I am a geriatric millennial gay who, in the last year or so, only just started reading and writing sapphic fiction. I know, I know. So here on my blog, I would like to share some of the gayest books I’ve read and loved recently.

Starting with: Providence Girls, by Morgan Dante​

This is the first book I purchased in my lesbian-book fancier era. A sea monster romance seemed like the perfect fit for my tastes, which is weird and erotic. It’s about a woman (Vin) who flees her home due to vast horrors, and is rescued and taken in by a recluse (Azzie) who is undergoing a slimy and mysterious metamorphosis. A deeply sweet and sexy romance ensues. There is a lot of reciprocal hurt/comfort back-and-forth in this, and if I had to pick a trope that never fails to get me, it’s this one. The writing is very descriptive and evocative of the natural environment and the era (the 1930s) and I enjoyed Azzie’s fashion sense a lot. It’s an epistolary story so you get both women’s perspectives. This is a horror romance; there is a good deal of foreboding and body horror moments. But it’s told in such a sensitive way (and with that hurt/comfort factor), and as a consequence I didn’t find it horrific at all, only tender and very, very erotic. Now, apparently, the two main characters appear in two separate Lovecraft short stories, which I have never read. I do feel that if you are familiar with/are a fan of Lovecraft, this will provide an extra level of enjoyment and satisfaction. I was able to enjoy it anyway, and although a fair few references went over my head, I was happy to let them.

In conclusion, you will love this book if you adore queer historical romance, very descriptive prose, horror, yearning, sexy sex scenes, and (bonus) Lovecraftian lore.