fanboyriot's reviews
853 reviews

Funny Story by Emily Henry

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

5.0

♡ Fake Dating
♡ Roommates 
♡ Unexpected Friends to Lovers

This was honestly such a funny book.  The humor was amazing, I laughed so much.

Daphne moves in with Miles after their significant others break up with them to date each other, childhood friends who just had to break off a wedding and crash two lives apart.  Though without spoiling things, it works out in both Daphne and Miles favor.  So what better way to get back at their trash ex’s than to fake date each other?

Miles and Daphne had such a great dynamic, they were hilarious together, friends before anything else genuinely worked so well.  Both of them learning how to trust people again, healing from heartbreak and their past.

While this did have some more serious moments character history and their childhood traumas coming into play with their lives still.  I thought the character development with this was done really nicely.

For the most part things are lighthearted and a simply funny enjoyable read.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)
Angst Level: 💧(1/5)
POV: First Person
Release Date: 23, April 2024
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Take All of Us by Natalie Leif

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dark emotional mysterious sad slow-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

3.0

♡ Queer Horror
♡ Found Family
♡ Angst with a Happy Ending

In a world where the dead refuse to actually stay dead, and while dead himself Ian learns a few things from some unexpected friends; taking place in small town in the Appalachian (of West Virginia).  

Overall though I thought it was good, it was a romance take on a survival horror story.

While I did enjoy most of the characters and relationships, and the friendships that felt like a found family, it did take me a little to get into, the pacing was a bit slow in a few parts meanwhile at the beginning everything happened rather quickly.  It was on the younger side of YA which was difficult to really find interesting to me.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, Peachtree, and Holiday House Imprint for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧💧💧 (4/5)
POV: First Person
Release Date: 04, June 2024
Rep: LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters), BIPOC (Side Characters), Disabled (Main and Side Characters)
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To Brave the Deep by C.H. Carter

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted 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

5.0

♡ Slow Burn
♡ Found Family
♡ Friends to Lovers

Ally, one of the main characters is pulled into the depths of the ocean, outnumbered and defeated, she was determined to mend a relationship with a person she wronged.  Pasha dealing with family secrets and haunted by nightmares.  They team up in hopes of defeating the pirates who took so much already.  This book is filled with adventure and all the of mermaid vibes you could wish for.

I absolutely loved this book, the mental health rep was great, the characters were just as amazing as the first book.  Ally and Pasha were an iconic duo, their relationship was so cute and comforting to read.

The setting and all the underwater moments were described so beautifully.  And of course, the adventure of this was addictive to read.  I don’t know how but even ending on a bit of a cliffhanger I was completely happy with how this book ended.

Thank you so much to the author for this eARC copy in exchange for an honest review!!

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧(2/5)
POV: Multiple, Third Person
Release Date: 14, May 2024
Rep: LGBTQIA+, Mental Health 
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Exes & Foes by Amanda Woody

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emotional funny lighthearted slow-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

♡ Hurt/Comfort
♡ Second Chance 
♡ Emotional Growth

This wasn’t fully what I was expecting.  While I liked the friendship and the second chance vibe it had it was just honestly really slow-paced for a good portion of the book.  Getting to know Caleb and Emma and their complex history for more than half of the book.  Ex-best friends who could have easily been more—falling for the same person and placing a bet that whoever the new kid kissed first got to date them… obviously things don’t go as planned.  

Not going to lie I when I first read this I thought this was going to go in a poly relationship route but unfortunately that wasn’t the case.  I did like the demisexual and aro/ace representation though so that made up for it.  

The characters in general all had depth and good development as the story progressed.  I loved how queer it all was and really enjoyed the humor of this book.

Though there were a few things that felt a bit out of pocket.  Emma randomly getting hit by a car for example then just getting up like nothing happened.  The whole scene seemed unnecessary.  

However, the last few chapters seemed to get better, the book ended on a good note and the second read was genuinely so much better.  I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to the author, Penguin Teen for eARC and a physical copy in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: mentioned (off page)
Angst Level: 💧(1/5)
POV: Duel, First Person
Release Date: 23, July 2024
Rep: Demisexual (Main Character), Bisexual (Main Character), Aro/Ace (Side Character), Mental Health, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC
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Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts by Adam Sass

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emotional 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

4.0

♡ Hurt/Comfort
♡ Summer Read
♡ Second Chances

Definitely a book you should read the author’s note too, it really makes the reading experience even better.  The rom-com vibes in this were great, adding in some more relatable content as well.  While it was mostly lighthearted, there are some more emotional parts; the main character works through a breakup, depression, and a rather cruel moment in eighth grade he was still hung up on.  The relationship itself was a bit of a fast-paced read but their dynamics worked well, especially as more was revealed about their past.

The highlight for me was the setting, it was genuinely so amazing, the house, the vineyard, all the history behind it was so lovely and the little details made for a great read.  While the ending seemed a bit rushed as it tied everything together it was still a really enjoyable book.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Viking Books for Young Readers of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧(1/5)
POV: First Person
Release Date: 16, July 2024
Rep: LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters) Depression
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We Shall Be Monsters by Tara Sim

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adventurous dark mysterious sad 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

♡ High Fantasy
♡ Dark Adventures
♡ Undead (Zombie) Dog

This story was adventurous and action packed.  There was a lot going on but it was written it a way where it wasn’t overwhelming or confusing to understand.  There was death, necromancy, and a rich history of the fantasy world the author created.

The mix of mythology from different cultures was  so interesting to read.  The author’s note pointing it all out even more and further explaining their own spin on things.

I feel like people who liked Frankenstein would love this more fantasy level book.  It was complex with lovely world building and characters.  Even including a dog that was brought back from the dead.  

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Nancy Paulsen imprint for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧💧 (3/5)
POV: Third Person
Release Date: 25, June 2024
Rep: Non-Binary (Side Character)
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Come Out, Come Out by Natalie C. Parker

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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

♡ Queer Horror 
♡ Self-Acceptance
♡ Angst with a Happy Ending

I’m so happy to have read this.  The hype was even better than I was expecting.  The way this story was told was really enjoyable and the queerness was so fantastic in this book.

I loved how all the flashbacks to past memories were written and the character development was great.  Seeing how the lines of reality and the horror aspect blurred—the main characters knowing they were different than the expectations their parents shoved at them and the main characters unlocking their past as they tried to avoid the nightmare of what their futures could be—it was written so well.  It was tense and definitely angst with a happy ending vibe for sure.  

This book touches on some topics such as religious bigotry, homophobia/lesbianphobia throughout, and several mentions of conversion therapy.  It’s not pretty to read at some parts but it was written so well!  The self-acceptance that finally took over near the ending felt so satisfying.  It showed how the main characters became more themselves as the story progressed, finally fighting for their best life… quite literally.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Penguin Teen Influencer Program for an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧💧💧 (4/5)
POV: Duel, Third Person
Release Date: 27, August 2024
Rep: Gender-fluid (Main Character), Lesbian (Main Character), Gay (Side Character), LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters)
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Honeybites by I.S. Belle

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lighthearted mysterious fast-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

5.0

♡ Small Town
♡ Sapphic Vampires
♡ Secret Relationship

Super cute.  This was a lovely fast-paced novella and I really enjoyed it.  The setting was nice and the characters were as well.  The plot kept me interested the whole time and I ended up reading this in one sitting.

Honey and Sadie were literally such lovable characters, the banter between them was hilarious and their dynamic worked so well together.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Book Funnel for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: n/a
POV: Third Person
Release Date: 31, May 2024
Rep: LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters)
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Two Sides to Every Murder by Danielle Valentine

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

4.0

♡ Summer Camp
♡ Sapphic Romance 
♡ Plot Twist Family Edition

This was more of a quick pace than I was expecting but it still gave a great mystery/thriller vibe.  The plot twists along the way were foreshadowed nicely.  

It was a fun read filled with plot twists, drama, and even a dash of romance mixed in there as well.  Uncovering more and more of what really happened the night of the Lost Lake murders and both Olivia and Reagan learning a few new things about their family along the way.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Penguin Teen Influencer Program for an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level:💧 (1/5)
POV: Multiple, First Person (Flashbacks: Third Person)
Release Date: 25, July 2024
Rep: LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters)
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Luminous Beings by David Arnold

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

3.0

♡ Apocalyptic 
♡ Lots of Adventure
♡ Wholesome Friendships

I loved the art and colors of this book so much.  The spooky vibes and adventure really brought the plot together well.  The character dynamics worked great together and the friendship between them was really nice to read.  Having said that I found the plot difficult to follow and as if something was missing at several points.  It was a bit random to the point it made no sense at all but just went with it anyway.  

It was entertaining though, not a dull moment in sight.

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

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧 (1/5)
POV: Graphic Novel
Release Date: 03, September 2024
Rep: BIPOC (Main and Side Characters)
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