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More to Love
An Unexpected Love
For Jamir Cunnigham, a relationship is the last thing on his mind. After inheriting his grandparent’s bookstore, Jamir has been completely focused on running the business. And if he’s lonely, that was between him and the books. Yet, from the moment Emmy Park walked into his life, Jamir was immediately captivated by the plus-size Korean.
A Fresh Start
After his recent divorce, former Olympic Wrestler Emerson “Emmy” Park moved to Texas to get a fresh start. After taking a job as an assistant wrestling coach at a nearby university, he stumbles across Jamir’s bookstore. Emmy is instantly attracted to Jamir. Unfortunately, he is big and burly with a resting bitch face and thinks he has zero chance with the gorgeous Black man.
However, when a sudden encounter shows them how good they can be together. Is the simmering attraction between them enough for them to see past their differences and finally give in to their desires?
More To Love is a short and sweet m/m romance book featuring bookstores, coffee shops, plus-size main characters, bisexual couples, sapphic side characters, autumn feels, and Black/Asian romances.
For Jamir Cunnigham, a relationship is the last thing on his mind. After inheriting his grandparent’s bookstore, Jamir has been completely focused on running the business. And if he’s lonely, that was between him and the books. Yet, from the moment Emmy Park walked into his life, Jamir was immediately captivated by the plus-size Korean.
A Fresh Start
After his recent divorce, former Olympic Wrestler Emerson “Emmy” Park moved to Texas to get a fresh start. After taking a job as an assistant wrestling coach at a nearby university, he stumbles across Jamir’s bookstore. Emmy is instantly attracted to Jamir. Unfortunately, he is big and burly with a resting bitch face and thinks he has zero chance with the gorgeous Black man.
However, when a sudden encounter shows them how good they can be together. Is the simmering attraction between them enough for them to see past their differences and finally give in to their desires?
More To Love is a short and sweet m/m romance book featuring bookstores, coffee shops, plus-size main characters, bisexual couples, sapphic side characters, autumn feels, and Black/Asian romances.
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2023
29 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Georgina Kiersten
2 books71 followersGeorgina Kiersten (Rian Fox) is an author known for their wide range of LGBTQ+ romance novels that center around the stories of Black queer and trans individuals. As a Black-disabled trans person who was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to having dyslexia, being autistic, and having ADHD. They have a unique perspective on writing romance. It also drives their passion to create a diverse and inclusive romance genre for everyone.
When they're not writing (which is rare), they can often be found reading a good book, watching bl dramas, drinking their body weight in tea, and co-parenting their five children, two dogs, and their growing horde of stray cats.
When they're not writing (which is rare), they can often be found reading a good book, watching bl dramas, drinking their body weight in tea, and co-parenting their five children, two dogs, and their growing horde of stray cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
July 29, 2023
Adorable! More to Love is a sweet and steamy romance novella between a fat, Korean bisexual man who loves Jane Austen and teaches wrestling and the queer Black man who runs the local bookstore and dreams of working on his photography. This was very cute and cozy and I loved seeing their relationship develop. And great positive fat representation that isn't fetishized! Definitely one to pick up when you want a great quick read.
December 7, 2024
Cute and short. Love the bookstore theme.
Read
August 20, 2024Dnf 57% no rating.
Overall sweet, there's a diverse cast, but to me the novella feels a bit bland.. I can't muster the enthusiasm to continue reading this for another hour, I'm just not interested anymore.
More than likely it's a me-thing.
"Jamie was a joy to spend time with. Emmy wasn’t even angry when Jamir started dancing in between turns. Despite the distraction, Emmy found it more cute than irritating."
Lol. They were on a date, cosmic bowling, not at the olympics.
Overall sweet, there's a diverse cast, but to me the novella feels a bit bland.. I can't muster the enthusiasm to continue reading this for another hour, I'm just not interested anymore.
More than likely it's a me-thing.
"Jamie was a joy to spend time with. Emmy wasn’t even angry when Jamir started dancing in between turns. Despite the distraction, Emmy found it more cute than irritating."
Lol. They were on a date, cosmic bowling, not at the olympics.
September 26, 2023
This was a cute and short story. I liked both Jamir and Emmy, the former a black bookshop owner who inherited the shop but that's not his passion and the latter a wrestling coach who got divorce recently and is Korean-American. The diversity was nice and integrated in the story (more for Emmy than Jamir TBH). It is low angst and they were cute. The only niggle would be that it was too short to really get depth or have enough time for the conflicts to breathe (Emmy and his ex/ Jamir and his professional life). I wish both situations had been tackled more in depth. Finally, the writing style felt "new author" at times (it is not the case), it could have been better edited: some paragraphs were dealing with the same character but his name kept being repeated at the beginning of each sentence, there were a few inconsistencies in scenes (someone is on the phone but the character sees them nod). Other than that I think this is an author I would read again.
July 13, 2023
Quick thoughts: OMG! I absolutely adored Jamir and Emmy!
Edit to add full review:
I am such a sucker for bookstore meet cutes/romances, so I knew this one was going to be amazing. What really sealed the deal for me was the incredible chemistry between Jamir (Black) and Emmy (Korean, plus size).
The initial pining between Jamir and Emmy was freaking adorable. These two are the walking definition of bisexual disasters as they both made so many assumptions about each other.
For all of the smut lovers out there, the spicy scenes were definitely giving, and I was here for it. I loved that consent was reinforced as well!
One of my favorite scenes was when Jamir introduced Emmy to the Black classic: Harlem Nights…same movie I introduced my white spouse to!
Overall, I absolutely loved this story. My only complaint is that it ended too soon because I wanted more.
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
Edit to add full review:
I am such a sucker for bookstore meet cutes/romances, so I knew this one was going to be amazing. What really sealed the deal for me was the incredible chemistry between Jamir (Black) and Emmy (Korean, plus size).
The initial pining between Jamir and Emmy was freaking adorable. These two are the walking definition of bisexual disasters as they both made so many assumptions about each other.
For all of the smut lovers out there, the spicy scenes were definitely giving, and I was here for it. I loved that consent was reinforced as well!
One of my favorite scenes was when Jamir introduced Emmy to the Black classic: Harlem Nights…same movie I introduced my white spouse to!
Overall, I absolutely loved this story. My only complaint is that it ended too soon because I wanted more.
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
March 22, 2025
3.5 stars
I really liked that the cast of this book was so diverse and that Emmy was plus size. Both of the guys were very sweet and fit well together. However, the story seemed rushed in a few places. I wanted more getting to know each other scenes. Emmy’s parents were awesome and I want them for myself.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: toxic ex, grief from loss of loved ones
I really liked that the cast of this book was so diverse and that Emmy was plus size. Both of the guys were very sweet and fit well together. However, the story seemed rushed in a few places. I wanted more getting to know each other scenes. Emmy’s parents were awesome and I want them for myself.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: toxic ex, grief from loss of loved ones
June 29, 2023
This was a cute read!
The idea of a bookstore romance is adorable, and this book delivered exactly that - cuteness overload. It was a low conflict, high heat read that was just perfect for me in the moment.
Emmy and Jamir are both fun characters, and while the minor conflicts they need to face are a tad convenient and easily resolved, they were what this book needed. More drawn out conflicts would have meant a longer book if they were to be resolved effectively, and while i wouldn't have minded more of our characters, the current length of this novella is perfect as it is.
While the plot feels a bit formulaic, that's not a bad thing at all in my opinion. You get what it says on the menu going in, and sometimes that's exactly what you need in a book. Additionally, the representation here is done wonderfully, which helps.
3/5 stars for this cute read for me!
I received an advanced reading copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The idea of a bookstore romance is adorable, and this book delivered exactly that - cuteness overload. It was a low conflict, high heat read that was just perfect for me in the moment.
Emmy and Jamir are both fun characters, and while the minor conflicts they need to face are a tad convenient and easily resolved, they were what this book needed. More drawn out conflicts would have meant a longer book if they were to be resolved effectively, and while i wouldn't have minded more of our characters, the current length of this novella is perfect as it is.
While the plot feels a bit formulaic, that's not a bad thing at all in my opinion. You get what it says on the menu going in, and sometimes that's exactly what you need in a book. Additionally, the representation here is done wonderfully, which helps.
3/5 stars for this cute read for me!
I received an advanced reading copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2023
I read Georgina Kiersten’s Fall Into You last year and have been eagerly anticipating their next release. Both books are set in my home State of Texas and I always love how that connects me with their writing.
More to Love is an adorable romance. I enjoyed this meet cute, opposites attract, and low angst love story. Jamir’s immediate attraction and appreciation for Emmy’s size (including the internal nickname) is so sweet. I always adore grumpy/laconic characters like Emmy. While tension comes from personal obstacles and big decisions, it’s obvious Emmy & Jamir are meant for each other. Cute ending & I loved the 1-year-later epilogue.
While this stands well on its own – Kiersten could definitely launch a series with this. I’d love to read more about Gena or Cedric.
More to Love is an adorable romance. I enjoyed this meet cute, opposites attract, and low angst love story. Jamir’s immediate attraction and appreciation for Emmy’s size (including the internal nickname) is so sweet. I always adore grumpy/laconic characters like Emmy. While tension comes from personal obstacles and big decisions, it’s obvious Emmy & Jamir are meant for each other. Cute ending & I loved the 1-year-later epilogue.
While this stands well on its own – Kiersten could definitely launch a series with this. I’d love to read more about Gena or Cedric.
July 11, 2023
This was cute! I really liked Jamir and I enjoyed the side characters as well! I do wish Emmy had had a little more personality and that he and Jamie had more chemistry, but they were still a cute couple. If you’re looking for a super short and sweet read, this is the book for you!
P. S. I think we just might get a spin off book about Gena in the future👀
P. S. I think we just might get a spin off book about Gena in the future👀
April 14, 2024
⭐️.5/5 🌶/5
TW - sexism (implied), divorce, biphobia, homophobia (implied, brief), bankruptcy, stalking (mild), familial death (grandparent, mentioned incl kidney transplant), anxiety, sc disowned by their parents for being gay (mentioned), pneumonia (past, sc, mentioned briefly), bi erasure (MC’s ex asks if he’s ben gay the entire time and claims they thought he was joking when he said he was bi), death of a pet (past, mentioned, dog)
Tropes - Bookstore owner, bookstore meet cute, some OW drama (MC’s ex wife), novella
Representation - BIPOC characters - Korean x Black MMCs, MM, plus size MMC, FF scs, aromantic sc
I... didn't like this 😬
This book is written in 3rd person which I'm not really a fan of but there are cases where it can be done well. I felt like this book uses the MMCs names farrrrr too much that you cannot ignore the fact that it is in 3rd person - the writing felt a bit juvenile
This novella would've benefited from a proof read before publishing. There are unfinished sentences at the end of chapters, there is an entire scene that is repeated word for word in two different chapters, comments (could be unformatted footnotes) and it is kind of a mess and, for me, disorienting
I felt like the book was too short for the story that is trying to be told. Emmy (MMC) has his ex wife that decides to pop up for some reason, his relationship with his parents and telling them about his sexuality, Jamir's (MMC) financial situation and his true aspirations. I felt like a lot of it was glossed over and, for a novella, I wouldn't have added so many external conflicts. Circling back to Emmy and his parents, his mum was fine with him being with a man, he wanted his mum to tell his dad and he ended up being fine with it too, just wanting him to be happy - I feel like the suggestion of uncertainty here could have been removed
A lot of the relationship between the MCs was they did this and spoke about all of these things instead of allowing us as the reader to be privy to those conversations. It’s basically just a long list of we sat and spoke about x y z and the 3rd person did not help at all. I feel this would've benefited from more show don't tell
🤷🏽♀️
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List
TW - sexism (implied), divorce, biphobia, homophobia (implied, brief), bankruptcy, stalking (mild), familial death (grandparent, mentioned incl kidney transplant), anxiety, sc disowned by their parents for being gay (mentioned), pneumonia (past, sc, mentioned briefly), bi erasure (MC’s ex asks if he’s ben gay the entire time and claims they thought he was joking when he said he was bi), death of a pet (past, mentioned, dog)
Tropes - Bookstore owner, bookstore meet cute, some OW drama (MC’s ex wife), novella
Representation - BIPOC characters - Korean x Black MMCs, MM, plus size MMC, FF scs, aromantic sc
I... didn't like this 😬
This book is written in 3rd person which I'm not really a fan of but there are cases where it can be done well. I felt like this book uses the MMCs names farrrrr too much that you cannot ignore the fact that it is in 3rd person - the writing felt a bit juvenile
This novella would've benefited from a proof read before publishing. There are unfinished sentences at the end of chapters, there is an entire scene that is repeated word for word in two different chapters, comments (could be unformatted footnotes) and it is kind of a mess and, for me, disorienting
I felt like the book was too short for the story that is trying to be told. Emmy (MMC) has his ex wife that decides to pop up for some reason, his relationship with his parents and telling them about his sexuality, Jamir's (MMC) financial situation and his true aspirations. I felt like a lot of it was glossed over and, for a novella, I wouldn't have added so many external conflicts. Circling back to Emmy and his parents, his mum was fine with him being with a man, he wanted his mum to tell his dad and he ended up being fine with it too, just wanting him to be happy - I feel like the suggestion of uncertainty here could have been removed
A lot of the relationship between the MCs was they did this and spoke about all of these things instead of allowing us as the reader to be privy to those conversations. It’s basically just a long list of we sat and spoke about x y z and the 3rd person did not help at all. I feel this would've benefited from more show don't tell
🤷🏽♀️
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List
February 1, 2024
More to Love is an extremely sweet novella. Jamir and Emmy are two guys you really wanted to cheer for their individual happy endings and the one with them together. Their integration into each other's lives and excitement to share their budding romance with their family and friends felt so real and also gave us other characters that would make delightful follow-ups.
I adored how Emmy's plus-sized body was described and sexually wanted (in a non-fetishized) way by Jamir. However, I did want a little more from Emmy about his desire for Jamir.
A little more development felt needed for the bigger emotional beats of Jamir's decision around his bookstore, the jump scare of Emmy's ex-wife, and getting to an "I love you" moment. This is so hard to do in a novella.
Emmy's ex-wife showing up was the biggest leap of all those things. While we're in a made-up town in Texas, Orange County, CA, is very far away from anywhere in Texas. If she lived in the same city, sure, but not a 1,200-mile trip! It took me out of the story.
Her thinking Emmy was joking (or not serious) when he told her he was bi is a real experience for so many bi men in relationships with cis women. Big kudos to Kiersten for including that moment.
Overall, this was super cozy and engaging, and I read it in one swoop. I'm looking forward to more books by Kiersten.
I adored how Emmy's plus-sized body was described and sexually wanted (in a non-fetishized) way by Jamir. However, I did want a little more from Emmy about his desire for Jamir.
A little more development felt needed for the bigger emotional beats of Jamir's decision around his bookstore, the jump scare of Emmy's ex-wife, and getting to an "I love you" moment. This is so hard to do in a novella.
Emmy's ex-wife showing up was the biggest leap of all those things. While we're in a made-up town in Texas, Orange County, CA, is very far away from anywhere in Texas. If she lived in the same city, sure, but not a 1,200-mile trip! It took me out of the story.
Her thinking Emmy was joking (or not serious) when he told her he was bi is a real experience for so many bi men in relationships with cis women. Big kudos to Kiersten for including that moment.
Overall, this was super cozy and engaging, and I read it in one swoop. I'm looking forward to more books by Kiersten.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
December 29, 2023Not the time for this one right now. I may come back to it later
did-not-finish
February 8, 2025DNF at 32%
The burn is way too fast. From zero to sex in just a few hours? Nah.
The burn is way too fast. From zero to sex in just a few hours? Nah.
June 6, 2025
Super cute, but not well told. Should have been longer for more depth
January 1, 2024
This was such a cute romance! I really enjoyed it, especially the two main characters and their relationship.
December 4, 2023
After the mafia book this cozy novella was just what I needed. I was kicking me feet and just having a good ol’ time with it.
Emmy is a wrestling coach and former Olympian winner wrestler. He is fat and the body descriptions were great and just very fat positive. Emmy is Korean and Bi and recently divorced and moved to Texas. He loves to hang out in this book shop and runs into the owner, Jamir.
Jamir is a sexy Black glass wearing man who is also Bi and notices Emmy right away, but even more so when Emmy leaves his copy of Pride and Prejudice in the store. When Emmy returns to pick it up he is caught in a storm and ends up in the home with Jamir.
Jamir is struggling to figure out the direction with his life. Having the bookstore was never his dream, he wanted to be a photographer but he was passed down the bookstore. Emmy is having to battle his ex who now wants him back after leaving him for another guy. I loved the friendship dynamics with Jamir’s friends they had me smiling and laughing. It felt homey and just amazing vibes. I really enjoyed this novella and cannot wait to read more from Georgina.
Emmy is a wrestling coach and former Olympian winner wrestler. He is fat and the body descriptions were great and just very fat positive. Emmy is Korean and Bi and recently divorced and moved to Texas. He loves to hang out in this book shop and runs into the owner, Jamir.
Jamir is a sexy Black glass wearing man who is also Bi and notices Emmy right away, but even more so when Emmy leaves his copy of Pride and Prejudice in the store. When Emmy returns to pick it up he is caught in a storm and ends up in the home with Jamir.
Jamir is struggling to figure out the direction with his life. Having the bookstore was never his dream, he wanted to be a photographer but he was passed down the bookstore. Emmy is having to battle his ex who now wants him back after leaving him for another guy. I loved the friendship dynamics with Jamir’s friends they had me smiling and laughing. It felt homey and just amazing vibes. I really enjoyed this novella and cannot wait to read more from Georgina.
August 1, 2023
I had been eagerly anticipating this book after reading “Fall into You” which was my first F/F book I had ever read. I enjoyed reading F.I.Y. very much so I was very excited when M.T.L. finally came out. Oh man, I absolutely loved Georgina Kiersten’s writing style and the way they painted the MCs. What made this one so sweet is the fact that none of the MCs are caucasian. I am a Caucasian male reader and I honestly do not think enough books have many POC MCs. They also do not get enough lovin’. Thank you Georgina for writing such an awesome book that I’d be reading over and over! More than 5 allocated stars from me!
The story focuses on Jamir, a sweet quiet guy who got the bookstore that his grandparents started and gave it to him. This gave him the opportunity to fangirl over this hot big Korean stud named Emerson whenever he would come in the bookstore, get his drink and read his book. He would have that feeling that someone was staring at him. He’d glance up and look around but couldn’t find a face that was staring at him. However, one day he finally caught this cute black guy staring at him and would disappear when he realized his crush saw him. Jamir felt foolish because he has wanted to say something to Emerson but was too shy that he’d back out and say nothing.
The Jane Austen book was Jamir’s saving grace. Emerson had accidentally left his book when he left the bookstore. Thankfully Jamir saw it when he was cleaning the table. He put it in a safe spot in case Emerson came back. It was raining when Emerson realized he had left his favorite book at the bookstore so he came back in the rain. That was the start of something. I’m going to stop right there and encourage you to pick up the book and read to find out what happens between them and more about who Emerson and Jamir are! Such a wonderful reading!
The story focuses on Jamir, a sweet quiet guy who got the bookstore that his grandparents started and gave it to him. This gave him the opportunity to fangirl over this hot big Korean stud named Emerson whenever he would come in the bookstore, get his drink and read his book. He would have that feeling that someone was staring at him. He’d glance up and look around but couldn’t find a face that was staring at him. However, one day he finally caught this cute black guy staring at him and would disappear when he realized his crush saw him. Jamir felt foolish because he has wanted to say something to Emerson but was too shy that he’d back out and say nothing.
The Jane Austen book was Jamir’s saving grace. Emerson had accidentally left his book when he left the bookstore. Thankfully Jamir saw it when he was cleaning the table. He put it in a safe spot in case Emerson came back. It was raining when Emerson realized he had left his favorite book at the bookstore so he came back in the rain. That was the start of something. I’m going to stop right there and encourage you to pick up the book and read to find out what happens between them and more about who Emerson and Jamir are! Such a wonderful reading!
August 19, 2025
I loved the story and characters of this book; it definitely has the potential to be a five star read.
Key word: potential.
This could use a good editor. There are several times where small inconsistencies pulled me out of the story. Nothing that makes the story incomprehensible, but confusing enough that I had to flip back a few pages to see if I missed something.
Things like the characters agreeing to meet at one person's house, but then that person takes an Uber to the other person's house. Or one of them taking the other to his Aunt's restaurant and then not actually introducing the other.
This only happened a handful of times, but it was enough for me to knock the rating.
Going further, I think an editor could help with some word choice. At one point a character blinks "wearily" at the other after he wakes up. "Blearily" would have worked better here, in my opinion. Normally, I wouldn't mention this, but there were probably ten instances of this that took me out of the story.
Finally, while this works as a novella, I think it would have shined as a novel. There were a few places that I think could be expanded on to deepen the story and more fully develop the characters.
As a fat, queer person, it's refreshing to see queer representation that also highlights body diversity. As a white person, I think it's important to read books about BIPOC characters (and by BIPOC authors).
I also enjoyed that this representation was simply a part of the character. So often with fat and queer representation, the character's identity is a struggle in some way. The fat character always wants to lose weight and ends up learning to love their body anyway. Or the queer person's family disowns them and they have to find a new chosen family. I agree these representations are important, but I don't think they should be the only examples of such representation. (I can't speak on BIPOC representation since I'm white.)
Overall, if a good editor got their hands on this, it would be amazing. (Hell, I'm not an editor but I'd be happy to provide thoughts to the author if they wanted.)
Key word: potential.
This could use a good editor. There are several times where small inconsistencies pulled me out of the story. Nothing that makes the story incomprehensible, but confusing enough that I had to flip back a few pages to see if I missed something.
Things like the characters agreeing to meet at one person's house, but then that person takes an Uber to the other person's house. Or one of them taking the other to his Aunt's restaurant and then not actually introducing the other.
This only happened a handful of times, but it was enough for me to knock the rating.
Going further, I think an editor could help with some word choice. At one point a character blinks "wearily" at the other after he wakes up. "Blearily" would have worked better here, in my opinion. Normally, I wouldn't mention this, but there were probably ten instances of this that took me out of the story.
Finally, while this works as a novella, I think it would have shined as a novel. There were a few places that I think could be expanded on to deepen the story and more fully develop the characters.
As a fat, queer person, it's refreshing to see queer representation that also highlights body diversity. As a white person, I think it's important to read books about BIPOC characters (and by BIPOC authors).
I also enjoyed that this representation was simply a part of the character. So often with fat and queer representation, the character's identity is a struggle in some way. The fat character always wants to lose weight and ends up learning to love their body anyway. Or the queer person's family disowns them and they have to find a new chosen family. I agree these representations are important, but I don't think they should be the only examples of such representation. (I can't speak on BIPOC representation since I'm white.)
Overall, if a good editor got their hands on this, it would be amazing. (Hell, I'm not an editor but I'd be happy to provide thoughts to the author if they wanted.)
February 12, 2024
So there was a lot of editing work needed on this one, with editing remarks left in the text, as well as a scene included twice (unless I really did just have a Moment).
There even seems to be an entire scene missimg where his friend offers to buy the bookstore??? Because it goes from they find out he's in debt and failed to secure debt relief and she says "I would have helped you!" To suddenly he phones her and says "Yes. I'll sell you the shop." And she doesn't immediately go "What?? I'm a lawyer! I didn't offer to buy the shop!"
However, the setup and character development were decent enough to be enjoyable--and there are only three or four named white characters (and Nicholle is the only one with any dialogue or plot significance), which is refreshing!
What wasn't refreshing is that the climax of the story uses the ex wife in a weird confrontation. She travels from California to Texas to confront her ex to somehow make him give up his boyfriend to get back with her? The marriage was apparently lukewarm and the divorce neutral. But the moment she finds out he's dating a man she goes nuclear?
They've known each other since they were sixteen, she's still friends with his parents, it just seems very strange. Also, she would have had to get the address from his parents, which doesn't mesh with their apparent acceptance of him and his relationship? Honestly, he should have felt some kind of betrayal on that regard.
I dunno. I dislike scenarios where the ex is a raging asshole just to force the protagonist to confess their "true feelings" to the new partner.
There even seems to be an entire scene missimg where his friend offers to buy the bookstore??? Because it goes from they find out he's in debt and failed to secure debt relief and she says "I would have helped you!" To suddenly he phones her and says "Yes. I'll sell you the shop." And she doesn't immediately go "What?? I'm a lawyer! I didn't offer to buy the shop!"
However, the setup and character development were decent enough to be enjoyable--and there are only three or four named white characters (and Nicholle is the only one with any dialogue or plot significance), which is refreshing!
What wasn't refreshing is that the climax of the story uses the ex wife in a weird confrontation. She travels from California to Texas to confront her ex to somehow make him give up his boyfriend to get back with her? The marriage was apparently lukewarm and the divorce neutral. But the moment she finds out he's dating a man she goes nuclear?
They've known each other since they were sixteen, she's still friends with his parents, it just seems very strange. Also, she would have had to get the address from his parents, which doesn't mesh with their apparent acceptance of him and his relationship? Honestly, he should have felt some kind of betrayal on that regard.
I dunno. I dislike scenarios where the ex is a raging asshole just to force the protagonist to confess their "true feelings" to the new partner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2023
Kierson has something really special here. More to Love is such a gentle, delicate story with a equal mix of sweetness and spice. I’m also a sucker for a bookstore setting and they really made a truly cozy space that I want to get lost in. The chemistry Emmy, a bi plus size Korean man, and Jamir, a bi black man, had was the swooniest. I love that in the spicy scenes, consent is reinforced and protective measures are used. I also loved that. They both had an arc of trying to step into more honest versions of themselves after living through the pressures of others, with Emmy feeling like he had to pursue Olympic wrestling at the behest of his influencer ex wife, and Jamir with trying to live up to his family’s legacy while dampening down his photography dreams, and coming into more authentic versions of themselves with the help of the love of each other. I’m always amazed with Kierson’s writing and this is just another example of why they are one of my favorite writers currently.
5/5
5/5
January 30, 2025
This book is so goshdang sweet.
I picked this up because I am always on the hunt for books with fat queer leads, and More To Love absolutely hit the spot 💛
I love the cast of characters! My favorite part of the book was the way familial relationships were written. I love a queer romance where family is important to the characters, and both leads have complex, affectionate, and rewarding family relationships.
I also loved the way the sex scenes were written. They felt realistically playful and cute and intimate, and they were also the times when I most felt the chemistry between Jamir and Emmy.
The romance fell into insta-love territory for me, and I found their relationship dynamic less compelling because of it. I wanted more opportunity to see their chemistry blossom, but the story prioritized after they got together— which happened very early.
Emmy and Jamir were both so lovely, and I absolutely adored that everyone felt like a real person with their own lives. I look forward to checking out more of this author's work, perhaps one of the other genres they write!
I picked this up because I am always on the hunt for books with fat queer leads, and More To Love absolutely hit the spot 💛
I love the cast of characters! My favorite part of the book was the way familial relationships were written. I love a queer romance where family is important to the characters, and both leads have complex, affectionate, and rewarding family relationships.
I also loved the way the sex scenes were written. They felt realistically playful and cute and intimate, and they were also the times when I most felt the chemistry between Jamir and Emmy.
The romance fell into insta-love territory for me, and I found their relationship dynamic less compelling because of it. I wanted more opportunity to see their chemistry blossom, but the story prioritized after they got together— which happened very early.
Emmy and Jamir were both so lovely, and I absolutely adored that everyone felt like a real person with their own lives. I look forward to checking out more of this author's work, perhaps one of the other genres they write!
January 1, 2024
My first read of 2024!
This was an enjoyable feel-good read. M/M, plus-size, one of the main characters is Black, one of Korean descent. A bookstore setting. People you want to see be together. A nice friend group for one of the characters. An ex who doesn't quite know when to exit stage left for the other. Lots of queer rep.
More to Love is imperfectly edited, but it's not too bad. It bothered me because things like that do, but even I wasn't that distracted. A missing period her, a misspelled word there like duchess being spelled dutchess.
I love a novella, but I really would have liked to see this expanded since in the end everything felt like it could have used a few more pages. I would have liked a longer simmer for not just the sex, but also more time spent at the bookstore Jamir owns and at work with Emmy as he coaches wrestling. There was enough potential material for a novel, and I would have liked to see it.
This was an enjoyable feel-good read. M/M, plus-size, one of the main characters is Black, one of Korean descent. A bookstore setting. People you want to see be together. A nice friend group for one of the characters. An ex who doesn't quite know when to exit stage left for the other. Lots of queer rep.
More to Love is imperfectly edited, but it's not too bad. It bothered me because things like that do, but even I wasn't that distracted. A missing period her, a misspelled word there like duchess being spelled dutchess.
I love a novella, but I really would have liked to see this expanded since in the end everything felt like it could have used a few more pages. I would have liked a longer simmer for not just the sex, but also more time spent at the bookstore Jamir owns and at work with Emmy as he coaches wrestling. There was enough potential material for a novel, and I would have liked to see it.
March 24, 2024
If you’re in the mood for a sweet, low-conflict interracial (Black and Korean-American), bisexual M/M novella, definitely look no further! It’s got a cinnamon-roll ex-Olympian wrestling coach, a photographer-turned-bookstore-owner, and an amazing array of (mostly) supportive family members and friends. And while it’s set in East Texas (think scrumptious BBQ and twangy accents), it’s a relatively queer-normative world, where even the MCs’ cousins, friends, and siblings wear their identities proudly. Yes, there are a few issues with one of the MC’s parents, but–as with most of the higher-stakes conflicts in the story–those are resolved quickly and without too much trauma at all. I adored how quickly issues were resolved, and of course the requisite HEA is oh-so-sweet and affirming. And, of course, there’s spice. There’s also the set-up for a bunch of companion novels set in this world, which will hopefully happen sooner rather than later.
July 13, 2023
This novella starts with Jamir admiring a customer in his inherited bookstore from afar. The reason Jamir puts himself out there and finally talks to Emmy was swoon worthy and I loved it! I found myself saying “They’re so cute!” multiple times. I really loved how fleshed out their lives were. They each had friends and family that they rely on, even though most of Emmy’s support system is in another state. They each have conflicts they’re trying to resolve, so while the romance is the focus of this story both characters still grow as individuals. I like how it was hinted at that Emmy’s ex-wife was a drama queen because that made what she does believable. I adore the way Jamir’s conflict gets resolved. The ending was such a sweet way to wrap up their story!
I received an advance review copy from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 8, 2023
Another Happy Gay Book!
A Happy Gay Book with gay/bi men who read like people I'd love to know. Happy gay/bi men in an IR relationship that isn't B/W (not that I don't enjoy those, but I'm cautious about who writes them. If an author's backlist is nothing but chiseled white guys, then that ONE IR book that sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb, I give that author a HUGE pass).
Jamir and Emmy were just sooo sweet together, and guys who are bibliophiles are my catnip, lol. My only quibble was how quickly Jamir almost walked out when Emmy's selfish ex-wife showed up. Thankfully that scene was short and Emmy handled his business like the boss he was. They had a diverse support system with some funny moments like game night.
I love Happy Gay Books! This was a novella with characters I just didn't want to let go of.
A Happy Gay Book with gay/bi men who read like people I'd love to know. Happy gay/bi men in an IR relationship that isn't B/W (not that I don't enjoy those, but I'm cautious about who writes them. If an author's backlist is nothing but chiseled white guys, then that ONE IR book that sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb, I give that author a HUGE pass).
Jamir and Emmy were just sooo sweet together, and guys who are bibliophiles are my catnip, lol. My only quibble was how quickly Jamir almost walked out when Emmy's selfish ex-wife showed up. Thankfully that scene was short and Emmy handled his business like the boss he was. They had a diverse support system with some funny moments like game night.
I love Happy Gay Books! This was a novella with characters I just didn't want to let go of.
September 5, 2024
More
I am not going to lie. This book has some typos, but it is good enough that I was able overlook them. I really enjoyed reading this book. It is sweet love story about two bi men who fall in love with each other. There is top/bottom or magic. It’s just men finding love. It does not hurt that is an interracial story as well.
Jamir would love to date but running his bookstore takes most of his time and attention. But he is lonely. A customer has caught his eye but he is too shy to talk to him. Emmy (Emerson) is new to the city and he enjoys going to Jamir’s bookstore. He thinks Jamir is attractive but is afraid that his permanent scowl makes him too intimidating. Lucky for the two men, they get a chance to see how much they enjoy each other. But they still need to communicate to get past their differences. As I wrote before, this is a good book.
I am not going to lie. This book has some typos, but it is good enough that I was able overlook them. I really enjoyed reading this book. It is sweet love story about two bi men who fall in love with each other. There is top/bottom or magic. It’s just men finding love. It does not hurt that is an interracial story as well.
Jamir would love to date but running his bookstore takes most of his time and attention. But he is lonely. A customer has caught his eye but he is too shy to talk to him. Emmy (Emerson) is new to the city and he enjoys going to Jamir’s bookstore. He thinks Jamir is attractive but is afraid that his permanent scowl makes him too intimidating. Lucky for the two men, they get a chance to see how much they enjoy each other. But they still need to communicate to get past their differences. As I wrote before, this is a good book.
October 27, 2024
More to Love by Georgina Kierstan
I really enjoyed Emmy and Jamir’s love story.
Things I'm here for:
Black Excellence - Jamir runs a business, Gena is a lawyer, Cedric works in the family restaurant
Korean characters that have depth - Emmy is a tall huge human, his sister is a lesbian and he is bisexual and their parents love them wholeheartedly
My favorite trope: Instalove!!!!!
So many types of LGBTQIA+ representation: bisexual, lesbian, aromantic (but not asexual!)
Emmy has never had a relationship with a man, but he's always known he is bisexual
Following your heart in life, love, and work
Excellent steam!
Adding to The Diverse Baseline Challenge October prompt of a book by a trans BIPOC author.
I really enjoyed Emmy and Jamir’s love story.
Things I'm here for:
Black Excellence - Jamir runs a business, Gena is a lawyer, Cedric works in the family restaurant
Korean characters that have depth - Emmy is a tall huge human, his sister is a lesbian and he is bisexual and their parents love them wholeheartedly
My favorite trope: Instalove!!!!!
So many types of LGBTQIA+ representation: bisexual, lesbian, aromantic (but not asexual!)
Emmy has never had a relationship with a man, but he's always known he is bisexual
Following your heart in life, love, and work
Excellent steam!
Adding to The Diverse Baseline Challenge October prompt of a book by a trans BIPOC author.
January 24, 2024
sweet little romance story
I found it a little short, some themes could have done with more breathing room. for the conflict at the end it meant that things felt not only rushed, but also it made the antagonistic person in that conflict very simplistic and one-dimensional. this then plays into some very misogynistic stereotypes that I absolutely do not think are intended here!!
I'd would have enjoyed more time with these characters and let the side characters have more room as well, it really was a wonderful cast!
something I loved that the author — writing outside their own cultural experience — seemed to have done a decent amount of research and what's even more remarkable included a recommendation list for korean and korean-american fiction, along with the explicit appeal: please also read from own voices authors. that was a lovely touch and something I'd like to see more often!
I look forward to more from this author :)
I found it a little short, some themes could have done with more breathing room. for the conflict at the end it meant that things felt not only rushed, but also it made the antagonistic person in that conflict very simplistic and one-dimensional. this then plays into some very misogynistic stereotypes that I absolutely do not think are intended here!!
I'd would have enjoyed more time with these characters and let the side characters have more room as well, it really was a wonderful cast!
something I loved that the author — writing outside their own cultural experience — seemed to have done a decent amount of research and what's even more remarkable included a recommendation list for korean and korean-american fiction, along with the explicit appeal: please also read from own voices authors. that was a lovely touch and something I'd like to see more often!
I look forward to more from this author :)
October 8, 2024
3.25 Stars
Tropes: Grumpy/Sunshine, Small Town, M/M, Sports
This was a cute, sexy novella with a shy Black bookstore owner and a husky, grumpy Korean wrestling coach. They had cute chemistry and solid emotional arcs, but the emotional arcs felt largely tangential to the romance. There's also some other woman drama in here, which I did not mind, but wasn't really campy fun, either.
I know it's a bit silly to say that I wished a novella was longer, but more specifically, I think I just wanted this to have a deeper focus on fewer things instead of a broader focus on several things. The casual diversity in the sexualities and racial identity of the cast was quite nice, though.
Tropes: Grumpy/Sunshine, Small Town, M/M, Sports
This was a cute, sexy novella with a shy Black bookstore owner and a husky, grumpy Korean wrestling coach. They had cute chemistry and solid emotional arcs, but the emotional arcs felt largely tangential to the romance. There's also some other woman drama in here, which I did not mind, but wasn't really campy fun, either.
I know it's a bit silly to say that I wished a novella was longer, but more specifically, I think I just wanted this to have a deeper focus on fewer things instead of a broader focus on several things. The casual diversity in the sexualities and racial identity of the cast was quite nice, though.
July 6, 2023
This whole novella is like the perfect dessert on a summer night - light, delicious, just the right size. Emmy is still dealing with starting his new life after divorce, Jamir is trying to figure out how to keep the family bookstore alive, but once they find each other, everything just fits together. I loved that neither were “typical” romance leads, that both men’s cultural heritages were entwined in their stories, and that they were both just so happy to have found each other from the very beginning. Low-angst short swoony at its best.
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