This book had me hooked from the get-go. It revolves around a horror game, a Twitch streamer, and her deepest secret. What more could you want?
The pacThis book had me hooked from the get-go. It revolves around a horror game, a Twitch streamer, and her deepest secret. What more could you want?
The pacing of this book was perfect, the writing phenomenal, and the story both heart wrenching and nightmare inducing.
Our MC Vivian has held on to her deepest darkest secret for months, finally releasing it to a NPC in her newly downloaded game. She thinks it’s an innocent game. No harm in spilling your guts to an online game character right?
What follows is a horrific story of her life being turned upside down while she had to sit by and try to piece together what’s left of herself.
This book had me wishing I would have read it with the lights on, and maybe even slept with the lights on. Every noise I heard had me opening my eyes, looking around my dark room.
I can’t wait to see where Tatiana goes—she’s a brilliant author and I’m so excited to see what she comes up with next. ...more
I couldn’t have chosen a better time or month to read this ARC.
Please Stop Trying to Leave Me is a truly remarkable piece of work.
It deals with the I couldn’t have chosen a better time or month to read this ARC.
Please Stop Trying to Leave Me is a truly remarkable piece of work.
It deals with the struggles of mental health (the main theme of the book IMO), and on healing from trauma while dealing with mental illness.
It’s a beautiful, brutal, captivating read with some hard truths and facts buried inside. I was completely enamored with the writing — my mind blown away at how easily the words flowed and the story came together in the end.
I think this debut novel is an important read, one that is filled with the realities of being a human dealing with a lifetime of trauma and overcoming a mental health crises.
Thanks so much to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this eARC!
**All thoughts and opinions here are my own!**...more
Growing up in a highly religious family, this book hit so many soft spots in my psyche. The fact that I I have never sobbed so hard at a book before.
Growing up in a highly religious family, this book hit so many soft spots in my psyche. The fact that I saw myself in Sophie made this book that much more special.
Being told my entire life that homosexuality is wrong, sex is wrong unless for procreation, ignoring my feelings of being “different”. It took me well into adulthood to be okay with who I am, be okay with being part of the LGBTQ community, and be okay with enjoying sex.
This book is one of the most phenomenal books I’ve read in a long time. I never expected a horror book to make me feel the feelings I did, but here we are.
CJ Leede writes such beautiful, brilliant characters. Watching Sophie on this journey to discover herself while simultaneously fighting to stay alive in a world gone to hell is an edge-of-your-seat adventure.
I grew so attached to these characters. Something that doesn’t often happen with books I read. They have such depth and feel so real I had to constantly remind myself that this is a book.
I will forever sing the praises of this book. If you love a horror book that has tragedy, heartfelt moments, and will bring you to your knees, I cannot recommend this one enough. ...more
This was my first novel by Chuck Tingle (despite the fact I’ve had Camp Damascus sitting on my shelf since it was published), and I loved it. I loved This was my first novel by Chuck Tingle (despite the fact I’ve had Camp Damascus sitting on my shelf since it was published), and I loved it. I loved his writing style, the way his words seemed to flow so effortlessly and beautifully together.
This book was truly remarkable in many ways. I love a good novel that has more than just one “main” genre and Chuck Tingle meshed together sci fi and horror so perfectly. I loved the originality of this book, but also how it was a very hot take on Hollywood.
There were some very grotesque moments with descriptions that will make your stomach churn, all the while you can’t stop reading because it’s just that good. His ability to write such vivid descriptions of these moments is truly remarkable and something I enjoyed.
I loved the character development of our MC Misha. Watching him grow into this badass hero as the story unfolds is something you truly don’t want to miss.
Thanks to netgalley and tor nightfire for the eARC of this amazing book ...more
This book was full of a Scottish folktale, a forbidden love, a sweet, sapphic romance, and a beautiful story all flowing into a pNew. Favorite. Book.
This book was full of a Scottish folktale, a forbidden love, a sweet, sapphic romance, and a beautiful story all flowing into a perfect book.
A Sweet Sting of Salt is a reimagining of the Scottish folktale “the Selkie Wife” and Rose Sutherland does an astounding job in her reimagining of this folktale.
Her words flow beautifully, they have heart, they have feeling, and they have so much love and passion in them.
There were times in this book where I felt I was walking in Jean’s footsteps, living her life, feeling her feelings, her emotions.
My heart broke for both Jean and Muirin — their circumstances and situations were heartbreaking.
I knew within about 20 pages I was going to love this book. And by 50% in, I had preordered the physical copy of this just so I could have it to display on my shelves.
I adore this book, its vibes, its heart, and I so deeply and desperately hope that Rose Sutherland puts out more of her work because I will be first in line to grab it up....more
This was a creative, shiver-inducing read that was truly something else I’ve never seen in the horror genre yet.
It was my first read by this author, This was a creative, shiver-inducing read that was truly something else I’ve never seen in the horror genre yet.
It was my first read by this author, and for it being his first novel, I think he did a phenomenal job.
What Waits in the Shadows only amplified my fear of the dark, and as a 32 year old adult, I’m not afraid to admit I am still afraid of the dark (and now the shadows lurking in the dark). Wil Forbis truly knew how to make you question your own sanity. Did she really see that? Was it all in her head? Is reality breaking apart?
The imagery he produces with his writing is sometimes quite grotesque, which I love, and will leave your stomach churning, and leave you feeling queasy.
Our MC, Lisa, has quite the character development, going from a timid, scared woman to a badass by the end of the book where you’re rooting for her and cheering her on. I loved seeing her develop into her own being.
I truly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more from this author. ...more
Starting out, I really didn’t think I was going to like this book. But, I ended up truly loving it. It was a slow-build, atmospheric, eerie vibe the fStarting out, I really didn’t think I was going to like this book. But, I ended up truly loving it. It was a slow-build, atmospheric, eerie vibe the first 50%. S.A. Barnes did a phenomenal job building up to an intense final 50% of the book.
The first half of the book built up with not your typical “gory” horror but your eerie and atmospheric horror. It was a feeling, one that sent shivers and chills down your spine.
This book was filled with not only psychological aspects but gore as well, set in space where you have a sense of claustrophobia; there’s no way out of this situation, you’re completely stuck.
With a crew, and herself, keeping secrets, the whole team unravels, some slowly seeming to break down.
The writing was truly remarkable in a way that draws you into the book making it feel realistic and interesting — it’s definitely something I’ve never read before and something I’m highly interested in reading again.
For being my first space horror novel, I believe I’m now going to have to read S.A. Barnes other novel, Dead Silence. ...more
This book is filled with tragedy, dread, heartbreak, terror, and horror.
It’s a very powerful, atmospheric book that I think William F. Gray did a pheThis book is filled with tragedy, dread, heartbreak, terror, and horror.
It’s a very powerful, atmospheric book that I think William F. Gray did a phenomenal job in setting the perfect atmosphere for.
Reading this book gave me goosebumps, and filled me with a feeling of absolute panic and fear for our characters as they’re trying to survive.
The writing was absolutely beautiful and flawless. I don’t want to give too much away, but even before I read the authors note, I understood what the author was trying to accomplish with the monster. And, I think he did it perfectly.
I loved the character development. It was beautiful towards the end, we see just how much they’ve grown as people.
Dare I say, this has become a favorite of mine already? Yes, I dare. Because it’s absolutely a phenomenal book that I think everyone should read.
This book comes out February 16th, so keep your eyes open for it, and definitely snag it up because it’s absolutely worth it ...more
Thrilling with side of humor is how I would best describe this book.
A woman obsessed with helping solve the murders of 4 women finds herself falling Thrilling with side of humor is how I would best describe this book.
A woman obsessed with helping solve the murders of 4 women finds herself falling in love with the man on trial for their murders after corresponding with him through letters.
Our MC, Hannah, is desperate to find love, and I sympathize with her so much in this aspect. She’s a bit obsessive, and at times I wanted to scream at her “What are you doing?!”
I enjoyed so many parts of this book from the serial killer aspect to the full on obsession that Hannah finds herself in. Watching her descend into this world of serial killer obsession is like watching a train wreck in slow motion as her life completely falls apart.
You have to sit back and watch her ignore red flag after red flag and just internally scream! (Let’s face it though, we all ignore red flags).
I do have to say, this has one of the best, most unsuspecting endings I’ve ever read. I was completely caught off guard, mouth wide opening, GASPING, as I read the last two sentences of this book.
This book hits shelves June 25th and I highly recommend if you love a good thriller/romance with a very shocking ending.
Thanks to #netgalley #berkleypublishinggroup & #tashacoryell for allowing me to read this arc!!...more
I received this ARC on Netgalley a while ago & I’m just now getting to it. Now, I’m absolutely kicking myself for it.
This book was incredibly atmosphI received this ARC on Netgalley a while ago & I’m just now getting to it. Now, I’m absolutely kicking myself for it.
This book was incredibly atmospheric and eerie with a unique take on a haunting mixing your typical ghost story with Native American mythology.
Matthew, a 15 year old boy, has moved to Stratford’s Lighthouse with his family due to his dad being sent to do a church plant. His dad, Pastor McKay, is opening a church in Melbrook, a small town in Massachusetts.
I love how in this book, Joshua Stevens intertwines religions into the narrative as Matthew meets a beautiful young girl, Solstice, who is Wiccan, and begins to question everything he’s ever been taught growing up. As someone raised in a devout Christian home, this is something I can completely relate to, especially at this age.
Matthew has such a strong character development through out this book, and he grows so much as a person. It’s truly amazing to see him go from this timid little boy afraid to speak up to his parents to fighting for what he knows is right and true.
All in all, this book is truly amazing, and I highly recommend it ...more
This book hit super close to home for me. As someone whose mom is battling cancer, I so wish there was a “magic cure” for it. And while she’s in remisThis book hit super close to home for me. As someone whose mom is battling cancer, I so wish there was a “magic cure” for it. And while she’s in remission, I wish from the beginning there was something that could have been done to avoid everything she’s gone through.
This book was so incredibly bleak, heartbreaking, dark, and beautiful wrapped together.
Jay did an amazing job at being so descriptive, and his writing was absolutely beautiful. The imagery from how he described everything was absolutely TOP TIER.
I found myself totally enveloped in the story, and seeing how it progressed, seeing how Richard progressed through the story, too. And, I have to say, by the end of the story, my mind was blown, and my head was spinning because this is not how I saw it all ending at all, nor was it how I saw Richard being in the end ...more
This book…. WOWZA! As someone who has a phobia of actually getting INTO the ocean… this just amplified it tenfold.
Between extremely horrifying sea creThis book…. WOWZA! As someone who has a phobia of actually getting INTO the ocean… this just amplified it tenfold.
Between extremely horrifying sea creatures, the vast open ocean, and a very horrific phenomenon, I can without a doubt say, I’ll definitely never set foot in the ocean.
The writing was absolutely phenomenal with the most unsettling atmosphere, and terrifying descriptions. It had gore, and was fast paced. The action started from the get-go and never let up ...more
This book was absolutely AMAZING. It was beautiful, dark, romantic, sapphic love, and undeniably heartbreaking at times.
It sent me from one end of thThis book was absolutely AMAZING. It was beautiful, dark, romantic, sapphic love, and undeniably heartbreaking at times.
It sent me from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other, from rage, to crying, to being a bit turned on, to a little horrified.
The writing was absolutely flawless, and breathtaking. I got so lost in this book, and it was one of those that was difficult to put down. S.T. Gibson’s writing style is superb.
I loved the switching between POV’s. It gives us a look into both MC’s thoughts, lives, and feelings, and I believe it added so much more depth to the book.
This was an easily rated 5 star book for me, and I cannot wait to read more from S.T. Gibson!...more
This was one of those books that I didn’t want to end. I read it in less than 24 hours, and I’m not even ashamed of that. As much as I didn’t want it This was one of those books that I didn’t want to end. I read it in less than 24 hours, and I’m not even ashamed of that. As much as I didn’t want it to end, I couldn’t put it down.
It had all the vibes I love; dark academia, mystery, fantasy, witchy, coming-of-age, queer characters, queer discovery, and I’m sure there’s more I’m not thinking of. Anyone who knows me, and has been following my reviews long enough knows that I LOVE anything witchy and queer.
Briana Morgan did a PHENOMENAL job writing this beautiful book. Not only did it have me on the edge of my seat with mystery, but it also had me crying with the “found family” aspect it had. A group of teenagers coming together, and finding a place they belong.
Her writing was absolutely amazing, and the detail of it all was perfection. I easily imagined myself there inside my head as I was reading along with these characters.
This will definitely be one of the books I can say I’ll come back to and reread, and I don’t reread books often. It’ll be a comfort book.
If you love queer witches, with some mystery, coming of age, and found family vibes, I cannot recommend this book enough ...more
Okay, okay, I know it’s early only being January, but, dare I say… I’ve found one of my new favorite books?
We follow our MC, Rhiannon, (Rhi), as she Okay, okay, I know it’s early only being January, but, dare I say… I’ve found one of my new favorite books?
We follow our MC, Rhiannon, (Rhi), as she attends Alystair, a school for monsters just like her. A place she finally feels like she belongs, where she finally finds friends, her girl gang. But, then bodies start dropping and the prestigious school.
This book has everything you could want. Monsters, magic, dark academia vibes, an enemies to lovers romance, and oh man, the SPICE!
I could not put this book down. I was addicted from the first chapter. The writing had me so enveloped in the story, and so engrossed. The story itself is so original and creative. I’ve never read a book like this before and I loved every single second of it.
Nicole M Rubino’s writing was so beautiful and detailed. I love how she put in so much detail to the monsters, their abilities, and even the way the school itself looks.
The spice in this book was a slow build, which made me want to read the book that much faster but I also wanted to take my time with the book because I just didn’t want it to end.
The ending had my jaw on the floor, and me sitting there mind numb, and was definitely not something I was expecting.
I went into this book expecting to like it just by the description & the cover and came out loving it so much. Now, I’m so excited for book 2 ...more