Con Affair

A comic book writer has an episodic relationship with a cosplayer in this steamy but meandering debut romance from comics author Glass (The Pride). Welsh indie superhero comics creator Arran Wilson gets on Grindr to stave off boredom at a 2018 London comic con and connects with Cameron Perkins, a dreamy accountant who’s also attending the con as a cosplayer. Despite their age gap (Arran is nine years older than Cam), the two men’s chemistry propels them through the weekend and across several years of conventions where they meet up for deliciously described sex. Arran’s insecurities and career stumbles, including his longtime artistic collaborator landing a permanent gig with Marvel, choke off the chances for a deeper emotional investment, even after Cameron treks to Swansea for a visit. As Cameron pushes for more, Arran, under attack by bigoted online trolls after a platform agrees to support his LGBTQ superhero series, yearns to be able to offer a real relationship but can’t get out of his own way. Glass’s plot advances in fits and starts, and Cameron comes off as a bit too perfect at times, but the chemistry between the leads and rawness of their emotions makes up for the plodding pace. With a unique fandom focus and high-heat love scenes aplenty, this is sure to hook nerdy queer erotica fans. (Self-published)