Bee's Disability Reads July 2025
#1
Title and Author: Always Only You by Chloe Liese
Page count: 370 (paperback)
Review:
Frankie, the FL is autistic and also suffers from Rheumatoid arthritis. Both her autism and RA struggles were strongly represented. The ML's younger sister is also autistic and I liked how Frankie became a support system for her.
Ren, the ML, is a total cinnamon roll (that concussion scene is the cutest thing I've read in a while! ❤️) — he's warm, sensitive and genuine. Just an adorable dork who kept giving me giant teddy bear vibes. I love how he took care of Frankie. It was never "fragile, handle with care" treatment; he was just thoughtful and sensitive and it showed in all the little things he noticed and did.
I loved seeing these two lose their shit over each other
but I do wish the falling in love phase was stretched out a bit more? They didn't have enough of a heart connection, I felt. The FL was sorta jolted into unboxing her feelings. But from the ML who'd been pining forever, I needed to know more about what he loved about her, what made him fall in the first place. I liked the characters — Frankie was a hard relate at times — but I do think the author's writing style fell a bit flat overall. I still plan to check out the other books in the series, though.
Quotes:
What if the life I’ve built, the one that was supposed to free me, has turned into a prison after all?
This happens sometimes. I ask a question, and people hear… more than a question. They hear criticism or judgment or teasing. I’ve given up trying to explain that my brain isn’t wired for that subtlety, that I couldn’t imply those kinds of layers of meaning if I wanted to.
“You okay?”
“I’m not crying,” she says immediately.
I squeeze her hand, rubbing my thumb in a gentle circle across her palm. “Of course not.”
“It’s windy,” she says.
“Very windy.”
What is it that’s so sensual about the simple touching of hands? How can sharing the barest contact feel so intimate?
“Clearly, you haven’t read Sense and f*cking Sensibility.”
“Huh. I didn’t know the title included such profanity. Must be the unabridged version.”
Books help me feel a bit more connected to a world that often is hard to make sense of. Books are patient with me. They don’t laugh at me instead of with me. They don’t ask why I’m “always” frowning, or why I can’t sit still. Books welcome me—weirdness and all—and take me exactly as I am.
I stare at him, as my heart bangs against my ribs, an inmate shaking its prison bars.
Let me out. Please. Just this once.
#2
Title and Author: Forget My Name by J S Monroe
Page count: 498 (audiobook)
Review:
Fast paced thriller, suspenseful and with interesting characterisations. The story starts off with one of the MCs having amnesia, with no clue about who she is. One of the other MCs suffers from anxiety and paranoia. Can't say much without spoiling, but amnesia and memories do form an important part of the story. I also liked the references to Buddhism and India.
Quotes:
The brain is a frightening thing. Capable of remembering so much of what we wanted to forget, and forgetting the one thing that we most wanted to remember.
"Do you think you have kids?"
I pause to consider. "I'm not sure how I'd know."
"Tits heading south and a 24/7 state of tiredness and guilt," she offers.
Unable to discuss my own past, I seem to be obsessed with other people's.
When our minds are quiet, old memories rise to the surface. We forget things when our souls are troubled.
#3
Title and Author: My Husband the Stranger by Rebecca Done
Page count: 400 (paperback)
Review:
Oh god this story. So much to feel 🥺 Alex, the ML, has a TBI which leads to permanent brain damage. His ability to feel and show emotion has suffered, along with various other symptoms like loss of smell and taste, social unawareness, lack of focus, bouts of anger, tendency to get easily triggered or overstimulated, etc. And while I empathised with his condition, the way he treated Molly (FL) sometimes was... difficult to watch. The various hardships of being a caregiver were brilliantly portrayed.
I just wish we got more of Alex's present POVs too, bcz we never really know how he views Molly after the accident. Does he even understand when he's being rude and hurtful? Does he do it unknowingly or does he realise but can't help it? Does he regret it later? We see a few gestures at some points, but I really wanted his direct thoughts. Esp bcz we do get past Alex's POV, who was so desperately in love with Molly (which ofc just makes the present situation more tragic in its contrast).
But Molly... this woman with her endless patience, empathy and understanding... her love for Alex was just unstoppable. It just kept flowing, even when I (and a lot of others around her) felt like she should cork it up a bit, not let herself run dry. But she could never stop rooting for him — for them — and I couldn't stop rooting for her. My heart was practically blooming when her efforts started to pay off, and I did like that ending, but like I said, I would've liked more from Alex's POV. And I definitely would've liked more details, esp in the epilogue. There was also a minor subplot which I wish wasn't there — bcz this is a book that could've easily just focused on the main couple and not needed anything else for the story — but it was wrapped up nicely so I didn't have much qualms after that.
Quotes:
I know it is partly my fault – pretending each day when I open my eyes that the old Alex is back. That game can never be a fun one, and I’m always going to lose.
But she still doesn’t know how it truly feels to have Alex almost look through me some days, as if he’s wondering who I am and why I am there. The spark in his green eyes, the connection between us, is gone. That unspoken something has left the room, and I know it will never return.
When someone has a life-changing accident, cultural boundaries around family become somewhat flexible. Our marriage doesn’t just involve me and Alex any more. It involves me, Alex and all the other people who love him.
It’s frustrating to watch and I know it upsets Alex more than anyone else in the world. He finds it impossible to understand why his mind won’t let him do what needs to be done.
The most patient man in the world has now turned into the most impatient. Someone who would never have spoken rudely to anyone – least of all a person he didn’t know – now has the capacity to be vicious to strangers, and it makes me nervous.
They don’t truly understand. They think I’m weak, that I’ve lost my ambition, my drive, my sense of self. And it’s true – I have lost all those things, but it’s not because I’m weak. It’s because when I’m trying every day to be strong for Alex, I have no strength left for me.
There must be new dreams out there waiting for us – it’s just down to me to conjure them up. That’s my job; my end of the deal.
I suppose that is the very nature of commitment: you put your life and happiness in the hands of another. You relinquish responsibility. You say, Here is my heart. Do with it what you will – but please just try not to break it.
#4
Title and Author: Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer
Page count: 403 (ebook)
Review:
This book features an FL who gets heavily scarred on her face when she's very young. This affects her own self image and gives her a non-existent social life, since most of the village sees her as cursed or a bad omen. The ML also has a limp but it was bad representation, conveniently forgotten for most of the book.
Honestly, this was a complete borefest. It seemed to drag on and on, yet somehow the romance was still under-developed. It's supposed to be a B&tB retelling and initially I thought this was gonna be like a cozy, whimsical version bcz of the setting — but nope, it decided to tack on a lame quest and an even lamer climax scene. None of the side relationships were fleshed out properly — the dad, the brother, the best friend — what were they even for? The FL certainly didn't care about them (only when she wanted to cry or feel resentful), she only cared about the ML and I still don't know what exactly brought on that love. All she did was keep making promises to help everyone and then doing absolutely nothing except frolicking with her lover
The entire first half could've been halved without any problem. The second half had slightly better pacing. I did love the concept of the book mirrors and the worlds within! I so wish they had done more with it 😭 There was a cool final twist but at that point I was just waiting for the book to end.
Quotes:
In the old tales of magic the wicked were always ugly and scarred, the good beautiful; I was not beautiful, but I wanted to be good, and after a while I couldn’t bear to read those stories anymore.
"What is the oldest magic?”
“Love. That is what created the universe, and that is what will destroy it, in the end.”
I wept in the snow and crumbled to ash, for I was only pages in a book, burned and lost and gone forever.
His blue eyes locked on mine, suddenly serious. “Must you always know a story ends happily before you feel equal to beginning it?”
“Take my story back with you. Give it a happy ending.”
He smiles, and reaches out one brown finger to graze my cheek. “I will give it the happiest of all endings."
#5
Title and Author: With You Forever by Chloe Liese
Page count: 384 (paperback)
Review:
I liked this one a lot more than Always Only You. It had the proper heart-to-heart connection b/w the leads that was kinda lacking there. Alex, the ML here, was very neurodivergent coded in AOY, and this book confirms that he's autistic. I think Chloe Liese has done great in portraying the diversity within the spectrum, bcz this is my second read from this series but I've already met three autistic characters, who — although they share similar traits — are quite different from one another.
Roonie, the FL, has ulcerative colitis, which gives her chronic GI issues that she feels ashamed to discuss with anyone. She's also a bit of a people-pleaser, and hesitates to mention her strict dietary restrictions. I love how Axel took her illness as it is and supported her through it, while Roonie was always patient with Alex and gave him time to communicate what he wanted. They were each other's safe spaces and I always love that in a couple
Quotes:
Relationships are so…illogical, and their subjectivity is where I’ve been hurt. Those gray, messy spaces have taught me you can be loved and yet left, wanted yet regretted.
It feels good to be accepted, to be not only told but shown that I’m safe to be not just smiley Rooney or happy Rooney, but all-of-me Rooney. Even the one who’s really f*cking sick sometimes.
And that’s the best kind of friendship, isn’t it? Friendship that lets laughter and tears hold hands, where grief and gratitude can be friends, not enemies.
#6
Title and Author: Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
Page count: 320 (audiobook)
Review:
My first read from Alice Feeney and I'm happily planning to read more. The MMC of this thriller, Adam, has prosopagnosia aka face blindness. Honestly, this could've been a very average story but the author's writing style elevated it quite a bit — just the way she presents it is very interesting. Even when I was sure I had the twists figured out, I was hooked and quickly turning pages. In the end, although I did end up mostly right in my guesses, this turned out to be a very satisfying read. There are several little tidbits to speculate over, even after the end... I love when thrillers do that 😍 And I definitely loved that ending ❤️
Quotes:
My husband might not know my face, but there are other ways he has learned to recognise me: the smell of my perfume, the sound of my voice, the feel of my hand in his when he still used to hold it.
'But if there’s one thing I have learned from life as well as fiction, it’s that nobody is ever just a hero or just a villain. We all have it in us to be both.’
My husband doesn’t cheat on me with other women, or men, he has love affairs with their words.
Sometimes the thoughts we hide in the margins of our minds are the most honest, because they are ours alone, and we think nobody else will see them.
Maybe all marriages have secrets, and maybe the only way to stay married is to keep them.
#7
Title and Author: We All Fall Down by Natalie D Richards
Page count: 368 (paperback)
Review:
This was supposed to be a paranormal thriller, and while there was paranormal, the thrill was... pretty unsatisfactory. The MMC had ADHD and ODD, while the FMC had anxiety. Initially it was interesting how their own unstable minds added to the uncertainty of the situation, but it got too boring too fast. Literally the whole plot is about one (1) single incident. The rest of it is just "oh we're so bad for each other, we should stay away, but we can't stay away and we're overdramatic little shits, so how about we just keep whining about it every chapter and annoying the crap out of the reader" 🙄🙄
Honestly, this was a bit like a teen diary, with everything blown out of proportion. That one (1) incident wasn't even so bad, and I don't even know why they were so "bad" for each other. I love drama and pining and angst, but this was nauseating even for me. There were some semi-interesting bits like the FMC gaslighting her friend, but the ending also left many unexplained gaps.
Quotes:
“Well, for the record, I am medicated—today, yesterday, and every day. Thanks so much for asking. Maybe you’d like to talk about my broken childhood next?”
This would be a whole lot easier if she’d stop texting for five minutes so I could attempt to flirt with her.
I know I’ve had enough of this bridge for one night. What I don’t know is that the bridge hasn’t had nearly enough of me.
She’s slipping into her anxious place, where she imagines shadows around every corner. Except this time, she’s right. There are shadows waiting for her. Waiting for both of us.
Is that possible? Can you go to the darkest imaginable places with a person and still walk with them in the light?
We’re both tainted water, but Theo’s bubbles up on the surface like an oil spill. Mine is invisible. Arsenic hiding in plain sight.
(I really liked this quote)
#8
Title and Author: The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid
Page count: 432 (paperback)
Review:
I thought Echo North was gonna be my most boring read of the month, but this book proved me wrong. I enjoyed the writing style initially but the entire plot was a whole bunch of NOTHING. Almost the entire first half could've been scrapped off and made no difference to the book. After that it just got progressively worse. There were a lot of interesting plotlines that I wish the author had taken the time to explore properly, instead of giving us this confused mess. The pacing was off too. Things were dragging one moment, too rushed in the next. There were also some serious plot discrepancies. This book really needed a better editor.
The ML had a missing eye and a missing finger but the disability rep wasn't really done well, partly bcz of the FL's thoughts and actions. I kinda hated the FL, but I also didn't care about the ML, so whatever.
In hindsight, I should've DNFed this book early on. Towards the end, I was so numb I was just turning the pages like a robot. The only interesting part was the worldbuilding — the folklore, magic and religious tensions. Oh, and the FL's father I guess.
Quotes:
In this way, it became the world as we know—a world where growth could easily become rot, where peace could easily become pain. A world that had a word for happiness, because now there was a word for despair.
Yet now, as he surveyed the beautiful thing he had created, he was not angry or heartbroken. He was at peace, and that is the only time when you can make a sacrifice that works.
Survival is not a battle that you win only once. You must fight it again every day.
I'd rather die with a blade in my hand, or at least with fire in my heart, than live as the shadow of the shadow.
'But you followed me here.’ My own voice is a whisper. ‘What a foolish thing for a pious prince to do.’
A breath comes out of him. ‘You’ve made me a fool many times over.'
#9
Title and Author: 1222 by Anne Holt
Page count:
Review:
The protagonist is an ex-policewoman who is wheelchair-bound (paralysed from the waist down) and hard of hearing — consequences of a bullet wound she suffered prior to this book. As for the story... well, the plot was flat, the protag was flat, none of the reasonings/deductions were explained (she just magically knew things — I hate when mysteries do this). I kept waiting for something to happen, but nope. Where was the "race against time" I was promised?? Where were the high stakes? No one was ever in any actual danger. And they had the gall to compare it to "And Then There Were None" in the blurb 🙄🙄 Very blah read.
Quotes:
He placed his hands on his hips and looked down his nose at me. That look from those who are standing up, the tall ones, the ones whose bodies work perfectly.
I am interested in people, but I don’t want people to be interested in me.
Even the black, loose clothes around her bony figure seemed greyer now, and made her look like a pencil mark that someone had tried hard to erase.
It suddenly occurred to me that that person was me.
#10
Title and Author: A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Page count: 506 (ebook)
Review:
This is probably my favourite B&tB retelling. There's emotion, plot and wonderful characters, there's a ruthless beast and a cunning evil, and there's never a moment of boredom. Harper, the FL, has cerebral palsy which makes her walk with a limp. But boy does she ever let her define her! This FL is bold and brave (I love how everyone keeps underestimating her, only to be proven wrong xD), and she's genuinely... good. Throughout the book she always took a stand for the right thing, even when it seemed like an impossible risk. And despite her reckless decisions, she never came across as stupid. She had a heart and a brain, and with that indomitable spirit — it was honestly very easy to root for her.
The ML, Rhen, was easy to root for too. He was courteous but charming — exactly like a prince — but I loved his brain the most, the one that knew how to handle pressure and strategise. Every time he took charge and made plans and knew what to do, he grew a bit sexier in my eyes 🔥 After reading Serpent and Dove last month, I desperately needed more of that wild unhinged FL/restrained honorable ML dynamic. And while these two weren't exactly that, they had a close enough vibe to soothe my hunger.
I also loved Grey SO much, it's been a while since I've claimed a book boyfriend but this guy is mine now 🤣 He was just... the best person anyone could ever hope to have in their lives. Loyal, patient, calm, dependable and totally kickass 🔥 I absolutely loved his scenes with Harper ❤️❤️ And I also loved the scenes when he and Rhen talked, esp when Grey gave out his unfiltered thoughts and biting opinions. I so wish he did that more — Rhen did too. I really hope the next books build on their friendship coz there is so. much. potential here! ❤️
The book had a kinda love trianglesque vibe at times, but it was just the right amount to be perfect. And it only added to the story, never took away from it. I also loved the sibling dynamic between Harper and Jacob, that slight line between protective and overprotective that gets crossed so often by elder brothers. Very realistic ❤️
I hope this quality carries over to the second book. This one ended in a sort-of cliffhanger, where the main plot is resolved so I can stop, but I'm also very curious and eager to read ahead. But I've been burned by so many series atp that book #2s always feel like a huge leap of faith.
Quotes:
Harper moves close to Freya. “It’s okay,” she says gently. “We’ll figure something out.”
Her censorious eyes shift to me.
Clearly, I am to figure this out.
Her expression is some mixture of amused and perplexed. “What’s wrong with you? Hasn’t anyone ever given you a hug?”
I feel so off balance. “Not—not in recent memory.”
You sat by the fire and wouldn’t even speak to me.
For that to matter, she would have to care, at least a small amount.
Desperate, I look to Rhen for help.
He’s watching me with a kind of bemused wonder. “My lady." He gives me a bow. “I, too, offer you my gratitude.”
I am going to punch him.
"The choices we face may not be the choices we want, but they are choices nonetheless.”
#11
Title and Author: A Heart so Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer
Page count: 460 (ebook)
Review:
Aaand I'm burned again by a letdown sequel. This is the book manifestation of "be careful what you wish for". I loved Grey, I wanted more of him, now I got him and I don't like it 😐 But in my defence, this is not the Grey I fell in love with. That guy was tough and pragmatic; great at doing what needed to be done. This Grey 2.0... idek who he was, but I liked him less and less as the book went on. Also, too little Rhen and Harper! The freaking MCs! Book 1 worked bcz of these 3 and their inter-dynamics. Book 2 introduces new characters, who I initially liked, but after watching them take over the entire space and Rhen and Harper barely getting any — I can't stand them anymore. Especially Lia Mara (who is basically a blander version of Harper 🙄).
Also, in ACSDAL both Grey and Rhen were flawed, morally grey characters — that's what made them interesting. Rhen was the perfect prince and Grey was the perfect commander — and the author was brilliant in showing why they were perfect for their roles. But this book sorta goes about glorifying Grey and vilifying Rhen and I'm not here for that. And fiery, righteous Harper who was always taking a stand is barely doing anything in this book, pushed to the shadows to make way for the oh-so-great Lia Mara.
"You can't make Rhen change his mind," says Grey to Harper — when she spent sm of book 1 doing exactly that. Multiple times. 🙄 Honestly, the only reason I didn't DNF were the two brilliant chapters in the middle that kept me hoping for more. Sigh.
Quotes:
“You said I couldn’t stab him while he was unconscious. Can I stab him now?”
“No.”
“Look at me,” Rhen finally says.
If the words were spoken in anger or given like an order, I might have obeyed. But his voice is quiet, undercut with betrayal.
I cannot look at him. I feel as though I have betrayed him.
This is a man who endured the enchantress’s torture, season after season, to spare me. A man who gave up his life to save the people of Emberfall. This is the man who will be king.
“You trusted me once,” he says. “What have I done to lose it?”
#12
Title and Author: Behooved by M Stevenson
Page count: 353 (ebook)
Review:
Decent, breezy fantasy standalone — one I wish hadn't been this breezy. It was an interesting world with a lot of characters — but instead of diving deep and truly exploring any of it, the author took the simplistic, superficial route. I liked the main couple and the romance, but I wanted more. The conclusion wasn't very satisfying either.
The FMC had chronic illness — it was never specified exactly what it was, but the A/N revealed it was a representation of Celiac disease that the author suffers from herself. The condition was a crucial part of the FMC's self-image and her character arc.
Quotes:
One could admire a thing of beauty without loving it, after all.
-What do you think I look like? A chicken?- the horse demanded.
"I would never assassinate my spouse in my bedchamber. Even one who forced me to marry them. It would ruin the sheets."
"Strength isn’t about what your body can do," Aric went on. "It’s about how you respond to adversity."
Marya turned a pastry in her fingers. Judging by her expression, she was considering its potential uses as a weapon.
"Caring means you’re strong. It means you’re brave enough to let yourself feel, even though it puts your heart at risk.”
#13
Title and Author: Forestborn by Elayne Audrey Becker
Page count: 368 (paperback)
Review:
The entire kingdom — including the MC's best friend — was being afflicted by a magical illness that started in physical disability, and eventually led to insanity and death. So the MC, Rora, embarked on a quest to bring back the cure. Honestly, the writing style made reading this feel like experiencing a folktale in real time. There was such a quaint, cozy vibe in the first half, even through the sombriety. It was definitely grittier in the second half, though.
I loved the deceptions of the magic forest, loved how well fleshed the characters were and the development Rora went through. I also loved the strong sibling bond between Rora and her brother, and the friendship between her and Finley. I also enjoyed the shapeshifter aspect, and how the different animal forms gave her different advantages and disadvantages to work with.
The one thing I hated, though, was the pacing. It was frustratingly slow at times. I got so close to giving up, but I don't regret persisting with this one. There was so much it got right. I might even read the sequel.
Quotes:
“Rora.” Spoken like an offering.
“Helos.” Spoken like an accusation.
“What if I told you I could have you beheaded for calling me an idiot?”
“I’d call you a liar, too,” I reply.
It’s wrong. So wrong. Helos is the good one. Helos is hope. And here he is, transforming himself into a weapon.
Rora, I want to say. My name is Rora. It’s one of the only things I know to be true, a certainty I cling to in a life shaped by unpredictability.
We stare at each other for the span of several heartbeats. I can tell he’s trying to convince me that he’s not worth it, and I’m trying to convey to him that he’s always worth it, that we’re a pair, that we don’t separate.
#14
Title and Author: Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young
Page count: 368 (paperback)
Review:
One of the rare romance novels that delivers on everything but the romance 🤦♀️ FMC's newborn sister was born premature with foetal alcohol syndrome which damaged her heart; MMC's little brother was deaf. Their living together was a mutually beneficial system arranged by Child Protective Services, which meant there were huge stakes to them getting together. Yet these two pretty much threw caution to the wind, ignored the consequences and started making out like horny teenagers, ffs 🤦♀️ I also didn't like the MMC's characterisation initially, his constant hot and cold was annoying, and whenever he showed interest he gave off fboi vibes 😐
However, in their non-horny moments when they shared and talked and supported each other, I did enjoy their partnership and intimacy. Imo they should've had more of that before giving in to the attraction. I also enjoyed the portrayal of strained family bonds and flawed parents, as well as the people-pleasing psyche that comes from being abandoned. There were a lot of satisfying moments, esp in the second half.
Quotes:
Sober or not, my mother has always looked like herself—warm, familiar, like me. Now, I’m perhaps the only version of who my mother used to be that’s left in this world.
Warren isn’t even a little embarrassed, and I’m a teeny bit disappointed. Where does all his confidence come from? Can I get some of it?
I try to decide whether to work, eat, nap or do laundry. Option E, scrolling on my phone, seems like the obvious choice.
"I’m not going anywhere.”
Does he know how long I have wanted to hear someone say that to me? To feel in my bones that they mean it?
“I’m peace to you?” I ask.
He nods, pulling his lips into his mouth with a creased brow.
“Well, you’re my home.”
#15
Title and Author: A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
Page count: 228 (ebook) - unfinished
Review:
There's something so cozy and beautiful about this book. It's a regency romantasy with a magic element. I went into this blind — like most of my books these days — expecting a lighthearted romcom. I wasn't prepared for the amount of depth and nuance I'd find in the prose and characters. The subtle digs at classism and homophobia. So far, it seems like every character has a story to tell. I'm only about halfway through, so idk if the author will rise up to the expectations that she's set for herself. The pacing is definitely on the slower side, but I haven't minded so far.
The FMC has chronic illness.
Quotes:
"We all die. You and I are dying right now, but we are also alive."
"Your existence alone is enough. And if you believe you’ve made no difference at all to anyone, you’re even more clueless than I thought."
She had always believed life was what slipped through her fingers while she was idle. That life was something she wasted, not something she had. But now, she understood how wrong she'd been. Her heart beat. Her lungs swelled with air. Life was here, right in front of her.
#14
Title and Author: The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian
Page count:
Review:
Quotes:
Edited by Bee222 - 22 days ago
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