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Someplace Generous: An Inclusive Romance Anthology
Generous Press is a new kind of romance imprint. Someplace Generous--a vibrantly diverse and inclusive anthology of romantic short stories--can be described in one word: yes.
Featuring stories by award-winning poets like Richard Siken, Rachel McKibbens, and Brionne Janae; acclaimed fiction writers like Temim Fruchter, Corinne Manning, and Max Delsohn; and popular thinkers like Jessica P. Pryde, Someplace Generous presents voices largely new to the genre of romance, each bringing a fresh take on what it means to tell a love story.
This first book from Generous Press, a new imprint committed to changing the face of romance genre-fiction, is a collection of twenty-two never-before-published stories about joy, passion, and generous consent.
In these pages, desire is centered and explored through queer, trans, Black, AAPI, Latinx, Jewish, disabled, and neurodivergent lenses, and the ages of authors and characters span generations.
The brilliant authors herein have spun lush, poetic tales featuring characters and perspectives historically excluded from romance narratives. Through a variety of styles, lengths, and subgenres--ranging from flash-fiction to short stories, speculative to satire to romcom--there is something here for every kind of reader.
Two Modern Orthodox Jewish women cross a magical threshold on the holiday of Shavuot. A Chinese American grandmother in a nursing home plays matchmaker, just in time for the Lunar New Year. A nonbinary sexworker with psychic abilities helps an older woman connect with her long-lost lover. Two disabled young adults find new levels of intimacy as they work to overcome shame. An enslaved couple jumps the broom and can see the future, which is freedom.
The lovers in Someplace Generous--whether they are sapphic vampires or undercover super-heroes, teenagers, or middle-aged mamas--choose each other, and along the way, they choose themselves, too.
Featuring twenty-two stories by twenty-two authors, Someplace Generous presents voices largely new to the genre of romance-fiction, each bringing a fresh take on what it means to tell a love story.
Featuring stories by award-winning poets like Richard Siken, Rachel McKibbens, and Brionne Janae; acclaimed fiction writers like Temim Fruchter, Corinne Manning, and Max Delsohn; and popular thinkers like Jessica P. Pryde, Someplace Generous presents voices largely new to the genre of romance, each bringing a fresh take on what it means to tell a love story.
This first book from Generous Press, a new imprint committed to changing the face of romance genre-fiction, is a collection of twenty-two never-before-published stories about joy, passion, and generous consent.
In these pages, desire is centered and explored through queer, trans, Black, AAPI, Latinx, Jewish, disabled, and neurodivergent lenses, and the ages of authors and characters span generations.
The brilliant authors herein have spun lush, poetic tales featuring characters and perspectives historically excluded from romance narratives. Through a variety of styles, lengths, and subgenres--ranging from flash-fiction to short stories, speculative to satire to romcom--there is something here for every kind of reader.
Two Modern Orthodox Jewish women cross a magical threshold on the holiday of Shavuot. A Chinese American grandmother in a nursing home plays matchmaker, just in time for the Lunar New Year. A nonbinary sexworker with psychic abilities helps an older woman connect with her long-lost lover. Two disabled young adults find new levels of intimacy as they work to overcome shame. An enslaved couple jumps the broom and can see the future, which is freedom.
The lovers in Someplace Generous--whether they are sapphic vampires or undercover super-heroes, teenagers, or middle-aged mamas--choose each other, and along the way, they choose themselves, too.
Featuring twenty-two stories by twenty-two authors, Someplace Generous presents voices largely new to the genre of romance-fiction, each bringing a fresh take on what it means to tell a love story.
316 pages, Paperback
Published May 28, 2024
35 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
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August 17, 2024I only had the chance to read one of these short stories before I had to return the anthology to the library, but that one story - "Why Won't You Die?" by Jessica Pryde - was incredibly fun and cute, a sapphic romance between a secret superheroine and her (increasingly conflicted) would-be assassin. I enjoyed every moment of it!
read-partial
September 21, 2024Jessica Pryde's story gave me another metal-armed assassin to obsess over and had me absolutely invested in her characters and world in a short amount of time. delightful.
a great way to meet new romance authors and audiobook narrators.
professional review TK from Library Journal
a great way to meet new romance authors and audiobook narrators.
professional review TK from Library Journal
April 18, 2025
It's hard to rate collections of short stories bc some I didn't love or resonate with and others I liked a lot. My favorite was probably the very last story: I would have loved an entire book about that storyline!
I did love the inclusiveness of this collection. Filled with queerness, different ages, some disability representation. I would have loved fatness represented but I can't have it all. Maybe I'll have to write my own ;)
Editing my review to add that I LOVE what this publishing press stands for (Generous Press). So much so that I googled them afterward (which I've never done) because I want to continue to support their work and their authors.
I did love the inclusiveness of this collection. Filled with queerness, different ages, some disability representation. I would have loved fatness represented but I can't have it all. Maybe I'll have to write my own ;)
Editing my review to add that I LOVE what this publishing press stands for (Generous Press). So much so that I googled them afterward (which I've never done) because I want to continue to support their work and their authors.
June 23, 2025
Dear Reader:
A collection of "stories that heal through generous consent." Highlighting marginalized voices, particularly BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled authors. Epigraphs inspired the name of the press (Generous Press) and this collection (Someplace Generous). Local editors (WA).
A Word About How to Navigate This Book:
Choose your own adventure (review content descriptions first), vs beginning to end/flipping to entries at random (for surprise!), checking the glossary as needed (for an incomplete list of terms that may be new to readers). Some endings will be more vague than others; format restrictions. Asks readers for imagination.
PROLOGUE
Has a grey-cast illustration of a left hand holding a blossoming collection of flowers. (Same image as from the cover, but not in color).
1) "For the Love of Sky and Smoke by Mavis L. Johnson" (she/her, WA), 5 stars
This story is a warm memory - a full feast for your senses! Clove is recalling her grandparents' meet cute, remembering word-for-word how they told it and the look in their eyes. She finds comfort in this memory; it reminds her of who she is and what her destiny holds. A work of flash fiction. Contemporary romance, "candlelight" (1/4) spice level.
BEGINNING
Has the same image from "Prologue."
2) "Sofia" by EJ Colen (she/her, they/them, WA), 4 stars
The unnamed protagonist shares several iterations of a night in Portland. In most iterations, she meets Sofia for a date and things go very well. Despite being told in the first sentence "most versions..." (which suggests there will be more than one version), I was completed sucked in to the first version. It's flirty, hints at plenty of spice, and manages to strike the perfect balance between awkward and sexy that the best first dates have. A short story. Contemporary/speculative, age gap, sapphic (butch-femme) romance. Open relationship, one night stand. "Bonfire heat" (2/4) spice level.
3) "How to Open a Door" by Sammy Taub (publishes anonymously), 4 stars
The unnamed narrator is approaching the anniversary of "The Event" that left them struggling with PTSD and agoraphobia. Now she primarily experiences the world via a video game. She has become close with Hax, another anonymous player. Eventually they break through the norms and discuss a bit of real life, with our narrator confessing fears about going outside after The Event. Hax supports the narrator as they work through this, the (off-page) sexy times getting steamier along the way. This is a story of hope, support, and growth. Contemporary, cyber-romance. "Bonfire heat" (2/4) spice level.
4) "The Boiler Room" by Max Delsohn (he/him, they/them/), might be local, 5 stars
Frank, a trans man, works for a synagogue as an administrative assistant. This story's odd job included putting away music stands, helped by Lucas, the new hire. Sparks fly immediately between them, and Lucas shows what a good person he is through his reaction to Frank being outed by his boss. The emotions throughout the story felt very real and I loved the spicy send off! Contemporary, romcom. "Bonfire heat" (2/4) spice level.
11) "Desperate for a Good Time" by Corinne Manning (they/them), local, 2 stars.
Looking for space and adventure, Clarice heads to the coast and meets the woman from her nightmare, Angela. Their attraction is instant and they take great risks to be together, but neither is thinking about the risks. This is a sapphic vampire horrormance with messy and amoral characters. Clarice annoyed me - she seemed performative. Clarice was much more built out as a character than Angela. Pandemic story, contemporary. "Call the firetruck" (3/4) spice level.
18) "A Thousand Tiny Pieces" by Amadeo Cruz Guiao (she/her, he/him, they/them), local, 5 stars
This story is a description of a movie scene, capturing all the cinematic glory of character, setting, pacing, and of course, a sound track. Banjo-playing Filipina (BPF) is exploring Alaska and hitches a ride with wild-haired Mama (WHM). Both of these broken-hearted souls find solace in one another, enjoying this magical time away from time beneath the northern lights. This is a very romantic story that captures the sweet taste of beginnings. Contemporary, flash fiction. "Candlelight" (1/4) spice level.
WLA Draft
"Someplace Generous: An Inclusive Romance Anthology" is the first release from Generous Press. Two Washington State editors, Elaina Ellis and Amber Flame, have assembled a truly special and unique collection. The stories within range across heat levels, subgenres, and length, not to mention the titular BIPOC, queer, and disabled identities. The contributing authors come from all over North America, including a few from Washington State such as EJ Colen, Corrine Manning, and Amadeo Cruz Guiao. Whether you read from start to finish, or pick through based on the summaries provided in the appendix, you won't be disappointed. Readers who favor the beginnings of relationships and prefer contemporary tales will be particularly well-served by this collection, and library workers will appreciate the title comparisons included in the summaries so they can suggest further reading. Suggested for fans of feel-good, romantic, and steamy stories.
A collection of "stories that heal through generous consent." Highlighting marginalized voices, particularly BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled authors. Epigraphs inspired the name of the press (Generous Press) and this collection (Someplace Generous). Local editors (WA).
A Word About How to Navigate This Book:
Choose your own adventure (review content descriptions first), vs beginning to end/flipping to entries at random (for surprise!), checking the glossary as needed (for an incomplete list of terms that may be new to readers). Some endings will be more vague than others; format restrictions. Asks readers for imagination.
PROLOGUE
Has a grey-cast illustration of a left hand holding a blossoming collection of flowers. (Same image as from the cover, but not in color).
1) "For the Love of Sky and Smoke by Mavis L. Johnson" (she/her, WA), 5 stars
This story is a warm memory - a full feast for your senses! Clove is recalling her grandparents' meet cute, remembering word-for-word how they told it and the look in their eyes. She finds comfort in this memory; it reminds her of who she is and what her destiny holds. A work of flash fiction. Contemporary romance, "candlelight" (1/4) spice level.
BEGINNING
Has the same image from "Prologue."
2) "Sofia" by EJ Colen (she/her, they/them, WA), 4 stars
The unnamed protagonist shares several iterations of a night in Portland. In most iterations, she meets Sofia for a date and things go very well. Despite being told in the first sentence "most versions..." (which suggests there will be more than one version), I was completed sucked in to the first version. It's flirty, hints at plenty of spice, and manages to strike the perfect balance between awkward and sexy that the best first dates have. A short story. Contemporary/speculative, age gap, sapphic (butch-femme) romance. Open relationship, one night stand. "Bonfire heat" (2/4) spice level.
3) "How to Open a Door" by Sammy Taub (publishes anonymously), 4 stars
The unnamed narrator is approaching the anniversary of "The Event" that left them struggling with PTSD and agoraphobia. Now she primarily experiences the world via a video game. She has become close with Hax, another anonymous player. Eventually they break through the norms and discuss a bit of real life, with our narrator confessing fears about going outside after The Event. Hax supports the narrator as they work through this, the (off-page) sexy times getting steamier along the way. This is a story of hope, support, and growth. Contemporary, cyber-romance. "Bonfire heat" (2/4) spice level.
4) "The Boiler Room" by Max Delsohn (he/him, they/them/), might be local, 5 stars
Frank, a trans man, works for a synagogue as an administrative assistant. This story's odd job included putting away music stands, helped by Lucas, the new hire. Sparks fly immediately between them, and Lucas shows what a good person he is through his reaction to Frank being outed by his boss. The emotions throughout the story felt very real and I loved the spicy send off! Contemporary, romcom. "Bonfire heat" (2/4) spice level.
11) "Desperate for a Good Time" by Corinne Manning (they/them), local, 2 stars.
Looking for space and adventure, Clarice heads to the coast and meets the woman from her nightmare, Angela. Their attraction is instant and they take great risks to be together, but neither is thinking about the risks. This is a sapphic vampire horrormance with messy and amoral characters. Clarice annoyed me - she seemed performative. Clarice was much more built out as a character than Angela. Pandemic story, contemporary. "Call the firetruck" (3/4) spice level.
18) "A Thousand Tiny Pieces" by Amadeo Cruz Guiao (she/her, he/him, they/them), local, 5 stars
This story is a description of a movie scene, capturing all the cinematic glory of character, setting, pacing, and of course, a sound track. Banjo-playing Filipina (BPF) is exploring Alaska and hitches a ride with wild-haired Mama (WHM). Both of these broken-hearted souls find solace in one another, enjoying this magical time away from time beneath the northern lights. This is a very romantic story that captures the sweet taste of beginnings. Contemporary, flash fiction. "Candlelight" (1/4) spice level.
WLA Draft
"Someplace Generous: An Inclusive Romance Anthology" is the first release from Generous Press. Two Washington State editors, Elaina Ellis and Amber Flame, have assembled a truly special and unique collection. The stories within range across heat levels, subgenres, and length, not to mention the titular BIPOC, queer, and disabled identities. The contributing authors come from all over North America, including a few from Washington State such as EJ Colen, Corrine Manning, and Amadeo Cruz Guiao. Whether you read from start to finish, or pick through based on the summaries provided in the appendix, you won't be disappointed. Readers who favor the beginnings of relationships and prefer contemporary tales will be particularly well-served by this collection, and library workers will appreciate the title comparisons included in the summaries so they can suggest further reading. Suggested for fans of feel-good, romantic, and steamy stories.
June 25, 2025
with our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness on the line, it’s always important to remember that joy is a radical act. authenticity is a radical act. staying alive when the people in power want you dead is a radical act. how beautiful to see a collection of stories that celebrate queer and inclusive love. however fantastical or fictional, the love is real. pride is a protest because every day you are alive is a protest to the oppressor.
happy pride. you cannot silence us. you cannot stop us. you cannot kill us. love always wins.
happy pride. you cannot silence us. you cannot stop us. you cannot kill us. love always wins.
January 22, 2025
This anthology was filled with the highest highs and lowest lows for me. The first half of the book was amazing! I loved the variety and diversity within the stories. Then, inexplicably to me, I felt like the next quarter of the book change to something much darker and stranger than what I personally like. Thankfully, the last few stories were so beautiful, it made up for the parts I truly did not enjoy. I’m very much looking forward to reading more stories from this imprint.
July 26, 2024
A stunning, beautiful, emotionally rich collection. Would give six stars if I could
August 6, 2024
Because of travel, I didn't have time for many of the stories, but I really liked the Jessica Pryde story.
August 22, 2024
This anthology was incredibly enjoyable. Each story was so unique, but they all seemed to fit together perfectly in this little collection.
June 23, 2025
The stories in this book are so tender, lush, and enclosed. This is the first time I've read an anthology where I wasn't frustrated that the chapters weren't longer, because each one feels like a little jewelry box, it's a world that opens and closes for me and it's exactly enough to melt into it. Each story is so different but there's this consistent thread of slow time, luxurious exploration, and light. Lots of light in these. I really hope these editors and this publisher do a poetry book as well, it would spill like liquid from the pages.
As a queer, disabled, racialized woman, I've found several stories in Someplace Generous that reflect my life back to me in ways I never expected to see. I've read bits and immediately put down the book to text a friend, "this one is about crip intimacy?? but like, for real??" and again "this story has a queer social worker in Toronto!!!" and then also "I don't relate to this one at all but it's SO BEAUTIFUL lemme send you a picture of this page".
I want to say it's the perfect summer read but it's so warm and comforting that I think this book would feel right in every season.
As a queer, disabled, racialized woman, I've found several stories in Someplace Generous that reflect my life back to me in ways I never expected to see. I've read bits and immediately put down the book to text a friend, "this one is about crip intimacy?? but like, for real??" and again "this story has a queer social worker in Toronto!!!" and then also "I don't relate to this one at all but it's SO BEAUTIFUL lemme send you a picture of this page".
I want to say it's the perfect summer read but it's so warm and comforting that I think this book would feel right in every season.
September 28, 2024
This anthology hit it out of the park! Fabulous collection of love stories featuring diverse characters by diverse authors.
I picked this up because of Jessica Pryde (whose story is fantastic!) and stayed for all the other new-to-me authors. While some stories resonated more to me than others, they were all very good which tbh is a pretty rare experience for me with anthologies.
The narration is also top notch. I like that there were multiple narrators as it helped make each story more distinct. The only quibble I have is the interface for the audiobook in Libby did not give a normal table of contents where the title and author of each story is visible.. it’s just broken down into parts with the overall title of the book so if you want to read nonlinearly that will be a hindrance. I did also sample on Audible and that does not appear to be the case there. So just a heads up for any that might DNF on Libby out of frustration…check another format. It’s well worth it!
I picked this up because of Jessica Pryde (whose story is fantastic!) and stayed for all the other new-to-me authors. While some stories resonated more to me than others, they were all very good which tbh is a pretty rare experience for me with anthologies.
The narration is also top notch. I like that there were multiple narrators as it helped make each story more distinct. The only quibble I have is the interface for the audiobook in Libby did not give a normal table of contents where the title and author of each story is visible.. it’s just broken down into parts with the overall title of the book so if you want to read nonlinearly that will be a hindrance. I did also sample on Audible and that does not appear to be the case there. So just a heads up for any that might DNF on Libby out of frustration…check another format. It’s well worth it!
September 5, 2024
I really did enjoy the inclusivity in this anthology! It was nice to read something from a different perspective for a change. That being said, I liked some stories more than others. Some were just super weird and hard to follow. Others were incredibly charming. Would have been nice to see some more stories from trans people but I was surprised to see what was included and happy about it! Overall pretty good read but took off a star for some of the weird stories. It's kind of hard to write an anthology anyway. Because do you rate the book as a whole or do you rate individual stories? I would recommend it.
January 14, 2025
This was such a beautiful collection of love stories! I really enjoyed how different they all were and found myself laughing and swooning a lot, so I’m more than satisfied. The stories were definitely diverse too. Even more so than I expected.
A few were a bit off putting or way too short but overall this was a fun read. Definitely recommend the audiobook as well! (I alternated between my paperback copy, digital copy from Libby, and Libro.fm audiobook.)
My faves:
-Why Won’t You Die by Jessica P. Price
-The Boiler Room by Max Stelson
-Heart of Stone by Sophia Bahar Vaccaro
A few were a bit off putting or way too short but overall this was a fun read. Definitely recommend the audiobook as well! (I alternated between my paperback copy, digital copy from Libby, and Libro.fm audiobook.)
My faves:
-Why Won’t You Die by Jessica P. Price
-The Boiler Room by Max Stelson
-Heart of Stone by Sophia Bahar Vaccaro
September 23, 2024
a multitude of beautifully raw moments that capture human connection through a different lens with each story. all of which are painstakingly relatable, but in the hurts so good type of way. one of my favorite reads of the year so far!
October 22, 2024
Enjoyed taking a break from novels to do short stories. I appreciated the wide range of love that was represented and the intention behind the anthology. Personally, I found myself more in tune with the stories based on emotional intimacy.
December 10, 2024
This anthology really challenged me as a reader. I felt really resistant to reading short stories! I like a beginning, middle and end (the long version) but NO I was WRONG. I got so much out of each story, it was gorgeous, gay and fantastic! But there were Ticks🥲
December 12, 2024
I didn’t read all the stories but the ones I did read were so lovely and beautiful :) love comes in many different shapes and sizes, as does romance 🫶🏻 will probably come back to this one someday!!
January 13, 2025
Wonderful collection of stories, something for everyone in here! Sweet and sexy and so much more. Keep them coming!!
May 28, 2025
Such a sweet collection. Love the perspective of giving informed activation notices about each story in the back.
August 28, 2025
An inclusive and diverse range of stories under the theme of generous consent. SAY LESS.
December 15, 2025
Delightful collection of short contemporary romance stories. They were a wide range of queer, bipoc, from sweet to spicy. I loved that the book gave little summaries of each story in the back, along with a spiciness rating for each, and was just very open to reading it however you wanted (in order, out of order, by spiciness, by topic, or however). I didn't finish because most of the story summaries didn't strike my interest, but what I did read was interesting.
Content: Varied by the story. Queer romance of various flavors, spiciness varied (some were 1/5, some were up to 4/5), swearing, drinking.
Content: Varied by the story. Queer romance of various flavors, spiciness varied (some were 1/5, some were up to 4/5), swearing, drinking.
Read
March 3, 2025Yes: Spy vs. spy would-be-murderers-to-lovers, a time continuum of Black sapphic lovers experiencing 200+ years of love despite oppression, and a hEDSxCP disability romance.
No: Tweens having public s*x at a bar mitzvah, shoplifting romance, and what I will call “the one with the pee.”
Some of these were amazing, and many of the rest were at least enjoyable, but there were a few in the middle that were… wtf.
No: Tweens having public s*x at a bar mitzvah, shoplifting romance, and what I will call “the one with the pee.”
Some of these were amazing, and many of the rest were at least enjoyable, but there were a few in the middle that were… wtf.
Read
February 23, 2025Loved:
Jess & Daya by Pamela Vaccariello - story about 2 lovers with medical issues loving each other where they are
Luna x Noura by Ayla Vejdani- Noura is 41, recently divorced, online dating and discovering her sexuality again
Why Don’t You Die by Jessica P Pryde- an assassin can’t kill her mark, and she’s really trying
Jess & Daya by Pamela Vaccariello - story about 2 lovers with medical issues loving each other where they are
Luna x Noura by Ayla Vejdani- Noura is 41, recently divorced, online dating and discovering her sexuality again
Why Don’t You Die by Jessica P Pryde- an assassin can’t kill her mark, and she’s really trying
skim-or-dnf
August 4, 2025DNF 45 minutes (8%) into this anthology. I'm not familiar with any of the authors so might try to read something full length that shows me what their writing is really like before coming back to this. So far just isn't working for me.
August 18, 2024
A few of these stories really made me want more. The werewolf gamer in particular. I'm on board with inclusive romance!
October 26, 2024
Not sure why I read any. The first two or three weren’t great, but not horrible either. Then I lost interest, the writing/stories were boring, or repetitive, or just absurd.
February 13, 2025
I’m not a huge short-story lover, but I’m so glad this book exists. Through the thoughtful publishing, editing, indexing, and art, it’s beautiful. Representation matters and it is wonderful.
February 28, 2025
3.5 stars rounded down
Read
April 1, 20252 stars
Not my cup of tea...I tried to get into it but found the stories were all over the place. I'm not one for novella's nor anthologies. Sorry.
Not my cup of tea...I tried to get into it but found the stories were all over the place. I'm not one for novella's nor anthologies. Sorry.
May 1, 2025
Like all collections, some of these pieces hit more for me than others. I think my favorite was Heart of Stone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews