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Last night I headed to SIFF Cinema Downtown to see Hope, Na Hong-jin’s ambitious new South Korean sci-fi thriller. The film begins with a mysterious creature appearing near a remote village, sending the local police and a group of hunters into a situation that becomes increasingly dangerous and unpredictable. What I enjoyed most was how … Read more
During the weekend, I headed to Seattle Center for Freak the Mighty at Seattle Rep. This world-premiere musical follows Maxwell Kane and Kevin “Freak” Avery, two outsiders who discover that friendship, imagination, and a little courage can change everything. I loved the heart behind this story. There was plenty of humor, plenty of emotion, and … Read more
Sometimes you want romance. Sometimes you want a thriller. And sometimes you want both, preferably with a healthy dose of dark humor. My Ex’s New Boyfriend is a Murderer by Gaia Tate certainly has an attention-grabbing premise! The first book in the Miles & Kieran series, this MM romantic comedy thriller takes an awkward romantic … Read more
Last night I headed to SIFF Cinema Uptown to see American Doctor, Poh Si Teng’s powerful 2026 documentary about three American physicians who volunteer in Gaza. Dr. Thaer Ahmad, Dr. Mark Perlmutter, and Dr. Feroze Sidhwa come from very different backgrounds. One is Palestinian American, one is Jewish American, and one is Zoroastrian American. What … Read more
During the weekend, I headed to Seattle Center for Panda Fest, and apparently I was in the mood to eat my way through Asia. There was food everywhere. Dumplings. Bao. Noodles. Skewers. Desserts. Drinks. And yes, I tried more than I probably needed to. The festival brought together Asian street food, specialty vendors, art, cultural … Read more
There’s something irresistible about a paranormal romance that combines mythology, danger, and the possibility of finding freedom with someone who truly sees you. Unfettered Kelpie by S. Rodman pulled me straight into that kind of world. The second book in the Found & Freed: The Unfettered series, this MM paranormal romance brings the mystery and … Read more
Last night I headed to SIFF Cinema Uptown for Tony, Matt Johnson’s new film about a very young Anthony Bourdain, long before the books, television shows, international travel, and legendary career. Dominic Sessa plays 19-year-old Bourdain, who heads to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen. What follows is less a … Read more
During the weekend, I headed over to Marymoor for an evening with Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas. There’s something special about an outdoor concert in the Pacific Northwest. The music feels different when you’re surrounded by trees, the summer air is still warm, and there’s no ceiling between you and the evening … Read more
Some romances have chemistry from the first page, and Only for the Camera by Jenny Pineapple certainly knows how to turn up the heat. As the fourth book in the Station Thirteen series, this M/M romance novella combines attraction, complicated feelings, and the kind of chemistry that makes it very easy to keep reading. What … Read more
Last night I headed to SIFF Cinema Uptown for Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, and seeing this one in 35mm was exactly the right way to experience it. Jane Schoenbrun’s latest film takes the familiar ingredients of an ’80s summer-camp slasher and turns them into something much stranger, funnier, sexier, and considerably more … Read more
During the weekend, I headed out to Marymoor Park for something completely different, a night under the stars watching 1,200 drones turn the sky into a moving canvas inspired by Harry Potter. I’ll admit, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I’ve seen fireworks plenty of times, but there’s something completely different about watching hundreds … Read more
Some second-chance romances hit differently because they remind us that timing can be just as important as love. Twice In A Lifetime by R.M. Neill is exactly that kind of story. This M/M romance from the Sheltered Connections world brings together second chances, self-discovery, and a bisexual awakening, creating a relationship that has to navigate … Read more
Last night I headed to SIFF Cinema Uptown for The Invite, and this one had me thinking about how quickly a seemingly harmless evening can go completely sideways. Olivia Wilde directs this sharp relationship thriller about two couples whose carefully controlled dinner party begins to unravel when old tensions, new attractions, and buried secrets start … Read more
During the weekend, I traded hiking trails and paddles for something a little different, a night of live music, good drinks, and the kind of Seattle energy that makes it hard to call it an early night. There’s something about live music that always seems to reset the brain. You walk in carrying whatever you’ve … Read more
Some romances remind us that home isn’t always a place, sometimes it’s a person. Playing at Home by Jax Calder is exactly that kind of story. As the second book in the Sporting Secrets series, this M/M romance blends professional sports with the warmth of a manny romance, creating a heartfelt story about family, responsibility, … Read more
Last night I headed to SIFF Cinema Downtown to experience The Odyssey in glorious 70mm, and if there’s ever been a film that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible, this is it. Christopher Nolan has built a career around creating cinematic events, but The Odyssey feels different. Instead of exploring the future … Read more
During the weekend, I traded city streets for alpine trails and made the drive to Artist Point, one of those places that never fails to remind me just how incredible Washington is in the middle of summer. By the time I reached the trailhead, the mountain air was crisp, the sky was brilliantly blue, and … Read more
There’s something incredibly satisfying about a series that raises both the stakes and the emotional depth with each installment, and Falkirk by Casey Morales does exactly that. As the second book in the Of Shadows & Secrets series, this M/M spy thriller continues to blend high-risk espionage with deeply personal relationships. Every mission carries consequences, … Read more
Last night I headed to SIFF Cinema Uptown for Art House Theater Day, where they screened Sorry to Bother You. Even though I’d seen it before, watching it with a packed theater reminded me why it’s become one of my favorite films of the past decade. Boots Riley doesn’t just make a movie, he creates … Read more
During the weekend, I headed down to Seattle’s waterfront to spend part of the day enjoying Seafair, one of those traditions that reminds me why summer in the Pacific Northwest is unlike anywhere else. The city seemed to come alive from the moment I arrived. The waterfront was filled with people soaking up the sunshine, … Read more
There’s something especially rewarding about a romance where emotional safety is just as important as romantic chemistry, and Zander by Carly Marie captures that beautifully. As the first book in the Johnson Family Rules series, this M/M Daddy romance introduces readers to a world where trust, communication, and acceptance form the heart of the relationship. … Read more
Last night at SIFF Film Center I watched Horsegirls, and it completely won me over. I’ll admit, I walked in knowing almost nothing about hobbyhorsing. The premise sounded quirky enough to make me curious, but what I found was something far more meaningful than I expected. At the heart of the film is Margarita, a … Read more
During the weekend, I pointed the Jeep north before sunrise, strapped the sea kayak to the roof, and headed for the San Juan Islands. Some places never lose their sense of adventure, and every time I paddle here, I’m reminded why it’s one of my favorite corners of the Pacific Northwest. The moment the kayak … Read more
There’s something undeniably compelling about a romance where loyalty, danger, and desire are constantly at odds, and Enemy by K.A. Merikan delivers exactly that. As the first book in the Vulture Hollow MC series, this M/M biker romance throws you into a gritty world where rivalries run deep, trust is hard-earned, and every decision comes … Read more
Last night at SIFF Cinema Uptown I watched Maddie’s Secret, and I honestly wasn’t prepared for how much this film would surprise me. The trailer makes it look like an outrageous satire about influencer culture, and it absolutely is. John Early is hilarious as Maddie, a dishwasher whose quirky cooking videos suddenly launch her into … Read more
During the weekend, I swapped hiking boots and my kayak for a lawn chair and spent the evening at one of Seattle’s favorite summer traditions — a concert at Woodland Park Zoo. There’s something different about live music outdoors. Maybe it’s the fresh air, maybe it’s the setting, or maybe it’s the way everyone seems … Read more
Fake dating is one of those romance tropes that never seems to lose its charm, especially when the chemistry feels effortless from the very beginning. Boyfriend for the Weekend by Gaia Tate is a fun, heartwarming reminder of why I keep coming back to it. As the first book in the Boyfriend Trouble series, this … Read more
Last night at SIFF Cinema Uptown I watched Rose of Nevada, and it’s one of those rare films that completely defies expectations. At first, it feels like a quiet story about a struggling fishing village searching for hope. Then a trawler that disappeared with its crew thirty years ago suddenly returns to the harbor, and … Read more
During the weekend, I spent a little less time on my phone and a little more time simply enjoying the Fourth of July, which explains why this Weekend Wrap is arriving a day later than usual. Honestly, I think I needed it. Seattle showed off this weekend. Sunshine, blue skies, warm temperatures, and one of … Read more
Some romances are built on instant sparks. Others grow from friendship, patience, and learning to trust someone enough to let them see every part of you. Click by Nora Phoenix is very much the latter, and it’s one of my favorite kinds of love stories. As the third book in the White House Men series, … Read more