TikTok and Instagram get the "yes, no, maybe," but Bindery gets the (spoiler free) deep dive.

Perfect Match: Vampire's Consort by I.T. Lucas

Quick synopsis: Former teenage nerd becomes hot adult, sustains crush on high school "not like other girls" smart babe, starts virtual reality business aimed at schmexy trysts, is a vampire in fantastical world. Antics ensue.

Oh, boy. Yes, I knew what I was getting into. Yes, I finished it. No, I did not enjoy it.

I've seen other work of Lucas's advertised across the interwebs, but I started here because it was an intriguing enough premise and if I am to adjust to our soon-to-be robotic overlords, a VR love story seems reasonable enough, no? Bonus for vampires.

Gag me with a spoon, this was awful. The writing is choppy, repetitive, bland, and simplistic. The characters were flat and predictable. Even the fantasy world concocted within the virtual reality portion of the story was awkward. How in the world are the fake/avatar versions of these characters more layered (barely) than the *actual* characters? I am made of confusion.

The Witch by Marie NDiaye (translated from French by Jordan Stump)

Quick synopsis: Average witch in long maternal line of witches (who habitually suppress their talents because men suck) teaches her daughters magic against her lame husband's wishes. Daughters excel, mom is emotionally wrecked.

I tried this one on recommendation from @CJ Alberts and the (quite excellent) "Weird Little Books" series.

Sweet heaven, this wrenched something deep from my soul. Proceed with caution if you, too, have a child or children who is/are growing up to be so much cooler than you. (OR if you, too, have ever diluted yourself for a terrible partner.) I marvel daily at my kiddo, and this book had me exploring a lot of the grief and shame that comes with not being all the fantastic things you once dreamed for yourself and instead bearing witness to the greatness of your wee ones.

Also, fair warning: this is neither joyous nor uplifting, but it IS very good.

Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaefer

Quick synopsis: Young 20s wannabe trad wife influencer wants to get pregnant, seeks help from wishing well in the woods. Forces unknown answer her plea...

Heheheeeeeee, what a romp of a demon story. I acknowledge that this is not everyone's cup of tea, but it was definitely mine. For all of the mixed reviews I've seen regarding Yesteryear (I have not read it), I do feel strongly that while the business-focused conversations surrounding trad wife culture deserve more exploration, this appears to be a more interesting take on the desperation and self-delusion that goes along with upholding the lifestyle.

It is very weird and very spooky, but in a way I found marvelously fun and timely.

A Fate Inked in Blood and A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jensen

Quick synopsis: Norse mythological retelling duology in which "unfated" ones carry a drop of a god's blood, which gives them magic powers. Uniquely gifted "unfated" gal gets shoved around by folks in power, and there's a very hot "unfated" dude involved.

I will typically reach for a reread when I am torn between TBR options and/or feeling the beginning slides of a slump. It just so happens that these two are shelved very close to eye level when I am sitting at my desk, so here we are.

The lead up, I will say, is solid enough. I did feel very immersed in the world, and the characters felt appropriately complicated and well-textured. I'm a big fan of the first book, but the second feels... not rushed, per say. Tangled? Clunky? Trying to do too much? Good twists, but the banter between our fabled FMC and MMC was lacking, and that took something crucial away from the story for me.

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

Quick synopsis: D1 aquatics athletes/Stanford pre-med students think they're kinky and can't communicate.

Okay. Listen. I'm going to say it. Ali Hazelwood is not my favorite. I don't think I like her work. AND YET. I have now read this book three times. WHY? I don't understand. I have issues. It's not a well-crafted narrative. There are holes. These are the dumbest smart people in all of literature. I am made of confusion.

The Devil She Knows by Alexandria Bellefleur

Quick synopsis: Brokenhearted babe gets caught in an elevator, makes a Faustian bargain with a blonde hottie. Have you seen Bedazzled? The 2000 Brendan Fraser classic? Like that, but gay.

Poor girl just wants her girlfriend back, and here comes this vixen to spice up every single one of her seven wishes in whatever way she can. A delightfully easy/low-stakes summerween read, if extremely predictable.

No Way, They Were Gay? by Lee Wind

Quick synopsis: A historical account of famous figures who definitely had queer leanings.

My first non-fiction read of 2026! AT LAST!

There's nothing to spoil here. Their faces are on the cover. These are some very notable folks who had incredibly romantic inclinations toward their same sex pals. I knew about a few of the people mentioned in this book (no one can read the correspondence between Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok and not think SAPPHIC), but Gandhi was a surprise. I don't remember if I knew about James Buchanan, though I was expecting to see Martin Van Buren! His boyfriend lived at the White House with him! They had a collection of exotic pets together! Abe Lincoln came out of left field, but I think I'm convinced...

Kill the Beast by Serra Swift

Quick synopsis: A bounty hunter of faeries with a tragic past is hired to go after the biggest and baddest of all fae creatures by a formerly wealthy and fabulous weirdo. Marketed as Howl's Moving Castle meets The Witcher, but there is a far more obvious association that would (unfortunately) give away the whole story, so.

A charming conclusion to June's reading. I love me a good fantasy standalone. Good world-building, lovable characters, some very fun and witty dialogue... the whole thing felt like a hug. I do recommend it.