michelles_book_nook's reviews
258 reviews

Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

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

4.0

⚠️ CW: graphic content, cannibalism, child death, rape, infertility, sexual assault, animal cruelty and brief mentions of suicide and paedophilia ⚠️ Wow this one is not for the easily grossed out but as a horror fan I loved it! 😳 This book follows Marcos who works at a local processing plant in the business of slaughtering humans for meat. His wife has left him, his father is sinking into Dementia and he tries to not think too hard about how he makes a living in this new world since the GGB virus. First, it was reported that an infectious virus had made all animal meat poisonous to humans. Then the government initiated 'the transition' and now eating 'special meat' aka human meat is legal. But as Marcos struggles with his role in this new food chain he sticks to the industry approved terms of numbers, consignments and processing. Until one day he is given a live specimen of the highest quality as a gift and despite the fact that he knows any form of personal contact is forbidden, he just can't help himself to slowly start treating her like a human being again. And soon he becomes tortured by what has been lost and what might still be saved. This book had me in a chokehold from start to finish and even though it is so disturbing I just couldn't stop reading! It is so well written, thought provoking and addictive that it's truly scary because even though the dystopian plot is so far fetched, considering everything that has happened in the world over the last few years it felt like it could be strangely believable. Overall, if you're into horror and dystopian fiction then this one is definitely for you but please make sure to check out all of the CW's because there are so many more than I've been able to add.
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Death Row: The Final Minutes: My life as an execution witness in America's most infamous prison by Michelle Lyons

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dark informative slow-paced

3.0

⚠️ CW: execution, graphic content and mentions of crimes ⚠️ This book follows a reporter and spokesperson for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as she recorded the final moments of death row inmates. Michelle writes about witnessing some of the most notorious criminals speak their last words as they are administered lethal injections for the crimes they committed. Yet as the number of executions she witnessed began to mount up she began to question the seemingly arbitrary nature of the death penalty. This book gives a really interesting perspective on executions in Texas and the death penalty and while it is a good read I felt that it fell a bit flat in terms of what I was expecting from it. I went into the book expecting it to give an in depth look into the inmates and their crimes in a unbiased way so the reader could form their own opinion on how the death penalty is given out as a conviction and aspects that may impact the ruling. However I felt that the focus was more on prison politics and the writing style came across as very blasé and withdrawn. Overall, it was a tough but interesting read and while it wouldn't be my first recommendation to someone looking to read about death row I would still recommend it because it does offer a unique perspective.
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Things We Hide From The Light by Lucy Score

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

4.0

⚠️ CW: gun violence, mental health, PTSD, medical trauma, grief, drug abuse and addiction ⚠️ Lucy Score has got me hook, line and sinker again! 👏🏼 This book takes us back to the small town of Knockemout but this time it follows Nash Morgan, the good guy chief of police and brother to bad boy Knox, who after being shot in the line of duty is struggling mentally with severe panic attacks and nightmares and feels like a shell of the man he once was but he refuses to let anyone know. This is until his new neighbour, Lina, and old time friend of Knox's sees through his facade. She's smart, sexy and not a fan of physical contact unless she initiates it but she soon finds out that Nash's touch is different and he feels it too. The connection between them is immense, it makes Nash feel alive and makes Lina worried that she can't resist exploring the risk. But Lina has secrets of her own and if Nash finds out the real reason she's in town he'll never forgive her. And even though she doesn't do relationships she knows that Knockemout has a way of getting under people's skin. This book was so, so good and gave me everything I wanted from the sequel to TWNGO!! I loved the good guy falls for the bad girl trope more than I thought I would and tbh I love a man in uniform so 'those scenes' were 🥵. I also really loved seeing a new side to Nash and getting to know him more as well as continuing to see the lives and goings-on of our favourite Knockemout residents. And just like with the first book I cannot wait for the next one! Overall, I highly recommend this book.
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We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

⚠️ CW: murder, alcoholism, drug abuse, suicidal ideations, violence, child abuse, brief mentions of self harm, ableism and racism ⚠️ Wow sometimes you just know when a book is going to stay with you long after you close it, and this is definitely one of them. This book follows the complicated and heartbreaking lives of Duchess and Robin Radley, two young siblings who have had to do a lot of growing up way too soon. Duchess is a 13 year old self-proclaimed outlaw, and at school her and her brother are constantly picked on or avoided for their torn clothes and messy hair. But while the other kids throw sticks, Duchess will counter with stones. On the outside she is seen as troubled and broken but really she is just trying her best to survive and be the best sister-parent to her 5 year old brother as well as take care of her mother, Star. On the other side of their story is the dependable childhood friend of their mother, Chief Walker. He's healing from the deep wounds of the past and despite never moving on from their small town roots he has continuously fought to protect Duchess and Robin while Star slid ever further into self-destruction. But as the past comes back to greet them all things become even more complicated but they know they have no other choice but to deal with it somehow. This book has my whole heart and had me up until 5am binge reading it through tears! It is the most beautiful but messy representation of found family all wrapped up in a page turning crime mystery and I loved it so much! It is so hard to review without giving spoilers but it so powerful and hard hitting that I wish I'd read it sooner and as soon as I closed the book I wanted to read it all over again just so I didn't have to part with the characters. Overall, I highly recommend this book but be warned it may leave you in a book hangover with how amazing it is!
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Dripping by Adriana Herrera

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

4.0

If you're looking for a short and steamy f/f novella that will have you begging for more then this one is definitely for you! 🥵 This sapphic novella follows Julissa Mora, a beautiful and playful plus-size model, as she shoots fashion campaigns with the legendary House of Dauphiné and Freya Lund, the captivating and sultry jewellery house's head of security, as they potentially approach their final night together after having hidden their year long spicy escapades in plain sight at work. But as things get hot and heavy for their final night will they decide to rip themselves away from each other in the morning and part ways or continue and make their relationship more permanent? Wow Adriana Herrera definitely knows how to turn the temperature all the way up! This is the first book I've ever read by her and it certainly won't be my last. And even though this is only 21 pages it really packs the heat and the only thing I would change is that I wish it was longer. Overall, I highly recommend this novella and will definitely be choosing an average sized book when I next pick something up from this author 😅
The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

⚠️ CW: death, murder, child abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, cannibalism, suicide, brief mentions of school shootings and sexual abuse ⚠️ Well this book was definitely one that flipped my brain upside down and inside out. This book follows the Graves family and their return to Nate's rural childhood home in Pennsylvania upon the death of his father who left him the house in his will. Now married to his wife, Maddie, along with their son, Oliver, all they want is some peace from city living but as they return their dark pasts come back to haunt them as supernatural happenings start taking place and a sinister battle of good versus evil comes knocking at their door. This book was a good read that makes you question all of the little things that happen in your life as it takes you on a sci-fi/occult twisting journey throughout generations and timelines in a mind melting rollercoaster ride, but it is so hard to review without giving spoilers. While the plot of this book was really interesting I struggled to follow it at times because there was just so much going on. Also throughout I found the pacing was quite off and went from being fast and page turning to slow and drawn out and due to this I think it made the end feel really rushed. Overall, I enjoyed this read and if you're looking for a intensely deep, twisting and terrifying horror then I definitely recommend picking up this book.
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Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

⚠️ CW: abandonment, domestic abuse, addiction, kidnapping, gun violence and brief mentions of infertility ⚠️ This whirlwind small town romance had me obsessed, and for someone that isn't a huge romance fan it had me hook, line and sinker! This book follows Naomi Witt, a hopeless romantic good girl, who came to the rescue of her estranged twin sister, Tina, whilst also having escaped from her own wedding. But as Naomi rolls into Knockemout, a small rough around the edges town in Virginia, she realises that her sister hasn't changed one bit. After helping herself to Naomi's car and cash, she leaves her with an unexpected gift; the 11 year old niece, Waylay, that she didn't know she had. Now she is stuck with no job, no plan, no home and a whole lot of extra responsibility. Then there's Knox, the local bad boy barber, bar owner and extremely gorgeous bearded, tattooed hunk that doesn't do complicated or high maintenance women, especially not romantic ones but after Naomi's life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out. And just as soon as she stops getting into trouble, he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life. At least that's the plan, until their lives begin to entwine in ways they never imagined. This book is filled with drama, tension and lots of spicy encounters! It is so well written from the deeply complex characters, to the page turning storyline and I absolutely loved it. I'm actually really lost for words with how much I loved it in all honesty, especially with me not being a huge romance fan but as soon as I finished it I was looking for the next book. Overall, if you're a fan of grumpy meets sunshine, good girl/bad boy and fake dating tropes then this one is definitely for you and I highly recommend it!
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The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett

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

5.0

⚠️ CW: murder, death, suicide, grooming, child abuse, torture and drug use ⚠️ Wow what a mind-blowing read! I stayed up all night just to binge this book. This book follows Amanda Bailey, a true crime author, who is researching the Alperton Angels for her upcoming book, a cult who brainwashed a teenage girl and convinced her that her newborn baby was the antichrist and that they were on a divine mission to kill the baby. However she came to her senses and alerted the police before any harm could come to the baby and the angels committed suicide rather than stand trial whilst she and her baby disappeared into the care system. Now nearly two decades later Amanda starts her book and finds that the baby is due to turn 18 and can finally be interviewed, but first they need to be traced. If she can locate the baby this will be the flagship moment of her career but the deeper she digs the more she discovers dark and strange forces surround this story and if she continues digging it could be her last. This book was so incredibly gripping and I could not put it down! It's so hard to review without spoilers but it was perfect. I love seeing mixed media in books but this was my first time reading a book that solely contained mixed media to tell the story. It felt like the most intense murder mystery game while reading all of the documents and information surrounding this in depth and captivating read so you can make your own conclusions as you read. Overall, I highly recommend this book and not only is it my favourite read so far this year but I think it will easily make my top 10 at the end of the year too!
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The Tea Dragon Tapestry by K. O'Neill

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

⚠️ CW: medical trauma and grief ⚠️ This series is so wholesome, inclusive and magical that once I started reading it I just couldn't stop! This series follows Greta, a blacksmith's apprentice, and her friends as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons after she discovers one lost at the market one day. And from this chance encounter Greta learns about the dying art of tea dragon husbandry from the tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik, as she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette. As time goes on she sees how this age old craft enriches their lives, and eventually her own. This series is so beautifully written and takes you on a magical journey filled with so many amazing mythical creatures. As well as having heartwarming underlying messages throughout about finding yourself, your purpose and love, it also has incredible LGBTQ+ and disability rep with Erik being a wheelchair user following a past traumatic battlefield injury from his and Hesekiel's days as bounty hunters, and deaf and sign language rep with one of the characters in the second book. Overall, I absolutely loved this series and found that they were the perfect YA graphic novel reads that I was looking for right now and I cannot recommend them enough!
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The Tea Dragon Festival by K. O'Neill

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

Reviewed the series as a whole. My review can be found under book 3.
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