gay fiction

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Lenni Reviews: “Sunshine in Hades” Vol. 1, by Puling

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

Cerberus is a slave, champion gladiator, and a prime chance for his owners to breed him out to produce more like him. But he’s a virgin. Cerberus enlists the help of Phaethon, a priest of the sun god to teach him how to please a woman, only to grow closer to the priest as time goes on.

Cerberus, of course, has total golden retriever energy in a rottweiler’s skin, while Phaethon is the “I don’t fall in love until I totally do” type. The intrigue around them makes for some interesting plot points that give what is a predictable yaoi something a bit more unique. It is VERY suggestive and the art favors the tiddies:

This dude is a cup size up from me, I swear… It’s not bad, I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on the next one. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Scattering His Virgin Bloom: Love Frenzy” Vol. 3, by Aya Sakyo

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

After the incident with Joel, Renjaku wants Hana to quit his job and work at Renjaku’s firm.

I am not a fan of how Renjaku is behaving. He’s not being protective; he’s being controlling, taking Hana’s phone, hauling him off on a work trip… He’s heading into red flag territory. Hana seemed genuinely concerned about losing his autonomy. It’s why he wanted to keep his job and worked so hard to get a full-time position since the start of this series. At the same time, he just lets Renjaku undermine that? Why even set that up then? I dunno, it seems like a plot device to keep the coffee shop setting for some scenes. I sure hope Hana sticks to his guns on this. 2.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Scattering His Virgin Bloom: Love Frenzy” Vol. 2, by Aya Sakyo

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

While Renjaku is away for work, Hana’s mother moves to set up her son with another alpha, Joel. Renjaku did give Hana a collar instead of biting, but this publicly outs him as an omega.

What a toxic fucking family. This makes me even more annoyed that Hana didn’t make Renjaku more aware to better protect him from his mother’s machinations. It was also very predictable that whoever his mom would pick as a potential mate would be a jerk because everyone but Renjaku has to be an asshole. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Perfect Buddy” Vol. 1, by daki & Lash

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*This book is rated 18+

Seo Hyunsoo has only physical relationships with men and is devoted to his routines but when he catches Baik Youngchan  masturbating in a public bathroom, the man throws a wrench in Hyunsoo’s ordered life.

While they have a typically comedic and antagonistic relationship, Baik’s protective golden retriever energy is so much fun. He’s clearly more on the ball than Seo gives him credit for. Seo’s background with his former job gives some nice context to his deadpan attitude and why he gives in to all this extra work. I’m looking forward to learning more about why he was transferred and how these “enemies” come into play in the plot. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “At 25:00, in Akasaka” Vol. 1, by Hiroko Natsuno

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*This book is rated 18+

Shirasaki Yuki has landed a huge acting gig and his costar is superstar actor Hayama Asami. Yuki is nervous about his performance in a gay drama and asks Asami to help him.

While not the most original premise, it’s very tender in the way it executes it. Asami, while indulging this wild proposition, is quite respectful of Yuki’s boundaries and since their chemistry is good, they’re easy to root for and I’m hoping for their happy ending. The art is fairly standard but good and the smutty bits fit well into the plot. It’s pretty spicy but also sweet! 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Scattering His Virgin Bloom: Love Frenzy” Vol. 1, by Aya Sakyo

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

Renjaku and Hana are living together as mates and as their relationship is more serious, their families get involved.

This volume focuses on Hana’s family and how they’ve treated him as an omega. Which is not great. It doesn’t really help that he’d not being honest with Renjaku about what’s happening and (spoilers???) with Renjaku leaving on a work trip, Hana can’t even go to him for comfort. The persistent smut doesn’t distract from how sad this is. And we’re just gonna have no hard feelings for your alpha brother trying to mate with you. Okay… 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “After We Gazed at the Starry Sky” Vol. 2, by Bisco Kida

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*This book is for mature readers and is rated 18+

Subaru and Tougo are still officially dating, getting serious enough for Tougo to meet Subaru’s parents.

Kinda wild how fast we’re moving through this. Lots of time skips. I think this is VERY idealized. It’s at a breakneck pace to get these two to their happily ever after as fast as possible. Not that I need a lot of angst and pain in my romances but I would have liked to see more of the unique nuances that come with dating as a disabled person. Any issues that do creep up are solved in a snap. Subaru’s parents are a delight, though. Supportive parents and healthy family dynamics are great to see. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “May I Have a Taste?” Vol. 2, by Amidamuku

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Minoru is gravely injured trying to save Yamadera after he risks his life trying to become a vampire. An older vampire, Mire, comes to assist Minoru.

I like that the world is expanding. I don’t like Yamadera, so spending time with any other character is a net positive. We do get some backstory for Mine, another new vampire, Itachi, and introduce Mei, who reminds me of Kiku from Call of the Night. I’m glad what seemed to be a predatory version of Ko annoying Minoru, who just wants to live his life, is shaping into something more. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Forest of the Rabbits” Vol. 1, by ENJO

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

Shunta and Tamaki were childhood friends who reconnect in high school. While Shunta realized his attraction to his friend early on, Tamaki’s tumultuous upbringing has him clinging to traditional expectations. But Shunta doesn’t want to waste any more time before fulfilling his dream of dating Tamaki.

This is rough since it starts with them as young kids, and Tamaki is clearly not only neglected by his mother, but he’s also exposed to things a child shouldn’t because his mother is a sex worker. We are pro-sex work in this house, but not with your child in the next room or watching your clients as they go in and out of the home. That’s a dark cloud lurking behind this budding romance, making it hard to enjoy Shunta being a goofy simp for his crush. I almost don’t want them to get together until Tamaki has had a few months of intense therapy to deal with his clear trauma. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rainbows After Storms” Vol. 10, by Luka Kobachi

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

While Nanoha has decided to attend confectionary school in Tokyo, Chidori is still unsure. She is only certain she wants to follow Nanoha to Tokyo.

If Chidori isn’t able to get into a school close to Nanoha, it brings the possibility of having to be in a long distance relationship. I have to say, they’re being very mature for a YA manga. I suppose since this has been a fairly cozy slice of life so far, it’s not going to make a pivot to big dramatics. Which is great! It’s a healthy relationship and they’re adorable together. 4 out of 5.

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