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!

Short AF Book Review | Kloud 9: The Star Soldier | ARC Received By Netgalley

Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "Kloud 9: The Star Soldier" by A.J.O Mason & Dominic Bustamante. 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!)

"Kal and Cosmo are teen boys in love. It should be simple - except that cosmo's an alien deserter on the run from an intergalactic peacekeeping force!

In this YA sci - fi original graphic novel, teenager Kal is an earthling without much purpose in life. Cosmot'urr Col Al'neyr, or Cosmo for short, is an alien struggling to find his place in the galaxy. Sparks fly when the two meet - but when Cosmo's past catches up with him, Kal is forced to make a choice: remain on Earth or follow his crush into the great unknown. Easy choice, right? Now they just have to navigate the dangers of outer space, a megalomaniac pseudoparent, and their growing feelings for each other. Yeah. It's complicated. Kloud 9 begins as a slice - of - life love story with fish - out - of - water humour before expanding into full - on space opera, packing every page with thrilling action and charming romance."

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

So the reason I wanted to read this is because the cover caught my eye on Netgalley, and as y'all know I love a good queer graphic novel. Friends, this graphic novel was so much fun. I loved how colourful and playful the story was. I loved the romance and the aspects of found family throughout the story. I loved how cute and wholesome most of the story was. I genuinely could see myself really loving this series. My biggest wish however, is that it was in a different format. Don't get me wrong, I really loved this story as a graphic novel, however the only thing that I think could make it better, would possibly be seeing it as an animated tv series (Think like "She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power"). I genuinely feel like this story would be so much more flushed out and fun if it was animated. Does that make me like the graphic novel any less? Absolutely not, I definitely will be reading the series as and when it comes out. I'm just super hopeful that it will turn into something more. I definitely would recommend this if you want an action packed queer graphic novel filled with friendship and found family.

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

This book comes out on the 7th July 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 | Books, Iced Coffee & A Side Of Dragons | ARC Received By Netgalley

Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "Books, Iced Coffee & A Side Of Dragons" by Amanda Lovelace. 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 sweet, sapphic summertime romance.

A struggling bookstore, a budding new romance, and a mischievous coven of dragons, what could possibly go wrong? Find out in this sugary sweet debut graphic novel from USA today bestselling author and your favourite cozy witch, Amanda Lovelace!

Welcome to Sea Witch Cove!

Lucinda (call her Luci!) is the owner of Little Lighthouse Books, an adorable bookstore in a defunct lighthouse in her small Jersey Shore town. Everything in her life would be perfect if only Aster, the trans woman who runs the coffee shop next door, would notice her. But with a little bit of luck - and the help of Dandelion, the tiny, curious wind dragon that Aster helps her rescue -- this might be the summer that Aster and Luci finally find love.

Amanda Lovelace's debut graphic novel - brought to shimmering life by illustrator Raquel Trave - Books, Iced Coffee & A Side Of Dragons is the perfect time capsule of sapphic summertime sweetness."

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

So the reason I wanted to read this is because the cover genuinely caught my eye on Netgalley, and once I saw that it was queer I was sold. As y'all know I'm a sucker for queer graphic novels and this now may be in my top 5 list. This graphic novel was gorgeous, the artwork was stunning, the diversity of characters was something all graphic novels should aspire to and honestly this just warmed my heart so much. As a plus sized girly who has chronic pain with a trans-femme partner I found it really easy to relate to our main characters so much. I found myself giggling, kicking my feet and genuinely tearing up at just how lovely this story was. There are a few moments which could be considered triggering, however they are all listed right at the start of the graphic novel which we love. I genuinely would recommend this to anyone who just wants a cute, heartwarming queer graphic novel to read this summer. I will definitely be picking up whatever Amanda writes next!

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

This book comes out on the 25th 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 | Legends & Lattes: The Graphic Novel | ARC Received By Netgalley

 Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "Legends & Lattes: The Graphic Novel" by Travis Baldree, Samuel Sattin, Shanti Rittgers & Sarah Webb. 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!)

"After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword. The battle - weary orc aims to start afresh, opening the city of Thune's first - ever coffee shop. 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.

If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her dreams a reality, she won't be able to go it alone. After all, the true rewards of an uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether they are drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup - Viv may find something deeper here than she ever imagined...

This full - colour graphic novel adaption brings the high fantasy and low stakes of this beloved story to vibrant life as it's never been seen before."

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

So the reason I wanted to read this graphic novel, is because I saw it on Netgalley, and loving the "Legends & Lattes" trilogy, as well as being a massive graphic novel lover. I knew instantly that I wanted to read it. Friends, this graphic novel was absolutely gorgeous, I knew I was going to love the story because I loved the novel, however seeing everyone brought to life in colour was incredible. I was awestruck at how diverse and beautifully drawn all of the characters were, and was shocked to find so many of them didn't look the way I thought they would in my head (In the best way) and some of them were EXACTLY what I envisioned. I genuinely did not know how they were going to make such a fully detailed and immersed story into a graphic novel, but honestly it truly blew me away. I would 100% recommend this if you loved the story, or even if you haven't read the story and want to be introduced to the "Legends & Lattes" series in possibly a more digestible way. 

I gave this a 5/5 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 | Iron Widow

Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "Iron Widow" by Xiran Jay Zhao. 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!)

"The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It doesn't matter that the girls often die from the mental strain.

When 18 - year - old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine - pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected - she kills him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is labeled an Iron Widow, a much - feared and much - silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead.

To tame her unnerving yet invaluable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot in Huaxia. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so eaily. She will miss no opportunity to leverage their combined might and infamy to survive attempt after attempton her life, until she can figure out exactly why the pilot system works in its misogynist way - and stop more girls from being sacrificed."

So the reason I wanted to read this is because this has been recommended so many times to me by queer booktok, as well as my partner, so I finally picked it up. Friends, this book was incredible. The action was go go go from the very start and was so fun and exhilirating to read. I loved every minute of it. There was so much in this book keeping me on the edge of my seat, and with so many twists and turns the story honestly felt like a rollercoaster of emotions. The only word I could truly use to describe this book is badass. I honestly did not want to put it down and if I wasn't so ill the week I read this I wouldn't have. I am so excited for the second book and will definitely be picking it up as soon as I possibly can! Please note there are quite a few triggering moments throughout this book, so I would 1000% look up the trigger warnings before reading it. However, if you want an action filled, emotional rollercoaster of a fantasy book, I would absolutely recommend this one.

I gave this book a 5/5 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!

Love, Doe!