Delightful lesbian fun
596099
Lots of people, including the venerable Ebert and Roeper, bash this movie for having no plot, bad acting, and unbearable cheesiness.  I cannot defend this movie against people who made those claims.  I can only say that I, as an audience, was truly entertained by this charming and witty little film.  What can I say?  The movie worked for me, and I was guiltily won by its unique charms.

Ebert's main criticism was that had this movie been about a heterosexual relationship, the plot would have been so absurdly mundane as to be unfilmable.  "The only thing going for this film is the lesbian relationship".  I agree.  However, he misses the point that we are precisely here to watch a lesbian relationship, not to see some top-notch spy action thriller.  We are not even here for the comedy, primarily.  We are here to see a film in which a lesbian relationship is portrayed in a positive, light-hearted way that ends with a happy ending which, if you are a connoisseur of lesbian films, you will know is surprisingly rare.

Lesbians, and friends of lesbians (like me) are starving for good positive portrayals of women loving women; not as a guilty side story, not for shock-purposes, but as the main centrepiece of movie.  D.E.B.S. succeeds because it portrays the central relationship in a refreshing, matter-of-fact way, while at the same time acknowledging that this is not the norm in our society.  This is a very delicate balance that the film succeeds in perfectly.  D.E.B.S. also succeeds because of its witty lines, sweet easy charm, and the fact that it's a good-natured film.  To anthropomorphise the movie, D.E.B.S. is like a kind-hearted, adorable girl whom you can't help but like.  Its heart is certainly in the right place.  I'm so please, by the way, that this film received a PG-13 movie.  Finally our country is realising that homosexuality by itself does not award an R-rating.

I thought the acting was in general very well done.  Jordana Brewster in particular is irresistible and just believable enough to play the delicious lesbian "supervillain" Lucy Diamond, whose combination of hotness and insecurity are enough to cause formerly-straight government spies to question their orientation.  Does she really look tough and/or mean enough to be the head of an international criminal syndicate?  No, not really, but it works in this movie's slight off-kilter, over-the-top world.  The love story between Brewster's character Lucy and the other main character, Amy, is adorable, sweet, funny, and ultimately heart-warming.  You really do believe that they work as a couple, and want them to drive off into the sunset living to live happily ever after in Barcelona.

One quick word about the absolutely stunning Devon Aoki (Dominique), who plays the chain-smoking, hapa D.E.B.S. agent who's a sex addict and speaks with a French accent.  Obviously her character was designed (and in the movie chosen) for the precise purpose of enticing and seducing men sexually, almost in a comically stereotypic way.  (French accents typically being very appealing to American men).  The grand irony perhaps then is how well it worked on me.  Aoki smoulders on the screen in her few scenes with a kind of almost intolerable sexiness that destroys both reason and resistance with seemingly little conscious effort.

There are many different ways to enjoy D.E.B.S.  However, it certainly does targets a certain type of audience, and perhaps it takes one with a certain mindset to be able to enjoy the movie.  But if you're one of them, prepare for a rare treat.
3342831
so many times with lesbian stories they feel faked or rises to the sex. this on the other hand captivates you with the true longing of two lesbians with all the normal baggage we all carry. I can't wait to read more from RJ Nolan!
2842860
Armstrong's series brings traditional lesbian romance to the short novella format.  Bite sized fun in each one.  A quick read that is enjoyable and generates interest in the next installment.
3349456
Claire is a top-level fairy godmother whos been doing the godmothering gig for years. Bonded to her magic wand, Claire is in high demand to help the love-lost to find their true loves, or very nearly so.

However, the more modern sensibilities, and precocious demands of her clients, make the godmothering business trickier than it ever was. When Claire is given a VIP case by her boss, she winds up in hot water with demons, guardian angels and even a fallen angel.

It doesnt help that her competition, a guardian angel called Tamiel, is gorgeous and clearly more interested in Claire than the client.

This is a fun tale of godmothering in the 21st century, with a lovely lesbian twist. It isn't a long book, but Lane has given us enough depth to the story and the characters to feel engaged in their adventures, and not long enough to ever get tedious. Lane has managed the length of the story really well. It is a delight from start to finish.

Claire is fun, smart, and getting a bit bored by the consistency of it all. The new challenge presented by the VIP case, and having to deal with her ingrained prejudices from the Fairy Godmother Council, provide a refreshing spark to the day. Combine that with an unhappy boss, a hierarchy of colleagues, and competition from outside the firm, and we have a very modern take on on godmothering.

I really enjoyed this. It didn't take long to read and was a delightful sojourn into an urban fantasy. I don't know if Lane is planning to take the series further, but she has set it up well in case she does. Id definitely read the next installment, should it come along. Enjoy.

Advanced reading copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
834050
Once again, Rebecca has combined stunningly sexy artwork with the naughty and perverse tales of young women exploring lesbian sex and loving it!!  These stories are absolutely fabulous.  You will definitely want to join the fun!
4654550
Wendy of the Wallops by Gill McKnight is an absolute delight.  PC Wendy seems to be permanently awkward and embarrassed, especially around attractive women.  She has recently come out to her friend and local vicar, Jane and her partner Renata from the first book in the series.  She hasn't quite worked up the courage to tell her family or her work colleagues.  When she is asked to keep an eye out on young Lexi, whose father has gone on the run from his witness protection programme, she comes into contact with local artist and Guide Leader Keira.  Between being constantly annoyed by Keira, her hot new boss from the Met and her cute doctor, Wendy is surrounded by women who confuse and arouse her.  This is a story about a totally adorable character following her path towards accepting and being happy with her sexuality.  It is also hilarious and sweet and I highly recommend it.

I was given this ARC by Ylva Publishing in return for an honest review.
4144708
Face it, most lesbian movies and books are pretty terrible, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. A few nuances with the writing techniques, but that's with just about any book. I would recommend reading it
953010
This is another book I've read cover to cover numerous times and never got around to reviewing. The author was a lesbian columnist in the early 1990s, and her writings are a snapshot of lesbian culture from that time period. Pat Califia, the Face on Mars, "Bambi"-as-patriarchal-propaganda, gays in the military, and the Michigan Woman's Music Festival are just a few of the many topics that get drawn into Harper's amazingly humorous commentary on society both within and outside the lesbian community.

Her voice is incredibly positive for the most part. While she doesn't deny the homophobic society of the time, she pokes light-hearted fun at it while making very important points about changes that need to be made (and are still relevant today). She is the Trickster incarnate--making you laugh and think at the very same time.
3056601
This is a continuation of the Kassandra Lyall series and I enjoyed it as much as the first. Weres, vampires, and faeries who are also lesbians. What's not to like?
3349396
I had such a good time with Colin and Penelopes story. We had quite a few threads, and for those who follow the series, we discover who holds the pen of one Lady Whistledown, gossip columnist extraordinaire.

Colin isn't all happy with the way people perceive him and is prone to travel. Penelope is the best friend of Colins sister, Eloise Bridgerton,  and has long been in love with him. Unfortunately, he never seems to notice her, but after a slightly awkward situation, he begins to talk to her and discovers there is much more to Penelope than anyone has imagined. The two of them were hilarious together, and Penelopes inner dialogue had me grinning. It was fun learning their secrets.

Penelope at twenty-eight is no longer participating in the season, and despite yearning for Colin, she is quite prepared for life as a spinster. I laughed as she described the perks of no longer being paraded about for the eligible men of the ton. Poor Colin is locked into societies concept of him. He is the charming and sensible, Bridgerton. Bwahahathey should see him when dealing with Penelope and Eloise.

I think thus far, Colin and Penelope are my favorite couple of the series. Their chemistry, banter and the delicious heat that followed felt genuine. These are people I would enjoy spending time with, and I can assure you the conversation would never be dull.

Rosalyn Landor continues to narrate the series, and while her male voices will never be favorites, she does manage to give them all a unique voice, capture the period and enhance the story.
1234779
The writer managed to craft a story of two PEOPLE. None of the unbelievable characters that litter
lesbian fiction. I enjoyed that the main characters were people who had issues and weren't totally
"OMG I never thought a sexual thought until X came into my life" characters. The plotting kept my
interest. Ryan's exes on the AIDS ride were realistic: some people are fine with you moving on, some
get over it after awhile and some stay bitter. Meagher writes this w/o resorting to a stalker sub-plot.
The cop scene was too funny -- it happens too. Cassie was one (minor) character I think I have met in
real life about two dozen times. LOL! This book comes after Awakenings and before Coalescence.
Enjoy!
1149596
Fun.  Witty.  And lots of laugh out loud moments.

When Delia Moss discovers her boyfriend of ten years has been cheating on her it sets her in motion to make big changes in her life.  She is leaving Paul and Newcastle and moving to London to stay with her friend Emma until she can decide what she will do with her life.

While in London, Delia finds a job and its not quite as she expected.  She gets caught in the middle of a battle between her boss and a competing businessman.  She finds herself involved in some unusual situations (that are often laughable after the fact) and she makes some new friends. She also starts working on her cartoon again, The Fabulous Miss Fox, which has been stored away and not thought about in years.  Will Delia find a new life and love in London or will she go back to Newcastle with her tail between her legs as Paul wants her to?

The length of the book almost turned me off, but once I got into it, it was hard to stop reading.  I felt drawn into Delias life and everyone around her and just had to know the outcome.  This book is a fun adventure and well worth taking the time to read it.
590860
This book has a gorgeous cover. MacGregor is a skilled writer who knows her craft, so you won't be distracted by any flaws in character, setting, no holes in plot, everything is nicely done so that the reader can relax and enjoy this novel. If you like lesbian romance novels, and you've read enough of them, you'll be able to compare this author's effort, but if this is your first time with this genre, you certainly won't be disappointed. The story starts slowly and builds at a satisfying pace. Paula works at an upscale hotel in Orlando, and Wynne is a frequent patron. They meet, get to know each other, slowly become friends, each refusing to act on the growing attraction between them. Both Paula and Wynne are dedicated to advancing their careers. Despite the fact that they like each other and have things in common, they are reluctant to allow the relationship to grow beyond the casual. Wynne flies in from Baltimore for a series of business meetings dealing with the merger of her travel company into a much larger corporation. When the merger is complete, her periodic visits to the Orlando hotel will be over. For this and other reasons, both women struggle to keep their friendship casual. There is subplot and tension, as Wynne's family and home life intrude, but when the casual dinner dates increase the sexual tension between them, things begin to heat up. The main characters are fully developed, interesting, and believable. As the attraction between the two increases, so does the tension and interest for the reader. Usually, the lesbian romance ends when the girl finally gets the girl, but real relationships are sometimes much more complicated than that. Adults have obligations and entanglements, and MacGregor provides her characters with realistic problems, some of which may seem unsolvable. Sometimes, we make mistakes that cannot be forgiven or overcome. I've read literally dozens of novels in this genre, and this author handles the requirements and parameters very well, but she also manages to go beyond the requisite elements to offer the reader a little bit more than one would expect. If this is your first encounter with the genre, you'll be thoroughly entertained. If you're a fan of the lesbian romance, you'll find more than you normally get from an author, in clear, crisp writing, solid characterization, attention to detail and plot, and a good, professional, enjoyable, and very entertaining novel.
3713175
"Kissing Jessica Stein," directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld, tells the story of a young, single, Jewish professional woman in New York City (the Jessica of the title, played by Jennifer Westfeldt). She's fed up with men after a series of bad experiences. Intrigued by a "woman-seeks-woman" personal ad, Jessic decides to give lesbianism a try. The object of her often clumsy affection is Helen (Heather Juergensen), a sexy art gallery manager.
This movie hooked me from its outrageous opening scene, in which Jessica, her mother, and her grandmother bicker and gossip about men during a Day of Atonement service. "Jessica" is a wonderfully funny and sweet film, filled with witty dialogue and some genuinely touching moments. The ensemble cast is superb. Westfeldt and Juergensen shine in the lead roles. Westfeldt, who looks remarkably like Lisa Kudrow, is reminiscent of a young female Woody Allen in this quirky, neurotic role. Juergensen brings an irreverent sensuality to her role. The two are delicious together. Although the whole supporting cast is great, I was particularly moved by Tovah Feldshuh as Jessica's loving mother.
I'm sure people will be tempted to pigeonhole "Jessica" as a "lesbian" movie, a "New York" movie, and/or a "Jewish" movie. It's certainly all of these, but its charm and universality also transcend all categories. It's about love, family ties, friendship, self-knowledge, and other issues that are relevant to everybody. And the film is populated with a wonderful group of characters -- male and female, Jewish and gentile, straight, gay, and "bi-curious" -- who are treated with affection and respect by the filmmakers. My advice: whatever your own preferences, prepare to kiss "Jessica" and love it.
1138107
I bought and read this in one sitting. Related to the Secrets trilogy by Valerie Bowman, this is a fun romp at a Christmastide visit throwing Oliver and Cerian together. The first time was by accident as they both hid in silver closet avoiding unwanted suitors. They concoct an idea to throw off the suitors by pretending to be enamored with one another. Throw in a cat who shows up at the most convenient times, and mayhem, adventure, some kissing, and suddenly it's no longer a game. They're perfect for each other, but they have to accept each other, and know love is true, before they can finally take on the ton, and see they're destined to be together. All thanks to some mistletoe.
3011824
There are so few good movies involving lesbian relationships that I think people tend to rate even sub-par movies higher than they should.  However, that is definitely not the case here.  This is an honest-to-goodness romantic comedy that just happens to involve the relationship between two women.  It's not laugh out loud funny, but thoroughly amusing throughout.  And unlike many so-called romantic comedies (lesbian or otherwise), it's actually fairly plausible and realistic.  The women are wonderful and have incredible chemistry.  They are just beautiful together.  In fact, all the actors are first-rate.  This one is not to be missed.
3374873
In one word, The Naughty Girls' Book Club is delightful! It was just so much fun and left me with a smile. It kind of reminded me of Chocolat (without the magic, and coffee instead of chocolate) in how a group of people come together as strangers, and then help each other to get more out of life. They all change in some small way thanks to their bi-weekly discussion of erotic novels. I just loved watching them all come to life, realizing what they want, and go after it. Also, the themes of being open-minded (not just in the bedroom!) and unselfconscious were great.

The Naughty Girls' Book Club all starts when Estelle needs a business boost at her cafe. She decides to try a book club, but their first selection doesn't go too well. She wanted to focus on "high-brow" classics and make the group serious, but when the members accidentally see that she's reading a Fifty Shades-esque novel, things start to look up. Everyone grabs a copy, even Reggie, the groups only male member who claims he's there for thesis research. And their eyes are opened to the magical world of erotica! Even if not all of them found it sexy, it was still a great ice breakers, allowing for great discussion and the beginnings of friendships.

The Naughty Girls' Book Club alternates POV between each of the group members. There are five of them, but the narrative never felt jumpy or overwhelming. They each have their own distinct problems to work through, and I enjoyed them all. Estelle is divorced and having trouble finding time to move on. Sue is recently retired and wants to go on world adventures, while her husband just wants to sit at home watching TV. Rebecca is a newlywed, but things are already feeling stale in her relationship, and she's the one most open to "experimenting" much to her husband's delight! Gracie is a young feminist who believes erotica sets women back 50 years(at least, at first). Finally, there's Reggie, who is a bit of a geek and worries that he's not what women want, since he doesn't even compare to the heroes in their book club titles. I loved getting to know all of them and watching them bond with each other.

I really enjoyed The Naughty Girls' Book Club. I did get a little worried in the beginning, since I couldn't really relate to the older women and their marriage woes. But that ended up not being a problem, since at the root of it, their problems were more about discovering what they want out of life and relationships and being comfortable with themselves, rather than simply their marriages. It was a really sweet and fun book, and I highly recommend it.