gay fiction

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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: “My Beautiful Man” Vol. 1, by Yuu Nagira & Megumi Kitano

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

Hira has a stutter and has been bullied for it. Now in the second year of high school, it continues with a group of boys led by Kiyoi, who make him do their school chores, buy them snacks, and fetch things for them. Hira lets it happen because he has a crush on Kiyoi.

I guess this is going to turn out that Kiyoi isn’t so bad, but for now, everyone but Hira and his mother (we don’t see much of his father) are so damn unlikable. And Hira is what the kids these days would call a simp; accepting whatever shitty treatment inflicted on him because he’s in love with Kiyoi, and it’s just so sad to watch. The poor kid is miserable, and Kiyoi is a jerk. I don’t even want them to get together. I want someone else to make Hira smile for once and stick up for him. And of course, there is some sort of secret Kiyoi is hiding from his douchbag friends. This volume is suggestive but not explicit. 2.9 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: “Touch Within the Abyss” by Moyori Mori

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

The one time Chinatsu hesitated with a target, it cost his older brother his life and left a witness, a blind boy named Kasumi. Years later, Chinatsu meets Kasumi again.

This is a cozy read. Chinatsu’s profession as a hitman isn’t at the forefront, so the violence is heavily implied, not explicit. The art is dreamy and soft when it needs to be and just dark enough when there’s tension or darker stuff happening in the story. Everything is very effective in making you care about the couple and want to see them happy. Heck, even Kasumi’s family is supportive. A lot of these stories would either lean into the violence or make the disabled person miserable because their family is awful, but nope. Not this time. If you’re looking for something quick to read without much smut (it’s off “screen” so to speak), this is just a nice read. 4 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: “Rainbows After Storms” Vol. 4, by Luka Kobachi

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

This volume has our secret couple Nanoha and Chidori going on their first beach trip with their friends as well as introducing Igarashi; Chidori’s first love that broke her heart.

It’s interesting to see how f/f relationships are seen in Japan. I remember reading/watching somewhere that these little intimacies are seen as cutesy things you grow out of as life gets “serious,” then you go on to have a family. My mother believed something similar. It was so fucking sweet to see Nanoha put her foot down and say Chidori is her girlfriend. They’re still a secret to their friends but this isn’t a passing thing for them. While this isn’t a flash forward 20 years in the future to see they’re still together for a real confirmation but I’ll take it. They are so damn adorable. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Dinghai Fusheng Records” Vol. 1, by Fei Tian Ye Xiang & Qian Er Bai

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

Chen Xing is the last Great Exorcist who is fated to die on his 20th birthday. He is searching for his fated counterpart to save the world before that happens and meets Xiang Su about to be executed for a crime he didn’t commit.

This feels all over the place but not in a really bad way. It’s based on a novel and I think what’s happening is the parts of the novel that would work best in this new format are what’s included so it affects the pacing a bit. I had no problem rolling with it but this is an interesting fantasy that will tickle your BL itch as it’s focused on the fantasy story not tossing these two into bed right away. 3.7 out of 5.

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