I really enjoyed this one!  It's YA so naturally the characters are all a tad immature and most are still trying to figure out who they are and how they fit into the world around them.  But like all queer books set in Georgia, I wish this was the high school experience I had.  One of acceptance and LGBT+ inclusion, not the Bible Belt, purity culture bullshit that was the reality of Metro-Atlanta in the 2010s.

I loved the central family and support systems laid out here.  And I think reading about young characters finding integrity and maturity in complicated relationships sets a great example for young readers.  Communication and respect are the most important things at the end of the day when tackling big, scary feelings.

I'm obsessed.  Like this book took me a month to read but it now lives rent free in my head.  I guess I am now a monster romance stan? It is soooo strange and weird and out of pocket, I cannot say enough about it.  I also don't know who I'd recommend it to because it is all about sex.  (Don't believe me? read the first chapter on her website. You won't even have to scroll before you get to it. https://www.oxfordlemon.com/basilisk).  While being all about sex and 100% erotica, it also has a fully developed plot, elaborate political systems, and intense emotional relationships.

Now the problem is who do I recommend it to? I need to discuss it with someone, but like WHO?!  I saw on the author's story that there's a friend group all reading the same copy. Like one read it and annotated and then mailed it to the next one who did the same and so on.  THIS IS THE PERFECT BOOK FOR THAT BECAUSE IT'S SO FUNNY AND NEEDS TO BE REACTED TO!!!

This book is LONG and the middle does kinda drag, but it was originally posted to her website chapter by chapter and then self-published so it makes sense.

It's being traditionally published this month as Kiss of the Basilisk with a GORGEOUS cover and sprayed edges (and a bonus chapter) so of course I pre-ordered it in the B&N pre-order sale.  I will now own 3 versions of this book and I do not regret it.

This author's meme/bookstagram account was already one of my favorites before I realized she wrote this book. (Literally bought the kindle version because I had credits about to expire and then saw her post that the OG cover was going away and was like what?!)

Check her out: @oxfordlemon
https://www.instagram.com/oxfordlemon?igsh=MXNkM3M4MDJ3Ymk3Zw==

(TBH if you're never going to read it but want to know what it's all about, read this whole series of texts)
https://www.instagram.com/p/DDXDXgeRwiY/?igsh=MTZneDY1bmZtY3F1NA==

I am so excited that I'll have another copy of this in my hands next week, but also like I just want the next book! I'll just have to stalk her IG stories and hope she keeps getting tipsy and teasing excerpts on there in the meantime.

Lots of thoughts 

Really interesting concept but not like life changing. Can’t say more without giving anything away

I loved this book so much! No notes.  I was so looking forward to reading it but was just never in the mood.  I still wasn't when I finally started listening to it, so I know it could have totally hit harder at some point, but like I still adored it.

I really think it was Christina Lauren at their best.  The chemistry and spice is perfection while staying somehow realistic.  The communication and maturity was just SO GOOD! and the humor was laugh out loud funny and relatable.  (Pop culture references were perfection!)

marriage of convenience / faking a relationship
tropical getaway
one bed
forced proximity
opposites attract
billionaire-ish but heavy on the "eat the rich" ethos

wtf bruh

I mean I understand the idea she had and what she wanted to write... but it was poorly executed

My first complete Riley Sager, and I'm glad it was! It wasn't life changing or anything, but there were many twists and it was well thought out.

The vibes were a little bit of Verity with a lot a bit of Rebecca.  Basically it feels like a thriller named of just a woman's first name.

But it was easier (and more contemporary) than the classic Rebecca, and better written and more complicated than Verity (I'm not a fan, sue me).

Enjoyed the twist. Dumb narrator? No thank you. 

An interesting way for Anthony Horowitz to keep the storytelling fresh.  Interested to see how he already has seven more of these plotted.  He does like taking a bite of the grape ;)

I really appreciated the discussion of tropes in mystery writing and the history he provided.  ( The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino and The Inugami Curse by Seishi Yokomizo )

Like my dad, I found the ending a bit unsatisfying and for lack of a better word, dumb.

It was funny though because Dad called from a business trip in Colorado to see how far I was in Onyx Storm and said he was really into an audiobook right now but would read it next. Turns out we were listening to this at the same time by coincidence. He bought it on audible and I had it from the library! (I have the physical and audio from the library rn.)

I will say this will forever be an audiobook series for me.

really cute and cozy! The romance was super cheesy but kinda fun and matched well with the closed door mystery!

Honestly it made me like the book a lot more (because I hate the book and this was faster and more exciting)