gay erotica

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Lenni Reviews: “We’re Not Cut Out to Be Lovers” Volume 1, by Kou Hirokawa

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Kumazawa moves into a new apartment, and his neighbor, Koichi, is frequently too loud as he works from home as a streamer. When their conflict grows into a physical relationship, Kumazawa resists getting involved with a straight guy, but Koichi won’t back down.

This wastes no time getting our main characters together. I’m a sucker for grump/sunshine pairings and while this moves very fast, they’re easy to get attached to since their personalities pop. There’s just enough emotional meat to chew on, but I wouldn’t complain if there was a little more. I’ve written quick smut like this and it absolutely has value, but I like more story in my erotica, especially since a setup like this would totally lend itself to a longer plot. The smut is there and pretty detailed but there is some censoring – specifically the glow-dick. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Little Bird Sleeps by the Sea” by Yuu Minaduki

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is suggested for mature readers.

Yuuichi Tachibaba has adopted his nephew, Ayumu, after his parents and sister died a year ago. When they move to a new town, Yuuichi becomes friends with Ryou Kurebayashi, the owner of a store in the small town. As they grow closer, it’s clear they have deeper feelings than friendship and may be the key to them both healing from their pasts.

The two main leads are great characters, and their journey is touching, but the traditional third-act breakup felt way too forced. There could have been so many other less contrived reasons for this event. This leans more into emotional drama, so it’s relatively light on the smut. It’s not detailed, but you know what’s happening. And you know what? I’m totally fine with that. The story about them healing from their pain is beautiful. It’s one of those rare instances where I think hardcore smut would take away from the emotional impact. Not to mention the art is lovely. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Sweet or Bitter Love” by Conro

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Ichigi is a quiet person who is considered gloomy. He has a crush on the outgoing and popular Odajima. When, at the behest of his worried mother, Ichigi tries a matchmaking service, he is matched with Odajima. He doesn’t think someone so popular would ever be into him, so they agree to a one-year trial of living together.

This makes up for the last yaoi I read. It may have the familiar tropes, including the misheard conversations, wild assumptions, and miscommunications that lead to a temporary separation but they’re cute. We don’t get too deep into backstory but I enjoyed this so much more than Betrothed one. They have interactions that aren’t smut to build some chemistry and the smutty scenes aren’t overpowering the rest of the book. It does have the superdeformed art that tries to be cute but comes off as creepy to me. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “My Adorable Betrothed” by Dokueki

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Leo is the son of a wealthy family who also adopted Sui after his parents died. They were raised together and are expected to marry, but Sui is hesitant to make that commitment despite their close relationship.

Okay, so that’s the synopsis, but it’s more like they fuck all the time, and when they’re not fucking, they wanna fuck or talk about how much they wanna fuck. The “pressure” to get married is barely a plot point. While I can get behind a “Plot? What plot?” smutfest, this was boring after a while and uncomfortable in some parts. I feel bad not enjoying this more because the art is great. If you want straight-up smut, this is it. It has the feel of a simple porn flick, breezing by anything that isn’t sex. 2 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Feigning Fox with a Face Full of Flowers” by Ryo Ayamine

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Takeru returns to his grandfather’s home after his death to take care of the property, only to be shocked when a fox spirit named Kazune comes to claim the promise Takeru’s grandfather made to the spirit.

This has all the foundations of a decent story, but it felt bland to me, even with all the smut. The setup of the back story with Takeru and his bond with his grandfather and Kazune’s shitty childhood brings us two characters who just want to be loved, but from the very first time they’re together, they don’t feel right. It’s also a bit rapey? Little dubious consent happening here? The sex in general gives off this cold, biological reaction rather than attraction or connection. I totally understand the trope to get to the smut as quick as possible (and it’s quite graphic), but this rang hollow for me. Maybe it needed more time to tell its story. 2 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Ask and You Will Receive” Vol. 2, by Niyama

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

While dating Hikaru wasn’t the plan, Shinobu finds the standoffish prince to be a better partner than he’d thought, despite the fact they still keep everything secret at work. Hikaru may still be snooty at work, but he’s shy with Shinobu in private and realizes they have never been on an actual date.

This volume hits that magical spot for me where you could toss all the smut out and I’d be just fine with the story. These two goofs are so fucking sweet, I need a trip to the dentist. This is more from Hikaru’s point of view and is focused on turning a purely sexual relationship into something deeper. The possibility of their relationship being outed (spoilers?) is more about Shinobu wanting to protect Hikaru’s golden boy reputation, so, as of now, there’s no issue with dangerous homophobia. At least not yet. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Cute but Not Cute” by Senmu Sakishita

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Keiichi Hozumi is a success in his company; he’s popular; seemingly having it all. But deep down, he’s lonely. He can’t sleep unless there’s a girl in his bed with him, but one drunken night, he proposes a threesome with his secretary Ibuki; who has feelings for his boss.

Keiichi is the silly one while Ibuki is the stern one but I don’t like how often Keiichi gets drunk and sleeps with Ibuki then doesn’t remember what happened in the morning. But the title is an accurate assessment of how I felt by the end of this. The couple can be cute but also kinda not. I don’t really like them. Keiichi is pushy and Ibuki should tell his love interest to be with him when he’s sober. I had trouble caring if they got together by the end. It’s very explicit but I can’t even enjoy that since the consent is so iffy given the amount of alcohol. 2 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Ask and You Will Receive” Vol. 1, by Niyama

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Shinobu Urakawa is an unsuspecting office clerk by day but off the clock, he’s a playboy frequenting a gay bar he views as his oasis from the constant fawning over his coworker, Hikaru Omoteya. Known as “The Prince” by the others in the office, he’s got a big ego, thinking he can score anyone he wants, even when he heads to the same gay bar and he’s straight. He flirts with Shinobu not knowing who he is; getting more than he bargained for.

This is an “enemies” to lovers story (I don’t think they’re really enemies; they just don’t really like each other, even though they don’t know each other by more than their work reputation) with a bi-awakening and some office romance thrown in. The relationship starts as purely sexual but this is no swoonfest. It gets to the smut quickly and it doesn’t stop or hold back. Our ego-driven Hikaru has no clue what he’s getting into but Shinobu’s plan to take him down a peg results in some feels between them. Aside for some dub-con elements because Hikaru is drunk at the beginning, this was a fun read. They’re relatably silly in some parts. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Palace of the Omega” Vol. 2, by Fumi Tsuyuhisa

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Ilia lives a quiet life after the death of his husband, but as civil war rages, he encounters a familiar young man who turns out to be King Khalid, leading the rebellion against Zayn.

First off, Suya is the MVP still. I love her. Secondly, I can’t see Zayn without thinking:

Because I’m dead inside and surviving on memes. Other than that, I love the rebels taking back the kingdom plot but… Y’all, they made it weird like I thought they would when I reviewed the first book. Sorry, but if the ages were tweaked so Kahlid wasn’t just shy of the legal age, it wouldn’t be as creepy. You can make him as badass as you want, but he’s still barely legal. And it’s weird when the flashbacks happen and they talk about how much they loved and wanted each other before the war, but it flashes back to a literal child. It’s creepy and hobbled my enjoyment. Yes, there’s plenty of detailed smut to be had, but ugh… 3.5 out of 5 because I do adore the art and the plot is interesting.

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Lenni Reviews: “Megumi & Tsugumi” Vol. 5, by Mitsuru Si

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Megumi’s father’s dislike of omegas still looms over his relationship with Tsugumi and he’s determined to win his father over, only to end up tricked into a blind date with Inami.

I actually like how the sex scenes are almost like an afterthought to the couple’s goal to make Megumi’s father accept their relationship. Tsugumi is so earnest and deadpan, bringing a comedic element into all the drama. He’s not too doofy – which can also be fun – he’s just the type to know what he wants to do and doesn’t have all the hangups of those around him.  It’s refreshing since Megumi frets so much. And Tsugumi has awesome dads. I love when they’re included. 4 out of 5.

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