When Wallace was alive, he lived his life at work, not making time for the things or the ones he loved most. After a sudden heart attack, his death brings him to Charon's Crossing- a magical tea shop run by Hugo, a ferryman, guiding newly departed souls on their next journey in the hereafter. While at this tea shop, Wallace realizes he in fact didn't live life at all. Under the guidance of Hugo, his reaper Mei and a few ghostly pals, we see Wallace g r o w & learn what it means to fully live, love, and understand that it's never too late to make your time mean something.

TJ Klune has such a tender, eloquent way of discussing grief in his stories. We will all experience heartbreak and soul shattering loss in one way or another so it's raw depiction in this was quite heavy. Yet Klune's whimsical approach to death makes this story easily digestible and leaves your heart full of love and hope in the end.

Under the Whispering Door is another warm, cozy, charming novel that wraps your heart in the tightest, loveliest of hugs to ever exist. 

"Maybe we were all pretending to be fine because the world gave us no other option."

This powerful and heartbreaking story of an identity beginning to unfold after death was gritty and hard to read. I cried during a few moments, especially in the final chapter, which upon finishing seemed to envelop me in a deep sense of calm. 

There is no doubt that Akwaeke Emezi can write a damn book. However, I felt that there were a few choices in the writing and storyline to be unnecessary. That being said, I was able to look further into the message behind the book itself and still walked away with a deep appreciation of this beautiful story.

*****Lots of trigger warnings so please proceed with care when picking this up--
transphobia, domestic violence, animal sacrifice, infidelity, death of a loved one, incest, religious trauma, emotional abuse.

"I've never seen anyone look at you like she did. Not even me. And you looked at her the same way.
And how was that?
Like you'd follow her to the moon."

Feeling unwanted and out of place, Delilah Green leaves her small town of Bright Falls, Oregon upon high school graduation. Delilah settles down in New York to pursue her artistic dreams and to find her place of belonging. When Delilah's sister enlists her to photograph her upcoming nuptials, Delilah has to travel back to the town she grew up in to received that promised paycheck. On her first night back in Bright Falls Delilah comes face to face with Claire, a childhood nemesis and her sisters best friend.. but instead of rivalry, a spark of something more ignites between them.

This sapphic romance between a bisexual single mom who runs a small town book shop, and a lesbian new york photographer, was such a delightful reading experience. The angst and sexual tension was top tier in my opinion. And the smut? Ohhh yes. This might be the first lesbian smut I have read and damn it did not disappoint. It wasn't completely BAM in your face, but tasteful, feminine & sexy.

Not only was the romance great, but I also enjoyed the friendships between Astrid, Claire, Iris and then eventually Delilah. There are bits of life after losing a parent during your childhood developmental years which you can imagine was heartbreaking to see. The exploration of leaving your "home" to find yourself and your place in the world is one I'm sure many readers can relate to.

If you are looking for a sapphic enemies to lovers romance, with delicious angst AND the one bed trope, you will not want to miss this. Pick it up immediately!!! 

I already have the next book preordered so you already know I AM EXCITED FOR ASTRID'S BOOK!

shook. shaken. jaw on the floor.

I NEED BOOK 3 IMMEDIATELY!!!!

Comfort Me With Apples is a quiet, intriguing, mysterious biblical retelling with relevant commentary on the patriarchy that I thought was finely executed.

Though this novella's synopsis leaves much to the imagination, I recommend going in blind because I think it was much more enjoyable that way. 

Personally I wouldn't consider this to be in the horror or thriller genre, but more in the literary fiction or mystery categories. Either way I very much enjoyed it.

"She's so pretty that pretty isn't even the word for it. It's something that makes me feel like I can't breathe on the rare occasions I see her smile."

In this book we follow Olivia, a Division 1 cross-country runner, navigating life after an incident at her previous school that forced her to transfer in order to keep her scholarship. Having suffered and survived through childhood trauma, Olivia unknowingly copes by sleep running through the night. Always barefoot and miles from home. Enter Will, the young, handsome, broody coach hoping Olivia will be his team's chance at earning a championship. After finding out about her condition, Will crosses the line as her coach and gets a little too involved to protect Olivia during her nighttime fits.

There were a few moments in this book that had me in my feels. Those deep, buried away feelings that sneak up on you just when you thought you were fine, but then something happens to take your breath away while you cry and sob through the heartache. Before going in to Waking Olivia, I knew this book had made other readers cry, but the moment of the reveal took me by surprise. Learning of the trauma that Olivia faced as a child shook me. I was left reeling and broken, while wanting to protect young Olivia with my whole being.

This slow burn, enemies to lovers, taboo romance between a college athlete and her cross country coach was one that simmered just long enough for my taste. Both Will and Olivia's head strong attitudes made for some great banter throughout the story which led to tension and angst worthy of devouring.

Although this is a romance, please know that this is a story containing dark traumatic elements, so I strongly advise you check trigger warnings before picking this up!!

This is a story that will stick with me, and one I may be brave enough to return to in the future.

I  m e l t  for Desmond Flynn, thank you.

"The truth does not change whether it is seen or unseen, it whispered in her mind. A thing that is happening happens whether you look at it or not. And yes, maybe it is easier not to look. Maybe it is easier to say because you do not see it, it is not happening."

What an absolutely stunning novel from Akwaeke Emezi! This was my first book of theirs, and it will certainly not be my last. The timely subject matter is heart wrenching to read about, but definitely necessary to fight the monsters head on.

I did not expect to cry while reading Pet, but it's hard not to when faced with Emezi's exquisite writing paired with very real, heart breaking topics. Their delicate way of handling such brutal truths that is prevalent to the present day is magnificently done.

I look forward to my next  Akwaeke Emezi novel. I am sure it will break my heart open a little bit, just like Pet did. 

This is p u r e filth.. No plot, just smut. And I liked it?!! 

I 10/10 need a cold shower after all of that 🥵🥵 

*daddy k!nk = satisfaction guaranteed.