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bookishvicky's reviews
175 reviews
Fan Service by Rosie Danan
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
3.75
Big thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an advanced digital copy of Fan Service in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Rating: ★ 3.75
Pub Date: 11 March 2025
“‘I’d like to spend the rest of my life howling at your door.’”
For starters, I definitely enjoyed Fan Service more than Rosie Danan’s previous book Do Your Worst. I connected with the female main character Alex a lot more than I expected. As a former Tumblr diehard, I understood the niches of fandom, even if I wasn’t in ones for Supernatural or Teen Wolf, which Devin’s show is definitely inspired by.
That being said, this is the type of romance book I love– the ones with silly setups that you don’t have to take too seriously. Oh, the actor from your favorite TV show you’ve had a crush on since you were a teen is turning into a werewolf and needs your help? And he’s super horny? Amazing! Give me 300 pages of this.
While I did struggle with the beginning half of this book, the rest made up for it. I thought Devin was an asshole, and Alex was a y/n (being hated by her town for no reason, calling the grown men harassing her “jocks,” etc.) but then I realized– this reads like fanfic! It’s okay to let it be iffy! That’s the fun of it all.
Now I’m not trying to say Danan writes like bad fanfic– far from it. Her writing style always pulls me in and helps me feel for the characters, and she gives us banger lines like “I’m not going to–’ he lowered his voice– ‘“transform” in this Dunkin’ Donuts.’”
Lastly—everyone say thank you Rosie Danan for giving us a REAL WEREWOLF! I swear, some romance books say the character is a werewolf but it’s just occasional growling and fated mates tropes. Devin is a FERAL wolf and it was so fun. Kinda makes me want Danan to try her hand at a vampire romance now.
Overall, it was what I expected. A cute, entertaining, smutty book that I got lost in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty and Abandonment
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
However-- the characters are one kind of dimensional, and I feel like at times Sciona was very much white feminism-ing her way through some of the book. The end was... i dont know. On one hand, how else would it end, on another, it's so bleak and a bit white savior-y. I'm undecided. Maybe this book is actually horrible. I don't know. It's. Wow.
4.75
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing group for a digital copy of Blood Over Bright Haven for a fair and honest review.
“It was a beautiful thought– for a different world that was just, kind, and not about to collapse.”
Today is November 7th, 2024. And I am sick reading this book. I had to skim read the final ten pages for how much I wanted to scream and cry and throw up. This was not the thrill of Maeve Fly throw up, but rather the raw, hopeless, pulling out your hair kind.
M.L. Wang– you are a genius. You have delivered us a beautiful book about imperialism, racism, capitalism, classism, sexism; and you’ve done so in such a realistic way I almost want to refuse to review this book.
While the opening chapters were a touch slow and difficult to get through, the climax seemed to last half the book. I was sickened reading things I’ve seen on social media in wake of police brutiality and recently with the election. I don’t believe I can give this gorgeous book justice with my words.
“The path to God wasn’t laid for women like her. It was laid on their backs.”
Blood Over Bright Haven is bleak. It’s horrible. It shows the cruelties of men in power, language of war and conflict that negate human life, dangerous ideas that men in power in my country tote in our helpless faces. This book is violent and disgusting. This book is a raw, horrifying, nauseating truth.
This book is so important. I cannot recommend it enough.
However-- the characters are one kind of dimensional, and I feel like at times Sciona was very much white feminism-ing her way through some of the book. The end was... i dont know. On one hand, how else would it end, on another, it's so bleak and a bit white savior-y. I'm undecided. Maybe this book is actually horrible. I don't know. It's. Wow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Genocide, Gore, Miscarriage, and Blood
Perfect Girl by Tracy Banghart
2.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an advanced digital copy of PERFECT GIRL in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I really liked the concept of this book, but I had too many problems with it to really get into it. First, it all feels very “how do you do, fellow teens?” In terms of dialogue, characterization, etc. And at the same time, Jessa was such a stereotypical protagonist I feel like her strong moment at the end wasn’t deserved. I knew nothing about her, I didn’t care about her struggles because they were barely mentioned, and she doesn’t really DO anything too wild like I thought she would based on the cover and description.
Also, the twist wasn’t twisting. There was hardly a lead up to it, and it all felt super rushed. I wasn’t scared once, and I didn’t care enough about any of the characters (except maybe Tiny?). I also feel like a lot was mentioned that just got brushed off, like Alexis being bi, Ryan being what I assume the only black kid in a predominantly white neighborhood, etc. I wanted to learn more, but with so many characters and action sequences, we got the barest bones.
There were some good lines and moments, and the pacing was done really well with so much going on. I also thought the setup was just cheesy enough for me to be excited to see how the slumber party derailed. Also- finally, a realistic sister-brother dynamic! Josh and Jessa hated/ cared for each other the perfect amount, and some of their scenes were funny.
This book had such potential, but just didn’t hit the mark for me.
I really liked the concept of this book, but I had too many problems with it to really get into it. First, it all feels very “how do you do, fellow teens?” In terms of dialogue, characterization, etc. And at the same time, Jessa was such a stereotypical protagonist I feel like her strong moment at the end wasn’t deserved. I knew nothing about her, I didn’t care about her struggles because they were barely mentioned, and she doesn’t really DO anything too wild like I thought she would based on the cover and description.
Also, the twist wasn’t twisting. There was hardly a lead up to it, and it all felt super rushed. I wasn’t scared once, and I didn’t care enough about any of the characters (except maybe Tiny?). I also feel like a lot was mentioned that just got brushed off, like Alexis being bi, Ryan being what I assume the only black kid in a predominantly white neighborhood, etc. I wanted to learn more, but with so many characters and action sequences, we got the barest bones.
There were some good lines and moments, and the pacing was done really well with so much going on. I also thought the setup was just cheesy enough for me to be excited to see how the slumber party derailed. Also- finally, a realistic sister-brother dynamic! Josh and Jessa hated/ cared for each other the perfect amount, and some of their scenes were funny.
This book had such potential, but just didn’t hit the mark for me.
A Five-Letter Word for Love by Amy James
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
SUCH slow pacing, shallow characters, the main character annoyed me, and I already could tell the romance would be boring. Only redeeming quality is that it takes place in Canada.
American Rapture by CJ Leede
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
The language of this book was beautiful. Sophie’s narration made everything around her feel scary and foreign, like sex was a devious, violent thing, like everything around her was something to be feared. I loved seeing her transformation as the horrors went on, even if it did hurt to read.
This book reminds me a lot of HELL FOLLOWED WITH US by AJ White, and the sort of hope through the hopelessness, learning that “sin is made up and stupid.” I think Sophie and Benji would be besties.
This is one of those books that got me anxious and sick, and there’s not much I can say except give it a read, but be warned you’ll feel like you’re sitting at the bottom of a gross swimming pool. As always, Leede is the master at making me both terrified and depressed 🖤
ALL THE CONTENT WARNINGS
This book reminds me a lot of HELL FOLLOWED WITH US by AJ White, and the sort of hope through the hopelessness, learning that “sin is made up and stupid.” I think Sophie and Benji would be besties.
This is one of those books that got me anxious and sick, and there’s not much I can say except give it a read, but be warned you’ll feel like you’re sitting at the bottom of a gross swimming pool. As always, Leede is the master at making me both terrified and depressed 🖤
ALL THE CONTENT WARNINGS
Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay
3.25
I did enjoy Love at First Book and all its beautiful atmospheres, witty dialogue, and spicy stolen kisses– but I feel like it could have been something more. The book was slow at the start, and I devoured the ending and its feelgood resolution, but there were too many subplots that kinda went nowhere, like Em’s hypchonrida, her mother, her friendship with Sam– I just found it hard to focus on the romance among these and the Siobhan plot (which, I did like the Siobhan plot, and think this should have been mainly that with a romance with Kier).
There are some amazing lines in the book, but I couldn’t get into the romance. I did like the characters, but they didn’t have chemistry, I felt like. Again, if this book had focused mainly on Em helping Siobhan with a side of romance, I’d be happy– but the premise was romance! And I feel like Kier did a complete 180 in terms of how he spoke to and treated Em.
Despite these critiques, I liked this book a lot. It inspired me to get back to writing and makes me definitely want to travel to Ireland to explore the beautifully described settings. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a quick and cozy read with some higher than usual stakes for a contemporary romance.
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
If you’re looking for a queer dark academia book rife with angst and forest horror, Don’t Let the Forest In is the book for you.
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
5.0
Huge thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of Don’t Let the Forest In!
“But the October boy didn’t flee. He climbed the tree and kissed the lonesome monster until it devoured him whole.”
You know a book is good when its climax is hard to read because you can’t see through the tears in your eyes.
It was so hard to pick a standout quote from this book. Don’t Let the Forest In has some of the most beautifully devastating language I’ve read in a while. It's vivid, imaginative, and downright heartbreaking. Andrew’s inner thoughts are told with experimental formats that just added to his unreliability as a narrator. I’m still not sure what’s real and not real, but I think not knowing is the best part.
“‘Everything inside me is in ruins…for you.’”
The YEARNING in this narrative. Hoo boy. I adore romances where the couple just crashes into each other all blood and teeth and longing. This is a vicious sort of love I could get lost in. Especially with two complex characters in such a cruel setting. It was kind of giving If We Were Villains at times.
If I had to come up with a critique, it would be that a little too much was withheld– I liked the mysteries, and the climax was brilliant, but I did find myself annoyed at some points with just how left in the dark the reader was, to the point I was more confused than intrigued. But again, it wasn’t a major issue. I did finish this in three days after all.
Also– the Oreo scene killed me. I need a fanart of it ASAP.
If you’re looking for a queer dark academia book rife with angst and forest horror, Don’t Let the Forest In is the book for you.
Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder
4.0
What a weird little story that made no sense and almost made me vomit. Lovely!