Oh my god. I just. I can't even.... shdfgsjfdghjsfghjfgsjsfghds. ♥
You have NO IDEA how long I have wanted to read Rita/Irma, and they are perfect here. Acid-tongued the both of them, disagreeing completely on the sacred nature of words, and yet they work so well together. I LOVE that they don't like each other but want each other anyway, and the sex is deliciously hot! I loved Rita's emerald heels and matching nails and bra (OF COURSE they match!) and Irma's lack of bra (surprising, and hot).
The Muriel/Xeno/Olli was fab, too. So much there in their little scene. Fabulous! And Aiken! I think I'm in love with him, too, from his sassing his customers to his quiet understanding with Irma, and I could totally see an entire series of stories set in this bookstore ;).
Some lines I love:
"Highly important: one of the first lesbian books written for agricultural witches."
“There is nothing soft about this heart, not that you’ll ever get close enough to know.”
damsel-dragon egg
'Sapphic scarecrow' as a descriptor for Irma.
That entire scene of post-coital snark.
In short, thank you so much for such a fabulous gift!