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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A Sassy, Supernatural Southern Delight
Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan is a fun, fast-paced paranormal mystery with a Southern gothic twist and a whole lot of heart. Set in a small town full of secrets and sass, this book had me hooked from the first page with its blend of humor, magic, and mystery.
The characters are the real stars here—quirky, bold, and full of charm. I especially enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters and the strong sense of community (even when that community is dealing with curses and spirits). The supernatural elements are creative without being overwhelming, and the plot kept things moving with just the right balance of suspense and whimsy.
My only minor critique is that a few parts felt a bit rushed, and I would have loved just a bit more depth in certain character arcs. But overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read that left me eager for more from this series—and this author.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily. If you’re a fan of small-town mysteries with a magical twist and a generous helping of Southern flair, Bless Your Heart is definitely worth checking out!
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A story about the family of Evans women who run the local funeral parlor. But most importantly they harbor a family secret. They help with the local problem….aka the rising dead! A Southern comedy meets walking dead/vampire (Sookie Stackhouse-ish) in this brilliant horror comedy. The story was interesting and funny at times. The women were all fun, sassy, and strong. The kept me interested and wanting to know what happens next. I am from the South and I love a good Southern comedy story. I loved all the ‘Southern-isms’ in the story. I laughed at some of the sayings. Well done to the author. My favorite was “she’s chewing my a** like grade A beef!” I laughed out loud at that part. I listened to the audiobook review thanks to Macmillan and Netgalley
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Bless Your Heart was a delightful Southern vampire story with nods to both Practical Magic and Night of the Living Dead. The Evans Women, generation after generation, keep the dead in the ground, and all the while, they bicker at each other. Their relationship was familiar - my own grandmothers are strong, opinionated women - and I felt at rush of love as they fought for each other. Luna felt like your typical teen, but her heart was in the right place in a way that suited the story. I also love me a Wiccan boy in a trenchcoat.
Despite being full of memorable and colorful characters, this book felt a bit light. The mystery seemed to be drawn out with not enough clues to follow, making the ending feel a bit unearned. The body horror was grotesque (in a good way), but the actual action scenes sometimes felt confusing. I would have liked a bit more time with Luna and Grace instead of shifting to non-Evans perspectives.
All in all, it's a very strong concept. I enjoyed reading it, and very well may pick up the next one.
#bookrecommendations #bookreviews #horrorreads
Despite being full of memorable and colorful characters, this book felt a bit light. The mystery seemed to be drawn out with not enough clues to follow, making the ending feel a bit unearned. The body horror was grotesque (in a good way), but the actual action scenes sometimes felt confusing. I would have liked a bit more time with Luna and Grace instead of shifting to non-Evans perspectives.
All in all, it's a very strong concept. I enjoyed reading it, and very well may pick up the next one.
#bookrecommendations #bookreviews #horrorreads
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Gore, a bit mysterious, but still light and cozy. The Evan’s women take care of the dead, and also take care of the dead. I enjoyed that the main characters were a family of strong women, and the small town setting/community lent well to the story. I could not sort out a few details like Grace and Deputy Taylor’s ages - that felt like an error if all the women had kids when they were very young. Not the strongest story but enjoyable and read fast.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was good. But even though this was book #1, I felt like I dropped in the middle of a series. And why were the women always mad at each other? I feel like that wasn’t explained.