ieemee's Reviews (360)

Thanks to NetGalley & Fortunella Press for this E-ARC. Zelda takes over her witchy-grandmas’ sandwich-shop. However a witch can’t makes sandwiches in peace for long, before she’s pulled into vampire, witch & fae drama. Zelda roommate is a mind-reader and a personal favourite of mine. 

Ideal reader: 

Fans of Fix-It Witches by Ann Aguirre. 

This story is a modern retelling of Rosalind more than Romeo and Juliet. Ros is the MC , dealing with her identity as a Turkish - American, dealing with the fact that she’s not  ‘Juliet’ in the story of Romeo and Juliet. This story transports you back to high school when people are falling in and out of love quickly. 
This story leans on friendships and the important role they play in your life and that sometimes you need to help the people you love most do what’s good for them and might not be good for you. The story reminds me of a woody Allen movie- you’re following along with everyday life and the stakes are relatively low throughout.  The book has a lot of small ethical dilemmas that  real teens & even adults would face.  I think a big hero moment of this book is how it shows that your cultural identity impacts you constantly and is a complex thing that differs between two people with the same identity.
Pivotal  Characters :
Ros- an outspoken girl with a great girl crew on the patrol for that second half to her it couple 
Aydın- the guy of Ros’ dreams and potential perfect second half to a it couple 
Chloe- Aydins big love ex 

Ideal Reader:
Tween to Highschool teenager- the story doesn’t involve any spice so the story is good for younger audience. 
School Reader - this may be a good companion book to Romeo and Juliet in schools for comparative purposes.

Dual P.O.V. Laura & Roach 
FMC Roach - Norman Bates Vibe & True Crime Fanatic
Laura- Daughter of a Serial killer victim & Poet

Set in a Bookshop filled with book enthusiasts. The story weaves between the feeling of being watched and being the one who is watching.
 
Roach quote- “I travelled the world with serial killers … imagined  washing my skin with the soap of women”

This read was perfect for spooky season- The book looks at True Crime as a genre and how different people interact with it. I personally think Roach is one of the characters that gives me the biggest - Ick!!! Alarm Bells ! I’ve never been as repulsed by a character & the times you view the world from her perspective is truly unsettling. The novel is thoughtful constructed and has strong character development for each of the characters followed.

The book reminds me of You by Caroline Kepnes but with a female mc instead of a male one. If you enjoyed Netflix season of You with Love Quinn season 3 you will most likely enjoy this book.

Content warnings:
Stalking ; Home invasion ; Alcholism ; Assault ; Serial Killer praise

 Thanks for E-Arc
The illustrations are beautiful 4.5/5
However  guide to witch craft content & the story of buddy early 3.5/5

I think there are visual glossary pages are great - they give an introduction to key terms. The book covers list of the concepts in a beautiful way form merfolk to tools.
However the main story about Biddy Early is lack lustre and could definitely do with more expansion.

I can’t attest to the accuracy from a Wiccan perspective but merely as a reader who enjoys witchy things .


Ideal reader:
Someone more interested in visuals over content 
A visual learner looking for intro into witchcraft 



 

A truly detailed and beautiful look at behind the scenes of southern cuisine in New Orleans.

This book will help you replicate the delicious food you in counter on your travels back home.
All the favourites are captured and some bonus ones

Thanks to Net Galley & Kensington Publishing for the E-Arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book is perfect for fans of the talent mr Ripley or those looking for a MM gothic romance.
 Mystery/ Thriller
The mystery is really finding out more about Burke & Hare.
 There is like in the Talent Mr Ripley behaviour that escalates slowly into this thriller - from studying anatomy at Edinburgh to

stealing bodies & finally murdering bodies for exploration

Dark Gothic Romance
The true hero of this story is the gothic romance. The romance is set in a backdrop of anatomical body sketches and body parts. However the moment between MC James an upper class gentleman fallen on hard times and the working class Nye.  I was cheering for this couple throughout. The romance fades to black with anything more than a kiss.
This relationship is a major focus in the book - I would go as far to say the main focus.
Ideal Reader
A fan of young adult gothic romances with mystery subplot
Fans of talent Mr Ripley who wanted more romance moments
People who enjoy romances set in gothic / gorey settings
Fans of Emily the strange and Lenore will most likely enjoy this book
Extras
I enjoyed the fact that the E-ARc had discussion  thoughtful questions for the book at the back.
Key summary:
-opposites attract 
- coming of age & sexuality in a new town ( university )
-loosely based of the historical time of Burke & Hare 
-Cute MM romance set in a gorey setting 
- Runs out of money & need to find a job
- black market organs 
- Accidentally Outing 

Tropes:
💕second-chance romance 
💕 two love interests 
💕 forced proximity 
💕longing 
❄️ Ice Queen 
🌈 Malicious outing 
🌈 Sapphic Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️


The queer references and coming out angst was great.
The premise is a little unbelievable but not impossible. The story is told out of two POVS Julia the wedding planner & Kit who was her first love and tarot card twin flame. However the story centres around a third character Piper the posh ex. Both Piper and Kit have been closeted where Julia has been out for a long time. Each woman’s relationship with her queerness has a impact on their relationship with Julia. 

The story contains some spicy longing imagined scenes of what the characters want to do to each other. & escalates from there.

The book was extremely easy to read and I found most of the characters very likeable except for piper. The three main female characters were well developed even though a lot of the side characters were a version of an influencer. 
One of my favourite things was how tarot and astrology was weaved in throughout the novel seamlessly. 

I would happily re-read this. & recommend it to a friend.

❤️Enemies to Lovers 
❤️Force proximity due to work 
❤️Rival Reporters
❤️misunderstandings & miscommunication 

The story is cute & is the first enemies to lovers where the distrust from the enemy lingers in such potent way. These rivals ‘team up’ & I say team up in air quotes because they definitely don’t work as a team, the two essential agree to work on a story collaboratively so they can meet their work commitments & expose the truth.
The MMC also has a mother who seems to struggle with an undiagnosed mental illness which adds a more serious element to this romcom. The story also looks at how culture, gender & race impacts how the characters are seen.
Not a reread for me but definitely an enjoyable read.