grace_astudentreading's reviews
528 reviews

Advanced reader's copy review

This book was absolutely brilliant! It was definitely more of a literary slow burn mystery than an action packed thriller, but it was gripping all the same. I was hooked by the characters: the siblings. Each one was so compelling with their complicated relationships with each their mother and childhood. I admired April and how strong she was when forced into motherhood at such a young age by her mother. June and July were an interesting pair, but even more interesting when they started to split apart. January was so confident in herself, pursuing a career her mother could never have approved of. I won’t reveal my favorite, but I am sure you will guess. And of course each sibling had their own secrets that were slowly, carefully revealed over the course of the story. I liked that we got each of their perspectives, and also outsider perspectives. I did struggle a bit with how many perspectives there were and how often it changed. But the ending made everything worth it and was so amazing. Overall this was a fantastic book and I highly recommend it!

Thank you PRH Dial Press and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This book was different from what I expected from S.A. Cosby, considering the other two books by him I have read. It was much more a police procedural rather than a vigilante thriller. And for that reason I found it a bit more predictable and slower paced than I was expecting. It took me a while to get into, and I kept expecting a bigger twist than I got. So I did not end up liking this book as much as I wanted to. However, that said, it was still an incredibly well written book. Titus was a phenomenal character with so much internal conflict about his career in law enforcement as a Black man. He also had a complicated past with his FBI career and family that gave him even more to work through. I was rooting for him and his happiness that he so deserved. I also really liked the setting of Charon County. It was perfect for this plot and I loved the interludes that described it and all its depth and darkness. Lastly, I really enjoyed the ending of this book for Titus. So overall while this wasn’t what I expected I did still enjoy it.

This book articulated a concept I was well familiar with, but had no vocabulary for, and for that alone I greatly appreciated it. But it was also just an amazing book! I thought it was a very strong introduction to the concept of the gift economy, which is such a relevant topic today. I especially loved how the author related it to the natural world. I thought she did an amazing job balancing information, giving the reader lots to learn and think about but also giving anecdotes and descriptions of nature to balance it out. And of course, Robin Wall Kimmerer’s descriptions and prose in general were stunning. It made me so desperate for summer and nature and freshly picked berries. I also enjoyed the length. While I would have happily read a 400 page book about this topic, I found this length very easily digestible. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who doesn’t read a lot but still wants to learn about this topic. Of course, I would also recommend this to everyone else. I truly loved this book and everything in it so much!

Advanced reader's copy review

I don’t even know where to start with this review. The book took me completely by surprise and blew me away. It was dark and toxic and brutal and vicious and haunting. The prose was absolutely stunning, gripping me from the very first page and never letting me go, even after I finished. The dark academia atmosphere was immaculate, with the old boarding school, dangerous wealth, secret philosophical pen pals, and more. The characters were equally well written. They were all so flawed and complex, and I found them so compelling. I especially loved the main character, with her visceral, well developed grief and slow but deep descent into madness. Then there were Bax, Henry, and Adrian. I felt so close to them and loved them despite everything. There was also so much convoluted tension between the four of them. As for the plot, it was fast paced, with so many twists and turns and a hint of the supernatural. The ending was perhaps unusual, but I loved it. So overall this book consumed me and I highly recommend it.

Thank you Roaring Brook Press and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Advanced reader's copy review

This was a fun adventure story, but it did not meet my admittedly high expectations based on the first Tennessee Russo book. But to start with what I enjoyed. I love Ten. He is so passionate about queer history, and he has really come into his own since the first book. He is confident and happy and an overall amazing main character and narrator. I liked his internal struggle as he figured out what fame means for his life. I also loved his dad. Their relationship has come so far and his dad is now so supportive. It made me so happy to read. I also adored Gabe and his relationship with Ten. Lastly, I really liked Liat. As for the plot, it opened so strong and had me on the edge of my seat. I loved all the puzzles, clues, and traps. However, there were two big things I struggled with in this book. One was Sterling, the new producer, and the many terrible things she said to Ten and Gabe. I did not forgive her like Ten did. I also didn’t like the ending. It was a bit too dark for me, and also a bit rushed. But overall this was a solid sequel and I did enjoy it.

Thank you Union Square & Co for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This book reminded me how much I adore Lev AC Rosen’s writing. It is just so beautiful and captivating. There were so many amazing lines that were so impactful and emotional, especially about queer books and community. Of course, I also love Andy so much and will never get enough of his series. In this book, Andy dives into the worlds of book selling, publishing, and the Mafia. I loved the premise of the gay book mailing service, with all its intricacies and dangers. The addition of the Mafia really took it to the next level. All that is to say that the plot was riveting and had me on the edge of my seat and Andy proved how brilliant he is as he solved this mystery. Of course, I loved the other characters as well. Gene owns my heart, and I loved everyone at the Ruby. But I must say Pat really stole the spotlight in this book, and I was thrilled for him. I struggled with Rose though, and some of the other more minor characters. I also predicted the ending for the most part. But overall this book was amazing and I highly recommend it!

Advanced reader's copy review

This book was an amazing continuation of An Epic Construct. I was so happy to get more time with Penelope and Taylor Riley. They are the ultimate couple. I loved how their relationship grew and evolved in the course of this book. I really liked that they were in therapy to work on things proactively, and just overall how unbelievably in love they were with each other. They also each had their own individual development, especially Taylor Riley as she learned to communicate better with Penelope and became more confident with his gender expression. I also liked that we got to meet both of their families, for better or worse. Lastly, loved the other characters, especially getting to know Shiloh outside of drag. Of course, Frankie and Diego were so cute when we got to see them. The one thing I wish was that therapy, and the story in general, revolved less around sex and more about other aspects of their relationship. But the ending was so perfect and made me so happy. So overall I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to the author for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This was a very cute short story that really impressed me! Despite its short length it has lots of depth in the characters and their emotions. I loved both characters so much. I felt I knew each so well, with their struggles and motivations. I also liked how they got to know each other, and reevaluate what each of them about the other, though it was a bit fast paced. But the conflict mediation session was the perfect setting, and I loved the funny little twist at the end of it. The ending was amazing, leaving the characters in a hopeful position, and leaving me wanting more of their story.