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Something About Us
An MM Romance with High-School Frenemies to 30-Something Lovers
Dion Ravel is pissed off. His last client on a Friday night is late and he has better things to do than to wait on "Ben Smith" and his no doubt unimaginative tattoo design. But then Ben Smith walks into his tattoo studio and he realises this man is far from a stranger... It's Benji, a boy who upended Dion's life a long time ago. Dion knows who he is instantly, but will his high school frenemy (okay, maybe crush) recognise Dion after fifteen years and one gender transition?
Benji Smith is getting a tattoo to honour his mother and try and get a handle on the grief that has wrecked him the last few months. Finding his tattoo artist hot is the last thing he needs. But when they both end up locked in the studio for the night, it becomes clear that there is something about Dion that Benji can't put his finger on. And maybe, there's something about both of them, together, that could lead to them both finding in each other a future their high-school selves dreamed of.
Something About Us is a bi4bi MM romance novella with forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, and trans and chronic illness (Crohn's disease) rep. It is short, sweet and spicy, and intended for readers aged 18 and over.
Dion Ravel is pissed off. His last client on a Friday night is late and he has better things to do than to wait on "Ben Smith" and his no doubt unimaginative tattoo design. But then Ben Smith walks into his tattoo studio and he realises this man is far from a stranger... It's Benji, a boy who upended Dion's life a long time ago. Dion knows who he is instantly, but will his high school frenemy (okay, maybe crush) recognise Dion after fifteen years and one gender transition?
Benji Smith is getting a tattoo to honour his mother and try and get a handle on the grief that has wrecked him the last few months. Finding his tattoo artist hot is the last thing he needs. But when they both end up locked in the studio for the night, it becomes clear that there is something about Dion that Benji can't put his finger on. And maybe, there's something about both of them, together, that could lead to them both finding in each other a future their high-school selves dreamed of.
Something About Us is a bi4bi MM romance novella with forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, and trans and chronic illness (Crohn's disease) rep. It is short, sweet and spicy, and intended for readers aged 18 and over.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2026
About the author
Frances M. Thompson
34 books249 followersFrances M. Thompson writes stories about bisexual disaster heroes usually getting the HEAs they deserve in her spicy contemporary romance... but sometimes getting into a lot of trouble in her suspense thrillers.
Frances loves chatting with her readers and the best places to do so is in her Facebook Readers' Group or on Instagram.
Originally from London, UK, but now based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Frances is the author of the contemporary (and steamy!) romances, Five Sunsets, The Moon Also Rises, and Let Love Rule, sapphic romances Hummingbird and Butterflies, three short story collections (Shy Feet Short Stories Inspired by Travel, London Eyes Short Stories, and Nine Women: Short Stories), a collection of poetry called Lover Mother Other, and the London Killing series of fast-paced urban thrillers, including The Wait and The Weaker Sex.
To find out about Frances' upcoming books first, sign up to her newsletter.
You can find copies of her books (and more!) in her shop.
Frances also works as a freelance writer and blogger. You can read her (oft-neglected) blog, As the Bird flies. She is also the creator of WriteNOW Cards, positive affirmations cards designed to help writers build and enjoy a writing practice they love.
Follow Frances on href="https://www.instagram.com/FrancesMTho... or on TikTok @francesmthompson.
Frances loves chatting with her readers and the best places to do so is in her Facebook Readers' Group or on Instagram.
Originally from London, UK, but now based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Frances is the author of the contemporary (and steamy!) romances, Five Sunsets, The Moon Also Rises, and Let Love Rule, sapphic romances Hummingbird and Butterflies, three short story collections (Shy Feet Short Stories Inspired by Travel, London Eyes Short Stories, and Nine Women: Short Stories), a collection of poetry called Lover Mother Other, and the London Killing series of fast-paced urban thrillers, including The Wait and The Weaker Sex.
To find out about Frances' upcoming books first, sign up to her newsletter.
You can find copies of her books (and more!) in her shop.
Frances also works as a freelance writer and blogger. You can read her (oft-neglected) blog, As the Bird flies. She is also the creator of WriteNOW Cards, positive affirmations cards designed to help writers build and enjoy a writing practice they love.
Follow Frances on href="https://www.instagram.com/FrancesMTho... or on TikTok @francesmthompson.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 12, 2026
This is the third book that I have read from this author and all of them have the common theme of wonderful, realistic representation. Also, they are always so emotionally packed while being sweet & spicy. Love them.
Dion is a grumpy ass tattoo artist and his newest client Benji rocks his world when he realizes that he's a face from a past life. When the two are forced together in a unexpected way, they are forced to come to terms with the massive amounts of miscommunication from their past. We get a dual timeline from 15 years ago to see how the events unfolded, and the amount of 'stay away' black cat vibes that younger Dion gives off is epic.
"Benji has done nothing today but suggest he is very attracted to all the things I am – trans, mixed race, fat, queer, alternative, and even, a grumpy tattoo artist."
Honestly, these two are adorable together because Benji is so super sweet and is able to balance out the absolute grump that Dion is. Past and present. And you just want these two to be happy together. Great story.
Contemporary MM
Transmasc MC/Bi MC
Chronic Illness Rep
(Crohns Disease)
Trapped-Forced Proximity
Black Cat x Golden Retriever
"Tops From The Bottom"
Sweet & Spicy
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Dion is a grumpy ass tattoo artist and his newest client Benji rocks his world when he realizes that he's a face from a past life. When the two are forced together in a unexpected way, they are forced to come to terms with the massive amounts of miscommunication from their past. We get a dual timeline from 15 years ago to see how the events unfolded, and the amount of 'stay away' black cat vibes that younger Dion gives off is epic.
"Benji has done nothing today but suggest he is very attracted to all the things I am – trans, mixed race, fat, queer, alternative, and even, a grumpy tattoo artist."
Honestly, these two are adorable together because Benji is so super sweet and is able to balance out the absolute grump that Dion is. Past and present. And you just want these two to be happy together. Great story.
Contemporary MM
Transmasc MC/Bi MC
Chronic Illness Rep
(Crohns Disease)
Trapped-Forced Proximity
Black Cat x Golden Retriever
"Tops From The Bottom"
Sweet & Spicy
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
March 15, 2026
I just love this author, who writes such realistic, diverse and human characters. The diversity doesn't feel like it's being shoehorned in, it's just part of their personality and is weaved into the story seamlessly.
This book has two timelines - the past storyline when the characters are 18, and the present when they're 33. In the past, Benji is a football player hiding his bisexuality and health issues, while Dion is the “alt, queer kid” who is a bit prickly and assumes the worst of people. They both fancy each other but can't quite work it out.
In the present, they meet unexpectedly and have to spend a night locked in together, all of the secrets of their pasts come out and they make plans for the future. The two timelines worked really well together and were cleverly interwoven.
The spicy scenes are great, Benji is a whimpering subby mess with a praise kink and Dion “tops from the bottom”.
This book has two timelines - the past storyline when the characters are 18, and the present when they're 33. In the past, Benji is a football player hiding his bisexuality and health issues, while Dion is the “alt, queer kid” who is a bit prickly and assumes the worst of people. They both fancy each other but can't quite work it out.
In the present, they meet unexpectedly and have to spend a night locked in together, all of the secrets of their pasts come out and they make plans for the future. The two timelines worked really well together and were cleverly interwoven.
The spicy scenes are great, Benji is a whimpering subby mess with a praise kink and Dion “tops from the bottom”.
March 13, 2026
One thing about me as an author and reader, I love me a whimpering service top and a black cat power bttm. So, this is your warning, expect more of that!
And also Dion & Benji 4eva. They are the sweetest.
And also Dion & Benji 4eva. They are the sweetest.
June 2, 2026
“I like my big body, my bigger body has been a constant reminder to take up space, to stand tall, to not shrink myself.”
May 18, 2026
3.5 ⭐
this is a really cute novella with a bunch of realistic representation.
Dion is a transmasc tattoo artist who keeps everything close to his chest and struggles to communicate and open up and Ben (Benji) is a chronically ill teacher who has come into the tattoo studio to commemorate his late mum. But oh no! the other staff member took the keys and now they're locked in the studio overnight!
We flip between the present day and 15 years ago when the pair went to sixth form together. It was really cute to see them connect (and reconnect) over the novella.
This was also super sweet at the end with the new epilogue I really enjoyed it
this is a really cute novella with a bunch of realistic representation.
Dion is a transmasc tattoo artist who keeps everything close to his chest and struggles to communicate and open up and Ben (Benji) is a chronically ill teacher who has come into the tattoo studio to commemorate his late mum. But oh no! the other staff member took the keys and now they're locked in the studio overnight!
We flip between the present day and 15 years ago when the pair went to sixth form together. It was really cute to see them connect (and reconnect) over the novella.
This was also super sweet at the end with the new epilogue I really enjoyed it
March 4, 2026
A beautiful, touching queer love story!
March 11, 2026
3,75⭐️
March 30, 2026
Dion x Benji 🩵
A sweet, spicy novella about two former classmates who unexpectedly cross paths in a tattoo studio years later. The flashbacks allow insight to their history as the tension builds.
Dion in particular was my favorite, self described as "trans, mixed race, fat, queer, alternative, and even grumpy tattoo artist."
●forced proximity
●grumpy x sunshine
●tattoo artist x pe teacher
●trans + disability rep
●dual pov first person
●second chances
●yearning
“You still want to kiss me?”
“I still want to kiss you.”
A sweet, spicy novella about two former classmates who unexpectedly cross paths in a tattoo studio years later. The flashbacks allow insight to their history as the tension builds.
Dion in particular was my favorite, self described as "trans, mixed race, fat, queer, alternative, and even grumpy tattoo artist."
●forced proximity
●grumpy x sunshine
●tattoo artist x pe teacher
●trans + disability rep
●dual pov first person
●second chances
●yearning
“You still want to kiss me?”
“I still want to kiss you.”
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews