Halloween

People Like Us // Book Review

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About The Book
Kay Donovan may have skeletons in her closet, but the past is past, and she’s reinvented herself entirely. Now she’s a star soccer player whose group of gorgeous friends run their private school with effortless popularity and acerbic wit. But when a girl’s body is found in the lake, Kay’s carefully constructed life begins to topple. Debut author Dana Mele has written a taut, sophisticated suspense novel that will keep readers guessing until the very end.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3N4GpgW

My Rating

I thought this book was going to be your typical prep school, mystery/thriller type of YA novel. I will say right up front that I haven’t loved many of the books I’ve read that follow this format. However, I am happy to say that I did actually enjoy this one!

The main character Kay is likable and interesting. She has a secret that she has kept hidden for years, but after discovering a body in the lake on Halloween, someone is threatening to expose her past. The skeleton in the closet aspect of the book reminded me a little of ‘There’s Someone Inside Your House’ by Stephanie Perkins, but it was done way better in this book.

This book was so intense! There was murder, blackmail, and it even touched on how the police are usually more concerned about closing a case than actually solving it. Racial profiling was mentioned, student teacher relationships, cheating, suicide, revenge porn, and the list goes on.

I for one couldn’t put the book down! I had to know what was going to happen next. The writing was so good, and the plot just kept getting better. I didn’t really feel like it was another prep school rehashed. Although Kay was the stereotypical non-rich girl on a scholarship, which is a running theme when it comes to the main characters in most private school mysteries.

“Does someone who does one bad thing, even one really bad thing,
deserve bad things to happen to them?”

I had my suspicions on who the killer was and I will admit that I was wrong at first. It was a slow build up to the reveal, but the reveal was done very well. The ending was amazing! By the end, you realize that there were many tiny hints throughout the book that lead you to the murders identity.

I will say that the ending was kind of sad, and had a lot to do with bullying and mental health. That being said, I liked how the story was wrapped up even though some people might guess the killer from early on. So, if you aren’t someone that minds a little predictability than you’ll enjoy this book.

Overall, this book gave me ‘Pretty Little Liars’ meets ‘Gossip Girl’ vibes. However, I did read a review calling it a ‘fucked up sapphic mean girls book’ and I think that describes it way better. But, it is a great read for spooky season, and I did get a kick out of the ‘A Christmas Story’ Ovaltine reference.

I highly recommend checking out trigger warnings —(find here)— before picking thing book up. Don’t forget to like and share this post with others. If you are a book lover (like me) hit the follow button to get notified whenever there’s a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

People Like Us by Dana Mele

Long Live The Pumpkin Queen | Book Review

- Bunny 3 Comments

About The Book
Nightmare Before Christmas fans rejoice! Long Live the Pumpkin Queen picks up where the beloved film left off, with Sally in her new role as the Queen of Halloween Town. This delightful return to The Nightmare Before Christmas universe is sure to appeal to fans old and new.

My Rating

If you are a lover of ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’, but have been dying for another story with these characters, then this book is for you. This time around, we follow Sally as she struggles to come to terms with her new role as the Pumpkin Queen.

It was interesting getting to know Sally a bit more. All we learned about her in the movie was that she was in with love with Jack, and created by the Professor. However, through this story, we discover, along with Sally herself, that she is strong, smart, and not simply a creation.

I don’t want spoil too much, but Sally’s discovery of something life changing was kind of cheesy in my opinion. The author literally flips the script on Sally’s whole backstory. So, it takes retelling to the max.

All I can say is that love and family are very important aspects in this story. I liked that the author showed that family is more than blood. Sally, despite her life before Jack, loved her home of Halloweentown. She would do anything for the monsters that lived there.

“I am now Sally Skellington. The Pumpkin Queen. And I’m certain I will never again be as happy as I am right now.”

The book takes our rag doll protagonist on a journey of self discovery, and I liked seeing her come into her own. She makes a great Pumpkin Queen. Also, the addition of the Sandman as an evil character was a nice touch. Especially since the Sandman is such an interesting fantasy character.

The other characters in the book were great! Jack and Zero were so similar to their movie counterparts. Shea Ernshaw captured the essence of Tim Burton’s film perfectly.

Overall, the book isn’t amazing, and something felt kind of ridiculous, yet I loved it! Honestly, if you have any love for ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’, you need this book on your TBR. I would 100% recommend the audiobook, because the voices are nearly identical to the ones in the movie. It takes the reading experience to the next level.

In the comments, let me know your favorite Tim Burton film! Mine has to either be ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ or ‘Corpse Bride’. Don’t forget to follow my blog if you like bookish posts!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Friday Reads #11

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
I haven’t done a Friday reads post in a while, so I thought it would be fun to share my weekend reading plans. This weekend the Summer Mixtape Readathon is set to end, which I have been participating in. And, I only have one book left to read for the readathon. Now that’s enough chitchat let’s talk books.


“Nightmare Before Christmas fans rejoice! Long Live the Pumpkin Queen picks up where the beloved film left off, with Sally in her new role as the Queen of Halloween Town. This delightful return to The Nightmare Before Christmas universe is sure to appeal to fans old and new.”


“From the star of MTV’s The Hills and The Hills: New Beginnings, a candid and insightful reflection on aughts tabloid fame, the powerlessness and loss of self in toxic situations, and the life-changing power of even our smallest choices.”


“The instant #1 New York Times bestseller! Stephanie Garber’s limitless imagination takes flight once more in the colorful, mesmerizing, and immersive sequel to the bestselling breakout debut Caraval. A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.”

Although, these are the books I’m planning to read this weekend I am not sure if I will read them all. Especially since I’ve become a mood reader. Honestly, I might just end up reading whatever I’m in the mood for at that moment. In the comments, tell me what you will be reading this weekend. Please support my book blog by giving it a quick follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Horrid // Book Review

- Bunny 5 Comments

Author: Katrina Leno
Published: 2020
Genre: YA/Thriller
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Synopsis
From the author of ‘You Must Not Miss’ comes a haunting contemporary horror novel that explores themes of mental illness, rage, and grief, twisted with spine-chilling elements of Stephen King and Agatha Christie.

This book was creepy, interesting, and shocking, all at the same time. The cover makes you think that it’s a horror read, but it is on the tame side. I pictured it being an ‘Are You Afraid Of The Dark’ tale. So, instead of YA, I’d classify it as an older middle grade.

I was captivated write from the beginning. The first chapter was so interesting that I just had to know where the story was going next. All I am saying is – eating books. If that doesn’t intrigue you, then this book probably isn’t for you.

The main character, Jane, has so many layers to her. She was an unreliable narrator, and it made for the most interesting parts of the stories. She is going through a lot, like losing her father, and moving to a new city. All the while, she was discovering hidden secrets about her family.

The book gets progressively better, and the storyline is very fast paced. I loved the writing style, and how the book wasn’t too long. It’s a great pick when you are looking for a quick read to help get you out of a reading slump.

“Three little girls all eating things they weren’t supposed to eat. Three little girls all eating things in order to fill their bodies with something other than the anger, the rage, that would otherwise consume them.”

The mystery aspect was wild and throws you for a loop. At one point, I thought I had everything figured out, but than I end up being wrong. Then by the end of the book I realize I was right all long. The story is a roller coaster ride, and one I was happy to be on. There was a lot of reference to Agatha Christie, which I thought was great. I could see throughout the story how the author might have been inspired by Christie’s work.

This book deals with grief quite a bit. It can also make you regret the things you didn’t do with a loved you’ve lost. If you are sensitive to books featuring the death of a family member, then I would think twice before reading this book. That being said, it isn’t a sad book at all, so keep that in mind as well.

Overall, I am very pleased with this story. It was spooky and engaging. I’m happy that I gave it a read! Let me know your thoughts on the book in the comments below, and please follow my blog to get notifications whenever I post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Halloween Tag

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Happy Halloween Friends!
I cannot believe that this is the last day of Spooktober 2021. I had a lot of fun creating 13 days of spooky content for you all. But I must say that I am a tiny bit happy we are on the final day. It was a good time, and I’ll probably do it again next year, but I need a blogging break. Don’t worry, my November TBR will still go up this coming week. Anyhow, for the last day of Spooktober I am doing the Halloween tag! This tag was created on YouTube, so I don’t know who originally created it. Before reading any further, don’t forget to enter my Halloween giveaway!

What is your favorite Halloween movie?
Is there any answer besides Hocus Pocus? It is a classic Halloween family film that never gets old. I do like other films, like Halloweentown and Halloween H20, but Hocus Pocus will always be #1 on my Halloween movie list.

What is your favorite Halloween costume you’ve worn?
When I was in third grade, I went as the Statue of Liberty. Funny enough, my teacher dressed up as the Statue of Liberty as well. However, my little elementary school self was very embarrassed by that. Also, I could argue that I looked more like a leftover than anything else. Thinking back on it, I would say it is my most memorable and probably favorite costume.

What is your fondest Halloween memory?
My wedding! I didn’t have an actual wedding, but last Halloween my husband and I got married. It was special, and spectacular.

Have you always been a Halloween lover?
Yes and no. I like the idea of Halloween, and have nothing against the holiday. But I wouldn’t classify myself as a die-hard ‘Halloween lover’.

What was the first scary movie you remember watching?
I remember watching the movie Faculty at a pretty young age, but I don’t know if it was my first scary movie. I know that me and my older sister went behind my moms back when I was like 10 years old to watch Wes Craven’s Cursed. Between the two, Faculty was way more scary.


What is your favorite Halloween song?
Calling All The Monsters by China Anne McClain! If only we had more pumpkin carols, (points if you understood that) then my answer would probably be more original. Still, if you are looking for a good Halloween party song, then this is it.

How do you get into the Halloween spirit?
By watching horror and thriller movies. But this year I read spooky books more than I watched movies, so I guess it would be reading the thriller genre.

Favorite Halloween decorations?
I have a little candy dish that looks like a skeleton’s hand is wrapped around it. Simple, but it still resembles Halloween, which I enjoy.

Favorite Halloween/Fall scent?
This year it has been anything apple and pumpkin. Usually, I love Leaves from Bath and Body Works, but it hasn’t smelled the same lately. I have gotten a lot of apple/pumpkin scents that give off those crisp autumn vibes.

What is your favorite Halloween candy?
Reese’s and Sour Patch Kids!

Vampires or zombies?
I have never been a big fan of zombies, and I just don’t get their appeal. Although, I do like the movie Zombieland, vampires are iconic. ‘Interview with a Vampire,’ ‘Twilight,’ ‘The Vampire Diaries’ – need I go on? They never get old, and can be kind of creepy. Come on, they can manipulate you and suck your blood. Talk about having someone for dinner.

What is your weird/odd fear?
Roller coasters! I don’t know if that’s a ‘weird’ fear, but roller coasters freak me out! I hate that I don’t have control on the roller coaster. Anything can happen during the ride, and there is nothing anyone can do. I blame Final Destination 3 for this one.

Favorite Halloween book?
I liked Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell. It is a cute friends-to-lovers contemporary graphic novel that takes place on Halloween night. It is set at a pumpkin patch filled with games, a corn maze, food, and more. I know that Rowell is a controversial author, though I must admit I am not sure about the reasoning behind the negativity towards Rowell.

What are you going to go as for Halloween this year?
Me! In all honesty, I probably will be wearing my comfiest Halloween PJs.

What are you doing for Halloween this year?
Staying in with some yummy treats and watching Halloween movies. It will be my one year wedding anniversary, so I will spend the evening with my love.

And just like that, Spooktober is done! Leave your Halloween plans in the comments. Remember to enter my giveaway before you leave, and follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

These Witches Don’t Burn // Book Review

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Title: These Witches Don’t Burn
Author: Isabel Sterling
Published: 2019
Genre: Young Adult/Paranormal
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Synopsis
Isabel Sterling’s delightful, suspenseful debut is equal parts sweet romance and thrilling mystery. With everything she loves on the line, Hannah must confront this murderous villain before her coven—and any chance she has with the new girl—is destroyed.

I must admit, this book didn’t intrigue me that much. Still, I am glad that I gave it a chance. Once I was a few chapters in, I couldn’t put it down. This book follows Hannah, who is an elemental witch in Salem. It is such a cliche, but I love it when witch stories take place in Salem. Hannah’s family is part of a coven of elemental witches, which her ex-girlfriend, Veronica, happens to be in as well.

I thought that the breakup drama was well written. You could tell that they both still had feelings for one another, but Hannah wasn’t going to just forgive and forget. If you are curious about what Veronica did (like I was), apparently she left Hannah in a deadly situation with a blood witch. However, I wish that we got more context to the breakup, and perhaps even a flashback or two.

Throughout the book we see Hannah trying to sort out her complex feelings for her ex, while starting a relationship with the new girl in town, Morgan. Morgan was a sweet character, and didn’t blame Hannah for running off to, unbeknownst to her, deal with this supernatural crisis. Also, it’s hard when your crush still has a close relationship with her ex, but Morgan was very understanding throughout the story.

“And it’s not like Disney ever showed us how to fall for another girl.”

Hannah’s parents and best friend, Jemma were likeable enough supporting characters. Towards the end, Jemma became one of my favorite characters. She added a much-needed comic relief to the story. Also, she was quick to defend Hannah to other people in her life. Hannah’s parents might not have understood their daughter at times, but you could see that they truly loved her.

The main plot is finding out who is responsible for the dark magic being used in Salem. Yet, there were times when we focused on the romance and family side of the story. I wouldn’t classify this as a contemporary. The magic and mystery plot was the backbone of the book. But I did like the times we stepped-away from the main plot to focus on ‘normal’ teenager things, like dating, heartbreak and parental drama.

For the most part, the book kept me interested, and there were some confessions that threw me for a loop. However, the storyline and ending were easy to predict. I am not suggesting that’s a bad thing, because sometimes it is nice to know what to expect. But I would have liked a few more surprising elements. I didn’t foretell some of the sadder moments, and although they hurt my heart, I do think they were needed to push the story forward.

Seeing as this is a duology, I will most likely be picking up the second book. But it may not be until next fall, since I think witchy books make good October reads. Do let me know in the comments if you have read this one, and what your opinions are on it. And before you leave, why don’t you give the blog a follow? It is completely free, and you get to support me and get updates at the same time

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Happy Halloween Giveaway // Spooktober 2021

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Hi Friends,
I knew that I wanted to do a Halloween giveaway, and since Halloween is only a few days away, that means that today is the official start of the giveaway! Below you will find all the rules and the prize for the giveaway.

The Deadline
◉ October 31st 11:59 pm

 

The Rules
◉ Must Be 18 Years Old Or Have Parental Permission
◉ Must Have A  Valid Email Address
◉ Must Like This Post
◉ Must Share One Of My Spooktober Posts On Social Media With The Hashtag #BunnySpooktober
◉ Comment Below What You Are Going As For Halloween
◉ Let Me Know What Social Account And You Handle That You Shared A Post On

The Prize
◉ Kobo eGift Card $10

Kobo is an audiobook and ebook site and subscription services. It is similar to Audible and Scribd. Readers pay $10 a months for one credit, which they can redeem towards an ebook or audiobook. This is a small giveaway, but I want to show my readers how much it means to me that they support my blog! If you want to go a step further, please follow me on Twitter and Instagram. I try to stay pretty active on both.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Last Minute Bookish Halloween Costumes

- Bunny 1 Comment

Hi Friends,
I know that choosing the perfect Halloween costume can be tough, and sometimes we wait until the last minute to make a decision. As a book lover, I thought it would be fun to share some bookish costumes that you can prepare at the last minute.


She is a classic book character that has a knack for solving mysteries. Her look is fairly simple to create, though you might not have all these pieces in your closet. Also, The CW’s Nancy Drew series has made the character surge in popularity.


This would be such a fun costume since you can go all out with different patterns. There are so many versions of the character, so there are a lot of ways to go about this costume. I decided to mix all the Mad Hatters from different movies to create this look. A lot of the items are easy to find, but the most important aspect is the hat, of course. What is a mad hatter without a hat?


If you are a book lover, like myself, why not go as a reader. This is certainly the most chill and easiest costume to put together. Honestly, I think that this one might be my favorite costume idea. All you have to do is wear your most comfy attire or whatever you like to read in. It is that effortless. Add some books to help complete your look. For books, I would pick horror and thriller novels since it is Halloween. The Starbucks cup is optional, but I find most readers love a good cup of coffee or tea.

Let me know if you liked these costume ideas, and tell me in the comments what you’re dressing up as this Halloween. Please like and share this post since it helps out my blog. Don’t forget to give the blog a follow as well.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder // Book Review

- Bunny 2 Comments

About The Book
The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it. But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3XGxtnJ

My Rating

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is the first book in a YA mystery, thriller trilogy. These books are highly popular and seen as great introductory books to the YA thriller genre. In this book, we follow Pippa, a high-school senior, working on her capstone project. Her topic is a murder that happened five years prior. The case went cold when the prime suspect killed themselves. Pippa believes the wrong person was accused of the murder, and wants to uncover the truth.

I can completely see why other readers would suggest the book to thriller newbies, or even people that don’t particularly fancy the horror and thriller genre. It read more like a contemporary than a traditional thriller, which was a nice. Especially for someone, like myself, that primarily read YA contemporaries. However, if you are looking for a dark, suspense-filled thriller than this probably isn’t the book for you. I found the plot to be fairly tame and not too nail-biting.

Pippa was a solid enough female-lead with some stereotypical aspects. She boarders the ‘smart girl’ and ‘I’m not like other girls’ personality cliches. The other characters weren’t very prominent in the story, so I am in different to them. I don’t love them or hate them.

“I’m not sure I’m the good girl I once thought I was . I’ve lost her along the way”

There were times when this book gave me ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ vibes. I can’t explain why, because they aren’t similar at all. The only comparison I can come up with is that both have twists when it comes to the killer. You think that you know who the murderer is, but at the last minute you realize you were completely wrong.

Overall, I don’t have a lot of cons, but I did find there to be one too many suspects. Perhaps the author wanted to keep us reader on their toes, since you don’t know who to trust. But I found it hard to keep track of all the suspects. Still, it did keep me guessing, which kept me interested. Everyone was suspicious making the case not so cut and dry.

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy quick reads, especially when it comes to the thriller genre. I think mysteries, horrors and thrillers should have fast-paced stories. A thriller should be engaging with a lot of story development, and rarely any pointless chapters. Although, this mystery does take while to piece together, their wasn’t much downtime within the story.

I will be continuing on with the series, and excited to see what Pippa tackles next. If you want a list of all the trigger warnings that this book contains please visit Book Trigger Warning. Feel free to comment on your thoughts below. Share, like and follow so you can show your support for my blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

 

If You Like This // Halloween Edition

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
I wanted to do an ‘If You Like This…’ post, since I’m a fan of them myself. In this post, I recommend three spooky movies for you to watch if you’re a fan of three different (also spooky) books. I hope that made some sort of sense.

‘The Final Girls Support Group’ and ‘Final Destination’
This comparison might seem a bit odd, but it works, in a weird way. In ‘The Final Girls Support Group’ by Grady Hendrix, the last girls standing from mass murders start getting targeted once again. It seems like death has come back to get them.

Final Destination has that same aspect of death coming back around. A bunch of high school students avoid a plane crash, but soon enough they each start dying in the order they were sitting on the plane. They might not be a perfect match, but there is a similar theme between them.

‘These Witches Don’t Burn’ and ‘The Wicker Man’
I have to admit, I got some help from my husband with this one. However, I can see the comparison between the two. In ‘These Witches Don’t Burn’ by Isabel Sterling, two exes (who happen to belong to the same witch coven) come face to face with someone that is out to destroy them and their lives.

‘The Wicker Man’ follows Edward, who is drawn by his ex-fiancee to an all-female society of Neo-pagans. Unknown to Edward, he is in danger of being burned alive. These two don’t follow the same story-line, but both share a mystery element and other plot points.

‘Living Dead Girl’ and ‘The Quiet’
I think the main reason I put these two together was that they are both hard to take in. Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott follows a 15-year-old girl who was kidnapped by a sexual predator at the age of ten. She refers to herself as the living dead girl, and anxiously waits for the day when her abuser finally kills her.

In ‘The Quiet’, teenage Dot is sent to live with her godparents, Paul and Olivia, after her father dies. She learns that Paul has been having a sexual relationship with his teenage daughter, Nina. Dot learns that Nina hates that her father takes advantage of her and plans to kill him. The book and movie are both psychological thrillers that have a sexual abuse theme. Also, they both chill my bones to this day.

I hope that you have somewhat understood why I paired these books and movies together. Let me know if you would like me to do more of these kinds of posts. Give this post a like and share, and please follow to show your support!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny