement as he reads and collects them to his utter devastation when he realizes there’s a real person waiting for a response. He swallows his pride and admits he’s the recipient. To his delight, AZF writes back. Of course, it’s only a matter of time before he is falling… in love.  This is a gentle emotional rollercoaster ride. Nothing truly bad happens. It is, perhaps, one of the sweetest, softest, strangers-to-lovers romances I’ve read, and one I have not, and will not, forget. 

Margins: A Literary Love Story (Series) by thisisshiny @thisisshiny

Rated: Teen through Explicit (mind the tags) 

Series began: September 2025

Total works as of February 1, 2026: 18

Series complete: No (never, probably) 

Author’s series summary: A lonely Senior Lecturer and an angry book-loving solicitor find each other—and love—through secret, forbidden notes tucked into priceless London Library books. This is their story: glances, confessions, all the moments that make their life together special. Big and little glimpses, highs and lows, laughter and desire and heartbreak—all written in literature, in notes and vignettes, in the margins. My take: Shiny knows her characters, and because of that, so do we. They are educated, smart, and clever, leaving notes for one another in the margins of books found in the collection of the London Library. From there, they take things into the rest of the world. Of course it’s all going to be fine because this is Good Omens fan fiction, but the question is always "how do they get there?" The first story leaves us with a happily ever after. And they are. Until they’re not.  These stories are great because some of them disrupt that HEA narrative, some of them follow it, and some of them are simply glimpses into the day-to-day lives of characters who, if you’re like me, you’ll want to know more about.  Reading the Margins series is like having a conversation with your wittiest, most well-read, funniest friends. When you know the answer to a clue (you’ll see what I mean when you read the first story), you feel smart. When you come across a book you haven’t read, you’ll jot it down for later. When you finish one story, you’ll want more. Luckily for us, there are more. And it appears there will always be more (at least for the foreseeable future), because the author has a vivid imagination—and she takes requests! 

I'll be back on March 1 with more recommendations. I've just hit six months with this post, so I suppose I can keep it up a while longer.

I'm cross-posting this to my main blog for those who might be seeing this twice. Just so you know.

January 1, 2026: Love Stories in a Series

For the new year, I’m going to encourage you to take a look at your MFL (Marked For Later) or TBR (To Be Read) list from 2025. If you have stories on your list that no longer appeal to you, take a minute to delete them. I did this recently and it opened up space (mentally and physically) that allowed me to see the stories that I honestly do want to read. I also want to encourage you to take the time to read those stories and leave kudos and comments—they are the best encouragement you can give any writer. Bonus: Encouraging writers leads to more writing! 

You may be thinking: My MFL list is overwhelming! Where do I start? Here’s what I do: Jump around. 

Go to the last page of your MFL list and see what you put there long ago, then read one of those stories. Trust me, you’ll make a writer’s day by commenting on their older work.

Go to the middle and find a hidden gem from a few months ago. 

Go to the newest stories you’ve added to your list. Read a story everyone’s talking about—or the one where an author you loved tried something new!

Give yourself a bit of a challenge: For every newly posted story you start or read, pull one up from your MFL list. 

I hope these suggestions encourage you to work your way through your MFL list this year. If you do, you’ll find yourself reading the stories you’ve wanted to read, encouraging the writers you love, and helping our community thrive!  

Now, with no further ado, here are my fic recs for January 2026. 

I want to start off 2026 by recommending three wonderful series. In each of these, the author starts off strong and then, somehow, gets stronger with each subsequent story. As a writer myself, I think I understand. They get to know the characters, their relationship, their backstories—and suddenly, everything clicks. I hope you love these series as much as I do. 

The Blind Date Au Series by mygalfriday @mygalfriday

Series Begun: August 2019

Rated: T

Series: 4 works, 25K words total

My Summary: A series of one-shots that start with a blind date. All Anathema told nightclub owner Crowley is that the man is blond and “a bit old-fashioned.” He assumed that meant no shagging before the third date; he didn’t expect Ezra Fell to be a man out of time. He also didn’t expect to be so immediately smitten. The next three stories follow their unlikely romance, from Ezra’s introduction to Crowley’s nightclub (and seemingly everyone he’s ever had sex with) to the office Christmas party at the British Museum where Ezra works and Crowley feels like he’s a zoo animal on display. By the last story, they’ve moved in together, but rarely see one another, with Crowley spending his nights at the club and Ezra feeling as if maybe he’s changed his mind and domesticity isn’t all he thought it would be. It all leads up to their first (devastating, heartbreaking) fight. They’ve both admitted they shouldn’t work. The question is, can they? Will they?  My Take: Written early on (2019), this series immediately captured my heart. I’ve read it multiple times since I first stumbled upon it. The writing is good, but it’s the emotional impact that pulls me in again and again. On that first date, Ezra is certain someone like Crowley (edgy, sexy, cool) would want nothing to do with someone like him—and all the while Crowley is ready to worship this beautiful, thoughtful, delightful man. When Ezra visits the nightclub, Crowley is certain Ezra is going to dump him when it appears they’ve come to the club on “All of Crowley’s Exes Night,” and Ezra starts to think that he, too, might be nothing more than a conquest. But this isn’t simply another “they need to communicate” story—it’s a story that explores all of our doubts, fears, and insecurities when we realize we have unexpectedly fallen in love and there is nothing we can do about it. The fear. The longing. The devotion.  And it’s sexy—but somehow only rated Teen and Up. Well done, my dear writer, well done. 

Till We Loved Series by Cardinal_Daughter  @cardinaldaughter

Series Begun: December 2019

Rated: M & E

Series: 3 works, 38K words total

My Summary: A human AU set in the Victorian era, this one doesn’t try to tidy things up. Aziraphale and Crowley are gay men in the 1800s. Homosexuality wasn’t just frowned upon, it was illegal. We learn how they met, what they mean to one another, and watch as they work for the happiness they deserve.  My Take: This series was beautifully written, capturing the era in which it was set while offering the possibility of these two men finding a solution to their seemingly impossible problem. The way the author writes Crowley’s sauntering nonchalance and devil-may-care attitude in public, juxtaposing it with the soft and caring lover he is with Aziraphale, is the stuff romance novels are made of. Aziraphale works to be brave, to face his fears in order to be the man he needs to be for Crowley. Together, they fight for whatever kind of life they can find together. As they escape for the winter to Crowley’s family home, we learn more about the author’s vision of the Victorian-era LGBTQIA+ community, and Crowley’s attempts to make a safe haven for his staff. It’s a beautiful vision. Take a look. I think you’ll be as enchanted as I was.

Unkind Regards Series by mostlyeffable 

Series Begun: November 2024

Rated: E

Series: 4 works, 108K words total

My Summary: Publisher Aziraphale Fell and music producer Anthony Crowley must put aside their differences to promote their mutual client, up-and-coming musician Adam Young. A true enemies to friends to lovers story, we see these two get to know one another through a series of emails, then some very personal text messages and, finally, after a few chapters, prose. It doesn’t take long before the reasons for Aziraphale’s animosity are revealed, for them to start really communicating, and for the story to leap forward.  My Take: The epistolary portions of this are done better than many stories I have read, but once the author begins writing the prose portions, delving into the inner thoughts of the characters, the story takes off. It’s then that we learn about Crowley’s rather sordid past and about Aziraphale’s family ties that bind. And, of course, it’s in the prose that we learn how they truly feel about one another. There is a lot to unpack emotionally, and it is done well. We’re also given a side story featuring Adam. He is the son of Crowley’s long-time producer, a man neither of them want anything to do with—and for good reason. Like I said, so much to unpack. This is a longer series than The Blind Date AU, but worth every minute I spent reading it. 

I hope you take a few minutes today to look over your MFL/TBR lists and sort things out. Then take some time to read some of the fics you put on those lists. Maybe don't simply add these stories to them. Go ahead and read them. It's the reading, not the saving, of stories that fills us with joy! Happy New Year!

December 1, 2025: Winter Holiday Stories

This is my fourth monthly fic rec blog post and my first recommending winter holiday stories. I had one or two favorites in mind when I set out to do this back in the summer, but after reading as many as I could since September, I have far too many! These eight are the best that I've read so far. Given that I’ve already come across additional fics that I wish I had included in my other posts, I'm sure something is missing. Oh, well. There’s always next year. 

Speaking of holiday fics, the Winter Omens Big Bang Discord server is planning a huge release of winter-themed fics starting December 20. Look for the Tumblr hashtags #Winter Omens Big Bang and #WOBB. There will also be an AO3 collection with the same name. 

Below you will find a mix of canon-compliant fics and human AUs (some one-shots and some chaptered fics), all in no particular order. I hope you find something to put you in the holiday spirit! 

CANON-COMPLIANT HOLIDAY FICS

Thou Little Tiny Child by On1OccasionFork @on1occasionfork

Published: December 2024

Rated: T, 6666 words, 1/1 chapters

Summary: Aziraphale looks in on the birth of Jesus, only to find himself with an unexpected companion: Crawly. Angel and demon go their separate ways, but keep ending up in the same place — watching over a baby. My Take: Fork writes hilarious dialogue, but as things progress, the tension increases to the point where I asked myself what the hell are we doing telling these stories to small children in Sunday School? It’s a wonderful canon-compliant story that feels like another Season Two minisode exploring the birth of Christ and its aftermath. It may not be a traditional happy holidays story, but it's not one you want to miss, either. 

Until We Meet Again by SpectrallyDistracted @spectrallydistracted

Published: December 2024

Rated: E, 12K words, 4/4 chapters

Summary: Christ wasn’t born in December, but that has never stopped Christians from running with the idea and overwhelming the Prayers and Blessings System over the course of the month. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are always the worst—so many special requests. Hell has a similar (though somewhat opposite) problem, with demons busy thwarting all the goodwill of the season. It’s supernatural chaos, which made it the perfect time for them to meet. This is the story of what happened after that fateful night in 1941, and how an angel and a demon thwarted both Heaven and Hell in the name of love—if only for two days each year. But this Christmas is different. And Aziraphale wonders—will Crowley even show up? My Take: Yes, I am recommending my own story. The premise—Crowley and Aziraphale have been meeting every Christmas since that church bombing in 1941—was one I wanted to explore, especially in light of the Final Fifteen. It was only my second story, my first chaptered fic, and the first time I wrote smut (there's even a strip tease). Fortunately, it holds up. I hope you enjoy it. 

ONE-SHOT HOLIDAY FICS

Only Ever Meant For Someone Else by Di_42 @di-42

Published: December 2024

Rated: T, 9457 words, 1/1 chapters

Summary: Every year, on the night before Christmas, London taxi driver Aziraphale drives passengers to and from the hospital for charity. On Christmas morning 2023 he was ready to go home and rest with a cup of tea, a mince pie, and a book after a long night. Guess who he ends up driving all the way to Tadfield instead?  My Take: This story packs in so much for a one shot. We see it all from Aziraphale’s point of view, and if there has ever been an unreliable narrator, it’s him. From his initial misunderstanding about why Crowley needs to get to Tadfield for the birth of Anathema’s child to what is happening when they reach their destination, Aziraphale gets so much wrong. Even as we near the end of the story, Aziraphale can't accept what is really going on. Di does a great job of creating tension and a bit of heartache, but never stretches it out too long. Of course there is a happy ending—it's Christmas! This could very well be my favorite short Christmas fanfic.

If the fates allow by seekwill 

Published: December 2020

Rated: E, 5303 words, 1/1 chapters

Summary: A chance encounter, reminiscing for times long past, and discovering the fire he thought had been put out long ago still burns bright? This might be Crowley’s best work Christmas party yet. My take: I have read this story countless times, in all seasons. The chance meeting after 20 years with someone you thought yourself just a little bit in love with, even though you never actually dated? And now, here you are, both taking a break from your holiday office parties? What are the odds? It’s touching, funny, and very E-rated. Not a bit of sadness, only joy. If you want a hopeful, cheerful holiday story, this one is a winner. 

The Road Not Taken (Leads To Home) by Gary Oldman

Published: December 2021

Rated: T, 4820 words, 1/1 chapters

Summary: Returning to his childhood home for the holidays, Aziraphale seeks out the only person he wants to see: his Christmas Eve booty-call he happens to be in love with. My Take: This story is one I read a few years ago and found it when I was looking for holiday fics for this blog post. I’m so glad I did! I fell in love with a Crowley who seems hard but is really soft, and an Aziraphale who seems okay with taking what he’s given but who wants so much more. Another one-shot that packs a lot into a small package, and gives us the kind of Christmas-wish happy ending we’re all looking for this time of year. Every time I read it, I love it a little bit more.

CHAPTERED HOLIDAY FICS

All I Want For Christmas Is You by ddagent @ddagent 

Published: December 2023

Rated: T, 7515 words, 3/3 chapters

Summary: When the friendship between rock star Crowley and crooner Aziraphale is made public, the two decide to leave their labels and work together. Alongside writing the next Christmas number one, the pair also explore thirty years of repressed feelings. My Take: The author quickly establishes the problem (rival music stars who work in different genres caught in a tabloid scandal) and their solution (leave their labels). But it isn’t just that they can finally work together. They’ve been doing that all along. It’s that after 30 long years, they can finally act on the feelings they’ve been harboring for (and hiding from) one another. It’s terribly romantic, yet stays in the rated T realm with ease. This is the believable Hallmark movie meets Good Omens human AU you didn’t know you needed. Trust me, this story wouldn’t be here unless I loved it. 

Secret Santa by AppleSeeds

Published: December 2023

Rated: T, 19K, 5/5 chapters

Summary: On the advice of his therapist, Crowley signs up to be a Secret Santa, an anonymous gift-giver for a community initiative aiming to bring some Christmas joy into the lives of people going through a hard time. He's partnered with Aziraphale, a librarian who has lost his home and bookshop in a fire. Through the power of Christmas Magic, Crowley ends up meeting Aziraphale in person when he takes his nephew to the library and is immediately smitten. He becomes determined to use his expertise and influence to give Aziraphale the only Christmas present that could really make a difference, but are some things too important to be kept secret? My Take: I put off reading this story for some time. Don’t ask me why. And when I did? I was immediately smitten. Yes, I knew what was going to happen. It’s AppleSeeds, it’s Crowley and Aziraphale, and it’s Christmas. But how are they going to get there? That’s always the question. Crowley is at his grumpiest, his only joy being his nephew Warlock. Aziraphale is at his most cheerful, a blessing to everyone he meets. It’s a match made for Christmas. 

The Anon Before Christmas by foolishlover 

Published: December 2023

Rated: E, 66.7K words, 14/14 chapters

Summary: When Crowley’s friend, blogging buddy and business partner Anathema announces her annual Secret Santa Exchange on Tumblr, she is very adamant Crowley should join this year. The old-fashioned (but admittedly compassionate) man he gets assigned to send anonymous messages to every day until Christmas sounds awfully similar to the fussy bookseller that his friends adore, yet Crowley tries to avoid at all costs. But surely his friends would have mentioned if Aziraphale had taken an interest in the Bad Omens fandom as well… right?

My Take: I will admit up front that the formatting for this fic doesn't work for me. While I generally love epistolary fan fiction, I didn’t enjoy the seemingly endless pretend Discord chats in this story. YMMV. That aside, the story is wonderful. Seeing Crowley change and grow as the month rolls along is some of the best character development I’ve read. This ends up being an amazingly tender love story—and not just for the two main romantic characters. It is a story about found family, platonic love, and how it all makes life better. It's one of the few fics I’ve read where male characters are not afraid to show physical affection for one another. I would recommend it for that alone, but there is a lot more going on here that makes this a great story for any time of year. 

That’s all for this month. Do keep an eye out for the Winter Omens Big Bang fics coming out in a few weeks. 

I haven’t picked a theme for January, but I’m typically contrary. If everyone is looking ahead or thinking about the future, chances are I’m going to run in the opposite direction.

Stay tuned. 

November 1, 2025: Memory Loss Stories

Someone recently asked me how I select the stories I recommend. There's absolutely nothing scientific about it. There's no rubric, no scale, no standard.

I look for stories that are older and might have dropped off readers' radar since they were published. Stories that I feel are great but haven't received a lot of attention. Stories that are unusual in some way. Stories that made me think and feel, laugh and cry. Stories that I remembered long after I read them.

While there are multiple dozens, maybe hundreds, of memory loss fics out there, these are my recommendations for November. The ones I love the most for some unscientific but very heartfelt reason.

And, as my friend @di-42 reminds us, don't judge a story by the number of hits or kudos it's received. That's not a fair way to judge a story. If someone hadn't started reading when those stories had zero hits and zero kudos... well, you see what we're saying.

Take a chance on at least one of these stories. I think your life will be richer for it.

I REALLY FUCKING LOVE YOU by thisisshiny @thisisshiny

Published: July 2025

Rated: M, 26K words, 23/23 chapters

Summary: Crowley died. Sort of. It didn’t stick. Now he’s back—not a demon, not a human, just... mostly undead, vaguely unlabelled, and maybe in love with an angel he’s never seen before in his life. Or has he? Aziraphale is finally done pretending he doesn’t remember. Or want. Or care. Turns out, 6,000 years of repressed affection, divine bureaucracy, and one very snarky bastard who keeps returning can wear a principality down. They were always going to find each other again. Maybe this time they'll get it right.

My Take: This story has gotten some interest in the past few months, and it deserves it. Shiny has a way of writing that pulls me in immediately. My prediction: You are going to see her stories on recommendation lists (mine and others) from now on.  In I REALLY FUCKING LOVE YOU (the caps are intentional and necessary; you’ll see why) the author shows up with her trademark witty repartee. Crowley and Aziraphale are who we expect them to be, only Crowley is dead and Aziraphale has never met him before. Or has he? Their investigation leads them (and us) on a wonderful tour of London (and a trip through history), hopefully getting them closer to solving the mystery that is Crowley’s death… and life.  

Vita Nova by AMidnightDreary @a-midnightdreary

Published: August 2020

Rated: M 93.6K words, 25/25 chapters

Summary: Crowley, upon finding that Aziraphale does not remember him, is very much Not Okay with the changes Adam made after the Apocalypse That Wasn't. He can't do anything but try and make the best out of it.

My Take: This story takes my breath away every time I read it, and I’ve read it several times. The story starts with Crowley waking up, hungover. He tries to miracle it away, and when that doesn’t work, he hauls himself up, only to fall and… vomit? That’s never happened before. He's convinced himself he’s too hungover to use his powers until he looks in the mirror and sees his eyes, which are brown with round pupils. When he calls Aziraphale, the bookseller claims not to know who he is. In a panic he drives to the bookshop, only to see Azirphale happy selling books. What in heaven is happening? This is just the beginning of a very strange story that sweeps you up and takes you on a journey into “What would happen if Aziraphale and Crowley managed to prevent the Apocalypse, only to be turned human in the aftermath?”  

Thanks for the Memories by SazzyLJ @sazzyfics

Published: January 2024

Rated: E 43K words, 14/14 chapters

Summary: Apparently the victim of a brutal crime, a man faces his first week without memories in a lonely haze of helplessness. When a handsome man named Crowley shows up to the hospital with answers, it hardly matters that most of them were lies. Something had gone horribly wrong in Heaven, and Crowley knew that he had to protect Aziraphale until they could get to the bottom of it. If only Aziraphale could tell him what happened…

My Take: I only read this story recently, but loved it as soon as I did. It’s a post-Season Two fic. Aziraphale thinks he’s human, Crowley knows he’s not, and he's not telling him anything to shatter that illusion. He'a too busy doing everything he can to keep him safe while not having a clue as to why the Supreme Archangel was attacked in St. James’s Park or why he has amnesia. It’s a wonderfully thought-out story, offering yet another way things might play out in some version of Season Three. Until we have one, stories like this are worth their weight in angels. 

Single-Use Lives by Anonymous (too bad; it's good)

Published: October 2020

Rated: E 80K words, 10/10 chapters

Summary: Things go horribly wrong when it turns out Agnes Nutter's prophecy isn't what Crowley and Aziraphale thought it would be. They were expecting to be destroyed. Instead, Heaven and Hell strip them of their immortality and their memories of each other—but Heaven and Hell don't know that they've switched bodies. Now human, Crowley and Aziraphale run into each other on Earth for the first time —again and again and again. It doesn't take them long to figure out that there is something very strange going on.

My Take: Written after Season One and set just after the averted apocalypse, this story is so curious that I kept reading hoping I could figure things out. Maybe you’ll be quicker than I was; I had to wait until Aziraphale explained it to Crowley before I saw it. This isn’t a premise I’d read before and I appreciated how the author’s alternative punishment from Heaven and Hell ultimately created a much larger problem than either Up or Down could have predicted. I was also fascinated by the "single-use lives" the author created, which are by turns lovely and heartbreaking.

Save Me by atimefeeler

Published: July 2022

Rated: T 34.5K words, 5/5 chapters

Summary: Crowley has no idea why his plan to pretend he doesn't have amnesia is proving to be so difficult. It might be because the poor guy is actually a demon.

My Take: This time it’s Crowley who has amnesia. He wakes up in the hospital and thinks he’s human. Why wouldn’t he? Everyone is treating him as if he is, even though he does have the strangest eyes. Crowley is paranoid and confused and trying to fake it until he makes it. Aziraphale is confused and unsure of what is wrong with his demon, but trying his best to keep calm and carry on. You know that eventually it will sort itself out. The fun comes from watching it all unfold. 

moments lost, moments gained by commodorecliche @commodorecliche

Published: February 2021

Rated: M 13K words, 1/1 chapters

Summary: Crowley and Aziraphale are expelled from their respective realms when their partnership is found out, and wake up in hospital as humans with no memory of their previous natures, and no memory of each other.

My Take: In this fic, Aziraphale and Crowley are found severely injured in the middle of a roadway and are in hospital for a month. There are surgeries and pain, so if that doesn’t work for you, this story won’t either. Here they both have amnesia, but they also feel they know each other quite well. Tiny moments become larger than life as gentle endearments slip into their conversations naturally, and tiny touches feel significant. It's a one shot, and there might have been more to explore, but what we get is enough to set our imaginations soaring. I think about this one quite a lot.

Unforgettable by Joseph_Amadeus

Published: January 2021

Rated: E 24K words, 12/12 chapters

Summary: In this human AU, Aziraphale wakes up in hospital. He's told that he's married to the handsome man sitting by his bed, but Aziraphale won't be fooled. He wouldn't have forgotten being married. He wouldn't have forgotten a man like Crowley. He wouldn't have.

My Take: Crowley and Aziraphale are husbands, Gabriel is Aziraphale’s very decent big brother (he's very nice), and Bea is Gabriel’s understanding spouse. Bea also used to date Crowley, which is a minor plot point. Aziraphale’s been in an auto accident, unconscious for a week, and when he wakes up he’s lost the last six years of his life. Not gonna lie—this story starts out frustrating. Aziraphale behaves like a lunatic, though I suppose it would be very disorienting to have your memories ripped away from you. From there it alternates between sad and hopeful. Hang in there, because once things start to change, there's magic in the air. I won’t give away the ending. It’s a happy one, though maybe not the one you expect. 

No End by SuspiciousCharacter1895 @suspiciouscharacter1895

Published: December 2024

Rated: E 30K words, 9/9 chapters

Summary: After the Second Coming, there is a new order in Heaven. Crowley is found, punished, and assigned to an angel for permanent imprisonment. He thought he wouldn't feel anything ever again, but then he meets his new angel.

My Take: I’ve read several stories where there was a Great War. In some Hell won and angels were slaves. In this one, Heaven won, demons are slaves, and for good measure, all of Hell and Earth have been destroyed. Hallelujah. Crowley has been dragged (literally) through Heaven, tortured, and imprisoned for Satan knows how long. He sure as Hell doesn't. Until, one day, he’s given to Aziraphale. Maybe. Or is this just another punishment? As for Aziraphale, he doesn’t remember Crowley at all, nor being on Earth for 6000 years, nor the bookshop, nor being Supreme Archangel. Until he does. Watch out when these two team up. Somebody in Heaven just made a terrible mistake. 

I hope you find something to enjoy from this list. I will be back on December 1 to offer up older, less read, and unusual holiday stories, as well as some of my personal favorites.

October 1, 2025: Spooky Season Selection

Not a big spooky fan, me, but each month I diligently read as many stories as possible to bring you seasonal recommendations (or just really good stories). For October, I read multiple dozens of Spooky Season fanfics in order to post the half dozen you see here. I promise, these are the absolute best for any season, but they are particularly appropriate right now.  

Three categories with two stories each.

DEMON STORIES

Eerie Was the Way by anna_bird Rated: E, 23K, 5/5 chapters

Summary: Diverges sharply from canon after the jaunt to Edinburgh in 1827. After his attention-getting Good Deed in the cemetery with Elspeth and Aziraphale, Crowley is pulled down to Hell and cursed by Beelzebub to haunt Ouija boards. Aziraphale, who knows nothing of this, soldiers on in confused and unhappy solitude for over a century...until 1965, when a mysterious ghostly automobile leads him to Mile Cross Estate.

My Take: This story is so clever and creative, and it deserves much more love. Aziraphale has been hunting a ghost car, which seems to be hunting him, until everything falls into place. Even though Crowley has been stuck in Hell since 1827, the Bentley is still his car, it is aware that things are not supposed to be this way, and it knows that only Aziraphale can set things right. This is a fast-paced, fun-filled global romp through time and space that uses canon elements to create a whole new tapestry. I was so impressed with the ending that I read it twice. 

Be Still, My Love, Be Still by entanglednow Rated: E, 27.7K, 6/6 chapters

Summary: In which a lonely bookshop owner and a lonely sleep paralysis demon fall in love and try to make it work in the brief snatches of time they can be together.

My Take: Crowley is a sleep paralysis demon who visits Aziraphale at night. When he does, Aziraphale can’t move or talk. Crowley can only take physical form and talk while Aziraphale is paralyzed. Aziraphale can only respond once he’s awake the next day. And oddly enough, these two have better communication skills than many versions of our heroes. It might seem like Crowley has all the power, but in fact he has more demons to face (sorry, sorry), and therefore it is up to Aziraphale to find the courage to be clear and honest about what he wants and needs, and how he feels. Bonus points for an example of complete and total consent (after failure to communicate the same).

GHOST STORIES

in the house we remain by commodorecliche Rated: E, 48K, 6/6 chapters

Summary: Aziraphale buys a quiet cottage in the middle of the English countryside. It is perfect in every way: old-style, quaint, surrounded by wilderness, with a small water feature in the back and a price to rival that of any other property he's seen. He is in love from the moment he sees it. But when a mysterious set of books, all written by unknown author A.J. Crowley, appears on his book shelf, Aziraphale begins to wonder if there is perhaps more to this house than he'd originally believed. The truth can be buried, but it cannot stay hidden forever.

My Take: From 2019, this is a beautifully written fanfic, and a ghost story in the strictest sense. Aziraphale buys a house and it immediately feels like home, but there are strange happenings that he can’t explain. Things literally go bump in the night. And during the day. Still, he can’t help feeling as if it’s important that he stay and figure out what happened to the former owner. As the past becomes clear, so does his future. This is a sad story with major character death, but remember, it is a ghost story. My take is it's actually quite romantic in a spooky sort of way. As the author wrote in the Notes: This is a ghost story. This is a love story.

Midnight Ride by scullyphile Rated: E, 4700 words, 1/1 chapters

Summary: Crowley's out walking a desolate road on a foggy, moonlit night, and Aziraphale pulls over to pick him up. We've all heard the warnings, the urban legends and the ghost stories about picking up strangers, about getting into cars with people we don't know. But sometimes fate keeps taking us down the same roads. Sometimes we have to use our free will to break out of the old patterns. Risk can mean reward.

My Take: I don’t want to give too much away. Scullyphile has done a great job setting the mood—two strangers meet on a deserted highway and realize that maybe they can both get what they want, what they need, if they are willing to trust one another and take a chance. And because it’s Scully, there’s also hot sex. So for this one, I guess, the line would be: It’s a ghost story. It’s a smut story. (I couldn’t resist)

VAMPIRE STORIES

darling, you live in my veins by NaroMoreau, Rated: E, 17.6K, 4/4 chapters

Summary: Sulking at a Halloween party, Crowley meets a gorgeous and charming gentleman that will steal his breath away. Everything seems to go swimmingly, until dawn breaks and the mysterious stranger vanishes without Crowley realizing it. The worst part is no one seems to have seen him at all, and he's left with only a name as a way to find him. But things aren't that simple.

My Take: Crowley’s mystery man is a vampire, and before he disappeared he very reluctantly told him his first name. Of course that name was “Aziraphale.” Crowley doesn’t see him again and he's bereft. Soon, he begins receiving gifts—flowers and snuff boxes and very old bottles of wine. But Crowley doesn’t want things, he wants his angel. Then one day he finds a photo and A Clue. This is a quick, four-chapter fic that tells a complete story without feeling rushed. Or cliche. I rather loved it.

Night Walk by snae_b Rated: E, 6829 words, 1/1 chapters

Summary:  In a world divided by light and dark, an Eastgate needs an escort to walk the night. But the biggest threat to Crowley's charge may be what’s living inside him. 

My Take: A one shot where vampirism is caused by a virus, and the world is divided into Light and Dark, rich and poor, haves and have nots. Aziraphale’s family is immune to the virus and can afford to hire vampire Crowley as a bodyguard so young Aziraphale can walk in the night. Of course nothing can ever happen between the two of them. Amazing world building in less than 7K words. We walk into an established relationship, get a backstory, and see a possible future. It’s a very well-constructed piece of writing.

After reading a few wonderful Good Omens fan fiction recommendations by people like @di-42 and @curiouspupsicle, I decided I would give it a try myself.

I read a lot, I have opinions.

I'll post the first of each month on my main blog, then archive them here, on my new side blog, Spectral's Selections. Every post will have a theme. We'll see how it goes.

September 1, 2025: Multichapter Fics That Just Might Change Your Life

God Gave Rock n Roll 2U by MaryFlanner Rated: E, 66.5K words, 22/22 chapters

Story Summary: Twenty years ago, megachurch Mountaintop Praise and Worship disfellowshipped Crowley's band, Starmaker. Sixteen years ago, while playing state fairs, washed up rocker Crowley reconnected with Azir, the keyboardist for Mountaintop's band, Angels Unaware. Today, they're going to have to make some big choices. A story about freaks, faith, friendship, fear, funnel cake, fried condiments, falling, and most of all, Fairs. (And also the 90s.) My Take: I didn’t know what to expect going into this story, but when I came out of it, I knew it had changed me. This story is complex and sometimes it hurts to read the struggles Crowley (as a gay trans man) and Aziraphale (as a closeted gay man) face. Add in all of the religious trauma, the internalized homophobia, the longing, the loss. Yeah, it was a lot. And I am a better person for having read it. 

The Secrets I Have Held in My Heart  by thinkinginscripts Rated: M, 39K, 29/29 chapters

Summary: Crowley fell in love with Ezra Teachdaire when they were 15. But no one could ever know. Especially not Ezra. 15 years later, they're still hooking up, and Ezra might suspect something. My Take: This story was totally unexpected. I laughed a lot, except when I wanted to cry. How can these two idiots still surprise me? They are who they are—a good kid from a rich family and an angry punk from a working class family—and they are in love from the minute they meet in high school. But the course of true love never did run smooth, and that is never more obvious than in this fic. Rated M only for Crowley’s terrifically foul mouth, lots of implied sex, and very mature content (alcoholism, depression). Doesn’t sound like something that would leave you wanting to dance around the living room when you finish it, but trust me, you will. 

Love, Syncopation, and Other Key Elements of Jazz by featherreddino, Rated: T, 38.5K, 4/4 chapters

Summary: The jazz duo of A.J. and Fell are an unstoppable force well into their mid-twenties, but when Crowley's illness causes the pair to step back from the spotlight, an enterprising music manager scoops up Aziraphale's career. Dazzled, Aziraphale will abandon all of his former life to be Gabriel's perfect star but lose himself and his happiness along the way. It would take a very steady and forgiving heart for someone to love him through it all… My Take: I will admit that as soon as I realized where things were headed, I wanted to stop reading. But this is another hard-to-start story that rewards you with the sweetest payoff in the end. Crowley is the hero, of course, and Aziraphale has to learn his lesson. But the way he learns it, and the way Crowley manages to live his life in spite of being left by his angel, is refreshing. The name-dropping magazine articles are fun asides, and the people who gather around Crowley while Aziraphale figures things out are wonderful in their own right.