thisgayreads's Reviews (566)

4 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"The Birthday Girl" by Sarah Ward

Mona, Beth, and Charlotte find themselves at The Cloister, a remote boutique hotel on a Welsh island, each with their own reasons for being there. But as Mallory Dawson, the night manager and former police detective, discovers, one of these guests is a serial killer with a dark past.

The characters are unique, each with their own secrets and motives.

The tension builds as Mallory realizes that the killer, known as The Birthday Girl, is among the guests at the hotel. The sense of danger and suspicion permeates the story, keeping you on the edge trying to unravel the mystery. The plot has twists and turns that keep the suspense alive until the very end.

The sense of isolation and the hidden secrets of Eldey add to the intrigue, making it a perfect backdrop for a murder mystery. 

The ending and the reveal of The Birthday Girl's identity is both surprising and chilling.

Out TODAY: https://amzn.to/3m9LUjF

This ARC was provided by @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3 / 5 ⭐️‘s 

 

"Tell Me What Really Happened” by Chelsea Sedoti 

 

This YA mystery is told entirely through first-person police interviews of four teens, the story unravels over the course of several hours, as the truth behind a disappearance at a camping trip in the woods becomes increasingly elusive. 

 

The story starts with five diverse characters: an influencer, an overachiever, a heartthrob, an outcast, and a conspiracy theorist, who embark on a camping trip at Salvation Creek. However, their trip takes a dark turn when one of them vanishes mysteriously around midnight. The remaining four are left under suspicion, and as the clock ticks, their conflicting accounts of the night's events only serve to deepen the mystery. 

 

With its unique format, well-drawn characters, and plot twists, it made for a fun read. 

 

Out now: https://amzn.to/3GJk459 

 

This ARC was provided by @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3 / 5 ⭐️‘s 

 

"The Way of the Cicadas" by Audrey Henley 

 

This was a well-written post-apocalyptic story that takes you on a journey through a world devastated by nuclear war. The story is set in a bunker where Hayden, a young man who has lived there since childhood, is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the sterile and restricted life inside. 

 

When a mysterious girl named Brita arrives with no long-term memory, she sparks hope in Hayden and the other residents that the outside world may be survivable. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey through an irradiated wasteland, facing challenges and betrayals along the way. 

 

Henley's writing is lyrical and evocative, creating a vivid sense of place and atmosphere in the Nevada desert. The characters are well-drawn, with Hayden and Brita's relationship at the heart of the story. 

 

As a fan of dystopian and post-apocalyptic fiction, I found this to be an engaging enough story. However, I was expecting some kind of queer relationship as the book was labeled as "LGBT," but there was only a slight undertone of one. The author has since addressed this and corrected it, which I appreciate. 

 

Out now: https://amzn.to/3nL1lPO 

 

This ARC was provided by @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"Spell Bound" by F.T. Lukens

This was a fun YA story filled with magic, adventure, and a touch of romance. The story follows two apprentice sorcerers, Rook and Sun, who are forced to put aside their rivalry and work together to save their mentors and protect their own magic.

Rook's journey from a non-magical outsider to a skilled sorcerer is compelling, and Sun's tough exterior masks a vulnerability that makes for an endearing character.

The romantic subplot between Rook and Sun adds an extra layer of tension to the story, and I loved watching their relationship evolve over the course of the story.

Out 4/4/2023! 

This ARC was provided by @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

5 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

“𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓼: 𝓣𝓱𝒆 ℳ𝒆𝓶𝓸𝓲𝓻” 𝓫𝔂 𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓼 ℋ𝓲𝓵𝓽𝓸𝓷

“𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳. 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘴. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴.”

A raw reminder that there are real people behind the glitz, glamour and fame.

This was a fascinating autobiography by the iconic American socialite. In this memoir, Paris takes you on a journey through her life, from her privileged upbringing in Beverly Hills to her rise to fame as a reality TV star and businesswoman.

Throughout the book, Paris candidly reflects on the highs and lows of her life, including her tumultuous relationships, her experiences with addiction, the “camps” her parents sent her away to and the infamous leaked sex tape that rocked her world. Despite these challenges, Paris remains optimistic and resilient, using her platform to launch successful businesses and philanthropic endeavors.

Paris’s honesty and vulnerability made for a compelling read.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀, 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀, 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀.

I listened to the audiobook of this one but I can’t say it really drew me in. I found myself listening but not really focusing on it fully. It wasn’t bad by any means just didn’t suck me in.

"Kaikeyi" by Vaishnavi Patel 

 

This story followed the life of a young princess who defies traditional gender roles and fights for her own destiny. Raised in the kingdom of Kekaya, Kaikeyi is constantly reminded of the gods and their powers, but she soon realizes that their blessings are reserved for men. As she grows older, she becomes more determined to prove herself worthy and discover her own magical powers. 

 

The writing is rich in detail and vividly brings to life the world of Kekaya and the struggles of its people. I found Kaikeyi to be a strong and compelling protagonist. She is a character that you can root for, admire, and empathize with. 

 

One of the main themes of the book is the struggle for women's empowerment and the fight against patriarchal oppression. Kaikeyi's story is a powerful reminder that women have always been capable of great things, even when society tries to hold them back. The book also explores the balance between destiny and free will, and the consequences of defying the gods. 

 

Overall I found this one to be a captivating and inspiring read that combines elements of mythology, fantasy, and social commentary.

5 / 5 ⭐️‘s

“Cutting Your Teeth” by Caylan MacRae

I found this to be a fun and addictive story that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The book follows Ezra, a young man who has spent his life on the run, as he meets a mysterious vampire? named Killian. The two form an unlikely bond as Ezra hopes to finally break free from his past and the family that relentlessly hunts him.

MacRae does an excellent job of building tension and keeping your attention throughout the story. The characters are well-developed and the chemistry between Ezra and Killian is palpable. Like just kiss already!! The inclusion of a family curse adds an extra layer of intrigue and raises the stakes even higher.

The writing style is fluid and descriptive, allowing you to fully immerse in the world that MacRae has created. The pacing is just right, with the action-packed moments balanced by quieter, more reflective scenes.

Overall, a must-read for fans of paranormal romance and anyone who enjoys a good thrill ride. MacRae’s debut novel is an impressive start to what promises to be a thrilling series.

Out 3/31/2023! 

This ARC was provided by @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4 / 5 ⭐️‘s 

 

"The Never-Ending End of the World" by Ann Christy @annchristy.author 

 

This was a really good post-apocalyptic story, different for anything I have read so far. 

 

The world-building in this book is excellent. Christy does an excellent job of creating a post-apocalyptic world that feels both bleak and dangerous, but also filled with small moments of hope and humanity. The book's descriptions of ruined cities, abandoned highways, and makeshift settlements are vivid and compelling, making it easy to visualize the world in which the characters are living. 

 

The plot of the book is engaging and well-paced, with plenty of action and suspense to keep you wanting more. 

 

I listened to the Audiobook and it was excellent! Done by some of my favorite narrator’s. @plummertherese & @scflea 

 

Out 8/8/2023! 

 

This ARC was provided by @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3 / 5 ⭐️‘s 

 

"All the Dead Lie Down" by Kyrie McCauley 

 

This was a suspenseful and captivating story of a teenage girl named Marin who is haunted by the secrets of Lovelace House. 

 

The book is set in a coastal Maine estate, and the author did an excellent job of creating an eerie and unsettling atmosphere that kept me on the edge throughout the entire read. The plot is well-constructed and intricately woven, with plenty of twists and turns. 

 

Marin is a flawed and relatable protagonist. I found myself rooting for her and empathizing with her struggles as she navigates her way through a series of harrowing events. 

 

This ARC was provided by @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.