Short AF Book Review | The Misfit Witches Of Marigold Island | ARC Received By Netgalley

  Hi friends!  So today I'm going to be doing a review on "The Misfit Witches Of Marigold Island" by V.K. Ruiz. This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Netgalley synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers so please keep that in mind!)

"A spell gone wrong leaves a witch powerless - but opens the door to a new kind of magic.

Paloma has spent a decade as a witch's apprentice, dedicating herself completely to the craft of spell casting. But even with her whole future planned, all it takes is one sneeze to send a spell awry, extinguishing her magic completely. Paloma's distraught: Without her powers, can she even call herself a witch?

At the gentle urging of her mentor, Paloma returns home to verdang, magical Marigold Island. There, she launches By The Broom, a successful courier service, and finds community in a house of other queer misfit witches and their familiars - indcluding a straw hat - wearing raccoon named Nori. Still, the ache of losing her powers - and her sense of self - lingers. Even a flirtation with Liss, the charming cafe owner whose chocolate chip cookies are literally enchanted to feel like a hug, cant quiet her grief. As she zooms around making deliveries, she can't ignore the blight creeping across the island - or the feeling that Marigold's magic is fading too.

Paloma's used to solving problems on her own. Can she learn to accept her limitations and trust her new housemates to help her save the island they all love before it's lost to them forever?"

I received this book as an ARC on Netgalley, however all opinions are my own.

So the reason I wanted to read this is genuinely because the cover was gorgeous and caught my eye on Netgalley, so once I saw it was queer I knew I had to read this. Friends, this book was absolutely adorable. This had everything I could ask for in a queer romance, found family, a beautiful support system and magic. If you want a cozy, lighthearted easy to read queer romance then this is definitely the one. The wrting was flowery, soft and gentle in all the ways I needed to be. I giggled with these characters, I cried with these characters. My heart was filled with so much love and warmth throughout this story. If anything, reading it felt like a warm hug. I genuinely would recommend this to everyone and anyone, especially if you're in the mood for a soft queer witchy romance. I cannot wait to see what V.K. Ruiz writes next.

I gave this book a 4/5 star rating on Goodreads!

This book comes out on the 23rd March 2027!

What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!

Have a wonderful day!

Love, Doe!

Short AF Book Review | Gingerbread Bones | ARC Received By Netgalley

 Hi friends!  So today I'm going to be doing a review on "Gingerbread Bones" by Lindsay Lovise. This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Goodreads synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers so please keep that in mind!)

"They're being hunted...

When sixteen - year - old Georgie and her troublemaking brother are shipped off to the wilderness for their stepmother's newest reality show, Georgie is convinced it'll be the worst experience of her life. Two weeks. No phones. Hiking. Camping. Cameras catching every humilating second.

Then she meets Mack Gray. Tattooed, unreadable, and - among a cast of kids already branded as trouble - he's the one she's sure is dangerous.

One night, the counselors are chanting affirmations around the fire. By morning, they're gone.

But the kids are not alone.

Georgie can feel it, stalking them from the shadows - watching, waiting, picking them off one by one. Whatever it is, it isn't just hunting.

It's playing.

And in this game, there seems to be only one ending: no one gets out alive."

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley, however all opinions are my own.

I'm not going to lie friends, the only reason I requested this book is because I wanted the camp Netgalley badge and this looked like the most interesting story available for the badge on there. However, I was pleasently surprised at how much I loved this book. This book did start off a little slow, obviously it took the time to get us to figure out the setting they were in and who each of the kids were and what they did to be there. But once that was all done the story was non stop horror and action. This book genuinely had me sat on the edge of my seat throughout, and whilst I found the twist a little predictable, it still was exciting to read all the same. I loved to see the character development shine throughout the book, and even found myself rooting for characters I truly hated from the beginning. Even though the main twist was predictable to me, there were so many other twists and turns throughout this story I did not see coming and made it all the more enjoyable to read. I adored this story and definitely think it would be the best halloween read. Please note, however, there are some triggering topics in this book, so please look up the trigger warnings before reading.

I gave this book a 4/5 star rating on Goodreads!

This book comes out on the 4th August 2026!

What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!

Have a wonderful day!

Love, Doe!

Short AF Book Review | Haunted Comic Club | ARC Received By Netgalley

Hi friends!  So today I'm going to be doing a review on "Haunted Comic Club" by Josh Tierney & Caitlin Soliman. This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Netgalley synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers so please keep that in mind!)

 "Will and Anita are two lonely tweens who find themselves alone together in the art room of the local after school club. After gushing over each other's work - Will's writing and Anita's art - the two team up to make their own comic about a local urban legend - a teen counselor who haunts the club after a tragic demise. Anita and Will research the ghost and develop their story, forming a strong friendship. But can they overcome the bullies at the club and problems at home to become great friends and collaborators?"

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley, however all opinions are my own.

So the reason I wanted to read this is genuinely because the cover caught my eye on Netgalley, and once I saw it was published from one of my favourite graphic novel publishers, Oni Press, I knew I wanted to read it. Friends, I'm not gonna lie, this was cute, funny and very sweet but it wasn't my favourite. The story was wholesome, and lovely, and dealt with grief and loneliness in a very kid friendly way whilst showing the importance of having friends. The friendship between the two main characters was adorable and everything I could have wanted, and this would be the perfect summerween/halloween read for a younger audience. I think this just wasn't the right age range for me. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a good YA graphic novel, and even graphic novels for younger kids, I just wish there was a little bit more substance, a bit more information about what was going on than what we were given. I feel like I have a few unanswered questions which I don't feel were possible to answer because of the age range it was made for. I still enjoyed reading this one, however I wouldn't recommend this unless you were going to read it with a younger sibling/child etc.

I gave this book a 3/5 star rating on Goodreads!

This book comes out on the 6th October 2026!

What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!

Have a wonderful day!

Love, Doe!

Short AF Book Review | You're No Better | ARC Received By Netgalley

Hi friends!  So today I'm going to be doing a review on "You're No Better" by Andrew Joseph White. This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Goodreads synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers so please keep that in mind!)

"Bestseling author Andrew Joseph White returns with another horrific YA thriller, a profound portrait of a struggling teen trying to convince the world - and himself - that he's better than the serial killer who raised him.

Morgan Slaighter, a seventeen - year - old trans boy with autism, but his serial killer father in prison years ago. Despite that, everyone thinks Morgan will grow up to be just like his dad: including his volatile mother, the documentary crew following their family and maybe himself.

Desperately, Morgan latches onto his father's final victim - the only one who was never identified - hoping that if he unravels the mystery, he'll finally prove he's better than the man who hurt him. But this puts Morgan in the crosshairs of classmate Felicity Keating, who knows the truth about Morgan's childhood - that he wasn't just a witness to his father's brutality, he was an accomplice. And if he doesn't let them help with his investigation? They'll tell everyone.

Forced to confront his past, Morgan's ugly but carefully controlled world unravels. The film crew is manipulative. His mother's temper spirals into malice, then violence. And Morgan and Felicity may be more tightly intertwined than either of them can stomach....

You're No Better is a gritty and unapologetic comic - of - age suspense about teens who grow up surrounded by cruelty and are clawing their way to adulthood the only way they know how."

I received this book as an ARC from Netgaller, however all opinions are my own.

So the reason I wanted to read this is genuinely because I love Andrew Joseph White's writing and I try to keep up due to him being one of my fave queer horror writers. Friends, I'm not gonna lie, this was definitely different to Andrew's other novels that I have read so far, but not in a bad way. This was still as gritty, and gruesome, and not afraid to show it's teeth like the rest of his stories, however this was also the least paranormal horror I have seen him write so far. Which actually made this whole story even more terrifying. I have never felt so conflicted about wanting to root for a main character as I have with Morgan. This book was not afraid to show the ways in which trauma can truly mess someone up. The conversation between social influence, especially, when it comes to true crime was so incredibly terrifying and showed just how far people will go. I spent most of this book on the edge of my seat because I genuinely did not know what was coming next. I would absolutely recommend this story if you want a gritty, dark, horrifying thriller to read. However please do check up on the trigger warnings, because there's a lot of triggering content within this book.

I gave this book a 4/5 star rating on Goodreads.

This book comes out on the 2nd March 2027!

What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!

Have a wonderful day!

Love, Doe!

Short AF Book Review | Happily Ever Afterlife | ARC Received By Netgalley

 

 Hi friends!  So today I'm going to be doing a review on "Happily Ever Afterlife" by Emma R. Alban. This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Goodreads synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers so please keep that in mind!)

"A haungintgly good sapphic paranormal romance from USA Today bestselling author Emma R. Albain.

A struggling writer falls for the hot ghost mom she meets in the iconic Dakota Building in a romance perfect for fans of The Dead Romantics.

Frannie's awful boss, celebrated literary novelist Henry L. Olsen, just told her that her latest manuscript is a dud - again. Frustrated and lonely, Frannie stomps around the ninth floor of the famously haunted Dakota Building in Manhattan, desperate for something to change. And then, something does.

Bridgette, the ghost of a little girl from 1889, appears out of nowhere and asks Frannie to play catch. Shocked, and wildly curious, Frannie says yes to the ghostly invitation, and soon meets Bridgette's ghost - brother, Michael... and the children's exceedingly attractive and aloof 1960s ghost mom, Elsa.

Fascinated, and more than a little flustered, Frannie starts secretly writing a book about Elsa (a.k.a. Hot Ghost Mom). And while her boss in on book tour, through a mutual affection for musicals, banter, and the ghost children, Frannie and Elsa slowly become friends, until Frannie finds herself tumbling head over heels in love with a ghost tied to a building she couldn't afford to live in over four lifetimes.

Now, Frannie either has to give up her ambitions of becoming a novelist to remain Henry's assistant in the Dakota forever, or somehow free her ghost family from their immortal home. With her career, future, and heart on the line, can Frannie find a way to write them all a happily ever after...life?

Emma R. Alban brings her signature swoon - worthy writing to another gorgeous sapphic love story that will have every reader yearning for their own Hot Ghost Mom."

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley, however all opinions are my own.

So the reason I wanted to read this is genuinely because I saw this on Netgalley and thought, doomed sapphic romance? I'm in! Friends, this story was beautiful, bittersweet, heartwrenching and witty all at the same time. I loved every moment of reading this book, and genuinely found myself both cackling and crying throughout. The writing was beautiful, and flowery, and gentle and everything I could ever want in a sapphic romance. I found myself being conflicted on whether I wanted a happily ever after with this one or not, and genuinely this story made it so that you had to understand the complexities of all the outcomes that could have happened. Which is why to me, the ending was perfect. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a beautiful sapphic love story, I would also recommend a pack of tissues near you at all times.

I gave this book a 4/5 star rating on Goodreads.

This book comes out on the 29th September 2026!

What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!

Have a wonderful day!

Love, Doe!

Short AF Book Review | Tusk Love

 Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "Tusk Love" by Thea Guanzon. This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Goodreads synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers so please keep that in mind!)

"As the daughter of an ambitious merchant, Guinevere's path has been marry into a noble house of the Dwendalin Empire, raise her family's station, and live quietly as a lordling's obedient wife. But Guinevere longs for a life unbounded by expectations, for freedom and passion and adventure.

Those distant dreams become a sudden reality when her caravan is beset by bandits, leaving her guards slain and Guinevere stranded alone on the dangerous Amber Road. Her only chance of survival is to travel alongside Oskar, the aloof half - orc who saved her during the attack.

Unlike Guinevere, Oskar's path is not so set in stone. With his mother dead and his apprenticeship abandoned, all that's left is a long, lonely walk to a land he's never seen to find family he's never met. The last thing he needs is a spoiled waif like Guinevere slowing him down - even if the spark between them sizzles with promise.

Despite his cold exterior, Oskar is brave and thoughtful and unlike anyone else Guinevere has ever met. And while Guinevere may be sheltered, she brings out a softness in him that he has never dared to feel before. As the flamed of passion grow, they realize that soon they'll need to choose between their expected destinations or their blossoming romance."

So the reason I wanted to read this is because I have slowly been getting into the Critical Role universe due to my partner, and I know how badly they wanted this book so I bought it. Friends, I'm not gonna lie, I didn't love this one. The adventure was fun, the romance was cute and I genuinely was rooting for our main characters. However, Guinevere was the most ridiculously naive character I have ever read in my entire life. Unfortunately for me, I am a character reader, and as much as I wanted to love her, I couldn't get behind how downright idiotic she was at times. I understand she's supposed to be sheltered but honestly, I just really disliked her. Did she have quite a bit of character development? Sure. Did that absolve her from the way she acted at the start. Absolutely not. Also if I have to read "secret pearl" in a smutty scene ever again I think I might retch. Has this put me off continuing with the Critical Role universe? Absolutely not I'm so excited to keep listening. Did I hate this book? No. The general story behind it all was truly fun and interesting. Would I recommend this to anyone though? Probably not.

I gave this book a 3/5 star rating on Goodreads

What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!

Have a wonderful day!

Short AF Book Review | A Curse For Samhain

 Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "A Curse For Samhain" by Dahlia Donovan. This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Goodreads synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers so please keep that in mind!)

"Welcome to the Skeleton Crew. Bring your knitting needles and a good, strong brew.

Gender fluid, autistic vampire Hyde Snodgrass runs Between The Leaves - a cosy village book store. Their life revolves around books, all things autumnal, and the two cats who rule their world. The shop also plays host to a weekly knitting group called the Skeleton Crew.

When one of the leaders of the village coven fails to show up for the weekly knitting meeting, Hyde finds themselves investigating a horrific murder side by side with their long - term crush, Teresa Vega.

Suspicion imediately falls on other members of their group. Hyde and Teresa struggle to find answers to the growing list of questions. It's made all the more difficult when the killer has them in their sights.

Can working together spark the romantic flame within them?

Will they solve the mystery before death comes too close?"

So the reason I wanted to read this book is because I saw it featured on a queer stuff your kindle day and the cover genuinely looked adorable. Yes, I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover but I'm so glad I did. As y'all know I love a good queer indie read and this one made me so happy. Firstly, I will say even though this is a murder mystery, this book for sure was actually so cosy and comforting, and the diversity within the community featured in the story was beautiful and incredible to read. This was such a short read too at just under 150 pages and I found it difficult to want to put this book down. Would I say this murder mystery was very twisty and turny?? Not really. Was it a little predictable? To me, yes. But it didn't make me enjoy it any less. Besides, I was much more focused on the romance that the mystery seemed to be more of a subplot to me. I would recommend this to anyone who would love a cute little indie autumnal paranormal romance/murder mystery, and I will definitely be reading the next two books in the series.

I gave this book a 4/5 star rating on Goodreads.

What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!

Have a wonderful day!