Happy weekend, guys!
I’ve had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of Amara Lynn’s new release, Rom & Yuli. This is such a unique retelling of Romeo and Juliet, with a non-binary MC and an apocalyptic setting, and I’m thrilled to share an excerpt.
To celebrate Lynn’s release, they’re giving away an electronic copy to one lucky reader. Details on how to enter follow the excerpt below.
Excerpt:
“Hi,” Rom says as he kneels in front of me, gazing down at me with those bright, verdant eyes.
It makes me dizzy to hold his gaze, but I hold fast. His silver hair falls over one eye as he leans closer. I brush it back.
“H-Hi,” I squeak out.
I’ve never felt like this before. Being around Rom makes it hard to breathe, hard to speak. I’ve always been timid and shy. This is different. It’s like all of that is amplified.
Rom smiles. He’s absolutely glowing today. I dare to hope I have something to do with that.
He leans in to kiss me, and it’s like a lightning bolt to my heart. It leaves me breathless and heady.
“I missed you,” Rom murmurs.
I can only nod, a lump in my throat stopping my words. He strokes my cheek and continues to look at me adoringly. Like I’m worth something. Like I’m something beautiful to behold. My heart swells.
“Yuli?”
“Hm?”
“I want to see more of you. Will you take your cloak off?”
My stomach does a flip and self-consciousness wells up all at once in me. My chest begins to ache. “Y-You do?”
“Yeah,” Rom says, then pauses to kiss both my cheeks. “Only if it’s okay with you, though.”
“I-I…it’s just, I…feel awkward. About my body.” I fumble for the words to explain. It’s not that I don’t want to bear myself to Rom. I think I’d like that, especially if he looks at the rest of me with as much adoration as he does now. “I don’t feel like a boy, or a girl. I…I don’t really know how I feel.”
“If it helps, I don’t care what you are. You’re just Yuli to me. I’ll find you attractive no matter what.”
My face goes bright red. He finds me attractive? The thought sets my whole body alight. I’m almost worried I’ve conjured my fire to my hands and have to look down at them to check. They’re trembling.
“O-Okay.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I want you to see me.”
The author has graciously offered up an e-copy of Rom & Yuli to one lucky winner. To enter, comment below. Winner to be chosen at random on August 5th.