booktribe's Reviews (603)

Couldn’t catch my attention. I didn’t care about what was going on.

I was bored

It was too slow. Nothing was happening. And from other reviews it seems like nothing ever happened.

I was bored. Nothing was happening in the story.

I don’t think I’m the correct audience for this.

I’m 20% in and all she’s done is buy a vacuum cleaner…

Rosemary’s Baby meets Salem’s Lot in this urban horror set in an exclusive New York City residential building. After the insanely traumatizing birth of their child, that left Ana paralyzed, Reid and Ana needed a lucky break. And they got one when they won a housing lottery and got to move into one of Manhattan’s most revered buildings, The Deptford. But there’s a price to pay for all “good” things…

I was very intrigued by the creepy cover and the synopsis, but sadly, I couldn’t finish this novel, I stopped reading at 51% in. 

Firstly, from what I read, this novel is very low on horror. It is mainly about the very long, very sad inner monologues of our main characters. It definitely made me more sad than scared. I felt terrible for Ana and everything she was going through. Unexpected disability may just be a personal trigger, but being in Ana’s head during that time was rough. In general we were in both of the main characters heads too much, to the point where it got boring because nothing was happening in the story. Nothing will happen for chapters and then right when you’re ready to give up reading, the story gives you a TINY bit of something intriguing to make you think something is gonna happen soon, but still nothing happens. I would still kinda like to know what happened at the end, but not enough to read through 49% more of nothing progressing the story. I was highly excited for this, so I really wish I had liked it.

Thank you Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for this arc! All opinions are my own.

TW: death of a parent, Covid related death, racism, use of a homophobic slur, antisemitism, ableism, suicidal ideation, postpartum depression 

Shireen is ecstatic when she is chosen to compete in The Junior Irish Baking Show! If she wins, she’ll get $10,000 plus lots of exposure for her parents’ donut shop, You Drive Me Glazy. But the reality show comes with lots of drama. Like, competing against her ex-girlfriend while simultaneously falling for another one of her competitors. Will Shireen win the glory (and money) or will she crack under pressure?

This book had so many cute aspects! I loved the adorable donut and chapter names! And the donut shop rivalry between Shireen’s parents and her ex-girlfriend Chris’ parents was so funny! I always love a book featuring reality tv shows and I thought this one was really interesting! I loved Shireen’s fashion and picturing her outfits was so fun! And of course, all the dessert descriptors made me hungry!

I do wish that this novel had been advertised more as a contemporary book than a straight up romance because, although romance is a big part of this novel, the love triangle didn’t give what I thought it would. In some ways that’s a good thing! And some ways not so much. I was happy with the way the love triangle resolved. But I will say, that I had to side-eye Shireen for even having feelings for one of those love interests. I really have no idea how she liked her.

I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a good summer YA contemporary with delicious food descriptions and a big side of sapphic romance! 

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publsihing Group/Feiwell & Friends for this arc! All opinions are my own.

TW: Mentions of racism and fatphobia, depictions of anxiety (specifically anxiety and panic attacks and spiraling thoughts), and online harassment

This was such a great romance! I loved the characters so much! (Well most of them lol) Mack is possibly my favorite book boyfriend of all time!🥰 The way he went hard for Sky and her child was amazing! And Gianni loved him some Hailo too! Those couples were both so perfect together! The ending did feel a little anti climactic to me, I wish something more had happened. But overall, this was a really great read and I cannot wait to read more books by Kaylyn!