thelovelylibrarylady's Reviews (1.1k)

You can always count on SGJ to bring the body horror and gore. Tolly, our protagonist is a character that you hate to love. He commits heinous acts throughout the story, but somehow you find yourself rooting for him. I Was A Teenage Slasher pays homage to notable slasher films. My three-star rating reflects my personal enjoyment more than the quality of the book. The writing was fantastic, I am just too squeamish! 

(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)

(I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)

Another year, another Bachelor-inspired romance book… In all honesty, Here For The Wrong Reasons did not bring anything new to the table. It relied heavily on the reality show premise and not enough on the development of its characters and their relationships. I suggest reading The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun instead of this title as it has a similar storyline and is well written. 

(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)

(I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.) 

Assassins Anonymous has everything an action movie lover wants: jaw-dropping betrayals, suspenseful reveals, and a redemption story arc. With its fast-paced plot and loveable, morally gray protagonist, I could definitely see this novel being adapted into an action movie someday. In the meantime, you can get your fix by picking up this title and following Mark on his adventure as an ex-hit-man who is forcibly being pulled back into his previous lifestyle 

I enjoyed this fictional take on Rosalind Franklin, an X-ray crystallographer whose work helped develop the modern understanding of molecular biology. While I was impressed with her accomplishments, I found the pace of Her Hidden Genius to be too slow. Because of its pacing issue, my attention often wandered while reading the title, ultimately impacting my enjoyment of the story. 

As a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady, I had to read this collection. Made up of four intertwining stories, She and Her Cat was a wonderful read highlighting the importance of community, whether that community is a cat colony or a human neighborhood. This short, heartwarming read should be on every cat lover’s shelf. 

I am officially a Sarah Adams fan girl. Her romances are so charming and the small-town vibes of Rome, Kentucky (the setting for this novel and its predecessor) are perfect. Annie, the protagonist, is very well rounded and I loved seeing her grow throughout the story. I also enjoyed the chemistry between Annie and her love interest, Will. The next installment of this series cannot come soon enough! 

Unfortunately, fatphobic and misogynistic comments tainted my reading experience. Yes, this was a lighthearted cozy mystery, but the representation of the female characters in this title was awful. I will not continue this series and encourage others to read other cozies that celebrate the diversity of the characters featured in their stories. 

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six is a slow-paced, suspenseful title. The story is slightly darker than I expected, but that did not hinder my reading experience. If you enjoy reading books with multiple POVs and morally gray characters, you should give Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six a go!

(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)

(I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)

 This collection features short stories about the cultural heritage of South Asian communities and their wedding traditions. The stories themselves fall under the young adult and romance genres. I liked most of the stories (there was just one that felt like it didn’t “fit” - A Very Bloody Kalynaman) and enjoyed the fairy godmother character present in each one. If you are looking for a sweet, easy read that features Desi weddings, this is one that I would recommend that you add to your list!

(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)

(I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.) 

After speaking to someone about my love for Fiona Davis and her writing, they suggested I pick up a novel from Denny S. Bryce. Both authors are known for their strong female protagonists and ability to immerse readers into their chosen historical period. In The Face Of The Sun is a fantastic novel that brings together an aunt and niece duo on a road trip during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Both protagonists are Black women and their stories highlight the intersectionality between race and gender. With its enthralling plot and well-rounded characters, In The Face Of The Sun is a title that readers of all interests and backgrounds would enjoy.