**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.** K Ancrum returns with a YA queer romantic thriller in The Corruption of Hollis Brown. Titular character Hollis is stuck going no where fast in a worn down small town with few options. A dash of possession adds a bit of interest to his days after he inadvertently strikes a crossroads deal with Walt Eidelman, who died at age 17 in 1931. Walt is a local guy and is shocked to learn that his home is haunted and might be tied to the circumstances leading him to share a body with Hollis. But so much time together with no true barriers between Hollis and Walt leads to stronger feelings and Hollis' friends are certain that something is off with him. Hollis has to save the town from whatever is cursing it while not accidentally getting Walt exorcized. This is K Ancrum's writing a la The Wicker King and Icarus, and it is so much fun. Content warnings for mental health discussions and suicidal ideation as well as descriptions of violence. This story is basically exactly as described in the synopsis. The actual journey to achieving those things and the execution of the plot points is what makes this story successful. As with previous Ancrum books, chapters that are very short are used to push the action forward at a steady, driving pace. This book adds in some fun recipes as well. I would happily recommend this to anyone interested based off of the synopsis and look forward to whatever Ancrum puts out next.

MM military romance between squad leader and his right hand man that sparks into love after they've been blown up on mission and medically retired. Every trigger associated with that and with recovery, but Riley handled the topics with so much grace and by keeping it real. Riley used sensitivity readers and it absolutely paid off here. Couldn't ask for anything more from this type of book.

All of FT Lukens' books are cute, light-hearted YA fantasy romance types, and this was exactly what I have come to expect from them. Loved that this incorporated an enby MC. Good fun and gorgeous cover.

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. ** Lynn Hutchinson Lee presents Origins of Desire in Orchid Fens, a literary magical realism story written in mini-vignettes. Readers follow Orchid through her life as a member of the Romany diaspora who has settled in Canada. Orchid speaks with the rusalka of the orchid fens about how they have been wronged by society. Orchid lives alongside people of the First Nations as they go to town meetings to argue against mining in their cultural fishing grounds. Each chapter is a small snapshot of Orchid's life and the everyday magic and tragedies side by side within it. This was 100% my bad. I'm not a literary magical realism reader on purpose. It isn't for me. I recognize the writing is right there where it should be for genre conventions and this slice-of-life story makes perfect sense within those parameters. I was expecting heavier horror components given that this was in the literary horror shelves on NetGalley and was excited to read something with Romany perspective. Also, the cover is completely stunning and drew me straight in. Definitely recommend this story to fans of literary magical realism and appreciate the opportunity to read it early.