heathers_books's reviews
457 reviews

Covenant, Vol. 1 by LySandra Vuong, explodikid

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

The world, the visuals, the characters - all of it comes together flawlessly in the first volume of this comic by LySandra Vuong!

The art style is contrasted and clean - pleasing to the eye and easy to follow for those of us that struggle with eye fatigue. Those dark undertones reflect wonderfully in the subject manner of this book - this being demons and the priests that have been trained to banish them. The cast of characters introduced here are all fun, charming, and wonderfully queer. I love to see it!

I do find it difficult to comment on plot and structure as this was only Vol. 1. Instead of constructing a full flowing narrative it was focused more on laying the foundation blocks for later building. That being said I had no problem following along and am already invested in these characters and their future!

(P.S. If you are impatient like I am myself, more of this story is available on Webtoon!)

Special thanks to Netgalley and Oni Press for this arc! I am leaving this review voluntarily!

Craven Manor by Darcy Coates

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

P.S. I Spook You by S.E. Harmon

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funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

This book had ghosts, a cold-case team made of likable characters, and some steam. All things I enjoy immensely. But it did have something that I usually don’t love which is second chance romance

What I love about a romance is the pinning, the falling in love, the little things the characters learn about each other along the way (especially in plots/genres where romance isn’t the main focus. If I am going to care about the romance, I need to a reason to do so). With set ups like Rain and Danny… Their romance already happened off page, so even thought I’m told they are in love… I didn’t really get to see it.

As far as a thriller/mystery I did enjoy this book and I will be listening to the next in the series via audiobook (I read the print of this one) as I am interested in the ghost whisperer/agent team that will be playing a part in the future!

(If you are a fan of a romance/ thriller crime combo I do really recommend Quine and Costa Series. The author did a fantastic job of balancing the romance with the thriller/crime genre.)

Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

Hear me out: Turn on the fairy lights, queue up “Dress” by Taylor Swift, and get yourself a good array of tea pastries - these are the prime conditions for reading this adorable and swoony sapphic romance.

I ate this entire book UP! When it was pitched as Parent Trap and Bridgerton I was admittedly skeptical, but oh boy this book DELIVERED.

The dynamic between the leads was fun and captivating - I adored that we got to watch these two from their very first meeting to falling in love. Gwen, bold and charismatic, was a perfect counterpart to Beth, timid and amiable. Together they were sometimes a bit of a disaster, real idiots to lovers representation, ya know? (Beth and Gwen had 3 braincells between them and 1 of those brain cells was mildly intoxicated at all times…but we love them anyways). But they always had the best intentions and through their, admittedly poorly organized mission to get their widowed parents together, they come to confront what matters most to them and what is worth fighting for.

I also must add that the whole cast of this book was really delightful and I am SO thrilled that there are hints to a future second book following Beth and Gwen's cousins!

This book was unexpectedly one of my top reads this year and I very much recommend it if you’ve ever watched Bridgerton and thought “man, I really wish there were sapphics here.” (Is that not a thought we’ve all had at some point? It can’t just be me.)

Special thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC - I am leaving this review voluntarily!

You Shouldn't Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose

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Did not finish book.

1.0

DNF - I couldn’t even make it past my usual 20% dnf mark. Honestly I didn’t see that Colleen Hoover blurbed this before I checked it out from the library and if I had I would have saved myself time.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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5.0

Us by Sara Soler

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4.0

Love and Monsters by Max Walker

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2.0

Paper Planes by Jennie Wood

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced