thisgayreads's Reviews (566)

4.5 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

🌶️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 

 

“Sanguine” By Sierra Simone 

 

📕 Edition: Audiobook 

 

This novella was the steamy vampire romance I never knew I needed. 🌹🦇 With no intricate plot to distract from the passion, it was the perfect indulgence. The narrator's voice, dripping with sensuality, truly embodied the essence of a vampire, making the experience even more immersive. 🔥📖 

 

However, my only gripe was the narrator's limited vocal differentiation between the characters. Sometimes, it was challenging to distinguish their dialogues. 🗣️👥 

 

The story revolves around Bastien, a vampire on vacation seeking peace and blood, who finds himself rudely awakened by a handsome vampire-hunting priest. The tension and desire that unfolds between them is both intense and addictive. 🌄🍷💋 

 

A scorching, indulgent read for those who crave passionate encounters and the allure of the supernatural. 💏

3 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

“Wicked Little Things” By Justin Arnold 

 

📕 Edition: Audiobook 

 

Honestly, this book wasn't my cup of tea. While the premise had potential, it just didn't resonate with ME. 🤷🏻‍♂️ 

 

The story follows Dane Craven, a 16-year-old witch who returns to his small hometown after his cousin's murder. With uncontrollable fiery powers, he's thrust into a coven of fashion-conscious 'mean girls' who want to give him a makeover. The idea of mixing witchcraft, murder, and high school drama sounded intriguing, but the execution fell short for ME. 

📚

4 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

“Thieves’ Gambit” By Kayvion Lewis 

 

📕 Edition: ebook & Audiobook 

 

This was a fast paced fun read with a fun concept. Ross Quest, a young master thief, finds herself in a high-stakes competition to save her mother's life. 

 

The characters, including Ross, her childhood nemesis, and a charming competitor, are well-developed in the story. 

 

The vivid descriptions of the heists and the suspenseful atmosphere had me fully immersed in the story. 

 

Thank you @NetGalley, @kayvionclewis , @penguinteen for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

5 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

“Scariest. Book. Ever.” By R.L. Stine 

 

📕 Edition: Audiobook 

 

This quick read perfectly captures the essence of Stine's classic middle-grade storytelling, but there's something darker lurking within its pages. 🌚 

 

The book introduces a new line-up of villains that, in classic Stine fashion, are both humorous and spine-tingling. As a longtime Goosebumps fan, I couldn't help but appreciate this fresh take on iconic monsters, each with their own unique and diabolical twist. 😈 

 

It's a fun and creepy addition to the Goosebumps universe, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series. 🙌

3 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

“Fellow Travelers” By Thomas Mallon 

 

📕 Edition: Audiobook 

 

A story of faith, love, and betrayal set against the backdrop of McCarthy's reign of terror. Though not what I initially anticipated, it was a compelling exploration of an important era in American history. 📚🇺🇸. While I expected a focus on romance, the novel primarily delved into the intricate web of political intrigue in 1950s Washington, D.C. The budding relationship between Timothy Laughlin and Hawkins Fuller took a back seat to the drama of McCarthyism. 

 

The story unfolds amidst a cast of larger-than-life figures like Richard Nixon and Joe McCarthy. Mallon's vivid portrayal of this era made it feel like I was living through the tumultuous political landscape of the time. 

 

I would advise potential readers to check for content warnings, as the novel touches on themes that may be sensitive to some. 

 

Thank you @NetGalley, Thomas Mallon and Dreamscape Media for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

“This is the Way the World Ends” By Jen Wilde 

 

📕 Edition: ebook & Audiobook 

 

While I didn't exactly fall head over heels for it, I didn't despise it either. The story took its sweet time to pick up speed and felt a bit scattered. The action didn't kick in until halfway through, which had me craving a faster pace. 

 

My main gripe was the repetitive emphasis on the protagonist's identity as an "autistic lesbian." It was repeated many many times, like, I get it already. 

 

Overall, this one was just a “meh” for me. 

 

Thank you @NetGalley, Jen Wilde and Wednesday Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

5 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

“The Locked Door” By Freida McFadden 

 

📕 Edition: ebook & Audiobook 

 

This was my first Freida McFadden read, and it was a fantastic ride! From the moment I started, I found myself completely absorbed in the story. 

 

Nora's life takes a dark and twisted turn, as secrets from her past come back to haunt her. The suspense kept me on the edge, and the unexpected twists at the end left me stunned. 😱 

 

McFadden's storytelling skills were top-notch; she skillfully weaves a chilling narrative that makes you question every character's motives. The complexity of the plot and the characters' hidden depths make for an unforgettable reading experience. 

 

It was also set in Oregon, which is always fun to read books set in your hometown area, even though it doesn't mention any specific places other than the airport. ✈️🏔️🌊🌲 

 

It's a gripping, suspenseful tale that'll keep you guessing until the very last page. 🔑🚪

2.5 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

“A Marvelous Light” By Freya Marske 

 

📕 Edition: Audiobook 

 

I had high hopes for this one, but sadly, it didn't cast the spell on me that it did on others. 🧙‍♂️ The story left me feeling somewhat adrift, struggling to find that elusive connection. I contemplated abandoning it, but there was a glimmer of hope that kept me going, and that was the 🌶️ that heated up around the halfway point. 

 

The world of magic, curses, and visions held potential, and the sizzling moments certainly added some heat to the narrative. However, the slow start made it challenging to maintain my interest. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I can't pinpoint exactly why it didn't resonate with me, but I'm not ready to dismiss it entirely. I'm placing it on my "try again later” shelf, hopeful that on a future attempt, I might uncover the marvel that others have found within its pages. 🌟📖

5 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

“The Woman In Me” By Britney Spears 

 

📕 Edition: Audiobook 

 

What an emotionally charged memoir. Reading her story, I felt a mix of emotions, from sadness 😢 to anger 😡, but ultimately, I was left with a sense of awe and admiration for her resilience. It's astonishing to see how many people let her down, yet she has emerged stronger than ever. 

 

Britney's revelations about her father's actions were heart-wrenching 💔. His audacious statement, "I'm Britney Spears now!" shook me to the core. This book unveils her journey, one that's marked by freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and, most importantly, hope 🙏.

2.5 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

“Wolf Heart” By T.J. Nichols 

 

📕 Edition: Audiobook 

 

I love a good mm shifter romance but this one just didn’t do it for me. The positives of this book were the intriguing characters and promising storylines that initially piqued my interest. However, the negatives became apparent as I delved deeper. Character development remained limited, and the storylines felt like they were meandering without a clear direction. The label of enemies-to-lovers is just plain misleading. 

 

The premise involving Zach's pack, Con's lifestyle, and the Coven had immense potential, but it ultimately fell flat. The story left me with a sense of unfulfilled potential, and the ending seemed abrupt. While Con's carefree spirit and Zach's duty-driven nature created a dynamic backdrop, the book failed to fully capitalize on this. 

 

Overall, this had promise but didn't deliver on the anticipated thrills and romance. 

 

Thank you @gay.romance.reviews for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.