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stardustandstoriesss's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
birdlines's review against another edition
2.0
Paperback, DNF’d at 1/3 way through. It was fine? The writing wasn’t terrible it just wasn’t gripping me. It was trying too hard to be witty and fast paced but not quite managing it? It didn’t really settle me into the character whilst also managing to not really go anywhere for quite a long time.
I have too many books to spend time trying to get through something that isn’t getting me really into it from the get go!
I genuinely think this book is probably someone’s cup of tea- it’s just not mine right now.
I have too many books to spend time trying to get through something that isn’t getting me really into it from the get go!
I genuinely think this book is probably someone’s cup of tea- it’s just not mine right now.
caseymac's review against another edition
1.0
Far and away the best thing about this book is the cover.
The premise (horror rom-com in an eccentric community based around a Sweeny Todd-esque coffee shop) has so much promise but the story fell flat, had major (major!) plot holes and the romance was superficial and flat. Oh and the writing style! I love a stupid joke, I love LOVE terrible puns, but they were spread so thick and were so try-hard that I cringed through the whole book. I only really finished to see how it could possibly wrap up.
The most egregious plot hole is why the MC had an aunt beloved by the community in the same city she lived in that she had never met?? This ran counter to everything else we ever learned about either woman.
The only thing we know about the love interest is that he is hot and has an Australian accent. Ugh.
The magic involved in the horror plot is incongruous and never explained, like, at all. The book lids along very slowly and the horror plot isn’t introduced until more than halfway through (60%ish if memory serves) and then the last chapter or so wraps everything up like the author had a word limit. I think it’s fair to say the first half of the story is 85% of the book and the second half is sped through the last 15% ish.
Crazy to me that a book like this has a major publisher when so many absolute GEMS have to be independently published.
The premise (horror rom-com in an eccentric community based around a Sweeny Todd-esque coffee shop) has so much promise but the story fell flat, had major (major!) plot holes and the romance was superficial and flat. Oh and the writing style! I love a stupid joke, I love LOVE terrible puns, but they were spread so thick and were so try-hard that I cringed through the whole book. I only really finished to see how it could possibly wrap up.
The most egregious plot hole is why the MC had an aunt beloved by the community in the same city she lived in that she had never met?? This ran counter to everything else we ever learned about either woman.
The only thing we know about the love interest is that he is hot and has an Australian accent. Ugh.
The magic involved in the horror plot is incongruous and never explained, like, at all. The book lids along very slowly and the horror plot isn’t introduced until more than halfway through (60%ish if memory serves) and then the last chapter or so wraps everything up like the author had a word limit. I think it’s fair to say the first half of the story is 85% of the book and the second half is sped through the last 15% ish.
Crazy to me that a book like this has a major publisher when so many absolute GEMS have to be independently published.
cindyc_uk's review against another edition
2.0
This sounded like such a fun concept but the plot is ridiculous and the protagonist is insufferable.
petersenftleben's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
chryscurl's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely fabulous, a weirdly cosy and quirky romantic comedy with some supernatural horror elements. Most definitely redolent of Little Shop Of Horrors, if not inspired by, right down to the musical theatre element.
I enjoyed this so much, it was the perfect blend and the romance was nicely done, especially the secondary romance between Frank and Reba (my favourite characters, they really did steal the show)
Definite recommend, and just look at that cover!
I enjoyed this so much, it was the perfect blend and the romance was nicely done, especially the secondary romance between Frank and Reba (my favourite characters, they really did steal the show)
Definite recommend, and just look at that cover!
pintsizedhelen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
booksnink's review against another edition
challenging
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? It's complicated
3.5
becca_t's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
books_for_the_bat's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Cannibalism, and Murder
Minor: Blood