Chris
Wow! So beautiful! I had to force myself to slow down reading this one. I wanted to see what was going to happen next. It got a little rocky there around the 80% mark to the point I thought was reading a different book, but it recovered with that ending. Just so beautiful!
Thank you NetGalley, Navid Sinaki, and Grove Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Medusa of the Roses by Navid Sinaki releases August 13, 2024!
Phrique has done it again! I'm learning so much about myself through his writing. There is something about learning what kinks you don't have through reading that is really special.
Phrique must continue to release content because his voice in the horror (and horror smut?) comedy is unparalleled and unmatched. He fills a void that needs filling desperately (hehe). I told y'all with GotD to watch out for Splatter Zaddy and I will continue to say it!
Tosa Alphainu offers a captivating journey through the history of pup play, infusing the narrative with both fun and factual information. The author expertly balances historical context with clear explanations of pup play terminology, making the subject accessible to both seasoned pups and curious newcomers.
Beyond the pup perspective, the book also provides valuable insights for handlers, offering a well-rounded exploration of the dynamic between pups and their handlers. While there are numerous resources available on pup play, Puppy-Play stands out for its depth of knowledge and engaging presentation. By delving into the past, present, and future of the pup play community, Tosa creates a comprehensive and informative resource for all those interested in this unique lifestyle.
I wholeheartedly recommend Puppy-Play to anyone curious about pup play, whether you're a seasoned pup, a potential handler, or simply seeking to expand your understanding of this fascinating subculture.
I did read this in English not French, but enjoy pups! Awroooo!
More Wally & Bez adventures! We got to explore more of the Fae and that was kind of cool. The big bad this time was really cool. I could easily imagine what they looked like and it was kind of frightening. I wouldn't want to see them at night that's for sure. Our breakout star was Weather. I will not elaborate as to avoid spoilers.
Okay but real quick because I did rate this lower than I anticipated. I think this really just suffered from too much character building and not enough plot. There's nothing wrong with it. It was done spectacularly, I just kind of felt that perhaps the plot would have done better if it was broken into two books. I again don't want to spoil anything, but I think building more into the Fae aspect would have been so much better for this entry and then used the BiG Bad as the baddie for book three.
Anyways, more Wally & Bez content please
First, I want to thank the author for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Now let's get into it...I enjoyed this. I cannot say I didn't. It was a low stake, easy read with something cute to it. I cannot say I enjoyed the “big twist.” I felt the idea of Gabe being a vampire was introduced way too late into the story and felt like an easy way to explain how he was alive.
I did enjoy that we got an epilogue stating we were getting another book to help further go into the lore of this universe because I don't think this book would have been as successful without it. With that, I'm happy to have read this debut and I am excited to see where this author will go next!
Second Chance with Tony by Felix Kurt is out now!
Chloe Spencer has done it again! Another knock out by her from Tiny Ghost Press!
I missed the original release date for this ARC review (Oops!) but I had good reason. Sorry about that!
Haunting Melody has so much fun in it. The writing is just right for a YA novel. We get introduced to a cast of characters that is so diverse.
I will admit, I knew one of the twists early on in the book. I did not expect the big bad reveal though. I didn't pin it correctly.
Anyways, this was an enjoyable read for spooky month especially if you love music and spooky things!
Thank you Tiny Ghost Press and Chloe Spencer for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Haunting Melody by Chloe Spencer is out now!
Oh this was filled with tropes that could have so easily backfired. Michaelides takes great care in making sure they don't.
How do I begin to describe this book without giving anything away? Simple. One island. 7 people. One murder. LOTS of twists and turns.
Every time I thought I knew what was happening I got thrown a curveball. As I stated at the beginning, the tropes used were a huge gamble that ultimately paid off!
Thank you Celadon Books and Alex Michaelides for the ARC for my honest review!
The Fury by Alex Michaelides is out January 16, 2024!
Finishing this on the first day of the new year, only a few weeks from the release of book three? What a way to start 2025 and so on brand for me.
Iron Flame had everything I enjoyed of Fourth Wing. It was memorable. Did it have some spots that were totally unnecessary? Yeah I think so. The book could have easily been 100-150 pages shorter if I'm being honest, but I still really have hope for this series and am excited to see where Onyx Storm takes us.
Iron Flame was no Fourth Wing (because it needed polish) BUT it was still a phenomenal read imo.
Edd Tello's second YA novel written in verse! I am so honored to have been able to review this eARC just I had for Only Pieces.
Ugh I loved this story simply because it felt like a fairy tale. Make no mistake though, this was No Place for Fairy Tales. The dynamic between Yuriel and his parents and Azul was amazing. We got to see such a fresh take on familias hispanas that I haven't seen before.
You want a story that has drama y un poco de chisme? Then you may want to pick up this quick read!
Thank you NetGalley, Edd Tello, and West 44 Books for allowing me to read this eARC for an honest review!
No Place for Fairy Tales by Edd Tello releases February 2023!
When I finished this book, I slept before wanting to write the review because I needed to really understand how I felt.
I was not a fan. This book read as if I was reading the transcript to a podcast. The flow was choppy at best. The added quotes were cute. However, they were difficult to distinguish from the authors because there was no quotation marks only a snippet after the quote such as (Jane Doe (she/they) Graysexual, panromantic).
It felt as though there were too many authors writing and again it ruined the flow. I suppose this is a good book if someone wants their perspective or is a fan of their podcast, but there is better material out there that touches the same subject.
Thank you NetGalley, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Singing Dragon, Sarah Costello, and Kayla Kaszyca for providing an eARC for an honest review!
Oh my oh my! Green is NB and starting the 7th Grade. As our story progresses, they develop a crush on a seemingly cishet person.
We continue as Green goes through tribulations that half the population should be familiar with. By the end, we have a story of what it is to be a child in middle school and a journey of self discovery.
We also get to see some cameos of characters from other books in the universe such as Melissa and Rick.
Alex Gino does a wonderful job at bringing representation to the foreground in a world where that is of utmost importance. Thank you NetGalley, Alex Gino, and Scholastic for allowing me an early copy for my honest opinion!
Green releases October 3. 2023!
Another Ace and Aro nonfiction...I've read many of these books so far this year. This one is good. It has resources and data and anecdotal stuff. I feel like this one encompasses everything I read from the other ace nonfiction books I've read so far.
I didn't particularly feel any kind of way about this book because it reminded me of a research paper that I want to read. It wasn't boring, but it also wasn't amazing.
Thank you NetGalley, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, and The Ace and Aro Advocacy Project for allowing me to read this eARC for my honest opinion.
Ace and Aro Journeys: A Guide to Embracing Your Asexual or Aromantic Identity by The Ace and Aro Advocacy Project releases April 21, 2023!
If this book proved anything it is this...THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES FOR ASPEC IDENTITIES!
I have read many asexual non fiction books this year and many of them reference the same material and the same few “Ace Celebrities” with just different quotes. This isn't any fault of author, but more an observation and fault of the society we live in.
Ace Notes is another YA geared (at least to me) Ace nonfiction. It wasn't memorable, but it had the pieces to be. The biggest drawback for me were lengthy interview transcripts and the random drawings. Both served a purpose, but they felt misplaced.
Thank you NetGalley, Michele Kirichanskaya, and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the opportunity to read this eARC for an honest review!
Ace Notes by Michele Kirichanskaya releases March 21, 2023!
Wow where do I even begin?! I've been a reading slump this month. Nothing has really been a standout until now!
HappyHead could easily become the next Divergent, Hunger Games, Maze Runner, or whatever other “f*ck the system” style YA is out there. It has the ingredients for it.
HappyHead is the first in the duology by Josh Silver. I must admit I'm incredibly envious of the UK for being able to read the sequel first, but it's okay. I can wait until February...maybe.
Just wonderful! Beautiful! Heartfelt! Another home run for Tiny Ghost Press!
Against the Stars gives a very TBDATE end vibe with a mix of Heartstopper. Seb & Elliot will forever remain with me and that makes me smile.
Seriously y'all go check this one out! Buy it, go to the library and get it, whatever it takes because this might become a viral sensation!
Thank you TGP and Christopher Hartland for letting me be able to read the eARC for an honest review!
Against the Stars by Christopher Hartland releases today, April 18, 2023!
Oof this was a really heavy read for me. The content was everything I expected from a Latinx family in the beginning. The twists left me hurting and heartbroken.
I think this story will stay with me for a long time and will haunt me in ways I cannot even begin to fathom. It was beautiful in a way I could never even begin to describe.
What a start for Pride Month! Please make sure you review the CW/TW on this one.
Thank you NetGalley, Federico Eberia, and Levine Querido for the eARC for my honest review!
Pedro & Daniel by Federico Erebia releases June 6, 2023!
I must admit that I did not like this as much as I thought I would. It had plenty of good things, but it also had plenty of things that just left me empty?
Chip was honestly my favorite. He was just a wonderful and beautiful teddy. Hated Ryan. That's the tweet. Hated that Zack idolized Ryan.
Not my favorite book, but I do love the world building that Robby has been doing with Citrus Harbor.
I Like Me Better by Robby Weber is out now!
Thank you Inkyard Press, NetGalley, and Robby Weber for letting me read an eARC for my review!
Northranger was a cute graphic novel. It had all the fixings to be phenomenal! However, I felt the story got rushed the closer to the end I read. I also feel like it ended abruptly and had some loose strings.
Overall, I really enjoyed this!
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Rey Terciero for letting me read an eARC for my honest review!
Northranger by Rey Terceiro releases June 6, 2023!
A short, spooky, sweet collection of LGBTQIA+ stories? Yes please! I loved how this collection focused on so many diverse perspectives from minority groups! We didn't get the same boring groups. Some of the stories were easy 5 star reads, others were just okay. Overall though, I would say this is pretty solid and just in time for spoopy season
I'm crying. I'm laughing. I'm accepting. I'm healing. I'm learning. I'm loving.
I Am Ace is exactly what I feel like I needed. A book on aceness that actually approached Asexuality as humanistic and not scientifically. Cody shows that love is possible. That sex is possible. That relationships with others are possible.
He opens up the world and says “YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL” without the condescending bits we tend to hear such as the “despite” or “even though” additives. Thank you so much for this and I hope that every person regardless of their attractions picks this up.
I hope every person, especially those in allo/ace relationships, gives this a read. This is the book that I feel was missing. It is going to help so many people. So from one flavor of queer to another, thank you Cody!
Thank you NetGalley, Cody Daigle-Orians, and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the opportunity to review this eARC for my honest opinion.
I Am Ace by Cody Daigle-Orians releases February 21, 2023!
Honestly what a fun read! I love a magic system and this one? Beautiful. The concepts? Beautiful. I enjoyed this so much.
My only problem with it was that I felt the pacing was a little off. I got to the last 20% or so and it picked up pace so quickly I was dizzy. That could just be a me thing though.
Overall, go pick this up! It is good!
Thank you @netgalley @ftlukens and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for letting me get an eARC for my honest review!
Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens releases April 4, 2023!
I was really hesitant about this book at the beginning. It just didn't sound like something I would want to read, but oh boy was I wrong!
I had to force myself to pace this one out and not just binge read because I would be reading and then look at my progress and it was over halfway done! The ending made me a little sad and hopeful, but it honestly made the most sense.
Please please please go read this one! Tiny Ghost Press has been killing it with their releases.
Thank you Tiny Ghost Press and Chloe Spencer for sending me an eARC for my honest review!
Monstersona by Chloe Spencer releases February 14, 2023!
What can I say about this novel? I was enraptured by it.
Ghost Music is such a wonderful display of grief. I cannot even begin to explain it beyond that.
I believe that if you want to take a look at how grief is so complex and challenging and different for each person, then read this book.
The only reason I am not rating this as 5 Star is because I felt that the novel ended so abruptly. I found myself jabbing my finger at the screen waiting for the next page that never came. It is my own form of grief now.
Thank you An Yu, NetGalley, and Grove Atlantic for the opportunity to read this haunting eARC for my honest review.
Ghost Music by An Yu releases January 10, 2023!
Oh. My. God. I do not even have words right now. This was everything I didn't know I needed.
I will fight for Sandro. Such a lovable teddy bear! Bash can defend himself, but ugh what a relatable character!
And the rep?! A Mexican Black bi boy and an Italian gay bear? Like what hello!
I know this isn't much of a review, but just know I want to tell everyone to read this book!
Thank you NetGalley, James Acker, and Inkyard Press for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
The Long Run by James Acker releases February 7, 2023!
I was once told that queer books shouldn't be unrewarding and that this book seemed unrewarding. The only unrewarding parts of this book where one chapter near the end because it wasn't great at all and the trigger warnings at the beginning.
Let me elaborate, specifically on the TW's: I am not against the use of TW/CWs HOWEVER, I feel that this book really suffered from using them right at the beginning. It set up an expectation that wasn't reached for me. The one chapter, entitled You, didn't feel like it belonged in the book at all. It could have been removed entirely and I think the book would have easily been 5 Stars.
Rumfitt does a superb job at creating a haunted house story though! This is easily one of my favorite haunted house stories. It was done so incredibly well. It held a raw power that I feel is rarely seen in these stories. I am excited to read more from this author and watch how they transform the horror genre.