Review of Pack of Lies by Charlie Adhara

August 5, 2022 by Roger Hyttinen Leave a Comment

Blurb

Werewolf meets human. Werewolf snubs human. Werewolf loves human?

Julien Doran arrived in sleepy Maudit Falls, North Carolina, with a heart full of hurt and a head full of questions. The key to his brother’s mysterious last days might be found in this tiny town, and now Julien’s amateur investigation is starting to unearth things the locals would rather keep buried.

Perhaps most especially the strange, magnetic manager of a deserted retreat that’s nearly as odd as its staff.

Eli Smith is a lot of things: thief, werewolf, glamour-puss, liar. And now the manager of a haven for rebel pack runaways. He’s spent years cultivating a persona to disguise his origins, but for the first time ever he’s been entrusted with a real responsibility—and he plans to take that seriously.

Even if the handsome tourist who claims to be in town for some R & R is clearly on a hunt for all things paranormal. And hasn’t taken his brooding gaze off Eli since he’s arrived.

When an old skeleton and a fresh corpse turn a grief errand into a murder investigation, the unlikely Eli is the only person Julien can turn to. Trust is hard to come by in a town known for its monsters, but so is time…

Review

Pack of Lies is the first book in a spinoff of the Big Bad Wolf series, which I have not read, so this world was entirely new for me, and this novel can stand on its own.

This is the story of Eli, a snarky werewolf who manages a mountain resort in Maudit Falls, which serves as a safe house for rebel werewolves. Eli is a bit unusual in that he possesses secret shifting abilities that he must keep secret even from his own kind. He encounters Julian, a grieving tourist who is staying at another local resort. We learn that Julian is searching for answers about his brother Rocky’s untimely death and was led to the area by a cryptic message about monsters that Julian found in his brother’s room. Both Eli and Julian are suffering from past trauma and trust issues, making them especially leery of getting too close to the other. Eli fears that Julian would reject him if he learned that Eli was a shifter. And Julian…well, he has his own secrets.

The title in this novel is perfect as there certainly is a plethora of lying going on, so much so that you’re not sure who to believe. I enjoyed how the author slowly revealed each of the character’s pasts, and in so doing, we learn their motivations, their secrets, and what drives them. Both of the characters are mysterious, highly complex, and multi-layered, and I loved how the layers are exposed to the reader a little at a time. I also enjoyed the dual POVs, allowing us to experience the story from each of their perspectives.

The author does an excellent job both with character development and world-building, leading to a compelling and atmospheric story. Additionally, the novel serves up an addicting plot along with a tantalizing mystery to solve. I love the combination of a murder mystery and the paranormal elements of the narrative and enjoyed how Eli and Julian joined forces to do some “sleuthing,” all the while trying to keep their secrets from the other. I enjoyed seeing the evolution of their relationship as the story progressed.

All in all, Pack of Lies is an enthralling read about secrets and murder that pulled me in immediately. It features plenty of snark and humor, twists galore, nail-biting suspense, monster hunting, danger, and sizzling chemistry between our two main characters. I loved the sexual tension and the romantic dynamics between Eli and Julian.

Though this is the first book in the series, the author nicely wrapped up the ending with no cliffhangers while setting up the story for future books. I can’t wait to continue on with the series and see what the author will do with this compelling world. Recommended!

A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book.

This title will be released on August 30, 2022 but you can preorder it HERE.

Review of I Love You Just The Way You Are by Riley Rian

August 5, 2022 by Roger Hyttinen Leave a Comment

Blurb

Kellan, star quarterback and secret manga artist, has fallen hard for Maddie, a trans-girl and Twitch streamer. They’ve gone to school together for years, but Kellan never noticed her until she started presenting as her authentic self. Now she’s all he can think about, even as the rest of his world is crumbling.

But she’s terrified that he’s deluded, not seeing her for who she really is. Will she take a chance and let him in? Will they be able to overcome a cruel society that would rather erase Maddie than accept her? Or will Kellan walk away when the pressure becomes too much?

Written by #OwnVoices transgender author Riley Rian, “I Love You Just the Way You Are” is a timely coming-of-age novel about opening your heart and discovering the power and magic of love.

Review

The story is about Kellan, a high school quarterback and closeted Manga artist who falls for a trans girl and secret Twitch streamer named Maddie. Maddie has just started presenting as female, and Kellan, who has always identified as heterosexual, has fallen hard for Maddie. Maddie, however, is not convinced and doesn’t trust Kellan’s intentions or his declarations. But Kellan is determined to convince her that his feelings are genuine and that he likes her just the way she is. Not only that, he’ll need to convince Maddie that he will not cave to outside pressure — neither from his peers nor his parents.

This was a beautiful story written by an #ownvoices trans author about the metamorphosis of two young people who have chosen to stand up for themselves and live an authentic life — and obtain happiness in the process. The author did a superb job of illustrating the struggles, anxieties, experiences, and ups & downs of a young trans girl, and I enjoyed journeying along with Maddie throughout the novel. This was not only a lovely coming-of-age story but also a transgender romance one. I loved watching the beginnings of Maddie’s and Kellan’s romance, especially how he finally wins her over and convinces her that his feelings are genuine. It warmed my heart how he defended her and demonstrated his love for her time and time again. In this way, this was a story of self-discovery and self-growth for both of them. This book is all about casting off shame and stigma.

Additionally, I appreciated the real-life insight into transgender transitioning and felt that the novel provided essential insight into the difficulties and challenges that transgender people face. And though there was that aspect to it, it was also a heart-warming love story that brought tears to my eyes.

All in all, I adored this warm and embracing story and felt that not only were Maddie and Kellan relatable characters, but they were also compelling and engaging ones, both with their hidden hobbies/interests and as well as the demons they each are facing. A joyous and hopeful novel that worked on so many different levels for me, and I look forward to what this author will come up with next. Recommended!

Purchase I Love You Just the Way You Are from Amazon

Review of Flipping by R. Lee Fryar

July 27, 2022 by Roger Hyttinen Leave a Comment

Blurb

Charley Dalton died a homeless man. He’s not about to be a homeless ghost.

When Charley’s haunted house passes into the hands of psychic house flipper, Austin Sparks, Charley promises himself and the ghosts he lives with that he’ll haunt overtime to get rid of the threat. Once people start pulling up carpets and tearing down walls, a haunted house is doomed.

Charley devises a plan to scare Austin off for good. But Austin Sparks doesn’t scare easily. Worse, he’s sexy as hell, and soon Charley has a bigger problem than failed plans. He’s got the hots for the enemy.

But forbidden romance isn’t part of a ghost’s happily-ever-afterlife.

Review

I’m a sucker for a queer ghost romance, so I was excited when this one came to my attention. It ended up being much more than I thought it would.

It follows Charley, who died of food poisoning and now lives a peaceful life with his ghost family — peaceful, that is until his house passes into the hands of house flipper Austin Sparks. Once Austin begins renovations, the ghosts decide that something has to be done to stop them; otherwise, their futures will be doomed. Charley takes the initiative and promises the others that he will rid the house of the intruders. But, of course, things don’t quite go according to plan, especially once Charley begins to fall for Austin.

I adored the characterization in this story. Both Charlie and Austin were relatable, complex, and well drawn-out, and I soon found myself rooting for both of them. The slow-burn romance was well done and believable, and I found the relationship between Charlie and Austin to be exceptionally moving.

Additionally, the world-building was phenomenal, and the novel gave the reader a vivid sense of place, making me feel as though I were in the house right along with the characters. It was ripping with atmosphere, which immediately drew me in. The author also gives us several riveting secondary characters, a couple of which played an integral part in the storyline, especially once an entirely new and surprising storyline develops. As the story went, I put together a couple of pieces, but I didn’t pick up on the huge curveball towards the end.

I also enjoyed how the house itself took care of the ghosts, which proved to be quite a unique take on the classic haunted house ghost story. All in all, I loved everything about this story: the setting, characters, the wry humor, the tender romantic relationship, the relationships between the ghosts, and the plot line. It had me smiling one moment and tearing up the next. What I especially enjoyed was how lighthearted, and funny this book was, even when it was deeply touching.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.

Buy Flipping on Amazon

Review of Call Me Methuselah by R.G. Hendrickson

July 4, 2022 by Roger Hyttinen Leave a Comment

Blurb

Since humanity’s first steps in the Stone Age, Methuselah has harbored an ancient secret. Cursed by the shaman to witness the end of days, he searches in vain for a home, place to place, clan to clan, yearning to belong. First in prehistoric Africa and lately disillusioned with love for a hundred years in the New World, he learns all too well to guard his heart and hide his story. That changes when a car crash lands him in the hospital with a fractured skull. Doctors discover strange stem cells in his blood, promising cures and a fountain of youth. Methuselah faces choices of life and death.

Forced on the run again, he comforts himself by reliving a happier time, when he and Arrow, his first love, raft across the paleo-lake Makgadikgadi, which rested in those days on the vast Kalahari. In their age-old journey, the cavemen lovers find a place to call home and learn what it means to belong.

While Arrow’s enlightened sensibilities get the two of them in trouble and challenge Methuselah’s judgment, their adventures in an untamed world bring them together. When Methuselah’s enduring youth reveals itself through the passing seasons, he and Arrow bravely face a dire reality.

From the distant past that lives inside Methuselah, Arrow’s spirit reaches out, providing guidance for our threatened times. He gives Methuselah the strength to do the right thing and the courage to live his true self in the modern world. Arrow’s memory opens Methuselah’s heart and renews for him a hope of redemption in the arms of a caring man today. If only Methuselah permits himself to love once more.

Review

I tend to love stories featuring immortal main characters, and this one about a young man called Diver who is cursed by a shaman to “see the end of days” was exceptionally enjoyable. The author does an excellent job at illustrating the difficulties of being immortal: having to move every couple of decades because you never age, having to end relationships before they find out the truth, unscrupulous doctors/clinics who would be eager to experiment on you, finding someone trustworthy to obtain fake identification documents and the difficulty in obtaining such documents in these modern, digital times where cameras are everywhere.

After a car accident jarred his brain, memories that our main character has kept buried for years (millennia even?) are now clamoring for his attention as he has an insatiable urge to write down his life story. So he does and gives us this book — a complete account of how he met the love of his life, how he became immortal, and how he survived the stone age as a “man who loves men.”

I loved how the author expertly combined the distant past with the present to tell a cohesive story of Diver’s life and love for Arrow. Through it, we see Diver’s failings and imperfections, as well as his deep love for the boy he once saved from drowning. In fact, during their scenes together, the sexual tension and energy between these two vibrates the pages. It warmed my heart to see their love thrive even when Arrow’s hair turned gray, and Diver’s did not. Their love remained firm despite the ‘age difference’ and living in a world where they often had to hide their love.

It was heartbreaking at times to journey with Diver, and he tried to find his place in the world, especially in the early years when it was nearly impossible to move to an island or community that was already inhabited without marrying one of the women. This theme of “trying to find one’s place in the world” still continues in the present day as he is constantly on the move because of his inability to age and his need to stay in the shadows. In this way, the novel asks many complex questions about death, trust, and loneliness and provides plenty to ruminate about after the story ends.

This book took my breath away. What gorgeous writing, and what a lovely story! I loved both Diver and Arrow. The emotional depth of Diver’s story drew me deeply into his spirit, to the point that his pain was my pain, his isolation, my isolation, and his joy was my joy. Perhaps the reason this book works so well, the writing, the characters, and the plot, is because it engages readers so quickly, and the story engaged me right away.

I absolutely adored this little gem of a novel that totally stole my heart, and I would definitely read more by this author.

Purchase Call Me Methuselah from Amazon.

Review of Look Closer by David Ellis

July 3, 2022 by Roger Hyttinen Leave a Comment

Blurb

Simon and Vicky couldn’t seem more normal: a wealthy Chicago couple, he a respected law professor, she an advocate for domestic violence victims. A stable, if unexciting marriage. But one thing’s for sure … absolutely nothing is what it seems. The pair are far from normal, and one of them just may be a killer.

When the body of a beautiful socialite is found hanging in a mansion in a nearby suburb, Simon and Vicky’s secrets begin to unravel. A secret whirlwind affair. A twenty-million-dollar trust fund about to come due. A decades-long grudge and obsession with revenge. These are just a few of the lies that make up the complex web…and they will have devastating consequences. And while both Vicky and Simon are liars, just who exactly is conning who?

Part Gone Girl, part Strangers on a Train, Look Closer is a wild rollercoaster of a read that will have you questioning everything you think you know.

Review

This was probably one of the twistiest books I’ve ever read, and because of that, I really can’t say too much about the plot without delving into spoiler territory.

So many times, I thought I figured it all out, only to discover that I was utterly wrong once again. This is one of those stories where nothing is as it seems, nobody is who they seem….hell, nobody even is who they claim to be. I learned pretty quickly that I couldn’t trust anyone in the story as every character was manipulative, devious, and conniving, which made the novel devilishly delightful. So many secrets….so many lies. After a while, I wasn’t quite sure who I should be rooting for.

The suspense in the story is unrelenting. This is one of those edge-of-your-seat thrillers that keeps your heart pounding as you turn the page. There is so much going on here with murder, infidelity, thievery, huge lies, betrayal, enormous secrets, hidden identities, and more — an intricately plotted web of misdirection and secrets. The author is a master of meticulous plotting, that’s for sure.

This book restored my faith in domestic thrillers. I’d stopped reading them for a while because so many of them were predictable and underwhelming. Not this one! It is one of the least predictable thrillers I’ve ever read. Told from multiple perspectives and multiple timelines, the relationship dynamics between the characters are incredibly complex. It is one of those books where you must pay careful attention as you read, as there are so many moving parts. But the payoff is definitely worth it. It is so deliciously sinister!

Look Closer is a thrilling, topsy-turvy mind-blowing ride from start to finish, with intersecting plot lines from both timelines, phenomenal characters, and so much suspense that you’ll be flying through the pages. It’s an utterly satisfying read — the kind where I had to lean back and attempt to catch my breath after I turned the last page. It’s so addicting that you need to finish almost as soon as you begin. David Ellis is a new author for me (how did I not know about him????), and I now plan on reading all his work. It’s been a while since I’ve given a thriller five stars, but this one gets all of them!

A huge thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy of this book.

Review of Taproot by Keezy Young

June 29, 2022 by Roger Hyttinen Leave a Comment

Blurb:

Blue is having a hard time moving on. He’s in love with his best friend. He’s also dead. Luckily, Hamal can see ghosts, leaving Blue free to haunt him to his heart’s content. But something eerie is happening in town, leaving the local afterlife unsettled, and when Blue realizes Hamal’s strange ability may be putting him in danger, Blue has to find a way to protect him, even if it means… leaving him.

Review

What a fun, sweet little paranormal romance this was! The story follows Hamal, a young gardener who sees ghosts, and one of the ghosts who has attached himself to Hamal is a young man named Blue. It doesn’t take long for Blue to start falling for Hamal. But things turn a bit dangerous when Hamal’s ability catches the attention of an otherworldly being.

Though there was a tinge of horror to the story, it was mostly a sweet queer love story that I ended up loving. The art is quite stunning, and I loved how the author seamlessly combined words and pictures into such a delightful yet layered narrative that ended up being surprisingly profound. Young is a skillful artist, and the way in which they manage to show, capture and evoke emotions via their panels is impressive. I also thought the whimsical art did a lovely job of being appropriately atmospheric and expressive through the green and blue color palette (and the grey and brown color palette when the story becomes a bit scarier). The diverse characters were an added plus.

All in all, this was an incredibly moving, meaningful, and beautiful story with an ultra-sweet narrative that I loved. I hope the author creates other stories set in this world.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.