Reviews

How to Marry a Lich by Lizzie Strong

lulus_bookcorner87's review

4.0

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, and I had a really good time reading it!

I was introduced to some of the funniest and most adorable characters I’ve read about in a long time (Sebastian is the perfect example of when to be a gentleman, and when not to be

wordynerdyanddirty's review

5.0

I feel like ‘love’ does not fully encompass my feelings for this story. Obsessed? Feral? Completely consumed by? The book is over 500 pages and I whipped through it in FOUR DAYS. I already know it will be one of my top reads this year. It’s the perfect mix of a gothic romance, eldritch horror, found family, marriage of convenience, and the most delicious slow burn that turns into explosive, tentacle spice.

Sebastian is the necromancer Lich Lord that happens upon an “incident” involving Miss Dahlia Grayskull on his property. In order to keep her safe (coughkeephercough), he has her stay in his residence. Unknown to Dahlia, Sebastian’s been watching her, and coveting her, while she’s visited the tombstones in his yard for the last five years. Dahlia is honest, brash, stubborn, and will NOT let you talk bad about her friends. Sebastian is the calm and collected centuries-old Lich that clearly has a soft spot for her and only her. Just watch that cold, undead exterior thaw. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - I love it when the tension is SO THICK you practically eat it. And when these two finally collide??? The scream that I unleashed. Once they start, the kinky shenanigans don’t stop.

Now, I’m completely enamored by Sebastian and the violent goddess that is Dahlia. But, this book might have my favorite crew of side characters EVER. Austin and Gregory and Smith and Havershum and Agatha and Kevin. And even Carl and Moonpie. Over time, this eclectic group of lost souls found their way to Rosemont and created this beautifully messy undead family. Their connection to one another felt so authentic and had me tearing up at the end of the story.

Do make sure to check content warnings on this one. Take care of yourself.

I will accept no criticism on this book. Otherwise, I’ll banish you to the Nightmare realm.
Just kidding, I hope you love it!
(But seriously…)

ramiram's review

2.0

Got an ARC by chance from the author.

Could use more editing (typos, weird sentences) and structure. Has potential, feels overlong although beginning and end are rushed.
Sebastian is a cutie but it' not enough.

verbalhaven's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sofiesbooked's review

4.0

4⭐
4

burstingmoons's review

4.0

I got an ARC to read this quirky, steampunk macabre, monster love story. The first chapter drew me in instantly, and my attention was kept to the very end. I loved all the eccentric characters, and their adorable personalities...and dare say, do I have a plague doctor kink now?! The spice was spicy, but not really my cup of tea, but still enjoyable. Like always check trigger warnings, and I loved how the author put them at the top of the chapters for you. Lord Sebastian was my favorite, and I loved his energy. If monster romance is your thing, this will not disappoint.
"My dear, I will imagine the feel of your lips against mine for the rest of my days. When you find me staring off into the distance or thinking hard, know it is because you are there, behind my eyes, stealing every thought rattling around in my brain and consuming my mind, body, and soul."

sleepytimetay's review

adventurous emotional 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

4.5

readsknitsrepeats's review

adventurous emotional funny mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Loved the world building, it is a bit gothic steampunk but also modern? I really enjoyed all the characters and the fact that they had distinct voices/personalities-I was quite invested in them!

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

The only issues I had were some repetitive word choices (“book it”) and that the spice wasn’t my thing - it seemed slightly out of character for Sebastian? I felt he would be sweeter, but that is probably just my opinion. I ended up skimming through most of the spice 🤪

erinreadstoomuch's review against another edition

1.0

the face value premise of this book had me really excited, but the actual execution of it and writing really let me down. At a staggering 550+ pages, this write started and abandoned too many plot points to wrap up, leaving far too many strings loose (and not ones for spin offs) with plot holes galore. The sex scenes were fine, but there was a lost touch here that made each one repetitive, as she sprinkled in varied copies of interactions with the staff of the manor. The day/age and world building was missing where we got the point that the manor lived frozen in time, nothing else made any sense. I really genuinely wanted to love this but it absolutely missed the mark. 

I received a copy of this book as an ARC and this review is solely my own opinion 

spicybiscuit's review

5.0

I cannot believe that I procrastinated reading such an amazing book all because I didn't think reading it off of my computer at my desk would allow me to zone into it like I do a physical book.(you know…weird neurodivergent brain thoughts) So I borrowed my husband's laptop and read in the cozy spot I have set up on my couch :D And holy shit I could not have been more addicted to reading a story than I was this one! From the first to last page I was utterly enthralled by everything about the story! The world building was unique and teleported me into a new place, the characters were all so distinct and had such loveable horrific personalities, the magic system had me asking so many questions, wanting to learn more about it and how it impacted the world. Strong's writing style flowed so well that it was easy for me to read, and within a sentence or two sucked me back into the story after taking a break. :) I devoured the book in two days, and I could see myself rereading it in the future, because to me it felt like a modern magical spicy twist on a cult classic type of story. This was my first ever monster romance book; which I initially was a bit nervous about how I’d feel with this genre. Although after this wonderful story I am happy to say that I had nothing to worry about because Strong wrote it so skillfully that I cannot wait to read her other works and dabble more into the tantalizing genre that is monster romance! 5/5 deadly stars ;D I was giddy and biting my bottom lip almost the entire time I was reading it, it made me blush and think things about sea serpents and Liches that I never thought would cross my mind ahaha! To be honest it made me jealous of Dahlia, I often found myself almost envious of her confidence and how much Sebastian adored her. This story will stick with me for a while. I know I will continue to think about Sebastian & Dahlia's story even months after reading it :)

I wish I had gotten cozy on my couch with my laptop to read this sooner because I was gifted with the opportunity to have an ARC copy of this book and leave an honest review! My review is entirely honest and I can't wait to buy a physical copy of this book to put on my shelf (then I will read it again ahaha) :) I cannot recommend the story enough, especially if you're new to the monster romance genre like me!


p.s. Semi-Spoiler-ish but not really: One issue I had was that I read the story on BookFunnel and even when I would fully zoom out and make the text as small as possible the journal entries from the FMC's relative were almost all cut off, so I couldn’t read all of them in full sadly :( but other than that I am super thankful that the author allowed me this opportunity to read such a great story! I can't wait to see what she publishes next :D