claudtxr's review against another edition
4.0
This is completely different from what I usually read but since it's halloween why not something scary. 4*
bean0530's review against another edition
4.0
What a unique story. I kept thinking about the Monster House movie at certain points. It just gave me that sort of feel.
So you have Delilah and Gavin: two strange teens with their own troubled lives. Lilah has been intrigued by Gavin since grade school so I don't think their relationship progressed too quickly. It was sort of a "finally!" moment with them I think. And I totally related to Delilah (especially when I was that age) so that was pretty cool for me. She into the dark and mysterious. Drawing macabre things in her notebooks and swooning over the "weird" boy in class.
Then there is the House. Which I won't say much about because of spoilers. But this House and Gavin's situation is truly different from anything I've read so far. If anyone knows of anything similar feel free to let me know :D
This book was suspenseful, with bits of romance, blind faith, love, determination, strength, bonds. It was just so cool to me because this House! Ugh I just want to say it. Read it! It's so fun!
So you have Delilah and Gavin: two strange teens with their own troubled lives. Lilah has been intrigued by Gavin since grade school so I don't think their relationship progressed too quickly. It was sort of a "finally!" moment with them I think. And I totally related to Delilah (especially when I was that age) so that was pretty cool for me. She into the dark and mysterious. Drawing macabre things in her notebooks and swooning over the "weird" boy in class.
Then there is the House. Which I won't say much about because of spoilers. But this House and Gavin's situation is truly different from anything I've read so far. If anyone knows of anything similar feel free to let me know :D
This book was suspenseful, with bits of romance, blind faith, love, determination, strength, bonds. It was just so cool to me because this House! Ugh I just want to say it. Read it! It's so fun!
fizzyelf123's review against another edition
4.0
This was different than any other book I’ve read by the authors. It had the thrill of first love, as well as a spooky haunting. Overall, a fun read and another successful book by Christina Lauren!
gingerbetty's review against another edition
3.0
High 3/low 4
I’ve not quite read anything like this before and it really intrigued me. Kind of like a young adult horror movie like the American horror films I used to watch as a teen. Quite on the younger side of ya, but still enjoyable. I did find bits to be pretty spooky and it was just a really gripping read. The romance was cute, but it was the horror to this book that really stuck with me. And the writing is brilliant, I’m really interested in writing duos, I think if they work well together, like Christina Lauren do, it makes such an awesome well rounded story. Interested in reading more from this duo. Definitely an interesting unique read.
I’ve not quite read anything like this before and it really intrigued me. Kind of like a young adult horror movie like the American horror films I used to watch as a teen. Quite on the younger side of ya, but still enjoyable. I did find bits to be pretty spooky and it was just a really gripping read. The romance was cute, but it was the horror to this book that really stuck with me. And the writing is brilliant, I’m really interested in writing duos, I think if they work well together, like Christina Lauren do, it makes such an awesome well rounded story. Interested in reading more from this duo. Definitely an interesting unique read.
epilieaspiechick's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
My full review can be found on the Epilie Aspie Chick blog!
This is one of those plots that sounds cool, but could easily turn bad if the writing isn't perfect. In this case, the author masterfully navigated the pitfalls to create a house that exuded strategy and fear with everything it did. It might sound insane, but that house scared the crap out of me until the end.
This is one of those plots that sounds cool, but could easily turn bad if the writing isn't perfect. In this case, the author masterfully navigated the pitfalls to create a house that exuded strategy and fear with everything it did. It might sound insane, but that house scared the crap out of me until the end.
pwbalto's review against another edition
4.0
There is no reason this book should work. The authors (the writing team of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings) admit as much in their Acknowledgements. They say something like "monster house + lots of kissing = WHA?"
Because that's what it is. It's a 17-year-old boy who has been raised by his House - fed by Oven, warmed by Blanket, and sometimes stalked by Hall Table - falling in love with the weird girl at school. Is House ok with this? House is not.
It SHOULD seem kind of dumb - all those Capitalized Objects. The romance SHOULD make me cringe. But instead, I kept reading. There's kind of a Disney Beauty and the Beast call-out when Tray rolls up with a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses. House is both Bod's graveyard and Mowgli's jungle, and this slight fairytale atmosphere fits quite well with Gavin and Delilah's headlong tumble into breathless lust and love.
And there's some quite respectable coming-of-age stuff going on with Gavin's discovery that he is beginning to need things that House cannot give him. Privacy, for one thing.
And daaaang - Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings are the team that writes the Beautiful Bastard erotic romance series, and they are total pros. It is nice to read a YA novel that is both sex-positive and love-positive and doesn't make me want to gouge my eyes out with its clunky, fumbling make-out scenes.
The ending is surprisingly pat, given the book's willingness to experiment, and I wonder if this is an artifact of the authors' romance habit.
Because that's what it is. It's a 17-year-old boy who has been raised by his House - fed by Oven, warmed by Blanket, and sometimes stalked by Hall Table - falling in love with the weird girl at school. Is House ok with this? House is not.
It SHOULD seem kind of dumb - all those Capitalized Objects. The romance SHOULD make me cringe. But instead, I kept reading. There's kind of a Disney Beauty and the Beast call-out when Tray rolls up with a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses. House is both Bod's graveyard and Mowgli's jungle, and this slight fairytale atmosphere fits quite well with Gavin and Delilah's headlong tumble into breathless lust and love.
And there's some quite respectable coming-of-age stuff going on with Gavin's discovery that he is beginning to need things that House cannot give him. Privacy, for one thing.
And daaaang - Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings are the team that writes the Beautiful Bastard erotic romance series, and they are total pros. It is nice to read a YA novel that is both sex-positive and love-positive and doesn't make me want to gouge my eyes out with its clunky, fumbling make-out scenes.
The ending is surprisingly pat, given the book's willingness to experiment, and I wonder if this is an artifact of the authors' romance habit.
thosebookbesties_nips's review against another edition
4.0
Title: The House
Author: Christina Lauren
Nips Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Book Type: Paperback
Pairs Well With: Halloween candy
After 7 years at an East coast boarding school, Delilah Blue returns to the small Kansas town she called home- and the school she left behind. Nearing 18 years old, Delilah is hopeful to see the one person she felt an attachment to- a strange little boy named Gavin Timothy. When Gavin walks into class, Delilah is surprised to see how mature he now looks- but also how her heart still skips a beat at the sight of him.
Gavin remembers the fierce little girl from the playground who stood up for him when the bullies came, and no one has been able to take her place in his heart. But as Gavin and Delilah pick up where their friendship left off- both hoping for more- Gavin begins to wonder how he can bring Delilah to House- the paranormal home that raised him.
House is possessed by spirits- spirits that raised Gavin from infancy in the absence of his mother. Fireplace turns on without assistance to keep him warm, Kitchen Table always has meals ready, and Piano taught him to play and soothed him to sleep with lullabies. House would never do anything to hurt Gavin- but it also doesn’t want Gavin to leave. When Gavin brings Delilah home, the spirits get angry and Delilah becomes the focus of their rage.
As an avid Christina Lauren reader, I would read ANYTHING they wrote- and I enjoyed The House, even though it is a departure from their ‘typical’. The relationship between Gavin and Delilah is beautifully written and the characters draw you in and are intriguing from the start. The book is aimed at YA readers, which explains the toned down level of spice in this storyline, but as a mature reader, I didn’t feel like the storyline was ‘too young’ for me to enjoy. The physical House is presented as both a character and a setting- a really unique twist that I enjoyed.
The creepy factor is high, but the scare factor is low, if that makes sense? It was the perfect balance for me- I don’t like being scared, but I like a bit of a weird storyline that just pushes the boundaries a bit. The House delivered! While reading, I couldn’t help but think what a great movie the story would make- and then wondered if I’d have the courage to see it!
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to ease into spooky season reads. For Christina Lauren fans like myself- don’t go into this one expecting the usual experience. It is definitely a departure but absolutely worth checking out!
Author: Christina Lauren
Nips Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Book Type: Paperback
Pairs Well With: Halloween candy
After 7 years at an East coast boarding school, Delilah Blue returns to the small Kansas town she called home- and the school she left behind. Nearing 18 years old, Delilah is hopeful to see the one person she felt an attachment to- a strange little boy named Gavin Timothy. When Gavin walks into class, Delilah is surprised to see how mature he now looks- but also how her heart still skips a beat at the sight of him.
Gavin remembers the fierce little girl from the playground who stood up for him when the bullies came, and no one has been able to take her place in his heart. But as Gavin and Delilah pick up where their friendship left off- both hoping for more- Gavin begins to wonder how he can bring Delilah to House- the paranormal home that raised him.
House is possessed by spirits- spirits that raised Gavin from infancy in the absence of his mother. Fireplace turns on without assistance to keep him warm, Kitchen Table always has meals ready, and Piano taught him to play and soothed him to sleep with lullabies. House would never do anything to hurt Gavin- but it also doesn’t want Gavin to leave. When Gavin brings Delilah home, the spirits get angry and Delilah becomes the focus of their rage.
As an avid Christina Lauren reader, I would read ANYTHING they wrote- and I enjoyed The House, even though it is a departure from their ‘typical’. The relationship between Gavin and Delilah is beautifully written and the characters draw you in and are intriguing from the start. The book is aimed at YA readers, which explains the toned down level of spice in this storyline, but as a mature reader, I didn’t feel like the storyline was ‘too young’ for me to enjoy. The physical House is presented as both a character and a setting- a really unique twist that I enjoyed.
The creepy factor is high, but the scare factor is low, if that makes sense? It was the perfect balance for me- I don’t like being scared, but I like a bit of a weird storyline that just pushes the boundaries a bit. The House delivered! While reading, I couldn’t help but think what a great movie the story would make- and then wondered if I’d have the courage to see it!
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to ease into spooky season reads. For Christina Lauren fans like myself- don’t go into this one expecting the usual experience. It is definitely a departure but absolutely worth checking out!
samreadsromance's review against another edition
4.0
This isn't CLos usual romance book but I still enjoyed it none the less.
The story follows Gavin and Delilah who are complete opposites but who are so right for each other.
When Delilah finds out about The House in which Gavin lives she starts to suspect something more is going on. When she gets hurt whilst she is visiting him this makes her more anxious and wants to get Gavin out of there. Gavin has only ever know the love he has received from House and doesn't understand how anyone could fault it until he starts to notice things
I finished this book in just over a day and even though I'm a romance lover through and through I still enjoyed this book
The story follows Gavin and Delilah who are complete opposites but who are so right for each other.
When Delilah finds out about The House in which Gavin lives she starts to suspect something more is going on. When she gets hurt whilst she is visiting him this makes her more anxious and wants to get Gavin out of there. Gavin has only ever know the love he has received from House and doesn't understand how anyone could fault it until he starts to notice things
I finished this book in just over a day and even though I'm a romance lover through and through I still enjoyed this book
sierrarain03's review against another edition
1.0
1.5-2 stars
This book was so disappointing and annoying. The only reason why I finished it was because a) it is actually pretty fast paced and b) I haven't actually finished a book in a little while.
Reasons why this is probably my LEAST FAVORITE BOOK EVER:
1) The so called "teenage romance"
I don't know if this is how all teenage relationships are but oh my god. I couldn't STAND IT. A lot of their thoughts were how much they wanted to make out with each other after not even two weeks of being with each other. Delilah moves back to her hometown and already has a boyfriend in the first week that she is back which is stupid even if it was her childhood crush before. Their love just seemed so fake. They NEVERA talked about "oh how nice they are" or "How awesome of an artist she is". NONE OF THAT they just talked about each others bodies and it was very irritating.
2) The "scary parts"
I am a person that gets scared by EVERYTHING. Ask anyone. If I see a trailer to a horror movie I get nightmares just from that. These parts were BORING with a capital B. Total snoozefest. I was laughing at how juvenile everything was. I kind of expected for there to be parts that were somewhat creepy in the beginning and then gradually get more terrifying. But that js not what happened
This book was so disappointing and annoying. The only reason why I finished it was because a) it is actually pretty fast paced and b) I haven't actually finished a book in a little while.
Reasons why this is probably my LEAST FAVORITE BOOK EVER:
1) The so called "teenage romance"
I don't know if this is how all teenage relationships are but oh my god. I couldn't STAND IT. A lot of their thoughts were how much they wanted to make out with each other after not even two weeks of being with each other. Delilah moves back to her hometown and already has a boyfriend in the first week that she is back which is stupid even if it was her childhood crush before. Their love just seemed so fake. They NEVERA talked about "oh how nice they are" or "How awesome of an artist she is". NONE OF THAT they just talked about each others bodies and it was very irritating.
2) The "scary parts"
I am a person that gets scared by EVERYTHING. Ask anyone. If I see a trailer to a horror movie I get nightmares just from that. These parts were BORING with a capital B. Total snoozefest. I was laughing at how juvenile everything was. I kind of expected for there to be parts that were somewhat creepy in the beginning and then gradually get more terrifying. But that js not what happened