Best Lesbian Romance 2010

This is a light, sweet collection of short stories featuring women in love with women. I'm thoroughly impressed by the diversity of the stories' characters. Each story is very different from the next. I read about the lives of queer teenagers, figure skater dykes, gay cattle ranchers, and butches racing their cars.

There were women of different ages, races, and personalities. There was even a story with vampires and shapeshifters. Some characters were traveling. Others were looking back on their lives, or starting new ones.

I felt thoroughly entertained and sometimes moved by these stories. My only issue was the lack of development in some narratives. I wasn't sure if some authors originally included more writing to begin with, or if details were edited out later by Best Lesbian Romance 2010 editor Radclyffe in order to save space. In any case, I would have liked to feel more attached to some of the characters. For example, what happened to the lesbian couple who attended the social dance together? The ending only hints to a big scene taking place and isolation to follow.

The authors' writing styles vary. Some are humorous, while others are straightforward. Many of them follow their emotions as they willingly receive what comes to them. While one author would make me laugh, another would easily make me sentimental. For example, my heart skipped a beat when a woman's car tipped over during a suspenseful race.

If variety is the spice of life, then this book is certainly spicy. Speaking of spice of a different nature; there isn't much to be had here. Details of bedroom intimacy are limited and polite. However, this is a romance collection, not an erotica collection. Those seeking heavier scenes should look elsewhere. If you're looking for heartwarming and fun stories about lesbian love, however, you won't be disappointed!

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