I know there's a few publishing workers on here so maybe they can help out! Or someone might know. I work hard to get my reviews posted on my blog and in Goodreads, and advertised on Facebook and twitter, before their publication dates. But life being life, sometimes I don't get back to netgalley until shortly after the pub date.

Do publishers ever click through to the reviews and see they went up early, or are they just seeing them a bit late on netgalley - and do they care? I know the advice on here is always 'post it late anyway' if the date passes, but I am getting the reviews up on time - just not always linked back.

Hi! Probably should have created a throwaway to post this but here it goes.

I (27F) and my girlfriend (29F) had an awkward dinner with our family last Sunday. For context we have family dinners with my Uncle’s family and my sister (29F) to catch up. We try to make a tradition out of it since our Mom lives in another Island, so we try to keep in touch as much as we can with our Uncle. Last week was pretty exciting since they invited my girlfriend to come have dinner with us. Most of our family members are quite homophobic and some just tolerates gay people. So it was quite an issue when me and my sister came out years ago.

Anyway, me and my girlfriend arrived early to spend the day and buy a small gift/token for my Uncle’s family and Auntie. We later met up with my sister to have coffee and line up at the restaurant, since the restaurant does not allow reservations. Fast forward to us being seated and we continued to catch up, all of a sudden my sister blurted out “I don’t think I’m gay anymore.” and of course me and my girlfriend were shocked but kept quiet since she went on to say,“I don’t know it just feels boring and I don’t really like women you know.” That was news to me, so I ask her why did she feel this way. She just kept insisting it was boring and I told her I dont quite understood what she was trying to say. She ignored that and then went on to say that she’s confuse on what to identify now. She said, “ I’m afraid to be labeled straight or an Ally because it’s a little boring compared to being bisexual”. Just as I was going to respond, Our Uncle and his family arrived and we proceeded to eating dinner. By the time dessert arrived, I wasn’t in the mood anymore and thankfully it was time to part ways. My sister noticed that I was a little off since she messaged me after about wanting to talk. She and I had a call. I told her I was not happy with how things ended and I wished we talked about it more. (Just to clear things up because I was just confused). I asked her feelings and to expand on what she said about being bisexual as a personality because I thought I misunderstood her.

BOY WAS I WRONG. She then proceeded to explain to me that, she realize she made being a gay her entire personality since high school which made her cool and interesting (I don’t get that but thats how she puts it). She said she likes how loved and accepted she felt coming out, especially during college. Which pissed me off. I asked her if she was just faking it this whole time and she said she really doesn’t know, she just realized she doesn’t like women but does not want to drop being a bisexual because she wants to keep it as her “personality”. By that time I don’t know what to say, so I said, I don’t understand what she wants from me and I just hope she reevaluates and understands what she really feels.

After that I haven’t been replying to her and now Im dreading the next Sunday dinner. I just feel the “ick” and disappointment. I just really felt like at that moment I did not know my sister and it stings when she labeled her “gayness” as a “personality”.

I just it really hurt hearing that especially now that me and my girlfriend have been talking about getting married and buying a property together, which is unusual and impossible in an extremely backwards Catholic country.

Anyway Reddit, AITA for choosing to ignore my sister for days after she said she’s no longer gay but still wanna keep the bi label as her personality?

Edit: I didn’t think this would blow up but I wanted to clear some things raised in the comments. I’m not cutting off my sister, we are planning to meet again and just talk and clear stuff up. Regardless of what she identifies straight, bi, asexual is fine of course just as long as its not use as a personality but her truth. Regardless if she does not know it now and if she’s still confuse, I’d still accept and understand my sister. So please do not misunderstand. I apologize if this was not written very well and for not grammar checking or whatever (English is not my first language) but this is a true story lol (who would even make something up like this). And lastly, as much I love my sister very much, I do not appreciate the comments on some of you make about wanting to sleep with my sister?? 1. That’s gross 2. Thats a weird thought to even have.

So me (M17) and my GF (F16) have been kind of arguing back and forth about me growing out my hair for those who have cancer. She’s totally against the idea of me growing out my hair, as it will “Not look good whatsoever” I told her how my looks don’t matter and I prefer to look a little bit feminine if that means it will help someone in the long run. She was getting upset and asked “Do I have a say in this” and I responded no. As it’s my looks and it helps people. On the other hand I can see where she is coming from, but on the other hand I think she’s being overly selfish prioritizing looks over those who need some benefit in life.

TL;DR, gf and I have been fighting over me growing out my hair and donating it to people with cancer.

My roommate (20M) and I (20M) have been living together for the past one and a half years, and he is constantly bringing guys home. We live in a two bedroom apartment, so it's not the privacy I'm worried about, but it just really annoys me when he has people over. Even though we only moved in with each other for college, we've been friends since we were 14 and it's always irritated me whenever he had someone he was dating around. A couple days ago I brought up the fact that it annoys me when he brings guys to our apartment, and he got very upset with me. We got into a fight where I admitted that it just irritates me when he brings his boyfriends or even hookups to our apartment or around me in general and he got angry and made a suggestion that I was homophobic. So am I the asshole? I've never thought of myself as homophobic, but maybe I am without realizing it?

Edit: I see now that I was kinda unclear why it annoys me, so to clear some things up here are the main reasons. 1) I can hear sometimes them when they have sex, although it has never really bothered me before when I can hear my friends hooking up with someone I'm thinking maybe the stress from all my college classes or something may be impacting it. 2) The people he chooses to date are really annoying and honestly I think he can do way better. 3) Yes I would feel the same if he dated girls

Edit 2: Something I didn't really mention or think about too much before now tbh is that he dated someone in highschool who he spent all his time with and I almost never saw him, so I don't really want that to happen again. I think I don't like the idea of him getting into a relationship and leaving me behind, especially since, as corny as it sounds, since were kids we've kinda been a package deal, like his friends have always been my friends and stuff like that.

Update: I may be in love with my best friend. I think it's something I've known for a while, but the many people saying this in the replies has kind of given me the push I needed to realize this fully. I am going to have a talk with him soon. As for the fanfiction people were mentioning, I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I definitely see a few similarities. Funny enough, he made me watch Heated Rivalry with him at some point and the gay sex kinda turned me on so that probably should have been a sign.

I’ll try to be brief.
I am staying at a friends place with her and her ex husband. She has always rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t know why exactly but she just has. 😡
She has been gracious to allow me into her home. Not without a metaphorical kidney shot here n there.
I got to tell you guys.. this bitch.. and I don’t say that easily..
Hypocrisy and the lack of gratitude. It’s disgusting.
I have pulled off a few things recently to make a few bucks. Got us some serious food. Take out in the hundreds. We’re poor and have no business in doing that. I did it anyway. I go to the food bank and they hook it up lovely..
She will literally HIDE food. Tell me what not to eat and the have the audacity to offer me a quarter piece of chicken.
And expect me to wash the dishes.
I even got her dog food.
Wtff.. she got all kinds of mad because me and the ex went to get..(something else we couldn’t afford, but she didn’t have any control over it)
That was a game changer..
So rude..
Hiding the food I just got.. upstairs and downstairs.
Purposely leaving the door to fridge open..
Because “it’s a habit “
The entire time I’ve been here. She has never bought a slice of bread.
She steals it. Or gets it from her clients for overstocking meals on wheels that SHE ALSO HORDS
AGAIN..donated food
I will take every scrap and toss in the goddamn road..
Edit: her husband here was the second to b cheated on by her n the boyfriend ended up having a paralyzing stroke so he is stuck in his own body for life.
She failed to recognize karma.
Three years later- her son was killed on a motorcycle.
She has a ‘benefit’ yearly to fund god knows what and people give money to this bullshit
And I’m being treated like this?!
I have all I can do to not lose my mind or really say what I think I should

This is my first review here and I'm not sure whether it counts as a spoiler, so I'll put it in tags to be safe. I was lucky enough to get an ARC and wanted to share the joy! (Sorry I can't get the

After helping to overthrow an empire, former assistant librarian Eloren returns home expecting to feel trapped in her grandmother's magical cheese shop. Instead, she discovers that rebuilding a community can be every bit as important as saving one.

>!Pre-Reading Thoughts

By this point, Sarah Beth Durst has established a wonderfully recognisable style. Her stories are full of magical shops, charming companions, and cosy communities, but underneath all the warmth they're really about people finding a way forward after everything they thought they wanted has fallen apart.

I was especially interested to see how this book would connect to the wider world. We'd seen the revolution from the edges before - but what would it look like through the eyes of someone who had actually been part of it?

📖 Post-Reading

As I thought…

• Once again, the setting is utterly delightful. Dew feels like somewhere you could happily spend a week wandering between magical businesses, meeting eccentric neighbours, and eating entirely too much cheese.
• The connections to the earlier books reward returning readers without making newcomers feel left behind. It feels like the world is growing naturally rather than simply collecting cameos.
• Garyn is a lovely romantic lead. The childhood friendship gives the relationship an easy familiarity, allowing the romance to develop without ever feeling rushed.

It surprised me by...

• Just how much closer this story sits to the revolution itself. Unlike the previous heroines, Eloren wasn't simply living through history - she actively helped shape it. That history weighs heavily on her, giving her a sense of guilt and responsibility that makes her feel distinct from the other protagonists.
• How much the series itself deepened on a reread. It's easy to remember these books for their magical shops, comforting food, and cosy atmosphere, but beneath all of that they're really stories about rebuilding. They're about finding purpose after loss, creating community after upheaval, and discovering that healing isn't a single moment - it's something you choose, day after day.
• One particular aspect of Eloren's journey that I can't spoil, but which delighted me. I worried that returning to a tiny island would mean she had to abandon the intellectual curiosity that made her love the Great Library in the first place. Instead, Sarah Beth Durst finds a wonderfully satisfying solution that allows Eloren to remain true to herself without suggesting she has to choose between knowledge and home.

And, of course...

Libby.

No further explanation required.

🎧 Music Pairing

🎵 Featured Song:
Home

🎶 Vibe Album:
Folklore — quiet communities, intertwined lives, and stories that find hope after heartbreak.

🎧 Artist Recommendation:
The Oh Hellos — warm, hopeful folk music with just enough magic to feel at home in Dew.

🌈 Vibe Check

• Colour Palette: buttery gold, sea-glass green, library oak, soft cream
• Soundtrack: waves against the harbour, contented unicorns, inventors' workshops clanking in the distance
• Season: late summer, when everything is ripe and the evenings seem to last forever
• Mood: comforting, hopeful, quietly triumphant
• Scent: aged cheese, sea air, old books, wildflowers

🃏 Tarot Pull

Six of Swords

Not because Eloren is escaping, but because she's learning how to move through loss instead of remaining defined by it. The Six of Swords is a card of transition, recovery, and carrying the lessons of the past into a calmer future.

👀 For fans of

• The Spellshop
• The Enchanted Greenhouse
• cosy fantasy where hope is something characters build together rather than stumble across

More than anything, this series continues to remind me that cosy fantasy isn't about pretending bad things never happen. It's about believing that even after revolutions, losses, and burned libraries, people can still build something beautiful together. The Magical Cheese Emporium carries that message forward with warmth, humour, plenty of magical cheese, and one unforgettable little plant named Libby.

[removed]

I (16f) just got kicked out of my friend group. Before we start, I know I’m also in the wrong, but I feel like the person in the wrong Didn’t get in trouble at all and now all my friends in that group don’t talk to me anymore so basically I am a sixteen year-old woman and one time my friend texted me on a public group chat. I don’t drink usually maybe once every couple months and they message me saying hey Lana, can you help me with something with an 🍷 emoji and I text them being like what side note:(I never steal you maybe l from a clothing store maybe like once or twice I in my life don’t steal a lot like maybe once and after I do, I feel really bad and guilty to the point where I almost return it.) and basically I say ok cause they mentioned wanting to get hol for the birthday before to get drunk with her boyfriend so I think oh it’s a one time thing and I go OK even though I don’t want to, but I’m kind of freaking out, but I’m worried they won’t like me if I don’t do it . I know I should’ve stood up for myself, but then we go to Trader Joe’s and my friend drive us. He doesn’t know about this and they steal alcohol, but I don’t want it and I keep trying to walk away to sign like I’m not doing this and they kept telling me I didn’t have to do it earlier, but when I tried to tell him, I don’t want to they get mad at me for leaving them and then when I walk away, they keep going like what the fuck wanna get over here you can’t just leave me so I standby to cover them so it doesn’t looks like they’re putting alcohol in their bag and I just say OK let’s just get out of here and so we do and they stole a bottle of wine from Trader Joe’s and then basically the rest of the night goes on and another day we go out to like a Mexican restaurant and they say Lana I wanna do it again and I say I don’t want to because I thought they were saving the alcohol for their bday with their boyfriend, for only like one small glass of wine, boyfriend or something. They’re in a really healthy relationship with his boyfriend we know their boyfriend and now that he probably didn’t condolence this because then they text the group chat, saying I got really drunk and I drink the entire bottle of wine the night we stole even though they told me it was for your birthday and so I thought they were gonna have like one glass of wine, but they got really drunk and I said Jay you promised and then so then I text my friend Hailey of 13 years and Hailey was I was intro introduced to the group because we’ve been really close friends and grew up in the same street together and been threatened friends since we were three and I go. Jay promised me was for their birthday and I thought that since they got wine, even though I didn’t want them to they were just saving for like one glass for them and their boyfriend and now I’m worried about them because they lied to me and Hailey said well Jay not supposed to be sober. Jay is not supposed to drink. They did a bunch of alcohol before and we’re supposed to be sober and they used to do a lot weed and then I freak out and I’m saying hey respond to a message in the group chat asking Jay what they mean cause they publicly texted about stealing alcohol which also makes me look like shit and and I didn’t want Jay to know I snitched to Hailey and so I call Hailey back later and they say they talked to Jay and that they’re not gonna steal alcohol again and I go OK great and then then Jay text me again and I go saying they wanna do it again. I said don’t respond and I call Hailey and they said OJ said they’d only do it for their birthday again and so I go OK if Hailey‘s OK with it Hailey‘s usually very rational, so that’s fine then and I go Jay OK fine and then the next day we go out to a Mexican restaurant and they say I wanna go to Trader Joe’s . I don’t wanna do it but they say please and then I go fine side note: I thought Hailey knew about that and they were gonna share the alcohol this time for them and their boyfriend and they learn their lesson because they said they weren’t gonna drink like that again and they were saving it for their birthday this time so I thought Hailey said that they weren’t gonna but turns out they told Hailey that they weren’t gonna drink ever again so and I know I should’ve stood up for myself but then they steal alcohol and then we go to Michael’s and I don’t steal a lot, but I was kind of like really like freaked out that I was like oh I’ll be cooland steal something so I stole like a couple braclets or whatever but then the Michael’s employees catch us one goes up to us. I can hear I’m on the radio saying they’re gonna call the police call the police and I get really freaked out. Put my bag down that I was stealing with.Didnt leave with anything and then run to the car and then just panic I was stealing which was dumb of me and then Jake and Cole gets a car and Jay starts cussing me out saying get the fuck up they’re gonna call the police get the fuck up go talk to them you bitch and I start crying and then I go talk to him saying I left my bag and I’m sorry and then I walk away crying and then the Michael’s employee seems like she feels bad for me so she says honey it’s OK as long as you didn’t leave with anything you’re not in trouble you can go and then Jay starts talking shit about me to employ I didn’t hear most ofwhat they said though and then they start yelling at me saying they’re gonna take me home and I go you’re the one who made me steal alcohol for you and now you’re go ing two-faced on me, but I wouldn’t do this to you. You didn’t even get in trouble and I feel bad and then I don’t talk. They take me home. I don’t talk to the group for a couple days. Hailey talks to me and says hey you’re in the wrong for that. They don’t wanna be friends with you anymore. We don’t know if everyone else hates you and I go OK call them about a week later and Hailey says you’re kicked out of the group in the group chat and you can’t come back in the group chat and I go OK but I’m really upset and I say hey if Jay is more in the wrong cause I only stole a couple bracelets from Michael’s and Jay stole a bunch of alcohol. Even when I told him I didn’t want to and cuss me out and now no one’s mad at jay because even though they were never drunk doing all the main things they did to me. They were completely sober they were completely capable of being reasonable but now as longthey’re not in the wrong at all and no one’s mad at them because Hailey says that they talked it over and she’s not drinking anymore like that was the only problem .I’m happy Jay‘s not gonna drink anymore but one Jay lied to you about that the first time and also why is no one mad at Jay and then they say well I don’t know and then they hung up and I go OK well fine and then I’m really depressed and then they called me to talk a few. This was a few days ago and they say meet me tomorrow. I don’t wanna go into details and I say they probably don’t wanna be friends with me anymore. We’ve been pretty close friends and for three years old and then they go up to me and they say “I don’t wanna be friends anymore. I feel like we would’ve been wouldn’t have been friends if we haven’t met so long ago” and I say ok is this because of something Jay said?” and they say no and I go OK have a great summer and then I walk off and that was the last day of school and I literally came to this high school and transferred for this girl so I’m kind of pissed right now and I just lost all the friends I made the year literally the last day of school and I know I’m in the wrong too, but I’m mad that Jay doesn’t get in trouble and I just lost all the friends I made.

​

I (early 30s) have had a dream for years of going to a music festival with my two best friends. Not even because of the lineup, but because of the experience itself: camping together, drinking beer, doing stupid stuff, and making memories while we're still young enough to enjoy it.

One of my friends has always avoided festivals. Every time I brought it up, he would come up with a reason not to go. He mostly listens to German schlager and other music that is completely different from what is played at festivals like this. Because of that, when I first asked him if he wanted to come, he said no.

The thing is, I've always considered him a bit of a cheapskate. He is very reluctant to spend money on experiences, so I genuinely thought that a big part of the reason he didn't want to go was the cost. My idea was that if I bought him a ticket as a birthday gift, that obstacle would be gone and maybe he would finally give it a chance.

The ticket cost me almost $100.

To my surprise, my other best friend actually agreed to go, even though he's usually difficult to convince as well. I was really excited because it finally looked like this thing I'd wanted for years was actually going to happen.

Today I created a group chat so we could start planning the trip. That's when my friend told me that while he appreciated the gift, he still wasn't going. He said he doesn't care about the artists and doesn't want to spend another $200 or so on camping gear, food, drinks, and everything else.

I was honestly shocked. Not because of the money I spent on the ticket, but because it felt like he wasn't even willing to make the slightest effort for something that was important to me. In my mind, good friends occasionally do things outside their comfort zone for each other. I've personally joined plenty of activities that didn't interest me at first, and some of them ended up becoming amazing experiences.

What frustrates me even more is that instead of trying something new, he wants to go to the exact same local village festival he goes to every single year. Same people, same music, same routines. I just wanted us to create some new memories together before life gets in the way even more.

I tried to convince him, but he wouldn't budge. Eventually I got emotional, called him a narcissist, and we got into a huge argument. He ended up blocking me.

Looking back, I know calling him names wasn't the right move. But I still can't understand how someone can refuse to even give something a chance when a close friend has been talking about it for years and even bought them a ticket.

My mother asked could I take her to an upcoming doctor's appointment. I said I could and would do it but for the future to catch a uber. She said never mind and that she will drive herself. She had back surgery 2 weeks ago and is moving and walking normally now but I did say I would take her.

I went over her house today to bring her cigarettes. I then got asked by a relative am I going to take her to the doctor today. I feel like she is trying to make me look bad cause she is making it seem like I said no everyone thinks I am not willing to help her

I live with my wife and two young daughters in a city where the public transit operates on an honor system. Controllers patrol the various lines and, if they catch you without a ticket, the fine is substantial, around €135. Annual passes are very reasonable though, so most people, myself included, pay for it regardless of how often they use it. My wife never has done that, since she can walk every day to work. She doesn‘t even buy single tickets most of the time she does ride, and simply keeps her app open and ready to pay in case controllers enter the car. I find this silly and tease her about it, especially since an annual pass is well within both of our budgets.

Today they caught her, while we were out with our daughters. My wife asked me to keep the girls occupied while she argued with the guy for five minutes about how hard it is to ride the streetcar with two kids, one of them a toddler, and how she was meaning to buy it the first chance she got, etc. He was unmoved, as I knew he would be. Those people, once they decide to fine you, won‘t be dissuaded by any argument. So I just let it all play out while holding the little ones nearby. Afterwards my wife was pissed at me because I “should have had her back.“ I said I disagreed, that while I personally thought it was a petty move for them to fine a mom with two young kids, I knew arguing over it would be pointless.

And though I didn’t say as much, I don’t think it’s a husband’s role to shield his wife from the consequences of her choices. Yes, riding with little kids takes all your bandwidth, but she made a choice over and over to save €30 a month even though it could have brought peace of mind just to pay it. (To say nothing about the dishonesty of only buying a ticket when you think you could get caught.)

All that said, should a husband really have his wife’s back when she tries to get out of a fine she rightfully has to pay? AITA?