u/-roswell

I'm taking the ESL exam next week. I've already passed my content (4-8 ELAR) and the STR, thankfully on my first try for each. I took those over half a year ago and, I won't lie, some of it was forgotten. This seems much harder, in my opinion. There's so much more to memorize with the little spare time I have available and I'm a bit overwhelmed. I'm currently using the free TEA Learn course and I'm watching Kathleen Jasper videos when I have time to spare. I used 240 when I took my first two exams, but my pockets could not afford me that luxury this time around.

To anyone that's taken it recently, what were the big things you'd say is best to focus on? Theories? Laws/policies? Stages of language acquisition? Parts of speech? Syntax, semantics, pragmatics, etc.? Please, anything helps.

Looking for a romance (or lit fic with romantic elements).

This is so specific, bear with me. But I’ve been searching high and low for a book like this and the closest I ever got was Finding Jessica Lambert by Clare Ashton.

I want my FMCs to court one another, but in modern era. I don't want a regency fic. Open and loud, yet oh-so-soft yearning between both parties throughout the story. I want my FMCs mutually down bad for one another. Open and honest communication always. I do not want any type of miscommunication/lack of communication at any point or third-act break-ups. Primarily character-driven plot. No fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, historical fiction. I don’t mind an age gap, but I'd prefer for the younger FMC to at least be in her mid to late 20s.

I don't want enemies or rivals; I'd prefer strangers to friends to lovers, friends to lovers, or strangers to lovers. I want a slow burn. There's still more story to tell even after both FMCs get together. I don't want to read a queer-awakening; I'd want them to both know and be comfortable with being lesbians. I would prefer non-caucasian FMCs, ideally with at least one Black woman, and the Black woman is fem.

Good quality sex scenes that are not only kinky, but incredibly passionate. But also, I don't want the entire book to just be sex or to throw smut in there for the sake of it. Having a D/S dynamics that extend outside the bedroom would be appreciated, but more so in a caretaker I-want-to-provide-for-you (NOT ABDL!!!) type of way.

In my many years of reading, I have never found a book with all my desires. There's always at least 5 things I'd have to compromise on.