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bookishvicky's reviews
174 reviews
Vesuvius by Cass Biehn
3.0
Huge thank you to NetGaley and Peachtree Teen for an advanced digital copy of Vesuvias for a fair and honest review.
Pub Date: Jun 03 2025
Rating: 3 stars
I reall wanted to love this one, but unfortunately Vesuvias fell a little flat for me. I had a hard time connecting to Felix and Loren, and maybe it was because of the dual POVs or maybe because we weren’t given enough about them. I liked the twists in their identities and pasts, but they both came so late it was like I barely knew the protagonists for the whole story. I liked them, sure, but not as much as I should have for the main characters.
Also, I don’t think the romance was the best. They seemed to be at odds until the very end of the book, which wouldn’t be horrible if this wasn’t set up like part-fantasy part-romance. Additionally, none of the conflicts were gripping to me. I didn’t understand their motivations, most antagonists had a very haughty air and not much else, and the biggest conflict of all– the audience knowing Pompeii’s fate– felt SO overlooked.
Like, yes, Loren did see ruin in his visions, but when the eruption happened it didn’t seem to be a big deal since conflict resolution was actively happening as the volcano was spewing magma and ash.
I did enjoy this book a bit, the banter was fun and the action scenes were written well, but I almost DNFed halfway through. If you really like mythology retellings, atmospheric writing, and high action, this would be perfect for you!
Roll For Romance by Lenora Woods
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an eARC of Roll for Romance in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Rating: ★ 4.75 stars
Pub Date: Jul 15 2025
“If the girls were being honest with me and there really is something there… Maybe I should roll for iniative.”
As a casual Dungeons & Dragons player and a sappy romance diehard, this book was everything I wanted it to be and more. The D&D gameplay is lore and mechanic accurate, the stakes are low but just high enough for me to care about Sadie’s dilemmas, and the chemistry between the couple was blazing hot. Some romance books seem to force the two together, but Roll for Romance’s chemistry was perfectly set in motion with Noah fidgeting with Sadie’s ring under the table. Like, sparks flew and then there was a fire of sweet quotes and soft moments.
I loved how we got the story within the story of their D&D campaign, and how it wasn’t just mimicking the events of the story. We see Sadie and Noah’s characters grow close as they do. I was honestly afraid there’d be some awkward in-game moments due to some outside conflict, but both stayed just seperate enough to make it feel believable and tell two satisfying love stories.
“I’m disgustingly sentimental and bubbling with optimism, and it’s all his fault.”
Noah and Sadie brought out the best in each other, and I think that’s what made it such a satisfying romance story. We can actually see them changing after having met each other, and it was refreshing after some romances where the character’s lives and romance kinda stay separate from each other.
I highly highly recommend this, even if you haven’t played D&D. Woods does such a good job introducing the gameplay, and since we get the campaign story directly, it eliminates several layers of potentially confusing mechanics and rulebook dilemmas.
Overall, this book is full of adorable details, two entertaining stories, and fun D&D goodies at the end of the book. Woods, you’re welcome at my table anyday, and you’d always roll with advantage.
All the White Spaces by Ally Wilkes
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A little hard to get into but once you hit the Shitstorm it’s hard to put down. Tarlington. My beloved. My son. I give you hot cocoa. I sob into the snow. Amazing book.
I'm in Love with Mothman by Paige Lavoie
3.0
This is exactly what I thought it’d be and exactly the monster fucker mess I needed. Thanks.
Night's Edge by Liz Kerin
dark
reflective
tense
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
5.0
I loved the way this story played with the vampire genre. It kinda reminded me of Vampire Weekend and The Coldest Girl in Coldtown in how vampires are perceived in the world.
Mia was SUCH a fun narrator and character, this girl just watching life unfold like it’s a bad movie, thinking this girl she has a crush on must be a monster bc she’s so attracted to her (so cute).
I like how vampirism is treated like addiction, how Mia and Izzy’s relationship is an enabler one that can be seen as a metaphor for active addiction and how it hurts others. The alternating chapters between present time and 2010 was done so so well, and I never felt like we were being taken out of any important moment in either story.
I just hate that it ended on a cliffhanger. I mean, great ending if it was a standalone, but knowing there’s a sequel I gotta sprint to the bookstore like NOW
Mia was SUCH a fun narrator and character, this girl just watching life unfold like it’s a bad movie, thinking this girl she has a crush on must be a monster bc she’s so attracted to her (so cute).
I like how vampirism is treated like addiction, how Mia and Izzy’s relationship is an enabler one that can be seen as a metaphor for active addiction and how it hurts others. The alternating chapters between present time and 2010 was done so so well, and I never felt like we were being taken out of any important moment in either story.
I just hate that it ended on a cliffhanger. I mean, great ending if it was a standalone, but knowing there’s a sequel I gotta sprint to the bookstore like NOW
Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales
If you liked Red, White, and Royal Blue and Young Royals, you’ll love Nobody in Particular! A delightful sapphic book with great representation and a satisfying ending that brings it all together and may bring a tear to your eye.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Nobody in Particular in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Rating: ★ 4.5 Stars
Pub Date: Jun 03 2025
“I didn’t think it was possible to love her more, but…she finds a way [and] even manages to make me like myself, too.”
Nobody in Particular was a beautiful queer story that handles heavy subject matter with grace and in a way that teens can relate to (at times I felt the writing was juvenile until I remembered, duh. It’s not written for me). The themes of grief, guilt, outing, and more help shape the story and characters without sensatiinalizing any of it for shock value climaxes.
Rose and Danni’s love story was endearing; every moment they shared was sweet, genuine, and even though I found Danni a little bland I think the chemistry really burned through the pages.
Rose was my favorite character. As a closeted lesbian princess dealing with guilt and trauma she must hide, she’s the pictureof grace and stoicism, headstrong and determined to bring about change no matter the personal cost. Her story arc was just amazing. Sorry to Danni but Rose’s story made me tear up.
“This time, she kisses me first. This time, I’m not afraid for it to end.”
My only complaint is that the book is a little dry and drawn out at times. The pacing caused awkward conflict resolution that seemed to repeat itself, though the ifnal quarter of the book was worth it. I also thought Danni’s story arc could have used more stakes– I just didn’t care enough about her as I did Rose. This book may have been better if it were only from Rose’s POV, but that’s just nitpicking.
If you liked Red, White, and Royal Blue and Young Royals, you’ll love Nobody in Particular! A delightful sapphic book with great representation and a satisfying ending that brings it all together and may bring a tear to your eye.
The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling
Overall, I loved this book! I’ve never read any other medieval horror, and The Starving Saints has set the bar incredibly high for me.
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advanced copy of The Starving Saints for a fairf and honest review!
Rating: 4.75 stars
Pub Date: May 20 2025
“‘She said a faithless tongue was worth more as food than to eat food.’”
Having read The Death of Jane Lawrence, I was ready for Starling’s twisting, vivid language layered with uncomfortable dread and horror– and BOY, was I not prepared well enough.
The Starving Saints is a masterpiece of silent terror, raw desperation, and tooth and nail survival only for those hopes to quickly be swallowed up–literally.
Something Sterling does so well in her writing is how startling and casual the violence is. Many times I found myself gasping and pausing to reread what had been so nonchalantly placed before me. Like lifting the cloche to discover stomach-curdling gore only for the waiter to say, “Ah, my bad,” and deliver me my soup but now I really don’t want to know what’s in that soup.
Each protagonist had such distinct voices, and usually I’m not a fan of books that shift perspectives eavery chapter. But this was done perfectly. While Starling’s writing is confusing and hazy and hard to get a grasp on, her characterization, settings, and tension are wonderfully executed.
The only complaint I have is that at times it was a bit confusing to figure out key plot points. Like, yes, I don’t want the monsters over-explained and ruined for me, but some of their actions were confusing and I had to reread sections to understand the lore of the world.
Overall, I loved this book! I’ve never read any other medieval horror, and The Starving Saints has set the bar incredibly high for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Cannibalism, and Murder
Minor: Animal death
The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Kinda bland, not catching my attention.
Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this book for a fair and honest review!
Love Letters to a Serial Killer threw me for a loop– like, ten loops until I was dizzy and too baffled to do anything but just read on. I want to start off by saying the format of this novel was done perfectly. Each letter from Hannah and William revealed so much about themselves and the plot, and felt selfish yet seductive at the same time.
The part where Hannah was writing her letter to William like normal with striked out bits of truly sociopathic text was so cool. I’ve read a lot of reviews saying the novel was ruined by how nonsensical and cruel Hannah seemed, but honestly? She made it for me.
Hannah is a sociopath. She relies heavily on male validation, is envious of every woman, sees sex as a leverage and yet also a way to show love, she isn’t passionate about anything except that which lets her dangle over a dangerous edge. Obviously I don’t relate to or excuse her actions, but that’s what makes thrillers thrilling! To be given a narrator who’s just as if not more unhinged than the serial killer was so fun to read.
Speaking of thrillers, this book was a touch predictable, but honestly Hannah was just doing the most (pardon my french) batshit things at every turn– I wouldn't have cared if we knew who the killer was on page one. She was what made this book so enjoyable for me.
If anything, one can argue this book is a parody or mockery of true crime diehards, like with Lauren and Dotty. Again, I’m in no way supporting Hannah or the events of this book– just saying I think it’s good novel writing. An immoral, unreliable narrator is always an interesting read, especially with that sucker punch of a last paragraph.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Rape, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail