thisgayreads's reviews
540 reviews

Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Just plain cute! That’s all.
Zombie Boyz by Ethan Stone, TJ Klune, Eric Arvin, Geoffrey Knight, Ethan Day, Daniel A. Kaine

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dark funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

4 ⭐️'ˢ 
 
 
📕 Edition: eBook 
 
🧟‍♂️ This was a riotous undead anthology that delivers a mixed bag of zombie mayhem and humor. 📚 Having anticipated these short stories for years, I finally obtained a copy and the collection was a silly mess of thrills and spills! 
 
😂 "Guess Who's Coming at Dinner" by Geoffrey Knight and Ethan Day kicked off the anthology with uproarious laughter. The tale of introducing a zombie boyfriend at Grumpy Grampy's 90th birthday dinner is a hilarious take on the undead meeting the family. It’s a great blend of horror and comedy that had me chuckling from start to finish. 
 
🎰 On the flip side, "Surviving Sin City" by Ethan Stone and Daniel A. Kaine didn't quite hit the mark for me. The zombie nightmare in Vegas lacked the spark and engagement present in the other stories. It felt like a missed opportunity in an otherwise entertaining anthology. 
 
💪 "Ghoul's Gym" by Eric Arvin and TJ Klune proved to be a gory mess of fun. Turning a gym full of hunks into a smorgasbord of terror, this story embraced the chaos of a zombie apocalypse with gusto. It was a wild ride from beginning to end, and I couldn't help but revel in the over-the-top gore.
Ghoul's Gym by TJ Klune, Eric Arvin

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dark funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

💪 "Ghoul's Gym" by Eric Arvin and TJ Klune proved to be a gory mess of fun. Turning a gym full of hunks into a smorgasbord of terror, this story embraced the chaos of a zombie apocalypse with gusto. It was a wild ride from beginning to end, and I couldn't help but revel in the over-the-top gore.
Surviving Sin City by Ethan Stone, Daniel A. Kaine

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.0

🎰 "Surviving Sin City" by Ethan Stone and Daniel A. Kaine didn't quite hit the mark for me. The zombie nightmare in Vegas lacked the spark and engagement present in the other stories. It felt like a missed opportunity in an otherwise entertaining anthology.
Guess Who's Coming At Dinner by Geoffrey Knight, Ethan Day

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funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

😂 "Guess Who's Coming at Dinner" by Geoffrey Knight and Ethan Day kicked off the Zombie Boyz anthology with uproarious laughter. The tale of introducing a zombie boyfriend at Grumpy Grampy's 90th birthday dinner is a hilarious take on the undead meeting the family. It’s a great blend of horror and comedy that had me chuckling from start to finish.
You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

4.5 ⭐️'ˢ 
 
“You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince” By Timothy Janovsky 
 
📕 Edition: Audiobook 
 
Matthew Prince, the epitome of spoiled, is banished to his grandparents' town for the holidays after a PR disaster. The story takes an unexpected turn as he crosses paths with Hector Martinez, an eye-rolling local unimpressed by Matthew's antics. 😒💔 
 
Janovsky weaves a cute tale of forced proximity, holiday cheer, and found family that warms the heart. 🎄💖 However, I couldn't help but despise Matthew for his entitlement, though the narrative cleverly hints at a redemption arc. 😡🔄 
 
Also, Hector's repetitive use of "dude." 🤦‍♂️ While it aimed for character quirkiness, it occasionally grated on my nerves. 
 
Despite my mild annoyances, the story ultimately won me over with its charm and the transformation of a Grinch-like character. 🤗❤️ 
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

3 ⭐️'ˢ 
 
“The Night Circus” By Erin Morgenstern 
 
📕 Edition: Audiobook 
 
🎪 A tale of enchantment and mystery that I read as part of a group read on TSG's new readalong feature, but it's not one I had heard of before nor would I probably have ever picked up on my own. 
 
The narrative unfolds with the arrival of the circus, a fantastical spectacle that materializes without warning, captivating all who enter. The heart of the story lies in the fierce competition between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, pawns in a game of skill and destiny. 
 
Morgenstern's prose weaves a spellbinding tapestry, creating a vivid atmosphere that stimulates the senses. The circus itself becomes a character, a stage for a remarkable duel of imagination and will. Yet, despite the stakes, Celia and Marco find themselves tumbling into a deep, magical love. 💫 
 
While the story held my interest, it didn't quite reach the heights of greatness for me. 
They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

5 ⭐️'ˢ

“They Hate Each Other” By Amanda Woody

📕 Edition: eBook & Audiobook

I can't believe I waited so long to dive into this one, I loved it!

The story revolves around Jonah and Dylan, two characters who seem to despise each other, but fate has other plans for them. The fake dating ploy adds a delightful twist, and as they navigate this charade, their perspectives on each other shift in the most surprising ways. 🔄

The author crafts characters that are so real and flawed, making them incredibly relatable. Jonah and Dylan's dynamic is a perfect blend of humor, tension, and undeniable chemistry.

What I appreciated most was the gradual development of their connection. As the staged relationship begins to feel more authentic, the lines between love and hate blur, leading to heartwarming moments and unexpected revelations. 🥺💖

Thank you @Netgalley , @amandawoody_ and @hodderbooks for providing me with this copy in exchange for my honest review. 
The Twelve Dicks of Christmas: A very gay holiday anthology by Lukas Thistle

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

4 ⭐️'ˢ

“The Twelve Dicks of Christmas” By Lukas Thistle Lukasthistle

📕 Edition: Audiobook

🎄🔥 These short stories are like spicy gingerbread cookies—sweet, naughty, and leaving you wanting more.

A delightful mix of realism and magical escapades, from stressed-out elves finding joy to interns turning a work party cleanup into a truth-or-dare adventure. 🧝‍♂️💼 The stories are diverse, with each offering a unique flavor of passion and playfulness.

If you're looking for a cheeky, merry, and, yes, a bit explicit holiday read, grab a copy and indulge in the yuletide merriment. 📖🎁

Thank you @Lukasthistle for providing me with this copy in exchange for my honest review. 
The Magnolia Story by Joanna Gaines, Chip Gaines

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adventurous funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.0

4 ⭐️'ˢ 
 
“The Magnolia Story” By Chip and Joanna Gaines 
 
📕 Edition: Physical Book & Audiobook 
 
From the first renovation to the unexpected hurdles, this book takes you on an intimate journey through the lives of America's favorite couple. 
 
🏡 The narrative is told mostly from Joanna's perspective with Chip chiming in here and there. It's a tale of love, entrepreneurship, and the serendipitous moments that shaped their extraordinary life. 
 
💑 Chip and Joanna's chemistry, evident on-screen if you have watched their show, translates seamlessly onto these pages. The anecdotes, like Chip's forgetful grocery run or the questionable houseboat purchase, are both heartwarming and hilarious. 
 
🏠 The book provides a backstage pass to their journey—Joanna's tough decision to close her dream business, the financial rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, and the profound impact of their work on the city of Waco.