Tag: fall reads

A Restless Truth by Freya Marske 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!

I am in love with love. Loved this Sapphic romance and amazing story and the fantasy! I haven’t read the first book but this was very easy to follow, almost like a stand-alone. I completely enjoyed every minute of this book!

The fantasy is unique with an interesting magic system including magicians, forseers, and mediums (even ghosts!).
The story gave me a very Agatha Christie vibe. A whodunit with a cobbled together group of individuals solving the case and following the trail. What I loved most was the Sapphic romance between two of the characters. It was real, a bit smutty, just enough to make this whole story very rounded out and full. I think the romance along with the humor of some characters is what really made this perfect.

Definitely recommend!

Out November 10, 2022!

Nubia: The Awakening by Omar Epps 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!

This was an intense, fast-paced read that brought a lot of attention to where our world could be heading but in a fantasy setting.

Three teenagers that live in NYC around the year 2080, I believe, are connected not just by shared history and nationality but because they have discovered they have powers. Nubians fled their homeland in this tumultuous future when global warming began massively affecting this planet. Now many live in a rough district of NYC while the rich live in the sky, literally (a city built in the sky).

This story covers some dense topics particularly global warming and class segregation. It shows how those with power may take advantage but offers hope with the Nubians being finally able to start fighting back. These three teens with powers are just the beginning as is this book. I’m looking forward to the sequel!

Out November 8, 2022!

Friends Like These by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!

Talk about toxic!! Whew… this was a wild ride and it had my head spinning with the possibilities in this intense small town thriller.

I think this was the point, but I didn’t really like any of the characters. Plus, right from the start, the author throws the reader into the middle of one of the worst things that could happen at a party… or anytime, anywhere really.

When Jessica is ready to leave a huge summer party the TV suddenly turns on and she sits in horror watching her boyfriend hook up with her ex- best friend. This story continues with a missing persons case and much more. So be ready and hold on bc this does not slow down!

Out November 1, 2022!

A Sliver of Darkness by C.J. Tudor 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

I’m a fan of C.J. Tudor and, of course, a big fan of horror.  I was so excited when I found out this author was releasing a book of short horror stories.   There is something so eloquent about good horror in small bites like this.  This is a perfect genre for short stories.  

One of my favorite things about this collection is the introductions to each story that let me peek into Tudor’s life and see how the author finds inspiration. 

These were bone-chilling, unnerving and unsettling so of course I loved it! I definitely recommend picking this one up and enjoying on a dark night!

Out November 8, 2022!

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!

This book gave me a very specific feeling and, as a reader, you may know exactly what I’m talking about. There are some books I’ve read in my life that immediately have this feeling of a safe place or being comforting. The kind of books that are great for rereads because they give me a sense of peaceful familiarity. This is how I felt reading this book and it’s one of the major reasons I love it so much.

Viv is a great comfort character. She never gets overly riled and seems to always keep her head in most all situations. The people that come to surround her as she creates this new life are just as soothing. I feel like this book, so much like coffee and a pastry, is a balm to the soul.

It’s a love story to coffee and the eclectic gathering at coffee shops just as much as it is to friendship. (And, also, amazing cats!)

Definitely recommend this one!

Built to Last by Erin Hahn 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!

I love friends to lovers, a one bed only trope and throw in a reality TV home remodeling show??? YES!!!

This was a hit for me. Shelby and Cam started something at age 17 when their tv/sitcom coming of age show went off the air 10 years ago and now, they are working together again!

This has a great build up to steamy romance and a lot of sweet nothings that left me sighing. What I especially loved was the attention to details about them as a couple but first and foremost as individuals.

Cam really had to make peace with his family, especially his father. He was also struggling with the idea of setting down roots somewhere more permanently than he has been. Shelby has spent the last 5 years sober and focusing on herself. My personal favorite thing about this book is that Shelby is a skilled woodworker and works with her dad on renovations.

If your a fan of romcoms then I definitely recommend this!

Out October 18, 2022!

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

This thriller had everything I wanted; family secrets, a dangerous game and major twists!

Harry, or Harriet, has moved to NYC from London with her boyfriend. The holidays are just starting, and he proposes in the middle of the skating rink at Rockefeller Center. Harry thinks she’s in for a wild ride already this holiday season with the prospect of meeting the Holbeck family, but she has no idea.

When Harry meets the whole family at Thanksgiving she learns that she will have to prove herself if she wants to keep her secrets. And, this “old money” family’s idea of that comes in the way of games that some may say are a bit cruel.

This thriller had me the whole way through and I definitely recommend it! Also, it’s a great holiday thriller!

Out October 18, 2022!

Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

Found family, lgbtqia+ in the 1950’s and a murder mystery! There is not much more that my soul could ask for.

A very popular soap maker dies and her wife wants someone to solve the case, but kinda secretly bc of her and her household’s lgbtq status at that time. In other words, just trying not to draw attention. That’s where the main character comes in. A disgraced cop who was just fired for being found in a compromised position during a police raid at a gay club.

He meets the lgbtqia family of Lavender house and gets a feel for what a real found family is. That he shouldn’t have to hide a part of himself to be accepted and loved. This story touches on homophobia during the 1950’s and can be quite triggering but I think it was done in a good way. I also really enjoyed the murder mystery, especially because it kept me on my toes till the end.

Out October 18, 2022!

Content Warnings for homophobia, violence and death

Little Eve by Catriona Ward 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

This is so much more than what I was expecting even though my expectations were pretty high because I loved The Last House on Needless Street by this author.

After reading the author’s note at the beginning and upon finishing this unsettling gothic horror, I feel like this is somewhat the author’s horror love letter to Scotland… if there can be such a thing. I say that because I felt like much of this story represented different aspects to Scottish folklore so I have a hard time imagining this taking place anywhere else and having the same effect.

The story begins with a local butcher finding the “family” at Altnaharra dead except for one survivor. The story is continued in segments between Eve and Dinah leading up to that day. The father figure, “uncle”, kept the children and young women in thrall with this very chilling religion that also included the Adder, a role the “uncle” would take on. Through starvation and mind games he had control until the spell was broken.

This is so twisted, super dark and absolutely chilling. Not to mention that I simply could not stop reading!

Out October 11, 2022!

Content Warnings for Sexual assault, abuse, fanaticism, gore, violence, suicide

The Witch Hunt by Sasha Peyton Smith 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!

What a wild ride! If you loved the first book, the Witch Haven, then this is simply a must read. And, at such a perfect time of year!!!

I loved where the story picked up with Frances after that wild ending of the first book. She is struggling with her powers but also, after everything she’s been through, she is kind of struggling with figuring out exactly who she is because of that. I loved that mixture of trying to find the key to fixing magic while also seeing her deep introspection.

This book has everything. Not to mention, it takes place in Paris! The charming, delightful and partying 1920’s in Paris adds the perfect touch to the atmosphere kicking this story up into high gear.

Definitely recommend this sequel!

Out October 11, 2022!