thisgayreads's reviews
417 reviews

Pictures of You by Leta Blake

emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

3.0

3 / 5 ⭐️‘s 

 

"Pictures of You" by Leta Blake 

 

This was a cute coming-of-age story of Peter Mandel, an 18-year-old private school senior who is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. Peter is a talented photographer who is passionate about his art but is determined to keep his attraction to other men a secret. That is until he meets Adam, a charming and worldly guy who is not interested in labels, but is interested in Peter. 

 

I had a love hate with Peter and Adam’s story but am excited to see what happens in the next book. 

 

This ARC was provided by @gay.romance.reviews in exchange for an honest review.

Teacher of the Year by M.A. Wardell

emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

5 / 5 ⭐️‘s 

 

"Teacher of the Year" by M.A. Wardell 

 

This was a heartwarming and steamy gay romance story that explored the challenges of balancing career, relationships, and personal growth. 

 

The story follows Marvin Block, an anxious yet dedicated kindergarten teacher, who is determined to win the Teacher of the Year award for the sake of his school. However, when he meets Illona and her single dad, Olan, his focus starts to shift from his professional goals to his personal desires. 

 

The author did an excellent job of crafting relatable characters with unique personalities and quirks. Marvin is a lovable protagonist that you can't help but root for as he navigates his anxieties and tries to find love outside of his work. Olan, on the other hand, is a charming and patient love interest who helps Marvin to confront his fears and discover what he truly wants in life. 

 

A must-read for fans of the genre and anyone who appreciates a well-crafted and emotionally resonant story. 

 

PUB Date: 5/9/23 

 

This ARC was provided by @gya.romance.reviews in exchange for an honest review.

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

"The Cabin at the End of the World" by Paul Tremblay

Where do I begin. I have honestly struggled with how to rate this book.

 Listen, once I started this book I could not put it down. It kept my interest and I wanted to know what was going to happen next and how it was going to end.

It's a story of a family vacationing at a remote cabin in the woods, only to be confronted by a group of strangers who claim to have foreknowledge of an imminent apocalypse.

For that 👆it gets 4 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

THEN. IT ENDED. I cannot express how mad I was. Honestly a day later I’m still mad about it. I literally wanted to throw something. I was like what? Wtf? That’s it? Where is the ending? Is there another book? Seriously so mad!!

If I rated the book based on the ending it would be 1 / 5 ⭐️’ˢ!

I literally only read the book because I wanted to watch the movie and now I have zero desire to watch the movie.

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad 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

4.5 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

"Under the Whispering Door" by TJ Klune

Admittedly at first I was slightly bored until about chapter nine… By the end I was tearing up out of sadness and then tearing up out of joy.  

Overall not my favorite Klune story but was still a heartwarming story that explores the themes of life, death, and the afterlife. 

The story revolves around a man named Wallace Price, who unexpectedly dies and finds himself stuck in a purgatory-like state where he must confront his past and learn to let go.

Parts of this one reminded me of “Into This River I drown” which is probably one of my favorite books ever.

I read this one well because it's a Klune book (duh), but also because it was the April pick for the 'Nothing But Reading Challenges' Goodreads group.

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

2.5 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

"Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone" by Benjamin Stevenson

This one just wasn’t for me. I’m not going to spend time writing a long review because I just don’t have it in me.

I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. Mostly, I was just bored. I'm coming to find that Sherlockesque books are just not for me.

I read this one this month because it was the April pick for the "Nothing But Reading Challenges" Goodreads group.

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

4 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

"It Ends With Us" by Colleen Hoover

“𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘸𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴.”

Okay, with all the hype around this one, I was worried I was not going to be a fan. However, I actually found this to be an emotional story that tackled themes of love, loss, and abuse. The story follows Lily, a young woman who finds herself torn between her first love, Atlas, and her new beau, Ryle. As she navigates the ups and downs of her romantic relationships, Lily is forced to confront her own past and the dark secrets that have shaped her life.

Hoover's writing draws you into Lily's world with an unflinching honesty that is both raw and unapologetic.

I think what truly sets it apart is the way in which it tackles the difficult subject matter of abuse. Hoover approaches the topic with a sensitivity and grace that is both rare and deeply moving. She portrays the complexity of abusive relationships in a way that is both realistic and nuanced.

I will say though that I pretty much knew where the story was going to go because it was kinda obvious. Like GURLLL he gonna do it again!

I’ll definitely be reading the second book.

Also, this was my first read from Colleen Hoover.

Augustown by Kei Miller

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad 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? No

5.0

5 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

“Augustown” by Kei Miller

I found this one to be a compelling story that explores the complex social and historical dynamics of a Jamaican community. Set in the eponymous neighborhood of Augustown, the book follows the lives of its inhabitants as they grapple with poverty, prejudice, and the legacy of colonialism.

At the heart is the story of Ma Taffy, an elderly woman who serves as a repository of the community's history and traditions. Through her recollections, we learn about the controversial figure of Alexander Bedward, a charismatic religious leader who preached liberation and self-determination to his followers. Bedward's story is interwoven with that of Kaia, a young boy who is punished for refusing to cut his dreadlocks.

One of the story’s strengths is its evocative prose, which captures the rhythms and cadences of Jamaican English. Miller is a skilled storyteller, adept at weaving together different threads of narrative and creating memorable characters.

Overall, it’s a thought-provoking and moving story that offers a nuanced portrait of a Jamaican community grappling with issues of identity, power, and oppression. This is a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

Doña Croll does an AMAZING job on the narration of the audiobook!

I read this one this month because it was a recommended read in my ALA reading journal.

To the Moon and Back by N.R. Walker

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? No

4.0

4 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

"To the Moon and Back" by N.R. Walker 

This was such a delightful and heartwarming read that just leaves you feeling happy and content.

The story follows the journey of Gideon Ellery, a single father who is struggling to balance his work life and take care of his newborn nephew. After his boyfriend leaves him, Gideon is left with no choice but to ask for help, and that's where Toby Barlow comes in.

Toby is an optimistic and cheerful man who is looking for a job and a place to stay. When he is offered a job as a nanny for Gideon's nephew, he sees it as the perfect opportunity. However, Gideon is not too keen on the idea of having a stranger in his house, but he needs the help. As Toby starts to take care of the baby and bond with Gideon, they both realize that there is more to their relationship than just a professional one.

The chemistry between Gideon and Toby is undeniable, and their relationship develops naturally. The author takes her time to build the relationship, and it never feels rushed or forced. The characters are well-developed, and their flaws and insecurities make them more relatable.

Scarlet Plague by Jack London

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

5 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

"The Scarlet Plague" by Jack London 

 

This is a haunting and unsettling story that portrays the aftermath of a devastating pandemic that wipes out most of humanity. Written in 1912, the novel's themes of disease, isolation, and survival are eerily prescient in the context of the current global pandemic. 

 

London's vivid and descriptive writing immerses the reader in the desolate world of the protagonist, a survivor of the plague named James Howard Smith. The story paints a bleak picture of a world where civilization has crumbled, and humanity is reduced to a primitive state, struggling for survival in a world overrun by disease and violence. 

 

What makes it particularly chilling is how London's depiction of the collapse of society seems all too plausible in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fear and uncertainty that pervades the story are reminiscent of the early days of the pandemic, when people were struggling to adapt to a new reality and trying to make sense of the chaos around them. 

 

Despite its bleak subject matter, it is a compelling read, thanks to London's evocative prose and his portrayal of the complex relationships between the characters. As a reader, you are drawn into the lives of these survivors and their struggles to make sense of a world that has been turned upside down. 

 

Overall, it is a chilling and thought-provoking story that remains relevant today, more than a century after it was written. It is a testament to Jack London's skill as a writer that he was able to create a work that is both a haunting warning of what could happen and a powerful exploration of what it means to be human in the face of adversity. 

 

I read this one this month because it was the April pick for the "Apocalypse Whenever" Goodreads group.

Seeing Sean by Patrick Doyle

emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

3 / 5 ⭐️‘s 

 

“Seing Sean" by Patrick Doyle 

 

This is a story of love at first sight, where the complexities of reality and secrets threaten to tear apart the budding romance between Wyatt and Sean. From the start, Wyatt’s attraction to Sean is electric, with their Zoom encounters sparking an unusual electronic reaction that piques Wyatt's interest. 

 

When they finally meet in person, Sean proves to be even more captivating than Wyatt had anticipated, and the attraction between them is mutual. However, Sean's reluctance to open up about himself and the strange occurrences that seem to follow him leave Wyatt questioning whether the relationship is worth pursuing. 

 

With Wyatt's disillusionment and Sean's reluctance to share his past creating a palpable tension that builds throughout the story. As Sean's secrets are slowly revealed, the story takes on a fantastical element that adds a layer of intrigue to the already engaging plot. 

 

The love story between Sean and Wyatt seemed to be a bit fast-paced, which might not be to everyone's liking but then again it is a story of love at first sight… 

 

The ending left some unanswered questions, especially regarding Sean's secrets, which might leave some readers unsatisfied. 

 

PUB Date: 4/21/23 

 

The author provided me with an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.