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badbitchwithabook's reviews
110 reviews
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
Aaron Blackford is a dream and I need one, where does one find an Aaron Blackford of their own?😜
💛🌮🍷🇪🇸⚽️✈️❤️
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars was purely because of my own reading experience, the story was great, really cute and sweet and all round just a fun read. But my experience reading it was difficult, I kept getting distracted/forgetting I was even reading it, I had so many personal things going on in my life and romance just wasn’t what I was reaching for, on top of that it was October so I was putting any of my spooky/horror reads ahead of finishing this. I finally just finished it (I had like less than a 100 pages to go 🙄) and I just wish I had read it at a different time in my life, so I think I’m going to re-read it in a few months when I’m more in the mood for some fluffy romance. Because I know this book deserves 5 stars and I want to give it another chance to wow me.
Either way I really do recommend this book for any romance lovers or anyone trying to dive more into contemporary romance. It has fluffy romance, smutty romance, a big loving family (including a really annoying cousin), a ‘gives no bullshit, takes no bullshit’ best friend, lots of humour and a sexist pig of a co-worker that is SO EASY to hate. Plus the ex is an absolute moron who says some really moronic things.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Aaron Blackford is a dream and I need one, where does one find an Aaron Blackford of their own?😜
💛🌮🍷🇪🇸⚽️✈️❤️
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars was purely because of my own reading experience, the story was great, really cute and sweet and all round just a fun read. But my experience reading it was difficult, I kept getting distracted/forgetting I was even reading it, I had so many personal things going on in my life and romance just wasn’t what I was reaching for, on top of that it was October so I was putting any of my spooky/horror reads ahead of finishing this. I finally just finished it (I had like less than a 100 pages to go 🙄) and I just wish I had read it at a different time in my life, so I think I’m going to re-read it in a few months when I’m more in the mood for some fluffy romance. Because I know this book deserves 5 stars and I want to give it another chance to wow me.
Either way I really do recommend this book for any romance lovers or anyone trying to dive more into contemporary romance. It has fluffy romance, smutty romance, a big loving family (including a really annoying cousin), a ‘gives no bullshit, takes no bullshit’ best friend, lots of humour and a sexist pig of a co-worker that is SO EASY to hate. Plus the ex is an absolute moron who says some really moronic things.
The Woods, Vol. 2: The Swarm by Michael Dialynas, Josan Gonzalez, James Tynion IV
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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? No
4.0
I loved this volume, it was so great getting to know our main characters better and to find out was was happening before everything went to shit.
I loved the introduction of one of our queer characters. As always the action was awesome and the beginning of the character development so early on in the series was intriguing and got me even more hooked than I already was.
I’ve never really read a graphic novel/comic with this kind of story line before, I don’t think I’ve ever even read a novel with this type of plot, and honestly, I’m obsessed!
On top of having a great plot, and beautiful writing with humour dabbled in here and there, the art is STUNNING!
I ended up taking so many screenshots while reading this (both volumes actually), and I can’t wait to print them all out and create a spread in my journal about this series.
I will post it on my Instagram when I finish it @badbitchwithabook so feel free to follow me over there
In summary, I highly recommend you pick up this graphic novel/comic… you won’t regret it.
I loved the introduction of one of our queer characters. As always the action was awesome and the beginning of the character development so early on in the series was intriguing and got me even more hooked than I already was.
I’ve never really read a graphic novel/comic with this kind of story line before, I don’t think I’ve ever even read a novel with this type of plot, and honestly, I’m obsessed!
On top of having a great plot, and beautiful writing with humour dabbled in here and there, the art is STUNNING!
I ended up taking so many screenshots while reading this (both volumes actually), and I can’t wait to print them all out and create a spread in my journal about this series.
I will post it on my Instagram when I finish it @badbitchwithabook so feel free to follow me over there
In summary, I highly recommend you pick up this graphic novel/comic… you won’t regret it.
Dead Inside by Chandler Morrison
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“And even with your fucked-up face—especially with your fucked-up face—you’ll still be beautiful to me.”
Don’t mistake this quote as being a part of a beautiful, romantic love story. It’s not. But underneath the shocking, distressing and disturbing story that this is, there is a twisted love story of sorts.
I’ve been mulling over this review for about a week and am still unsure of what to even write. This story really traumatised me, I don’t even know if I can recommend this book purely out of guilt for potentially upsetting someone deeply.
I’m going to begin by saying this book is highly, highly disturbing, not like anything I’ve ever read or even heard of.
I cannot stress enough to read with caution, this will severely upset the majority of people. I found myself struggling to finish it but also not being able to put it down, which was a the first time I’ve had a conflict like that when reading. At one point I felt guilty for reading this and enjoying it as much as I did. but I also hated it soooo… idk?
Moving on to what I enjoyed about this, the writing in this book is stunning, like absolutely incredible and I cannot help but give my respect to the author, Chandler, for having the balls to write something like this and then publish it and show the world. If you read this, you’ll understand the guts it must have took to put this story out, knowing it would upset so many people.
Chandler is an expert at building an atmosphere that makes you feel connected and immersed. This is a skill I really admire in all authors. There were points whilst reading when I found myself inside the main characters mind and was lost in his darkness and could feel the depravity of his existence, and although I hated every minute of feeling like that, I was blown away by the fact that the author succeeded in that while having the characters and their lives be SO unrelatable.
I want to recommend going into this story blind but at the same time part of me feels responsible to tell you everything that happens (haha), so as a happy medium, I’m going to try and give as many detailed content warnings as I can so you are as prepared as you can be picking this up.
CONTENT WARNINGS: (just assume that every warning is considered to be quite severe and detailed)
in no particular order
Death, child death, gore, necrophilia, body horror, rape, gang rape, abuse, drug use, abortion, mistreatment of a corpse, pedophilia, cannibalism, death of an animal (mentioned once but quite graphic), car accident, cheating, stillborn, miscarriage, murder, suicide, mental illness, mental disturbances.
I may have missed some warnings but the safe bet is to assume that whatever you’re thinking there’s a high possibility it’s in this book
Don’t mistake this quote as being a part of a beautiful, romantic love story. It’s not. But underneath the shocking, distressing and disturbing story that this is, there is a twisted love story of sorts.
I’ve been mulling over this review for about a week and am still unsure of what to even write. This story really traumatised me, I don’t even know if I can recommend this book purely out of guilt for potentially upsetting someone deeply.
I’m going to begin by saying this book is highly, highly disturbing, not like anything I’ve ever read or even heard of.
I cannot stress enough to read with caution, this will severely upset the majority of people. I found myself struggling to finish it but also not being able to put it down, which was a the first time I’ve had a conflict like that when reading. At one point I felt guilty for reading this and enjoying it as much as I did. but I also hated it soooo… idk?
Moving on to what I enjoyed about this, the writing in this book is stunning, like absolutely incredible and I cannot help but give my respect to the author, Chandler, for having the balls to write something like this and then publish it and show the world. If you read this, you’ll understand the guts it must have took to put this story out, knowing it would upset so many people.
Chandler is an expert at building an atmosphere that makes you feel connected and immersed. This is a skill I really admire in all authors. There were points whilst reading when I found myself inside the main characters mind and was lost in his darkness and could feel the depravity of his existence, and although I hated every minute of feeling like that, I was blown away by the fact that the author succeeded in that while having the characters and their lives be SO unrelatable.
I want to recommend going into this story blind but at the same time part of me feels responsible to tell you everything that happens (haha), so as a happy medium, I’m going to try and give as many detailed content warnings as I can so you are as prepared as you can be picking this up.
CONTENT WARNINGS: (just assume that every warning is considered to be quite severe and detailed)
in no particular order
Death, child death, gore, necrophilia, body horror, rape, gang rape, abuse, drug use, abortion, mistreatment of a corpse, pedophilia, cannibalism, death of an animal (mentioned once but quite graphic), car accident, cheating, stillborn, miscarriage, murder, suicide, mental illness, mental disturbances.
I may have missed some warnings but the safe bet is to assume that whatever you’re thinking there’s a high possibility it’s in this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
The Ghostly Grounds: Murder and Breakfast by Sophie Love
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
*3.5*
👻🍁🏚✨🧡🐶
I listened to the first book in the ‘A Canine Casper Cozy Mystery’ series on audio on a couple of long drives and it was really great experience. It’s a really cozy and fun mysterious story.
One of my favourite tropes is someone who is struggling financially or emotionally, etc and then inherits a fortune or a huge mansion or business or the like. I just really love that trope and this is exactly what this story has, plus ghosts, murder, the cutest dog ever and some budding romance and friendships.
The narrator of the audiobook was perfect, it created a great atmosphere and really captured the characters.
Only thing I didn’t exactly love was that the murder mystery was a little lack lustre and it felt like it just needed a little more, whether that be more detail or a better “reasoning”, I’m not sure.
But a really great Halloween/fall time read and I’m looking forward to continuing on with the series.
👻🍁🏚✨🧡🐶
I listened to the first book in the ‘A Canine Casper Cozy Mystery’ series on audio on a couple of long drives and it was really great experience. It’s a really cozy and fun mysterious story.
One of my favourite tropes is someone who is struggling financially or emotionally, etc and then inherits a fortune or a huge mansion or business or the like. I just really love that trope and this is exactly what this story has, plus ghosts, murder, the cutest dog ever and some budding romance and friendships.
The narrator of the audiobook was perfect, it created a great atmosphere and really captured the characters.
Only thing I didn’t exactly love was that the murder mystery was a little lack lustre and it felt like it just needed a little more, whether that be more detail or a better “reasoning”, I’m not sure.
But a really great Halloween/fall time read and I’m looking forward to continuing on with the series.
Through the Woods by E.M. Carroll
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
wow, this was incredible and disturbing. i loved it. i went in not knowing anything about this story and i think that was the best way to go in.
The artwork was phenomenal and everything together was in total just really cohesive.
this will definitely now become a yearly halloween read 👻
The artwork was phenomenal and everything together was in total just really cohesive.
this will definitely now become a yearly halloween read 👻
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
4.5
I have no words for how much happiness this brought me.
Ugh, I loved it so much.
The sweetest beginning, middle and end (especially the end) 😍
The greatest autumnal vibes from a graphic novel I’ve ever gotten. The art was phenomenal.
I absolutely loveee Deja and Josie being the best of friends and the way they both had each other’s backs the whole time.
The two sweetest pumpkinheads ever. 🎃🧡
Ugh, I loved it so much.
The sweetest beginning, middle and end (especially the end) 😍
The greatest autumnal vibes from a graphic novel I’ve ever gotten. The art was phenomenal.
I absolutely loveee Deja and Josie being the best of friends and the way they both had each other’s backs the whole time.
The two sweetest pumpkinheads ever. 🎃🧡
Haunted Hayride with Murder by Auralee Wallace
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
🍁🍂🎃🦦🪵🍎🤎🧡
This was my first time getting to experience small town life in Otter Lake and all the quirks it has to offer and I have to say I finished up the book and instantly wanted more stories from this small town, Erica Bloom and her OLS crew.
I honestly loved every minute of this and I never found myself getting bored or wishing things would speed up, I thought the pacing was excellent and the writing was so fun, witty and very easy to read.
As for the plot and the mystery, it was a good, cosy read that kept me guessing and at times made my heart race.
On top of absolutely loving the small town setting, the mystery and the cosy Halloween vibes, I really loved the characters (literally all of them), their developments and their relationships with each other. Especially Erica and Freddie (and of course Rhonda), Erica and Grady, and obviously the twins, Kit Kat and Tweety (cutest names ever?).
Honestly, I really don’t have anything negative to say about this book other than I wish it was longer lol.
And now I’m off to go fall even more in love with Otter Lake 🧡
This was my first time getting to experience small town life in Otter Lake and all the quirks it has to offer and I have to say I finished up the book and instantly wanted more stories from this small town, Erica Bloom and her OLS crew.
I honestly loved every minute of this and I never found myself getting bored or wishing things would speed up, I thought the pacing was excellent and the writing was so fun, witty and very easy to read.
As for the plot and the mystery, it was a good, cosy read that kept me guessing and at times made my heart race.
On top of absolutely loving the small town setting, the mystery and the cosy Halloween vibes, I really loved the characters (literally all of them), their developments and their relationships with each other. Especially Erica and Freddie (and of course Rhonda), Erica and Grady, and obviously the twins, Kit Kat and Tweety (cutest names ever?).
Honestly, I really don’t have anything negative to say about this book other than I wish it was longer lol.
And now I’m off to go fall even more in love with Otter Lake 🧡
The Woods, Vol. 1: The Arrow by Michael Dialynas, James Tynion IV
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
*4.25*
I was so enthralled by this story and the art from the very beginning, the characters are all really fun to read and although some are so annoying they still add a lot to the story and the atmosphere.
A whole school finds themselves stranded on what they believe to be a moon/planet filled with dark forests and human eating monsters and they have to focus on staying alive, keeping their peers alive, and figuring out why they are here and who brought them and how.
You can feel the fear and desperation grow as they realise that this forest/moon is gonna be almost impossible to survive.
It’s also really interesting to read the characters left in the school begin to build a hierarchy and then quickly start turning on each other.
I’m really excited to reading the following volumes and begin to figure out the where’s, the who’s and they why’s.
*content warnings*
Gore, blood, monsters, death of a young person, death, man hitting a woman, visual of injury, violence.
I may have missed some content warnings that may be triggering to you, read/research other reviews if need be.
I was so enthralled by this story and the art from the very beginning, the characters are all really fun to read and although some are so annoying they still add a lot to the story and the atmosphere.
A whole school finds themselves stranded on what they believe to be a moon/planet filled with dark forests and human eating monsters and they have to focus on staying alive, keeping their peers alive, and figuring out why they are here and who brought them and how.
You can feel the fear and desperation grow as they realise that this forest/moon is gonna be almost impossible to survive.
It’s also really interesting to read the characters left in the school begin to build a hierarchy and then quickly start turning on each other.
I’m really excited to reading the following volumes and begin to figure out the where’s, the who’s and they why’s.
*content warnings*
Gore, blood, monsters, death of a young person, death, man hitting a woman, visual of injury, violence.
I may have missed some content warnings that may be triggering to you, read/research other reviews if need be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this story but I made the mistake of really taking my time with the audiobook and not listening to it for weeks at a time and then forgetting who was who and what had just happened.
The audiobook was a really enjoyable experience and I loved the narrators voice and her ability to immerse you into the story.
The twist was good but not necessarily shocking!
I’m looking forward to reading more of Robert Thorogood’s work.
The audiobook was a really enjoyable experience and I loved the narrators voice and her ability to immerse you into the story.
The twist was good but not necessarily shocking!
I’m looking forward to reading more of Robert Thorogood’s work.
Trick or Treat Murder by Leslie Meier
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I don’t know why but I always love these holiday themed books written by older women usually, they make mysteries and romance ones and I just think they are so fun and so quick to read.
This one was great, is it a literary masterpiece? No. But was it fun and enjoyable and mysterious? Hell yeah.
During October I watch and read so many scary things that I needed a break from the scare factor for just a cozy book set around halloween time.
I really enjoyed Lucy Stone as our protagonist, she’s a loving mum with a love of mystery that sometimes gets her in trouble. The family dynamic was sweet and I throughly enjoyed the mystery, I can even say that I didn’t even guess the culprit at all. There clues were there but I missed them by being too focused on the red herrings.
Looking forward to picking up my next holiday themed book by Leslie Meier.
*content warnings*
Arson, fire/fire injury, death, car accident resulting in injury description, grief, abduction of an adult.
This book really doesn’t contain many shocking (to some) things apart from the above but please remember:
I may have missed some content warnings that may be triggering to you, please read/research other reviews for confirmation of warnings
This one was great, is it a literary masterpiece? No. But was it fun and enjoyable and mysterious? Hell yeah.
During October I watch and read so many scary things that I needed a break from the scare factor for just a cozy book set around halloween time.
I really enjoyed Lucy Stone as our protagonist, she’s a loving mum with a love of mystery that sometimes gets her in trouble. The family dynamic was sweet and I throughly enjoyed the mystery, I can even say that I didn’t even guess the culprit at all. There clues were there but I missed them by being too focused on the red herrings.
Looking forward to picking up my next holiday themed book by Leslie Meier.
*content warnings*
Arson, fire/fire injury, death, car accident resulting in injury description, grief, abduction of an adult.
This book really doesn’t contain many shocking (to some) things apart from the above but please remember:
I may have missed some content warnings that may be triggering to you, please read/research other reviews for confirmation of warnings
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Kidnapping, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail