Book Review

Secret Santa // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Lussi must find the next horror superstar to compete with Stephen King, Anne Rice, and Peter Straub. It’s the ’80s, after all, and horror is the hottest genre. The Office meets Stephen King, dressed up in holiday tinsel, in this fun, festive, and frightening horror-comedy set during the horror publishing boom of the ’80s, by New York Times best-selling satirist Andrew Shaffer.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3NsoNLN

My Rating

If you love thriller and horror books, but still want a holiday read, then this is the perfect read for you. I loved the plot, characters, and how fast the book was paced. It is a good, short, palate-cleanser Christmas horror novel that is not too gory.

When I first read the synopsis, I was nervous that this book would be gruesome and cheesy. However, I was hooked on the first page, and found the writing to be really good. Who doesn’t love a good horror story set during the holidays? In particular, one that takes place in a publishing house.

The book was set in the 80’s, and we follow Lussi, who is tasked with finding the next big name in horror novels in her new publishing job. However, during the company’s annual Secret Santa, she receives a demonic doll. That is, when things start to get a little weird, accidents start happening to her coworkers.

“Authors are God’s neediest creatures, eclipsed only by actors and puppies.”

The 80’s vibes were on point, and I loved all the nods to horror as a growing genre in the book industry. This makes sense, considering that the book is set during the time when Stephen King and Anna Rice were becoming big name authors. It is a really fun read for a horror and thriller reader like myself.

This book is not a feel good Christmas story, and there are not many traditional holiday aspects to the narrative besides the Secret Santa plot. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed it, and the storyline as a whole was intriguing. I liked Lussi as our main character because she was smart and did not ignore all the unusual things that were happening. I think her knowledge of horror novels and movies really helped her.

Overall, this is not a five-star read by any means, but it is a really good horror novella. I would recommend it if you are looking for a book to break up all the romance novels, you might be reading this time of year. I would categorize it as ‘Child’s Play’ meets ‘Rosemary’s Baby.’ For me, this was a one-sitting read, and the ending was fantastic.

In the comments, let me know some of your favorite horror holiday novellas, because now I want to read them all. Don’t forget that you can always like and share all of my posts, and give the blog a follow before you go, because it really does help me grow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

One Day In December // Book Review

- Bunny 2 Comments

About The Book
Two people. Ten chances. One unforgettable love story. What follows for Laurie, Sarah, and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming, and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3RBLkYS

My Rating

Unfortunately, this book has a lot of my pet peeves when it comes to romance novels. I wanted a cute, winter love at first sight romance, with a few obstacles. However, this wasn’t a traditional romance, and they weren’t actually together for much of the story. Also, only some of the novel is based at Christmas time, so keep that in mind.

In the book we follow Laura, who, one December day, is instantly drawn to a young man she sees out of the bus window. She spends a year searching for who she calls bus boy. Then, her best friend introduces her to her new boyfriend, Jack, whom, as you could’ve guessed, is bus boy.

Thus years of pining follow, as the two try their best to move on from their connection. But does this actually work? No, because throughout the book, there is seriously this emotional pool between them. As the reader, I would get so frustrated that they just wouldn’t admit their feelings and attempt to be together.

“If anyone ever asks if I’ve ever fallen in love at first sight, I shall say yes. For one glorious moment on the 21st of December 2006.”

The biggest con is that we watch them try, and fail, to fall in love with other people. Or in Jack’s case, randomly hook up with other women. For being a romance novel, I wanted them to actually be together, which isn’t the case. We never get to actually view them as a couple, which is frustrating to me.

However, the books most redeeming quality is the writing. I loved Josie Silver’s writing style. Although the plot wasn’t my favorite, and I didn’t really enjoy 75% of the book, the writing is what kept me reading, and I would probably pick up more of her books in the future.

Overall, the one thing that is desperately missing from this book is an epilogue. If you were going to give me an almost 400 pages romance novel without actually any romance. I’m gonna need an epilogue so that I get a tiny glimpse of the love interests actually being together. Nevertheless, I did like the message that home isn’t a place, but a person, which is a very romantic sentiment.

Sorry, if this review was a little bit spoilery. I didn’t know how to write it without adding my actual thoughts, which could be considered spoiling the book. But, if you are a fan of book reviews usually spoiler free ones give my blog a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Whiteout // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Atlanta is blanketed with snow just before Christmas, but the warmth of young love just might melt the ice in this novel of Black joy, and cozy, sparkling romance—by the same unbeatable team of authors who wrote the New York Times bestseller Blackout! As the city grinds to a halt, twelve teens band together to help a friend pull off the most epic apology of her life. But will they be able to make it happen, in spite of the storm?
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3t3Zh8H

My Rating

This is an anthology that features six romance stories centered around black teens. The main narrative follows Stevie and Sola, navigating a challenging phase in their relationship, providing a catalyst that intertwines and connects the other stories. Despite the varied plots, each tale presents unique yet collectively interesting perspectives on romance, making it a cohesive anthology.

Stevie bears similarities to Sheldon from ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ While the characters are enjoyable, the briefness of the stories limits the depth of character exploration, and there’s minimal character development. However, given that this is a short story collection, this is not unexpected.

The Atlanta setting, right before Christmas, creates a captivating atmosphere heightened by a snowstorm. The wintry backdrop enhances the holiday spirit, providing a cozy reading experience that captures the essence of a cold December night.

“But Christmas just adds an extra bit of magic to the love, you know? The special gifts, the parties, the lights, the mistletoe.”

The great thing is that I don’t find that I liked any story in the anthology more than any of the others. However, none of them really stood out to me – they all fell somewhere in the middle of my expectations. Separately, and collectively, I’d give them 3 stars, which I think is a solid rating.

Overall, the book is a quick and fun read, showcasing wholesome romances among black teens. Though not a traditional Christmas read, the winter setting makes it an ideal choice for a snowy night, adding a lighthearted touch to the seasonal reading list. And, this is high praise coming from someone that doesn’t normally enjoy anthologies.

In the comments, let me know if you plan on reading this book. Don’t forget that you can always like and share this post. If you enjoy book reviews please support my blog by giving it a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Family Game // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
A confession to a grisly crime. A murder. And, suddenly, the game is in motion. Harriet Reed is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck, the heir to an extremely powerful American family. When Edward’s father hands her a tape of a book he’s been working on, she is desperate to listen. But as she presses play, it’s clear that this isn’t a novel. It’s a confession to murder.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/47AZWNM

My Rating

This was a very slow moving thriller that focused mainly on the main character. We get to learn a lot about her, and the story is told through her eyes. And although it wasn’t a quick paced story, I really enjoyed it and think that it’s a great winter time thriller.

In the book, we follow Harry, a novelist, who is newly engaged to Edward. Her fiancé comes from a very wealthy family. But Harry soon learns that the family not only has money, but secrets as well. Although she finds herself drawn in to her new family, she’s starting to wonder if they can truly be trusted.

Harry as a main character was great. I found her to be likable and for the most part smart. And I love that she was a thriller author, and used the knowledge she gained from writing her books to help her uncover some of the family’s secrets. However, Harry has a secret of her own, which shows the darker side to the character, but also very human side.

“Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive.”

No, I won’t say this book is full of twists and turns, but there were a few moments that shocked me. I enjoyed the slower pace of this book, and I loved that it was at Christmas time. I haven’t read many thrillers that take place during the holidays, so it was a nice change for me. And the mention of Krampus, although small, was pretty interesting.

I have heard others say that they wished that the book focused more on the family game part, which is understandable, considering it’s the title. However, that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the book. And the ending was fantastic! It started off as a four star, but was bumped up to five because those last few chapters.

Overall, the writing was excellent, the plot was amazing, and my reading experience was great. I will 100% be reading more from this author, and I would recommend this book to others who are looking for a thriller to read in the winter time. But please check trigger warnings before picking up this book.

In the comments, let me know if you will be reading this book. Don’t forget that you can stay up to date with the blog by giving it a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Raising The Horseman // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Kat Van Tassel wants nothing to do with Sleepy Hollow’s ghostly history. But when her mother gives her the original Katrina van Tassel’s diary on the two-hundredth anniversary of the Headless Horseman’s haunting, a new legend begins to take shape, weaving together the past and the present in eerie ways.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3uEar4t

My Rating

Honestly, I don’t know what I was expecting out of this book, because even the cover screams “middle grade Headless Horseman retelling”. Although, it is supposed to be young adult I can say that is not how it reads. And if you know me, you know, I’m not typically a fan of the middle grade genre. So it’s not surprising that I didn’t love the story.

In the book, we follow Kat, who is an ancestor of Katerina van Tassel. In her hometown, there’s this legend that the Headless Horseman protects Katerina’s descendants. But, Kat wants more than just to live in Sleepy Hollow forever like Katerina. However, when she’s given Katerina’s diary, she learns a lot more about her and her dreams.

Unfortunately, the characters in this book were basic. There wasn’t much insight into their personalities or motivations. The story lacked any depth in the characters, and there was absolutely no character development whatsoever. The romance aspect was very predictable and insta-lovey, which I am not a fan of.

“Family legend says he always swore it was the Headless Horseman who chased him through the hollow.”

And, don’t even get me started on Kat letting people walk all over her. The book completely brings forth a toxic relationship dynamic, which I was not expecting. However, it does add an interesting layer of complexity to the story, but it left me angry with the protagonist and her choices.

Although, I had issues with the characters, the chapters where we got a glimpse into Katerina’s life through her diary entries were fantastic. This storytelling approach was, for me, the highlight of the entire book. It was enjoyable to read about Katerina’s journey and her character development. I loved how the author showcased that our desires may not always be what we truly want.

Overall, the book fell short of being truly engaging, and the writing style, unfortunately, leans toward juvenile. Still, the story might appeal to a more younger audience looking for a quick read. On a positive note, the book delves into the theme of familial accountability, emphasizing that individuals shouldn’t be solely defined by the actions of their family.

Let me know if this book is on your TBR. Don’t forget to like and share this post with other readers. If you would like to get notified whenever there’s a new post, hit the follow button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Never Vacation With Your Ex // Book Review

- Bunny 6 Comments

About The Book
A YA second chance romance where the rules for getting over an ex turn out to be more complicated than they seem. Kaylee Jordan’s one refuge, and the thing she looks forward to every summer? The vacation her family spends in Malibu with the Freeman-Yus. This year, there’s only one problem: Kaylee and their son, Dean, dated for the past three months, and Kaylee just unceremoniously dumped him.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/47yKm5s

My Rating

This is a friends-to-lovers high school romance, but with a twist – the love interests have actually already dated and broken up at the beginning of the book. However, they must now, as the title suggests, go on summer vacation with their families, and try to navigate this new normal as exes.

Kaylee is the female, and she has major commitment issues. She’ll date someone for a few months, break up with them, and then start a new relationship (or shall I say fling) with somebody else within weeks. She is also one of the star players on her high school volleyball team.

I understand that Kaylee had commitment issues, since in high school things are always changing. Also, she had a lot of struggles comparing herself to her mother, who was an Olympic volleyball star. All of these things factored into her commitment phobia. However, I didn’t like the fact that everyone blamed her for the break up.

“I could be the heartbroken one. I’ve just taught myself not to be.”

You could clearly see that she was struggling with the break up in her own way. Yes, Dean, her ex, was vividly sad, but her feelings should not have been ignored. Also, he clearly knew the rest. He was taking a chance dating her, because they were friends, and he saw her romantic history firsthand.

However, I did like the writing in this book, because I didn’t find it to be juvenile. The ending was done well, and I liked Kaylee’s character development. Also, there’s a slight exchange of service plot between Kaylee and Dean that I enjoyed, which isn’t surprising since it is one of my favorite plot devices.

Overall, it’s a easy read with a good plot. Also, I did like that Patrick and Siena from ‘With And Without You’ made an appearance in the book. I will continue to read more from this duo, since this isn’t their worst book, but it definitely isn’t there best either. I had a fairly decent reading experience, so I would call that a win.

In the comments, let me know your favorite book by this author duo. If didn’t already know, you can follow the blog to help show your support!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

You, Again // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Can they stop hating each other long enough to fall in love? When Ari and Josh first meet, the wrong kind of sparks fly. They hate each other. Instantly. Ari and Josh never expect their paths to cross again. But years later, as they’re both reeling from ego-bruising breakups, a chance encounter leads to a surprising connection: friendship.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3MVvm98

My Rating

If you are looking for the perfect fall romcom, then this is the book for you. This is a ‘When Harry Met Sally’ retelling, which is a plot I don’t actually know very well, since I’ve never seen the film. However, the book follows Ari and Josh, who couldn’t be more different.

Ari and Josh meet multiple times throughout the years, and when they are both at their lowest, they once again encounter each other and strike up unlikely friendship. This is marketed as a friend without any benefits story. And it was the chef’s kiss if you had read the book, then you know that this is a pun.

I loved Ari and Josh’s dynamic throughout the book. One can see the chemistry between them from a mile away. They both had things they needed to work through, and I loved how the story was told. Their relationship never felt rushed, and yes there were times when I wanted things to progress a little more quickly. However, I completely understood the characters’ thoughts and actions.

“No one should marry the person who makes them happy. Marry the person you want by your side at your absolute lowest point.”

I had such a great time reading this book, and although it was not a super fast-paced read, I was so invested in the story. It is a romance book for readers that do not typically read love stories, because we are following two characters that are not actually in a relationship and have no desire to be together. Or, so they think.

Overall, the writing was fantastic, the characters are amazing, the slow burn was done perfectly and that ending made me cry. In addition, the fact that Ari was bisexual and talked about throuples was something that I was not expecting, but it added a fun element to the story, and I love the diversity. Also, there isn’t a whole lot of intimate scenes in the book but the sexy scenes we do get are very steamy.

In the comments, let me know if I should watch ‘When Harry Met Sally.’ Do not forget to share this post with others. And, if you like book reviews, give my blog a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Legends And Lattes // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time. The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success — not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3QIZgPa

My Rating

If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy with a not much depth to the plot than this book is for you. I had such a fun time reading this book and it put me in the fall mood. I can see people who don’t really like heavy fantasy stories enjoying this book. Also, Liking coffee isn’t a requirement of having a good time reading the book but I think it’s necessary.

The plot follows Viv, a newly retired orc bounty hunter, who decides to open a coffee shop in a small town. Along the way, she makes some friends, introduces people to the wonder that is coffee, and falls in love. The mix of fantasy and cozy charm in this plot was perfect.

The characters in the book were all great, and they all had their own unique personalities. I loved the found family aspect that this book had. Viv made real connections with these people, and they wanted to help her succeed. It was all very wholesome. But my favorite character was Thimble, who became the shop’s baker.

“Well, shit. Milky bean water. I’ll be damned.”

There is, of course, a romance that develops between Viv and Tandri, who practically becomes the assistant manager at the shop. It was so sweet, watching them go from coworkers, to friends, to more. Their relationship grew and developed very naturally, and I loved it. I also enjoyed that Viv listened to Tandri, and the other people that she trusted. She didn’t have an “I’m the boss” mentality, and was open to suggestions.

Of course, there is a fantasy plot, but it was honestly very minimal. I did feel like there wasn’t much to the action side of things, which I’m not sure I loved. However, I knew going into this book that the plot was more low-key and it really is just a cozy fall read. Still, the fantasy elements are there. Obviously, the story is about an orc, and we also have some other equally fantastical characters.

Overall, the writing was great, and the story was interesting. There is also the message that you don’t have to forget your past to start over or take a new path, which I really liked. I can see fans of fantasy video games, like World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls, or other similar games, really getting a kick out of this book.

In the comments, let me know if you enjoyed this book. Don’t forget you can follow me on Instagram and Facebook too! Before you leave, hit the follow button to get notified whenever there’s a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Margo Zimmerman is gay, but she didn’t know until now. An overachiever at heart, Margo is determined to ace her newly discovered gayness. All she needs is the right tutor. Abbie Sokoloff has her own gayness down to a science. But a flunking grade in US History is threatening her acceptance to her dream school. All she needs is the right tutor.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3SGsqB2

My Rating

This is such an adorable young adult, LGBTQ romance. First, I love the fact that this is an exchange of service plot. In this book, Margo enlists the gayest girl she knows, Abby, to show her how to be gay. Abby agrees, but only if Margo tutors her in US history.

Not only does Margo have anxiety but she also has autism. I love the way autism is represented in the book. It showed that just because you are different, it does not make you weird. Abby, has a not-so-great home life, and really starts to open up to Margo.

It was great that the book showcased that we are all different. There are no set guidelines you must follow to be gay, straight, autistic, or anything else. Let me say that all the different representations in this book were amazing! Not only was the book about being gay, it also focused on many types of sexuality.

“You’re gay and you don’t need a test. You don’t need someone else to tell you who you are. You just need to trust yourself.”

I will say that I did not expect this book to have any particularly steamy scenes, being a young adult book. They are usually closed doors on the romance side. However, there is one intimate part of the book that was pretty steamy. I mean, of course, it is not on par with smut, but it was written very well.

Truthfully, the entire book had such great writing. You can tell that the authors took a lot of time with the book and created a great story. The plot was fantastic. The characters were well thought out and the ending was great.

Overall, I think this is a great coming of age story, and perfect for anyone who is just now discovering their sexuality. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a good LGBTQ romance. I look forward to reading more books from these authors.

In the comments, let me know if this book is on your TBR. Otherwise, it should be. Do not forget to like and share this post with other book lovers! As always, before you go, it would mean a lot to me if you hit the follow button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
A graphic novel that asks us to consider what happens when we ditch the toxic relationships we crave to embrace the healthy ones we need. Laura Dean, the most popular girl in high school, was Frederica Riley’s dream girl: charming, confident, and SO cute. There’s just one problem: Laura Dean is maybe not the greatest girlfriend.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3StbUV4

My Rating

This book does a great job of depicting first love, and toxic relationships. Throughout the book, we get to know the main character, Freddy, and the roller-coaster that is her relationship with Laura Dean. She seeks insight into her relationship with Advice Columnist Anna Vice. Freddy tries hard to make her relationship work, and proves her devotion to Lara Dean without getting anything in return.

Laura Dean shows up only when it’s convenient to her, and expects Freddy to always be there when she calls. Throughout the story, Freddy’s friends can see how toxic the relationship is; however, Freddy is blinded by love. She is so infatuated with Laura Dean that she starts to forget about others around her.

The book is the prime definition of ‘we accept the love we think we deserve.’ In this world, we tend to think, especially when it comes to first love, that there is only one person who will love us. Moreover, because we love someone, we should excuse their bad behavior. However, throughout the book, we see Freddy’s slow discovery of how untrue that is.

“Love is hard. Breaking up is hard. Love is dramatic. Breaking up is dramatic.”

Something that I didn’t see coming was how the book touched on teen pregnancy, abortion and statutory rape. The plot was very focused on the toxic relationship between Freddy and Laura, so this side story was surprising. Although well done, it felt a bit out of place in the story.

Overall, the writing and artwork were great and the story was impactful. I can understand how some people might not enjoy this book do to the mistreatment the main character let herself endure in the name of “love.” However, I think that this is a good read for many young people today.

In the comments, let me know your thoughts about this graphic novel. Do not forget to hit the follow button so that you are notified whenever there is a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny