Look, ma! New side hustle!
I’m (hopefully?) easing out of my burnout era and into my ANN reviewer era. Special thanks to the McElroys for this year’s theme, “Twenty-ThunderDrive: Faster Than Fear,” which motivated me to try writing again. Absolutely no thanks to being unemployed for three months, which also motivated me, but in a much less fun way.
Love and the Highly Sensitive Person
Figured I’d start my ANN reviewer career off with some easy BL fluff, but oopsy-woopsy, it’s actually a really thoughtful and kind dramedy about a socially anxious guy with sensory processing sensitivities that made me cry a little! Throw in a perfect cat, and this heartfelt one-shot has a lot crossover appeal that would make it a welcome addition to a variety of readers’ bookshelves.
Helena and Mr. Big Bad Wolf
Despite its title, this series has less in common with fairy tales and more with classic children’s literature, complete with plucky orphans, gruff-but-kind adults, and alarmingly sad backstories. A found-family story and love letter to picture books that’s creatively drawn and incredibly charming—when it’s NOT plummeting Wile E. Coyote-style into Tragedy Canyon, anyway.
Hereditary Triangle
There’s a thoughtful maturity to much of this short series, as its cast explores complex emotions and questions without any easy answers. It almost lost me at the midway point, but thankfully came together into a quietly affecting tale about loss and change. Very excited to see more from Fumiya Hayashi in the future!
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