ericas_bookshelf's reviews
902 reviews

Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

The love I have for these two 😭🫶🥹

Here’s the thing with Hannah’s books, they are so deeply intimate and heartfelt that you will find yourself crying over it all. I genuinely feel safe with her writing and storytelling and finish each book dying to reread it immediately! The dual timeline with this one was very emotional and beautifully done, I just….HANNAH REALLY DID THE THING. DAMN.

And Sarah?! Wow did I feel seen by her. Her brain is just a lovely chaotic mess and honestly SAME. Caleb is also soooo sweet and patient with her I absolutely adored him. Caleb dirty talking nearly killed me it was so good.


P. S. Yes the Bo & Win cameos made me cry

*I received an arc from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*

The Day Burns Bright by Amber Palmer

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

Overall, I still love these characters and the potential was there, but this one was kind of a let down after book one tbh. The pacing just felt off for me more than anything. It was really slow going until about 40% and then we got some big reveals that didn’t really make sense, and honestly felt random. Idk. I still had fun reading this, because Amber does have a really great writing style, but I definitely liked book one more 😭

Mania by Naomi Loud

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This was such a shocking and wonderful surprise from Naomi, truly. In just under 100 pages you get a love story that, in true Naomi style, spans lifetimes. And all in the setting of a haunted hotel?! That is some of most unique shit I have ever read. 

Also, as someone who is very fragile when it comes to horror, I loved this! So if you’re wanting something a lil spooky, but too gory or scary, I really think you’d like this. 

P. S. The epilogue made me teary?! In a tiny lil novella?? COME ON. SO GOOD. 

Huge thanks and all the forehead kisses to Naomi for the arc in exchange for my honest review! 

The Night Runs Red by Amber Palmer

adventurous dark mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Angels Before Man by Rafael Nicolás

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

It’s been a long time since I read a book so profound I purposely took my time absorbing every single word. There is so much symbolism, and beautiful prose, it doesn’t do the book justice to simply say “this was remarkable”, though it certainly is. 

Needless to say this touched my soul, deeply. Especially as an individual who has severe religious trauma. Wow. I will be pondering this book for years to come. 

Close Knit by Denise Stone, Kels Stone

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

This was such a lovely romance honestly. One thing I especially appreciated were the elements that you don’t typically see in romance books. Such as sex scenes that don’t end with an or**asm, but are still intimate. Additionally there was excellent anxiety and CPTSD representation. I have both of these and felt very seen by the portrayal of it in Cameron & Daphne.  

This is easily my favorite of Kels & Denise’s books so far. Truly remarkable!

Exterminatrix by Brynne Weaver

funny lighthearted fast-paced

Perfectly Wicked by Lindsay Lovise

funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Wisteria by Adalyn Grace

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I came for the Danny Phantom vibes and stayed for the plot twists, gore, and great OCD representation!!

Oh I fear this ATE. I took me a couple chapters to really fall into this world, but once I was in I literally couldn’t put this book down! First of all, the aesthetic is incredible and so unique and exciting. Second of all? The ROMANCE?! Like are you joking. It was so good!! 

Now I don’t have OCD, so I can’t speak on the accuracy of the representation, however the author has it and talks more about in her authors note. But as someone with a mental illness, the way this was portrayed is so close to what I experience with my own anxiety. I loved it, truly. 

I’m eagerly awaiting Enchantra’s release!

P. S. While this is part of a series it’s looking like this one could be read as a standalone. Book two will be following a different character. 👀