In this darkly funny supernatural mystery about an unlikely crime-solving duo that launches a commercial, unique, and genre-blending series, death is only the beginning.
Ruby Young’s new Boston apartment comes with all the usual perks. Windows facing the brick wall of the next-door building. Heat that barely works. A malfunctioning buzzer. Noisy neighbors. A dead body on the sidewalk outside. And of course, a ghost.
Since Cordelia Graves died in her apartment a few months ago, she’s kept up her residency, despite being bored out of her (non-tangible) skull and frustrated by her new roommate. When her across-the-hall neighbor, Jake Macintyre, is shot and killed in an apparent mugging gone wrong outside their building, Cordelia is convinced there’s more to it and is determined to bring his killer to justice.
Unfortunately, Cordelia, being dead herself, can’t solve the mystery alone. She has to enlist the help of the obnoxiously perky, living tenant of her apartment. Ruby is twenty, annoying, and has never met a houseplant she couldn’t kill. But she also can do everything Cordelia can’t, from interviewing suspects to researching Jake on the library computers that go up in a puff of smoke if Cordelia gets too close. The roommates form an unlikely friendship as they get closer to the truth about Jake’s death…and maybe other dangerous secrets as well.
First Line:
I didn’t know how long I saw cross-legged in the snow, waiting for the dead man crumpled on the ground in front of my building to wake up.
Important details about A New Lease on Death
Pace: Fast
POV: 1st person (Cordelia and Ruby)
Content/Trigger Guidance: A New Lease on Death contains themes that include suicide, cheating, infidelity, domestic abuse, domestic violence, alcohol consumption, alcohol abuse, blood, body horror, dead bodies, physical injuries, death, grief, loss depiction, gun violence, murder, attempted murder, and physical assault. Please read carefully if you are triggered by any of these.
Language:A New Lease on Death contains mild swearing and language that might offend some people.
Sexual Content: There is mild sexual content in A New Lease on Death.
Setting: A New Lease on Death is set in Boston, Massachusetts.
My Review
The main storyline of A New Lease on Death was exciting and well-written. It is split into two POVs (Cordelia and Ruby) and then further divided into two separate storylines (Jake’s murder and Cordelia’s suicide).
The storyline of Jake’s murder was interesting. First off, I liked how Cordelia was first on the scene and waited for Jake to wake up (for lack of a better word). When that goes sideways, Cordelia returns to her apartment and Ruby. I liked how Cordelia revealed herself to Ruby (she was worried about her last living plant) and how they started investigating Jake’s death together. Ruby had me chuckling throughout the book as she struggled to communicate with a ghost and not look insane.
The storyline that involved Cordelia and her death was sad. The author deliberately kept the facts of her suicide few and far between. There was an acknowledgment that her drinking was a little much and that it could have been a factor in her death. Then, the author puts a neat spin on that angle and sends the storyline in a different direction.
Both mystery angles were well written. I was shocked at who killed Jake and the reason why. Everything said about the guy up until the reveal contradicted it. I also want to give Ruby kudos for bravery because I know I would have freaked out. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, I was surprised by the twist the author put on Cordelia’s death.
The end of A New Lease on Death was mixed for me. I loved that the author could wrap up the storyline with Jake. However, she left Cordelia’s storyline open, and I was slightly frustrated at how it was left. That frustration made me want to read the second book, so it worked.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, NetGalley, and Kristyn J. Miller for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Given Our History. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
An enemies to lovers romance with a spooky twist where two feuding writers end up on a writers retreat together at a haunted castle in Scotland
It’s been months since horror author Penelope Skinner threw a book at Neil Storm. But he was so infuriating, with his sparkling green eyes and his bestselling horror novels that claimed to break Native stereotypes. And now she’s a publishing pariah and hasn’t been able to write a word since. So when her friend invites her on a too-good-to-be-true writers retreat in a supposedly haunted Scottish castle, she seizes the opportunity. Of course, some things really are too good to be true.
Neil wants nothing less than to be trapped in a castle with the frustratingly adorable woman who threw a book at him. She drew blood! Worse still, she unleashed a serious case of self-doubt! Neil is terrified to write another bestselling “book without a soul,” as Pen called it. All Neil wants is to find inspiration, while completely avoiding her.
But as the retreat begins, Pen and Neil are stunned to find themselves trapped in a real-life ghost story. Even more horrifying, they’re stuck together and a truly shocking (extremely hot) almost-kiss has left them rethinking their feelings, and… maybe they shouldn’t have been enemies at all? But if they can’t stop the ghosts pursuing them, they may never have the chance to find out.
Full of spooky chills and even more sexy thrills, If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens is the funny, fast-paced romp romance readers have been waiting for!
First Line:
Pen wondered how drunk she must have been when she accepted this invitation.
Important details about If I Stopped Haunting You
Pace: Medium
POV: 3rd person (Pen and Neil)
Content/Trigger Guidance: If I Stopped Haunting You contains content that includes death, gore, injury, injury detail, racism, violence, blood, grief, alcohol, drug use, anxiety, body horror, and gaslighting. Please read carefully if any of these triggers you.
Language:If I Stopped Haunting You contains moderate swearing and language that might offend some people.
Sexual Content: There is explicit sexual content in If I Stopped Haunting You.
Setting: If I Stopped Haunting You is set in present-day Scotland.
My Review:
When I saw the cover for If I Stopped Haunting You, I immediately wanted to read it. The cover’s illustration was terrific. Then I read the blurb, and my interest was caught even more. There is nothing like an enemies-to-lovers, forced romantic romance with a dash of horror and supernatural to curl up on the couch and read. But now that I have read it, I am a little disappointed.
The main storyline of If I Stopped Haunting You centers on Penelope (Pen) Skinner, Neil Storm, and the events at the writer’s retreat in Scotland. While I did find parts of the storyline engaging, I could not get invested in it for the most part.
The main characters and their relationship made me “meh” about the book. Pen did a number on Neil emotionally. She was just plain nasty to him for 85% of the book. Pen also blamed Neil for being blacklisted in the publishing community when it was her actions (throwing a book at Neil’s head and injuring him) that caused the blacklist. Because of that, I couldn’t wrap my head around her change of feelings for him. It was lightning quick and seemed almost forced.
I did like Neil and felt awful for him. He was suffering from a significant case of writer’s block, which was brought on by Pen’s actions at the conference. So, as with Pen, I didn’t quite agree, or like that, his feelings went straight to lust when he saw her. Again, it seemed forced.
I did like the paranormal angle. If the author had stayed more focused on the story of who the ghost was and why she was haunting the castle, I would have been more invested in the book. But I didn’t like that certain elements were left unfinished, like how the ghost was related to Pen.
The romance angle was a huge part of the book. I felt that the romance between Pen and Neil was forced and unrealistic. They went from hating each other to banging like bunnies within two chapters. In between, Pen kept up her gaslighting and abusive nature towards Neil. It all left a terrible taste in my mouth. Now, saying that there were some pretty hot and explicit sex scenes. I also did get a giggle over Pen busting in on Daniela while she was sexting with her girlfriend over Facetime.
Other elements were enjoyable, but they could not quite overcome what I didn’t like in this book. The author did a great job of showing how nondiverse the publishing industry was. She also created some memorable secondary characters I wished had more page time in the book.
The end of If I Stopped Haunting You was anticlimactic. I was expecting the author to end on a happy, right-now note. Instead, she fast-forwards a year later, and things are still happy for Pen and Neil.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, NetGalley, and Colby Wilkens for allowing me to read and review this Arc of If I Stopped Haunting You. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
If you enjoy reading books similar to If I Stopped Haunting You, then you will enjoy these books:
In this epic and seductive gothic fantasy, a vampire escapes the thrall of Dracula and embarks on her own search for self-discovery and true love.
Her name was written in the pages of someone else’s story: Lucy Westenra was one of Dracula’s first victims.
But her death was only the beginning. Lucy rose from the grave a vampire, and has spent her immortal life trying to escape from Dracula’s clutches–and trying to discover who she really is and what she truly wants.
Her undead life takes an unexpected turn when, in twenty-first-century London, she meets another woman who is also yearning to break free from her past. Iris’s family has built a health empire based on a sinister secret, and they’ll do anything to stay in power.
Lucy has long believed she would never love again. But she finds herself compelled by the charming Iris, while Iris is mesmerized by the confident and glamorous Lucy. But their intense connection and blossoming love is threatened by forces from without. Iris’s mother won’t let go of her without a fight, and Lucy’s past still has fangs: Dracula is on the prowl again.
Lucy Westenra has been a tragically murdered teen, a lonesome adventurer, and a fearsome hunter, but happiness always eluded her. Can she find the strength to destroy Dracula once and for all, or will her heart once again be her undoing?
First Line:
It starts the moment you look out the window.
Important details about Lucy Undying
Pace: Medium
POV: 2nd person (Dracula, Lucy (Client Transcript)). 1st person (Iris, Lucy, Lucy (her journal), Mina), 3rd person (Dracula)
Content/Trigger Guidance: Lucy Undying contains themes that include violence, blood, murder, gore, misogyny, emotional abuse, death, stalking, death of a parent, body horror, sexual assault, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, toxic relationship, forced institutionalization, medical trauma, child death, homophobia, mental illness, medical content, gas lighting, sexual harassment, anxiety, anxiety attacks, depression, alcohol consumption, dead bodies, grief, blackmail, cults, attempted murder, torture, and war themes. Please read carefully if any of these triggers you.
Language:Lucy Undying contains explicit swearing and language that might offend some people.
Sexual Content: There is moderately graphic sexual content in Lucy Undying.
Setting: Lucy Undying is set in various locations: United States, England, France, Transylvania, Nigeria, and China.
My Review:
When the invite for Lucy Undying showed up in my email inbox, I almost deleted it. I have read enough takes on Dracula to not want another one. But, after reading the blurb, I decided to change my mind. I am glad I did because this was one of the best books I have read this year.
There are two main storylines in Lucy Undying. One revolves around Lucy and is told through diaries and voice transcripts and is mainly told in the past. The other storyline revolves around Iris, her mother’s company/cult, and the secret that Iris has and is told in the present. Both storylines were well-written and were able to keep my attention. The author added secondary storylines (with Mina and Dracula) in various parts of the book. Those storylines help explain certain events that happened in the past and present.
The storyline with Lucy was fascinating. It was told in the first person but through a journal/voice transcript. The storyline details Lucy’s life, which includes her unrequited love for Mina (her governess). The storyline also details Lucy’s travels and her eventual meetings with other vampires (or Brides of Dracula, as one of her earlier companions called them). Each interaction with the other vampires adds a different element to the book and depth to Lucy’s character.
The storyline with Iris was interesting. The author deliberately kept Iris’s background under wraps until about halfway through the book. I admit I skimmed over some of Iris’s chapters at first. I don’t recommend doing that. I ended up having to go back and reread those chapters because of what is foreshadowed.
Usually, I wouldn’t say I like it when a book flips from past to present and back again. But, in this book, it worked. I liked seeing Lucy in the present day versus what she was like in the past. The author also did that for Iris but on a smaller scale. Also, Iris’s forays into the past show how she was shaped into the person she was.
Lucy was my favorite person in the book. She did much growing throughout the book, but she remained the shy, sweet girl who trusted and loved the wrong person (sorry for the minor spoiler). Even when she was with Iris, you could see her naiveness showing through.
I liked Iris, too, even if she got on my nerves during parts of the book. She also did a lot of growing during the book. The Iris at the beginning of the book was not the Iris at the end. I found her a little headstrong and impulsive (going after Dracula alone wasn’t exactly the smart thing to do).
The romance between Iris and Lucy wasn’t a slow burn, even if it felt like it. I loved their connection from the minute they met (Iris was almost run over in London). There was a moment when I thought that Lucy’s unresolved feelings for Mina would cost them everything.
The horror angle of Lucy Undying was well-written and gave me chills. The author didn’t hold back on the violence, sex, or blood involved with being a vampire. Just a heads up: There is a lot of gore and blood.
The end of Lucy Undying was action-packed, and a couple of twists took me by surprise. I loved seeing justice served, but I was surprised by who was behind everything (including Lucy becoming a vampire). I was also shocked by the very end of the book. There was an exciting memo and reveal that made me smile.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Del Rey, NetGalley, and Kiersten White for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Lucy Undying. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
The dead body found inside a hollow tree is identified as a student at the Gifted Elite School, the one Casper Decuir was sent to investigate and secure.
When another student is kidnapped, Casper and her psychic partner set out to find the killer, before he finds them. Spirits, shifters, and psychics come together to keep the other psychic students from the clutches of the local mob.
Murder, mystery, betrayal, and romance combine for an irresistible read.
First Line:
Gray light on the horizon yieled to early morning pinks, golds, and lavender while long shadow arms of bare tree limbs scraped and rattled against each other overhead.
Important details about North Side Of The Grass
Pace: Medium
POV:3rd person (Hailey, Casper)
Series: Book five in the Hailey Arquette Murder Files. It cannot be read as a standalone.
Content/Trigger Guidance: North Side Of The Grass contains themes that include bullying, classism, alcohol consumption, drugging, body horror, dead bodies, loss of autonomy, needles, physical injuries, grief, death of a friend, confinement, kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, physical assault, and chemical gassing.
Language:North Side Of The Grass contains mild swearing and language that might offend some people.
Sexual Content: There is mild sexual content in North Side Of The Grass.
Setting: North Side Of The Grass is set in Hamnet, Texas.
My Review
I had been eagerly waiting for North Side Of The Grass since it was hinted about at the end of Phantom Reunion. So, when the author requested a review, I immediately jumped on it. I am a vast Reily Garrett fan and couldn’t wait to see what she had in store for Casper and Hailey. I wasn’t disappointed.
North Side Of The Grass is the fifth book in the Hailey Arquette Murder Files. This book cannot be read as a stand alone. You must read the previous four books before starting this one. You also need to read The Guardians series before starting this one (honestly, I would start with her first series and go down the list. All her books are interconnected).
The main storyline of North Side Of The Grass is centered on Casper, Hailey, and their ongoing investigation of the Gifted school where Casper is a student. A psychic student had gone missing and was found murdered. That same student is pissed at Casper for dating her love interest and throws some wrenches into her murder investigation. But that quickly ends when another psychic student is kidnapped, and a plot involving the local mob and the rest of the psychic students at the school is uncovered.
The main storyline was well-written and fast-moving. I could barely catch a breath between Casper and Hailey’s investigations. The author also showed more of Casper’s interactions with her found family (more background is given if you read The Guardian series). I loved seeing Casper act like a normal kid instead of the phasing/fighting machine that she had been portrayed as in the other books.
More attention was paid to Casper and her shifter boyfriend’s relationship. Since he is a wolf shifter, he does have that alpha male air around him, and it comes out hardcore when Casper is around other males. I figured out what that meant early in the book, but I enjoyed watching him try to figure out how to let Casper know.
The storyline with the students and the mob was interesting. I liked that the author brought a character that nullified other psychic powers. I also liked that the kids (the students) had to work together to escape where they were being held prisoner. It wasn’t a right away meshing of like souls. There were some pretty snobby people in that group. But they all came together in the end to kick some bad guys’ butts.
I loved how the book ended. The author left the main storyline wide open and added to it with the disappearance of a character introduced in book four. I cannot wait to read book six and see where that one takes me!
Many thanks to Reily Garrett for allowing me to read and review North Side Of The Grass. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
If you enjoy reading books similar to North Side Of The Grass, then you will enjoy these books:
For years, single father Toby Tucker has done his best to keep his sensitive young son, Luca, safe from the bigotry of the world. But when Toby marries Alyssa Wright—the granddaughter of a famed televangelist known for his grandiose, Old Testament preaching—he can’t imagine the world of religion, wealth, and hate that he and Luca are about to enter.
A trip to the Wright family’s compound in sun-scorched Texas soon turns hellish when Toby realizes that Alyssa and the rest of her brood might have some very strange plans for Toby and his son. The situation only grows worse when a freak storm cuts off the roads and the family patriarch is found murdered, stabbed through the heart on the roof of the family’s mansion.
Suspicion immediately turns to Toby, but when his son starts describing a spectral figure in a black suit lurking around the house with unfinished business in mind, Toby realizes this family has more than murder to be afraid of. And as the Wrights close in on Luca, no one is prepared for the lengths Toby will go in the fight to clear his name and protect his son.
First Line:
The knife slides free, the door clicks closed and here, at last, is the rain.
Important details about No Road Home
Pace: Fast
POV: 3rd person (mainly Toby, with a couple of chapters from Luca and Julian’s POV)
Content/Trigger Guidance: No Road Home contains themes that include bullying, classism, conversion therapy, homelessness, incest, pedophilia, grooming, sexual assault, child abuse, cheating, infidelity, addiction, anxiety, depression, dissociation, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, overdose, infertility, pregnancy, blood, gore, chronic illness, dead body, loss of autonomy, medical treatment, physical illness, cancer, death of a parent, death of a sibling, grief, suffocation, confinement, knife violence, murder, attempted murder, physical assault, gun violence, and flood. Please read carefully if any of these triggers you.
Language:No Road Home contains explicit swearing and language that might offend some people.
Sexual Content: There is no sexual content on page in No Road Home.
Setting: No Road Home is set in Hebron, Texas.
My Review:
When I read the blurb for No Road Home, it caught my attention. I have a strange fascination for evangelical preachers. I don’t know why; they have always fascinated me. Anyway, when I saw that the family of such a preacher was going to be featured, I was super interested to see how messed up they were (and the book didn’t disappoint). With the main character being a man who is parenting a queer child, I was also very interested in seeing how that was going to play into this book. I wasn’t disappointed. No Road Home had me glued to it until the wee hours of the morning.
The main storyline in No Road Home is centered on Toby, his son Luca, and the hellish couple of days he spends with his new wife’s family in Texas. This storyline was twisted. Actually, it was not twisted; it was knotted. Much was happening with and around this family, and the author took his sweet time revealing everything. But the same thing can be applied to Toby. A lot was happening internally with him, and his internal issues added extra depth.
The book gets off to a slow start, but it doesn’t stay slow for long. After Jerome is found killed, everything just snowballs. Throughout the storyline, one surprise after another is revealed, and each reveal explains a little more about Toby and the Wright family. By the end of the book, this storyline was blazing fast.
The relationships in No Road Home did make the book. I liked seeing how the author defined each and changed each relationship. The one that stood out the most to me was Luca and Toby’s relationship. That was pure love. Toby was willing to do whatever it took to shield Luca from bigotry in any form. He was also willing to do whatever it took to make sure that he and Luca left the property. The other relationship that stood out was weirdly Jerome and Cora. I can’t get into that relationship without massive spoilers, but it was similar to Toby and Luca’s….except that Cora did everything for the wrong reasons.
No Road Home is huge on secrets. Every character in this book either had a secret or knew one. I was overwhelmed when the author started revealing everything because it seemed all done simultaneously.
There were quite a few mysteries with some huge twists. The author does a good job of keeping them all under wraps. My biggest one was Willow and her connection to Toby and the Wright family. That was one of the biggest twists in the book. The other twists paled in comparison but still took my breath away.
There is a paranormal angle to the book that interested me. At first, I thought what Luca was talking about was a type of imaginary friend. But the more Luca spoke about it, and what Toby found on the roof, the more I figured out not only who but also what Luca befriended (and, weirdly,who was shielding him from the family).
I have so much more to discuss, but doing so would mean revealing spoilers, and I don’t want to do that.
The end of No Road Home was quick. I liked how the author explained everything and left no storyline open. I rarely end a book like this feeling satisfied, but in this case, I did. Everyone in this book, except the victim, got what they deserved. Why except the victim? He should have been kept alive to face the music with everyone else.
Many thanks to Atria Books, NetGalley, and John Fram for allowing me to read and review this ARC of No Road Home. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
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The #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Identity presents a suspenseful new novel of tragedy and trauma, love and family, and the evil that awaits.
As they do each June, the Foxes have driven the winding roads of Appalachia to drop off their children for a two-week stay at their grandmother’s. Here, twelve-year-old Thea can run free and breathe in the smells of pine and fresh bread and Grammie’s handmade candles. But as her parents head back to suburban Virginia, they have no idea they’re about to cross paths with a ticking time bomb.
Back in Kentucky, Thea and her grandmother Lucy both awaken from the same nightmare. And though the two have never discussed the special kind of sight they share, they know as soon as their tearful eyes meet that something terrible has happened.
The kids will be staying with Grammie now in Redbud Hollow, and thanks to Thea’s vision, their parents’ killer will spend his life in supermax. Over time, Thea will make friends, build a career, find love. But that ability to see into minds and souls still lurks within her, and though Grammie calls it a gift, it feels more like a curse―because the inmate who shattered her childhood has the same ability. Thea can hear his twisted thoughts and witness his evil acts from miles away. He knows it, and hungers for vengeance. A long, silent battle will be waged between them―and eventually bring them face to face, and head to head…
First Line:
For Thea, the very best part of summer started the second week of June.
Important details about Mind Games
Pace: Medium
POV: 3rd person (Thea, Tyler, Ray)
Content/Trigger Guidance: Mind Games contains themes that include the death of a parent(s), murder, violence, grief, panic attacks, stalking, death of a child, gaslighting, domestic abuse, gun violence, emotional abuse, blood, injury, injury detail, animal cruelty, and physical abuse. Please read carefully if any of these triggers you.
Language:Mind Games contain moderate swearing and language that might offend some people.
Sexual Content: There is moderate sexual content in Mind Games.
Setting: Mind Games is set in Redbud Hollow, Kentucky.
My Review:
I have been reading Nora Roberts’ books for as long as I can remember. My grandmother was a huge fan, and I would snatch her latest book after she read it. So, it was a no-brainer for me to read Mind Games.
The main storyline of Mind Games centers around Thea, her relationship with her parents’ murderer, her gift, and her relationship with Tyler. It is a well-written storyline that shook me with the trauma that Thea endured throughout the book.
I found Thea’s gift fascinating. Thea was psychic, and somehow, she formed a connection with Ray, the murderer, who is also psychic. Thankfully, Lucy (her grandmother) is also psychic and taught Thea how to control the gift. Those lessons also, for the most part, kept Ray out of Thea’s head during her teenage years. Thea’s gift was strong, but I didn’t realize how strong it was until she built that world where it physically hurt Ray. And let’s remember what she did at the end. That did scare me because it showed exactly how strong her gift was.
Tyler and Thea’s romance did seem a little forced, but the more they interacted, the more I liked them together. During the breakup scene, I was heartbroken because of what was said and the accusations that Tyler flung at Thea. I also didn’t like how he didn’t let her explain herself. I also didn’t like that Thea tried to prove herself to Tyler with her gift. That did make me go, WTH?
I enjoyed the thriller angle of the book. I liked that it was a more mental game between Thea and Ray (because he was in prison). Even though I knew he couldn’t get out, I tensed up when he taunted Thea through their link.
I loved the end of Mind Games. I liked how everything turned out, and I felt that Ray got what he deserved!
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Nora Roberts for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Mind Games. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
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Rise and shine. The Evans women have some undead to kill.
It’s 1999 in Southeast Texas and the Evans women, owners of the only funeral parlor in town, are keeping steady with…normal business. The dead die, you bury them. End of story. That’s how Ducey Evans has done it for the last eighty years, and her progeny―Lenore the experimenter and Grace, Lenore’s soft-hearted daughter, have run Evans Funeral Parlor for the last fifteen years without drama. Ever since That Godawful Mess that left two bodies in the ground and Grace raising her infant daughter Luna, alone.
But when town gossip Mina Jean Murphy’s body is brought in for a regular burial and she rises from the dead instead, it’s clear that the Strigoi―the original vampire―are back. And the Evans women are the ones who need to fight back to protect their town.
As more folks in town turn up dead and Deputy Roger Taylor begins asking way too many questions, Ducey, Lenore, Grace, and now Luna, must take up their blades and figure out who is behind the Strigoi’s return. As the saying goes, what rises up, must go back down. But as unspoken secrets and revelations spill from the past into the present, the Evans family must face that sometimes, the dead aren’t the only things you want to keep buried.
A crackling mystery-horror novel with big-hearted characters and Southern charm with a bite, Bless Your Heart is a gasp-worthy delight from start to finish.
First Line
Edwin Boone was not the kind of man to be intimidated by a walk in the dark.
Important details about Bless Your Heart
Pace: Fast (the entire book takes place within a week of the first death)
POV: 3rd person (Ducey, Lenore, Grace, Luna, Deputy Roger Taylor, Sherriff Johnson, Crane, Snow Ledger, and Edwin Boone (the last two being victims of the vampire))
Series: 1st book in the Bless Your Heart series
Content/Trigger Warnings: Bless Your Heart contains themes of death, gore, violence, blood, body horror, child death, murder, animal cruelty, vomit, medical content, death of a parent, injury and injury detail, homophobia, grief, alcoholism, eating disorder, toxic relationship, mass/school shootings*, and bullying. Please read carefully if any of these triggers you.
Mass/School Shootings—Bless Your Heart takes place the summer after the Columbine school shooting. While Crane didn’t attend Columbine, he was bullied because he wore a trenchcoat and Goth attire.
Language:Bless Your Heart contains moderate swearing and language that might offend some people.
Sexual Content: There is no sexual content in Bless Your Heart.
Setting: Bless Your Heart is set in a small town (the name was never given) in Southeast Texas.
My Review:
In a previous review, I mentioned that books containing vampires are some of my favorites. I also mentioned that I very rarely review them. That was until last week when I read two ARCs that included vampires and vampire hunters.
The cover and the blurb attracted me to Bless Your Heart. I was interested to see how a book about women funeral parlor owners and vampire hunters would read, if I could connect to any of the characters, and if the storyline was good. I am happy to report that it was a yes to all of those.
The main storyline of Bless Your Heart was interesting, and it kept me glued to the book. The storyline centers on the Evans women (Ducey, Lenore, Grace, and Luna), their family life, The God Awful Mess-which took place fifteen years earlier, and their history with vampire hunting. Bless Your Heart was a well-written and gut-wrenching book that had me up reading late.
The author did a fascinating job of telling the storyline. She chose a different family member/law enforcement/victim and had the chapter revolve around what they were feeling/doing. The chapters containing Ducey, Lenore, and Grace were self-explanatory (with the funeral parlor business and killing the vampires). Those chapters also gave insight into how The God Awful Incident affected each woman. Luna’s chapters were a little different. In the beginning, it showcased how she was an ordinary teen. But, once she learned about the family’s side gig (the vampire killing), her chapters got dark, fast. The law enforcement chapters showed the confusion and the different theories floated around. And lastly, the victim’s chapters were the most heartbreaking to read, mainly because the people who were killed and turned were doing nothing but going about their daily (or nightly) chores.
The Evans women were unlike any characters I have read. They each had their own personality, and the author allowed those personalities to shine. At the same time, I saw how dysfunctional they had become after The God Awful Incident. But even with that, I liked how they banded together to protect each other and Luna.
The horror angle was on point. There was a point where I started to dread when a new body was found. Each scene was worse than the last. I don’t get grossed out easily by stuff like that, but I got close in this book. Blood and gore spread across the pages; by the book’s end, it was one bloody scene after another.
The mystery angle of the book was good. I was taken by surprise by who the master vampire was and how Luna figured into it. While that was going on, The God Awful Incident was revealed, and it indeed was A God Awful Incident. It was the revelation that led to a shocking revelation about Luna. Both of those revelations took me by surprise. I did have the master vampire pegged on someone else and was happy that I was proven wrong.
The end of Bless Your Heart was heartbreaking. I’m not too fond of it when there are deaths involving main characters. But the ending scene gave a glimmer of hope. Because of what was shown, I am super curious to read book two.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Lindy Ryan for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Bless Your Heart. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
If you enjoy reading books similar to Bless Your Heart, then you will enjoy these books:
A detective investigating a grisly crime in rural Alaska finds herself caught up in the dark secrets and superstitions of a small town in this riveting novel from the acclaimed author of The Chalk Man.
In a small Alaska town, a boy is found with his throat ripped out and all the blood drained from his body. The inhabitants of Deadhart haven’t seen a killing like this in twenty-five years. But they know who’s responsible: a member of the Colony, an ostracized community of vampyrs living in an old mine settlement deep in the woods.
Detective Barbara Atkins, a specialist in vampyr killings, is called in to officially determine if this is a Colony killing—and authorize a cull. Old suspicions die hard in a town like Deadhart, but Barbara isn’t so sure. Determined to find the truth, she enlists the help of a former Deadhart sheriff, Jenson Tucker, whose investigation into the previous murder almost cost him his life. Since then, Tucker has become a recluse. But he knows the Colony better than almost anyone.
As the pair delve into the town’s history, they uncover secrets darker than they could have imagined. And then another body is found. While the snow thickens and the nights grow longer, a killer stalks Deadhart, and two disparate communities circle each other for blood. Time is running out for Atkins and Tucker to find the truth: Are they hunting a bloodthirsty monster . . . or a twisted psychopath? And which is more dangerous?
First Line:
It would be wrong to say that life hadpassed Beau Grainger by.
The Gathering by C.J. Tudor
Important details about The Gathering
Pace: Fast
POV: 3rd person (Beau, Barbara, Tucker, Athelinda, unknown girl in basement)
Content/Triggers: The Gathering contains themes of child death, death, gun violence, violence, religious bigotry, murder, body shaming, child abuse, pedophilia, racism, sexual assault, and sexual violence. Please read carefully if any of these triggers you.
Language:The Gathering contains graphic swearing and language that might offend some people.
Sexual Content: There is no consensual sexual content in The Gathering. But there is moderate nonconsensual sexual content as well as pedophilia (the pedophilia is not explained but referred to).
Setting: The Gathering is set in Deadhart, Alaska.
My Review:
When Random House sent me an email containing the widget for The Gathering, I knew I needed to read this book. Why? First, the cover. It was (and still is) striking and having finished the book, it suits it. Secondly, I have a slight, tiny, eeny vampire obsession. I usually don’t review anything with vampires (and, of course, this book and the book I just finished will cast me as a liar). Those books are for my pleasure (no reviews/reading challenges). Thirdly, I can count on one hand the times I read a book set in Alaska during the winter. So, all of those reasons made me accept the widget.
The main storyline of The Gathering follows Barbara as she travels to Deadhart to investigate the murder of a teenage boy by a vampyr from the neighboring Colony. But, once she gets to Deadhart, the townspeople and her boss pressure Barbara to authorize a cull of the Colony. Not wanting to jump the gun, Barbara continues with her investigation, and what she finds surprises her. Not only did the Colony not kill the boy, but there is a vampyr hate group active in town. She also sees similarities to a murder committed over twenty years previously. With tensions in the town and the Colony rising daily, Barbara must find out who the murderer is and the reasons behind it before the vampyres and townspeople clash.
I found the storyline fascinating and nerve-racking. The book takes place in the dark because the sun never rises in Alaska during that part of the year. And, I will tell you, it made the horror parts much creepier, mainly because you can’t see who or what is coming for you in the dark.
The storyline is broken into three parts. The first part follows Barbara and her investigation. In the beginning, it was a little boring, but that didn’t last long at all. As Barbara enters town, things start happening and get creepy fast. There are flashbacks to Barbara’s past and her friendship with a vampyr named Mercy. I was also in awe over how calm Barbara was with people. Some of the things said and done to her were awful. But, again, her childhood and friendship with Mercy were a massive factor in how she was able to keep calm.
The second storyline follows Athelinda, the Colony, and the connection to the town. There was a minute where I was convinced that maybe one of her people had something to do with the death, but that was quickly put to rest. Everything Athelinda does in this book is for the good of her people, regardless of how it plays out. Her past also damaged Athelinda. The things she was forced to do were horrendous, and the implications made me gag. I won’t get into it because of spoilers, but I was sick when I read those paragraphs. But I also gained a better insight into Athelinda’s dealing with humans, and you know what? I don’t blame her for the things she did.
The third storyline was also the most mysterious one. There is no date or location, but it is centered on a teenage girl kept captive in a basement by her Captor. At first, I wondered why this girl was kept down there, but that was explained quickly. Then I wondered where this basement was and who the Captor was. I did have a suspect, but I was wrong about that. When the author revealed who it was, my mouth dropped open. It was the last person I expected.
The book also goes into the murder of another teenage boy, twenty-five years previously. But, unlike this murder, it was pretty cut and dry. But the fallout was felt years later. I couldn’t understand why Beau kept the heads and didn’t give them back to Athelinda. It is explained, but it was so wrong. Also, the more that was revealed about the night the teenage vampyr was killed (along with his father and uncle), the more I disliked Beau. But it also made me love Tucker (he tried to do the right thing and paid for it dearly).
The mystery angles of The Gathering were terrific. The author was able to keep me from figuring out who the killer was until Barbara and Tucker figured it out. That was twist number one. The second twist was who killed the town doctor and high school teacher and why. The reason for the town doctor’s murder was apparent, but the teacher, not so much. That leads to the third and most shocking twist. It involves the murder of the teacher and the girl in the basement. As I said above, I was shocked. It was the last person I would have thought. But, looking back, it did make sense, and the author dropped some tiny hints.
The end of The Gathering was interesting. The author wrapped everything up and explained every death in the book. Then the epilogue happened, and again, I was shocked. I was also hoping that this meant there would be a book 2. What was written was a heck of a cliffhanger.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Ballantine Books, NetGalley, and C.J. Tudor for allowing me to read and review this ARC of The Gathering. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
If you enjoy reading books similar to The Gathering, then you will enjoy these books:
New York Times bestsellers P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast return with a new duology set in a dark and magickal world filled with incredible danger and irresistible romance.
Wren Nightingale isn’t supposed to have any powers. Born of magickal parents but not under a moon sign, she was destined for life as a Mundane—right up until she starts glowing on her eighteenth birthday. In a heartbeat, Wren’s life is turned upside down, and she’s suddenly leaving her home for the mystical Academia de la Luna—a secret magickal school on a hidden island off the Seattle coast.
Lee Young has always known about his future at the Academia. He has one goal: pass the trials, impress the Moon Council, and uphold his family’s reputation. But he wasn’t expecting to be attending alongside the girl he’s been secretly in love with for as long as he can remember.
As Wren and Lee are thrown into the Academie’s gruelling trials, they quickly learn there’s something different–and dangerous–about the school this year. Wren will have to navigate a web of secrets, prophecies–and murder. And Lee will have to decide who to protect–his family’s legacy, or the girl he loves.
First Line:
I’m pretty sure that, at any moment, blue and red lights will flash and the local sheriff will tear down the street and stop me. Again.
Draw Down the Moon by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Important details about Draw Down the Moon
Pace: Medium
POV: 1st person (Wren and Lee)
Content/Trigger Warnings:Draw Down the Moon contains themes of death, violence, blood, grief, death of a parent, murder, gaslighting, toxic friendship, injury & injury detail, bullying, classism, misgendering, *anxiety & anxiety attacks, death of a sibling, boating accidents, and knife violence. Please read carefully if any of these triggers you.
Anxiety & AnxietyAttack—Lee remembers anxiety attacks that plagued him as a child while talking with Wren.
Language:Lost & Hound contains mild swearing and language that might offend some people.
Series:Draw Down the Moon is the first book in the Moonstruck series.
Sexual Content: There is very mild sexual content in Draw Down the Moon.
Setting: Draw Down the Moon is set in Oregon (Fern Valley and Seattle) and on an island in the Pacific Northwest (Moon Isle).
My Review:
I have been a big fan of P.C. Cast, having read her Tales of a New World series and loved it. So, when I saw that she had a new book, Draw Down the Moon, I knew I needed to read it, and I was thrilled when I got the widget from St. Martin’sPress in my email. Having read the book, I think it was an excellent start to this series.
The main storyline of Draw Down the Moon centers around Wren and Lee. Wren is born a Mundane in a world where magic is powerful. On the other hand, her best friend, Lee, is a potent healer and is going to the highly sought-after Moon Isle to learn how to harness his magic. But everything changes when, on the night of her eighteenth birthday, Wren suddenly develops magic. At a loss of how it happened, Wren soon finds herself on a ferry to Moon Isle. Once on the island, Wren is plunged into a treasure trove of secrets and lore. With the secretive head of the school seemingly watching her, the elemental assigned to her house protecting her, and her feelings for Lee growing daily, Wren must figure out what is going on. But the truth will have a cost, either breaking Wren or setting her on a path to right old wrongs.
The main storyline of Draw Down the Moon was well written. Even the fact that it was a dual POV didn’t bother me. The author could seamlessly go between Wren and Lee’s POV without disrupting the storyline. I also liked that while I figured out what was happening (around when Wren had the 2nd trial), I was still surprised at what happened and the fallout.
I did get some strong Harry Potter vibes during the chapters where the other students were assigned to their houses. But I did like how they were assigned (it was better than the Sorting Hat, and yes, I am prepared for backlash on that). The Harry Potter vibe got stronger when they entered the dorms. But, as soon as Wren got her room, those vibes stopped, and the book started to take shape. I will warn you, there is no kindly headmaster (actually, just the opposite) or teachers with an agenda (well, not that I saw). The only magical creatures are the elementals that allowed the school to be on the island, and they are dangerous.
I liked Wren. She was mischievous and not afraid to stand up for herself. She was also out of her element during the first few days in school. Her lack of magic did set her apart. But it was during the first trial that I noticed something about her power. That thought grew when the elementals started approaching and talking to her. I did wish that she and Lee weren’t so tight. I would have loved to see her interact with Sam or any other students she befriended more.
Lee was all right, and I felt terrible for him. The poor kid was under so much pressure to live up to the family name that he suffered panic attacks. Add in that his older sister was killed while at the school, and he was barely keeping it together. At times, I could see almost two different sides of Lee. There was one side where he was this carefree boy man who just wanted to hang with his girl, and there was the other side where he was this anxiety-ridden mess who couldn’t/wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize his family name. I wasn’t surprised by any of his decisions. They were all done to further his family name. The only thing he couldn’t control was Wren or his feelings for her.
The fantasy angle of Draw Down the Moon was amazing. I loved that the author chose the magic system based on astrology. At first, there wasn’t much information about the different signs and magic. But, as the book went on, the author did start explaining the origin story of the Moonstruck and the other magic. I also liked that the author used elementals instead of the usual creatures featured in these books. The fact that the elementals were aware of Wren and were protecting her, but no reason was given, was frightening.
The fantasy angle also included a book Wren could not read (the writing was messed up). How she got the book was pretty funny, but she needed to decode it once she got it. All she knew was that Lee’s older sister wrote it, and it was something explosive. I wasn’t prepared for what it was and the fallout that happened. But I did like seeing the lore and the island’s past brought into better focus. It explained a lot.
The last couple of chapters of Draw Down the Moon were heartbreaking. While I like it when an author kills off major secondary characters, I was very heartbroken and surprised by who the author chose. While I had figured out Wren’s magic, I was not prepared for what happened at the end of the book. The revelations that were revealed were earth-shattering, as was the fight that went along with them. I also didn’t blame Lee for what he did.
The author ended Draw Down the Moon on a cliffhanger. There were so many questions that needed to be answered. And when I say so many questions, I mean it. I cannot wait to read book two and see what the fallout from the death and Wren and Lee’s actions have on the island.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, NetGalley, P.C. Cast, and Kristin Cast for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Draw Down the Moon. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
If you enjoy reading books similar to Draw Down the Moon, then you will enjoy these books:
In April Asher’s new Supernatural Singles novel, a witch takes a stroll on the wild-ish side, sparking an alert that saddles her with her very own Guardian Angel…who happens to be her secret crush―and new roommate.
Olive Maxwell much prefers teaching about the supernatural world to taking part in it and leaves the magical shenanigans to her two sisters―the Prima-Apparent and Bounty Hunter-In-Training. But after assigning her college students a project designed to nudge them outside their comfort zones, Olive realizes that she’s never once stepped a toe over her own…and it’s about time that changed. Her first trip into the unknown? Moving in with her long-time crush―and friend…tattooed, motorcycle-riding, and pleasantly pierced, Baxter Donovan.
Bax Donovan, Guardian Angel not-so-extraordinaire, has acquired so many black marks on his record it looked like a scantron sheet. He’s given one last chance to keep his Guardian wings intact, a high-profile Assignment he knows all too well. Olive is usually as low-risk as it got. Hell, she wrote the safety manual. But something landed her on the Guardian Affairs radar and his guess was it had something to do with the heart-pounding stunts she’s determined to check off her Dare I Docket list.
Keeping Olive out of trouble is about to be his toughest assignment yet, and not because he’s forced to shake the dust off his feathers and embrace his inner aerialist. He’s at real risk of shattering the only Guardian Angel Code of Conduct Rule he’s yet to Don’t fall in love with your Assignment. And he isn’t so sure that’s a bad thing.
If love didn’t play by the rules, why should they?
First Line:
Committing a felony had never looked so appealing to Olive Maxwell.
Not Your Crush’s Cauldron by April Asher
Important things you need to know about Not Your Crush’s Cauldron:
Pace: Medium
POV:3rd person (Olive and Bax).
Trigger Warnings: There are no trigger warnings in Not Your Crush’s Cauldron.
Language: There is moderate swearing in Not Your Crush’s Cauldron. There is also language used that might offend some people.
Setting:Not Your Crush’s Cauldron is set in New York City.
Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):
Olive is the youngest of the Maxwell triplets. After watching her sisters find true love and their true purpose in their lives (one is the Prima-Apparent and the other is a Bounty Hunter in Training), she is content to teach magic at her local college. But, when she assigns her students an assignment intended to make them go outside their comfort zone, she decides to do it with them. The first thing on her list is moving in with Bax, her longtime crush and friend.
Bax is a guardian angel who isn’t very good at his job. His record has more black marks than any other angels in the department. To keep his career, Bax is given a low-risk assignment. To his shock, his assignment is Olive. What Bax wasn’t counting on was Olive trying things outside her comfort zone. He soon begins accompanying her on different outings and fighting his growing attraction to her. One of the three rules of his department is not to get involved with their charge.
As Olive and Bax spend more time together, their attraction grows. But with Olive being Bax’s charge, he cannot make a move on her. Will Olive push Bax out of his comfort zone? Will Bax be able to control his feelings for Olive until his assignment is over? Or will he risk losing his wings for her?
Characters:
Olive Maxwell and Bax Donovan are the main characters in Not Your Crush’s Cauldron. Having been introduced to Olive in the previous book (I haven’t read the entire series, just book 2), I did think that she was pretty mellow and less low-key than her sisters. I felt there was nothing wrong with playing it safe, having outfits for certain days of the week, or having schedules for everything. That’s how she liked her life. I got grumpy during the college party scene where she overheard unkind remarks about her. But, it did get her thinking, and she decided to join the assignment with her students. Bax joining her was an enjoyable addition to the list.
Bax Donovan was an interesting character for me to read. At first, I thought I had him pegged as a slightly bad GuardianAngel who only went through the motions at his job. And I was partially right about that. Bax didn’t exactly put himself out there with his charges (the gargoyle wing scene did make me laugh and wince). But the more I read about him, the more I understood him. He liked Olive and maybe loved her early on in the book. But he had to put aside those feelings when assigned her (because of the rules). On top of that, he had to deal with a father who was borderline mentally and emotionally abusive to him. It was a lot, and he tended to deal with that by shutting down and internalizing it.
The characters from the other books do make an appearance in this one. I loved that they didn’t overtake Bax and Olive’s story. Instead, they added depth to the main storyline. There was one character (Harper) who I would love to see a book about. There were sparks between her and a certain werewolf, and I need to see if that will go anywhere (I hope!!)
My review:
I was excited when I got the widget for Not Your Crush’s Cauldron. I had enjoyed reading the previous book (Not Your Exes Hexes) and planned to read this one if/when it went on KU. So, to say I was excited is an understatement. I couldn’t wait to read this book.
The main storyline of Not Your Crush’s Cauldron centers around Olive and Bax, their romance, Bax’s assignment, Olive’s assignment, and Olive’s attempt to push her limits. It was a well-written, funny, and very hot storyline. I did get sad in spots because of different things that were brought up as the book went on. Examples are:
Bax’s father (who I couldn’t stand).
Olive’s fear of living outside her comfort zone.
The guardian angel conundrum.
But don’t let that stop you from reading this book!! The author interwove those themes throughout the book with tact.
The romance angle of the book was scorching hot. Now, the author did wait to have Olive and Bax have sex until well past the middle of the book. But, by then, the sexual tension had built up, and when they did have sex, it was explosive. I was surprised by Bax’s piercings (an angel with penile and nipple piercings?!?). I should have been because it was talked about up to them having sex. And, of course, the makeup sex was perfect (because each romance novel has hot makeup sex).
I loved the fantasy angle, too. The author did a great job creating a universe where all supernatural beings were out and accepted. The magic was used casually and wasn’t over the top. Even Bax’s guardian angel status (wings included) was treated normally. I loved it!!!
Several secondary storylines involved Olive’s sisters that were interwoven into her storyline. Instead of taking over (and I was afraid they would), the author kept them in the background. Each was wrapped up by the end of the book.
I do want to touch on Bax’s storyline with his father. Michael, his father, was a vast douchecanoe. I couldn’t believe what he said to Olive (at the college party or the Guardian Angels headquarters). He was such an asshat that he went out of his way to try and get Bax fired. Why? Because he couldn’t deal with his son being a guardian angel instead of a warrior. I did like how both Bax and Olive dealt with him. But I do wish that there was a resolution to that storyline. It was the only one that was left up in the air.
The end of Not Your Crush’s Cauldron was perfect. I loved how the author wrapped up Bax and Olive’s love story. I liked that Olive came to her senses and understood why Bax couldn’t tell her about his assignment. And I appreciated that Bax gave her space to do so. I hope there will be a book 4 (as mentioned at the top of this review). I would love to see Harper get her HEA.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, NetGalley, and April Asher for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Not Your Crush’s Cauldron. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
If you enjoy reading books similar to Not Your Crush’s Cauldron, then you will enjoy these books:
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