Perfectly fine friends to lovers/fake dating, but honestly, without the paranormal element that I enjoyed in The Fake Mate, this didn't really stand oPerfectly fine friends to lovers/fake dating, but honestly, without the paranormal element that I enjoyed in The Fake Mate, this didn't really stand out. Fine but not memorable...more
I'd describe this as a small town murder mystery that is a police procedural with strong horror elements. I think if you go into this expecting straigI'd describe this as a small town murder mystery that is a police procedural with strong horror elements. I think if you go into this expecting straight up horror, you may be disappointed, but if you are cool with it being a strong flavor in what is otherwise a detective story, this would be a great one to pick up. Aside from some pacing issues early on, this was super fun and entertaining - a very "me" book. I'm not sure I'm interested in continuing with what seems to be a series set up in the epilogue but I enjoyed this quite a bit...more
Simone St. James always delivers and this one is no different. A supernatural take on a hitchhiker serial murderer urban legend - very entertaining anSimone St. James always delivers and this one is no different. A supernatural take on a hitchhiker serial murderer urban legend - very entertaining and a fun ride that I couldn't put down...more
I had the best time reading this! It was just cozy but not cutesy, lovely, and felt like a comfy old episode of Midsomer Murders. I will def continue I had the best time reading this! It was just cozy but not cutesy, lovely, and felt like a comfy old episode of Midsomer Murders. I will def continue in this series to see what other dirt Frances dug up before she got hers...more
3.5 stars - If "Camp Damascus" left me with an impression of earnestness blended with body horror, "Bury Your Gays" is pure camp. I honestly think thi3.5 stars - If "Camp Damascus" left me with an impression of earnestness blended with body horror, "Bury Your Gays" is pure camp. I honestly think this would be an amazing book to screen adaptation (perhaps ironically given the setting?) and the writing felt very cinematic in a positive way. I think the pacing was off for me - I can always do without a flashback - so I'm not sure I liked this quite as much as the last one. But this definitely shows that His Royal Chuckness has plenty of ideas left in this genre. I look forward to more! ...more
Another fun speculative romance from Queen Ruby that delivered what I want from her - low angst, high camp, high fun. I wasn't expecting this to be inAnother fun speculative romance from Queen Ruby that delivered what I want from her - low angst, high camp, high fun. I wasn't expecting this to be in a full on fantasy world (I thought it would be more paranormal or monster romance set in a version of our world), but I am intrigued by the setting and politics established in this book & hope we get more stories here. I liked our MCs and their relationship progression, except that I am not sure I bought that they were full on in love by the end. Seemed more like a HFN rather than a HEA, but I'll take it either way :). Can't wait for my snazzy edition to arrive when this releases! ...more
The setting and premise of this one are really fun & entertaining enough as a domestic thriller type plot. However, I was hoping for a Christie-esque The setting and premise of this one are really fun & entertaining enough as a domestic thriller type plot. However, I was hoping for a Christie-esque mystery which this did not delivery IMO - more family drama than whodunnit...more
This was a true blue police procedural and I ate it up. We do get some nice character moments with Jake & Nadine, since Jake is on the scene where theThis was a true blue police procedural and I ate it up. We do get some nice character moments with Jake & Nadine, since Jake is on the scene where the first murder happens, so that was nice for us long term series readers and is what makes a really enjoyable installment in this series. But I always appreciate the mystery being at the forefront, and this struck the right balance for what I like best for an In Death book...more
3.5 stars - Same writing/voice I love, but not my favorite trope combo. I'm pretty over any contemporary where it's "sex into more" because I just thi3.5 stars - Same writing/voice I love, but not my favorite trope combo. I'm pretty over any contemporary where it's "sex into more" because I just think it's kind of overdone. I did enjoy getting a MMC POV, though not sure I loved these 2 characters together. Overall, not my fav from this author, but still enjoyable & I think many folks will appreciate her mixing things up...more
3.5 stars - So the drawback to this first book in a new paranormal series is that there's a lot of world building info dump that happens. But the auth3.5 stars - So the drawback to this first book in a new paranormal series is that there's a lot of world building info dump that happens. But the author's writing style is sooooo well suited to the intrinsic camp of paranormal romance and by the end, I was hooked. This is not my fav trope set, but I still ate it up with a spoon, and I'm excited for the next book now that we know what's going on...more
4.5 stars - Truly, Ruth Ware saw me in my time of need and rescued me from my reading slump. This was so deliciously paced & had me hooked throughout.4.5 stars - Truly, Ruth Ware saw me in my time of need and rescued me from my reading slump. This was so deliciously paced & had me hooked throughout. I'd describe this more as a suspense take on Lord of the Flies rather than a mystery thriller in the vein of And Then There Were None, so caveat there in terms of expectations. But that being said... this just worked for me! Including the commentary on red pill MRA internet culture ...more
I was entertained by this as a way to pass time, but honestly, the pacing was bizarre and the main character seemed dedicated to making the least reasI was entertained by this as a way to pass time, but honestly, the pacing was bizarre and the main character seemed dedicated to making the least reasonable decision possible at every turn. Fine but not memorable...more
Aside from some pacing issues in the middle, I really loved this one. I think the Gothic meets Sri Lankan folklore inspiration worked so well in this Aside from some pacing issues in the middle, I really loved this one. I think the Gothic meets Sri Lankan folklore inspiration worked so well in this horror mystery. Atmosphere was great, imagery was vivid, and I really liked the themes explored. All around, a great first outing for me with this author - looking forward to more!...more
I was so impressed with how satisfying the mystery component of this book was! Often times, if mystery is not the author's main genre, they can be a lI was so impressed with how satisfying the mystery component of this book was! Often times, if mystery is not the author's main genre, they can be a little flat or not well executed, but I found the plot of this to be excellent. I also quite liked the fantasy world building and overall atmosphere. The only thing that kept me from fully loving this is that I personally am pretty tired of the Sherlock/Watson character dynamic. It was pretty well done, but I just am a little bored by it unless there's more nuance or innovation to that trope
Overall, highly recommend! This was really entertaining & well done
CW: for my fellow fungiphobes, there is a lot of spore talk in this...more
3.5 stars - I really enjoyed the world building in this one in terms of how the doors work and getting more insight into how the different worlds' log3.5 stars - I really enjoyed the world building in this one in terms of how the doors work and getting more insight into how the different worlds' logic operates. It was also good to see where Antsy's story leads. However, I think this felt a little messy and unfocused at times which I would say is a pacing issue. Still entertaining, but one of the lesser books in the series. Also, considering the cover... I needed more dinos!!...more
3.5 stars - There's a lot in here that worked for me in terms of tropes (actual hate to love due to a history of professional rivalry) and set up. Lar3.5 stars - There's a lot in here that worked for me in terms of tropes (actual hate to love due to a history of professional rivalry) and set up. Lara Croft and Indiana Jones go on an adventure & fall in love? Sold! I did think this was kind of uneven in its execution, which kept me from fully getting into the flow, and I think some of the underlying issues (e.g. the ethics of archaeology by Americans in Mexico, the dynamics of the hero's privilege relative to the heroine by virtue of gender & ethnicity) were kind of brought up but not fully resolved. Still I love an adventure romance and I want more books like this out there...more
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