fanboyriot's reviews
952 reviews

funny hopeful lighthearted 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

This book felt like a warm hug, the hurt/comfort was amazingly written. It was such a queer filled book, something lighthearted and comforting but also realistic and the characters going through some things in their life and dealing with a long distance relationship. The love Ryan and Avery have was so strong and they were adorable together.

Also, Ryan’s parents and rot in Hell. His aunt though was amazing and deserves all the good things in the world.

Read For

✓ Cute Dates

✓ Hurt/Comfort

✓ Strangers to Lovers

✓ Lighthearted Romance

✓ Long Distance Relationship

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊

Spice Level: n/a

Sad Level: 💧

Plot: 9/10

Pace: 8/10

Ending: 10/10

Characters: 10/10

Enjoyability: 10/10

Writing Style: 9/10

Would I Recommend? Yes

Favorite Characters: Ryan and Avery

Favorite Quote: ❝ When you have to fight for your identity and win your identity, there is always a part of you that thinks there has to be a trade-off, that by stepping away from the norm you have been sentenced, you risk stepping away from happiness as well. You feel you will have to fight harder for someone to love you. You feel you will have to bear the risk of more loneliness in order to be who you need to be. ❞

POV: Duel, Third Person

Pages: 320

Format: Hardcover

Language: English

Release Date: 12, September 2023

Rep/Extras: LGBTQIA+ characters, trans main character, gay main character, nonbinary side character

Content Warnings

Time Loops & Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau

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funny lighthearted 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

After eating some magic dumplings Noelle begins to live the same day over and over. Trying to figure out why it’s happening she learns she isn’t the only one, teaming up they try to figure out how to get out of the loop. Cam, the love interest, not being apart of the time loop but having a sense of a lost memory towards a woman he meets; never quite understands who she is other than how familiar everything feels with her.

This was such a clever way to write a time loop, I loved this book so much. The characters were so cute, the development and self discovery felt so comforting to read. Noelle trying new things she would never normally do was so sweet. Cam was so adorable as well. Poor Avery though, having to relive her boyfriend forgetting her birthday everyday and also getting stuck in a time loop while on her period, she definitely deserved that happy ending and all the good fanfics sent her way.

This book had the vibes of the movie Freaky Friday but instead of a body switch it’s a time loop, two strangers living the same day over and becoming friends (with the point of view of the love interest for the main character).

(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity!)

Read For

✓ Time Loop

✓ Meet Cute

✓ Self Discovery

✓ Good Friendships

✓ Matchmaker Dumpling Lady

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Sad Level: 💧💧💧

Plot: 10/10

Pace: 10/10

Ending: 10/10

Characters: 10/10

Enjoyability: 9/10

Writing Style: 9/10

Would I Recommend? Yes

Favorite Character: Noelle

Favorite Quote: ❝❞ (coming soon, due to this being an unfinished copy I can’t share quotes yet)

POV: Duel, First Person

Pages: 352

Format: eBook

Language: English

Release Date: 06, May 2025

Rep/Extras: Taiwanese and Chinese Characters

Content Warnings

Solving for the Unknown by Loan Le

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funny lighthearted 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

A lighthearted college romance with realistic angst that fit well with the plot. This was an enjoyable read, it had an amazing friend group, realistic depression rep, and good character development.

The romance is so nicely done in such a short amount of time, a friendship developing before anything else was really sweet. I had such a good time reading this, it was the perfect rom-com vibe that I needed.

(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity!)

Read For

✓ Rom-Com

✓ Found Family

✓ Friends to Lovers

✓ Good Depression Rep

✓ Wholesome Friendships

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊

Spice Level: n/a

Sad Level: 💧

Plot: 8/10

Pace: 8/10

Ending: 9/10

Characters: 9/10

Enjoyability: 9/10

Writing Style: 9/10

Would I Recommend? Yes

Favorite Character: Viêt

Favorite Quote: ❝"Don't give me shit like 'Boys aren't supposed to cry,’” Evie warned him. "No, I'm just worried my mascara's going to run," he attempted to joke.❞

POV: Duel, Third Person

Pages: 333

Format: eBook

Language: English

Release Date: 04, March 2025

Rep/Extras: Vietnamese characters, LGBTQIA+ side characters, Depression Rep

Content Warnings

The Tournament by Rebecca Barrow

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dark mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

All I have to say is that I did not see that coming. The end of this book was so twisted.

This book was so entertaining to read. I really enjoyed it. There was a lot of drama and while I’m kinda over the high school setting this book did a good job at making the boarding school a unique place and a competition to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Nora was my favorite character I liked her from the start. She could come off as spoiled or stuck up at times but she was a lovable person, but still someone who had a lot to work through. The people in her life didn’t seem to care for her, fake friends and toxic relationships followed her throughout this book.

Max came off a bit annoying at the start and to be honest I was never fully sold on their character. She responded to her best friend’s love confession by being rude and ignoring her over the summer. Like okay you didn’t feel the same (even though she did) you could have been nicer about not wanting a relationship. I didn’t like Max until the end. I know Max had a lot to prove with not being rich like everyone else but it was a bit sad at times, I’m wondering did her mother even care at the end of this book or was she getting her other daughters enrolled in gymnastics after all?

Teddy was such a complex character. I really liked her at the start, she was a trouble maker for sure and liked to feel the rush of getting away with things but ultimately she just ends up getting kicked out of several schools in the process. I didn’t care for her as much near the end.

(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity!)

Read For

✓ Plot Twist

✓ Competition

✓ Trouble Maker

✓ Boarding School

✓ Mental Health Went for a Swim

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊

Spice Level: 🌶️

Sad Level: 💧💧

Plot: 8/10

Pace: 7/10

Ending: 8/10

Characters: 6/10

Enjoyability: 9/10

Writing Style: 9/10

Would I Recommend? Yes

Favorite Character: Nora

Favorite Quote: ❝❞ (coming soon, due to this being an unfinished copy I can’t share quotes yet)

POV: Multiple, Third Person

Pages: 416

Format: eBook

Language: English

Release Date: 17, June 2025

Rep/Extras: Lesbian main characters, BIPOC characters, Plus-sized characters, LGBTQIA+ characters

Content Warnings

Goodbye, My Princess by Fei Wo Si Cun

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dark sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book is tragic and heartbreaking but also, so beautifully written. It did a good job with showing how some monsters are made. The romance in this book is more hurt than anything else. The palace in this book was such a cruel place, everyone was against the main character, Xiaofeng had so much against her and it only got worse.

The romance was far from kind, filled with power games and no trust. One character using the other, playing games and hurting those involved even though in some twisted, messed up way, this character did love the other.

While I don’t know much about Chinese customs or the monarchy mentioned in this book, it didn’t make a difference, this was such a good read even with how sad it was. I will say while it was nicely structured and each part of the book was broken up well I didn’t care for how long the chapters were.

(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity!)

Read For

✓ Chinese Tales

✓ Romantic Tragedy

✓ Supernatural Aspects

✓ Inspiration for a TV Drama

✓ Romeo and Juliet Vibes (kinda)

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊

Spice Level: n/a

Sad Level: 💧💧💧💧💧

Plot: 8/10

Pace: 6/10

Ending: 5/10

Characters: 8/10

Enjoyability: 7/10

Writing Style: 5/10

Would I Recommend? Yes

Favorite Character: Qu Xiaofeng

Favorite Quote: ❝❞ (coming soon, due to this being an unfinished copy I can’t share quotes yet)

POV: First Person

Pages: 347

Format: eBook

Language: English

Release Date: 17, June 2025

Rep/Extras: Chinese main and side characters, Mute handmaiden

Content Warnings

Creeping by Alexandra Sirowy, Alexandra Sirowy

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dark mysterious slow-paced

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

1.0

I wasn’t a fan of this one. I loved the blurb and the cover but the story itself felt so one dimensional. It was as if I were reading someone’s notes on it rather than a book. The characters felt forced into stereotypes who were all just frankly awful people. The animal sacrifices were also a big pass for me with this book.

The plot and overall atmosphere of the book was nice though. It took a few chapters but it felt like it gave off the thriller/suspense vibes I was expecting. This book kinda reads like Fallen so if you liked that book/series I’d recommend it.

(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity!)

Read For

✓ Lost Memories

✓ Dumb Teenagers

✓ YA Horror/Thriller

✓ Animal Sacrifices

✓ Small Town Vibes

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊

Spice Level: n/a

Sad Level: 💧

Plot: 4/10

Pace: 4/10

Ending: 5/10

Characters: 2/10

Enjoyability: 3/10

Writing Style: 2/10

Would I Recommend? No

Favorite Character: n/a

Favorite Quote: ❝❞ (coming soon, due to this being an unfinished copy I can’t share quotes yet)

POV: First Person

Pages: 416

Format: eBook

Language: English

Release Date: 12, August 2025

Content Warnings

The Golden Raven by Nora Sakavic

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emotional funny 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

Keeping things spoiler free, this book was amazing. I loved getting to see the character development and Jean finally realize he can have some good things in his life. Things are far from perfect and a lot of trauma needs unpacked but he is making so much progress. His hobbies like cooking, pottery, and his interest in gardening were all so wholesome. Having said all of that, it is still quite a sad book at multiple parts.

Couch Rhemann really pulled through with being the Trojans equivalent of Wymack with his comforting team dad ways; he was so genuine and cared for his team a lot. Cat and Laila were so lovely as well, they make such a cute couple. And I’m so here for the friendship between them and Jeremy and Jean, it has all the comfort of a found family trope you could hope for.

Jeremy working through his own things as well, his background being a lot darker and sadder than I was expecting. I really like his point of views though and the fact that him and Jean always seem to be drawn towards each other. I’m positive their and end game relationship but still, the foreshadowing and slow burn of them is so gentle and endearing. The trust they have and the care they give towards each other is really heartwarming.

Also Jeremy’s family can all burn in Hell. I hate them so much and how such a lovely person like Jeremy can be related to them is beyond me.

Read For

✓ Hurt/Comfort

✓ Found Family

✓ Slow-Burn Romance

✓ Wholesome Friendships

✓ Working Through Trauma

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊

Spice Level: (lightly mentioned, closed door)

Sad Level: 💧💧💧💧

Plot: 8/10

Pace: 7/10

Ending: 9/10

Characters: 10/10

Enjoyability: 8/10

Writing Style: 9/10

Would I Recommend? Yes

Favorite Character: Jean

Favorite Quote: ❝"Repeat after me: I didn't deserve what they did to me."❞

POV: Third Person

Pages: 484

Format: ebook

Language: English

Release Date: 22, February 2025

Rep/Extras: LGBTQIA+ chapters, BIPOC characters, Mental Health Rep

Content Warnings

Knocking on Windows: A Memoir by Jeannine Atkins

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

4.0

It’s a bit difficult to write a review for nonfiction but this was such a creative way to tell this story. It was raw and filled with rage, grief, and empowerment. Getting help and letting your voice be heard were very relevant in this. I really enjoyed the writing style, it was so beautifully done.

(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity!)

Read For

✓ Poetry

✓ Healing

✓ Memoir

✓ Hurt/Comfort

✓ Finding Your Voice

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊

Spice Level: n/a

Sad Level: 💧💧💧💧

Enjoyability: 7/10

Writing Style: 7/10

Would I Recommend? Yes

Favorite Quote: ❝❞ (coming soon, due to this being an unfinished copy I can’t share quotes yet)

Pages: 320

Format: eBook

Language: English

Release Date: 05, August 2025

Content Warnings

Psycho Hot by M. Rose

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dark emotional fast-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

With some of the reviews I’ve seen of this I was a little nervous to get to the ending of this book. It was a bit more open ended than I would normally like but given everything that happens I think it’s actually well written. It is far from a happy ending but I’m glad the main characters got to have some peace in their lives with all the things they had been through. It is bittersweet with revenge finally happing but then some ✨spoiler-like things happen and it’s a lot.

This story is fast-paced and while it isn’t an insta-love the main characters fall for each other early on. Their dynamic was cute and they had their wholesome moments, their spicy moments, and of course good old traumatic filled backgrounds.

I don’t think this book is for everyone but for those who like dark romance with a gay main couple and don’t mind a slightly ambiguous ending; I’d definitely recommend it. It kinda has a bit of American Horror Story (season two) vibes.

Read For

✓ Forbidden Love

✓ Dark MM Romance

✓ Inmate/Psychologist

✓ Fast-Paced Suspense

✓ Asylum Setting in the 1960s

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Sad Level: 💧💧💧

Plot: 8/10

Pace: 6/10

Ending: 5/10

Characters: 9/10

Enjoyability: 8/10

Writing Style: 7/10

Would I Recommend? Yes

Favorite Character: Darren

Favorite Quote: ❝"It threw me off for a while. That place really evil?" "Not the place. The people."❞

POV: First Person

Pages: 269

Format: Paperback

Language: English

Release Date: 26, October 2021

Rep/Extras: LGBTQIA+ characters

Content Warnings

Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves

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adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

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

1.0

Following the lives of two daughters of a serial killer who live in a town that has elements of fantasy mixed in with the horror atmosphere.

There was a lot going on with this book, the daughters of a serial killer was very entertaining from a horror perspective, complex with their struggles with their own mental illnesses; it felt a bit like Dexter (TV show) vibes at times. Having said that there were also some moments that seemed random or maybe I just didn’t understand what was going on well enough, but I really struggled to figure out what the plot was for this book. A lot of the supernatural/fantasy elements confused me, there was little to no explanation as to why their town was like that.

While I had a bit of mixed feelings about this book I do really love this cover.

(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity.)

Read For

✓ YA Horror

✓ Suspense

✓ Serial Killers

✓ Fantasy Elements

✓ Creepy Atmosphere

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊

Spice Level: n/a

Sad Level: 💧💧

Plot: 6/10

Pace: 7/10

Ending: 4/10

Characters: 4/10

Enjoyability: 5/10

Writing Style: 3/10

Would I Recommend? Maybe

Favorite Character: n/a

Favorite Quote: ❝❞ (coming soon, due to this being an unfinished copy I can’t share quotes yet)

POV: First Person

Pages: 528

Format: eBook

Language: English

Release Date: 10, June 2025

Rep/Extras: BIPOC characters

Content Warnings

More...

fanboyriot's reviews 952 reviews

fanboyriot's reviews
952 reviews