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Review: The Borrow a Boyfriend Club

June 20, 2024June 7, 2024by ZaheerahLeave a Comment

*I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book.*

Note: This review was partially written back in January 2024. I am currently working through my backlog of reviews that need to be written.

In an attempt to make a fresh start at school, trans teen Noah joins the elusive Borrow a Boyfriend Club, where members rent themselves out to their classmates for dates and relationship advice.

[cues the opening to Ouran High School Host Club]

Noah wants to be acknowledged as a boy amongst his peers. When he discovers that his new school’s club is masquerading as a rent-a-boyfriend service to him, it seems like the best chance to show everyone who he truly is. After he fails his interview, Noah strikes a deal with the club’s president, Asher. He’ll help out the club with its funding issues, and in exchange, Asher will allow Noah to prove his boyfriend skills in a series of tests that include romancing Asher himself. But when fake turns to real, Noah risks breaking apart the club for a chance at love.

Up front, this plot is going to sound absolutely ridiculous to a lot of readers. And in a way, it is. Luckily, I’ve read my fair share of webtoons with plots that make this seem relatively tame in comparison. The Borrow a Boyfriend Club is sweet, wholesome, and fun. It’s a definite cosy read – where the stakes aren’t so high, but the teen drama is there. It has all the hallmarks for a fun read to recommend to any younger reader.

Noah’s journey made me feel super emotional. He spends much of the book worrying about what people think of him, desperate to find a space to be himself. While his family is accepting, there is always something in the back of his mind, and while the plot might sound ridiculous when you’re sixteen, everything feels much bigger than it is. Powars has encapsulated the feeling of teen dread as Noah grows desperate to keep the new friends he has found amongst the club – members and patrons alike. But when he reaches that moment of clarity, he feels like he is enough – it was a scene I knew would be empowering for so many teen readers.

Overall, I recommend The Borrow a Boyfriend Club for any teen readers. While some may find the plot absurd, at its core, it is a fun queer coming-of-age story with a great deal of humour and a whole load of love. Powars has written something marvellous for younger readers.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR

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Review: Bookshops & Bonedust

June 17, 2024June 7, 2024by ZaheerahLeave a Comment

*I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book.*

In this prequel to Legends & Lattes, young Viv’s journey with the mercenary company Rackam’s Raven is at a halt due to an injury, and she is forced to recuperate in the beach town of Murk. So far and so quiet from the life she’s always known that she worries if her company will ever return. But Murk isn’t as peaceful as it seems. Viv becomes acquainted with its local enforcement, a bookshop owner, and a baker. And while she might be far away from the battle, it appears that the action might not be far from the shores of Murk.

When I learnt the next in this series to be published was a prequel, I was almost disappointed. I was eager to see more of the future of the world that Baldree created in Legends & Latte. Still, after finishing Bookshop & Bonedust, I came to appreciate the decision of a prequel. Watching a younger, more tenacious Viv navigate her new life in Murk was a lot of fun! Again, despite her gruff nature, Viv can’t help but collect the most exciting group of friends possible. Viv isn’t a reader, or so she thinks when she becomes a budding bibliophile at the request of Fern, a rattkin bookseller who clearly does her job well. The story even shares excerpts from the book Viv is reading, which almost makes you sad that they aren’t fully published stories. As an appreciation for the books, Viv ends up helping Fern fix the dying bookstore to give it the new lease of life it sorely needs. In the same line as Legends, this quickly grows into another ragtag group of new and unexpected friends. Some readers might be disappointed as it can feel like a rehash of the first book. But Legends was much more low-key, while Bookshop leans more into the adventure and a lot more action than the first. Much higher stakes but still retains that cosy and mysterious vibe most readers of the first should be happy to see again here.

While a prequel, this can be read before or after Legends; you’ll either find the ending bittersweet, knowing Viv must leave these friends for her story to continue, or find yourself anticipating the next step in her journey. Regardless, Bookshop & Bonedust is a satisfying addition to a series that is growing to become a favourite of mine.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR

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Review: A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch

June 10, 2024June 7, 2024by ZaheerahLeave a Comment

*I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book.*

Note: This review was written back in November 2023. I am currently working through my backlog of reviews that need to be written.

Not even twelve hours after defeating Astaroth the demon in battle, Calladia Cunnington finds herself helping the monster that went after her best friend as she discovers he no longer remembers who he is. And now the two of them are being chased by one of the worst demons in hell. Astaroth, desperate to recall his memories, doesn’t understand why Calladia hates him, and he can barely understand why she is even helping, but he knows something that could turn the tide in hell to protect its residents; he just needs to remember. The two set off on an unlikely road trip that will surprise them both.

I don’t know if I’m still on the high of playing Baldur’s Gate 3, but this book is definitely for the girlies who spent £50 on a game because they thought the immortal white-haired man was good-looking. (….)

A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch is a silly, light-hearted read. (And I mean that in a loving way.) For the most part, this is a ridiculously entertaining book to read. We know from the previous book that Calladia and Astaroth both have apparent family issues, and it was hilarious to see them butt heads in this as they work together to regain Astaroth’s memories. I was hesitant about the romance simply because they moved quickly, but their chemistry was a lot of fun. However, Astaroth’s whole schtick of being a British demon with an apparent ‘posh accent’ got boring quickly – I don’t think the reader needed to be reminded so much that he’s speaking with received pronunciation. We are already told through his character building in the story. Again, this series is meant to be light-hearted and easy to read, which it was. There were bits I found a little awkward, but that is just my preference when it comes to romance, and readers who lean more into paranormal romance will definitely enjoy this sequel.

Overall, A Demon’s Guide was a good laugh, and sometimes you need just a simple book about a witch and demon overthrowing hell together. (Now, about that next one in the series about a succubus and a flower shop owner….)

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR

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Review: Mammoths at the Gates (The Singing Hills Cycle, #4)

November 14, 2023November 7, 2023by ZaheerahLeave a Comment

*I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book.*

Cleric Chih returns home for the first time in years only to discover their mentor has passed away and his granddaughters are threatening the safety of the Singing Hills Abbey to retrieve his body. Chih must work quickly to honour their mentor’s life while stopping the mammoths at the gates from destroying everything the clerics have worked for all these years.

While the author notes that the series may be read in any given order, each release can be considered its entry point; Mammoths at the Gate feels like such a brilliant story that fits easily as the middle story of Chih’s journey. (We are, thankfully, getting more from Cleric Chih. I don’t think I’m ready to let them go yet.)

Chih has turned home for the first time in almost three years. However, the Abbey is silent as ever, as most of the clerics are elsewhere, and the few left are undoubtedly incapable of handling the giant mammoths that could trample them in seconds. Chih barely has time to truly mourn their mentor as they are spurned to stop the war at their doorstep. But Chih isn’t the only one mourning. The mammoths are controlled by the granddaughters of their mentor, Cleric Thein, the family that he left behind once he joined the singing hills, the other clerics, some old friends of Chih, some new, and not to mention Cleric Thein’s hoopoe companion, Myriad Virtues.

Life and death and how it is passed through stories is the core element of this series, and Chih is now a character instead of a bystander this time around. This novella deals tightly with grief and change, and Mammoths at the Gate is emotional and heartfelt. Sure, Chih has shown emotions, but seeing them return to their home, to their familiar surroundings and realising how much has changed in the time they were gone felt so much more affecting.

As clerics, they understand how memory is a fickle thing, and how it used to remember the life of Cleric Thein before and after his time as a cleric was an excellent way to touch upon the topic of grief and the grieving process. His granddaughters recall a much different person than Chih, but it doesn’t mean their perspective is wrong; it reminds them that the world is constantly changing. The stories about you, too, can affect people differently. All in all, this is my favourite entry in the series so far. Simply well done and beautiful.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR

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Review: All These Sunken Souls: A Black Horror Anthology

October 17, 2023October 17, 2023by ZaheerahLeave a Comment

*I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book.*

All These Sunken Souls features short horror stories from bestselling authors to rising new authors. I was super excited to read this anthology, featuring some authors whose work I’ve previously enjoyed to some new (to me) faces that I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for. This anthology kicks off so strong, and I was thoroughly enjoying each new story, however, I felt towards the end, it really lost steam. Rating anthologies is somewhat tricky because while I put the overall book at three stars, some of these pieces are 5-star quality.

Some of the standout pieces include:

Kalynn Bayron starts the anthology with a thrilling piece about a monster eager to satisfy its need to kill and finds its match in its newest victim. This one threw me off in the best way possible. It was such an unexpected ending and was the best choice to begin with.

Ashia Monet’s haunting tale about a mysterious entity that arrives at a church. I liked how this one dealt with religious hypocrisy, and the visuals in this short were one of the best. I was not the biggest fan of Monet’s debut, but this one was spectacular.

All My Best Friends Are Dead by Liselle Sambury. 10/10. My favourite. It reminded me of those late 90s/early 2000s teen shows that had always had one Halloween/horror episode in their lineup. But with actual horror and not sanitised for a young audience.

Papa Pearlie by Ryan Douglass. A young man joins his family gathering, headed by the patriarch of his family and discovers a secret that followed his family for years. I was a bit unsure at the start, but by the end, this was the story that made me put down my phone at 1 a.m. and forced me to sleep. So creepy; I loved it.

Overall, there are many more I could praise. Still, there are also many which were disappointing and the general feeling I had regarding them was that they all had excellent ideas and thrilling concepts. The execution of them is where I found myself almost skipping to the next story. But the ones that I did enjoy were some fantastic and frightening reads.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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Review: Arthur and Teddy Are Coming Out

July 26, 2023July 24, 2023by ZaheerahLeave a Comment

*I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book.*

When Arthur Edwards decides to come out to his family, he is unprepared for the bombshell it brings to his family and community. His grandson, Teddy, yearns to come out but, after seeing the reaction to his grandfather, finds himself stepping back into his shell as he struggles to juggle his internship and his growing feelings for his colleague, Ben.

After almost 80 years of being in the closet, Arthur decides he can no longer keep his sexuality a secret and decides to confide in his children, which causes a dramatic effect on his community, especially his grandson, who is also contemplating the same thing. I adored Arthur and Teddy’s bond throughout the story. Both grappling with the same feelings and emotions in different life stages made this a rather emotional read. In alternating narratives, Arthur comes to terms with his past, while Teddy works to understand his future, both striving to find peace in their lives. This book’s promotions emphasise the feel-good humour, which hit the feel-good spot, but I don’t think the comedic aspects hit the correct mark.

Honestly, Arthur’s story was the better half of this tale. I enjoyed the back and forth between grandfather and grandson, as the story highlights how coming out is never a definitive time; it can and should be done when the person feels most comfortable doing so. Teddy’s entire narrative was sort of soiled when I realised his story is mainly him complaining about being a nepo baby and being upset when people rightfully call him out on it. I had anticipated a moment where he acknowledges it and grows from that oddly selfish attitude, but he spends most of that time being coddled by his friends and then being harsh to Ben for no reason, even when they start dating. Ben does go on to do something horrible, but it’s all for the plot’s sake because there is no way anyone would be rooting for Teddy until then. Also, Elizabeth, Arthur’s daughter and Teddy’s mother acted so appalling towards her father and son that I was surprised that the story allows her to be forgiven so easily, which I assumed was for a more wholesome ending.

Overall, Arthur and Teddy Are Coming Out was a delightful story with a lovely premise, but I did have mixed feelings about Teddy, which soured his half of the story. Nonetheless, it is a story of finding oneself regardless of the life stage I believe will find its place in other people’s hearts.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR

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