#contemporary lesbian fiction

[womenusingwords]

All Things Beautiful

The details… Title ‏ : ‎ All Things Beautiful Author ‏ : ‎ Alaina Erdell Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bold Strokes Books Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 16, 2024 Available formats‏ : ‎ ebook, paperback File size ‏ : ‎ 1333 KB Print Length ‏ : ‎ 312 pages Genres ‏ : ‎ Contemporary romance Themes ‏ : ‎ the art scene, New York City, artists, friendship, motherhood, children, abusive relationships,…

[grrlterrier]

Earth girls are easy

Gouache, Acrylic & Ink on Watercolour Paper. 14”x17”

[archergrid]

BE GAY DO CRIME

archergrid.substack.com NEW CHAPTER EVERY WEDNESDAY 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 Butch/femme 💰 Steal from the rich 👾 Hacker main character 🌹 Butch-fatale love interest 🌶️ Spicy love scenes When her former boss is acquitted of the crime she gave up everything to expose, a hypervigilant hacker masterminds a heist to get her revenge. But when a sexy yet reckless ex-yakuza joins the crew, the hacker’s meticulous plan begins to unravel. "Six of Crows" meets "Mr. Robot" in this snappy sapphic heist full of colorful criminals ripping off a megalomaniacal tech CEO in the South American port city of Valparaíso.

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

💖 Sapphic Books Coming Out August 2024

🩷 There's something especially sweet about a sapphic romance. Here are only a few of the amazing sapphic books hitting shelves in July 2024.

💖 Which ones are you adding to your TBR?

Contemporary 💖 Can’t Buy Me Love - Georgia Beers 💖 The Heart Wants - Krystina Rivers 💖 Hers for the Weekend - Helena Greer 💖 You Can’t Go Home Again - Jeanette Bears 💖 Worth the Wait - Kenna White 💖 One Summer in Miami - Amber Rose Gill 💖 The Last Woman I Kissed - Venetia Di Pierro 💖 Changing Her Tune - Amanda Kabak 💖 Chance Encounter - Renee Roman 💖 The Italy Letters - Vi Khi Nao 💖 Our Slice of Paradise - Tiana Warner 💖 Dancing With Dahlia - Julia Underwood 💖 Untethered - Shelley Thrasher 💖 Comes in Waves - Ana Hartnett 💖 Libertad - Bessie Flores Zaldívar 💖 The Avian Hourglass - Lindsey Drager 💖 Mamele - Gemma Reeves 💖 Mighty Millie Novak - Elizabeth Holden 💖 A Bánh Mì for Two - Trinity Nguyen 💖 Don’t Let It Break Your Heart - Maggie Horne 💖 Chance Encounter - Renee Roman 💖 Southern Lights - Liz Arncliffe

Paranormal/Horror 💖 The Curse - Alexandra Riley 💖 The House Where Death Lives - ed Alex Brown 💖 Full Shift - Jennifer Dugan & Kit Seaton 💖 The Dark We Know - Wen-yi Lee 💖 This Ravenous Fate - Hayley Dennings 💖 Come Out, Come Out - Natalie C. Parker

Fantasy 💖 The Crimson Crown - Heather Walter 💖 The Phoenix Keeper - S.A. MacLean 💖 Oath of Fire - K. Arsenault Rivera 💖 The Palace of Eros - Caro De Robertis 💖 Gentlest of Wild Things - Sarah Underwood 💖 Queen of Dreams - Kit Rocha 💖 The Sunforge - Sascha Stronach 💖 The Ending Fire - Saara El-Arifi 💖 Skyscraper - Gun Brooke 💖 Fyrebirds - Kate J. Armstrong 💖 The New Camelot - Robyn Schneider 💖 The Storm and the Sea Hawk - Kiran Millwood Hargrave 💖 Practical Rules for Cursed Witches - Kayla Cottingham 💖 Netherford Hall - Natania Barron 💖 The Duchess of Kokora - Nikhil Prabala 💖 Rise and Divine - Lana Harper

Historical 💖 Not for the Faint of Heart - Lex Croucher 💖 Accidental Darlings - Crystal Jeans

Mystery/Thriller 💖 Better Left Buried - Mary E. Roach 💖 A Midnight So Deadly - Wren Handman 💖 Death At Morning House - Maureen Johnson 💖 A Gravely Troubling Discovery - Hannah Hendy 💖 Verity’s Game - Jennifer Giacalone

Sci-Fi 💖 Time’s Agent - Brenda Peynado 💖 New Adventures in Space Opera - ed Jonathan Strahan

[femmesandhoney]

anyone wanna rec me lesbian fantasy or sci fi or horror/paranormal books bc i fucking hate contemporary unless its well done (and it never is)

[katenewmanwrites]

Whispers in the Moonlight

Warnings: Mild violence (exploring a haunted house, injuries) Horror elements (ghostly apparitions, eerie atmosphere) and Oh no two girls kiss (sarcasm; it's a mild kiss anyway)

･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . .･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . .･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . .･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . .･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ .☆

As Aisha and I step out of the car, the crisp autumn air fills my lungs. We stand in front of the towering iron gates that marks the entrance to Waverley House, my gaze drifting upwards to the looming manor. The moon hangs low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the dilapidated fence and overgrown gardens that surround the estate. The silence is almost eerie, save for the distant howl of an owl in the distance.

Aisha clasps her hands nervously, her eyes darting back and forth between me and the house. "Are you sure we should be doing this, PJ? I mean, this could be really dangerous…" she trails off, her voice tinged with fear.

I smile reassuringly and place a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Sha. We'll be fine. Besides, I've done my research. It's not gonna fall on us." I take a deep breath and squash down the nervous flutter in my own stomach. "Now, let's just get inside and start our investigation."

As we make our way towards the gate, I notice the wrought ironwork is covered in a layer of dust and grime. The lock is old and rusty, but it gives way easily under my pushing. With a creak, the gate swings open, revealing the overgrown path that leads up to the house. The grounds are silent, save for the crunch of fallen leaves beneath our feet.

Aisha hesitates before stepping inside, her gaze darting around nervously. "PJ, do you think we should…?" she begins, her voice barely more than a whisper. I take her hand in mine, offering her reassurance.

"Trust me?" I ask softly, searching her eyes for an answer. She bites her lip, uncertainty flickering across her features. Then, finally, she nods. Her hand squeezes mine, and we step forward into the overgrown path leading up to the house. The air feels heavy with anticipation and a sense of foreboding.

As we approach the front steps, I glance over at Aisha, admiring the way the fading light plays with her dark hair. The moonlight dances in her dark eyes, making them appear even larger and more expressive. She shivers slightly, pulling down her cardigan's sleeves to cover her hands.

"Are you cold?" I ask, concern creeping into my voice.

"Yeah." she whispers, "A bit." Her breath clouds the air between us as we stand on the steps, gazing up at the grandiose manor. The moon casts an eerie glow on the wrought iron banister and the crumbling masonry of the porch. The air is thick with anticipation, and I can feel my heart racing in my chest.

"Here." I say, slipping out of my leather jacket and draping it over Aisha's shoulders. And I hope it offers her a bit of protection against the chill in the air. She looks up at me, surprise flashing across her face, before hesitantly accepting it. I smile reassuringly.

"You're mad." She whispers as I push the door open. "It's freezing and you're in a sundress." She shakes her head, following me inside. The old manor house is dark. I take out my phone, switching on the flashlight app to light our way.

We walk through the grand entrance hall, the sound of our footsteps echoing eerily off the marble floor. The air feels thick with dust and the musty smell of old wood. The chandelier hanging overhead casts eerie shadows on the walls. Aisha hesitates at the base of the grand staircase, gripping my arm tightly.

"Do you really think we should go up there?" she whispers, her voice barely audible.

"That's where people say they see her, Sha." I say softly, leading her up the stairs. "We need to find out what's going on." My footsteps echo as I walk up the old wooden steps, the sound magnified by the high ceilings and empty room. Aisha's breathing quickens as we ascend, her grip on my hand growing tighter.

At the top of the stairs, we're greeted by a long hallway with several doors on either side. I shine my phone's light around, revealing dusty furniture and portraits of long-dead people. The air feels colder here, making the fine mist of Aisha's breath visible.

"Which one should we try first?" she whispers, her voice barely audible over the sound of our breathing. I hesitate for a moment, scanning the doors along the hallway.

"I don't know," I say, my heart racing in my chest. "Maybe the one at the end."

Aisha nods, swallowing hard. "Okay."

We walk slowly down the hall, the sound of our footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. My heart is racing as I approach the door, I try to turn the knob but it's locked. I glance around, searching for something that might help us. I spot a small key sitting on a nearby hallway table and quickly grab it.

"Here, let me try this." I say, inserting the key into the lock and twisting it. There's a click and the door swings open, revealing a dimly moonlit room inside. Aisha hesitates for a moment, then takes a deep breath and steps inside.

The room is small, with a four-poster bed pushed against one wall and a dresser against another. There's a strange sense of calmness here, despite the eerie light. Aisha takes a tentative step further into the room, her gaze darting around, taking in every detail. The bed is made, the sheets pristine and smooth. The dresser holds only a few items: a porcelain doll, a framed photograph, and a small jewelry box.

Aisha opens a draw of the dresser and pulls out a little brown book. The cover is worn and faded, but I can make out the name "Eleanor" written on the front in delicate script. She flips it open, revealing pages and pages of handwritten text. She begins to read, "May 10th 1906, Today is my birthday. I am finally 16 years old…" Her voice trails off, her expression growing more and more concerned.

As she reads, the room seems to grow colder, and the light from my phone flickers erratically. The sound of sobbing fills the air, growing louder and more desperate. Suddenly, a figure materializes out of the shadows. It's a young woman, dressed in a long, flowing gown. Her hair is loose and wild around her face, and her eyes are red and swollen from crying; it's a bloodcurdling sight.

"SHA!" I shout, jumping in surprise. Aisha gasps, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. The ghostly woman looks at us with pleading eyes, tears streaming down her face. I grab her hand and run out of the room, pulling Aisha with me. We slam the door shut and turn the lock, our hearts pounding in our chests.

"What the hell was that?" Aisha whispers, her voice shaking.

"What? This whole time you didn't think the stories were real?" She asks, incredulous. I can't meet her eyes, feeling guilty for playing it up. The cold air from the hallway seeps into my bones, making me regret wearing a sundress.

"I'm sorry Sha." I say, hugging her "I shouldn't have been so…"

"It's alright." She says softly, giving me a reassuring squeeze. "But let's get out of here. I've had enough creepiness for one night." I nod in agreement, my heart still racing. We quickly make our way back down the stairs, my eyes darting around nervously at every shadow.

The door is closed. We left it open… right? I can't remember. My heart is still racing as I hesitantly reach out to touch the handle, feeling the cool metal against my sweaty palm. I take a deep breath and turn it. It won't open. I try again, and again, but it's locked. Aisha stands beside me, she places her hand on mine.

"It's no use PJ." She says softly, "It's locked. We should try finding another way out." She looks around, her eyes darting from one dark corner to another. The house seems to close in on us, the air growing heavier by the second.

"Or maybe we should try calling for help?" I suggest, my voice shaking.

Aisha nods, and pulls out her phone. She dials 000, but nothing happens. The phone screen goes black, and there's a loud, static-y noise. "Uh oh…" she whispers, looking worried.

"Maybe it's just the house…" I offer, trying to sound more confident than I feel. "Let's try to find another way out, like you said." Aisha nods. Together, we begin to explore the house, searching for another exit. We open doors and peek into empty rooms, feeling a sense of dread growing with each room we pass.

"Does this place not have a bloody back door!" I exclaim, frustration getting the better of me. Aisha glances at me, her expression calm. She places a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"I think if we can find the kitchen, there will be a back door." Aisha says, her voice steady. I nod, feeling a little calmer at the thought of trying something new. We continue to search, our footsteps echoing through the empty house.

Finally, we find what appears to be a door, wedged shut by a large piece of furniture. "Think this is it?" I ask, pushing against the heavy chair. With a creak, it slides aside, I open the door and we both gasp as

light floods the room. The kitchen is bathed in a warm, inviting glow, and I feel a wave of relief wash over me. "Come on," I say, grabbing Aisha's hand and leading her through the door. As we step into the kitchen, the darkness seems to recede, and the air feels less oppressive. I spot a back door at the far end of the room, and make a beeline for it.

Aisha looks around, her eyes darting from one object to another. "Wait, PJ…" she starts, but I'm already trying to pull the door open. It's stuck, I pull and pull but it won't open. My heart begins to race again. "PJ, it's locked!" Aisha yells, a note of panic in her voice. I turn to face her, breathing heavily, and she's staring at me with wide eyes.

"It's okay," I manage to say, my voice shaking. "We'll find another way out." I reach out to touch her cheek, wiping away a tear that's escaped from her eye. She leans into my touch, her breath warm on my skin. "We'll be okay," I whisper, trying to convince myself as much as her.

She pulls me into a tight hug, I bury my face in her chest. I can feel her heart racing beneath her soft sweater. "I love you, PJ," she whispers, her voice shaking. Her words send a wave of warmth through me, despite the cold air and the fear that still lingers in the house.

We stand there for a moment, holding each other, as if we could somehow protect one another from whatever darkness has been following us. I close my eyes, taking in the scent of her vanilla perfume and the sound of her heartbeat. "I love you, too." I say, my voice barely audible. She pulls back, just enough to look into my eyes, and there's something so intense in her gaze that it takes my breath away.

"I don't mean it as a best friend, PJ." She whispers. "I really love you." Her words send a shiver down my spine, and I feel myself growing even more aware of her arms around my shoulders.

"I-I, Aisha, I'm so glad you said that," I stammered. I feel my heart racing, my cheeks flushing.

She cups my face in her hands, her eyes searching mine intently. "Since when have you been a lesbian?" she asks, her voice laced with both curiosity and disbelief. Her touch sends a wave of warmth through me, making my heart race even faster. I want nothing more than for her to kiss me.

"Would you come out if you had my parents?" I ask, a small laugh escaping me. "They'd probably have a heart attack if they found out. Maybe even kick me out."

"You could live with me." She whispers, her fingers tracing my cheekbone. "My parents know I'm Bi and are cool about it. They wouldn't care."

"We have to get out of here first." I say, still reeling, but I can feel the adrenaline from the fear subsiding, replaced by a warmth that spreads through my body. "Then we can figure out what to do." I lean in, my lips brushing against hers. It's a tentative kiss, more of a question, and she responds by pulling me closer, kissing me back with no hesitation. Her lips are soft and warm against mine, and the taste of her cherry lip gloss makes me smile.

She pulls away, "Let's get out of this stupid house." We race through the dark hallways, hearts pounding, trying to find a way out. The front door is locked, so is the back, and the windows are barred. Panic begins to set in as we search for another exit.

A hazy mist begins to fill the rooms, obscuring our vision. "Maybe there's something we can use to smash the door open." I suggest, my heart racing. Aisha nods in agreement and we start searching the house for something heavy. In the living room, we spot a large, wooden chest. It's heavy and sturdy, perfect for smashing through the door. With shaking hands, we lift it and carry it down the hall.

We position the chest against the door, balancing it on its edge. "On the count of three, okay?" I say, my voice trembling. Aisha nods, her eyes wide with fear. I count down, and on three, we push the chest as hard as we can. It hits the door with a loud crash, splintering the wood and sending us stumbling backwards. We catch our balance and push again, smashing a hole in the door just enough to squeeze through.

I let Aisha go first, and she slid through the hole in the door. I follow close behind, and as I squeeze through the narrow gap, I feel heat rush through my arm as it scraps against the splintered wood. Blood slowly trickles down my skin. The cold night air stings my arm as I emerge from the house, but relief washes over me as I take my first breath of fresh air.

"God! PJ. If you were wearing your jacket." Aisha says, looking at my injured arm. I'm in too much shock to even feel pain. "You okay?" She asks, touching my arm gently. I nod, feeling a little silly.

"Well someone was cold…" I tease, still feeling the warmth from her touch. I look around, taking in our surroundings. The moon above us. The car is a good distance away, beyond the iron gate. The overgrown gardens and the overgrown path that leads back the way we came.

"I've got a first aid kit in the car." She says, taking my hand and pulling me down the stairs and path, careful to avoid twigs and stones. The air is cold, but she keeps holding my hand, her grip warm and reassuring. As we approach the car, I feel relief wash over me.

Aisha opens the back door of the car and reaches in, rummaging through a bag until she finds the first aid kit. She takes my injured arm and carefully cleans the wound with an antiseptic wipe. The stinging sensation is brief but sharp, and I wince a little. She places a small bandage over the cut, pressing gently on it to get it to stick.

She leans down placing a soft kiss on it, her breath warm against my skin. "There you go. All better." I feel a hot flush move up from my stomach, up my chest and into my cheeks. Aisha looks at me and smiles. "You're all pink, PJ" She teases, laughing lightly.

I try to laugh too, but it comes out a little shaky. "Yeah, well… it's just…" I say, my voice barely above a whisper. I walk over to the passengers side and swing the door open. "We should go… Before the ghost tries to get us…"

Aisha climbs into the car, and I get in after her, still a little shaky. Aisha starts the engine and leans down placing a cassette tape in the radio and it starts playing "Carry On Wayward Son” by Kansas. She smiles at me, and I feel my heart skip a beat.

She pulls out of the driveway, glancing at me as the car accelerates. She speeds down the empty road, the wind in her hair and the music filling the car. I feel a weight lift from my chest, a sense of relief and freedom washing over me. Not from leaving the haunted house, but from finally telling her how I feel.

･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . .･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . .･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . .･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . .･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ .☆

The Hidden Room

[whisperingofthepages]

Lover Birds by Leanne Egan

Pages: 400 Publisher: Harper Fire Released: 4th of July 2024 With an irresistible enemies-to-lovers romance, and perfect for fans of Alice Oseman and Becky Albertalli, Lover Birds is a beautifully-written, inclusive and heart-pounding romance. When Isabel Williams moves to Liverpool, she criticises seemingly everything in Eloise Byrne’s life – her city, her accent, her trademark boldness – so…

[therealrichardpapen]

Attention everyone! I am publishing my novel. It will be out in August 2024. You can check out my Instagram page here.

The description:

Not so many years ago, the whole world changed. All the masterpieces humanity had to offer were sold to private collectors, and museums were robbed of their glory and beauty. No one could see art anymore, and this was a problem for people in the field, but especially for art students.

Specialising in art, Eli Bellini lives in Amsterdam. She moved there before the global decision to sell art was made, and now she began to lose interest in anything; her life lacked variety, and she felt stuck in an academic life with no prospects. Until one day when she meets a mysterious redheaded woman named Natasza in the Rijksmuseum, in front of one of the last untouched masterpieces, Jan Asselijn's The Threatened Swan. Natasza didn’t come there only to offer Eli a job opportunity. She wanted more than that...

Eli realises that the missing works of art - which have been in the possession of rich people - could be returned to the general public, but not in the most legal way...

Will they be able to get back any of the pieces of art?

And will art be enough to strengthen their relationship beyond just an employment opportunity?

[indecentpause]

White Rabbit: Chapter Six

cw: eating disorder mention, psychiatric hospital, psychiatric medication, homophobia, car crash, flashback due to ptsd, overdose mention, drug mention

I don’t know how many days pass. I lose track of how many breakfasts I eat and how many times I go to bed and how many times the sun rises. But eventually I’ve been there for long enough for them to take David off my case and put me in a normal four-person room. I still don’t have anything but the same one pair of clothes I’ve been wearing. I haven’t built up the courage to take a shower yet, so my hair is greasy and my skin is sticky. I hope whoever my roommates are, they understand. David leads me to a room down the hall and knocks on the cracked door before pushing it open and announcing himself. Carrie lies on the bed with her butt on her pillow and her legs on the wall, her arm outstretched at the ceiling as she mutters numbers to herself. I am never going to sleep again. I bite my lip to keep from cursing. The bed beside Carrie is empty and made. I look across from her at the other two. Helena sits in one, her hands folded on her lap as she stares out the back window. The other one is empty, too, but messy. Someone sleeps there. Who? “Carrie? Helena?” David says. Carrie turns. Helena flinches and glances over her shoulder. “Diana!” Carrie squeals. She shoots up, nearly knocking herself off the bed. “You know Diana, good,” David says. “She’s going to be your new roommate.” He gently pats my shoulder and says, “I won’t be with you twenty-four seven anymore, but I’ll be around if you need me, okay?” I nod. “I’ll leave so you can settle in,” he says, and he does. I look up at the ceiling where Carrie was pointing. There’s nothing special there. The lights are off because it’s still bright outside. I glance over at Helena. She’s looking back out the window again.

read chapter six on Ao3

or on Wattpad!

General taglist: @abalonetea @only-book-lovers-left-alive @poore-choice-of-words @leadhelmetcosmonaut @jasperygrace @drippingmoon @thelaughingstag @athenswrites @kaiusvnoir @magic-is-something-we-create ​ @fictionalbullshitter @idreamonpaper @wip-nook @reesewestonn @papercutsunset @winterandwords

let me know if you want to be added or removed to the White Rabbit list, OR if you want to stay on the general list but not be tagged in this one. I understand there is some pretty potentially triggering content. or let me know if you want to be removed from both!

[thedisabilitybookarchive]

'The No-Girlfriend Rule'- Randall, Christen

Disability Rep: Anxiety (MC), ADHD (SC)

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Comedy

Age: Young Adult

Setting: USA

Additional Rep: Queer Fat Female MC x Lesbian POC Female LI, F/F, Transgender SC, POC SCs

For more information on summaries, content warnings and additional tropes, see here:

[sapphicbookoftheday]

Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin

Today's sapphic book of the day is Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin!

TW for death mentioned in summary (also a prevalent theme throughout the book)

Summary: "Gilda, a twenty-something lesbian, cannot stop ruminating about death. Desperate for relief from her panicky mind and alienated from her repressive family, she responds to a flyer for free therapy at a local Catholic church, and finds herself being greeted by Father Jeff, who assumes she’s there for a job interview. Too embarrassed to correct him, Gilda is abruptly hired to replace the recently deceased receptionist Grace.

In between trying to memorize the lines to Catholic mass, hiding the fact that she has a new girlfriend, and erecting a dirty dish tower in her crumbling apartment, Gilda strikes up an email correspondence with Grace’s old friend. She can’t bear to ignore the kindly old woman, who has been trying to reach her friend through the church inbox, but she also can’t bring herself to break the bad news. Desperate, she begins impersonating Grace via email. But when the police discover suspicious circumstances surrounding Grace’s death, Gilda may have to finally reveal the truth of her mortifying existence."

[archergrid]

Read my serial sapphic heist romance, GIRL WITH NO NAME, on Substack if you like: 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩Butch/femme 💰Steal from the rich 👾Latina hacker main character 🌹Asian butch-fatale love interest 🌶️spicy love scenes

Or DM me if you'd like to be a beta reader!

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

[ x ]

[womenusingwords]

The Apple Diary

The details… Title: The Apple Diary Author: Gerri Hill Publisher: Bella Books Publication date: December 19, 2023Available formats: ebook, paperback, audiobook Print length: 304 pages Audiobook length: 9 hours and 2 minutes (Tantor Audio, Narrator Abby Craden) Genre: romance Themes: women love women, romance, family history, family business, family loyalty, soul mates, love, apple…

[raybeansbooks]

We Deserve Monuments

We Deserve Monuments - Fiction – Contemporary Realistic Jas Hammonds Published 2022 by Roaring Brook Press

Jas Hammond’s debut novel We Deserve Monuments is a young adult, queer contemporary novel that finds itself on the 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards nomination for best YA Fiction.

Readers follow Avery Anderson as her life in DC is uprooted her senior year of high school to move with her family to take care of her terminally ill grandmother, Mama Letty. Avery is desperate to learn the shared past of her mother and Mama Letty while also learning about who she really is in this new place with her new friends. As Avery grows closer with her Mama Letty and her new friends Jade and Simone, she uncovers the mysteries behind her family as well as the racist history of Bardell, Georgia- expanding her expression of queerness and finding romance along the way. What will she uncover about her Mama Letty and the town throughout this romantic, slow-burn mystery?

This book takes an excellent look at the impact of generational racism and trauma, the effects it has on individuals as well as the community as a whole. We also get to see a teenager come to terms with toxic past relationships and foster newer and better ones that allow her to fully realize herself. 

With a piece like this and similar readings, I think there could be validating recognition of a range of readers in the experiences present in these pages as well as host larger conversations in relation to the aforementioned: generational racism, generational trauma, identity and queerness. 

We Deserve Monuments could count itself as a member of a number of displays regarding mixed race protagonic representation, queer representation, black representation, and perhaps more focused possibilities. There is possibly for a piece like this to be present in a range of representational experience and discussion; passively or actively. 

I look forward to future works from Jas Hammond and finding similar voices to read and support.

- Ray

11/18/2023

Goodreads. (n.d.). We deserve monuments. Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58484187-we-deserve-monuments 

Zamora, K., Brown, A., & Summers, J. (2023, February 2). Encore: Author Jas Hammond on their book, “we deserve monuments.” NPR. https://www.npr.org/2023/02/02/1153936550/encore-author-jas-hammond-on-their-book-we-deserve-monuments

[katenewmanwrites]

Aesthetic for PJ - Ghostbound

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