ristretto's reviews
358 reviews

If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious 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

3.5

I would describe If I stopped Haunting You as spooky spicy. Rival writers Penelope and Neil find themselves attending a writing retreat at a haunted castle together. Both of them need this retreat to get their writing careers back on track and they are not backing out. Snowed in a with a mystery to solve they begin to grow closer but can they uncover the secrets of the castles past inhabitants or will they end up joining them.

There’s a lot to love here, the characters are funny and charming. The conflict between Pen and Neil and the discussion of indigenous voices in publishing was really interesting. The castle and the haunting is atmospheric and spooky and I was invested in the mystery. 

The weak point, for me, is when it comes to pacing and tone. There’s moments when the characters go from heart pounding terror and without a beat the reader is thrown into a spicy scene. Both scenes work but without a breather the tonal whiplash takes you out of the story. However all in all I had a really good time. I really like Wilkens voice and as a debut novel it was intriguing and entertaining. This is definitely a writer that I’m looking forward to reading more from in the future.

If you’re looking for spooky vibes with enemies to lovers, spicy moments, and lovable characters this is such a fun ride!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Spring Harvest by Rektok Ross

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Spring Harvest by Rektok Ross is unapologetically ridiculous and fun with survival horror elements. It’s Coachella meets Salem’s Lot with a sprinkling of Tender is the Flesh. 

Alix and her friends take a road trip to attend the Garlic Groove Music Fest, an alternative to Coachella with less crowds and better indie bands not to mention their famous garlic infused foods. But when they get there the garlic infused concert fare is scarce due to a poor harvest and a sudden freak accident involving a slashed throat sours the mood.

I’m a sucker for a Rektok Ross book because they are always such a good time. This time especially I loved the horror movie nods. The rural location and cannibalistic vibes reminded me of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and elements of the themes explored reminded me a little of Tender is the Flesh. The characters were flawed and fun and I enjoyed following them as they tried to survive what was happening. This is a fast paced read that you won’t want to put down. Perfect for the summer. 

Also I kind of love that there is a semi shared universe in these books and the subtle nod to her other books Ski Weekend and Summer Rental. You don’t need to have read these books as they are all stand alone stories but maybe check them out because they are also really quite fun! It’s wild thinking vampires exist in this same universe and I’m excited for the next book.

If you are looking for a fun read with survival horror vibes in a rural setting, a little romance, and vampires this is a really great time.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Heads Will Roll by Josh Winning

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

After being cancelled Willow escapes to Camp Castaway to get away from social media and regroup. All attendees must give up their cell phones upon checking in so the camp is completely cut off from the outside world. This is fine by Willow, until she starts hearing knocks in the night and campers start disappearing. 

This was a super fun read with 80s/90s slasher vibes and lots of twists and turns. I liked that it keeps you guessing as to whether the legend of knock knock Nancy is real or if there is a killer on the loose. And while there is mystery and tension and murder, it’s also has emotional moments.

Would recommend to those looking for a fun summer read that will keep you guessing.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

youthjuice by E.K. Sathue

dark funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.75

Youthjuice is a dark humored satirical exploration of the beauty industry and the obsession with youth with a serving of body horror on the side. It’s giving Death Becomes Her meets Goop and a bit of Rouge by Mona Awad. 

I really like how we move between the past and the present and seeing Sophia’s relationships, especially the intimacy with her childhood friend vs the present. It’s an exploration of toxic friendships and the workplace, age and class but it’s at the same time also easily digestible. I found the idea of these young women having this coveted vitality and also being seen as disposable and easily replaceable as very interesting. I really loved the premise and actually wish it had been pushed a bit further and the ending also felt a bit too convenient but overall found it to be  an interesting read.

If you’re a skin care girly or are looking for a mystery thriller with a bit of horror on the side this is for you. 

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Black Butler, Vol. 4 by Yana Toboso

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious 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

4.0

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious 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

So Happy for You by Celia Laskey

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

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

3.5

Slow Dance is a story about second chance romance and finding the right time for a relationship to work. As usual Rainbow Rowell’s writing and funny and full heart with bittersweet moments as we explore the relationship of Shiloh and Cary both past and present. As the title suggests this is a story that takes it’s time to unfold much like the story of these character’s romantic feelings and ebbs and flows in their lives.

Fans of her previous work will see some parallels to her past writing. Some of it worked for me but sometimes it felt like a little too close of a retread. There is some very Atrachments-esque banter that felt very charming and which I really enjoyed. But some moments from the teenage years felt just a little too close to a couple of stories from the recent Scattered Showers short story collection and a character dynamic that personally I’m not a fan of, but that’s just my personal preference. As someone unfamiliar with the Midwest I thought the setting was interesting and enjoyed reading about it and how it shaped these characters. Overall it was enjoyable and sweet with lovely dialogue and character moments but it’s not my favorite thing she’s written. It could definitely be a really nice comfort for someone I feel.

This is a book for someone looking for a sweet and funny romantic read with bittersweet and emotional moments. Someone who’s looking for a second chance romance with lovely banter that takes its time.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell

funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.5

Amanda Montell provides an informative and entertaining exploration of the cognitive biases that affect our everyday lives. I really love her voice as a writer and the topics she explores and this was no exception. She writes in an easy to digest and d entertaining way while still remaining informative. 

I felt like this time she took a more personal and self reflective approach which lent itself well to what was being discussed. For fans of the podcast, Sounds Like a Cult, like me, it’s also fun to see some topics that have come up explored from a different angle like in the chapter on the halo effect. I also really enjoyed the chapter on The Life Changing Magic of Becoming a Mediocre Crafter and now want to see that infamous seat cushion! 

If you’re a fan of the Sounds Like a Cult podcast or have enjoyed her previous books you won’t be disappointed. I would also recommend this to people looking for a fun informative read.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Atria Books. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.