[Report This]Date: January 12 2024 8:09 AM Title: Ch 19. All Mixed Up
I think my favorite part of this story is how realistic the relationship between Jess and Drew feels from start to finish. And it's not just that Drew and Jess behave in a way that makes them feel like real people (although they do), but it's at least as much that a lot of the problems they face throughout, while focused on size-related issues for obvious reasons, very much parallel issues that you would expect real relationships to have to deal with.
For example, there's the chapter where Jess laments that she'll never be able to stay over at Drew's apartment. While this might seem like a minor thing, as they could always stay at her place, the way this is written makes it clear that this is one of those little things about dating someone that she really enjoys, that it's part of what she pictures the dating process to be, and that she's missing out by not being able to do so.
People talk about sacrifice in relationships quite a bit, but they usually equate that with compromises on big decisions and putting in hard work for the sake of your significant other (or family later on). But we don't often consider the small sacrifices to things like how we view an ideal relationship. Here Jess has to let go of something that isn't important in the grand scheme of things but is a part of dating that she really seems to cherish. And while this sentiment is only a brief paragraph in this pretty big story, these are the little things that can make a story more personal and relatable.
Of course, we see this mirrored in a much more serious way at the end of that very chapter, where Drew struggles with some self-doubt. He hates that he can't tell off Jess's jerk ex, as well as the fact that he can't physically comfort her after that whole blow up. That's a much tougher pill to swallow and a bigger sacrifice to make, as he's basically in a relationship in which he's likely going to feel helpless at times like that (I don't think he minds the physical helplessness so much, but not being able to hold her while she cries really bothers him).
But yeah, my point in all that babbling was that you really have to care about someone to give up some their ideal perception of a relationship and adapt to what works for their partner, and things like the two examples above help drive that point home when taken in context of the larger story.
It also helps that Jess and Drew are both really fun characters and that the pacing of their relationship development feels organic. You really nailed the early relationship jitters and let us grow comfortable with these two as they grew comfortable with each other.
And Jess's playful and considerate spirit meshes well with adventurous and devoted personality. Drew isn't afraid to roll with the punches (or between her toes) when the "big screen" causes him to lose a game of Guilty Gear or ignore centuries of evolution to help Jess taste test how he goes with various foods (this was a really creative and fun idea, by the way), and Jess is only too happy to use her tiny boyfriend to add flavor to her hot chocolate or make him a nice milk jacuzzi to enjoy at breakfast.
Jess's internal struggle with her vore fetish made for a nice metaphor for how some people in real life struggle with fetishes centered around things like giantesses and/or vore. But while in the real world people with these fetishes might be afraid of what others (their partners in particular) will think about having a harmless sexual fantasy about something not real that involves imaginary people getting hurt or even killed, Jess's concern is a bit more severe, as she can actually make her fantasy a reality. So it only makes sense that she's worried that Drew will become afraid of her and break up with her over it.
But Drew not only accepts this about Jess (and he did so before she even confessed it to him), he also embraces it, trying to think of ways to make her fantasy a reality (without dying, obviously). This level of acceptance shows how deep the bond between them really is, as he didn't even hesitate about any of it.
And, of course, the fact that this is paid off in the final chapter was a really nice touch. I was really happy for Jess that she finally got to eat her man!
That brief unaware bit after Jeff gets taken home in Sasha's boot stood out for me. In a slice of life story in which the difference of power is highlighted in teasing and gentle ways, that chapter highlighted the potential danger bigs can pose tinies in a way that's unique when compared to the rest of the story.
I also love Jeff's laid back, go-with-the-flow approach to everything, especially when it's paired with Sasha, who's neurotic and usually pretty irritable (although this sounds like an insult, I actually found this really endearing about her for some reason). Jeff's exactly the kind of guy that can accept (and even love) her at her worst, and they're really cute together.
One of my favorite parts of the story was the bit when Jess was giving Sasha advice on sex with tinies. The whole thing was pure gold!
I'd be remiss if I didn't bring up the worldbuilding you put into this story as well. I like how spread out over the course of the story we learn more about this world, and the few places where I saw anything that could remotely be considered exposition-y, it was really only ever a sentence or two and it still fit within the context of that particular part of the story.
I also like the details that we didn't get. I think it would have been really easy to get bogged down in the history between the bigs and the tinies, and I think that's what would have happened if we had been given any more backstory than the fact that the two peoples had lived in segregated societies until 10 years prior to the start of the story. Yeah, it would have been interesting to know more about how things were between them pre-integration and what led to them coming together, but I think that would have been counterproductive to include in a slice of life story like this. I've seen several stories fall into that trap, so I wanted to express my appreciation for how well you towed that particular line.
The ending was really sweet and rewarding. I particularly liked how Jess was against the podium idea for their wedding, as the mentality behind it was consistent with the way she felt about Drew throughout the story. She never felt like his size was a burden to her, so having him placed at eye level for her convenience, while considerate in the minds of some, would actually feel to her as though she would be telling Drew that he wasn't good enough in some way. That's a take that I think is unique to this story, and I really enjoyed it, especially when it came full circle here.
The mixed-sized twins twist at the end was nice, too. With all the talk about what size the grandkids might be (or whether they would even beat the odds and give their parents grandkids at all) had me wondering where you were going to go with this, but I admit that I didn't even think about them having one of each (I'm not sure how I missed that possibility, as it solves a lot of their problems quite nicely).
I'm guessing that the twins are the main characters of the new story (I wanted to read this one before jumping into Twin Sizes, as I saw that these were set in the same universe). I'm kind of looking forward to seeing how they turned out, as well as what changes, if any, have happened in this world between the end of this story and the start of that one.
Overall, this was a really great slice of life story. It was a blast to follow along with Drew and Jess's relationship, and I really liked your sense of humor throughout as well. Excellent work!
Author's Response:
First, thank you so much for the verbose review. All your kind words have made me utterly elated, and reading them has been the perfect kickoff to the weekend after a rather stressful week.
With this story, I really wanted to explore what a mixed size relationship (one with such a drastic difference in size) would realistically look like between two people who genuinely care for one another. It's really easy to highlight all the obvious things that could get in the way of that, but I think its the small things and the intimate moments that would actually stand out to a couple. But along with the necessary sacrifices, I wanted to depict the unique ways this unorthodox couple could express their affection, things they gain by being in this relationship such as Jess actually being able to live out a fantasy that no same sized couple could ever fully replicate, or even just the simple act of carrying your loved one with you on your person wherever you go. So yeah, I'm really glad that stuff resonated with you.
Jess trying Drew in various foods takes a bit of real life inspiration of me often times fantasizing about what it'd be like to be shrunken and eaten on whatever food I'm munching on. I was having peanut butter on a graham cracker one morning early on working this story, and the rest is history lol.
With Jess' vore fetish, I really wanted it to exemplify the trust the two had in each other, both Jess' trust in Drew accepting that side of her and Drew's trust that his partner would never hurt him. Even early on, Drew is willing to get in her mouth despite all the internal and external pressure trying to convince him not to, and it makes their relationship all the stronger that they were so committed to and accepting of each other. I think that can be true of fetishes in real life too. It's not so much about whether both partners are into it, but if you can accept that part of a person even if it seems weird and then explore those interests with them, I think it can lead to a more open and trusting relationship than just bottling those desires up or trying to circle around them.
I was somewhat afraid the Vore Suit was too much in an otherwise "realistic" story, but I figured the payoff was too worth it to let it get caught in my own hang ups.
I'm glad you enjoyed Sasha's neuroticism and irritability. I think the right people can make generally unlikeable traits appealing; maybe it's the rest of her good traits rubbing off on them, I don't know. Her and Jeff do make a pretty good couple, and they were a fun change of pace to write halfway through the story. And yeah, letting Jess play mentor in the art of mixed size sex was too much fun to write lol.
I try to take the "less is more" approach to worldbuilding. I want to give readers the necessities and any interesting tidbits I think up, but nobody wants a history lecture unless we're reading Tolkien or any other legendary writer I'll never hope to compare to. I think it's more entertaining to leave things purposefully vague in places. It gives the reader something to chew on for themselves while I focus on the important stuff like how uncomfortable it is for a tiny man to lay down a graham cracker while covered in peanut butter. There were plenty of lore details trapped in my mind that the readers will never get, but I think that's markedly better than having a whole chapter (or more) dedicated to providing information that ultimately isn't relevant to actual story I'm trying to tell.
Hearing all this praise for Jess and Drew is making me oddly nostalgic about them and their arcs. I'm always glad to see their characters' appreciated.
Thanks so much for reading! I hope you'll enjoy Twin Sizes too!
Date: August 17 2023 1:07 AM Title: Ch 19. All Mixed Up
Excellent story from start to finish. I loved the realism and world building you put into this. I was quite pleasantly surprised that this chapter had actual vore and that Jess and Drew finally took that step. The procedures involved with the Vore Suit were very clever. The ending with the pregnancy seemed a bit rushed, especially right after the explanation of how rare it is for mixed size couples to have kids. But that's a minor gripe. Overall, the story was very well done!
Author's Response:
Thank you! And thanks again for your earlier reviews too. Realism and worldbuilding were two big focal points of mine while writing this, so I'm glad to see people appreciate them. Your criticism is fair, and I had similar reservations when writing it. I knew for a while I wanted to end on the two having twins and wanted to get across how miraculous that even was, but I felt I needed to reexplain how rare childbirth was for mixed size couples since that hadn't been brought up since chapter 5. Ideally, there would have been more space between explaining the rarity and the sonogram scene, but this final chapter was already so long and I had no idea as to what could fit in between, so things just happened as they did. I'm glad you otherwise enjoyed the story!
[Report This]Date: August 14 2023 8:40 AM Title: Ch 1. Two-Inch Crush
Really enjoyed the story!
That last twist at the end has me hoping you'll do an after-story like One Year Lease to see how they're getting on with life with this new development but if this is where you decide to end the story that's okay too, I look forward to seeing what you'll write next.
Author's Response:
Thank you! This is the end of Jess and Drew's story (at least as the main characters); I wanted to leave it open-ended because, to me at least, that makes for a happier and more satisfying ending than something more definitive in a slice of life story like this. I do have plans for a sequel series, but I'm not going to start writing it until next year at the earliest. I want to get a few different series under my belt first before I do any sort of continuations.
[Report This]Date: August 13 2023 7:06 PM Title: Ch 19. All Mixed Up
this was absolutely adorable. I couldn't stop smiling all through the wedding part... just all around amazing story, and you've nailed the ending.
Author's Response:
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the ending. I love weddings, so I guess writing them just comes natural lol.
[Report This]Date: August 13 2023 5:35 AM Title: Ch 19. All Mixed Up
Wonderful story. That was a superb ending to a well-written and enjoyable story. I'm not going to lie, you pulled a fast one on me with the final reveal - I did not see that coming. I expected the ending to occur after Jess got to indulge in her vore fantasy. But you took it two steps further, and I'm wiping away tears. Beautiful ending.
I'm a little curious as to whether Sasha and Jeff ever got married, but they were good for each other, and in lieu of on-page depictions to the contrary, I'm going to assume they stayed together, stepping in to co-babysit for Jess and Drew on occasion. With hijinks, of course.
Thanks for sharing such a great story, bringing us the highs and lows of truly delightful characters. I can't wait to see what you write up next!
Author's Response:
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the ending. I wanted to leave it on a high note with a clear trajectory towards the future, like you can kinda see where the story goes from here without it needing to continue.
As for Sasha and Jeff, they're still dating during the final chapter. With Jess and Drew being the main characters, and their relationship being the focal point of the story, I didn't want to get too tied up on progressing Sasha and Jeff's relationship during the finale (also I'm low-key sick of writing weddings lol). It can be assumed that they get married sometime after Jess and Drew did.
Date: August 03 2023 1:58 AM Title: Ch 18. Summit of Love
There's a lot to like about this chapter, I love the idea of an "adaptable" foosball table, and I love tinies in beverages as a general rule.
As soon as they started skiing I was thinking snow would be a dangerous proposition for tinies, glad they got him back okay!
Author's Response:
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. In case it weren't obvious by this point, I'm also a huge fan of tinies in food and beverages lol. The arcade portion started off with the foosball idea and then sprung off into whatever mixed size twists on games I could come up with. And yeah, most non-sunny weather's going to be wild from a tiny perspective. On the one hand, they're lightweight enough not to sink into snow, but if too much accumulates on top of them, there isn't much they can do.
[Report This]Date: July 20 2023 7:33 PM Title: Ch 17. In Sickness and In Health
Man, is it just me or does it seem like weddings come in "bursts?" You blink and suddenly everyone's got a ring. A nice pair of chapters related to matrimony, I enjoyed seeing the differences between the giant and tiny wedding, "Church of the Open Roof" is a nice touch. Overall I'm enjoying this kind of slice of life stuff while seeing the relationship between our protagonists develop.
Author's Response:
Thank you. It is weird growing up and seeing people I've known since high school or earlier be married now. At least attending so many weddings has given me decent writing material lol. I figured these chapters would work better together than releasing them one at a time, to better show the similarities and differences between the two groups. Glad you're still enjoying it!
[Report This]Date: July 11 2023 12:10 PM Title: Ch 15. Too Much to Handle
Finally managed to catch up on this one! Anyways the beach story was fun, I'm glad the tinier characters found it to be more enjoyable than they expected. I always enjoy the aspects of how the world would be different if you were smaller, the sand for example was a good.
A giant bachelor party is a fun idea too, odd that the stripper "no touching" rules are still in effect and aren't reversed lol. Anyways this is a fun story, and the little details about how the mixed size society functions are enjoyable.
Author's Response:
Thank you! I enjoy going to beaches well enough, but the idea of being at one when two inches tall seemed like nightmare fuel to me. Writing this story has really opened my mind to how different things would be for tiny people in a bigger world, both the fun parts and the troublesome/dangerous parts.
With the stripper, some areas of society still haven't caught up to the times and are really in need of a tiny consultant or something lol. But I like the idea of some people being less socially cognizant than others when it comes to interacting with tinies (as well as some tinies not being used to interacting with bigs).
Date: July 05 2023 11:24 AM Title: Ch 14. Of Sand and Seagulls
Fantastic chapter. I really enjoyed this beach trip. But what I would like to read is that Macy and Aaliyah go together to the tiny town where Drew and Jeff are from. And they go to an orphanage together. And they adopt there the cutest, shyest and smallest boy in the world who is only 5 years old. And he doesn't have a particularly nice life in the orphanage he lives in. And who with Macy and Aaliyah has two gentle loving giant giant mothers where he can feel safe and secure and that the sweet little boy with Macy and Aaliyah has two giantesses who love him as their son more than anything.
Author's Response:
Sorry, nothing like that's happening. I have the rest of the story figured out already, it's just a matter of getting it written down. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter though.
Date: June 26 2023 3:44 AM Title: Ch 13. Taking It Slow
This was a lovely chapter and I hope to read more of Sasha and Jeff expressing their true love and affection for one another. But I have a suggestion how about if Sasha and Jeff go camping for a whole week at a campground and Jess and Drew join their two friends. And they all sit snuggled up together at the campfire in the evening and watch the sunset together, nice and cozy.
Author's Response:
Thank you. I do have some group dates planned and coming up.
[Report This]Date: June 15 2023 1:45 PM Title: Ch 12. Making Friends, One Step at a Time
I like to think giants who regularly go to the tiny district would be ready for some embarrassment lol. Anyways I love the "stereotype" that tinies like feet, I use that joke myself now and then, makes for fun conversation between characters.
Author's Response:
I think it's kind of a stereotype that all size fetishists are into feet, so it feels natural that it'd get applied to real tinies.
Date: June 12 2023 3:27 AM Title: Ch 10. Scratching the Itch
I've got a bit of a soft spot for mixed size music concerts lol. Great chapter, great story so far, looking forward to seeing how things continue to develop.
Author's Response:
Thank you. I wanted to get more scenes of a normal person in the tiny district, and an outdoor concert seemed like the perfect choice.
Date: June 11 2023 12:56 AM Title: Ch 10. Scratching the Itch
Haha, loved the new chapter and the misadventures of the three tiny metal fans. I'm curious how Sasha will react when she finds the one in her boot.
Author's Response:
Thank you. I enjoy writing goofier characters like those guys.
[Report This]Date: June 10 2023 11:52 AM Title: Ch 1. Two-Inch Crush
It really is a pleasure to read. Thank you for keeping this up.
Author's Response:
Thank you! I'll keep 'em coming until it's over.
[Report This]Date: May 22 2023 6:57 AM Title: Ch 8. In both ends
Just came across this story and I gotta say I love it so far. I agree with other comments in that your character’s reasonings are balanced pretty well to the point that they are relatable and feel realistic like Jess’ friends concerns over Drew.
That dream seems like a red flag though! Curious to see how this develops. Any idea how many chapters this story has overall? :)
Author's Response:
Thank you. I currently have 9 to 11 more chapters planned, though that might increase if a new idea pops in my head before the finale.
[Report This]Date: May 17 2023 5:20 PM Title: Ch 7. Double-Date
Really enjoying this story. It's a pretty believable conception of what a recently integrated mixed-size society might look like and all of the opinions that people would have about it, without being too over the top. Their friends worries about the relationship are reasonable, but not insurmountable.
Author's Response:
Thank you. I wanted the characters and world to feel realistic in spite of the unrealistic setting, so I'm glad to hear I've succeeded on that front.
[Report This]Date: May 14 2023 9:46 PM Title: Ch 7. Double-Date
It's fun watching this relationship go through the usual stages with the size difference worked in. Also I liked the remark about Jack and the Beanstalk, I'm sure that's a tale that has a very different pop culture footprint in this universe.
Now I am curious as to what kind of mixed size venue options are available for something like a wedding. Looking forward to more!
Author's Response:
Yeah, I figured a classic like Jack and the Beanstalk would still be pretty similar, probably originating as a cautionary tale for tinies. While a lot of the general pop culture stuff is mostly one-to-one with the real world, size-related fiction like Gulliver's Travels and Attack of the 50ft Woman would have to be different, or at least would be received differently by audiences. Something like Attack on Titan would be way more messed up in this universe and probably be considered a niche horror thing.
[Report This]Date: May 09 2023 10:39 PM Title: Ch 6. Shifting Perspective
So having caught up I'm really enjoying this story! I really like the bits on the tiny/giantess infrastructure arrangement, it was always something that interested me. Also it's fun seeing this relationship develop, and how as much fun as the size difference is it doesn't really impact them getting to know each other as much as you'd expect. Hoping for more, thanks!
Author's Response:
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Coming up with how a mismatched world like this could work has been fun, and I like peppering those details throughout. I have quite a bit more planned out, so I'll be updating this story as regularly as I can.
[Report This]Date: May 09 2023 10:11 PM Title: Ch 1. Two-Inch Crush
I'm intrigued by this one going on the first chapter. I like the casual worldbuilding slipped into conversations, and I love tiny guy big girl dating stories as a general rule. I also like the friends providing some commentary on both sides, it makes the whole thing feel more real.
Date: May 09 2023 7:12 PM Title: Ch 6. Shifting Perspective
Good story, very well written. I like the focus on the couple's friends and their reaction to mixed size dating. I assume that ex-boyfriend is going to become a problem.
Author's Response:
Thank you. That's a fair assumption, but I don't plan on doing anything more with him. I just wanted to use him for the scene at the end of chapter 5. Part of my goal with this story is to keep the conflicts emotional rather than physical, so characters like him are great for drama, but I don't want to have characters trying to physically harm each other.