I adore Chace Verity’s queer demon romances. Their human characters are working class and their sensibilities are solidly anti-bootstraps. Colby works at a low end big box store where, as he says, dreams go to die. Colby makes enough to pay rent and occasionally have a night out with the guys he has been friends with since junior high. He’s in the group chat, but their lives have diverged from his – they make more money and have office jobs that get more respect. Colby has a particular concern for children who appear to be neglected by their parents, allowed to wander without supervision and protection. On his way to meet his friends, running late as usual, Colby comes across a child struggling to buy a pass for the public transit. He helps the kid.
Later at the bar with his friends he finds himself disturbed because he can’t stop looking at a tall glittery man, because he’s straight. He doesn’t talk about women as cup sizes the way his friends do, but he’s never been attracted to a man before. Despite being definitely straight, he goes home with Zed and shenanigans ensue. Zed is the older brother of the kid Colby helped, and a Dream Eater. For reasons, the brothers move in with Colby, and Colby gets an education in himself. He opens himself up to the idea that he is queer, that he is kind, and that life is better and easier when we take care of each other.
I love that the change that happens is in Colby’s view of himself and that what he can do to make his life better is to be more connected to the people around him. Even with his demon boyfriend, he still works at the big box store. It’s no longer a place where dreams go to die, because Colby has a life rich with community.
I read this as part of the #TransRightsReadathon.
I received this as an advance reader copy from the author, with whom I am friendly on social media. This has not affected my opinions, which are freely and honestly given.
