thisgayreads's Reviews (566)

"The Warehouse" by Rob Hart 

 

The entire time I imagined that this was a story of Amazon if it was the last company left that ruled world…. This was a dystopian thriller that delves into the dark side of corporate dominance and surveillance in a world where a tech giant, Cloud, has become an all-encompassing force. 

 

The story follows Paxton, who finds himself working for Cloud and living in one of their live-work facilities. As he settles into the seemingly comfortable life within Cloud's walls, he becomes acquainted with Zinnia, who is undercover, infiltrating Cloud to uncover its darkest secrets. As the truth about Cloud unravels, Paxton and Zinnia are thrust into a high-stakes game of survival, where they must question their loyalties and make daring choices that could impact the fate of humanity. 

 

This had some thought-provoking exploration of the potential consequences of unchecked corporate power. Hart paints a hauntingly realistic picture of a near-future world where a single company has monopolized various aspects of society, from commerce to living arrangements, creating a dystopian setting that feels all too real and is unsettling.

4 / 5 ⭐️‘s 

 

"From the Universe to Me" by Scott E. Garrison 

 

This was a good quick read that even had me tearing up towards the end. It felt like a true story, perhaps it is, or maybe parts of it are… 

 

The protagonist, Tobias Gavin, is a relatable and vulnerable character who grapples with depression, anxiety, and heartbreak as he navigates his journey. 

 

Garrison's writing draws you into Tobias's world as he battles with the what-ifs of coming out and the fear of disrupting the normalcy he has created in his life. The connection Tobias feels with Gareth David, his History professor, adds a layer of complexity to his internal conflicts, forcing him to confront his true self and question the choices he has made. 

 

As Tobias confronts his inner demons and learns to trust himself and those around him, he embarks on a path of self-acceptance and healing. 

 

!!!!!CAUTION POTENTIAL SPOILER AHEAD!!!!! 

 

I think the only part of this one that I struggled with was that Tobias first kissed his teacher at a college party… Like why was a teacher there? They had to hide their relationship because he was a teacher so them first kissing at a college party felt odd. That and their relationship lasted four months but it felt like it was two weeks. 

 

That said I still really enjoyed the story overall especially the last half. 

 

From the Universe to Me 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙨𝘼𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙡 11𝙩𝙝! 

 

The author and gayromancereviews.com provided me with an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review. 

4 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

"The Family Secret" by Kiersten Modglin 

 

Austyn Murphy and Lowell Bass are a newly engaged couple who travel to the Bass estate to handle Lowell's parents' unexpected deaths. However, the estate holds dark and sinister secrets that begin to unravel as Austyn delves deeper into the family's history. 

 

Modglin weaves a web of mystery and intrigue, drawing you into a world of secrecy and tradition that is anything but welcoming. As Austyn uncovers hidden truths about the Bass family, including her fiancé Lowell, she realizes she may have made a grave mistake. The tension escalates as Austyn's friend Emily joins them at the estate, and the dynamics between the characters shift, revealing fractures in their relationships. 

 

Holding true to Modglin’s style this was a page-turner!

4 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

"A Burning" by Megha Majumdar @megha.maj 

 

“𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘶𝘵, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘸, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘫𝘢𝘪𝘭. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯.” 

 

I read this one because it was a recommended read in my ALA reading journal. 

 

Set in contemporary India, the story follows three unforgettable characters whose lives become entangled in the aftermath of a catastrophe. Jivan, a Muslim girl from the slums, finds herself accused of a terrorist attack due to a careless comment on Facebook. PT Sir, an opportunistic gym teacher, sees his own aspirations hitched to a right-wing political party, and his rise becomes linked to Jivan's fall. Lovely, an irresistible outcast with dreams of glory, holds the alibi that could set Jivan free, but at a great cost. 

 

Majumdar's writing is taut, symphonic, and propulsive, creating a sense of urgency that kept me wanting to hear more of the story. Despite its slim length, the story felt epic in scope, touching on complex themes such as class, fate, corruption, justice, and extremism. The pacing is masterful, which made it a compelling read that I devoured in a single sitting. 

 

Despite its serious themes, it also had moments of warmth, hope, and humor, largely embodied by Lovely. Her exuberant voice and unwavering dreams provide a sense of respite amidst the darkness, making her a standout character in the story. 

4 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

“GuRu” by Rupaul 

 

“𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟: 𝐻𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑓𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔” 

 

This was a super short book filled with Rupaul’s pearls of wisdom and pictures. I listened to the audiobook so I did not see the pictures in the actual book but Rupaul explains the ones being talked about so I didn’t find it to be an issue.

5 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

“The Reunion” By Kiersten Modglin 

 

“𝘉𝘶𝘵, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨…” 

 

Another exciting thriller from Modglin that keeps you on the edge from beginning to end. The protagonist, Cait Du Bois, is a bestselling author who reluctantly returns to the Hotel Lilith, a place that holds terrible memories from her past. As she attends her high school reunion, Cait must navigate the tension between her fans and foes, all while trying to keep her dark secrets hidden. 

 

Modglin does an excellent job of building suspense throughout the novel, with mysterious packages, strange calls, and frightening text messages that keep readers guessing and turning the pages. The pacing is just right, creating a sense of urgency and unease that lingers until the final reveal.

4 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

"Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly

I read this one because it was a suggested read in my ALA reading journal.

The book follows the perspectives of four diverse protagonists: Virgil, a shy and introspective boy; Valencia, a deaf girl with a penchant for adventure; Kaori, a self-proclaimed psychic with a love for her pet guinea pig; and Chet, a bully with a secret. When Virgil gets trapped in a well, the other three characters come together to rescue him, and their unique personalities and strengths shine as they navigate challenges and embark on an unexpected journey.

I loved the representation of diverse characters and their rich cultural backgrounds. Kelly weaves in Filipino folklore and mythology, as well as deaf culture, in a way that is both informative and engaging. The friendships that develop among the characters are heartwarming, and the messages of empathy, self-acceptance, and standing up to bullies are powerful and resonant.

The writing style is accessible and engaging, making it suitable for middle-grade readers and beyond. The plot is well-paced, with a mix of humor, adventure, and moments of quiet introspection. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and struggles that readers can easily connect with.

5 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

“All Of My Friends Are Rich” by Michael Saris

“𝑆ℎ𝑖𝑡. 𝐿𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦.”

Y'all, if you haven't read this yet, you need to! It's funny and sarcastic, and it made me laugh out loud several times, but it also had me trying not to cry at times!

Check the trigger warnings before you read if that’s your sort of thing.

The story begins with Leo enjoying his dream life, having built a family of his own. However, the onset of bipolar depression abruptly awakens him to dark truths about the man he had married. The raw and honest portrayal of Leo's struggles with mental health is both heart-wrenching and eye-opening.

As the story progresses, we follow Leo one year later, feeling lost and embarrassed by his dead-end job and his inability to keep up with those around him who seem to be enjoying success. When his best friend Sara asks him to be her best man, Leo reaches a breaking point as he realizes he can't afford the lavish festivities on his meager wages. A chance encounter on Grindr presents Leo with a reckless shortcut to riches, but he soon discovers that this path comes with dire consequences. Leo's journey takes him on a perilous path where he faces danger and makes difficult choices that threaten to cost him the very people he aims to impress.

There was an emotional depth and authenticity to the characters. Leo is a relatable protagonist who undergoes a profound transformation throughout the story, as he confronts his demons and searches for answers within himself. The supporting characters, such as Sara and other individuals Leo encounters along his journey, are equally well-drawn and add depth to the story.

Overall, this was a fun and emotional read that kept my interest until the last page.

5 / 5 ⭐️‘s

5 / 5 🌶️‘s

"𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐀" by 𝓢𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓵𝒆𝓽𝓽 𝓓𝓻𝓪𝓴𝒆

“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵…𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩.”

Okay, I 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃 this. It was a captivating and unique MM romance story that brings together two worlds - rockstar and K-pop - in a sizzling and heartwarming tale of love, fame, and self-discovery.

The story follows the lives of two stars: Raphael Scott, an American rock star, and Lee Jaehyun, a K-pop idol. Both are at the pinnacle of their careers. When fate brings them together, their chemistry is undeniable.

Drake's writing is evocative, and the pacing of the story is spot on, with a good balance of drama, romance, and spice! The plot is engaging, filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me hooked until the very end.

𝙃𝘼𝙈𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙄𝘼𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙨𝘼𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙡 10𝙩𝙝!

3 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

"In Five Years" by Rebecca Serle

This was a emotional story that will tug at your heartstrings. The story follows the life of Dannie Kohan, a successful lawyer living in New York City, who seems to have it all figured out. But when she experiences a vivid and unsettling dream of herself in an unfamiliar apartment, waking up engaged to a different man, her life takes an unexpected turn.

The story tackles themes of grief, loss, and resilience.