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bookishvicky's reviews
175 reviews
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
Back in a Spell by Lana Harper
3.25
Loved the plot, but in turn the romance felt overshadowed and reduced to smut. Morty is such an interesting guy and I wanna learn more about him. I also feel like Nina was kind of bland? Still solid, I love the magic and town of this series.
For One Night Only by Jessica James
“Caleb kisses me like I’m the perfect harmony to every melody he’s written”
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
4.0
“Caleb kisses me like I’m the perfect harmony to every melody he’s written”
Thanks so much to @berkleypub @berkleyromance or @acebookspub for the free book!
For One Night Only was a refreshing romance read with a male main character who actually has a unique personality and is the one finding himself strung along intol love by his confident, messy female counterpart. Caleb Sloane, eyeliner-wearing icon that you are… just perfect. No notes.
Every member of Glitter Bats felt distinct to me, and their careers post-breakup all felt reminiscent of bands in real life; in fact, while reading about their early career, I could taste the indie music sleaze, the 2014 vinyls, Urban Outfitters flooded with beanies and Arctic Monkeys fans. It was nostalgic for me and made the reunion plotline all the more exciting.
Valerie was kind of annoying and fame hungry, and I don’t think we got enough of her mom in-scene to justify why she is the way she is. I still thought her redemption was handled well, and her chemistry with Caleb was electric.
Overall, a cute romance with actual stakes and complex characters that addresses the toxicity of the music industry and how it can ruin our favorite artists. I did feel like the pacing was a touch slow at first, but the climax was worth the uphill trek.
Mistress of Lies by K.M. Enright
adventurous
dark
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
4.25
I really liked this one! From the beautiful cover to the vicious opening scene, MISTRESS OF LIES immediately drew me in and kept my attention. Shan LeClaire, your clawed hand in marriage please.
Such a cool world, magic system, and unique villain— though it’s odd the back of the book says “vampire” explicitly when the concept is only kinda alluded to in the story itself. Still love the lore, though, and the vivid language makes this a fantasy book you shouldn’t overlook.
My only complaints is that I wish we could see blood working in action more vs. passing mentions of it. Also, the reveal of the murderer didn’t make much sense to me? Excited for book 2 !!
Such a cool world, magic system, and unique villain— though it’s odd the back of the book says “vampire” explicitly when the concept is only kinda alluded to in the story itself. Still love the lore, though, and the vivid language makes this a fantasy book you shouldn’t overlook.
My only complaints is that I wish we could see blood working in action more vs. passing mentions of it. Also, the reveal of the murderer didn’t make much sense to me? Excited for book 2 !!
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
4.0
Cute Christmas sapphic romance! I liked both the FMCs and I wouldn’t mind returning to Colorado to see Sloan’s and Wes’s romance or to see more of Adele and Ampersand. Nothing groundbreaking but sometimes romance books can just be cozy with a good dose of drama (and spice).
In Nightfall by Suzanne Young
4.0
This is so clearly a rehash of The Lost Boys but modern and unique. I really enjoyed this one and would love a prequel!
Botched by Indigo Queen
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“‘Being the champion was all you ever wanted.’
‘It was…Until I found something better.’”
Huge thank you to the author for providing me a digital ARC for review!
As a longtime pro wrestling fan, this was such a fun read. Knowing all the terms, I was able to breeze through this, and never felt like it was dumbed down or written by someone who’d only seen a few episodes of RAW. Queen’s vivid and witty writing is indicative of a shared love of pro wrestling, and the fact it wasn’t bogged down with millions of references was refreshing.
This is definitely an enemies to lovers romance done right. I HATED Theo, but his romance with Aurora evolved into something sweet and genuine.
“‘I’d knock out a tooth for ya, though’.” (Seriously, what a charmer!)
The spice was there and the dialogue was. Oh my god. Wow. Just all the hot peppers for this one.
My only complaints was about the pacing. While the romance did feel natural and genuine, things moved wayyy too fast in the romance and wrestling storylines. Plus, we don’t get much wrestling action with Aurora. I know it’s realistic to have a new woman wrestler be an accessory for a guy, but as a writer you have the power to make that not the norm. She could have been like Sasha Banks or Asuka, kicking ass and staying away from the lingering Diva division influence.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this to wrestling and non wrestling fans wanting a cute enemies to lovers with an HEA and quality spice scenes.
‘It was…Until I found something better.’”
Huge thank you to the author for providing me a digital ARC for review!
As a longtime pro wrestling fan, this was such a fun read. Knowing all the terms, I was able to breeze through this, and never felt like it was dumbed down or written by someone who’d only seen a few episodes of RAW. Queen’s vivid and witty writing is indicative of a shared love of pro wrestling, and the fact it wasn’t bogged down with millions of references was refreshing.
This is definitely an enemies to lovers romance done right. I HATED Theo, but his romance with Aurora evolved into something sweet and genuine.
“‘I’d knock out a tooth for ya, though’.” (Seriously, what a charmer!)
The spice was there and the dialogue was. Oh my god. Wow. Just all the hot peppers for this one.
My only complaints was about the pacing. While the romance did feel natural and genuine, things moved wayyy too fast in the romance and wrestling storylines. Plus, we don’t get much wrestling action with Aurora. I know it’s realistic to have a new woman wrestler be an accessory for a guy, but as a writer you have the power to make that not the norm. She could have been like Sasha Banks or Asuka, kicking ass and staying away from the lingering Diva division influence.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this to wrestling and non wrestling fans wanting a cute enemies to lovers with an HEA and quality spice scenes.
The Coven by Harper L. Woods
2.75
I liked the magic system, and the writing was well-paced and vivid.
But holy shit what??
I was so confused for so much of this book. Like, what did Willow want? Who was she? She’s so passive and I don’t know much about her or any other character aside from Gray.
Also, this book is too horny, and that’s from someone who doesn’t mind a little spice. Like, not 100 pages in and the characters who’ve known each other for days act like they’ve been in sexual tension for months. Gray could have been so interesting, the twist was fun! But when he. Broke into her room. To tear her pants off while she slept. What.
Just. Creepy dude. Too gaudily sexual and not enough plot. A shame such a cool magic system and villain was wasted.
But holy shit what??
I was so confused for so much of this book. Like, what did Willow want? Who was she? She’s so passive and I don’t know much about her or any other character aside from Gray.
Also, this book is too horny, and that’s from someone who doesn’t mind a little spice. Like, not 100 pages in and the characters who’ve known each other for days act like they’ve been in sexual tension for months. Gray could have been so interesting, the twist was fun! But when he. Broke into her room. To tear her pants off while she slept. What.
Just. Creepy dude. Too gaudily sexual and not enough plot. A shame such a cool magic system and villain was wasted.
Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
3.0
Too long, the plot is everywhere and I’m overwhelmed. The romance is barely there and is so drawn out it doesn’t feel worth it anymore
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book made me so happy. The rich, vivid writing made Caltry and its inhabitants come to life. There were also enough stakes that I didn’t feel like this was a Legends and Lattes situation where absolutely no conflict drove the story and ultimately made for a boring book.
Kiela is a little bland, but she’s clever and her love of books is to a concerning point that I kinda love. I wish we knew a little more about her and her family, and why she forgot Larran and the island when she moved when she was eight? But it’s a small critique and Meep the cactus makes up for it.
THE SPELLSHOP is rife with feel-good elements; new beginnings, second chances, falling in love— it’s all so charming. Durst’s writing horrified me in THE BONE MAKER and enchanted me in THE SPELLSHOP. I can’t wait to read the next book!
Kiela is a little bland, but she’s clever and her love of books is to a concerning point that I kinda love. I wish we knew a little more about her and her family, and why she forgot Larran and the island when she moved when she was eight? But it’s a small critique and Meep the cactus makes up for it.
THE SPELLSHOP is rife with feel-good elements; new beginnings, second chances, falling in love— it’s all so charming. Durst’s writing horrified me in THE BONE MAKER and enchanted me in THE SPELLSHOP. I can’t wait to read the next book!