A review by irl_bookworms
Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I couldn’t tell you what initially drew me to this book - but I knew as soon as I read the title - there is something queer afoot. I couldn’t believe my gut - the title was giving me - aromantic vibes?? And sure enough, when I looked up the author and found out he was AroAce, I smashed that request button so fast.

And that is the story of how this book became a new all time favourite for this Aromantic Bisexual.

Okay, maybe there was a bit more than that. Maybe there was something visceral and physical in the delicious body horror of wanting a partnership in such a deep way that you literally want to crawl inside of their bodies. We’re treated to this wonderfully gorey horror almost immediately and it follows us throughout the book - serving as part of its essence. In a weird way, this type of horror, again so visceral and physical, it actually tipped all the way back into cozy to me. Which is kind of hilarious to say when multiple people are left as husks of meat sacks throughout the book.

Shesheshen is a shapeshifter, living on her own and killing any monster hunters who come crawling towards her cave. After a long winter hibernating, she is attacked by a group of monster hunters - she survives, but is badly wounded. Pulling herself into a human-like shape, she seeks help and finds Homily, a warm-hearted human traveling towards Shesheshen’s town and so their adventures begin.

This story is billed as a romance, but honestly Shesheshen and Homily’s platonic relationship feels deeper than romance and deeper than physical intimacy (and in many cases it feels like an AroAce relationship/companionship, despite Shesheshen consistently questioning if she has in fact fallen in love). This book is more than that and I think it may have fallen victim to narrow marketing. I hope that it doesn't fall into the wrong hands, for those expecting a swooping, smutty romance - this book is much more intimate and the feelings are so strong.

This book wrapped me up in a giant hug from an amorphous lump of flesh and I loved every moment of it and will be super protective of this book. And I cannot wait to see what Wiswell writes next!

Give Someone You Can Build a Nest In all the love! Please and thank you ♥️

Hisses & Kisses 🐍

*I received an eARC from DAW & NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*