fanboyriot's reviews
853 reviews

Casket Case by Lauren Evans

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mysterious 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

♡ Small Town
♡ Cozy Romance
♡ Spooky Rom-Com Vibes

While the setting was cozy and kinda had the vibes of Bon Temps from Sookie Stackhouse series, I just couldn’t like either of the characters.  The main relationship felt one dimensional and childish.  It lacked depth with their characters and I just couldn’t get into it.

Plot wise though, I did enjoy the idea.  It had a charming small town vibe with a light magic atmosphere.  However, I don’t know if it was because it was too fast-paced for my taste or if I just didn’t connect with any of the characters but I found the main characters so difficult to like.  Unfortunately, it just kinda fell flat for me.

Thank you to PenguinTeen for this eARC copy in exchange for a review.

Spice Level: Off Page
Angst Level: n/a
POV: Third Person
Release Date: 10, September 2024
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Camp 1985 by Matthew R. Corr

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adventurous dark funny mysterious 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

♡ Slasher Movie
♡ Summer Camp
♡ Nostalgic Vibes

When an influencer summer camp sounds too good to be true it just might be.  Things quickly go from bad to worse when some of the camps dark history starts repeating itself.

I absolutely loved this book.  It had all the horror slasher summer camp vibes you could ask for; and it was even queer so naturally it was much better to begin with.  All the characters were unique and interesting to see how different they were to each other.

A big thank you to the author for an audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧💧 (3/5)
POV: Third Person 
Release Date: 14, June 2024
Rep: Gay (Main Character), Pansexual (Love Interest), Fat/Plus Sized (Love Interest), LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters)
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How To Survive Your Murder by Danielle Valentine

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

♡ Slasher Movie
♡ Light Time Travel 
♡ Questionable Ending

Definitely had the Happy Death Day vibe (though I haven’t watched that yet) when it came to the time travel.  Getting to live the role of a character stuck in a slasher movie and seeing how it changed with each decision Alice made.  

It was entertaining to hear all the horror movie references and conversations about how things would play out if it were a movie.  I’d definitely watch this if it gets an adaptation… but what the hell was that ending?!

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧 (2/5)
POV: First Person 
Release Date: 30, August 2022
Rep: BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ Characters Mentioned
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Wild Spaces by S.L. Coney

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

3.0

♡ A Good Dog
♡ Horror Vibes
♡ Creepy Grandpa

A quick read with an eerie horror vibe to it.  The setting of this was lovely, the writing style had an elegant feel to it; that being said, I have no idea what happened.  The plot completely went over my head for most of the book and for a good part of it there was nothing happening.  The grandpa really made me want to punch him though.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧 (2/5)
POV: Third Person 
Release Date: 01, August 2023
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The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

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dark emotional mysterious tense 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

♡ Plot Twist
♡ Missing Person Found
♡ Who Should You Trust?

A documentary for a missing woman who suddenly returns after sixteen years.  Bell is left to unravel the true, to find out who was lying to her about what happened that night her mom went missing.  Was she even really taken to begin with?  But Bell soon realizes she can’t trust the people she thought she could.

This was a bit slow but at about the 30% mark it kicked in.  This story was wild and I was so invested.  Each truth Bell found out added to the story so well.  The mystery, the suspense of what really happened when Rachel disappeared was all an addictive read.  I didn’t see some of the twists coming when it came to Rachel’s disappearance.  It was also really entertaining to see some of the behind the scenes of the making of the documentary.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧 (2/5)
POV: Third Person
Release Date: 07, September 2024
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Out Of Touch by Michael Sarais

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emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

♡ Pen Pals
♡ Angst with a Happy Ending
♡ Foreign Exchange Students

Well, what a roller coaster ride with this book was.  There are three parts to this book and each part has a completely different vibe to it. This book was way more hurt than comfort and I just didn’t vibe with that much of the story past part one.  There was just too much of an on again off again vibe for me.  However, I liked the characters and the plot was good, while it focused way too much on the hurtful moments—and I’m aware books don’t have to be all sunshine and rainbows but I wish there was a bit more balance to it.

Part One
This was by far my favorite part.  I loved the characters, the friendships, and the storyline.  It was very well written and cute.  Teddy and Vincent becoming pen pal friends after finding each other through an exchange program’s Facebook.  They have a well developed friendship that slowly builds to more.  Also, Hazel was so iconic in this part of the book, she was such a great friend.

Part Two
Oh my god, the end of part one and all of part two were quite depressing.  This hit hard into the angst vibes.  If I’m being honest I didn’t quite care for this storyline as much.  It was so devastating and sad with what happened with both main characters.  And I hated reading all of the stuff about Vincent ending up in such a toxic relationship.  It was also a bit more detailed than I thought it would be to be honest.  It was so uncomfortable to read which from a writer point of view it was actually well written.  The PTSD felt so real and devastating.  The nurse Teddy met with made me uncomfortable as well.  Also I low-key hated Hazel in this part of the book.

My main thought through this part was: Why was the bulk of this so sad, “we can’t be together” but why?  Your life sucks already why not just at least be with the person you want???  You have zero losses.  You both had lives that fell apart so why are you going back to the bad?  “Let’s make it worse” apparently applies.

(SPOILER BELOW)
The fact Vincent even married Kyle made me so mad.  Like, your soon to be husband does coke on your wedding day and you still go through with it!!??  What is wrong with you??  You deserve better Vincent.

Part Three 
This part was slightly better than part two.  When life brings them back together I feel like it was way too glossed over.  Like we went through all of the hell of part two and only get a few happy chapters??  It wasn’t as balanced out as I had hoped.  Also Mitchell was so damn annoying.  I thought he’d get better and having to deal with everything that he did but dude was just so rude.  Stop dragging others into your drama at some point, please.

Thank you to the author and PrideBookTours over on Instagram for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)
Angst Level: 💧💧💧💧 (4/5)
POV: Duel, First Person
Release Date: 19, September 2024
Rep: Gay (Main Characters)
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A Spell For Heartsickness by Alistair Reeves

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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? Yes

4.5

♡ Romantasy
♡ Hurt/Comfort
♡ MM Cozy Romance 

This book had all the romance, the drama, the hurt/comfort, and the magical fantasy vibes you could ever want; plus it’s queer.

Briar the lovable and fashionable witch is racing against time before the curse that killed his mother kills him too.  A prophecy sends him to island where he is faced with some difficult choices but he’s able to meet some new faces and perhaps one of them might just be what he was looking for all along.  Though everyone isn’t exactly who they say they are.

I really like this type of fantasy worlds where it feels so magical and real without me having to take notes on everything and Googling how to pronounce characters names.  This book was so good and I’m genuinely so happy with how it ended… I was a bit worried there for a few chapters.  But absolutely loved how things came together at the end.

Thank you to the author for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)
Angst Level: 💧💧💧 (3/5)
POV: Third Person
Release Date: 15, October 2024
Rep: Gay (Main Character), LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters)
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Rainbow! Volume 1 by Sunny, Gloomy

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

4.0

♡ Caring Friends
♡ Amazing Art Style 
♡ Plus-Sized Main Character

I read this on Webtoon when it first came out and loved it then.  Happy to say I still enjoyed it.  I loved the art style to this graphic novel so much!  Though fair warning, it does end on a cliffhanger.

Some of the plot can be a bit vague and confusing, but overall I loved the hinted queer rep, the little details like Boo’s stretch marks was so comforting to see, and I liked the small town setting.  Boo had such lovely friends who seemed to genuinely be there for her.  It was a lovely and meaningful graphic novel.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧💧💧 (4/5)
Release Date: 05, March 2024
Rep: LGBTQIA+ Characters, BIPOC Characters
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Wake Up, Nat & Darcy by Kate Cochrane

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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? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

♡ Second Chance
♡ Fake Dating Vibes 
♡ Queer Sports Romance

Absolutely lovely.  The history, the chemistry, the atmosphere was so incredible.

After having a bit of a thing in college what better way to reconnect with an ex than to be in a fake-ish relationship with her so your TV views do better?  It sounds like a fool proof plan to me and why not throw in a bit of a friend’s with benefits while you’re at it. 

Seriously though this book had the rivals to lovers and/or enemies to lovers vibes combined with a second chance romance.  It had all the sapphic moments you could ask for.  And I loved how Darcy just shut down a misogynist on live TV she ate with that one.    

Mid way through it did feel like it was dragging out but the last ten or so chapters really had be invested.  I loved the epilogue and Nat’s dad at the end was so wholesome.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, Harlequin, and Carina Adores Imprint for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)
Angst Level: n/a
POV: Third Person
Release Date: 12, November 2024
Rep: Lesbian (Main Characters), LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters)
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The House of the Red Balconies by A.J. Demas

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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

4.5

♡ Slow Burn
♡ Queer Historical Romance
♡ Strangers to Friends to Lovers 

This book was short, beautiful, and sweet.  I adored the characters and the overall mediterranean-like setting.  It was so enjoyable to read.  And of course, the queer normative setting, chronic illness representation, and positive sex-worker vibes were such a welcomed bonus.  

The angst was long with this book and it really felt like reading a queer historical romance meets slice of life story.  I love how it ended and all the friendships and relationships formed.

Hylas and Zo were written so well.  Hylas moving to the Red Balconies for a job he was hired to do for the island.  While Zo was one of the companions at the Red Balconies; a bit more reserved and socially awkward than the others Zo finds himself becoming friends with Hylas and then perhaps a bit more than friends… 

Thank you to the author and PrideBookTours on Instagram for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)
Angst Level: 💧💧 (2/5)
POV: Duel, Third Person
Release Date: 20, June 2024
Rep: Chronically ill (Love Interest), LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters)
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