bookishvicky's reviews
172 reviews

All the White Spaces by Ally Wilkes

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dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A little hard to get into but once you hit the Shitstorm it’s hard to put down. Tarlington. My beloved. My son. I give you hot cocoa. I sob into the snow. Amazing book. 
In Charm's Way by Lana Harper

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3.5

I'm in Love with Mothman by Paige Lavoie

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3.0

This is exactly what I thought it’d be and exactly the monster fucker mess I needed. Thanks. 
Night's Edge by Liz Kerin

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dark reflective 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

I loved the way this story played with the vampire genre. It kinda reminded me of Vampire Weekend and The Coldest Girl in Coldtown in how vampires are perceived in the world. 

Mia was SUCH a fun narrator and character, this girl just watching life unfold like it’s a bad movie, thinking this girl she has a crush on must be a monster bc she’s so attracted to her (so cute). 

I like how vampirism is treated like addiction, how Mia and Izzy’s relationship is an enabler one that can be seen as a metaphor for active addiction and how it hurts others. The alternating chapters between present time and 2010 was done so so well, and I never felt like we were being taken out of any important moment in either story. 

I just hate that it ended on a cliffhanger. I mean, great ending if it was a standalone, but knowing there’s a sequel I gotta sprint to the bookstore like NOW
Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Nobody in Particular in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Rating:  ★ 4.5 Stars
Pub Date: Jun 03 2025

“I didn’t think it was possible to love her more, but…she finds a way [and] even manages to make me like myself, too.”

Nobody in Particular was a beautiful queer story that handles heavy subject matter with grace and in a way that teens can relate to (at times I felt the writing was juvenile until I remembered, duh. It’s not written for me). The themes of grief, guilt, outing, and more help shape the story and characters without sensatiinalizing any of it for shock value climaxes. 

Rose and Danni’s love story was endearing; every moment they shared was sweet, genuine, and even though I found Danni a little bland I think the chemistry really burned through the pages.

Rose was my favorite character. As a closeted lesbian princess dealing with guilt and trauma she must hide, she’s the pictureof grace and stoicism, headstrong and determined to bring about change no matter the personal cost. Her story arc was just amazing. Sorry to Danni but Rose’s story made me tear up. 

“This time, she kisses me first. This time, I’m not afraid for it to end.”

My only complaint is that the book is a little dry and drawn out at times. The pacing caused awkward conflict resolution that seemed to repeat itself, though the ifnal quarter of the book was worth it. I also thought Danni’s story arc could have used more stakes– I just didn’t care enough about her as I did Rose. This book may have been better if it were only from Rose’s POV, but that’s just nitpicking. 

If you liked Red, White, and Royal Blue and Young Royals, you’ll love Nobody in Particular! A delightful sapphic book with great representation and a satisfying ending that brings it all together and may bring a tear to your eye. 
The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling

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challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advanced copy of The Starving Saints for a fairf and honest review!

Rating: 4.75 stars
Pub Date:  May 20 2025

“‘She said a faithless tongue was worth more as food than to eat food.’”

Having read The Death of Jane Lawrence, I was ready for Starling’s twisting, vivid language layered with uncomfortable dread and horror– and BOY, was I not prepared well enough. 

The Starving Saints is a masterpiece of silent terror, raw desperation, and tooth and nail survival only for those hopes to quickly be swallowed up–literally.

Something Sterling does so well in her writing is how startling and casual the violence is. Many times I found myself gasping and pausing to reread what had been so nonchalantly placed before me. Like lifting the cloche to discover stomach-curdling gore only for the waiter to say, “Ah, my bad,” and deliver me my soup but now I really don’t want to know what’s in that soup. 

Each protagonist had such distinct voices, and usually I’m not a fan of books that shift perspectives eavery chapter. But this was done perfectly. While Starling’s writing is confusing and hazy and hard to get a grasp on, her characterization, settings, and tension are wonderfully executed. 

The only complaint I have is that at times it was a bit confusing to figure out key plot points. Like, yes, I don’t want the monsters over-explained and ruined for me, but some of their actions were confusing and I had to reread sections to understand the lore of the world. 

Overall, I loved this book! I’ve never read any other medieval horror, and The Starving Saints has set the bar incredibly high for me. 
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The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Kinda bland, not catching my attention. 
Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this book for a fair and honest review!

Love Letters to a Serial Killer threw me for a loop– like, ten loops until I was dizzy and too baffled to do anything but just read on. I want to start off by saying the format of this novel was done perfectly. Each letter from Hannah and William revealed so much about themselves and the plot, and felt selfish yet seductive at the same time. 

The part where Hannah was writing her letter to William like normal with striked out bits of truly sociopathic text was so cool. I’ve read a lot of reviews saying the novel was ruined by how nonsensical and cruel Hannah seemed, but honestly? She made it for me.

Hannah is a sociopath. She relies heavily on male validation, is envious of every woman, sees sex as a leverage and yet also a way to show love, she isn’t passionate about anything except that which lets her dangle over a dangerous edge. Obviously I don’t relate to or excuse her actions, but that’s what makes thrillers thrilling! To be given a narrator who’s just as if not more unhinged than the serial killer was so fun to read. 

Speaking of thrillers, this book was a touch predictable, but honestly Hannah was just doing the most (pardon my french) batshit things at every turn– I wouldn't have cared if we knew who the killer was on page one. She was what made this book so enjoyable for me. 

If anything, one can argue this book is a parody or mockery of true crime diehards, like with Lauren and Dotty. Again, I’m in no way supporting Hannah or the events of this book– just saying I think it’s good novel writing. An immoral, unreliable narrator is always an interesting read, especially with that sucker punch of a last paragraph. 


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Back in a Spell by Lana Harper

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3.25

Loved the plot, but in turn the romance felt overshadowed and reduced to smut. Morty is such an interesting guy and I wanna learn more about him. I also feel like Nina was kind of bland? Still solid, I love the magic and town of this series. 
For One Night Only by Jessica James

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


“Caleb kisses me like I’m the perfect harmony to every melody he’s written”

Thanks so much to @berkleypub @berkleyromance or @acebookspub for the free book!

For One Night Only was a refreshing romance read with a male main character who actually has a unique personality and is the one finding himself strung along intol love by his confident, messy female counterpart. Caleb Sloane, eyeliner-wearing icon that you are… just perfect. No notes.

Every member of Glitter Bats felt distinct to me, and their careers post-breakup all felt reminiscent of bands in real life; in fact, while reading about their early career, I could taste the indie music sleaze, the 2014 vinyls, Urban Outfitters flooded with beanies and Arctic Monkeys fans. It was nostalgic for me and made the reunion plotline all the more exciting.

Valerie was kind of annoying and fame hungry, and I don’t think we got enough of her mom in-scene to justify why she is the way she is. I still thought her redemption was handled well, and her chemistry with Caleb was electric. 

Overall, a cute romance with actual stakes and complex characters that addresses the toxicity of the music industry and how it can ruin our favorite artists. I did feel like the pacing was a touch slow at first, but the climax was worth the uphill trek.