thisgayreads's Reviews (566)

3 / 5 ⭐️‘s 

 

“Colton’s Terrible Wonderful Year” by Vincent Meis 

 

The story has a diverse cast of characters and fast-paced storyline. One of the things that stood out to me was the heartwarming relationship between Colton and his fathers, who offered unwavering support to him no matter what he faced. I also appreciated the portrayal of Colton's extended family, which provided a warm and genuine glimpse into his life. 

 

I did find some aspects of the book challenging. The story lacks a clear overarching plot, and the pacing felt uneven at times. 

 

I think that this book would be a good read for younger audiences. 

 

This ARC was provided by @bibliophile.nat via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.

4 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen" by KJ Charles 

This is a historical romance story that captures the essence of the 1800’s, complete with all its social hierarchies, prejudices, and secrets.

The author does not shy away from tackling issues such as homophobia and classism, and she does so in a way that is both nuanced and realistic.

The chemistry between Gareth and Joss is palpable, and their romance is both sweet and sensual.

Overall, I found this a captivating and beautifully written story that will appeal to many fans of M/M historical romance.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"44.1644° North" by Josh Lanyon 

This novella is inspired by the true crime disappearance of Maura Murray. 

Skylar who has popular podcast and became fascinated with the decades-old disappearance of Deirdre Duncan travels to the small village in New Hampshire where she disappeared and attends the yearly vigil that is held for her.

The author does an excellent job of setting the scene and building suspense throughout the novel. There is also budding romance between Skylar and a guy he meets in the town but it isn’t the main focus.

Overall this was okay but the ending felt rushed.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"The Dream Job" by Kiersten Modglin 

This was a thrilling and captivating read from start to finish. The book tells the story of six ambitious people who all want to land their dream job but have to go through an unconventional process in order to get it. As the competition heats up, tensions rise and secrets are revealed, ultimately leading to a shocking twist ending!

4 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"Our Little Secret" by Kiersten Modglin

Someone’s missing. Someone’s dead. Everyone’s lying.

I love Modglin's writing style the plot is always well-crafted, with plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. 

Each of the characters is complex and flawed, and the way their relationships evolve over the course of the book is both fascinating and heartbreaking.

One thing I particularly enjoyed was the use of multiple perspectives to tell the story. Each chapter is told from the point of view of one of the main characters, which allows the reader to see the situation from different angles and gain a deeper understanding of each character's motivations.

Modglin has created a compelling story with well-drawn characters and plenty of suspense, making it a truly gripping read.

3.5 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"HORRORSTÖR” by Grady Hendrix  

“There are enough people running around in here. It’s starting to feel like an episode of Scooby-Doo.”

The book is a clever combination of horror, humor, and satire.

The story revolves around a group of employees at an Orsk furniture store, who agree to spend the night in the store to investigate strange occurrences happening after hours. As the night progresses, they quickly realize that they are not alone in the store and that there is something sinister going on. The plot was both unpredictable and silly.

One aspect of the book that stood out to me was the design of the Orsk store, which was modeled after an IKEA store. The author's attention to detail in describing the store layout and product names was impressive, and added to the overall eerie atmosphere of the story.

The characters were also well-developed, each with their own distinct personalities that made them feel like real people rather than just characters in a book. Their interactions were believable and added to the tension and humor of the story.

Overall, it was a silly fun read.

PS: The audiobook is currently (2/25/23) free to listen to on Audible if you have a Premium Plus account.

4 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"Little Brother" by Cory Doctorow 

“Internet Explorer, Microsoft’s crashware turd that no one under the age of forty used voluntarily.”

I picked this read because it was another recommended read in my reading planner by The American Library Association.

The story follows Marcus, a tech-savvy teenager who finds himself caught up in a post-9/11 world where civil liberties are being eroded in the name of national security. After a terrorist attack on San Francisco, Marcus and his friends are detained and interrogated by government agents, who suspect them of being involved. Marcus is determined to prove their innocence and fights back against the oppressive government surveillance system using his computer skills and knowledge of cryptography.

One of the things I liked most about it was how it explored the tension between security and freedom in a digital age. Doctorow does an excellent job of making complex technical concepts accessible to a lay audience, and the book is filled with tips and tricks for maintaining online privacy and security.

The story is more than just a cautionary tale about government overreach and online privacy. It's also a story about friendship, courage, and standing up for what you believe in, even when it's hard. Marcus is a relatable and likable protagonist, and I found myself rooting for him and his friends until the end.

I have added the next book in this series to my TBR list.

3.5 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"Feast Your Eyes" by Myla Goldberg 

“Picture or no picture, people will keep killing each other using methods old and new—day after day, year after year, centuries of killing—until one way or another we’re all dead, and all the guns and cameras of the world are just so much garbage lying in the dirt.”

As someone who typically sticks to certain genres, I was intrigued by The American Library Association's recommendation to read this book in my 2023 reading planner.

The novel is presented as a collection of photographs and commentary, chronicling the life and work of Lillian Preston, a photographer whose controversial work was both celebrated and reviled during her lifetime. 

It gave me a glimpse into Lillian's complex and sometimes heartbreaking personal life, as well as her creative process and the reactions to her work.

One of the things I appreciated most about it was the way it challenged my expectations of what a novel could be. The format was unconventional, but it worked to draw me in and keep me engaged. I found myself invested in Lillian's story and eager to see what would happen next.

The writing itself was also excellent, with beautiful descriptions and a strong sense of voice. Myla Goldberg has crafted a memorable and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of art, motherhood, and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry.

My only real complaint was that it was at times hard to keep track of the “who and when” of the timeline as it bounced around to different people and times fairly often.

Overall, I am glad I branched out and gave this one a chance.

4 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"Hide and Seek" by Josh Lanyon 

The book follows the story of Andy who returns to Safehaven to help his elderly Uncle run his antiques store. However, upon his arrival, he finds out that his uncle has been critically injured in a late-night break-in, and he may be in possession of something that's worth killing for.

The characters are also well-developed. Andy is a sympathetic character, and you can't help but root for him as he tries to navigate the dangerous situation he finds himself in. Quinn, Andy's high school crush, is charming and enigmatic, and their rekindled romance adds an extra layer of tension to the story.

Lanyon's writing style is engaging and descriptive. He creates a vivid sense of place, and the small town of Safehaven feels like a character in its own right. The dialogue is natural and flows well, and the pacing is perfect.

It's a mystery with a M/M romance that will tug at your heartstrings. If you're a fan of romantic suspense or just love a good mystery, I recommend giving this book a try.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

5 / 5 ⭐️‘s

“Betty White's Pearls of Wisdom" by Patty Sullivan

“My remembrances are perhaps an echo of things already said, but I hope my stories hold up a mirror, another reflection of her essence and how she affected my life so profoundly.”

This was a delightful and inspiring read for a fan of the legendary actress and animal activist. The book features a collection of quotes and anecdotes from Betty White's life, highlighting her wit, humor, and wisdom.

Throughout the book, Sullivan shares Betty’s insights on various topics, including aging, friendship, love, and of course, animals. The advice is practical, heartfelt, and often humorous, making the book fun to read.

Sullivan does an excellent job of capturing Betty's voice and personality, making it feel as though the actress is speaking directly to the reader.

Overall, it is a lovely tribute to a remarkable woman, and an uplifting reminder that we can all learn a thing or two from this national treasure. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Betty White.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.