Readers who enjoy sensual storytelling will find themselves drawn to Two Alone in Dublin by Lucy Carey, a f/f-themed love story. Keep reading to get a glimpse of this book, along with my impressions of it, and learn even more about it by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour. Ms. Carey also gives her thoughts on why the f/f genre hasn't gained the same kind of popularity as m/m books have. Make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $25 Amazon GC too!
To preface this blog post, I must say: This is a question I’ve thought a lot about so I have a massive amount of opinions and feelings on the topic. Sorry in advance!
I still don’t understand why f/f-themed books don’t sell as much or as often as m/m-themed stories, especially given that women are the vast, vast majority of the purchases of both kinds of stories.
So what’s up with that? I suspect the answer is one of three things.
First, the idea of two men together is very appealing. Just as a lot of men love the idea of lesbians (or lipstick ones anyway), women find the thought of two men doing naughty things to each other too much to resist. Double the pleasure, double the fun and all that!
Secondly, the idea of being privy to two men building an attraction to each other and possibly having sex is a taboo for women; it’s something they’re not privy to in their day-to-day lives and nothing that would typically be talked about with their women friends. That kind of makes gay romance and sex a bit exciting—an unknown and tantalising prospect. You get to live out the ultimate fantasy by putting yourself into mind and body of somebody you could never actually hope to me in real life. That’s exciting and the ultimate act of escapism.
The third reason is one I hope I’m wrong about but that I think might play a definite part: Women aren’t used to stories that are solely about women’s wants, needs, and sexual desires, so reading those stories is alien to them. They’re used to seeing on TV and in porn and in novels and famous fiction all of the things that appeal to a male viewer or reader. They’re primed to seek out what men desire—even when it excludes what women might desire.
That last theory is one I’m uncomfortable with and, as I said, it’s one I hope I’m mistaken about. But if it is possibly the case, I hope some female readers who wouldn’t ordinarily read f/f might take a chance and try it out. At worst, they’ll discover it’s not for them and go back to reading what they enjoy. At best though, they’ll discover a whole new source of excitement and titillation and some new stories to get excited about. That sounds like a good thing to me.
What do you think? Would you ever buy a f/f romance, erotica, or any other lesbian fiction?
EXCERPT:
Mariana hadn’t worn this shade of lipstick in an age. She painted the brash, bright-red gloss around her full lips, rubbed her lips together and pouted. This was her going-out colour, a colour guaranteed to make her feel sexy and confident and womanly.
Had it really been so long since she had been on a date? she wondered. Despite this being her go-to colour for dates, it had been buried in the bottom of her makeup bag.
She checked her teeth for lipstick and, finding none, stepped back to look at her full reflection in the mirror.
She had chosen a form-fitting dress in a colour to match the shade of her lipstick and she adjusted the cups of her bra, to push her cleavage higher in its V-neck.
This, she thought to herself, must be what Susie had described as “putting your best foot forward.”
Had it really been so long since she had been on a date? she wondered. Despite this being her go-to colour for dates, it had been buried in the bottom of her makeup bag.
She checked her teeth for lipstick and, finding none, stepped back to look at her full reflection in the mirror.
She had chosen a form-fitting dress in a colour to match the shade of her lipstick and she adjusted the cups of her bra, to push her cleavage higher in its V-neck.
This, she thought to herself, must be what Susie had described as “putting your best foot forward.”
FIND AT AMAZON here.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Those looking for a read both atmospheric and emotional will get just that in this tale of a lonely and lost girl looking for the girl of her dreams. What follows is a story of misunderstandings as both ladies struggle to find happiness amidst their mutual unrelenting loneliness.
This was a sweet story with sensuality just hinted at throughout most of the story. The relationship between the exotic Mariana and studious Susie progresses at a believable pace with plenty of bumps and bruises along the way as assumptions keep them apart for a time. Their mutual loneliness is conveyed in a heartbreaking way too that had me sympathetic towards both of them and left me rooting for them to get together. Both have moved to Ireland from far away and have had to struggle to make ends meet with only one person they can count on. Though they might seem different they're a perfect match, both longing to explore new things. Life is chaotic, especially for Susie, but when they're together there's a sense of peacefulness and acceptance surrounding them. That's why I wish more time had been spent on them as a couple together. I would've liked to see them interact with one another when in close quarters and as they didn't get their HFN until the end I felt frustrated.
The author vividly detailed the country with all it's colorful vernacular and historic sites. I found myself quickly immersed in this endearing and homey land. Mariana and Susie were cute together, once they finally reached that point, and I found them easy to relate to. When together there was a simmer of sexual tension which manifested in a sensual encounter at the end that was richly rewarding. Along with this likable main couple was a large cast of secondary characters that almost too much time was spent on. Considering this story's short word count I felt as if I knew more about Susie's friend Paul than her because a lot of time was spent on his love life. Even her roommates were given more page time than I wanted to see. Ultimately though this was a good story and with the promise seen her I expect greatness from this author in a genre that deserves to flourish.
My rating for this is a C+
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Lucy Carey, Lesbian and Bisexual Romance and Erotic-Fiction Writer.
I am a 30-year-old bisexual author who writes the kind of fiction I think other LGBTQ women want to read.
As someone born and raised in Ireland, let me assure you: our country is beautiful…and so are its women.
I aim to introduce you to the best of both—the stunning scenery of the Emerald Isle and its funny, complex, gorgeous, lesbian and bisexual women. I hope you enjoy it.
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I like the fact that this is a book anyone could get into (:
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteI liked todays book excerpt. It was very interesting.
ReplyDeleteGOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI found your impressions helpful thank you.
ReplyDeleteHelpful review
ReplyDeleteIs C+ good? This book sounds interesting
ReplyDeleteHi Julia,
DeleteA C+ means this is an average read. It was a pleasant diversion for an hour or two (it's around 70 pages) but nothing earth-shattering. If it sounds interesting to you then go for it I say. Readers all have differing opinions and an average book to me might become a favorite for you.
Thanks for stopping by! If you do read it please come back and give me your impressions of it.
The Scarf Princess