fanboyriot's reviews
853 reviews

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

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funny 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

4.0

♡ Bridgerton Vibes
♡ Friends to Lovers
♡ Queer Historical Romance 

This gave all the queer historical romance vibes and had some good old angst with a happy ending to tie everything together.

It’s a cute sapphic read with a great friends to lovers trope.  I really enjoyed it.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (4/5)
Angst Level: 💧💧💧💧💧 (5/5)
POV: Duel, Third Person
Release Date: 09, January 2024
Rep: Sapphic (Main Couple), Lesbian (Main and Side Characters), Bisexual (Background Character)
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Caught by Their Bosses by West Greene

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

2.5

♡ Age Gap
♡ Workplace Romance
♡ Dom/sub Relationships

I thought I’d like this more than I did.  The hype of this was super high but in the end it just kinda fell flat.  The idea was cute and the character’s dynamics worked really well together.  The relationship was healthy and while it was an age-gap it wasn’t anything creepy or gross.  I liked Danny and Theo’s chapters the most.  Seeing Danny being a brat just for fun was hilarious.

However, it was too fast paced.  Which I knew it was going to be but I felt like even the spicy moments were glossed over like everything else; they weren’t really all that detailed and felt a bit rushed and just kinda bland.  Then there were all the moments it was told over and over again that Theo and Thomas wanted both Danny and Noah, which love the communication but after the fourth time I was so tired of hearing it.  Also everything having to be about Noah was annoying.  I know he’s the most fragile out of them, but my god.  As someone who has severe anxiety, I know it can be rough just existing sometimes but this dude had a panic attack over just about everything.  It was just too much for me.

My major ick was when Noah’s parents show up and then he gets worried about them knowing he is in a relationship with three men… he is literally an adult, in his twenties.  He’s out of college, has a job, and lives on his own.  The only way they would find out is if he tells them?!  Like I don’t understand why he went from zero to a hundred so fast, they knew he was in a relationship with Danny so it wasn’t like they didn’t know he was gay.  I just don’t understand why he freaked out about it so severely.  Also his mom outing Danny’s relationship like that was so poorly written.  Like when did Noah’s mom tell his parents?!  In the three seconds she learned the information herself?!

Don’t get me wrong I liked the idea of this and how Theo, Thomas, and Noah all comforted Danny but the way it was done was just aggravating; it just could have been better.  Overall, it was an entertaining read at least.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (4/5)
Angst Level: 💧 (1/5)
POV: Multiple, First Person
Release Date: 23, January 2024
Rep: Gay (Main Characters), Polyamorous (Main Couple) Anxiety (Main Character)
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A Conclave of Crimson Book One: A Queer Vampire Romance by Nicole Eigener, Beverley Lee

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dark emotional 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

4.25

♡ Vampires
♡ Hurt/Comfort
♡ Angst with a Happy Ending 

There was so much backstory with this book and despite not reading the others in this universe it worked so well on its own.  The characters were a bit confusing to keep track of at first but they were all really detailed and all had unique personalities.  

The friendships made and the vampire lore were all really lovely to read.  It all worked so well with the plot of the story and made for an enjoyable read.  I really liked all the differences between the vampires abilities or things that made them unique to their bloodline, it was something I don’t read very often in vampire books so I thought it was really cool.

Though I do admit I don’t really understand the relationship between Éric and Teal at first, I don’t know what it was that made me question it—I did like Vauquelin and Éric more so perhaps it was that but I was kinda torn by the last few chapters, it left me wondering what would happen with them all.  Having said that, I’m so happy with how things ended; it really drew in the heartache and tension but left us with a happy ending.  So good.

Thank you to pridebooktours over on Instagram and the authors for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (4/5)
Angst Level: 💧 (1/5)
POV: Multiple, Third Person 
Release Date: 07, March 2024
Rep: LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters)
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Think Twice by Harlan Coben

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

4.0

An entertaining read for sure.  Twists and turns all throughout the plot, there was nice humor here and there breaking up the more serious moments.  It was a clever take on a murder mystery/thriller book that kept my interest all through out.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧💧 (3/5)
POV: First Person 
Release Date: 14, May 2024
Rep: Gay (Side Character)
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Maurice by E.M. Forster

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emotional 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? No

5.0

♡ Gay Classic
♡ Good Humor
♡ Angst with a Happy Ending 

I genuinely didn’t think I would like this book as much as I did.  I’m not a big classics reader, but this book was so lovely and truly iconic for its time.  Also the fact a gay book written in 1913 has a happy ending leaves no excuses for the gay books here in 2024 being so sad.

The author really brought the characters to life so well, setting up the perfect atmosphere, and writing a compelling queer love story before it was accepted to do so.  It’s a shame the author didn’t get to see how well loved his book would be.

Spice Level: 🌶️ (1/5)
Angst Level: 💧💧💧 (3/5)
POV: Third Person
Release Date: 1972
Rep: Gay (Main Character), Queer (Side Characters)
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Coming Out of the Coffin by D A Holmes

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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

4.5

♡ Vampires
♡ Coming of Age
♡ Wholesome Friendships

Trying to live a normal life as a vampire isn’t quite what Vlad was expecting.  Being gay on top of that only complicated things even more as he ventured farther into his own self-discovery.
 
I really enjoyed this book, Alison and Vlad’s friendship was great even if her attempts to help him were more or less unsuccessful.  Their night shift job just brought in a great sense for the atmosphere as well. 

Vlad’s parents deserve to be staked in the heart but other than that it was a delightful read with a sense of learning how to be yourself, good humor, and wholesome friendship.  There are a few more serious issues that are brought up but it’s written really well.

Spice Level: 🌶️ (1/5)
Angst Level: 💧💧 (2/5)
POV: Third Person 
Release Date: 28, July 2023
Rep: LGBTQIA+ (Characters)
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Sapphire Betrayal by D.S. Murphy

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Starting off strong with the first chapter that drags on about Kai’s night that she left Zeus in her “bedchamber” like dude, again why are you calling it that.  He literally raped her and one of the lines was about how she hated how she liked it… um what??  I know she was tricked and thought it was Sitri but still I feel like this whole chapter and plot point was written so poorly.

I hated the take of gods and goddesses mixing Greek mythology and Egyptian mythology it kinda got on my nerves.  Not to mention that killing a god or goddess apparently had little to no repercussions.  Also I know Hera is always the villain in books and she doesn’t have a good track record in mythology but she seemed particularly unhinged in this.

I just didn’t care for the characters in this, they were way too juvenile for the plot that was pushed onto them.  The adventure aspects of this book were nice though.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: n/a
POV: First Person
Release Date: 04, October 2021
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Ours by Dominic N. Ashen

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funny lighthearted fast-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

♡ PWP
♡ Doms/Sub Relationship
♡ Friends to Benefits to Lovers

While borrowing Cory’s laptop Derek and Nic find out a few things from some unclosed tabs… and well the friends suggested a win for all of them.

I have no idea what to say about this book.  I knew there would be spice but oh my god… it was every chapter, I’m not complaining—it was written really well but just wasn’t expecting it to happen so quickly or that much.

While I did enjoy this book and the characters were great I did find the age to be kinda an ick.  Have such a heavy BDSM relationship while in your senior year of high school is a bit much.  I feel like it would have been better as a college level setting.  The other issue is mentioned in the book and it’s worked out quite well.

It’s worth noting that the relationship does start on dubious consent terms, drunk messing around, all the while two of the characters have girlfriends.  It does get pretty messed up and toxic in the middle of this book, but the last few chapters work through that and the character development within those chapters was so nice to read.

Overall, this book felt like a spicy fanfic (in a good way), it has a little plot here and there but it isn’t the main show.  This book was fun to read and has a great ending.

Thank you to Book Sprout and the author for is ebook, in exchange for a honest review!!

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (5/5)
Angst Level: 💧💧💧 (3/5)
POV: Multiple, Third Person 
Release Date: 25, August 2024
Rep: Poly (Main Relationship), Gay (Main Character), Bisexual (Main Characters)
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The Emerald Tablet by D. S. Murphy

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adventurous tense slow-paced

1.0

There were a few moments I liked with this book.  The adventure was nice and the sense of friendship was good.  However, the characters and some of the wording was awkward.  The words like “bedchamber” just felt really out of place.

The drama with Zeus is honestly just not interesting and I feel like the power level of Kai feels too flawless for someone who is still a teenager who can barely manage to take care of herself.  Then there is the big plot point in the end that involves a non-con moment which is a massive ick.  Would have loved some content warning at the beginning or something.  I hate the relationships that the author is even trying for to begin with.

The dialogue seems juvenile or maybe drawn towards a younger audience while the plot is targeted toward adult topics.  There are a few grammar issues but nothing too bad.  I just didn’t care for the book in general.

Spice Level: (Non-Consenting on page) 
Angst Level: n/a
POV: First Person 
Release Date: 31, January 2019
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The Society for Soulless Girls by Laura Steven

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

♡ Mystery
♡ Spooky Vibes
♡ Dark Academia

I loved the vibe of this book, the spooky atmosphere was set so well.  And the formatting design was so beautiful.  Especially with the UK cover it was really so pretty.

The mysterious vibe of the school and an atmosphere that drew me in like the north tower, having said that, the characters came off a bit annoying several times.  One minute they were roommates and starting out on the wrong foot, then they were sharing secrets, then they were back to rude misunderstandings, it was so back and forth.  By the end I was over them but it did improve and they were a lot better.

The lore of this school and the rituals were kinda nice to read, it was mysterious and interesting but also easy to read and enjoyable to play around with theories.  While the plot of this got more and more ridiculous by the end it was super entertaining to read.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧(1/5)
POV: Duel, First Person
Release Date: 07, July 2022
Rep: Lesbian (? Main Character), Demisexual (Main Character), LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters)
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