jussygillis's Reviews (761)

These are just fun to read, they're cute and quick pallet cleaners. I will not EVER not rate these 5 star.

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton 
Cat and Mouse Duet book one

Quick Summary
Book one intruduces us to our two main characters, Addie the manipulator of emotions through the words of her books. Zade, the stalker to is more than he seems.

Final Thoughts
oh boy, this is going to be an unpopular opinion. 
Remember when 50 Shades first was released and everyone went bonkers about how much they loved it. But really it was a super bad book highlighting BDSM in not a good way? 
Well this is what this book is equivalent too but with Dark Romance. Friends, its not good.
Also the "book previously banned on Amazon due to the trigger warning" I've read books with similar topics. Better written, even the gun scene. 
We have a MMC who can't take no for an answer, and it's to the point it's SA, because we all know just because your body is reacting does not meaning you're willing. THEN the FMC "falls" for him. Because he's this dark night, but really he's a hypocrite. The spicy scenes were awkward and not hot, the cliffhanger? Blaaaaah.

IRL by E.A. Field

Quick Summary
Nora has been, surviving. Dealing with school, and her crippling OCD the only escape she has is her online gaming where she has made connections with a few people. Then one day things start to become strange, people start dying but not staying dead. Nora then finds out the present her uncle sent her is more than what it seems and maybe the answer to all this.

Final Thoughts
Thank you NetGalley & Rising Action Publishing Co. for this eARC.
I am a sucker for zombie books, always have been. This synopsis sounded different enough that I needed to read this. The characters have some relatable flaws that are very prominent in the book that go so much deeper than zombie attacks. We have two characters that have to face their issues head on during a trying time and trying to save the world from zombies.

My Darkest Prayer by S.A. Cosby
Narrated by Adam Lazarre-White

Quick Summary
Nathan Waymaker is a former Marine and Sheriffs deputy, now working at his cousins Funeral Home. Nathan is the man you go to when you've tried everything else. After a questionable death of a local minister, the parishioners as him to help with answers. But what seemed like an easy money job turns into more than Nathan bargained for.

Final Thoughts
I love books where I don't see it coming. First, the narrator, Adam Lazarre-White is perfect, he matches the words S.A. Cosby writes, and you truly feel like this is Nate. Cosby writes characters that have such depth and layers the further you get into the book the more layers you see and you truly feel like a fly on the wall with these characters.

Blacktop Wasteland by S.A Cosby
Narrated by Adam Lazarre-White

Quick Summary
Beauregard Montage, known as Bug to his friends and family, trying to put his past life behind him until his simple life isn't enough to get by. Bit by bit his new life crumbles after agreeing to one job to help pay some bills that were stacking up.

Final Thoughts
This was my first book by S.A. Cosby, and explain to me why I waited so long to read anything by him. This book was fast paced, and had so much happening you couldn't look away. Normally I'm not a HUGE fan go crime thriller, but Cosby has done something here where he has incorporated very real life issues Black people face with a fiction book that has you unable to put it down.

Fat Witch Summer by Lizzy Ives

QUICK SUMMARY
16 year old Thrash lives authentically as herself, she doesn't use enchantments, not that there's anything wrong with enchantments of course. When she discovers she has a knack for magic and she'll receive one of the three sanctioned gifts, Thrash is adamant she doesn't want glamour as her glamour witch mother wishes. Only problem is, it's her mothers choice and not hers.

But maybe there's another option, when she's invited along for a road trip with a trio of cool witches from her school to steal their own gifts.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Thank you NetGally & Sword & Rose Press.
I'll be completely honest, I don't totally remember requesting this book, and was hesitant going in, don't have a reason just happens sometimes.
My hesitancy was quickly abolished with this book. It's cute, it's fun, but it deals with issues in a way I really think young people can relate to. The author brought us a diverse set of characters who we all love in their own way. The only thing I don't think matches the story for me is the title, its so much more than just about the one fat character.

Akata Witch by Need Okorafor
Narrated by Yetide Badaki

QUICK SUMMARY
American born Nigerian Sunny struggles. Her and her family are back living in Nigeria, and although her features are African... She has Albinism. She seems to have no place to fit in, until she discovers something life changing, she has mystical powers. 

FINAL THOUGHTS
Okay this one was so much fun. Middle grade fantasy, it's really not my thing but this had enough to keep me going. May I also say the audiobook cover is SUPER misleading thinking its for a more older audience. The magic system was so different than what you'd normally see where it's based off learning and age. When they learn a new skillset they're rewarded.

“She doesn’t intend for us to leave. Not ever.”

The Unloved by John Saul


QUICK SUMMARY 🖊️ 
The Devereaux is the oldest town in their name sake, living on a secluded island. Kevin left when he was younger and is back for the first time in over two decades to visit his dying mother. 
The only thing is… she doesn’t expect him to ever leave. 

FINAL THOUGHTS 💭 
 This is my third book by John Saul. I don’t know if it’s me or if it’s the author. But this one although different, felt oddly similar to the previous one i read. If you’re newer to horror, this author is definitely a good choice. 

The title explains all you need to know about the book. If you're familiar with the podcast, the book has the banter and commentary just like the pod casts. Were a few faces I wasn't totally familiar with but there were a lot I was.

“Could a place have a soul?” 

A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt
Narrated by Jesse Nobess

QUICK SUMMARY 
The authors unnamed Indigenous narrator takes a step away from his doctoral to write a novel, here he takes the reader on a journey through a series of encounters and conversations. 

FINAL THOUGHTS
Starting off I really wasn't sure of this book, it always takes me for a loop when stories are to in an unconventional manner, and this is exactly it. The raw emotions in this book take the reader on a journey with this unnamed narrator. It's beautiful and captivating.