alexreadsabook's reviews
52 reviews

Heart, Haunt, Havoc by Freydís Moon

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? N/A

5.0

Heart Haunt Havoc was short and to the point and I devoured every minute of it. I read this in one sitting and was pleasantly surprised how much I loved it considering it’s a horror book (a genre I never thought I would read). 

The two main characters were probably some of my favorite characters ever. I am constantly searching for trans rep; these characters were some of the best rep I’ve read yet. Their stories were beautiful and heart breaking and I want nothing but good things for them both. I’d love to read several more books about their adventures together.  

The story itself was horrifying in all the best ways. I’m not a huge fan of gore, and the author did an amazing job of having gore that made an impact but was bearable for those us of that don’t love it. The mystery and the honestly terrifying imagery made this a book I simply could not put down. 

This was for sure a 5 star read and a reminder that queer and trans people belong in all genres. Even if you’re not a horror fan I highly suggest giving this a read. 

Mistletoe and Mishigas by M.A. Wardell

emotional funny medium-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

5.0

This book felt like watching a Hallmark Christmas movie, but gay and a million times better. It was full of some of my favorite tropes (grumpy/sunshine, hurt/comfort) and I loved every second of it. I’m usually not a huge fan of fake dating, but in this case, it worked so well. It genuinely had me smiling and kicking my feet at times. 

I was a bit skeptical about the dual POV at first, but it was so well executed and gave just enough insight into both characters’ perspectives without making me want to yell about lack of communication.

One of the things Wardell does so well is make his characters feel real. Sheldon reminded me so much of one of my close friends, from the Drag Race references to the obsession with pop icons. So often book characters seem too good to be true (because they are), but both main characters had fully fleshed out personalities with flaws and quirks and neither were idolized as some ultra handsome, right out of a painting man. I find it so much more enjoyable to read about characters I can actually relate to.

The spicy scenes in this book were honestly some of the best I’ve ever read. CONSENT IS SO SEXY. The on page consent is something so many books lack, and Wardell absolutely delivered. Absolutely stellar writing as a whole, but hot damn that closet scene was something else.

The representation in this book is phenomenal as well. This was the first book I’ve read that had a main character with PTSD, and I could tell a lot of work went into making sure that it was accurately portrayed without any harmful stereotypes. There are some tough topics discussed (please check content warnings), but they were handled with such care.

This was for sure a 5 star read, and I can not wait for the next Teachers in Love book.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

5.0

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

5.0

the romance was great but the queer found family was the best part of this book. 

Deficient by Michael Solis

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

There was a bit of a slow start, but it provided some much-needed details for later in the story. Once the action started, however, there was no slowing down. The mystery was captivating, and there were several points where I thought I had it figured out but was pleasantly surprised to be wrong. 

Each of the characters in this book were so unique yet relatable. Kazuki and Gwen were probably my favorites. I loved Kazuki’s humor and Gwen’s badassness. Seeing the growth of each character throughout the book was beautiful and very well written. 

There was a bit of an enemies-to-lovers situation that honestly kind of shocked me. I won’t say much so as not to spoil it, but I do wish we had been able to see that play out a bit more at the end (but that may be because I’ve been reading too many romance novels lately). I also wish there had been more of a chance to explore Gwen’s takes on gender, but I loved that this was set in a queernormative world where it wasn’t a big deal. 

The author took a unique spin on the idea of superhumans, which I really enjoyed. The story was well-rounded and the world-building was very well done and easy to follow. Deficient was everything you could want (and more) from a YA novel, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, yet intense, magical mystery.  

Teacher of the Year by M.A. Wardell

emotional funny lighthearted medium-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

4.5

Kit & Basie by Tess Carletta

emotional funny hopeful medium-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

5.0

After reading Kit & Basie, I can assure you I will read any and everything Tess Carletta writes. I bought this book expecting a cozy, magical gay love story, and I got that plus so much more. 

The story focuses on Basie Yeats, an immortal man who lives in Long Lily with his also immortal mother. After she impossibly passes away, Basie decides to ditch Long Lily and run far, far away. Then enters Kit Elliot, a charming, too good for this world, cinnamon roll of a man who ends up purchasing Basie’s home. Kit is such a good man that he offers to help Basie find a new one. 

Basie is a grumpy, grief stricken man whom I love and relate to so much. His journey through grief and acceptance and self love was both beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time. He had me laughing one minute and screaming internally the next. Kit is impossible not to love and, in my eyes, he can do no wrong. There were also a few amazing side characters that only made the book better. 

Now, the romance. The pining. The angst. The yearning. The lack of a second bed. It had me hooked from beginning to end and left me wanting more. I’ve been against slow burns quite openly, but this one may have changed my mind. It was an absolute rollercoaster of emotion, and I loved every second of it. 

The storyline itself was honestly genius. I expected the romance, but I did not expect the slight mystery that was unveiled throughout the story. There’s a bit of a plot twist at the end that I really didn’t see coming, but made so much sense. There’s one question I still would love to know the answer to, but I’m hoping maybe there’s a future book coming that answers it. 

I absolutely devoured this book (even stayed up late just to finish it) and I’m finding it hard to start something new because I want to live in the world of Long Lily just a little longer. It definitely gets 5 stars from me, and I highly, highly recommend it. 

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

adventurous emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

In the Lives of Puppets was an adventure that will follow me for a while. This is for sure a 5 star read that is well worth picking up. 

The characters is this book are all vastly different, but they’re all incredibly lovable. There’s a robot vacuum named Rambo who stole my heart from the very beginning, and who provides some desperately needed comedic relief in the best moments. Nurse Ratched is a nurse robot who cares more than she lets on and is truly unlike any other book character I’ve seen. Vic, the main character and only human out of the bunch, is probably one of my favorite main characters in a book ever. He’s asexual and, while never outright said, reads autistic to me. He’s smart and brilliant while also so incredibly human amongst all these robots. I can’t say much more about him or Hap, the Hysterically Angry Puppet, without wanting to spoil everything, but just know I love them and their dynamic. (Also that there’s a forced proximity scene that I’m still not over.)

The plot of this book really begins after Vic’s father, Gio, is taken by the robot Authorities. It happens fast and doesn’t slow down. Like seriously, 0 to 100 in a matter of pages. The journey Vic and his robot friends take to find him reminds me a bit of The Wizard of Oz in the best way possible. The characters they meet and the obstacles they face along the way are like none other, and add so much depth to the book. The writing is incredible, and even though it’s about robots and places that are almost completely made up, I had no trouble picturing exactly what was going on. There’s some action and some truly devastating events, but it wouldn’t be a Tj Klune book without shedding a few tears. 

The overall idea of robots taking over the planet is not a new one, but Klune took an approach to it that I’ve not seen before. The idea that robots can evolve (whether for good or bad) just like everything else has is very interesting. 

This book highlights what it means to be human, and while it’s not always good, at least we’re not alone. 

I laughed and I cried and I will recommend this book forever. 

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

Master of One by Dani Bennett, Jaida Jones

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

where the heck is the rest of the book?? i absolutely loved this book, even though it was a bit slow at the beginning, and i’m dying for a sequel. the characters were all very lovable and had different distinct personalities that i enjoyed getting insight to with the different povs. the plot and the world building were pretty solid and enjoyable (maybe a little too much but i’d rather have too much than not enough tbh) and kept me engaged without any confusion. this book also had some really great representation for several different groups!! overall i’d say it was a great read and would definitely recommend it (although it almost lost a star just for that ending)