Welcome to my Book Reviews! I've been an avid reader ever since I was a little child and I never quite stopped enjoying a good book. It started with the Harry Potter books at the age of 8/9 (tho fuck J.K!) and most recently has taken a turn away from fantasy into the genre of romance (and more specifically dark romance and sports romance). I enjoy books that have mental health themes, or scientific essays as well though. Since the beginning of 2024 I have begun noting down little reviews for every book I read and giving them a rating on a five star scale. Previously those reviews could only be viewed on my instagram page, but now I decided to also put them on here and add onto the shorter ones a bit! Every new book I read will get its own review on here, either as a longer text, or simply as a little note at the end in order to not overcrowd the site (especially if the book wasn't particularly good or I just don't have much to say). I hope you enjoy the reviews and if you happen to enjoy the same ones I do, feel free to reach out to talk about them!
Win. Lose. Kill. Die. ~ Cynthia Murphy ★★★★★
This book is a murder mystery that takes place in a boarding school called Morton Academy, where everyone wants to be the Head Girl, even when the murders start happening and the position starts to appear sort of cursed. Theres a few cliché options as to who it could have been and the author keeps those options open relatively well, while throwing more and more possibilities into the ring as time goes on. As someone familiar with mysteries like this, its relatively easy to have the correct option as a guess in your head, but you won't get true confirmation until the very end. Its canonically acknowledged that the murderer has a childhood history of conduct disorder and the book delivers a reasonable explanation as to why said behavior got more pronounced. Its well portrayed and while theres a certain amount of term misusage, I'll definitely acknowledge that it was nice to see a mention of "psychotic murderers" being a cliché and that the actual murderers motivations and the portrayal of their disorder were well done (or at least thats my opinion as someones who has been diagnosed with conduct disorder as a teenager as well).
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing ~ Hank Green ★★★★★
I pretty much read this book in a single sitting, having been hyped to finally get my hands on it after it had already been out for a relatively long time. Initially I didn't even know it was science fiction, thinking there was gonna be a pretty reasonable explanation for the Carl's existence and the dreams everyone kept having where they solved the riddles. My mind was going towards some type of government scheme, or a metaphor as to how social media is invading our heads and only those, who are also on social media, know just how much it can influence you and your life. Come to think about it, maybe that was a potential underlying message, as the book did do a really good job of shedding a light on why being famous can actually really suck and will influence your life negatively. The MC April May was so cocky and fame drunk in the end that it had severe consequences, which I'm not gonna spoil here, but the damned knock on the door in the last chapter has me equally hyped for the second book! The author has a lot of experience with fame, the social media landscape and everything surrounding the topic, having made youtube videos about it for years, so you could definitely spot some known phrases and easter eggs as a fan, which was pretty cool!
The Anthropocene Reviewed ~ John Green ★★★★★
Every single chapter reviews a seemingly random thing that exists in todays world, but if you have followed John Green for a while you'll know that they aren't actually random. The reviews started out as a podcast, if I remember correctly, but I have never actually listened to it. The thing that kinda stood out to me the most about the book, which is also the major reason for the five star rating, is that you don't even need to agree with the reviews in order to enjoy it. You don't need to see these things the way John does, to appreciate that someone saw something as simple as a Gingko Tree and felt that it deserved a review on a five star scale. It makes you sort of able to relearn the art of appreciating the things you're confronted with on a day to day basis and I just think thats kinda beautiful! I also just happen to love the way the author thinks about things and as a fan you could appreciate the reviews in a very different way, so that definitely also contributed to my enjoyment. It kinda made me start rating books again, I didn't really do it beforehand.
Satans Affair ~ H.D. Carlton ★★★★★
This was the first ever sort of dark romance book that I have touched and I am very glad I decided to do so and that I started my foray into the genre with a banger like this one. The main character Sibby has religious trauma and lives inside of a haunted house, where she kills people, that she thinks are evil/morally tainted, with the help of her henchmen. The dynamic between her and those men is really cool and I kinda love that they have both caregiving and dominating characteristics. We also get introduced to Zade, a character that is one of the main ones in two of H.D Carltons other books and the absolute plot twist at the end had me reeling, because I did not expect it and did not notice any of the hints, that were given in the previous chapters! It was very well done, even if you have to be alright with some stereotypical presentations if you want to enjoy this book.
Haunting Adeline ~ H.D. Carlton ★★★★★
I only read Satans Affair originally, because it was recommended in order to be able to enjoy some of the scenes in this one better and I am so glad I listened to that recommendation! Reading about the scene where Zade and Sibby meet for the first time is even better from Zades point of view! Also Zade Meadows is so hot and the way Addie reacts to him stalking her is funny as fuck. And the goddamn mirror maze scene? Yes. The gun scene? Yes. Shoutout to Addies friend (I forgot her name) for putting up with her tho ngl! I really liked the tension between the two and the way Zade still went about completing his business and his job. Tho I have to admit I have don't remember which book had which scenes, so maybe he only really does it in the other one, who knows! Point is: really good book!
Hunting Adeline ~ H.D Carlton ★★★★★
Not ashamed to admit that I literally read this one right after the first part without putting my phone down inbetween. Its a hell lot darker and definitely not recommended for people who get squeamish reading about trafficking and SA! Sibby made another appearance and ngl I love how Zade is basically behaving like a big brother when it comes to her. Also hats off to Addie for being a badass in the circumstances she finds herself in and for doing an absolute 180 in the end! I was prepared for there to be a whole different ending but Addie really went "Nope" and let Zade teach her how to take revenge and thats absolutely iconic. Also the absolute lengths Zade went to in order to get her back were so fucking cool. Get yourself a loyal man like that!
Does it hurt? ~ H.D Carlton ★★★★☆
I'll be honest I mainly only started reading this, because I heard that the love interest Enzo is a marine biologist and there were in fact so many shark mentions in this book! I really really loved that and was already sold on the idea of it! Sawyer the main character is also really cool in the way she made it to where she is? And the way in which Sawyer and Enzo end up stranded on the island together is so funny to me in a way? Its enemies to lovers and the old guy who lives in the lighthouse on the island really struck me as maybe a bit creepy but overall relatively nice? I was prepared for it to just be truly haunted, or for both to imagine his presence or something like that, but goddamn the fucking turn it does towards the end?? Holy shit. I did not expect that, like at all. The ending is cute though, I'll give it that! I don't know how or why people claim Enzo is more spicy than Zade is tho, because nuh uh, not in a million years!
Tommorrow & Tommorrow & Tommorrow ~ Gabrielle Zevin ★★★★★
This is a book that majorly tells the story of Sadie and Sam, who develop video games together, but later introduces other cool characters such as Marx, Ant, Simon, etc. Beyond the game development & overall video game theme, it deals a lot with the topics of disability, discrimination, identity, grief and overall philosophical life shit. People who like video games will probabaly love this, but even if you don't this book just deals with everything and nothing at the same time and its somehow random, but also so fitting together, that its hard to place? But its got something for everyone! Non spoilery opinion: Sam and Sadie are shit af friends! Ant and Simon were super adorable and Marx is a cool person. The book definitely sparked my interest for gamedev and thats sorta part of how I ended up on here making a website, so it gets points for that as well!
Serial Asylum ~ M.P. Bates ★★★★★
The relationship between Alec and Warren would probably be very questionable irl, but it works so well in the book? Its very stereotypical, but they give huge ASPD vibes to me in the way they are described, think and behave? Some mentions make it seem like the author might have scrolled trough Cluster B content before! Its a gay romance with some bi action inbetween that mostly plays in an abandoned asylum building and the relationship is very rushed since the book is on the shorter side of things, but it still felt very relatable to me personally so imma give it five stars!
Unhinged Cain ~ Brooklyn Cross ★★★★☆
An FBI agents daughter (who is also an FBI trainee) named Kirby falls in love with the serial killer, who her mother is chasing. Interesting dynamic and I honestly get her falling for him, who wouldn't to be fair! Kirby is a badass and I especially enjoyed her towards the end, as she finally gets to stand up to her mother and that useless ex boyfriend of hers! Theres lots of unhinged shit in this and I very much like that they push against the belief that "ppl with muted emotions & a lack of remorse can't fall in love"! But theres also some stigma and misinfo/stereotypy remarks towards OCD, DID and psychopathy sort of? So you definitely need to know when to pick your fights with the book. I do really like the dynamic between Cain and his twin brother Abel though, its a vibe.
Unhinged Abel ~ T.L. Hodel ★★★★☆
The second part of this series deals with Cains twin brother Abel and is a little bit less fucked? Abel is kinda a vibe being an impulsive easily distracted motherfucker with a love for cookies. The story had him falling in love with a girl from a cult and while I don't remember what it was, my notes say that I called the plot twist in this one during the last book already so go me I guess! Its been a while since I've read this. Theres also less stigma and misinfo in this one than there was in the other one, we get to see Kirby and Cain again and its a bit shorter, so I decided on giving it the same rating overall!
Twisted Ink ~ A.M. McCoy ★★★★★
This one was very honestly just straight up spicy scenes with only the tiniest pinch of plot inbetween! Not a single chapter without some amount of sexual action. Its an MMMF poly romance, has some drama, lots of kinky shit and the only thing I sort of disliked about it is, that it didn't really solve one of the conlficts? And maybe that they weren't all as respectful of T's preferences as they should have been. Like yeah the dude was in strong denial, but they were way too pushy about it in my opinion! I do like that they were basically all switches though, that made it entertaining to figure out who was gonna do what in which scene + I liked the underlying tattoo theme!
Twisted Lace ~ A.M. McCoy ★★★★☆
The second part of the book dealt with a totally new MMFF poly relationship and it was nice to not have one girl and only dudes this time! The MMMF couple from the last book made some appearances as friends and coworkers over the course of it as well though, so that was cool! I think I liked the first book better overall? This one was just as much spicy content with only a bit of actual plot, but the relationship and how it came to be, just didn't feel as well done to me? Tho I like that Lex and Brody had their trauma to work trough before they could commit to it. It was definitely more heavy, especially with Knox little concerning moment in the forest.
Gifts of Gold ~ Rawnie Sabor ★★★★★
I honestly really really loved this! Its the first spicy sort of fantasy romance book I've read. Blake and Flea (who belongs to the fae) are so fucking fun together, the spice & kink were well done (and actually with good safety and care) and the paranormal part of it adds to that. I am committed to read all the books from this universe! Blakes sister Violet was so obviously gonna be there at the end, I so called that! Also the whole trauma aspect of the twins is so fucking relatable? Like the need to be perfect in the eyes of your parents, needing to be able to deal with everything on your own and be strong, not believing other peoples genuineness...its like a goddamn mirror! The Court of Chains is such a cool concept too!
Kiss of Seduction ~ Rawnie Sabor ★★★★★
This book was pretty much just as good as the previous one? You can read them as standalones, but they are just much better if you read the other one first, cus you'll already know the characters and appreciate their return a lot more. I liked Natalya's presence in the previous book already, tho I kinda would have liked it if she ended up with Violet and not Evelyn? But yk in the end it did fit really well and it was an interesting story! The end felt a little rushed, but it was still cool! Also Natalya's struggles with not believing anyone can love her beyond her succubus alure and Evelyn needing to deal with her fear of vampires (and sorta creatures overall), after having been a slave definitely adds some conflict to the dynamic. The spice was well done too, especially since Natalya is basically the queen of spice!
Where's Molly? ~ H.D. Carlton ★★★★☆
Molly is the girl whose journal Adeline found in "Hunting Adeline" and I've been looking forward to getting to read and find out about what happened to her after being imprisoned in the same house as Addie! I rly didn't expect it to be solved that easily and for her to get into the line of work she ended up in? I like her as a character honestly and she makes sense, but the love interest "Cage" she ends up around doesn't seem super fleshed out to me? Also damn using pigs as a murder cover up is smart as hell and I've been encountering it in a shitload of books lately. Towards the end I really thought Molly would never get to meet Zade and Adeline and then in the fucking bonus chapter it finally happens! I was about to be so disappointed. The book is nothing special to me, but I like the universe and if it ever gets a sequel that could be sort of cool.
A little Sin ~ Rawnie Sabor ★★★★☆
3rd book in the Court of Chains series and I honestly really enjoyed the dynamic between Reyna and Violet? The two fit together pretty well and their up and down makes up most of the book, which is on the one hand cool, cus a lot of consideration went into it, but on the other hand the whole wrath hex situation was WAY too easily resolved? It made like what? 3 appearances? Only one of them particularly dangerous? How boring is that? The fantasy part of the book should maybe be the tiniest bit bigger! I like that Violet finally told her mum to get lost tho like slay you go girl!! And I also liked that we got to see Blake, Flea and Aleksander again. Its really good spice and rep for those that lean into submission to finally lay down the perfect mask and give away control!
Taste of Pain ~ Rawnie Sabor ★★★☆☆
So I absolutely should have read this Court of Chains story as my first one, because all the others chronologically happen after it? Its the story of Aleksander and Lily and I like that it cleared up some stuff, that I was hella confused about in the previous books. We stan some context! But also...idk? This story didn't focus on the threat as much either, just like the last one? It only makes a few appearances and gets solved super easily. I like it more when the whole thing is a tug o war drama, but thats just a preference of course! Still giving it three stars, since it plays in the coolest fantasy universe I have so far encountered.
Praise ~ Sara Cate ★★★★☆
I think the thing I liked about this the most were the absolutely hilarious chapter titles! That made reading it real fun + I like that its relatively good kink education and stuff? Like yk its not perfect, theres some dubious stuff simply cus its fiction, but it at least does it better than many other books I've read? Also theres a canon young trans character who is 14 and then turns 15 and shes the MCs sister and idk thats cool ok?? Because shes so loved and supported! The story itself deals with one of the owners of an erotic club who ends up dating his sons ex girlfriend and oh damn the son is such a little ass about it all, but then again sorta valid I guess xD
Eyes on Me ~ Sara Cate ★★★☆☆
Story wise this would only get two out of five stars from me, simply because it seemed...rushed and also kinda all over the place? I have no idea if people can fall in love that quickly, or if I just didn't catch up on how long the feelings were there already? It simply didn't feel very natural to me! I'll still give it one more star, because Mia and Garrett's story does break with some taboos, theres relatively good kink education again, the chapter titles are still hilarious and the depression rep was good (its kinda hinted at that it could also be bipolar if you wanted it to be tho)
Give me More ~ Sara Cate ★★★★☆
This was actually really good? It obviously also belongs to the same series as the previous two, as every book deals with a different owner/person of the club basically! The story between Drake, Hunter and Isabel is told in this one. Hunter and Isabel basically add Drake as a third to their marriage and it comes with so much uncertainty. Hunter has childhood trauma and internalized homophobia, so the guy really has so many problems accepting that hes bisexual that its awesome plot wise xD
Mercy ~ Sara Cate ★★★★★
This book is the reason why I started reading the series actually! I saw someone say how good it is and I absolutely have to agree. So you got Beau, who is Emersons son (which is the male main character from the first book) and he ends up in a relationship with Maggie. Beau has childhood trauma, zero emotional regulation skills, is an asshole and so fucking relatable its not even funny! He kinda overcomes most of it with Maggies help and its just really adorable? Theres no big relationship drama moments that remain unsolved for multiple chapters which I really love. And yeah good kink again, silly chapter titles, Maggie gets comfortable in her role as a domme and welcomes what she grew up with and the trans character from the first book, who is called Sophie, is seen again, which is awesome!
Highest Bidder ~ Sara Cate ★★☆☆☆
This is so far definitely my least favorite book of the series! Its just so goddamn unrealistic, that even it being fiction can't justify it really? Ronan and Daisy basically fall in love within a week? And want to marry? Like cmon??? The underlying "omg heres my big secret" plot is also done in an eh way, the reveal is boring...idk I just really really didn't like it! The idea had so much potential in a way, so I guess I'm just sorta disappointed. But it does get 2 stars, cus the two did a scene with Eden and I am a fan of her, the chapter titles are silly again and some aspects were quite funny so!
Madame ~ Sara Cate ★★★★☆
I've been looking forward to Eden's story and its an interesting one for sure! Eden is not one of the clubs owners, but a regular domme that makes an appearance in a lot of the other books and gives a bunch of advice and comes across as this super confident woman, that is perfectly well adjusted? Then you read this book and you're like "huh would not have thought that"! Her relationship with Clay and Jade is kinda cute, I like that this is an FFM poly one! There was a bit of unnecessary drama though? Like some of their conflicts didn't need to be conflicts? They were just being little bitches about it! Also Edens son Jack was adorable as fuck. I overall liked it, but it wasn't worthy of five stars for me personally!
Mile High ~ Liz Tomforde ★★★★★
This book was really great actually? Evan Zanders being a traumatized hockey guy dealing with anxiety and struggling to love & let himself love? Self sabotaging? But actually being a genuinely great guy? Real good well rounded character that even goes to therapy! Stevie has trauma too and body image/self confidence issues and she learns to be confident which is awesome! I was kinda disappointed that the ending didn't happen the way I expected? And I desperately wanted Stevie in the plane with Evan, telling Tara she can get her a water with extra lemon. That moments potential was RIGHT THERE and the author didn't fucking do it! Disappointing! Yay for doggies and yay for Maddisons family though, very great story parts! I really loved this and 100% called the agents shitass behavior!
The Right Move ~ Liz Tomforde ★★★★☆
So I did also really like this one? Especially because its one of the cases where you get to see characters again that you loved in the last book and thats just top tier! Indys daily updates to Stevie? Hilarious! Ryan growing into his role as a captain? Adorable! The GMs reaction at the end? Awesome! All the fucking kids in the book? Cute af! I like fake dating turns real dating and I liked Ryans and Indys story, but it wasn't on the level of the first book rly? I love the depression rep, I love that theres deaf characters and ppl learning sign language for them, I love the family constellations and stuff? But it just doesn't reach Mile High, so it only gets 4 stars! Also I just really don't know what to do with basketball? I am too neutral on it as a sport xD
Caught Up ~ Liz Tomforde ★★★★★
This was the cutest fucking shit ever! I can't! Miller and Kai are pretty cool together but oh my fucking god the bond between Kai and his son Max??? How Miller becomes Max mum? How chill of a dad Monty is to Miller? How supportive the whole team is? Fucking amazing! Also love that we got to meet all the other characters again. That end chapter setting up the plot for the next one made me bark a laugh tho ngl! All of Liz Tomfordes characters really do have some kind of trauma and issues tho like damnnnn, but it works plot wise really well so! This one was just so adorable in its own way that I gotta give it 5 stars"
Play Along ~ Liz Tomforde ★★★★☆
Yk what? I really wasn't sure how Isaiah and Kennedy were ever going to work, but alright that did turn out pretty great! I love that there was colorblindness rep and trauma rep on his side and emotional neglect rep on her side! Every one of these books is pretty great on that front rly (tho funnily enough all couples have at least one partner that is kinda running/leaves at some point or plans to? interesting theme). I find it hilarious how Monty and Reese go at each other, I full expect them to start dating! And then theres hints at Cody & Travis possibly getting partners too (tho Cody is big on "I fuck everyone and everything" so who knows)? But theres just still a lot of potential in that series technically. I liked it but it did feel like it was missing that little extra, that would have made it a five star read.
Season's Schemings ~ Katie Bailey ★★★★★
Don't ask me why I am reading a christmas book after christmas season is over, its still a vibe okay? Maddie & Seb'S story is fucking adorable! Like not only is Maddie hilarious and can stand up for herself, but she also fucking appreciates her man and Seb is just everything you could want in a partner tb?? and this book has little drama, a fucking hilarious grandma called Dot and I wish my grandma was like that??? shes got game frr! also lmao the fucking cookies xD. idk this was just perfection and I think this is what romance book should aim to be like ngl!
The Power Play ~ Madi Danielle ★★★★☆
I actually really liked how this book focused on building the relationship between Audrey and Charlie and while it did incorporate some struggles the two had (with certain types of intimacy cus of trauma related stuff), it wasn't a big ass drama point as it usually is in these books? It focused more on understanding each other and giving each other what the other needs and that was so good??? Heavily relate to Audreys problems with emotional intimacy and only being comfortable expressing stuff trough sex! plus they are both switches, so there was all the action. Only 4 stars cus I would have loved one or two scenes incorporating Audreys job and stuff they only tried out shortly...felt like being disappointed by a teaser xD
Rewind It Back ~ Liz Tomforde ★★★☆☆
The story between Rio and Hallie was sorta cute I guess? Childhood sweethearts work out all their issues and come back together type vibe. But tbh during the book it really didn't make much sense how fast they switched it up, or how Hallie was sometimes really nice and sometimes not? And the whole backstory and how it all came to be was sort of a letdown? Slay for getting to meet the whole crew again and all that and the ending was okay, but rly not the finale I had hoped for and expected? Rio seemed like a really different person in the previous books. Looking sorta forward to the spinoff with Millers dad Monty tho!
Wrath and Patience ~ Rawnie Sabor ★★★★☆
I finished it and honestly? While the ending was sorta anticlimatic, I love how they let Rachel (Sams sister) be part of being a hero too and "overcome" her PTSD without rly overcoming it? like...idk it was nicely done! Sam really kinda grew on me and I am claiming Drago as ASPD rep! The plot is basically that Sam has a gift for witchcraft and trains under Angela and gets Drago assigned as a sort of bodyguard on her mission while she infiltrates a coven meeting? Sam always struck me as such a shy non assertive person in the last books, where we caught glimpses of her, but she ends up domming the hell out of Drago and its so good?? Drago learning to be more than just the personification of wrath is also hella cool! And slay for meeting characters again.
Sick Bargain ~ Nordika Night ★★★★★
Fucking hell was this book just...everything. Its basically a group of ten mentally fucked individuals with various diagnoses (which arent gonna all be revealed until later books) who kill in order to make their town a better place? Sorta using their deranged minds for good and shit and I'm eating that concept up! This one was about Krypt the purple mask guy and Remiel, a boy from the town. Heavy heavy death themes and so much violence and ownership and finding comfort in each others sickness and choosing to be alive within it! Need me the Krypt to my Remiel for real, cus while I am sorta like Krypt, I'm also a lot like Remiel. But also I'm like Monster, who is probably my favorite character from the book and I need me a Ransom (hes the only one who can control Monster from going on a rampage and who can help him function and jeez those two better end up together in the series!). Theres also two others couples who will likely be a thing and ahhh this is my new comfort series. I love its so goddamn much
Kiss The Villain ~ Rina Kent ★★★★☆
Alright I am 100% confused about whether or not the author actually considers ASPDers and/or people with psychopathy monsters, cus they did describe it as a neurodivergency in the later part of the book, which shows some level of knowledge about it? But oh well one canon diagnosed psychopath character and one undiagnosed one, who still ends up being loved and accepted by his family despite being sorta twisted. I suppose I can live with that! The story itself is honestly really hot and I like the dynamic between Gareth and Kayden, even if its intentioned to be twisted and unhealthy? Like its not supposed to be comforting probably, but to me it is! I still only give it four stars, cus for one I don't like how the conflict was resolved and for two I don't like how unclear the authors stance on ASPD is and that they use the diagnosis in the way they do. Gareth is a hella relatable character tho!
Distorted ~ Nyla K. ★★★★☆
This was...a ride for sure? I didn't expect the plot twist at all, but it made the whole book both cooler and also a bit more eh? Its a reason I gotta take one star away, cus the ending was so rushed and weird. But oh my god Dash being canon schizophrenia and NPD rep? And while sure hes a killer and all, hes so goddamn sweet and cool and some psychosis stuff is so subtle and well done its awesome! The book isn't anything for people who really hate prisons and cops, since it plays in one, but the other inmates are honestly slay! Idk a great book tbh and if it had the ending I was hoping for and if it had done it well I would have given it five stars.
Little Demon in the Details ~ Nordika Night ★★★★☆
Mercer is probably one of the best PTSD reps I've come across so far? The book mentioned the facility giving him a BPD and DID diagnosis and I could see the BPD thing being true as well, but idk how "canon" that would be in the end. Hes a lying manipulative little brat that copes with regression & hypersexual behavior and hes a really cool character in my opinion! The guy he ends up dating, Blake, has less depth really? Which is such a shame, but hes at least doing a hella good job at helping Mercer become stronger, face his demons and not change who he is while hes doing that? Which is so cool? The author does that so well in her books when she writes relationships. Loved the overall theme of murder, hacking into stuff, family drama and all that, but the ending was a bit anticlimatic so I only give it four out of five stars.
Joyless ~ Nyla K. ★★★☆☆
Second part of the island prison book and this one explores the relationship between Joy, Velle and Rook. Three kinky switches, two of them with attachment issues and all with some trauma in the past. Ren, one of the inmates from the last book, got confirmed as ADHD which is slay , we got some Felix Darcey (another inmate) mentions and Manuel Blanco, the fucking prison owner, is such a goddamn piece of shit damn! I'm so curious what the story behind his whole thing is? Like plot wise it makes no sense that he'd let Velle go free to have his relationship and take over the prison, when Velle used to be his pet basically? Bro has to have some secret agenda...! Also we got some more Dash info (dude from the first book) and its so cool really, cus you basically got to read through his stay from a 2nd perspective? The books are fucked but I'm digging it! If only there was more context though sigh!!!
Fragile Facade ~ Nordika Night ★★★★★
Finished it and ahhhhhh I've been looking forward to it for so long! The ASPD and in my opinion also the NPD rep were so good?? The way Riot and Ghost slowly get vulnerable and a bit more selfless with each other and admit shit? Cute af! I liked the continuation to the plot from the last book with the threat forming more and everything! Also loved hearing more about the other Vile boys, especially Monster my fav!! Facts is gonna be the next one that gets a book apparently and I can't wait! So love the MH themes mixed with dark torture and violent murder shit, its so up my ally!
God of Malice ~ Rina Kent ★★★★☆ That was the story between Killian and Glyndon and honestly? Kinda cool? Killian is Gareths brother and I liked him in that book already, so cool to learn more about him! Canon psychopath with, at least at times, decent rep, but the author is definitely playing up the "soulless eyes" trope too much for my liking. Its never quite clear whether she supports ASPD or nah? But the plot does deal with finding someone who accepts you how you are and all that, so my guess is yes, but shes too much into pop psychology at the same time. Anyway decent plot, but the "I won't let you have my little sister" trope is annoyingly overused. It still gets 4 stars cus of the kinks and cus I like that its sorta dark and stuff? But minus one star for the ugly ass pose on the cover and the annoying tropes.
God of Pain ~ Rina Kent ★★★☆☆
Now that is a way better cover than the last one? But tbh the book was sort of worse? It was Creighton and Annikas story and the little we got to know from the last book made them seem like a really intersting couple with a good potential dynamic? And the first half of the book was pretty interesting, but then it just...made no real sense anymore? The actions were so out of character and damn mafia dads are even worse than the brothers at being unreasonable fucks xD. Like idk didn't like this one as much rly! I hope that isn't a downwards trend ngl...the next books better be good!
God of Wrath ~ Rina Kent ★★★☆☆
So this was Jeremys and Cecilys story and it actually started of pretty good? I really liked the way they got involved with each other (primal kink) and Landon playing the devil in the background like he always does and shit? Also refreshing to not have any family involved in the dynmaic too much beyond minor stuff towards the end? Decent dissociation rep too, but the book sort of lacked the actual "hey we are falling for each other" soft moment stuff and the ending is just too fast & convenient in my opinion? So just 3 stars cus eh she can do better than that tbh!
God of Ruin ~ Rina Kent ★★★☆☆
So this was Landon & Mias story and I was honestly really looking forward to this one, cus Landon is just such a chaotic litte shit, that I expected the book to be hella chaotic as well, but it was just...boring? Like idk I think they portrayed Mias selective mutism cus of trauma rather well? And it was kinda sweet that Landon immediately learned sign language for her and stuff? But the whole reveal of who did it was super random? And Mayas character (Mias sister) made no seense and what tf is it with all the guys turning up at their gf's parents houses unannounced? Like huh? Anway I'll still give it three stars, cus Landon is ASPD & NPD canon, hes a sculptor and rather had someone break his wrist than let go of Mia and I love how he tries his hardest to be better at the end? For her? Tho the last chapter is sorta random too? Oh well.
God of Fury ~ Rina Kent ★★★☆☆
I've been excited for Brandon and Nikolais story, cus Nikolai is such a hunky violent motherfucker, who is at the same time literally just a lost puppy? Whereas Brandon seems delicate and innocent, but also does have hidden darker parts and the ending concluded the story really well? I just wasn't a fan of the constant back and forth inbetween? The story felt a little rushed and so set on causing conflict and also I think I didn't rly manage to give much depth to Nikolais manic episodes (+ the authors pattern, that she acknowledged in one book declaration, is to create monsters that are hot as a concept, but "may none of us ever meet them in real life" and her focus on violence being the main indicator for those epieodes is so questionable...). I guess the story was overall sorta cool though, so three stars.
God of War ~ Rina Kent ★★★☆☆
You know...the book started out really cool? I tbh loved the idea of Ava losing her memories of the last 2 years and being married to the guy she hates and having to figure out what happened and whats real & what isn't and stuff? + her troublemaker attitude provoking Eli and him having to stay calm was funny af, as was Ava pulling the house staff on her side. She canonically has depression, anxiety, addictions, psychosis and dissociative fugue, but, just as all the reps, heavy on the violent side and stereotypy and stuff (tho honestly I liked how Eli tried his hardest to give Ava a normal life and sacrificed his own happiness & comfort in order to not trigger her? not sustainable at all, but major move for a guy labeled as "unable to love". The ending was okay, but overall also not worth more than three stars.
Green-Eyed Monster ~ Rawnie Sabor ★★★★☆
I absolutely love every single addition to this universe! Vex is so cool (and so relatable)??? Like shes an envy fiend and thinks that shes not supposed to have positive emotions and be kind and able to love/be loved and its like hellooooo mirror!!! and Angela is a workaholic witch with trust issues, so those two getting into a relationship was an interesting one,but does fit hella well! Also omg the ending with them adopting Eden into the family basically??? SO cute! And Angelas christian parents being like "we still love u even tho you're a witch" was cute too! The only reason why this one doesn't get five stars is cus I found the end fight against Quinn a little bit...disappointing? Oh and there wasn't a whole lot of sex unfortunately :(
Brainwashed ~ Nyla K. ★★★★☆
I was finally able to access the third part of the series and it was honestly pretty good? Felix Darcey is a serial killer with I think 37 victims and Dr. Lemuel Love is the psychiatrist assigned to him in Alabaster Penitentiary. Felix gets canonically labeled as bipolar and ASPD, tho honestly he has...such obvious BPD vibes? Like bro literally fears abandonment so much and is so desperate for love, that he kills people if they try to leave...plus he was modelled (according to the author) after Dahmer so yk...? But overall, no matter what he has, its written by a true crime lover and you can tell, so the rep isn't that good? And the story only rly makes sense since they are on this island where rules don't matter and its sorta sweet between Felix and Lemuel especially at the end. But ya theres a lot of medical malpractise in this bad boy ngl. Still a sorta cool story and I loved seeing characters from previous books again (especially when Felix, Lem and the poly couple from the last book got rid of a body together...slay!)
Fragments ~ Nyla K. ★★☆☆☆
The story between Warren and Lexington has been teased troughout all the books in the series. It was already confirmed that Warren is a sex addict, pyromaniac, selfharm & drug addict and has ADHD. Then again theres multiple mentions as to how he has had a billion things added to his list, so who knows which diagnoses are the accurate ones. The only obvious shit that gets discussed in the book is his addictions and they are rly the main cause for the drama. Lex is a nerd who accidentally hacked into the Pentagon and thats why hes there so hes not rly damaged much? Yk...beyond having spent like 5 years (I think) in the prison now. But yeah idk this book kinda sucked cus so much of the plot was clear from the last books and then anything new felt so unnecessarily weird and omg so many coincidences that let the two escape and bleghhhh? Its chaos and weird and idk I rly didn't like it? The last two books, from what the author revealed/promised don't sound too promising but I guess imma finish em either way once they are realeased? But yeah disappointing! The only cool shit was more outside descriptions of Dash's psychotic episodes and more info on the phone calls they had with him after he escaped from there. I just hope the guard throuple survives this ngl!
The Mercenary and the Mortician ~ Alexandra St. Pierre ★★★☆☆
This was the story between the Mercenary Callum and the Mortician Ryan. Ryan can see ghosts and talk to them, which is so cool but was so underused in the book itself??? And like Callum comes from this organization that basically brainwashed him to turn into a killer and hes actually hella prosocial, but also hella reckless and impulsive, which is such a funny mix? I feel like he broke trough the conditioning a bit too easy and the plot was so obvious in a way, but still not like bad per se? The demons in the end were a bit random (and it would have been cool had Cal been a demon tbh), but omg I pls need the book from those two demons??? Cus they're fucking and their chemistry was good. Yeah anyway theres also two lesbians Theo and Cass who will get their book and I think I wanna read that one too cus good chemistry as well? And then theres Cal's friend Vox who doesn't talk and only communicates nonverbally and Naomi who is an adorable gnome obsessed sunshine? Also Ryans mother Iris who is a witch. Yeah idk the book was cool, but I disliked some plot points flows? And the author shot against narcs in the comments chapter at the end so boooo :(
For the Love of Kane ~ Ames Mills ★★★★☆
This book was actually really cool and the dynamic between the four was interesting to say the least? Kane is the big dom who doesn't sub, Blaze only subs for Kane, Jaxon only subs for Kane & Blaze and Eli pretty much would sub for all of them, but also he and Jaxon are sorta on the same level? They had sorta mixed and sorta seperate dynamics that come together over time and its adorable! Its your usual mafia stuff, but the thing that was just sorta unrealistic or at least not well done was Jaxon turning out to be an undercover cop? Like it rly throws you off while reading and the book would have been fine without that? The reveal of the actual big traitors was well done tho, even if you're sorta confused until its all cleared up in the end and that ending between the four is rly cute. Also Blaze is decent psychosis rep and the way the three others handle it as well as they can is nicely done.
The Beautiful Dead ~ Skyla Raines ★★★★☆
This was just...beautiful. Dominio is your typical murdery mafia guy that meets Remi, a boy who has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Remi basically surprises you right away and Dominio is hooooooked! He and Remi have such an unhealthily obsessive relationship that its art. The authors way of writing is rly detailed and its cool ngl. And the death themes and Dominio slowly unlocking Remi's potential and helping him achieve his true form, seeing his darkness is just so cool! Need me a man like that, that'll hand deliver victims, just so I can live out my wildest fantasies. I'll only give 4 stars because the plot line in the last 40% of the book was a bit sloppy and too cliché to fit the book well. And the sex between Dominio and Remi could have been a hell lot more kinky ngl. Wasted potential! But overall books like these are why I keep reading, to find something that captivates me a little and makes me feel seen!
Sober Dope Sundays ~ Nordika Night ★★★★★
This book shows the story between Gage and Alexei! Gage is a recovering addict from...a bunch of shit, but the main things mentioned in the book are sex and substances. He also has ADHD and struggles with kleptomania and the book is written in the authors usual "everyone deserves love and to find their way to be accepted for who they are" style and its just so well done in my opinion? Like Gage's family loves him so much despite all the shit he put them trough and they heal together and have tea time and talk and it made me so goddamn jealous?? Imagine being loved like that! All the neighbours and friends Gage makes over the course of the story drive home the need for community and second chances and shit? Hella cool! Alexei's father Nathan is Gage's sponsor and a past addict and the bond between them is adorable as fuck, but oh my god the bond between Alexei and Gage? SO CUTE. So weird and unique and full of such honest and good communication its wild! They face everything together and Alexei is described as a neurotic person and is afraid of getting addicted to stuff himself,thanks to being neglected by both of his addict parents and not wanting to turn out the same way. But being together with Gage also heals his relationship with his dad a little more than it already is and tbh its overall just super funny and good and kinda a sunshine story with only little drama? I personally liked that a lot. I hope one of the future parts of the weekday weirdos series will tell the story between Nathan and his new girlfriend ngl!
