fanboyriot's reviews
936 reviews

Where It Ends by Mack Beckett

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dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I need a book two honestly, this was so good!  This book had me stressed… highly recommend it!  

Seriously, this book had all the found family vibes in a zombie apocalypse-like world.  It was such a cool plot, bringing in the supernatural elements.  And the characters were all written so well and had great depth.  I loved them all so much but Lewis and Sadie were probably my two favorites.  All their point of views worked well to tell the story.

The hurt/comfort trope has a big role to play in this book with the hurt being the key word.  There was obviously a bit of character death and it was as you would guess very sad.  Two deaths in particular that made me cry.  I had such a good time reading this book though.  It had lighthearted moments too and a cute slow burn romance.  Gyeong being adopted into the group as soon as Finn found her was sweet, their group in general was really wholesome with how much they cared for one another.

If you like The Walking Dead vibes but with queer characters, and more of a supernatural twist then I think you’d enjoy this book.

Read For
✓ Found Family
✓ Slow Burn Romance
✓ Supernatural Abilities 
✓ Hurt/Comfort (but the hurt hits)
✓ Zombie Apocalypse Vibes (but with a twist)

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊

Spice Level: n/a
Sad Level: 💧💧💧💧

Plot: 9/10
Pace: 8/10
Ending: 8/10
Characters: 10/10
Enjoyability: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character: Lewis and Sadie

Favorite Quote: ❝ “We have each other to help through those hard times. Because it sucks, but we're family." ❞ - (pages 265-266)

POV: Multiple, Third Person
Pages: 346
Format: Paperback
Language: English 
Release Date: 09, May 2024
Rep/Extras: Non-Binary Character, MM romance, BIPOC Characters
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If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay

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adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

Listened to this in a day and thought it was an entertaining read.  I wasn’t really expecting a few things but overall it was a decent mystery.  A bit predictable but I had a good time listening to it.

However I will say there were a lot of talks about social media to the point where it was just kinda obnoxious.  While no, I’m not overly fond of a lot of social media stuff, it isn’t all some popularity contests and the way it was depicted in this book felt very superficial.

Read For
✓ Plot Twist
✓ Life on the Run
✓ “Is She Dead?” 😵 
✓ A Dash of Queer Rep 
✓ Multiple Point of Views

𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊

Spice Level: n/a
Sad Level: 💧

Plot: 5/10
Pace: 4/10
Ending: 8/10
Characters: 8/10
Enjoyability: 7/10
Writing Style: 6/10
Would I Recommend? Maybe
Favorite Character: Poppy

Favorite Quote: ❝ “Nah I think he’ll say it’s about damn time” ❞

POV: Multiple, Third Person
Pages: 336 (7 hours)
Format: Audiobook (Libby)
Language: English
Release Date: 28, May 2024
Rep/Extras: Lesbian/Queer Main Character (the sheriff deputy)
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The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 8 by Kousuke Oono

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funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This series is always so much fun to read.  I love the trio of Tatsu, Miku, and Masa, it’s always a good time.

Read For
✓ Cozy
✓ Good Humor
✓ Snow Day ❄️ 
✓ Househusband 
✓ Self-Defense Class

Spice Level: n/a
Sad Level: n/a

Plot: 10/10
Pace: 10/10
Ending: 7/10
Characters: 10/10
Enjoyability: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character: Tatsu

Favorite Quote: ❝ “This technique is pretending to read the green.” ❞

POV: n/a
Pages: 216
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Release Date: 16, August 2022
Rep/Extras: The bonus chapters were well drawn but I didn’t really care as much about them as I do the main manga.
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Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

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challenging fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

If I’m being honest I didn’t care for this book that much.  All the mentions of sex felt way too much like immature middle schoolers who just learned what sex was.  The smut itself was okay, it read like something on Wattpad (derogatory).  Plus the pregnancy trope ruined it for me.

Aaron got away with way too much.  I don’t care what little drama with him was for the plot, he should have been put in his place; and even the ending for him wasn’t that good, he gets a transfer?  That’s all?!  He was so controlling, disgusting, and so creepy. 

The other thing that bothered me was how lightly the eating disorder of the FMC was mentioned.  She constantly struggled with food and it’s just lightly glossed over?  Huh?  How are you so pro therapy but continue to ignore most of your problems.

I really liked Nate and his friends, while getting flowers for his girlfriend he also got his friend some because he hadn’t ever gotten any before was such a wholesome moment.  Nate’s character in general was really enjoyable.

Read For
✓ Therapy 
✓ Insta-Love
✓ College Setting 
✓ Sports Romance
✓ Hockey x Figure Skater

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Sad Level: 💧💧

Plot: 1/10
Pace: 6/10
Ending: 0/10
Characters: 5/10
Enjoyability: 5/10
Writing Style: 2/10
Would I Recommend? No
Favorite Character: Nate Hawkins

Favorite Quote: ❝ It's normal to understand something logically but emotionally feel something different. ❞

POV: Duel, First Person
Pages: 433 (13 hours)
Format: Audiobook (Libby)
Language: English 
Release Date: 22, November 2022
Rep/Extras: Mentions of pansexual side character
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Main βeta Hu: Stuck in The Time Loop by Arjun Pitcher

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Read this in one sitting and I can’t believe how much was packed into one book.  It was almost like reading a journal or diary, it was a really pleasant writing style.

The plot is really good, with hints of science fiction mixed into an ordinary world.  Starting off normal and mundane only to end up with time travel.  The main character had good development along with great descriptions, and there was a bit of dry humor.

Thank you to the author for reaching out and than you to BookSprout as well for this ebook copy in exchange for an honest review 🌱

Read For
✓ Plot Twist
✓ Short Read
✓ Action/Sci-Fi
✓ Time Loop (duh)
✓ Good World Building 

Spice Level: n/a
Sad Level: 💧

Plot: 8/10
Pace: 6/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: 6/10
Enjoyability: 7/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character: Arjun

Favorite Quote: ❝”If I died tomorrow, I’d still say it was worth it.” ❞

POV: Third Person
Pages: 52
Format: eBook 
Language: English
Release Date: 27, November 2024
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Lights Out by Navessa Allen

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dark funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I’m not sure how this is both a romcom and dark romance but I loved it.  All the mentions of Fred (the cat) being their son had me laughing so much.  Josh in general was absolutely such an unserious character with all the jokes you could ask for.  Plus the moments while working with Nico and Junior were immaculate with the humor.

The banter was genuinely so entertaining.  The relationship was healthy (yes, despite the stalking, it was a mutual thing) and the chemistry worked.  And the forest scene in epilogue was truly so cute… and spicy.

Read For
✓ Mask Kink
✓ Cat Parents
✓ Stalker Romance
✓ Accidental Manslaughter
✓ Rom Com (but also dark Romance)

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 
Sad Level: 💧💧💧

Plot: 9/10
Pace: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Enjoyability: 10/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character: Josh Hammond

Favorite Quote:  ❝"Our fearless leader just faceplanted into a Rhododendron, but he's coming out of it now. He looks embarrassed." The man swiveled toward me, and even in the darkness, I could tell he was glaring. “Oops, now he looks pissed.”❞

POV: Duel, First Person
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Release Date: 06, August 2024
Rep/Extras: Possible mention of a bisexual roommate.
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Always the Almost by Edward Underhill

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Read For:
✓ Music 
✓ Hurt/Comfort
✓ Cheating (Kissing)
✓ High School Setting
✓ LGBTQIA+ Characters

˗ˏˋ ★ REVIEW ★ ˎˊ˗
Well… I have thoughts now.  While I enjoyed this book there are a few things that kinda annoyed me; the main thing being the cheating.  Two couples cheat the main relationship and a side relationship.  And while the main relationship went smoothly and worked things out it still doesn’t sit right with me.  The side relationship really pissed me off because the character has a whole other significant other and then tried to play the victim??  Like huh?  Bestie if you’re not happy in your current relationship you should break up with them, not cheat.  Clearly you’re not happy with them.  People content and happy in their relationship don’t cheat.

Rant said, I did enjoy the trans and queer representation, there was really nice diversity in this book.  Miles’ parents were so sweet even if his dad was a bit annoying sometimes.  Miles had good character development but I was so frustrated with him being hung up over his past relationship with Shane.  At some points it was just overkill.

Overall, Eric deserves the world.  He was my favorite character, he was such a sweet and sunshine character all the while having good character depth.  Rachel also deserves the world, I really liked her and she did not deserve the relationship drama she had.

Spice Level: 🌶️
Angst Level: 💧💧
POV: First Person 
Release Date: 14, February 2023
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We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

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emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Read For:
✓ Grief
✓ Healing 
✓ Hurt/ Comfort 
✓ Emotional Angst
✓ LGBTQIA+ Characters

˗ˏˋ ★ REVIEW ★ ˎˊ˗
I have no idea what to think about this book.  Some parts I loved learning the lore, the cozy atmosphere the writing style had was enjoyable. It also felt like it dragged out the entire book.  The character development wasn’t really what I was expecting.  Maybe the plot went over my head but it was just really underwhelming.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧💧💧
POV: First Person 
Release Date: 14, February 2017
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Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs

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adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Read For:
✓ YA Fantasy
✓ Short Stories 
✓ Historical Fiction 
✓ Paranormal Vibes
✓ Bedtime Story Vibes 

˗ˏˋ ★ REVIEW ★ ˎˊ˗
Some of the short stories were really entertaining.  I had the audiobook version and it really made everything come alive so well.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧
POV: Third Person 
Release Date: 03, September 2016
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Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Read For:
✓ Novella
✓ Housemates 
✓ Forced Proximity 
✓ Enemies to Lovers 
✓ Environmental Engineer

˗ˏˋ ★ REVIEW ★ ˎˊ˗
It was better than I was expecting actually.  Though the ending was a bit underwhelming compared to how it started out.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Angst Level: 💧💧
POV: First Person 
Release Date: 03, May 2022
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