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marisalynnreads's reviews
28 reviews
Delirium by Torri Heat
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Add to your TBR if you like...
🧭Forced proximity
⚓Why Choose
🧭Scientist FMC
⚓Unreliable narrators
🧭Insta-love
Adventure, a lost-cursed city, and multiple POVs? Count me in! I really enjoyed the adventure and thriller aspects throughout the story. The horror fanatic in me ate up the trippy fever dreams that ensued further into the jungle adventure. This story brings together two of my favorite tropes: golden retriever and grumpy MMC. However, the romance didn't quite hit the mark for me. The insta-love vibes made the spicy scenes feel a bit lackluster; I really think a more gradual buildup and tension would have enhanced the overall story more.
🧭Forced proximity
⚓Why Choose
🧭Scientist FMC
⚓Unreliable narrators
🧭Insta-love
Adventure, a lost-cursed city, and multiple POVs? Count me in! I really enjoyed the adventure and thriller aspects throughout the story. The horror fanatic in me ate up the trippy fever dreams that ensued further into the jungle adventure. This story brings together two of my favorite tropes: golden retriever and grumpy MMC. However, the romance didn't quite hit the mark for me. The insta-love vibes made the spicy scenes feel a bit lackluster; I really think a more gradual buildup and tension would have enhanced the overall story more.
The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore
slow-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
4.0
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Add to your TBR if you like...
Add to your TBR if you like...
🏊🏼♂️Sports romance (swimmer x diver)
💦Best friend's ex
🏊🏼♂️BDSM
💦HEA
🏊🏼♂️Anxiety/Trauma representation
🏊🏼♂️Anxiety/Trauma representation
Okay... I thought The Love Hypothesis was it for me, but Ali, GIRL, Deep End is end game. This is definitely Ali's spicest book yet and I am here for it! The way Luka SEES Scarlett! 😭😭 There was literally a point where I had to close the book because I was in TEARS over how much he truly gets her. I finished the last page of this book with a single happy tear running down my face, that's how much I loved it.
ALI GETS MY STEM LOVING HEART, YALL! All the little quirky science comments had me grinning from ear to ear. This book has solidified, Ali is THE romance author (honestly top three any genre) for me.
I'm only giving 4.5 stars because although I feel this book was BDSM centered, there wasn't much BDSM involved.
I'm only giving 4.5 stars because although I feel this book was BDSM centered, there wasn't much BDSM involved.
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Add to your TBR if you like...
🫁Edgar Allan Poe
🍄The Fall of The House of Usher retellings
🫁The Last Of Us
🍄Horror/sci-fi novellas
"𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌."
CAN WE FIRST TALK ABOUT THE COVER?! 😍 I am utterly obsessed- it's eerie, yet absolutely stunning!
This book is the first in the Sworn Soldier series and my first read by T. Kingfisher. Let me just say... it will not be my last! I was on the edge of my seat until the very last page.
I will never look at rabbits standing at attention the same again...As someone who studied mycology in school, I definitely think this story's tale could become reality one day.
Little detail I loved: Throughout the story, the main character speaks directly to you, the reader; it's an interesting touch I've never seen before.
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
dark
funny
reflective
tense
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
Add to your TBR if you like...
🎧Sadistic horror
🎧Victorian era themes
🎧English Narration
🎧 Vengeance
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!
You know, I never thought about an oyster having an anus until this book🤣 I will definitely think of this line every time I eat raw oysters now.
This novella is full of dark humor, shock value, and gore. Winifred is the female Patrick from American Psycho, but set in the Victorian era. I did NOT see the ending coming, although in hindsight, I realize I might have had my blinders on. Anna was the perfect narrator for this story!👏🏼
I would definitely recommend this to all fans of horror and dark humor.
🎧Sadistic horror
🎧Victorian era themes
🎧English Narration
🎧 Vengeance
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!
You know, I never thought about an oyster having an anus until this book🤣 I will definitely think of this line every time I eat raw oysters now.
This novella is full of dark humor, shock value, and gore. Winifred is the female Patrick from American Psycho, but set in the Victorian era. I did NOT see the ending coming, although in hindsight, I realize I might have had my blinders on. Anna was the perfect narrator for this story!👏🏼
I would definitely recommend this to all fans of horror and dark humor.
Listen to Your Sister by Neena Viel
3.5
If you're a Jordan Peele fan, this one is for you!
I was not ready for the fever dream I was thrown into this with one! This is a slow-burn horror filled with complicated family bonds and unhealed trauma, which later come to haunt the Williams family. The story is told from the POV of the three William children. The narrators brought each character to life perfectly. Kristolyn had me screaming with her creepy "little mama" voice. The commentary throughout had me cackling. I found myself having to stop and contain my laughter at work several times while listening.
To be honest, I felt lost many times at the beginning, as if I were trying to piece together a mismatched puzzle. Then, suddenly, I found that missing piece, and everything clicked into place. I love books that give you that “aha” moment! From the halfway point on, I couldn't stop listening; the fever broke, and I was completely hooked.
I was not ready for the fever dream I was thrown into this with one! This is a slow-burn horror filled with complicated family bonds and unhealed trauma, which later come to haunt the Williams family. The story is told from the POV of the three William children. The narrators brought each character to life perfectly. Kristolyn had me screaming with her creepy "little mama" voice. The commentary throughout had me cackling. I found myself having to stop and contain my laughter at work several times while listening.
To be honest, I felt lost many times at the beginning, as if I were trying to piece together a mismatched puzzle. Then, suddenly, I found that missing piece, and everything clicked into place. I love books that give you that “aha” moment! From the halfway point on, I couldn't stop listening; the fever broke, and I was completely hooked.
The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T. Wurth
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Add to your TBR if you like..
🗝️Supernatural thrillers
🗝️Paranormal investigation
🗝️Native American perspectives
🗝️Mediumship
First off, huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!
I've been sitting on this review for a while because I really wanted to love this book. The premise—paranormal investigation intertwined with Native American history—is intriguing. However, the story often felt disjointed, pulling in so many different directions that I found myself zoning out and getting bored. If there had been more focus on Olivia, her sister Naiches' death, and the cult she was part of, I believe I would have enjoyed the story more.
The narrator, Ina Barrón, did a fantastic job. Her portrayal of the characters' emotions kept me engaged throughout the listening experience. The little ads for ghost equipment included as chapter breaks added a quirky touch. There is also a Meow Wolf reference in the first chapter, which had me whooping over the shout out🍃💨
Was I disappointed by this? Yes, to some extent. However, I still appreciated the overall premise and would be interested in reading more from this author in the future.
🗝️Supernatural thrillers
🗝️Paranormal investigation
🗝️Native American perspectives
🗝️Mediumship
First off, huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!
I've been sitting on this review for a while because I really wanted to love this book. The premise—paranormal investigation intertwined with Native American history—is intriguing. However, the story often felt disjointed, pulling in so many different directions that I found myself zoning out and getting bored. If there had been more focus on Olivia, her sister Naiches' death, and the cult she was part of, I believe I would have enjoyed the story more.
The narrator, Ina Barrón, did a fantastic job. Her portrayal of the characters' emotions kept me engaged throughout the listening experience. The little ads for ghost equipment included as chapter breaks added a quirky touch. There is also a Meow Wolf reference in the first chapter, which had me whooping over the shout out🍃💨
Was I disappointed by this? Yes, to some extent. However, I still appreciated the overall premise and would be interested in reading more from this author in the future.
The Pale House Devil by Richard Kadrey
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Add to your TBR if you like..
👹Horror noir with great banter
👹The Undead
👹The Supernatural
👹Short stories/novellas
This story takes you on an adventure with two contract killers—one living and one undead—as they tackle a new case. The banter between them is excellent, and the author and narrator both do a great job of making you love the pair. I'm normally a big novella/short story fan, but this storyline felt a bit rushed.While I loved the concept and vision, I wanted more backstory on both main characters and a more extended contract.
👹Horror noir with great banter
👹The Undead
👹The Supernatural
👹Short stories/novellas
This story takes you on an adventure with two contract killers—one living and one undead—as they tackle a new case. The banter between them is excellent, and the author and narrator both do a great job of making you love the pair. I'm normally a big novella/short story fan, but this storyline felt a bit rushed.While I loved the concept and vision, I wanted more backstory on both main characters and a more extended contract.