Recent Reads #37

Last year, I renamed ‘Weekly’ Wrap-Ups to Recent Reads, as I feel like that reflects the timescale between posts more accurately!

As ever, today I will be briefly reviewing all the books I’ve read since my last post in approximately fifty words. This post also explains my concept of ‘The Chosen Ones’ to highlight my favourite books in each post!

1. Seven Endless Forests by April Genevieve Tucholke 🧠

Seven Endless Forests is a brilliantly crafted fantasy that pays homage to its inspiration, while always feeling fresh and new. Tucholke writes with such grace and inherent beauty to her words. Her language is gorgeously lyrical, imagine and evocative, almost putting you under a spell that you cannot seem to break out of. Full review here. Four stars.

2. Harrow Lake by Kat Ellis 🧠

Firstly, this is the sort of book you want to go into knowing very little, which obviously raises some difficulties for reviewing! However, I can confirm that this is an utterly unsettling, haunting book that is stepped in small town atmosphere and plays brilliantly with your nerves. Full review here. Five stars.

3. Here Lie The Secrets by Emma Young 🧠 ⭐️ 🏳️‍🌈

This was a quietly haunting mystery that I found myself slowly entranced by. I really loved Young’s exploration of grief and parapsychology, which I found to be a fascinating topic. The romance felt really natural and I loved how a lot of it explored the power of memory, with the gradual unravelling of both mysterious plot lines. Full review here. Four stars.

4. Camp by L. C. Rosen 🧠 ⭐️ 🏳️‍🌈

Rosen unpacks so many important topics in a really well-executed manner, particularly toxic masculinity in the LGBT+ community and feigned acceptance. I loved so many of the side characters and the general atmosphere of acceptance and support. Full review here. Four stars.

5. Seafire by Natalie C Parker ⭐️

I really enjoyed the action-packed nature of this book, the fight scenes were such fun to read. Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable read with themes of sisterhood and empowering women, which I really liked. I’ll definitely be reserving the sequel from my local library when I can. Three and a half stars.

6. Hideous Beauty by William Hussey 🧠 ⭐️ 🏳️‍🌈

I absolutely loved this LGBT+ mystery that’s packed full of heart and power. It achieved the rare feat of actually making me cry over a book and I just connected with it so strongly. Five stars. Full review and Q & A are now up!

7. Little Creeping Things by Chelsea Ichaso 🧠 ⭐️

This was yet another brilliant mystery that I found myself entangled in. I loved Cassidy’s voice and how I never really felt like I could trust her. Ichaso really weaves an intriguing storyline, with some excellent twists along the way. Review here. Four stars.