If you're a fan of Ryan O'Connell's Netflix series Special, you will absolutely love his upcoming novel, Just By Looking at Him! I read this book If you're a fan of Ryan O'Connell's Netflix series Special, you will absolutely love his upcoming novel, Just By Looking at Him! I read this book in two sittings, and my dark circles are here to prove it! Seriously, I just couldn't go to sleep until I finished this one!
The story is centered around a 30ish old gay man named Elliott, living in Los Angeles, with his boyfriend Gus. Elliott is a writer for a popular television series and is doing really well financially, while his boyfriend is still having a bit of a struggle figuring out his destiny when it comes to his career path. Elliott's relationship with Gus is traditional in the eyes of more recent views on homosexuality and relationships—monogamous, aiming for marriage, etc. Sidenote: I guess I'm traditional too! Elliott's relationship is fueled by alcohol and he struggles with confidence because of his cerebral palsy. One day, Elliott begins opening the door and falling into a bender of cheating with sex workers, in hopes that his boyfriend will never find out. However, living a charade is much harder in the gay community. The world is a lot smaller than people think.
As noted above, I loved this book! Ryan O'Connell's book isn't for everyone, but it IS for me. This book is for all gay men everywhere and their allies. This book is honest, hilarious, and raw. I really loved Elliott's sarcasm and wit, along with his vulnerability and honesty. I loved literally every character in this book and I don't think that's happened in a long time. I always knew that Ryan O'Connell was funny and an amazing actor, but he can also write! This book obviously hits close to home for Ryan O'Connell because he also has cerebral palsy, so I now want to read his memoir, I'm Special. I loved every second of reading this book, and I hope you do too!...more
Raise your hand if you enjoy popcorn thrillers! Jeneva Rose's upcoming thriller, One of Us is Dead is a combination between Big Little Lies and MaRaise your hand if you enjoy popcorn thrillers! Jeneva Rose's upcoming thriller, One of Us is Dead is a combination between Big Little Lies and May Cobb's 2021 release The Hunting Wives—a totally fun and destructive read.
The story focuses on several wealthy women in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. Jenny is a salon owner and caters to all the exclusive clientele, specifically a customer named Olivia and her frienemies. Olivia is the queen bee of the neighborhood and a very influential friend to have. We are also introduced to Karen, a level headed, yet strong willed real estate agent and Shannon, the former wife of local politician, Bryce. After Bryce divorces Shannon for a younger woman, Shannon and Olivia's feud reaches new heights. The story focuses on a variety of different storylines and POVs but the main theme here are female dynamics and the political power they have over each other. The synopsis is vague on what happens here, so I will be too. The best is yet to be discovered when picking up this book.
I can see why this author is so popular on bookstagram because she really is a great storyteller. I felt as if I was another wife (haaaayyyy!) tagging along with Jenny, Shannon, Olivia, Karen, Crystal, and the other characters, and I absolutely love when an author can transport the reader into their books. I read this book in basically two sittings and it was definitely one of those binge reads where you can't put it down until you find out what happens. I will definitely continue my journey with this author's books as One of Us is Dead is my first read by Jeneva Rose, but everyone is telling me I need to read her previous book The Perfect Marriage so I got the audiobook copy. I'll dive right in, I promise! ...more
I usually stick with thrillers and mysteries, but the synopsis of The Boy With a Bird in His Chest was just too interesting for me to overlook thiI usually stick with thrillers and mysteries, but the synopsis of The Boy With a Bird in His Chest was just too interesting for me to overlook this book and I am so glad that I did because, wow. Emme Lund's debut novel is heartbreaking, yet heartwarming; powerful, yet vulnerable; with magic realism that can also resonate with readers.
Owen Tanner was born with a bird (aptly named Gail) in his chest, but you wouldn't know it. His mother told Owen at an early age to hide Gail and never let anyone know she exists. Society would call Owen a Terror and the medical community would want Owen committed. Owen grows up hiding this big secret, until it is found out and Owen has to feel. Throughout the book, readers will see Owen's journey balancing life and Gail, but ultimately Owen must make a decision. Will Owen embrace this bird in his chest, will Owen allow others into his life, and how will Owen be able to battle his own demons?
This book will make you cry. Warning. This book deals with a lot of sensitive topics, such as sexuality, gender, bullying with violence, and family dynamics and acceptance. I quite honestly loved all of the characters, which never happens to me. Not only are Owen and Gail amazing protagonists, I loved Clyde and Tennessee as well! I read this book in one sitting, which always means that it's a hit for me. If you like Fredrik Backman's books, you'll love The Boy With a Bird in His Chest....more
Lucy Foley is becoming the new Ruth Ware, isn’t she? I really enjoyed The Hunting Party, but I struggled with the even more popular release The Guest Lucy Foley is becoming the new Ruth Ware, isn’t she? I really enjoyed The Hunting Party, but I struggled with the even more popular release The Guest List. However, once I saw the cover of Foley’s 2022 release, THE PARIS APARTMENT, I just knew I needed to read it.
I’ll be vague with the story, because the best part of it is how it unfolds. The story focuses on a UK woman named Jess coming to visit her half brother Ben after being invited to come visit him at his new apartment in Paris. While arriving, Jess finds his brother missing, with a group of residents with questionable behavior. Why is her brother missing and how does it relate to the tenants in the building? THE PARIS APARTMENT follows the similar formula that Lucy Foley has perfected, with multiple POVs, in a setting that also plays as its own character. This story is rich with French culture and atmosphere, and I feel like I’m transported to Paris. We have a deck of characters that really all have their own personalities. Talk about immersive—I was transported to that time that I visited Paris! If you liked the show Only Murders in the Building, with a hint of Emily in Paris, but with a Clue-esque twist, I definitely think this book is for you. This book’s climax and ending are seriously going to be resonating with me for awhile, it was just that epic. THE PARIS APARTMENT is proof that Lucy Foley isn’t just here to stay, but also to slay....more
Elle Cosimano is back again with her amazing Finlay Donovan series. This time, in Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead, we start right where we left offElle Cosimano is back again with her amazing Finlay Donovan series. This time, in Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead, we start right where we left off. Finlay is struggling to finish her novel, with pressure from her agent becoming intense. At the same time, Finlay and her live-in nanny and cohort, Vero, find out that someone wants Finlay's ex-husband dead. As Finlay ventures deeper into a life of crime, she can't help but wonder why Steven has a hit out against him. What did he do? What world has Finlay invited into her life?
Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead has the laugh out loud humor as its predecessor did. In fact, this book was more of a comedy than book 1 and I took the style of the storytelling in a different tone. We're reunited with the same cast of characters we fell in love with, but the story is definitely more intimate with Finlay and her decision making than ever before. Book 2 in a series always bridges the gap from books 1 and 3, so I tend to always be a bit more critical of their progression, but ultimately I really enjoyed this one. You can definitely see how this series will make for a perfect television series and I can't wait to see what's in store for Finlay Donovan Book 3....more
Giving a book three stars usually means that I didn't enjoy it, but this review will be different than most of my others. I actually really enjoyed Giving a book three stars usually means that I didn't enjoy it, but this review will be different than most of my others. I actually really enjoyed We Are the Brennans, but felt that the story was more of a character driven drama, with less focus on major plot development. Tracey Lange's writing is astounding and is the key ingredient for me continuing on while reading this book.
The story focuses on the Brennan family and their dysfunctional relationships. The story starts out with Sunday Brennan getting into a drunken car accident and moving back home in New York to try and get her life back on track. The Brennan family is a tight knit Irish Catholic family and has a close circle of friends and family. As Sunday's stay in New York grows longer, the family's dark past starts unraveling. With a family with this much baggage, it's surely going to spark some chaos.
We Are the Brennans is a tried and true family drama. If that's your sort of thing, definitely pick it up. It's under 300 pages, so you can binge read this effortlessly. Again, even though I gave the book 3 stars, I definitely did enjoy the story. It's not as juicy and chaotic as I would have liked and there was a plot point in the story that I disagreed with how it played out, but overall I am happy I chose to pick this story up....more
After reading Thomas Olde Heuvelt's Hex, I knew immediately that his upcoming USA release for Echo would be right up my alley. The story is a supeAfter reading Thomas Olde Heuvelt's Hex, I knew immediately that his upcoming USA release for Echo would be right up my alley. The story is a supernatural horror taking form and causing havoc upon a gay couple? SOLD.
This story focuses on Nick Grevers and his boyfriend Sam Avery. Nick is a major fan of mountain climbing, while his boyfriend Sam is apprehensive about this hobby of his. They met several years prior, with Sam moving from New York to Europe to be with him. However, Nick and his climbing partner Augustin reach trouble at a remove mountain peak in the Swiss Alps, specifically called Maudit. Unbeknownst to Nick, he wakes up in a coma and Augustin is dead. Nick's face, once beautiful and provided him the luxury of privileges he took for granted, is now completely scarred from the nose down. Nick's face is mutilated and even with reconstruction surgery, he will never be the same Nick again. Sam is scared about what that means for their relationship as they are still young and naïve about romance. Will Sam stay with Nick? The old Nick may not look the same anymore, but something else is also brewing inside of him, what exactly is Nick hiding from that night?
I want to be vague on the synopsis because I went in only knowing it was gay and horror, and I want you to go in knowing as little as possible as well. It's a bit longer than it should be, but ultimately its a powerful story about love and acceptance, mental health, and of course, all intertwined with supernatural horror. I really loved the main characters in their own specific ways and at the core of this book is a romance (in my opinion). This story is really dark and the first chapter in the book is one of the scariest pieces of fiction I've ever read in my life. I don't really know how to compare this book with anything else I've read, but I definitely got Insidious / Conjuring vibes, I guess?
This story isn't for everybody, but if you like slow burning suspense, mixed with deep character driven narratives, I say go for it. Echo is very much like Hex in a sense that at times, the author lets your mind come to your own conclusions to certain plot points. The scariest thing in the world is one's own imagination, and Echo reeks havoc on it. I hope to see more of these types of novels from Thomas Olde Heuvelt....more
HUSBAND MATERIAL was one of my most anticipated reads for 2022. If you know anything about me, you'd know that Alexis Hall's previous installment, BOYHUSBAND MATERIAL was one of my most anticipated reads for 2022. If you know anything about me, you'd know that Alexis Hall's previous installment, BOYFRIEND MATERIAL, was one of my favorite books for 2020. I rarely read romcoms, but Luc and Oliver stole my heart and I knew that I wasn't ready to give up on their story. HUSBAND MATERIAL takes place in (I think) roughly two years after its predecessor and Luc and Oliver's relationship has never been stronger. With everyone in Luc's life getting married, he feels the pressure to propose to Oliver, but knows that Oliver does not have strong feelings about marriage. Their relationship seems solid, but what happens when marriage becomes the top of their disputes?
It's really hard to review this book, because I absolutely loved Luc and Oliver yet again, but I also felt that the story really didn't have much to really dive into. Without getting into spoilers, Luc and Oliver spend their time at multiple weddings back-to-back and it felt like we didn't really get a lot of new story as the wedding drama just kept repeating. There was also literally ZERO steam. Like at all. But again, I loved this couple and I also felt like it resembled my husband and me. I think HUSBAND MATERIAL is going to be a transitional book for the next installment, which is always the hardest book to write. Will it be in my top reads for 2022? Absolutely not. Did I enjoy Luc and Oliver's journey and will I continue to read about it? YES. This sounds more negative than you think, because overall I really enjoyed this book. Just know, its a very different style than book 1....more
Whenever I see 2021 and beyond books being marketed as The Girl on the Train, I take a quick pause. That book came out over six years ago and if its iWhenever I see 2021 and beyond books being marketed as The Girl on the Train, I take a quick pause. That book came out over six years ago and if its in the same vein of that book, I am going to be hesitant in picking it up. Six years later and still referring to a book that caused thousands of copycats. However, Katherin Faulkner's upcoming debut Greenwich Park intrigued me right from the beginning because of its beautiful cover! After finishing this book, I don't lean strongly either way in my review, so apologies as I will probably not convince you to pick it up or put it down.
The story has several POVs, but the main one is Helen—a young woman who is pregnant with her architect husband Daniel. At Helen's first prenatal class, she meets Rachel and her life is forever changed. Rachel is also a mother-to-be, but definitely has a different outlook about it. Rachel smokes, drinks, and seems very different than what a typical mother-to-be would be acting. Helen does not work and her husband works long hours, so Rachel's friendship comes at the perfect time. However as Rachel's behavior becomes more and more concerning, Helen tries to distance herself from this person. That is, until Rachel admits that she is a link to Helen's inner circle and she holds a secret that could change their lives forever.
Now, let me start off with what I liked about this book. There's three POVs—Helen, Helen's friend Katie, and Helen's sister-in-law Serena. Katie was the strongest POV and also the most analytical. She was definitely my favorite character to follow. The book somewhat tricked me, but ultimately I knew what was going on very early on. The book does throws some red herrings, which I actually enjoy.
Helen was too naïve for me and I could not get past how foolish her behavior was. Haven't we learned not to make protagonists so gullible by now? Without spoiling anything, Serena's POV was more of an info-dump rather than a conversation, which I felt was weird an unnecessarily written. I would have preferred that Serena's POV was written better and Helen was written with more likeability.
Lastly, I loved the ending. I bet you didn't think I was going to say that, eh? Well, it's true. The ending kept me from giving this book an unfavorable rating. Overall, I'm middle of the road with this book, but if you need an easy read, pick up Greenwich Park. I am unsure whether to actually recommend this book or not....more
The Sky Blues is the best YA novel that I've read in years. Legitimately years. The story is focused on Sky Baker's high school journey in a smallThe Sky Blues is the best YA novel that I've read in years. Legitimately years. The story is focused on Sky Baker's high school journey in a small, conservative town. Growing up in Rock Ledge, Michigan, Sky has had issues with other people, including his family, with accepting his sexuality. Sky is gay and out, a feat that is difficult in his hometown. As Sky prepares for prom, he starts to brainstorm on how the best prom-posal could be.
Sky plans to ask his crush out to prom, but is nervous that the fellow student doesn't share the same feelings. Right before Sky decides to make his move, he becomes the incoming joke from school bullies. His plans are leaked, with photos of Sky and his crush sent via the Internet for all to see. Sky is ashamed and unnerved as he becomes public fodder for everyone at school to laugh at. As the countdown to prom continues to get closer and closer, Sky and his friends decide that they need to find out who has gay bashed Sky and why.
Maybe I have a strong sense of connection to this book as something like this happened to me in college. A group of peers wrote a blog post on a website called Juicy Campus and gay bashed me before I was ready to come out to my friends and family. It was one of the worst experiences of my life. I resonated so deeply with Sky's trauma, and I rooted for Sky and his friends. The Sky Blues has teachable moments when it comes to acceptance and queer pride. I loved that the author, Robbie Couch, included deep conversations about trans-people and gender identity. The Sky Blues is a heartfelt story about accepting who you are and making no apologies for it. I wish a book like this was here for me when I was younger. This is a must read and one of my favorite books of the year....more