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Ren'Ai Rensai #3
"Seikou."
For over twenty years Reina has sexually celebrated the women around her with a reverence only tolerated by her wife, Aiko. But when Reina misinterprets the fluidity of their open relationship, she's backed into a corner where her gender dysphoria reigns supreme. In order to salvage her marriage, she may have to reanalyze the way she views the world, her life, and her experiences.
Just when she thinks she's figured her spouse out, Aiko faces an unexpected transgression. Can she forgive her? Or will love finally give way to the fatigue that accompanies being with someone like Reina? A sick mother and unsympathetic sister are not helping Aiko's dilemma.
Even the most passionate relationships sometimes fall asunder to "seikou," the sexual character at the core of one's identity. Will Reina and Aiko reunite with stronger hearts, or is it finally time to go their separate ways? And if they do split up, who will help them pick up the pieces - the stoic therapist, the desperate socialite, or the young couple who initiated this mess to begin with?
Just when she thinks she's figured her spouse out, Aiko faces an unexpected transgression. Can she forgive her? Or will love finally give way to the fatigue that accompanies being with someone like Reina? A sick mother and unsympathetic sister are not helping Aiko's dilemma.
Even the most passionate relationships sometimes fall asunder to "seikou," the sexual character at the core of one's identity. Will Reina and Aiko reunite with stronger hearts, or is it finally time to go their separate ways? And if they do split up, who will help them pick up the pieces - the stoic therapist, the desperate socialite, or the young couple who initiated this mess to begin with?
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2013
3 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Hildred Billings
149 books317 followersHildred Billings is a Japanese and Religious Studies graduate who has spent her entire life knowing she would write for a living someday. She has lived in Japan multiple times in multiple locations, from the heights of the Japanese alps to the hectic Tokyo suburbs, with a life in Shikoku somewhere in there too.
Currently, Hildred lives in Oregon with her partner and two cats. When she's not commandeering the corner of the neighborhood coffee shop on hours on end (it's okay, she's on a first-name basis with the baristas) she's probably parked on the couch watching Bob's Burgers or screaming at a Zelda game. (Seriously, Link, why don't you move right?)
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Twitter: @hildred
Currently, Hildred lives in Oregon with her partner and two cats. When she's not commandeering the corner of the neighborhood coffee shop on hours on end (it's okay, she's on a first-name basis with the baristas) she's probably parked on the couch watching Bob's Burgers or screaming at a Zelda game. (Seriously, Link, why don't you move right?)
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/3rgEzLz
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3c7Lcf4
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3vPLpvd
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/3lDutn5
Twitter: @hildred
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 6, 2018
*sorry for any mistake*
It's so good to witness a character's emotional and psychological growth. With this series, I feel like I have this opportunity to observe the development of the character in a flowing and believable writing.
Within this volume finally the reader will accompany Reina for her anguish and doubts as to her gender identity. She has been going to sessions with a psychologist because of her gender dysphoria.
Another important point in the book will be the relationship of Aiko and Reina, as they have reached a critical point in their relationship. With Reina's drama about her gender identity and the pressure that this imposes on her marriage, Reina ends up betraying Aiko's confidence in having sex with a girl she didn't ask her wife for permission.
I will not go into details with this review but I would like to emphasize that within this incredible book many important subjects will be treated. Like feminism in Japanese business society, the problem of gender identity and the accompaniment of a character who goes through this anguish until she feels comfortable with her body. And last but not least, the discussion about an open relationship and the betrayal of a person within an open marriage.
Very anxious to read the next book!
It's so good to witness a character's emotional and psychological growth. With this series, I feel like I have this opportunity to observe the development of the character in a flowing and believable writing.
Within this volume finally the reader will accompany Reina for her anguish and doubts as to her gender identity. She has been going to sessions with a psychologist because of her gender dysphoria.
Another important point in the book will be the relationship of Aiko and Reina, as they have reached a critical point in their relationship. With Reina's drama about her gender identity and the pressure that this imposes on her marriage, Reina ends up betraying Aiko's confidence in having sex with a girl she didn't ask her wife for permission.
I will not go into details with this review but I would like to emphasize that within this incredible book many important subjects will be treated. Like feminism in Japanese business society, the problem of gender identity and the accompaniment of a character who goes through this anguish until she feels comfortable with her body. And last but not least, the discussion about an open relationship and the betrayal of a person within an open marriage.
Very anxious to read the next book!
December 27, 2019
I've gotten to the third book in this series! This one delves further into Reina's gender issues--to the extent that they (as well as a brief incident of infidelity) are really the main focus of this book. It's a book more or less about Reina pushing the boundaries of her gender dysphoria, wanting to accept the female side of herself which sort of repulses her while at the same time needing to be masculine and dominant as well. So that's some interesting stuff. Aiko and Reina are also starting to improve their (formerly stable and fraught simultaneously, somehow) relationship, which leads to some cute scenes, and also some couples therapy. And miscellaneous other lesbians show up, especially in Reina's workplace.
February 6, 2013
Seikou is another solid installment in the Ren'ai Rensai series that kept me reading just about nonstop! The issue of infidelity slam into Reina and Aiko's relationship, and I couldn't help but feel so involved, like they were two close friends of mine. But the focus on Reina and her gender dysphoria really gives the novel its standing power. This is one novel I can definitely see myself rereading for at least a second time, if not more!
I believe, however, that one of Miss Billings' strengths really shines through in Seikou--the side characters! I can't get over how deeply interested I am in every single character that graces her writing. Even characters that appear so minor, like Aiko's sister, I wouldn't mind knowing more about.
Miss Billings has done an amazing job creating a very realistic world, and when I saw the 3 upcoming titles, I let out a sigh of relief. I cannot wait for the next short!
I believe, however, that one of Miss Billings' strengths really shines through in Seikou--the side characters! I can't get over how deeply interested I am in every single character that graces her writing. Even characters that appear so minor, like Aiko's sister, I wouldn't mind knowing more about.
Miss Billings has done an amazing job creating a very realistic world, and when I saw the 3 upcoming titles, I let out a sigh of relief. I cannot wait for the next short!
June 14, 2013
This hands down is my favorite book of the all series till now.
In this book finally we see Reina start to dealing with her problems, and we see how hard she need to work to start to feeling like a normal human being again.
It's really an interesting book full of sentiment, love and angst are always in the surface in this book and Aiko and Reina need to found a way to work better as a couple to be able to surface their insecurities, fears and problems.
The best thing in this series is how well is portrait the gender dysphoria of Reina, this is a type of issue that you can normally only read in transexual books..but the author have portrait so well the problem book after book that is more then understandable how Reina, also if is a soft butch kind of girl, start to have gender problems and seems unable to see herself in a clear way year after year.
In this book finally we see Reina start to dealing with her problems, and we see how hard she need to work to start to feeling like a normal human being again.
It's really an interesting book full of sentiment, love and angst are always in the surface in this book and Aiko and Reina need to found a way to work better as a couple to be able to surface their insecurities, fears and problems.
The best thing in this series is how well is portrait the gender dysphoria of Reina, this is a type of issue that you can normally only read in transexual books..but the author have portrait so well the problem book after book that is more then understandable how Reina, also if is a soft butch kind of girl, start to have gender problems and seems unable to see herself in a clear way year after year.
March 17, 2014
I was not very familiar with the problems of sexual identity crisis was or gender identity crisises before reading this. However, this book tackles both head on with no hesitation, and makes you follow along. Reina's journey through this story is not easy, but it's worth following.
Aiko's story in this is also quite difficult, and through it I kept wondering why she wants to be with her family so much. While I came to understand it through the lens of my own life, people who have families they don't care for may be left wondering why she stays and tries to help. And I think it's wonderful and heartbreaking that she does.
Aiko's story in this is also quite difficult, and through it I kept wondering why she wants to be with her family so much. While I came to understand it through the lens of my own life, people who have families they don't care for may be left wondering why she stays and tries to help. And I think it's wonderful and heartbreaking that she does.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews