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WOW.

This series has been in my TBR for the longest time and now that I've finally picked it up I am so annoyed that I hadn't sooner.

There's something so immersive and special about this book. The characters, the plot, the world building... Everything about this book is just perfection and I can't begin to express how excited I am to read the rest of the series.

Blue is so special to me and I cant wait to read more about her. I am still trying to fathom how this is my first time reading this series and just from the first book, I love all of these characters.

I can already tell that this is going to become a comfort series for me.

First five star read of the year. We are so back

I really loved the premise of this book and I got so excited when I saw that I had been approved for an ARC.

The characters were likeable, relatable and you couldn't help but root for them. I also loved that this book gave representation to a condition that you don't see portrayed much in media.

I do feel that a lot happened in such a small amount of pages and that made me feel overwhelmed and confused. I think that due to that, it felt rushed to me at the end. This is just my personal opinion and I can see lots of people picking this up and loving it.

I'm super interested to see what comes next with this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A book about a haunted house with queer and trans representation? Absolutely.

The characters of Withered felt so genuine and real to me from the very first page. Their struggles and their own stories were written so well and I feel that they added such a fantastic element to the story.

I loved that it touched on subjects such as grief and eating disorders and touched on it in ways that I, as a person who struggles with both, felt was authentic.

This was a great read.

Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Before I even begin this review, I do want to say that checking trigger warnings for this book before picking it up would be a good idea. I didn't (Rookie mistake, I know) and was blindsided by something quite triggering so I wanted to give anyone who wants to pick this up a word for advice!

To sum this up in two words: Gory Madness.

Like so much gore.

I am not a stranger to Urban Exploring and I spent a time doing Urban Exploring myself or watching videos on YouTube of others doing it growing up. I have always heard about how dangerous it can be and I think this book showed the absolute worst-case scenario of that danger occurring.

This would make a fantastic horror movie and I was on the edge of my seat for the entirety of the book.

The use of slurs did take me by surprise, especially when I felt like it was unnecessary and could have been left out altogether.

Overall, this was a thrilling, horrifying read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jens Boele for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was such a fantastic book and I had such great fun reading it. The world building was so immersive and I really found myself lost in how much I love the writing in general.

I think this book would truthfully be better as a full length novel rather than as a novella. This is based on my opinion that with such a short amount of pages we weren't able to fully dive into the world that we have been introduced to. I also think with that, we would be able to explore more about the characters and their complexities.

However, as a novella, this is fantastic and I understand exactly now why the rating for it is so high. This is a great, fast read.

I'm wanting to read more sci-fi this year and this has been on my TBR for the longest times so I am so happy I was finally able to pick it up.

First review of the year and I wanted to make sure it was a book that had been on my radar for a while so I could set the tone.

The best way to describe this book is that it's a wild ride and if you're a slasher lover like myself, you'll probably love this!

May 2024 bring me great thrilling reads!

She's done it again.

Ann Liang is a literary genius and she needs to be studied in a lab so that society can attempt to understand how she does this time and time again.

Yes, this is only my second book from her. Yes, I am going to continue to sing her praises because she deserves it. Every single time, Ann manages to write these special characters that become so important to me. It almost makes me angry because I never want to finish the books and lose them.

Sadie and Julius, you will always be famous.

I purposely waited so I could make this my last read of the year so I could end it on a high note.

This book needs to be released immediately so I can buy it and create an Ann Liang shrine on my bookshelf.

I believe it's absolutely necessary for me to do a namedrop to Una for introducing me to the art that is Liang's writing. Your love for these characters and Ann's writing has inspired me to pick up these books and I am forever grateful because of how special it's become to me too.

This wasn't my first time reading a book by this author and it most definitely won't be my last.

This was a ride.

I've said this before in reviews of other books but I love it when I feel like I can't trust any of the characters. It adds such a great depth to the book that leaves me hanging on every single page.

I had no idea where this was going to end because I had made my own theories and I was way off.

This is another great book to pick up if you're wanting to dip your toes into the genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Consider this my official entry into the genre that is Dark Romance. While this isn't my first time reading it, this is the one that's going to convince me to give it a proper try.

This was such a fun, twisted and messed up book that had me hungry for more (Get it? You only will if you've read it

This book has been on my TBR for the longest time and I am so happy that I finally picked it up.

Dont Let Her Stay is such a fantastic, thrilling and mind-boggling read. When I say I felt like I was being gaslit throughout the entire book, I mean it. I had no idea who to trust or to believe and that's what makes a great Thriller.

I loved that this kept me guessing and had me invested from the very last page. I didn't want to put this book down. This is such a great read if you're wanting to get into the genre or if you're in a reading slump.

The amount of times I wanted to reach into the book and shake these characters... No words.

I can't wait to check out what else this author writes!

I'll be perfectly honest with you and say I am not entirely certain what just happened in this book

This was so much fun.

Like I genuinely can't stress enough how much fun this was to read.

You know when you read a book and you just know that it's going to be loved by so many when others finally get to have their hands on it? That's how I felt reading this book and I feel so lucky I was able to read an ARC.

A horror slasher set at a queer horror camp with fantastic representation? An absolute yes from me.

This had me on edge and I think I lost count how many times I genuinely gasped because something completely took me by surprise.

This is my way of being ominously vague with my review but at the same time emphasise how fantastic this debut is. I just know that this author is going to be one to watch.

Thank you to NetGalley and ABRAMS Kids for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was so much fun.

You know when you read a book and just know it would be a fantastic movie? The Spy Coast is that for me. I could practically see the scenes play out in my head and I loved it.

This was so brilliantly paced and I didn't want to put it down. I devoured this book.

I loved that the story jumped between the two storylines of the past and the present.

I loved all of these characters. I loved that underneath all the action-packed moments, this book was truly about friendship and I loved the found family aspect of the book.

I am so excited to read more about the Martini Club.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was such a fun, beautiful and heartfelt story and I loved every minute of it.

A sapphic historical fantasy that reminded me of one of my favourite shows Supernatural? I devoured this.

I'm actually sad that this was a novella and not a fully fledged book because I would've loved to continue to venture into the world building of this book.

I immediately fell in love with Helen and Edith and I wanted more of them because I found them so special and endearing.

I am definitely going to need to pick up this author's other works.

This had me on the edge of my seat. I didn't want to put this book down.

I think this is a great book if you're wanting to dip your toes into the Thriller genre.

I loved that both of the main characters that the story follows have secrets that leave you side eyeing them. I tend to be suspicious of absolutely everyone in this genre because you never know who to trust.

I will definitely be picking up more works by this author, especially being that they are an Australian.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I'll be completely honest with you all.

I have absolutely no idea what I just read

I was drawn to this book based on how much I love the cover and the premise got me so excited.

I am so sad that I was let down by this when I had such high hopes. It had such great potential.

However, I couldn't get past the offensive and disgusting moments that were in this book that had no reason to be featured apart from what I can assume shock value.

The “dearly but not queerly”, the mentioning of the slave auctions that apparently American high schools used to do (first of all why was this ever a thing?) and the main character saying someone thin and unwell looks “Ethiopian”.... None of these things added anything to the plot and could have been edited out altogether and I wish it was!

On top of that, the exorcism? I think I actually had to stop reading for a moment and just stare at a wall because while I understand they were trying to say it was their love for one another that helped Gretchen pull through, I think it was so cringy.

I am usually not a hater and it takes a lot for me to get to that place but I am too disappointed that this didn't end up the fantastic read that I thought it was going to be. I'm giving two stars purely because I think this had such great potential.

I think this is such an important read if you are wanting to know more about the BDS and how we, as the international community, can help Palestinian's fight for liberation.

It's books like these that truly make me love this genre. I love sitting down and reading a book that makes me question EVERYTHING.

This book from the very first page actually gave me an American Horror Story: Roanoke vibe and I loved it.

I loved the use of diary entries to give us the answers and insight into the past to help solve the problems in the present. It was so much fun learning along with Nora what was happening. I admit I was way off with my assumptions on the killer but I am glad I was because it made reading the reveal more fun for me.

I found that too often when authors write a paranormal thriller they give too much away but Find Them left me guessing from the very last page.

This is an author I am definitely going to read more works from.

Thank you to NetGalley and Julia Ash for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I needed this.

I don't know if it makes sense to anyone but I have been in the worst BPD spiral lately and this book was exactly what I needed to have a giggle and smile when everything has been feeling like an effort lately.

I can't even begin to express how special these characters are. Evan and Mel... They will always be famous. The rest of the family? Absolutely adore them. Reading this book felt like I was a part of the family myself.

What I loved the most was how this book tackled grief and how differently it looks for everyone. I am no stranger to grief so it was like a warm hug to see it portrayed in a way that felt authentic to me.

This was my first time reading Amy Lea's work and I am so excited to delve more into her writing because I already know she's going to become a comfort author for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

WOW.

This is exactly everything you want in a Thriller. I was on the edge from the very first page and absolutely devoured this book.

I absolutely love it when I'm reading a Thriller and I find myself not being able to trust the main characters, it makes it so much more interesting and fun to read.

I love it when you think you have the whole plot figured out and you're waiting to be disappointed but then a huge plot twist comes at you and you are left speechless. That's the only way I can explain how I felt about the ending of this book.

I am convinced that Elle Marr is going to become a favourite author of mine and I can't wait to check out more of her works.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I think this is a fantastic informative read that anyone who wishes to educate themselves about the socialism and anti-colonialism in the context of the Palestinian struggle for liberation.

This is such a fantastic read.

I read this a couple weeks ago but didn't get the chance to review it but now with the news that Refaat Al-Areer, who wrote the first essay was martyred yesterday I feel like I need to finally write something so I can try convince others to pick this book up.

This is such an important read if you're wanting to learn and understand what is happening in Palestine and what's been happening for the past 75+ years.

May Allah grant every Palestinian who has been martyred the highest place in Jannah.

He and I are owed a love story that doesn't end in tragedy.”

Do you know that feeling of anger you feel towards yourself when you pick up a book and realise you wish you would've picked it up sooner? That was my exact feeling for this book and I knew it from the very first chapters.

The fact that this is a debut astounds me and makes me so excited for what comes next from this author. There is not one fault that I can think of when it comes to this book.

It may say fiction next to this book but the truth is that this is very much a reality for many people and I truly believe that this is such an important book for people to read.

These characters will now forever hold a very special place in my heart.

I find it difficult to try to express in words how much I love this book and how it made me feel but I don't think there are words.

This is a book I will be recommending to everyone.

Last Light is a great collection of spooky stories and is perfect for anyone who is looking for a chilling and suspenseful read that delves into the paranormal and the unknown.

I found these stories so immersive and I really did not want it to end. My favourite would have to have been Last Touch because it's been days since I finished this collection and I still haven't stopped thinking about it.

I think this would be a great book to pick up if you're wanting to get into the genre because each one is different and it gives you a fantastic variety to enjoy.


Thank you to NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.