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undercoverbooksatl's reviews
237 reviews
Outdrawn by Deanna Grey
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is everything and we need more books liked Outdrawn!
Deanna Grey knocked it out of the park with Outdrawn. It’s so refreshing to see black lesbians front and center in a story that’s this heartfelt and gripping. Representation like this is so important, and Grey does it justice in the best way.
Did it have a major coming out story? No.
Did it have family abandonment due to coming out? No.
Did that make the story less queer? No.
The characters felt so real, the romance was beautifully done, and the story plucked all the right emotional heart strings. I thoroughly enjoyed their banter and slow-burn since it made the spicy scenes between the two MCs worthwhile even though they were sparse!
May this type of love find me forever and always.
Deanna Grey knocked it out of the park with Outdrawn. It’s so refreshing to see black lesbians front and center in a story that’s this heartfelt and gripping. Representation like this is so important, and Grey does it justice in the best way.
Did it have a major coming out story? No.
Did it have family abandonment due to coming out? No.
Did that make the story less queer? No.
The characters felt so real, the romance was beautifully done, and the story plucked all the right emotional heart strings. I thoroughly enjoyed their banter and slow-burn since it made the spicy scenes between the two MCs worthwhile even though they were sparse!
May this type of love find me forever and always.
The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I’m real sad it took me this long to finish this amazing story! More detailed review to come soon.
UPDATED:
This book was a hauntingly beautiful exploration of identity, community, and survival. My favorite aspect of it was how the forest becomes more than a setting—it’s a living, breathing entity.
What you can't miss is how this book was unapologetic in its queerness. This isn't just a story with queer characters -- it reminds the readers that queerness is as much about joy and connection as it is about resistance and survival. It's a reminder of the importance of telling queer stories in all their diversity and richness -- that even in the darkest woods, there’s light to be found in connection and truth.
MAJOR kudos to the ending as well. If you've ever seen the movie "Love Lies Bleeding", then you know what I'm talking about...
UPDATED:
This book was a hauntingly beautiful exploration of identity, community, and survival. My favorite aspect of it was how the forest becomes more than a setting—it’s a living, breathing entity.
What you can't miss is how this book was unapologetic in its queerness. This isn't just a story with queer characters -- it reminds the readers that queerness is as much about joy and connection as it is about resistance and survival. It's a reminder of the importance of telling queer stories in all their diversity and richness -- that even in the darkest woods, there’s light to be found in connection and truth.
MAJOR kudos to the ending as well. If you've ever seen the movie "Love Lies Bleeding", then you know what I'm talking about...
The Ruins by Scott Smith
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
Even though I began this book back in August and took a long break from it, I still enjoyed it for the most part! I can see the potential it has!
The world-building is has dark magic and mysterious vibes, BUT I do wish the the magic system could have been fleshed out a bit more. Occasionally, I wanted more clarity on the rules of this world to truly understand everything as a bigger picture, but sometimes, you just gotta hold on and enjoy the ride.
One of the highlights of the book for me was Saeris’ journey -- Coming from a different world and starting out impoverished, her background added a raw and relatable depth to the story. I loved how her struggles shaped her character and made her determination all the more compelling.
The world-building is has dark magic and mysterious vibes, BUT I do wish the the magic system could have been fleshed out a bit more. Occasionally, I wanted more clarity on the rules of this world to truly understand everything as a bigger picture, but sometimes, you just gotta hold on and enjoy the ride.
One of the highlights of the book for me was Saeris’ journey -- Coming from a different world and starting out impoverished, her background added a raw and relatable depth to the story. I loved how her struggles shaped her character and made her determination all the more compelling.
If you’re a fan of dark fantasy with a touch of romance and moral complexity, then I recommend this!
God of Malice by Rina Kent
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Blood
Mistletoe and Mishigas by M.A. Wardell
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Mistletoe and Mishigas was holiday magic with a queer twist, and everything I didn’t know I needed in a holiday story. It’s funny, heartwarming, and full of family chaos that feels real.
What really made this book stand out for me was the queer love story at its heart. It’s not just a side plot—it’s THE story—and it’s handled with so much care and authenticity. Seeing LGBTQ+ characters find love, acceptance, and their place in both their families and their communities during the holidays gave me all the feels. It’s refreshing and so, so needed.
The humor was also spot-on, with just enough mishigas to keep things interesting. And the characters? Total gems. They’re messy, lovable, and so easy to root for. Especially Theo -- I want to wrap this man up in a big hug and cuddle the life out of him.
If you want a holiday read that’s cozy, inclusive, and full of laughs, this is it. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling long after you’ve turned the last page.
This wonderful book has:
- found family
- grumpy x sunshine
- work place romance
- fake dating
- queer acceptance
Spice level was slowwwwww, but oooo baby was it delicious.
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
What really made this book stand out for me was the queer love story at its heart. It’s not just a side plot—it’s THE story—and it’s handled with so much care and authenticity. Seeing LGBTQ+ characters find love, acceptance, and their place in both their families and their communities during the holidays gave me all the feels. It’s refreshing and so, so needed.
The humor was also spot-on, with just enough mishigas to keep things interesting. And the characters? Total gems. They’re messy, lovable, and so easy to root for. Especially Theo -- I want to wrap this man up in a big hug and cuddle the life out of him.
If you want a holiday read that’s cozy, inclusive, and full of laughs, this is it. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling long after you’ve turned the last page.
This wonderful book has:
- found family
- grumpy x sunshine
- work place romance
- fake dating
- queer acceptance
Spice level was slowwwwww, but oooo baby was it delicious.
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Abandonment, and War
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was cute and short which was exactly what I was looking for to kick off my holiday reads! I read this all in one night so the pacing is quick but I didn't feel rushed with the characters or story itself.
I found the characters likable and cute. However, their "issues" of not being together didn't seem like actual issues, but since they were childhood friends and there were different dynamics to consider, I can understand where they're coming from!
I found the characters likable and cute. However, their "issues" of not being together didn't seem like actual issues, but since they were childhood friends and there were different dynamics to consider, I can understand where they're coming from!
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Camp Damascus has a really interesting premise—mixing horror with themes like faith, identity, and self-discovery. The creepy setting and supernatural twists definitely kept me hooked at times, and there are some genuinely spooky moments.
That said, it didn’t totally come together for me. Some of the characters felt a bit flat, so it was hard to get super invested in what they were going through. The pacing was also kind of all over the place—there’d be a big, intense scene, and then it would drag a bit afterward.
Still, I really appreciated how it tackled deeper issues --It’s not perfect, but if you’re into horror with a fresh twist, give it a read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Homophobia
My Best Friend's Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review!
This was an enjoyable, tropical (and snowy) slow-burn romance. The honeymoon parts made it a fun escape and the chemistry between the leads were cute.
That said, Elsie’s character was hard to connect with at times—her decisions and attitude felt frustrating, which made rooting for her a challenge. However, the story’s humor and tropes still shined through. It had:
- best friends to lovers
- curvaceous body representation
- baby queer experiences
- non-binary main character
- slow-burn
- vacation romance
- unrequited Love
- surprisingly, lots of detailed spice which rare in a book like this
Overall, it’s a great read for romance fans who enjoy drama, humor, and a little bit of chaos along the way!
This was an enjoyable, tropical (and snowy) slow-burn romance. The honeymoon parts made it a fun escape and the chemistry between the leads were cute.
That said, Elsie’s character was hard to connect with at times—her decisions and attitude felt frustrating, which made rooting for her a challenge. However, the story’s humor and tropes still shined through. It had:
- best friends to lovers
- curvaceous body representation
- baby queer experiences
- non-binary main character
- slow-burn
- vacation romance
- unrequited Love
- surprisingly, lots of detailed spice which rare in a book like this
Overall, it’s a great read for romance fans who enjoy drama, humor, and a little bit of chaos along the way!
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Blood & Steel by Helen Scheuerer
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5