Reviewed by Jess
TITLE: Nine Days, and Seven Tears
AUTHOR: J.L. Merrow
PUBLISHER: JMS Books
LENGTH: 13 pages
RELEASE DATE: July 20, 2019
BLURB:
Twenty-one-year-old Briony is stagnating, living at home with her parents and younger brother. That is, until a mysterious, beautiful visitor from the sea brings her new hope of happiness.
But Freyja’s not meant to be on the Isle of Wight, and she’s about to leave for home shores. Can Briony find a way to keep her selkie lover by her side?
REVIEW:
I’m familiar with Merrow’s M/M stories, but I was pleasantly surprised to see she’d written an F/F short story. It’s a very short one, but it’s totally sweet, atmospheric, and surprisingly steamy!
Briony is a relatable protagonist right off the bat. She’s languishing at her childhood home after graduating college, existing somewhere between enjoying her mother’s desserts and barely tolerating her snotty brother. One day, she sees a seal off the coast of the Isle of Wight and continues to go back for a second look. Soon, she meets the beautiful, mysterious Freyja, who is far from home and in need of a loving, soothing partner in Briony.
Everything happens pretty quickly, and both Briony and the readers realize there’s something special and unearthly about Freyja. The two women come together almost instantly, but despite the fast pace, they feel so natural and warm together that we believe their attraction right away. Everything just feels so cozy and insular and calm, and I wanted to live inside Briony and Freyja’s makeshift safe haven for many more pages, but at the same time, I completely understand Briony’s desire to leave her small home and venture elsewhere.
This is one of the shortest stories I’ve read this year, coming in at about 20 minutes for a full read. I could’ve spent much longer with Briony and Freyja. But every page is lovely, and it’s certainly worth it! I hope Merrow writes more F/F in the future.
RATING: 
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