A Basic Binary

Not So Normative #2

by D.C. Emerson

Penelope's done it. They’ve come out to friends and family as nonbinary, survived online dating, and now have an amazing partner to show for it. Their partner is everything they’ve ever wanted—sweet, funny, caring, and willing to dive into new fashion and new pronouns with Penelope. They’re more than ready to explore this new phase of their relationship, there’s just one thing, though. It’s been months and they still haven’t had a sleepover, let alone tackled intimacy between two genderqueer people.

Everything’s fine. There’s nothing to stress about. They’ll figure it out on their own time, and in the meantime, Penelope’s enjoying every day of their new relationship. That is, until Penelope gets a letter from their landlord saying they have three months to find a new place to live. Now, on top of working two jobs and attending couple’s sessions on genderqueer intimacy, Penelope has to figure out if there’s any way they’ll be ready to move in with their partner.

Follow the conclusion to Penelope’s story as they visit a wacky pop-up museum, attend a stressful engagement party, somehow end up in a friend’s delivery room, and, of course, spend time at the Rainbow Bean cafe.

A Basic Binary is an LGBTQ+ contemporary romance that explores love and intimacy in genderqueer relationships. It’s the second book in the Not So Normative series, a direct sequel to An Epic Construct. There’s enough context given to read as a standalone, but it will be much more enjoyable read after An Epic Construct.

Genres: Romance

401 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2025

About the author

D.C. is an avid board gamer and rock climber who lives on the East Coast of the United States but loves to travel to places near and far as often as they can.

D.C. has always identified as queer, but during the pandemic they came out as nonbinary (they/them pronouns) to family and friends. This book was part of that process, and they have loved exploring different genderqueer identities like their own through their writing, reading, research, and countless hours watching reels and videos on social media.

Their biggest hope in writing queer fiction is to provide at least one other person out there with characters and story lines that they can recognize themselves, or their friends and loved ones in.

Reviews

[TeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

I just love how real and raw this felt. Penelope and Taylor Riley's story continues from An Epic Construct, and I love where it went. There's miscommunication, but it's acknowledged and resolved realistically, so I did not mind it at all. The familial struggles are all too familiar and something I think so many queer people can relate to. Honestly, my favorite part in this one is how they deconstructed what was ingrained in them about hetereonormative sex and worked through that to get to something that worked for them. This felt like such a genuine queer experience, and it's not something I have seen represented very often. All in all, I absolutely loved this, and the journey is something that I think will stay with me for a while. D.C. Emerson has easily become one of my favorite authors and truly knows how to write very real queer stories, and I'm so here for it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penelope + Taylor Riley

-genderqueer relationship
-genderfluid x nonbinary rep
-gender euphoria
-found family
-therapy

this story navigates the road of emotions & mental & physical struggles of being true to oneself & their partner in their body, gender, sexuality & intimacy! as a cisgendered woman it was truly enlightening to read about some of the struggles both penelope & taylor riley faced, however as part of the alphabet mafia & an ally to these particular communities themselves i found it easy to love & accept them exactly for who they were as they are!! & wanting to be like "you don't have to explain yourself to anyone!!" or "why would you think of that as a burden" but as i read their stories i realized how tough it must be to always be on guard like that & not be accepted & it made me just wanna hold them & give them a giant hug!! its wild what you learn about what others have to deal with when you open your eyes to others experiences!

[Shellie N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives us more time with our lovely couple and their love is so special! This book feels so authentic and meaningful.

Thank you to D.C. Emerson for an ARC of this lovely book. Can’t wait to share it with others!

[b00ks_in_nature · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great continuation from book one. There is a lot of learning and growing, and figuring out who they are and what they wanted, both for themselves and together. I really appreciated the focus on caring for mental health and the benefits of therapy. I think my favorite part though is just how real it all felt. It’s an excellent story and I highly recommend it.

[Kerstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I think your love is healing and beautiful.”

I want to start this review by saying that this book was healing and beautiful. As someone who has always taken pride in honestly reviewing pre-released books, I was beyond excited to be given the opportunity to read this copy of “A Basic Binary”, especially since I loved the first book in the series! My mom recommended the first book to me last year and I am so glad I read it. I want to thank D. C. Emerson for their phenomenal work on this series and I honestly cannot wait to read more of their work!

“Taylor thought about how a thousand little cuts could still kill a person. Even if each cut didn’t seem like much, they added up to something much worse over time.”

There were so many things I loved about this story that follows Penelope and Taylor Riley in their continued and growing relationship that began in book one. There were recurring themes of exploring identity through intimate, character-driven narratives, found family dynamics, and, of course, many LGBTQIA+ relationships. The story had immaculate elements of self discovery, queer joy and exploration, vulnerability and positive mental health representation.

“You’re wrong, you know. It sounds like you’re wrong about everything that has to do with Taylor, but you’re wrong about me, too. I don’t care what Taylor wears, what name she goes by, or how she identifies. Woman, man, neither, both, it doesn’t matter to me one way or another because Taylor is the most amazing person I’ve ever known. She’s so full of life and passion and is always willing to challenge her beliefs and assumptions. I have never felt more welcome or safe than I have since I met her.”

Emerson’s ability to capture a contemporary, lighthearted queer romance with emotional depth, day-to-day challenges, humor and so much more was phenomenal. Their writing style was easy to follow, engaging, and really allowed me to connect and relate to the story and characters.

“Because yes, what gay wedding didn’t have a mini-weenie station?”

I honestly feel like I could go on for ages about how much I enjoyed this book, but I’ll settle for saying that I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to read a genuine genderqueer romance that navigates the complexities of love, identity, and vulnerability in today’s world. If you enjoyed reading “An Epic Construct”, then you are sure to enjoy “A Basic Binary” as well!

[Katriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy the Taylor Riley and Penelope's story got continued, this story, their story, is just so beautiful. I rambled on and on in my review for An Epic Construct about how incredible these characters are and how fantastic the writing is. And that is still true in this story!

This book starts off with a rush of excitement, mainly because I was so excited to read more about these amazing characters, but also because the scene that's taking place in that first chapter is.. full of excitement and anticipation. Immediately I was pulled back into this world with Penelope and Taylor Riley, I was a passenger on their individual journeys as well as the journey they are going through together.

They both have things they have to work through and to figure out, and they do that together which I find so beautiful. I also really love and admire how prevalent the importance of therapy is in this story specifically. It's a safe space for both of these characters, as individuals and as a couple. I love how it became a space where they both felt more at ease with being vulnerable and open with each other, if they started discussing a potentially big decision outside of therapy, they would each say something along the lines of; "Why don't we table this for now, and discuss it more at our next therapy session." I just really appreciated the positive portrayal of therapy and how it can be a positive experience.

Furthermore, I absolutely enjoyed being able to see these lovely characters grow and flourish. When we first met these characters they were just getting started on their gender journeys and what their gender meant to them, how it made them feel, and they were just starting to accept their true selves. And in this book we get an even deeper dive into their gender exploration, and all of their emotions, thoughts, feelings, struggles and triumphs as well. I appreciate how even when they made mistakes they would apologize and talk it out, that even when they didn't communicate in a clear way that they tried to rectify the situation and then tried to do better next time. I think it was a beautiful message to have within this story.

D.C. Emerson absolutely captivated me with these characters and their journeys. I learned so many new things I didn't know previously. Thank you for writing this series, these characters, and giving them such relatable and realistic stories. They truly are remarkable and very beautiful stories.

[S. Shybrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25 / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5 / 5

This book was a surprise in the best way. I’ve read queer romances before, but none that felt quite so earnest and human. Penelope and Taylor Riley are flawed, empathetic people who are both hopelessly in love, and they grapple with very real challenges in their relationship. Even though I don’t identify as non-binary or genderfluid, there was so much in each of their characters that spoke to me on a soul-deep level and it’s impossible not to root for them and their relationship.

I applaud D. C. Emerson for the care taken in portraying the inner turmoil our leads experience in a gentle, yet seemingly authentic, way. Even though this is a work of fiction, I feel like I learned something, like I’ve unlocked some level of understanding I hadn’t reached before. It was a humbling and touching experience to read this book and grow to love these characters.

The writing here is easy to read, with believable, human dialogue. Largely character-driven with emotional growth/development in spades, there’s a lovable cast of surrounding characters who help move the plot forward and support our leads. There’s also some difficult moments with closed-minded and harsh family members, so take care with the content notes before diving in (though these are balanced by other warm, supportive characters).

This isn’t your read if you’re looking for angst or dramatic emotional devastation, though in some ways Penelope and Taylor Riley will still pull your heart apart ever so gently and put it back together, piece by piece. And, if you’re anything like me, it’ll also steal a few chuckles and sniffles from you in the process.

I’ve not yet read the rest in the series, but I intend to. I highly recommend A Basic Binary for those looking for heartbreakingly relatable human challenges, queer relationship rep, and tension-filled (in a good way) intimacy.

📚Fast facts📚
✨ Established couple
✨ Evolving gender identities
✨ Mature communication
✨ Exploring boundaries thru intimacy (spicy! w/ toys!)
✨ Consent as foreplay
✨ Found family
✨ Mental health & therapy rep
✨ Third in a series (read as standalone)
✨ Contemporary non-binary/genderfluid pairing
✨ Third person, dual POV, past tense

I am SO grateful to the author to have received an ARC of this story! This is my honest and unbiased review.

[Michelle Chatres · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Basic Binary is a beautifully heartfelt story that captures the complexities of genderqueer relationships with honesty, warmth, and gentle humor. Penelope is a wonderfully relatable protagonist—full of love, anxiety, tenderness, and the everyday struggles that come with trying to balance identity, relationships, work, and unexpected life challenges. Their journey feels incredibly real and deeply human.

What I loved most about this book is how respectfully and authentically the author represents genderqueer intimacy. Instead of rushing the process or treating it as a plot device, the story takes time to explore emotional connection, communication, and vulnerability. Penelope’s sessions on navigating intimacy as two genderqueer people were handled with such care, making this novel feel not only entertaining but also meaningful and educational in the best possible way.

The external conflict—Penelope’s sudden need to find a new place to live—adds tension without overshadowing the relationship. The housing stress, juggling two jobs, and the growing possibility of moving in with their partner all combine to make the story wonderfully engaging. Every event, from the pop-up museum visit to the stressful engagement party and even the chaotic delivery-room scene, reflects the messy, joyful, unpredictable nature of life and love.

Readers who appreciate tender, character-driven contemporary romances will absolutely enjoy this book. It’s emotionally rich yet delightfully fun, with a cast of lovable characters and a setting full of warmth—especially the charming Rainbow Bean café. I highly recommend this story to anyone looking for a romance that feels fresh, inclusive, and profoundly genuine. Fans of LGBTQ+ love stories, queer slice-of-life fiction, and character growth will treasure this book.

[The Bookish Chimera - Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sorry to inform you, sweetheart, but I think you might be ordinary.”

A Basic Binary directly follows An Epic Construct. In this one, Tylor Riley and Penelope explore what it means to have a relationship (and not simply to fall for each other). That felt like a relief to read that, because that’s something that is often overlooked in contemporary romances. And that’s a shame because if love is necessary, it’s not enough by itself, and not everything becomes easy just because you had a (first) happy ending. I loved how they have to learn how to communicate with each other, and how their personal challenges make that both easier and harder, all at once. Their reactions are so reliable, and I loved that they weren’t afraid to ask for help (the therapy sessions are awesome), how they try to talk about what is a problem for them, what is difficult for them, to formulate what they want/need. That was enhanced in their se*ual discovery, but also in their daily life. Each situation is written with empathy and accuracy, always humanizing, always … relatable. Yes, the characters are queer, yes they explore gender and se*uality (and all of this is written with just as much rightness), but what they have to discuss to be together is universal anyway. And I wish we could see that more in romance.
This book deals with more complicated situations than the first one, but the general feeling when you close it remains the same: a cozy blanket of happiness, a sweet cloud of hope.

Thank you to the author for the eARC. My opinions are my own.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced reader's copy review

This book was an amazing continuation of An Epic Construct. I was so happy to get more time with Penelope and Taylor Riley. They are the ultimate couple. I loved how their relationship grew and evolved in the course of this book. I really liked that they were in therapy to work on things proactively, and just overall how unbelievably in love they were with each other. They also each had their own individual development, especially Taylor Riley as she learned to communicate better with Penelope and became more confident with his gender expression. I also liked that we got to meet both of their families, for better or worse. Lastly, loved the other characters, especially getting to know Shiloh outside of drag. Of course, Frankie and Diego were so cute when we got to see them. The one thing I wish was that therapy, and the story in general, revolved less around sex and more about other aspects of their relationship. But the ending was so perfect and made me so happy. So overall I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to the author for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be a part of s•x ed. DC Emerson explores gender and s•xuality deeply and intricately, but they also reflect on relationship dynamics and communication. Seriously, this book is better than some of the therapy sessions I've had over the years.

Penelope and Taylor Riley are both complex people with their own pasts and insecurities, and these inevitably brush up against each other's. (JustRelationshipThings) The thing is, they learn how to communicate openly, and that's how any relationship has even a snowball's chance of making it. I wish more people learned how to do that in general.

I really love this series for the excellent queer rep! I related a lot to Penelope's dysphoria around their chest and to Taylor Riley's fluidity and expression.
There's a lot of spice and all of it fits perfectly.

This book felt incredibly affirming and reading it was pure euphoria. Totally recommend.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warnings for A Basic Binary include: transphobia, homophobia, misgendering, gender dysphoria, reference to body dysmorphia, past sexual trauma, transphobic & homophobic parents, and excessive drinking.
☆
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A Basic Binary continues pretty much where An Epic Construct left off. We're still following Penelope and Taylor Riley, watching their relationship grow and blossom.
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I think it was nice to see an adult relationship that wasn't perfect. They both made mistakes. They both had issues communicating, in terms of what they wanted, but also a lack of understanding on their individual communication styles and conflict resolution. So it was nice to see them work through those things. Also the whole therapy angle was interesting to see too.
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I also really enjoyed seeing the two of them with each other's families. How they dealt with the uncomfortable questions and insulting comments. The way they defended each other too, while also potentially overstepping the line at times.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this story. And a part of me really wants more from them, and Frankie and Diego. The Rainbow Bean. And just everything.
•
Thank you to author D.C. Emerson for sending me an ARC copy of this book.

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just as good as the one right before it! Penelope and Riley are still figuring things out but are settling in. I love their friends and their support. I laughed and cried reading this one. It was so good. It does have its moments of heartache, but it all ends beautifully! I loved watching these two grow into themselves and each other.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

A wonderful conclusion to Penelope and Taylor Riley’s story! I loved all of how realistic their relationship is, how the love and respect they have jumps off the page. The love and care taken with each of their gender journey’s both together and apart is obvious and lovely. A truly beautiful journey!