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aahrobot's reviews
63 reviews
Lovely Bad Things by Trisha Wolfe
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either? I think mostly I was just lost. Lots of philosophy and academia, which isn't a bad thing, but I just don't think this book was for me. I felt no real connection to any of the characters, things felt muddled and all over the place. I just didn't find myself caring about their alleged romance, the mystery/murder, or the overall story.
The twist with Halen at the end didn't make any sense to me. Like, what do you mean? How? Why? What was the point?! Maybe that's the response that was wanted here since we spent half the book getting a philosophy lesson.
The twist with Halen at the end didn't make any sense to me. Like, what do you mean? How? Why? What was the point?! Maybe that's the response that was wanted here since we spent half the book getting a philosophy lesson.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Car accident
Deadly When Disturbed by D.M. Barr
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Firstly, thank you very much to D.M. Barr for sending me an Advanced Reader's Copy!
SPOILERS AHEAD!!
So, this was the first book that I have ever actually taken notes on/annotated a little. There was so much happening and I didn't want to forget how I felt in the moment. I've thought about how to rate this for a day and finally settled on 3.5 stars.
This book wasn't bad. The twist shocked me, in a way, and in others, it didn't. The book begins with Samantha Ellingsworth, a depressed, soon to be divorced woman who ends up taking her own life. We later discover that Merry was behind that.
Then, we meet Dara, a successful relator, charity organizer, and stepmom. She is seen as this incredible woman working hard to support her family even though her and her husband come from pretty affluent families. She has to hire a new assistant and finds the perfect one in Meryl 'Merry' Rafter.
We also meet Celeste, seemingly a voice/ego living in Dara's brain. This is something that just felt convenient by the end of the book. Celeste is this character/voice/personality. I have mixed feelings about this. I don't have DID nor do I know anyone personally who does. But to have the book end with Dara/Celeste turn out to be a murderer felt stereotypical in a way.
I have a love/hate relationship with Merry. It was disgusting and oddly entertaining to learn more about her, her life, and all the awful things she has done. I did, sort of, guess the twist, but of course, Dara I didn't see coming (kind of). All in all, this wasn't a bad read, but there were some minor storylines that I just couldn't understand/get behind.
SPOILERS AHEAD!!
So, this was the first book that I have ever actually taken notes on/annotated a little. There was so much happening and I didn't want to forget how I felt in the moment. I've thought about how to rate this for a day and finally settled on 3.5 stars.
This book wasn't bad. The twist shocked me, in a way, and in others, it didn't. The book begins with Samantha Ellingsworth, a depressed, soon to be divorced woman who ends up taking her own life. We later discover that Merry was behind that.
Then, we meet Dara, a successful relator, charity organizer, and stepmom. She is seen as this incredible woman working hard to support her family even though her and her husband come from pretty affluent families. She has to hire a new assistant and finds the perfect one in Meryl 'Merry' Rafter.
We also meet Celeste, seemingly a voice/ego living in Dara's brain. This is something that just felt convenient by the end of the book. Celeste is this character/voice/personality. I have mixed feelings about this. I don't have DID nor do I know anyone personally who does. But to have the book end with Dara/Celeste turn out to be a murderer felt stereotypical in a way.
I have a love/hate relationship with Merry. It was disgusting and oddly entertaining to learn more about her, her life, and all the awful things she has done. I did, sort of, guess the twist, but of course, Dara I didn't see coming (kind of). All in all, this wasn't a bad read, but there were some minor storylines that I just couldn't understand/get behind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and Vomit
Gorgeous Gruesome Faces by Linda Cheng
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
3.0
If I'm being honest, I didn't love this book. It was good, but if I am going to rate it for what it is, which is YA horror, then I have to go with 3 stars. I had to sit with this for a bit and just think about what other YA horror novels I have read. I just don't know if I can really agree with this being mainly a horror novel. It was a K-Pop, YA drama, with mystical/Asian folklore elements and a dash of body horror and some ghosts.
I did enjoy the characters. They felt well-rounded and diverse in personalities. Sunny was great and I enjoyed learning her backstory. Who doesn't love some family drama, a sapphic love story, friend drama, a dash of K-Pop stardom, cancel culture, and a sex scandal?
It was a good story and I did genuinely enjoy the drama/stardom part of it. The horror scenes just felt so sporadic. I had no reason to feel scared or on edge. I felt I had to go back and reread, or listen in my case, a few things to understand them (maybe that's just my comprehension skills). When we got to like the big scene, it felt rushed to me. And, while I enjoyed the mystical elements, it felt...I don't know, just off for me.
Personally, if you're just getting into YA horror, maybe this is more for you. I found myself more intrigued by the storyline with all the drama rather than the scary elements.
I did enjoy the characters. They felt well-rounded and diverse in personalities. Sunny was great and I enjoyed learning her backstory. Who doesn't love some family drama, a sapphic love story, friend drama, a dash of K-Pop stardom, cancel culture, and a sex scandal?
It was a good story and I did genuinely enjoy the drama/stardom part of it. The horror scenes just felt so sporadic. I had no reason to feel scared or on edge. I felt I had to go back and reread, or listen in my case, a few things to understand them (maybe that's just my comprehension skills). When we got to like the big scene, it felt rushed to me. And, while I enjoyed the mystical elements, it felt...I don't know, just off for me.
Personally, if you're just getting into YA horror, maybe this is more for you. I found myself more intrigued by the storyline with all the drama rather than the scary elements.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
My 15th Freida McFadden book!
I was on the fence about how to rate this. Usually I do my reviews pretty much immediately, but I needed a second to collect my thoughts. So after an hour of debating it (and explaining the entire plot to my partner), I settled on 4 stars. I’ve given most of her books 4 stars with a few exceptions (which I would go back and change, but I want to leave them as they were in that moment for me). Anyway, let’s talk!
Millie. Sweet, judgmental, slightly off Millie. I didn’t love the criticism she kept giving Nina, specifically about her body, especially when we find out that Millie is such a girls’ girl! Like, bestie, please stop criticizing this woman for her looks! Other than that, love. It’s like she made a come back in a crazy way and fully understood her life’s mission at the end.
Nina, I love you so much. You deserve the world! Getting to her POV was crazy! I always feel like I have Freida locked down and I never do. NEVER! She still manages to trick me and I’m here for it.
But again, Freida, bestie - why are we loving men and hating women?! I was so tired of hearing how HOT Andrew & Enzo were. Lemme read about an average man and a STUNNING woman, I’m begging you!
If I had a nickel for every time Freida wrote a character thatcheated on their partner , I would be FILTHY RICH!! Seriously. I get it - it’s for the plot. But like, are you okay at home? Did something happen? I just gotta know.
I think if this had been one of my first books from Frieda, I would’ve given it 5 stars. But I’ve become an expert, a critic, a hater & a lover! So, 4 stars is where this one will sit. On to the next one!
I was on the fence about how to rate this. Usually I do my reviews pretty much immediately, but I needed a second to collect my thoughts. So after an hour of debating it (and explaining the entire plot to my partner), I settled on 4 stars. I’ve given most of her books 4 stars with a few exceptions (which I would go back and change, but I want to leave them as they were in that moment for me). Anyway, let’s talk!
Millie. Sweet, judgmental, slightly off Millie. I didn’t love the criticism she kept giving Nina, specifically about her body, especially when we find out that Millie is such a girls’ girl! Like, bestie, please stop criticizing this woman for her looks! Other than that, love. It’s like she made a come back in a crazy way and fully understood her life’s mission at the end.
Nina, I love you so much. You deserve the world! Getting to her POV was crazy! I always feel like I have Freida locked down and I never do. NEVER! She still manages to trick me and I’m here for it.
But again, Freida, bestie - why are we loving men and hating women?! I was so tired of hearing how HOT Andrew & Enzo were. Lemme read about an average man and a STUNNING woman, I’m begging you!
If I had a nickel for every time Freida wrote a character that
I think if this had been one of my first books from Frieda, I would’ve given it 5 stars. But I’ve become an expert, a critic, a hater & a lover! So, 4 stars is where this one will sit. On to the next one!
Moonstruck Vol. 1: Magic to Brew by Clayton Cowles, Caitlin Quirk, Grace Ellis
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this graphic novel! I am definitely going to read the rest of the series. I loved Selena so much. She felt so level-headed in this chaotic world. I know that Julie is like the main character, but she lowkey annoyed me until the end (I guess that's character growth, but I tolled my eyes a few times). Chet? Chet was a lot, but I ended up loving them when they decided to make peace with a terrible situation.
Cute, fast read - I'm really loving graphic novels these days! Can't wait to see what kind of chaos we get into as I read on.
Cute, fast read - I'm really loving graphic novels these days! Can't wait to see what kind of chaos we get into as I read on.
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was such an incredible read. What a way to begin my 2025!
First off, I love the writing. I love that we never get a name for our FMC beyond Nightbitch or mother. That to me speaks volumes because, to the FMC, that’s all she is. Husband/father, boy/child - it all makes perfect sense to me. We get names for some characters, of course, but I feel as if having it written in that way is perfect.
The magical realism as it relates to motherhood felt so accurate. She is Nightbitch, animalistic, caring for her young in the most natural way, rage bubbling over when things feel too perfect or too human. The urge to make a mess, run, play, dig, hunt, and simply exist in the most basic manor feels so normal to me.
I felt the rage and the urges. Maybe it’s because I used to play doggy when I was little, running around and barking with my cousins. I’d find myself wandering the woods, stalking after a squirrel. Maybe I’m just a little off, but I related to this book in ways I didn’t expect. I’m not a mother, but I still feel that animalistic drive, the pull from nature to let my feet get dirty as I run around shoeless and lay under the sun. Maybe that’s the Appalachian in me.
There are so many amazing quotes in this book. I would send some to friends and read whole pages to my partner. In the book, Nightbitch is reading about mystical women, seemingly opening the book to a page that relates to her current state. She felt so drawn to the words she was reading and that was a journey that I fully understood.
I love the Book Babies moms, truly. Jen’s character is this perfect model of motherhood, but, of course, we learn that her life isn’t so perfect. (Also love the anti-MLM messaging that we get in this book.) Nightbitch can relate to her on a basic level, but it was fun to see her fully come out, in a sense, to Jen. She told her to run, hunt, growl, roll in the mud, howl at the moon!This whole adventure ended by becoming an art piece. That was truly the most perfect way to round out this story, to end sort of where we started.
First off, I love the writing. I love that we never get a name for our FMC beyond Nightbitch or mother. That to me speaks volumes because, to the FMC, that’s all she is. Husband/father, boy/child - it all makes perfect sense to me. We get names for some characters, of course, but I feel as if having it written in that way is perfect.
The magical realism as it relates to motherhood felt so accurate. She is Nightbitch, animalistic, caring for her young in the most natural way, rage bubbling over when things feel too perfect or too human. The urge to make a mess, run, play, dig, hunt, and simply exist in the most basic manor feels so normal to me.
I felt the rage and the urges. Maybe it’s because I used to play doggy when I was little, running around and barking with my cousins. I’d find myself wandering the woods, stalking after a squirrel. Maybe I’m just a little off, but I related to this book in ways I didn’t expect. I’m not a mother, but I still feel that animalistic drive, the pull from nature to let my feet get dirty as I run around shoeless and lay under the sun. Maybe that’s the Appalachian in me.
There are so many amazing quotes in this book. I would send some to friends and read whole pages to my partner. In the book, Nightbitch is reading about mystical women, seemingly opening the book to a page that relates to her current state. She felt so drawn to the words she was reading and that was a journey that I fully understood.
I love the Book Babies moms, truly. Jen’s character is this perfect model of motherhood, but, of course, we learn that her life isn’t so perfect. (Also love the anti-MLM messaging that we get in this book.) Nightbitch can relate to her on a basic level, but it was fun to see her fully come out, in a sense, to Jen. She told her to run, hunt, growl, roll in the mud, howl at the moon!
The Gift by Freida McFadden
dark
fast-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? No
3.0
Short read (or listen in my case). A classic Christmas tale with a nice Freida twist. Like, shock, a married man having an affair?! Anyway, it was good; easy to get through while I'm at work.
Cry for Krampus by Aiden Pierce
I loved these two. I really enjoyed the backstory for them and then the little preview of their life together. It was just enough to feel like we weren't being just thrown into this random story; there's a history and a deep desire that is there from the very beginning. Even in this short time frame, I feel as if I got to know both of them fairly well. The spice was excellent as it always is with Aiden's books. I mean, a cage? Love. The only other thing I have read involving a cage was Bleed for Cupid, so thank you Aiden for giving us more cage content! 😂
dark
emotional
funny
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
Huge thank you to Aiden Pierce and her team for my first ever ARC! I think I literally screamed when I got the email. Anyway, here's my review:
4 ⭐
Clara, girl, you're an icon. As someone who can relate to her not-so-perfect life, I was so thrilled (is that bad?) when she killed her husband. Clara saves herself was more than a sentence; she really took it to heart and I love that for her. Even in this short novella, we get to watch her grow and be who she's always been with a man who truly loves and adores her (and gives into to her every fantasy).
Speaking of that man, Bastion, my king. First off let me say, funnily enough, my dog's name is Bastion 😂 so for the whole book, he was simply Krampus in my head. Truly a king and I love that he uses his evil for naughty purposes. He did provide me with a favorite quote:
4 ⭐
Clara, girl, you're an icon. As someone who can relate to her not-so-perfect life, I was so thrilled (is that bad?) when she killed her husband. Clara saves herself was more than a sentence; she really took it to heart and I love that for her. Even in this short novella, we get to watch her grow and be who she's always been with a man who truly loves and adores her (and gives into to her every fantasy).
Speaking of that man, Bastion, my king. First off let me say, funnily enough, my dog's name is Bastion 😂 so for the whole book, he was simply Krampus in my head. Truly a king and I love that he uses his evil for naughty purposes. He did provide me with a favorite quote:
"I knew what kind of books she liked to read. Whenever I saw her reading a new title between lulls at her shop, I went and picked up the book for myself."
I loved these two. I really enjoyed the backstory for them and then the little preview of their life together. It was just enough to feel like we weren't being just thrown into this random story; there's a history and a deep desire that is there from the very beginning. Even in this short time frame, I feel as if I got to know both of them fairly well. The spice was excellent as it always is with Aiden's books. I mean, a cage? Love. The only other thing I have read involving a cage was Bleed for Cupid, so thank you Aiden for giving us more cage content! 😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
The Locked Door by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Not bad, Freida. Not bad. This one was tricky. I thought I had this (and you) figured out, but I was VERY wrong and VERY shocked. This was Freida book number 13 for me, so I feel well versed in all things McFadden. But this one? This book is up there with the few who have surprised me.
I spent part of the book thinking, 'Oh, it's obviouslyBrady ', but then I thought, 'NO! It's Phillip ! Wrong again! There were a ton of red herrings in this book, but upon looking/thinking back on a free things, I can see where we get the twist. Like there are some small hints, a few sprinkles. But like, they were hard to catch, ya know.
This might sound strange, but this was refreshing. Often times, I have felt that a lot of Freida books are the same. We're getting similar characters or vibes or complaints or you know, 'Men are much hotter than any woman ever' sentences. We didn't get much of that here. Is there another book where the FMC is a doctor? Yes, yes there is. But I'm pretty sure Freida is a physician, so write what you know! Did we get 'Men are hot and perfect' comments? A few. But the FMC didn't beat herself down for once. She said herself she had charm and the ability to use her looks to get things, she just chose not to/chose to use them selectively.
TLDR; good book, great and shocking twist, men are finally less hot in comparison to our FMC, and dark hair with blue eyes is to die for!
I spent part of the book thinking, 'Oh, it's obviously
This might sound strange, but this was refreshing. Often times, I have felt that a lot of Freida books are the same. We're getting similar characters or vibes or complaints or you know, 'Men are much hotter than any woman ever' sentences. We didn't get much of that here. Is there another book where the FMC is a doctor? Yes, yes there is. But I'm pretty sure Freida is a physician, so write what you know! Did we get 'Men are hot and perfect' comments? A few. But the FMC didn't beat herself down for once. She said herself she had charm and the ability to use her looks to get things, she just chose not to/chose to use them selectively.
TLDR; good book, great and shocking twist, men are finally less hot in comparison to our FMC, and dark hair with blue eyes is to die for!
Dark River Days: the complete series by Grace McGinty
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
just can't do it man!