queerafictionado's Reviews (374)

A moving and powerful graphic memoir about growing up and finding yourself when you are caught between different worlds and identities and don’t know quite where you belong.

I absolutely adored Morgan Spellman’s debut novel, Say I Boo - the first of the Abby Spector Mystery series - and was very excited to read this next ghostly adventure which did not disappoint! Abby is a quirky, amateur paranormal investigator who will warm your heart, tickle your funny bone, and have you rolling your eyes at the same time. She flies by the seat of her pants and always ends up in wacky shenanigans due to not thinking things through - all part of her charm! Roses are Red, Violet is Dead is a fun, cozy mystery in the vein of Scooby Doo. And there was even an adorable dog in the story too! The mysteries abound, the ghosts are lurking around every corner, and something sinister is afoot at the Bed & Breakfast. Everyone is a suspect, dead or alive, and Abby will stop at nothing to solve the mystery and help these ghosts with their unfinished business. 

It took me a little bit longer to get into the story this time, but about 1/3 of the way in things started to pick up and I didn’t want to put it down! I had multiple suspicions about who the culprit (or culprits) were while reading. Spellman does a wonderful job of pointing the light in multiple directions to keep you guessing right up to the end as the various pieces start falling into place. And the farther into the story you get, the more spooky and mysterious things start to happen. The book is full of witty banter, pop culture references, and queer rep - including a sapphic romance subplot, a prominent non-binary side character (Sam, Abby’s cousin), and even ghostly queer rep, too! 

Abby was a tad frustrating at times with her hyperfixation on things, but she continues to grow through this story and it was great seeing the changes in her at the end. I love her and Mina’s relationship and I was very excited to see more of that in book two. I loved the connection they formed in Say I Boo and couldn’t wait for more of their story!

If you love Scooby Doo, whodunit mysteries, quirky characters, ghost stories, and queerness - you should definitely check out this series!

I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest and voluntary review.

🏳️‍🌈Rep: Lesbian Jewish FMC, Non-binary and queer SCs, multiple POC SCs

📝Tropes/Themes: Cozy Mystery, Sapphic Romance Subplot, Ghosts, Whodunit, Paranormal Investigator, Best Friend Duo

Oh my gosh, this book! I was hooked from start to finish. I love a good opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine story and Jae did not disappoint with this one. Plus it was narrated by one of my favorite audiobook narrators! It was sweet and funny and dripping with sexual tension…HO-LY SMOKES!

The playful, flirtatious banter that they can’t seem to keep from slipping out any time they are together. The unintentional sexual innuendos. The vulnerability and tenderness. The mutual pining. Regina’s icy walls slowly melting, but only for Ellie. The hopefulness, and longing, and growing desire to protect. That first kiss… And OH MY GOD! I will never look at a twinkie or lava cake the same way ever again!! 👅I absolutely loved every part of this story and the way Lori brought these characters to life was perfection. So many feels!

Regina is the new doctor in the ER, an ice queen who skips the niceties and leaves everything but work outside the hospital. Ellie is a nurse in the ER. She’s bubbly and warm and the kind of person who hangs paper hearts in the hospital for Valentine’s Day. So things get interesting when the two are thrust together for four dates after Ellie accidentally (it was a big fly after all 😂…iykyk) bids on Regina at the hospital’s fundraiser. If it were up to Regina the dates would have never happened. But luckily, the hospital wants photos of these outings and the two are stuck seeing it through.

As the dates progress, the dynamics begin to shift between them in subtle ways. Ways that neither of them are quite ready to admit. Regina may be icy, but her story will touch your heart. The grief and despair and shame that she carries are part of why she built such strong walls to protect herself. But being in Ellie’s presence somehow has her repeatedly letting those walls down without warning. Not gonna lie…I definitely teared up at times while listening. 

I love that Ellie never lets Regina get away with things. She makes her talk to her and answer her questions. She always seems to know where that line is for Regina and never forces her or pushes her to go farther than she’s comfortable. But she makes Regina own up to what she does and why. And she holds Regina’s story with the utmost care.

Ahh!! I just freaking love these two, okay? They are truly made for each other and bring out all the best parts of each other. This is just a phenomenal story. I highly recommend it!

🏳️‍🌈Rep: Lesbian MCs, minor non-binary SC

📝Tropes/Themes: Doctor, Nurse, Workplace Romance, Rivals to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Ice Queen, Opposites Attract, Slow Burn, Cute Dog

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley and Tanor Audio. This is my honest review.