I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

 

 Series: Jasper Dent
Author: Barry Lyga
Page Count: 359
Published: April 3rd, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
  5 Stars ★★★★★ 

Jasper Dent's father is behind bars; he's a serial killer who has murdered over a hundred people. He raised Jasper while he killed, often teaching Jasper about how to prevent getting caught and how to dispose of dead bodies. Jasper now lives with his grandmother, has a best friend and a girlfriend, and he still deals with the aftermath of his father's capture and conviction.

When people start turning up dead, Jasper knows that the town has yet another serial killer on their hands. Besides trying to convince the police that he knows what he's talking about, Jasper has to deal with his fear that he is truly like his father; a cold-hearted, sadistic killer. While Jasper investigates the murders with the hope of using his knowledge to catch the killer, he struggles with the fear that people will believe that he is behind it all. But things are complicated when you worry that you might be an evil sociopath, like your own father.

This was such an awesome book! It was dark, it was disturbing, and I couldn't put it down. I read it extremely quickly, I was sucked in from the start. My advice concerning this book is to start reading it when you have a lot of free time on your hands. You won't want to leave it until you've flipped the last page. 

One thing that I loved about this book was how dark and disturbing it was. I often read romances, which tend to be sweeter, less serious or calmer reads. But this book....it was dead serious. I want to mention that there were rather detailed descriptions of assault and murder, so that more sensitive readers can make an informed decision on whether or not this book is for them. Personally, I loved that aspect of the book, because it just felt so creepy. I rarely find books that have genuinely disturbing content, but this one was dark enough that it satisfied my craving for something more gruesome. That's not to say that the crimes were extremely detailed, but they were explained in enough detail that they brought up the creep and thrill factor quite a bit. 

Jasper's struggle was very intense and it kept me reading just as the murders did. Reading about his fears that he might be a sociopath, that he might be fated to become a murderer like his father, it was a well-written depiction of this struggle and I found it very believable. Despite Jasper's fears and some of his darker thoughts, I found him a very likeable character. He seemed like a genuinely good guy, wanting to save peoples' lives and fighting the things that his father told him to believe. While this is an extreme example, I think that this is reminiscent of the issues that many face concerning breaking out of their shell and questioning the things that their parents or guardians told them as children. This sense of connection between Jasper's issues and smaller, real-life issues made Jasper even more likeable, and I absolutely rooted for him to stop the killer and find peace from the start.

Jasper's friend and girlfriend are great characters as well, his friend being somewhat weak and comical, his girlfriend strong, loyal and determined. As for Billy Dent, Jasper's psychopathic father, he was written very well, in a way that I could easily imagine what kind of atmosphere might be experienced in his presence. He was pure evil. I feel like there are such few characters that are so evil, but Billy Dent really really was, undoubtedly, a monster. Because he was such a well-written villain, I loved reading about him, despite his crimes. He was especially creepy because, unlike paranormal monsters and villains, there really are people like him out in the world. I think that's what made this book all the more striking. 

I wish I'd picked this novel up sooner. I have to add the sequel to my wishlist!

I recommend this to mature YA readers. If you like creepy contemporary thrillers, and the content mentioned in this review wouldn't bother you, this is a must-read. 

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Something by Shelby Lamb

 

Series: Wisteria

Author: Shelby Lamb

Page Count: 304
Published: March 7th, 2017

Publisher: Grunge Bookz

  4 Stars ★★★★

 I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review.

Aubrey is what many would consider 'damaged': she's obsessed with her ex-boyfriend, she's depressed, self harms, and deals with a lot of other issues. However, things start to get worse for her when she picks up a book titled 'Something'. As she shares passages from the book with others, strange occurrences take place and those around her start questioning their sanity. 

This book explored some of the real-life issues people might face, with some paranormal creepiness thrown in. It was a great combination and it worked very well! While written in third person, the author told the story of the chaos that ensues after reading passages from the mysterious book 'Something' from the perspectives of multiple characters, including the depressed Aubrey, teen mom Kendra, ex-boyfriend Nathan and aspiring porn star Bella. 

I wasn't too sure what to expect, considering how unique the idea seemed to me. I have never read anything like this book before, and I'm sure I won't read anything similar for a long time. Including real-life issues alongside paranormal ones is something I really like in a book and this one delivered on this for sure. 

I liked reading about the different characters and their personal situations. I can't say that I actually liked all of the characters, but their problems were intriguing and sometimes heart-breaking. Aubrey's self-esteem, self harm and related issues were realistic to me, in that they're something that I see a lot in real life as well, and I thought that this made the book more believable. Bella's hopes and dreams to become an adult entertainer seemed to make her determined and despite her mean-girl streak, I found myself cheering her on and hoping that she'd achieve her goals! Kendra appeared to be quite sweet and I think that she tried looking on the bright side of things even though she was dealing with motherhood at such a young age. As for Nathan, I felt some sympathy for him, having to deal with Aubrey's obsessive behavior. 

The paranormal aspect was enjoyable and mysterious. I often wondered if maybe the characters were slipping into madness, and that there wasn't really anything other-worldy going on at all. I must admit that at some times I found myself a bit confused because I wasn't really sure what was going on, some situations were a bit unclear to me. 

Another issue was the grammar, there were enough changes in word tense and spelling errors that at times it felt a bit disruptive. Because this is an ARC, I'm hoping that the book will be edited again before its actual release to fix these mistakes, however I can't ignore the way that these mistakes disrupted my reading experience, because it affected my enjoyment of the story.

In conclusion, I can say that this book was really, well, something. I want to know what happens next and I will probably read the next book when it comes out. If you like new adult paranormal mysteries, you might enjoy this. Readers who like books that mix real life issues with other-worldy intrigue will like this novel as well. 

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Did I Mention I Love You? by Estelle Maskame

 

Series: DIMILY

Author: Estelle Maskame

Page Count: 393
Published: December 1st, 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

5 Stars ★★★★★

I received this book in a Goodreads first reads giveaway. 

Eden lives with her single mother and hasn't seen her father for years. When she's invited to spend the summer with him in California, she's not sure what to expect. Her two young stepbrothers, Chase and Jamie, seem nice enough and her stepmother appears decent, but her older stepbrother, Tyler, has a serious attitude problem. 

She makes friends with the girl across the street, who introduces her to her own group of friends, which happen to include Tyler's girlfriend, Tiffani. Unable to avoid Tyler, she discovers concerning truths about what he does in his spare time, and why he remains in a relationship with a girl he doesn't love.

As Eden and Tyler begin to warm up to each other, they find themselves caught up in their own forbidden romance. Fighting their attraction for each other and desperate to keep their affections secret, Eden knows that more than just their reputation is at stake.

When I started reading this book, I worried that it might just be another cliche YA contemporary romance. The whole summer romance concept, the bad boy, and the friend next door are often overused, in my opinion. But this book worked with these ideas in a way that wasn't at all cliche, and which was thoroughly enjoyable. 

Eden, the main character, was really likable. She had a distinct personality which really came through her narration. I did question her choices at times, for example her decision to keep hanging out with the annoying Tiffani. I couldn't stand Tiffani! But I also rooted for Eden throughout the whole novel, and I definitely hoped that she and Tyler would get together.

As for Tyler, I found him a complex and dynamic character. He wasn't the stereotypical YA bad boy. He truly had problems, found himself stuck in tough situations, and dealt with his past in the only way he knew how. His personal backstory was really sad and very raw, which is something I haven't read in many YA contemporary novels. His struggles really resonated with me and I can say that he was my favourite character. 

The romantic elements in this book impressed me because they managed to be exciting yet realistic at the same time. Eden and Tyler's passionate moments didn't occur without consequence, which made the whole book suspenseful in a way I've never really read before. 

This book is on my favourites list for sure, and I can't wait for book two! 

I definitely recommend this book! Readers interested in YA contemporary romance should give this one a try. If you love forbidden romances you might like this author's take on the theme. Even if you don't usually read contemporary romances I suggest that you try this book out; it was unique to other stories of its genre and really surprised me.

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The Dangers of Fairy Compacts by Katey Hawthorne

Series: Fairy Compacts

Author: Katey Hawthorne
Page Count: 46
Published: June 25th, 2012

Publisher: M/M Romance Group @ Goodreads

  5 Stars ★★★★★

Aeron is a faery who always hears a voice in his head. One day, the voice becomes louder than he can bear and he follows it all the way into the mortal realm.

He meets Tammas, a priest, who has unknowingly bound both of them together. Tammas is frightened and Aeron has nowhere to go, and finds himself angry and residing in a tree until he is finally invited into Tammas's home. 

Aeron is stubborn and rather confident while Tammas is shy and unsure, but soon enough, despite their quarrels, an attraction forms. Will they ever break the binding spell? And what will happen when Aeron is sent back home? Will he and Tammas ever see each other again? 

This is a short, sweet novella, and it was free when I downloaded it, which is a great bonus. It surpassed my expectations and despite its short length, I was pulled into the story and I learned so much about both Aeron and Tammas.

I love faeries and I love romance. Give me a shy, adorable human and a confident, stubborn faery and I am satisfied! This story did just that.

The romance took enough time to develop, but I wasn't kept waiting for too long. The erotic scenes were perfect and sweet, and in my opinion adorble, and the ending made me want to read more about Tammas and Aeron! I will definetly be reading more of this author's work in the future.

Overall, very cute and romantic. I appreciated this good quality, gay romance novella, and I recommend this to fans of gay romance, faeries, and short and sweet novellas.

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Vacant by Evelyn R. Baldwin

Series: N/A

Author: Evelyn R. Baldwin
Page Count: 85
Published: February 23rd, 2013

Publisher: Mayhem Erotica

  5 Stars ★★★★★

Ethan has had a hard life. His father died when he was young and he had to spend some time in the foster care system. Now, he works at a grocery store and lives on a tight budget. When Emily moves in next door he becomes suspicious. She has no electricity, no running water, and no furniture.

He finds out that she is homeless and allows her to stay with him. This is the start of a journey of life, death and heartbreak, and of a blooming love.

This is a contemporary romance novella. It took me less than a day to finish but it made a big impact. A very emotional story, it detailed the ups and downs experienced by Ethan and Emily, and the beauty of love.

I read the adult version, which included erotic scenes. However there weren't many and they were sweet and realistic. 

As for the emotional parts of the story, I have to say that it was incredibly emotional from the beginning to the very end. There was not a single wasted word in this story, everything was there for a reason and the author succeeded in pulling at my feelings and making me care for the characters. 

While this can be considered a contemporary romance, it is so much more than that. It depicts what life can be like for the less fortunate, it details the journey of a raw and real love. There isn't any 'fluff' in this book, and while I enjoy fluffy romances, this was an interesting change. 

I recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance and to those looking for a good novella. If you like books that depict the tougher parts of life, this is definitely for you. 

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Monster by Julia Sykes

Series: Impossible
Author: Julia Sykes
Page Count: 122
Published: March 29th, 2013
Publisher: Amazon
  3 Stars ★★★

Claudia is kidnapped by Bradley when leaving work one day, needed for her medical skills. When he takes her to his home, she meets Sean, his best friend, who is suffering from a bullet wound. After treating him, she finds herself handcuffed to the bed, unable to escape, and incredibly afraid.

Sean is different from Bradley, he's charming and much more laid back. Often defending Claudia from Bradley's anger and frustration, she begins to feel attracted to him. As her feelings grow she learns more and more about the two boys...and is torn apart by her emotions. Will she escape, or will she choose to stay with Sean?

I'm a big fan of kidnapping books, I find them very exciting and suspenseful. This book had its fair share of suspense and excitement, however I found it somewhat cliché at times.

The emotional turmoil Claudia was going through seemed a bit unrealistic, and badly paced. For example, if you have been kidnapped, you're generally not going to find yourself constantly admiring one of your kidnappers' bodies and appearance, within the first few days of captivity. Sure you can find them attractive, but I felt like the whole Stockholm Syndrome thing happened a bit too quickly.

The author also included 'misunderstood bad boy' elements. Sean is revealed to have had his own share of hardships within his life, and Claudia feels a connection to him through them. While this wasn't stressed too dramatically, I feel like it could've been executed better and could've had a larger, more significant impact had it been addressed in a more original manner.

I did appreciate that the author didn't jump into the erotic scenes right away; they occured closer to the end of the book. I'm glad because by doing this, she was able to develop the relationships between the characters and make their decisions all the more realistic.

Trigger warnings include kidnapping, gang/mafia activity, attempted rape, and mentions of an unpleasant experience in the foster care system.

Overall, an enjoyable story. Suspenseful with erotic elements, it wasn't perfect, but it was far from bad.

I recommend this to those who enjoy kidnapping-themed stories, and who are looking for a shorter book with suspenseful and erotic elements.


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Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat

Series: Captive Prince

Author: C.S Pacat

Page Count: 270
Published: April 7th, 2015
Publisher: Berkley

5 Stars ★★★★★

I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads first reads giveaway.

Damen used to be known as Prince Damianos of Akielos. Then, his brother Kastor sent him as a slave to Vere, faking Damen's death and becoming king. Damen is gifted to Prince Laurent of Vere; arrogant, infuriating, and the future king of his country. Unfortunately, Laurent also hates Akielos and hates Prince Damianos, who killed his brother in battle. Damen has to be careful....nobody can find out that he is actually a prince. Due to Laurent's hatred and past, he could find himself executed.

As Damen plots his escape, he gets to know the Prince's guards and household, hoping to gain enough trust that he might be able to hear of the latest news about Akielos, happenings in Vere, and potentially receive aid in his escape. In he meantime, he is subject to slave and 'pet' performances, the rivalry between Laurent and his uncle, and Laurent's cold, yet complex, demeanor.

This book has earned it's way into my favourites collection. First of all, the writing style is amazing. It's elegant and descriptive and I felt like I was there, in the setting, with the characters. Even though it is written in third person, I got to know Damen, and his way of thinking, well and I cared about his story and his welfare. That kept me reading; even when I needed to put the book down to go do something else, I snuck a few extra minutes of reading time. When I absolutely had to be away from this book, I often found myself thinking of the story and theorizing what might happen next.

Then we have the characters. They were all quite unique and memorable, even the more minor characters. While I absolutely hated some of them, I found myself appreciating their roles in the story. I also appreciated how the characters weren't all black and white. Some were incredibly un-likeable, yet they weren't one hundred percent evil.

I have never read a book quite like this one before. Set in what appears to be another, or an alternative version, of the world, I was captivated by the setting, the visuals, the customs and the people. 

I really appreciated that, unlike many other LGBT novels, the author didn't make a big deal out of the fact that same sex relationships occured. In fact, within Vere, it was the norm to take pleasure slaves of the same sex while taking slaves of the opposite sex was considered almost taboo. No fuss was made, there was no coming out or bullying due to one's identity. I understand that in many contemporary LGBT novels these themes are explored because they are important and very real, however I much appreciated a break from those themes. 

I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this book....my only issue is the ending! I have to grab a copy of book two as soon as possible!

A few trigger warnings: rape, pedophilia (which is accepted within the society of Vere), and general/pleasure slavery are all found within this book. There are also scenes and mentions of physical abuse and assault such as flogging.

An amazing, unique novel and a gem in the LGBT genre, I recommend this book to those who enjoy LGBT books and to those who are looking for something that strays from the average M/M story. If you like stories that pull at your emotions, captivate your mind and keep you hooked from beginning to end, this book is for you. 

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Ellery's Choice by Robin Stock

Series: N/A

Author: Robin Stock

Page Count: 66
Published: August 1st, 2014
Publisher: Silkwords, LLC

  4 Stars ★★★★

I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley.

Ellery's fiancé,  Matt, died a year ago. Now, she lives with his parents on their farm and she's unsure of what she wants for the future. One day, Mack Gaffney arrives at the farm to pick up a calf. Ellery finds herself attracted to Mack, but embarrasses herself during their first meeting, thus sparking a feeling of annoyance like no other. Caught between Mack and her friend Jason, Ellery must make choices regarding love, work, and home.

This book was not a 'linear' story;  you're not supposed to read from beginning to end. Instead, this book is like a 'Choose Your Own Adventure', interactive story for mature audiences. I went through several times and completed the book by selecting different choices, curious about how each of them ended. 

I was more satisfied with some endings than I was with others, and as I read through one ending, I wondered what would happen when I chose the other. I found myself excited to go back and try out the other choices and outcomes.

I had thought this book would contain more erotic scenes based on the cover, but they were surprisingly few and far between, and very short. However, I did appreciate that instead of flipping back and forth through pages to continue the story, I could just click on a link that would take me there immediately.

I recommend this to those intrigued by the idea of an interactive 'Choose Your Own Adventure' type of book, to fans of romance, and to those looking for short stories.

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Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters

Series: Monsters in the Dark

Author: Pepper Winters
Page Count: 376
Published: August 30th, 2013

Publisher: Pepper Winters

  5 Stars ★★★★★

Tess goes on vacation with her boyfriend, Brax. He is sweet and gentle, but isn't really open to her kinky fantasies. Tess feels horrible when Brax reacts negatively to her suggestions, and decides that she will no longer bring up the subject.

While visiting a sketchy restaurant, Tess finds herself kidnapped and thrown into a room with several other women. She doesn't know if Brax is still alive, she doesn't know why she has been taken, and she is terrified of the men who stole her from the restaurant. She soon learns that she is a victim of human trafficking; she is a 'gift' to a wealthy man in France.

Q, her new master, is rich and intimidating. He isn't cruel to her, but Tess can sense something dark, and not entirely unpleasant, beneath the surface. She knows she should feel angry, afraid, and disgusted, but she finds herself intrigued by Q. She wonders if this is the universe's way of punishing her for bothering sweet, gentle Brax about her dark fantasies.

As the tension between Tess and Q increases, she finds herself torn between giving in to her feelings for Q, or fighting them on Brax's behalf. When she is given the opportunity to escape, will she take it? Or has Q mesmerized her so much that she'd give up Brax, her family and friends, and her old life to stay with him?

I absolutely love reading books about kidnapping. I find them exciting and riveting. They keep me on the edge of my seat, unable to take my eyes off of the page. I also love erotic novels, especially when the steamy scenes are balanced enough with the story that I remain invested in the characters themselves. This book was a perfect combination of the two.

This book wasn't absolutely packed full of sex. No, the author took the time to build the tension, to get the reader hooked. There certainly was quite a bit of sexual tension, but the actual lengthy and descriptive erotic scenes were a little while into the book. I really appreciated this because it gave me time to get to know the characters as people, as individuals. The author focused on every aspect of who they were, past and present, and even what they wanted for the future. It gave me time to get emotionally involved in their stories.

The characters were so complex! Nobody was one hundred percent good or bad. Even Tess, the victim, had flaws and issues and dark ideas that complemented Q, the 'villain'. As for Q himself, his 'villain' status was constantly challenged by his mysterious actions, his desires, and the plot twists throughout the novel.

This book really played with my head. There were moments when I was absolutely shocked at what was going on, the next I was relieved after understanding the outcome of the situations. I understood Tess and her confusion around her feelings for Q; I kind of wanted her to escape and be with sweet, gentle Brax again, yet I could tell that Q had an intense hold on her, and that she desired him despite her situation. The plot twists throughout absolutely messed with me, and my perceptions of the characters.

As for the writing style, I have to admit that at the beginning of the book, I found the writing to be a little dry. But as I read, it got better and better. I hope that the rest of the series follows with this pattern; that it gets better and better as it goes.

I think it's important to discuss some of the rather dark themes explored in this book, so that readers are sure they won't get into something that might upset them. As I have mentioned, this book contains themes of kidnapping and human trafficking. There is also some rough BDSM, non-consensual sexual acts, along with consensual sexual acts. If you dislike erotica, this book isn't for you. If you get upset over fictional accounts of BDSM, rough sex, and manipulation (especially mental and psychological manipulation), this book will only serve to make you uncomfortable. There is also talk of dysfunctional families and abuse. Personally, none of these things bothered me but if you find books with these themes upsetting, you should probably avoid this one.

Over all, an exciting, intriguing, sexy read. I recommend this to fans of erotica, and to those who enjoy books containing kidnapping, BDSM, and complex characters. If you like plot twists and emotional novels, this book is for you.

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Fool Me Thrice by Carley Esprit-Philip

Series: N/A

Author: Carley Esprit-Philip

Page Count: 192
Published: January 28th, 2015

 Publisher: Createspace

  4 Stars ★★★★

I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for a review. 

In this book, the author gives a raw and deeply personal account detailing the events that unfolded during an interval of her life. Emotional and honest, the reader learns of all the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the gifts and losses that she endures.

This memoir was refreshing to read. It was sincere and offered me new perspectives on things I hadn't known much about before.

The author made me care about her story from the beginning. I had to continue reading because I wanted to know about what she had been through, how she had handled conflicts and the lessons she'd learned.

I like how the author was brutally honest about her relationships. She gave me insight on open relationships and the pros and cons of pursuing one. She did not censor her experiences; she often wrote about her partners and their time together with erotic language. 

It was interesting that she chose to include texts, emails, and other messages as part of her story. Through these messages I learned more about her and the people around her.

This book did get very emotional at times, especially when dealing with tough subjects such as mental illness. It pulled at my heart, to say the least. The personal language and brutal honesty made me feel like I was experiencing her struggles with her.

Sometimes I was confused as to what was going on, however later on in the memoir I would gain a better understanding of the previous events and their significance to the author's life. There were some typing errors, and sometimes words were without spaces between them so two would be together. While this got annoying at times, it did not diminish the memoir's over all appeal.

In summary, this book was very much worth my time as I gained insight and perspective from the author's experiences. I feel that the author is very brave to put all this out in the open for anyone to read. I appreciate this because very few people are truly honest as she was in this memoir: unafraid and unashamed.

I recommend this memoir to readers of non-fiction, and to those who would like to learn more about open relationships, especially ones including both opposite and same sex partners.