Love & Other Disasters
Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
Published in 2022
Main Couple: London and Dahlia
The Story: Dahlia and London meet as contestants on a reality cooking show. Neither expected to fall in love while on this public journey. Will they find their paths forward are together?
The Sex: Full transparency, this is my first book with explicit sex that features a transgender human. I heard so many good things about how this book was written, and specifically the intimacy. I was not told wrong. As ya’ll know, consent and check-ins are a huge deal for me when we are working with more realistic tropes in romance. (This is not the moment to discuss dub/non con in dark romance.) A really important check in that honestly made me tear up, and I think should be a check in for all people in intimate situations, was “Is there anywhere I can’t touch you?” When Dahlia asked this, I about fell out my chair will joy and appreciation. Most, if not all, humans have a strange relationship with their body. Asking what is and isn’t allowed can create a safe space for your partner. It might be because you have an awkward ticklish spot. But when your partner gives you open permission to share what is allowed, it let’s you know that you have permission to say no. It’s almost assumed that if you say yes to something, you say yes to everything. Not necessarily true when it comes down to it. These two are so enthralled with each other. They are mesmerized when they cook together. I love how that tension during moments when they shouldn’t be flirting really adds to the release when they get back to their rooms.
**All of my highlights and notes saved as locations not chapters and pages. If you know how I can change that, let me know.**
Favorite Lines:
“Their mouths opened to each other and there was her tongue, finally, hot and surprisingly determined, just like Dahlia, and the feel of it tugged at a string in their gut, a string that set everything else on fire.” Location 1776 Surprisingly determined. It doesn’t sound as positive out of context, but in the scene I responded with “awww.”
“‘Wait,’ London said. “Aren’t I supposed to have my arms around your waist? I don’t know what to do with my arms now.” She pulled back to look at them. ‘Isn’t that pretty gender role-y?’” Location 3092 This was a poignant example of how gender roles affect so much of how we interact with the world. They’re just slow dancing, and yet certain behaviors have been ingrained into London’s head how they should do it.
“London paused, withdrawing from her, stepping back an inch. “Is it possible for you to move up a bit? The angle isn’t right.”’ Location 3154 How fucking sexy and confident to know how you want to please your partner and tell them what to do so you can do your best work.
Least Favorite Lines:
‘“I tried to talk about it, I swear, but when I got to her room that night, after she was kicked off…she was just throwing stuff into a suitcase and…I don’t know, it was like she was a different person.”’ Location 3461 You are seriously asking her to have a conversation with you about the state of your relationship when she’s in the midst of an emotional spiral from a terrible challenge and getting kicked off the show? You gave her zero space.
Final Thoughts:
This is a love story. A romance. Not a coming out tale. Watching these two fall in love while in the crazy world of the show was a blast. They bond over their passion for cooking. They first while doing challenges. They send burning glances across a stage to each other. They explore LA together and build each other up as humans. I just need to say this…I am not a fan of a third act break up. Especially when it’s because of a blatant TSTL miscommunication. I had to put this book down for months. They get through it quickly, but I was so mad about it, that I needed the space.
Spice Level: 2/5
Kinks Explored: None
Voices Heard: Queer, Trans, Latina
Did I like it? Outside of the third act breakup, I was all in. The scene in the garden….Loved it.