It was a really big reading month, both for fanfic and for regular books. Turns out that when I’m under a lot of stress, I read a lot more…

First: An Angel for Christmas by PhoenixRose. On his last chance to prove himself as an angel, Aziraphale is assigned to the Christmas department to grant a child’s wish. But three days isn’t enough to restore the child’s father’s Christmas spirit, and even if the angel succeeds, there’s the slight problem that he’s falling in love with a human… (This was fluffy and adorable and absolutely perfect for Christmas, even though I read it in May.)

Second: Forbidden Fruit by HenriettaRHippo. At their siblings’ engagement party, Crowley and Aziraphale meet and fall in love at first sight. Unfortunately, Crowley has promised his sibling that he won’t get involved…but the lure is too strong. Silly, cute, smutty rom-com that follows all the tropes you can imagine.

Third: Tethered by MarieCuriosity. This one started out as a potential for my favorite fanfic read in quite some time. The first 10 chapters are so dark, ambiguous, and poignant. While the rest was good, all of the ambiguity disappeared after Ch 10, and it became a much more plot-centric story. I really wish it had remained on the same path it had begun, even if it ended on a fully ambiguous or bittersweet note.

Fourth: Showstopper by espresso_six_shots. Celebrity edition of GBBO bring an actor and a judge together after a year of flirting and miscommunication. I frickin’ love Bake-Off and so this story was so perfect for me. It’s sweet and silly and completely unrealistic in all the best ways. Loved it.

Fifth: Is There a Version? by LookingAtACupofTea. A longtime reader/commenter began writing their own fanfic recently, a S3 story that introduced some really interesting ideas. I really enjoyed their take on the characters and predictions for what will happen when the third season finally drops.

Sixth: Love in the Slow Lane by Mizmak. Cute little story about starting over in middle age and choosing to live differently than you’ve done before.