My Selling Pitch:
FBI crime thriller set during the Cold War.

Pre-reading: More graphics!

(obviously potential spoilers from here on) Thick of it: Oh damn, the blood was chilling!

The art for this is pretty incredible. They’ve done so much color but it still reads as white.

Oh, I like that they show the alternate covers. I love The Silence of the Lambs one!

The gutted stomach is making me think it's a womb thing.

It’s very Mindhunter and Hannibal.

Can they do a charcoal rubbing from the impression of the stick on the paper? (Yup.)

So he’s in silver body paint, and he carried her. (Kinda.)

I knew it was gonna be red algae.

Oh, I knew it was womb shit!

So they're implying the KGB killed JFK in retaliation for some random senior discount FBI agent killing a mentally unstable dude with radiation poisoning? Kind of a stretch, no?

Post-reading: I enjoyed the setup more than the resolution. Maybe this would've worked more for me if I were better versed in that era of history. The book doesn't hold your hand about it, and granted, it's a graphic novel, so it doesn't have much wiggle room for infodumping. Ironically, it spends plenty of time detailing the Greek gods, who I think people are arguably more familiar with, but I appreciated the explanations behind the biblical references. It’s great at building tension, but the ending is pretty lackluster. It doesn't really explain how the killer escaped if he’s such a valuable family member. I think implying JFK was assassinated as retaliation for one random FBI agent’s “mistake” is a little much. It’s also a little bleak for women. The only female characters in the story are a wife who steals the kids from a struggling partner, an unrealistic nag, a honeypot trap, and a KGB operative who's so out for own survival, she turned her own father in. Like it’s not great.

All that being said, I was definitely sat for the story and I wanted to find out what would happen. The art is absolutely gorgeous. There’s so much subtle color for a book set in a white wasteland. I think if you like crime thrillers, you'll enjoy this, but I don't think it's an absolute must read that you'll have to have on your shelves.

Who should read this: Mindhunter fans Crime thriller fans

Ideal reading time: Winter

Do I want to reread this: No

Would I buy this: No, I’d get this from your library.

Similar books:

• The Red Mother by Danny Luckert-graphic novel, paranormal, revenge thriller
• You'll Do Bad Things by Tyler Boss-graphic novel, meta fiction, crime thriller, revenge
• Hotblood! by Toril Orlesky-graohic novel, historical, urban fantasy, western, revenge thriller, queer

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Selling Pitch:
A paranormal horror graphic novel about twin sisters.

Pre-reading: The cover is cutie. I love the blue hair.

(obviously potential spoilers from here on) Thick of it: The art is gorg!

Why is she so mean to her sister wtf?

The hands look really weird in some panels.

A Sam!

Omg the ooze monster!

I had to Google tintype.

Poor Todd!

That was cutie!

Post-reading: The art style for this was super appealing. I liked all the details added to their outfits. The story’s pretty cliche and overdone, but it’s still satisfying in a Scooby Doo sort of way. The dialogue is really well written. You can hear the bratty whine in their voices. I think if you like paranormal horror, this is worth picking up.

Who should read this: Paranormal horror fans Scooby Doo fans

Ideal reading time: Summer

Do I want to reread this: Yeah, I really like the art.

Would I buy this: Yeah, I really like the art.

Similar books:

• Artificial by Maria Llovet-graphic novel, dystopian horror, romance
• Flow by Paula Sevenbergen-graphic novel, paranormal horror, revenge thriller
• Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall-graphic novel, YA paranormal horror, queer
• Blood Honey by Sean Peacock-graphic novel, YA, lovers to enemies toxic romance
• Groupies by Helen Mullane-graphic novel, paranormal horror, historical, queer
• Mercy by Mirka Andolfo-graphic novel, paranormal horror, historical

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Selling Pitch:
Paul Blart: Mall Cop, the dark romance edition.

Pre-reading: Well, Daddy Issues slumped me so I’m in no state of mind to pick up a serious™ book. Silly goofy it is. I think the audiobook makes or breaks these kinds of books.

(obviously potential spoilers from here on) Thick of it: THAT DEDICATION. I CHOKED.

BRING BACK FUNNY CHAPTER TITLES. THEY’RE SO GOOD!

Hey now, I work in one of those bougie steakhouses.

This book is really fixated on weight.

Cooking a steak well done doesn’t shave off calories though. There’s no reason to get it well done.

OK, so I understand why she’s staying with him. It’s a stupid reason, but why is he with her if he doesn’t like her? I smell a villainous scheme. (I open books.)

It’s insta-love, but it’s fun. It’s very Lights Out.

Him: I’m mad that dude overstepped and ignored her dismissal. Also him: she told me no, but I’m gonna do it anyway because I think it’s good for her. You’re tone deaf, my guy!

Correct, my dude, you are violating her.

Oh, he’s gonna get backdoor access alright.

Only in a romance book. Here’s the thing, I think this is gonna be really fun to read. If you want this in real life, I need you to go to therapy.

She trusts me- Dude, you’re her employee!

I love all these chapter titles.

What mall food court stand has teriyaki chicken and cheesecake? The only thing I can come up with is Cheesecake Factory.

I want to take the AI boyfriend quiz.

Do I only get to pick one of those? I feel like I would want all of them to some degree.

Oh playful for sure. Banter or death

Unfortunately, I am a darling girl, and I blame Lady and the Tramp for that. I like sweetheart and baby too. I don’t like babe or angel. And I love honey.

Unfortunately, I am also in the I want to be a little one, he has to be bigger than me camp.

Lol, there’s a typo in this arc so it looks like meat instead of me at all. That shouldn’t be funny but alas.

Literally, why are y’all together?

Sir, you’ve interacted for all of an hour.

Oh, the banter for this dual audio! I’m having a good time. I am having a good time. The shriek that left my mouth when he said you hesitated. In my good non-Christian suburbs? I don’t know where this book takes place, but I’m just like assuming New York City Macys lol. (Correct.)

This book is really pushing food, and I wish it would stop. It’s getting a little eating disordery.

So he’s been your coworker for one day and you’re willing to trust whatever he feeds you? You don’t know what that kitchen is like.

…on this episode of spot the brat. This book is not good, but unfortunately, it is a lot of fun.

CAMARADERIE, I mean-

Oh good, he’s a wall puncher. Pass!

4? She said holes, not hands so the math ain’t mathing unless she’s talking pee hole.

Different smell

You know, my ears perked right up, and then they said exposed, and my nose wrinkled.

Me: on board on board on board Him: you’re a little slut Me: whyyyyyy? why must they always ruin it? I’m so sick of men calling us derogatory words for literally doing what they want. This Madonna and the whore complex needs to die.

I can’t imagine having the thumb dexterity to type all that while occupied. Voice text or bust. Pun fully intended.

This is super unrealistic. Like every man in the world fits in a medium. Be so for real.

I wish they would stop going on about how big she is or how she’s even kind of plus size cause it seems like that’s what they’re hinting at, but then they told us that she had a healthy BMI, and that’s such a low weight to have that.

I love the I’m not god in bed trope. It’s like THE dad joke of romance books, and I eat it up every time.

I feel like normally this would work for me, but something about this book is repetitive and a little performative. The sex scenes are just not doing it for me. (I’m also coming off a book where I got horny over a steering wheel, so it’s not that the libido’s not kicking.)

I smell interconnected standalones.

This family banter is funny. I also don’t own a microwave.

If you’ve ever seen that guy who does the Godfather-esque Boston Brothers eating Dunks and pasta and shit, that’s exactly who I’m picturing.

I really hate the MMC saves the FMC from being raped trope.

You know I hate this trope, but it’s really satisfying that they punched that guy.

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth🎶 Sorry, but this feels like a Christmas book

Hey, really gross that you’re gonna turn around and say a suitable punishment is to rape him. Just don’t rape anyone that’s so yucky.

Hey, you have to call the EMTs for her. You can’t just take her. That’s not how this works. There’s gonna be a whole store incident. She’s got paperwork to file.

I’m sorry what do you mean he’s a licensed paramedic so this is just chill? You don’t just almost get raped by somebody and then they leave you alone in a room with some random dude.

I like this faceless, dialogueless, all-knowing corporate.

I do like how this book is kind of advocating for healthy kink and how you can still have desires, even if you’re traumatized. Which like snaps to this book, but then it also began with him literally violating her digitally. Like this is extremely manipulative behavior, and she’s not consensually chatting with him. It’s very icky.

Make me dinner or make me come is very trad relationship coded, but also-mood.

Girl, we gotta talk about your boundary setting and how there’s literally not a single one.

The chapter titles are killing me.

Yeah, that does remind me. Like they did kind of have cyber sex without her consent. Yuck.

I love when men aren’t scared to taste their own cum.

I am also weirdly afraid of escalators for the exact same reason. I’m convinced it’s gonna eat my shoe.

Those sound like Bath and Bodyworks candles. Those are not expensive.

They’re just on such a weird timeline. Like they got together one day ago and now it’s meet my family? That’s so weird.

I’m assuming she texted the AI chatbot, and that’s how she’s gonna realize. (Wrong.)

Fuck your religion very much. I just don’t think you get to pick and choose which parts of it you believe in. You can’t truly believe in it and then be having sex before marriage.

Whoever sound mixed the whispers needs to be fired because I can’t hear them.

The way it’s taken me this long to realize that this is just Paul Blart: Mall Cop as a dark romance.

I hope she’s getting hazard pay for all this.

There is no way they’re giving a mall cop a tactical rifle. Be so for real.

They talked up this sex scene all book, and it’s pretty lackluster.

Post-reading: Is it good? No! Is it fun? Kinda! If you want a no-brainpower stalker romance read, you’ll probably enjoy this. If you’re looking for anything with depth or real plot, this is not your book. Disrespectfully, he’s a fetishized mall cop. The book attempts to discuss weightier topics like eating disorders, emotionally abusive relationships, and sex after sexual assault, but it’s pretty ham-fisted about it. Her weight is constantly brought up, but this isn’t a body-positive or plus-size romance. They make sure to point out that she has a healthy BMI, so for the book to keep pushing that she was so round and curvy was pretty disappointing. Similarly, the book actually features some really good dialogue about how having kinks does not mean you want to be assaulted. It did kind of sound like regurgitated therapy speak, but it was nice to see that this book does understand the importance of consent. I think that’s why it was so frustrating that it hand-waved away his violation of her with the implication of well, she wanted it anyway, so it’s fine. They engage in sexual activity before he discloses his identity. Cybersex is still sex, and it upsets me that she wasn’t more icked out by his behavior. By his own confession, he knows that what he did was wrong, so it was weird that the book let him completely off the hook.

Like a lot of the books in this genre, there’s a revenge plot to this that does feel like author-insert wish fulfillment to get back at a toxic ex. It’s a lazy plot in my opinion. I’m pretty over the comically evil ex-boyfriend replaced by a man that relieves girlypop of her every chore. I know coming into romance and asking for realism is a bit much, but here we are.

I appreciate the irony of a book advocating for its character to use generative AI only to… stop her from using generative AI. I think you can still consume this ethically if you’re against AI’s use in literature. The book doesn’t denounce it, and it also suggests that it can be a helpful tool to process emotions, but then it…doesn’t use it.

For a smutty book, the sex scenes are pretty tame and generic. I liked the texting sessions. I LOVED the chapter titles. The romance progresses way too quickly. It’s very much insta-love. It’s bonkers to me that he would meet her parents before they even define the relationship. As is typical for these half-baked romances, the characters don’t have hobbies or friends outside of their relationship except for minimal comedic relief. Stalking aside, the MMC has two really gross, red-flag behaviors. He punches a wall and then he says he has contacts he can pay to rape someone in jail. That’s dogshit behavior. I don’t want to see that in a romance book. Do better.

I think the real savior of this story, is the audiobook. The narrators absolutely killed their performances, and I think that’s the best way to consume this story.

I don’t think this is a book you need to rush out and read, but I think if you’re a fan of dark rom-coms in general, this is another notch you can add to your belt.

Who should read this: Silly goofy good time romance fans Stalker romance fans

Ideal reading time: Holiday shopping season

Do I want to reread this: Nah, I’ll remember it.

Would I buy this: I’d get this one from your library.

Similar books:

• He Sees You When You’re Sleeping by Alta Hensley-same book, different font. Dark holiday romance, stalker, revenge
• Lights Out by Navessa Allen-dark rom-com, revenge thriller
• Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver-dark rom-com, revenge thriller
• Willing Prey by Allie Oleander-dark romance, autism
• Artificial by Maria Llovet-graphic novel, dystopian, romance, AI boyfriend
• Albatross by Karlee Berrios-monster romance, revenge thriller, why choose

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Selling Pitch:
Burnt out, messy girls deserve HEAs too. Less rom-com, more weighty dialogue and healing. The MMC’s a normal ass guy for once, and he’s still hot!

Pre-reading: I’m Sam, I love a triple dipper, and I’ve never been so excited to have daddy issues. Hope to feel god in this Chili’s tonight.

I’m so excited I could vomit. And if you’re like Samantha, for why? You didn’t love You, Again. You’re so correct, bestie, but for a book I didn’t absolutely love or even really like, I think about it all the time. I think it was right book, wrong characters.

(obviously potential spoilers from here on) Thick of it: Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize this audiobook was gonna be a masterpiece.

I love camp. I love fourth wall breaking.

Oh fuck, is this book me? Is this book literally me? She’s Polish. She’s supposed to have a PhD and doesn’t. Oh no.

Oh sweet jesus, she is in fact me.

She really said this is a horse book and for child haters, and I said you’re so correct. They can smell fear.

No, because that’s literally the same reasoning I use for not going in public pools.

Did I write this book in some alternate universe? What the fuck. I also can’t see without my contacts.

With a hand kink, ma’am.

I love a funky nose. Oh my god, she wrote this book just for me.

Oh cool, and she works at a restaurant. It’s literally me.

Oh, shut the fuck up. That’s literally where I went to school.

I love this book. I love them. I love everyone in this book so far.

You’re kidding. Can she also not drive? I learned how. I was a good driver. I just can’t now because of the epilepsy.

… I also couldn’t tolerate getting my face wet, but I thought that was just undiagnosed autism.

I would love to go to a PowerPoint party.

I love this book.

Second book in a row with Cormac McCarthy. That’s so funny.

I hope this man proposes with a Bundt cake.

I love this book.

The Gillian Flynn cool girl!

She is me, and it’s actually terrifying. That sounds like a good movie. Broadcast News.

She’s overly literal with trash self-esteem too haha. Oh, we laugh so we don’t cry. I love this book.

And that’s why I’ve always loved a one-shot writing style.

The forced album is the only thing I think of with U2. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to them.

This is a niche pull, but someone took the audio from Tina learning to drive in Bob’s Burgers and slapped it onto a clip of buses and cars crashing after skidding down an icy hill in Montreal and I think about it all the time.

NICK TEACHING HER TO DRIVE IS SO HOT. YOUR HONOR, I’M SORRY. I AM JUST A GIRL.

Chili’s absolutely changes lives. Also, he’s literally made to be a dad. It’s crazy.

Oh god, she’s meeeee.

Dear fuck, she is me. I just don’t have a mom and Perry.

Oh my god, I’m so hungry for those things. Please, god.

Oh, I wish he hadn’t done the raspberry thing. That was very cringe.

I did that with the magnets.

No, because why is a one-handed backup so hot?

No, because she’s literally me, and I do think it might just be whiffs of autism.

… no because that’s also how my brain works. It’s like oh, we don’t have a career, but at least we’re good at the sex!

You can’t just block your coworker, though. You need to tell him that you don’t wanna see him anymore, and then it’s fine.

I’m exactly the same with text messages, oh my god, and I also get the ick from bad texters. That’s so funny.

Have I mentioned I love this book?

Perry is an angel.

Is this technically a Fourth of July holiday book? (Like yes, but you can read it whenever.)

No, I’m completely with Rom on this.

I like how this woman writes sex scenes. She just cranks the tension.

Have I mentioned I fucking love this book?

This book is actually attacking me and it hurts.

Rom-com serial killer sin

What a woman to make my brain play that emotional damage song at the same time that it’s going this is hot!!!

Samantha: I don’t like when men say good girl. I’m not a dog. Also Samantha anytime there’s a “be good” line of dialogue: 💦 On this episode of spot the brat-

This is very Not in Love, and I’m thriving.

Oh my god. That’s it. That’s the dream. Not rushing. Lmao that’s it just bury me out back. This book has ruined me.

I really like them.

OK, the start of the trash room fight-excellent dialogue. The end bit of it-that should’ve been tweaked. I didn’t like that. It was the jokey banter that didn’t work. The emotional stuff had already been worked out, so it’s not like it was tonally wrong. The progression and emotional beats of their relationship and fights are so well done. That bit just got a little cringe.

There’s a lot of New Girl to this.

Oh, that was satisfying dialogue. Fucking read him.

Literally everyone is giving her the best advice. Like these are all very real problems she needs to consider. She needs to get her shit together before she’s with this man.

Perry is fucking wonderful.

I love Perry.

You can replace drawing with writing-like it’s all the same. This is so good.

All the callbacks in this are so good. It’s so thematically tight. Like this is so good.

I love damaged characters. I love this book.

I love this book. I don’t want it to end. Give me 500 more pages actually.

I love that she wrote this for her new relationship, and you can tell a bitch is in love! And also, if it’s not this, I don’t want it!!!

I love this book. Give me a sequel of her continuing to figure her shit out and giving me hope for myself too. Oh my god, I loved this book. Literally nothing I would change about it. No notes.

Post-reading: Pretty rude of her to take my name and my lore. On the one hand, I’m like this is how you do a romance book! And then on the other, I’m like this is not a romance book. This is messy girl fiction. If you come into this expecting an easy read rom com with a single dad trope, you are going to be disappointed. This is not that book. You are getting something so much better.

The characters are so grounded and likable. You root for everyone in this book. The fights and relationship issues are so realistic and relevant to so many people. I love that it’s a book with romance, but the FMC still needs to save herself. It’s a book that agrees you can find your person at any time, but a relationship can only work when you’re in a healthy state.

It’s funny. It’s sexy. I really can’t say enough positive things about it. I don’t think I really have any negatives or things I’m itching to change. If I’m nitpicking, there’s a couple of cringe moments in the story. I didn’t love the raspberry joke, but that’s so minor and so easy to ignore.

I don’t like kids, and I really don’t like kids in books. The single dad trope has never been one of my faves. This book worked so well for me.

I think it’s a must read for any 20-something who feels like they’ve been spinning their wheels or anyone who’s a fan of the romance genre as a whole. We need some more attainable romances. We need books about healthy everyday relationships. This was so excellent, and I can’t wait to pick up her next book!

Who should read this: New Girl fans Burnt out gifted kids Attainable romcom fans

Ideal reading time: Anytime

Do I want to reread this: YUP.

Would I buy this: Absolutely. Beyond thrilled to have gotten the Chili’s jacket preorder.

Similar books:

• Sam by Allegra Goodman-same book, lit fic font. Coming of age, family drama, romance, grief, abuse, addiction
• Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe-lit fic, messy girl fiction, family drama, social commentary, romance, addiction
• A Five-Letter Word for Love by Amy James-contemporary, messy girl fiction, romance
• Passion Project by London Sperry-messy girl fiction, romance, grief
• Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings-contemporary, second chance romance
• Book Lovers by Emily Henry-contemporary romance, family drama
• Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood-contemporary romance, enemies to lovers, autism
• Reckless by Elsie Silver-accidental pregnancy romance, family drama
• Open Wide by Jessica Gross-lit fic, family drama, romance, abuse
• Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin-lit fic, cozy mystery, family drama, queer romance, autism
• Liquid by Mariam Rahmani-lit fic, satire, family drama, romance, retelling
• First-Time Caller by B. K. Borison-contemporary romance, retelling, single mom
• Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson-contemporary, messy girl fiction, family drama, romance, grief, addiction
• The No-Show by Beth O’Leary-contemporary romance, ensemble cast, grief
• Funny Story by Emily Henry-contemporary romance, family drama