The Booksessed

The Cross by Steve Cavanagh My rating: 3 of 5 stars View all my reviews

The Need by Megan Mostyn-Brown My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Final Cut by Amy James My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Flink gutt by Alexander Kielland Krag My rating: 5 of 5 stars ✨ View all my reviews

Solace House by Will Maclean My rating: 4 of 5 stars ✨ View all my reviews

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas My rating: 3 of 5 stars ✨ ❄️ View all my reviews

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas My rating: 3 of 5 stars ✨ ❄️ View all my reviews

Verity by Colleen Hoover My rating: 4 of 5 stars ✨ View all my reviews

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas My rating: 4 of 5 stars ✨ View all my reviews

The Defense by Steve Cavanagh My rating: 4 of 5 stars ⚖️ View all my reviews

Fruit Fly by Josh Silver My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

A Parade of Horribles by Matt Dinniman My rating: 4 of 5 stars I’ve finished the last book published in this amazing series by Matt Dinniman, which has surprised me from the very beginning. The latest installment dives straight into the tenth floor and the remnants of the previous books. After finishing it, I’m left with mixed feelings overall. I enjoyed it, but not as much as the other installments, except perhaps the second book, which might be the one I liked the least. Considering all that happened in the previous book, I felt the intensity of the situation was built up by slowing things down, when I expected it to elevate even more. The last chapters of this book were my favorites, and a lot happened in those few pages towards and in the end. I’m still incredibly excited for the ninth installment, but I need him to up the ante. I still love all the characters and secretly miss one who isn’t featured in this book (due to reasons that are a spoile...

This Inevitable Ruin by Matt Dinniman My rating: 5 of 5 stars I finished the seventh book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series yesterday, and it was fantastic. While the pacing slowed down at times, it served to set up some major plot developments for the final installments. There is a lot happening in this book, from faction wars to intricate side plots. It felt much more emotional than previous entries because the stakes are incredibly high, and it's easy to be fully immersed in the characters' journeys. The interludes featuring previous cookbook owners were a wonderful addition, offering a nice break from the main storyline without spoiling anything. Despite the heavy stakes, the book is still filled with joy and the series' trademark ridiculous humor. It was also fascinating to delve deeper into the political environment and the inner workings of the Borant syndicate. Matt Dinniman paced these revelations perfectly; introducing this com...

Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman My rating: 4 of 5 stars The second book of Dungeon Crawler Carl picks up right where the first left off, slowing down just a bit to let us fully absorb the third level of the dungeon. The story continues to elevate the stakes, introducing new characters alongside familiar faces. I still absolutely adore Carl and Princess Donut—and honestly, I might be developing a massive crush on Carl. Anyone who knows the end sequence knows exactly what I'm talking about! The excitement surrounding their class choices was fantastic, and getting to know their dinosaur pet was an absolute blast. I swallowed this book whole just like the first one. It absolutely maintains the ridiculousness and humor of the original, though the first section is a bit more focused on explaining how these special floors work in practice. While I found the setup for the new level dragged just a little, the pace picked up fast. I just thin...

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book was a ridiculous read that grasped me right away. The characters are unbelievably amazing from every angle—this is just the type of book that is done right. It’s so different from anything else I’ve read. While it reminded me of Ready Player One, it still completely caught me by surprise. It’s filled with so many hilarious scenes and dialogue, and the connection between Carl and Princess Donut was just out of this world. The author didn't waste any time at all; the progression of the story was non-stop in the best possible way. This is the type of book that is so extremely dumb at times that it’s iconic. It’s incredibly well-written and interesting, and all the characters we meet are done right from beginning to end. The humor had me gagging out loud several times, and I literally could not put it down. It’s been a long time since a book grabbed me the way this one did, so it...

The Midnight Train by Matt Haig My rating: 4 of 5 stars When I started this book, I wondered how it would differ from The Midnight Library. It definitely takes a unique approach to the space between life and death, exploring it after the main character Wilbur has already passed away. The story reflects on life's decisions—the good, the bad, and the ugly—using a train as a vehicle to revisit different years of the protagonist's life. I really enjoyed this book. It has a similar vibe to The Midnight Library but tells a completely different story. While I might have liked it slightly less than the first book, it was still highly enjoyable and easily deserves four stars. It’s a fast-paced read where things happen quickly, offering an interesting take on trying to make things right in one's own life. The characters were great, though the woman on the train with him felt a bit distant to me. Despite being a central figure, she felt almost like ...

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Midnight Library is a book I’ve come across several times before finally picking it up. I went in blindly, as I usually do, and it was captivating right from the get-go. The premise is beautiful. It’s the type of book that makes you think about life, choices, and all the "what ifs." Overall, finishing it left me feeling more hopeful than when I started. The author does an incredible job of making the reader truly grasp these ideas, leaving you feeling mentally changed by the end. That is a true art form. I would give this book 4.5 stars. While it may not be the most epic story I’ve ever read, it is incredibly comforting. At the same time, it really makes you think. I loved the protagonist, the librarian, and all the side characters. The writing was easy to follow and very accessible. I would definitely recommend this book to others, and I've already been talking a lot about i...

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden My rating: 4 of 5 stars While Dear Debbie was occasionally predictable, I really enjoyed the premise and how the plot progressed. The shifting perspectives were a bit confusing at first, but once I settled in, I was completely hooked. I'm an avid fan of Freida McFadden, though I'd love to see her branch out from her usual themes and try something completely unexpected in the future. It would be fascinating to see her experiment a bit more with her storytelling. Rumor has it we're getting another book from her later this year, and I'm genuinely excited to check it out. Overall, I consider this her best book of the year so far. View all my reviews

The Divorce by Freida McFadden My rating: 3 of 5 stars This feels like a classic Freida McFadden book -it didn't wildly surprise me, and it felt a bit like something I've read before. While there were some really good sections, it wasn't quite enough to make it a four-star read for me. The characters were somewhat flawed and not too interesting, and the ending was fairly predictable. I really wish the author had given us something a bit more unique, especially since I found the protagonist kind of annoying. View all my reviews

Beneath a Broken Sky by Joshua Moehling My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Beneath a Broken Sky by Joshua Moehling My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

A Long Time Gone by Joshua Moehling My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Where the Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews

That's What Friends Are For by Wade Rouse My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

John of John by Douglas Stuart My rating: 5 of 5 stars Rating: 4.75 ★ John of John is a brutal, beautiful little punch to the gut. It follows Cal, a young gay man who’s run out of money at uni and has to move back home to the Isle of Harris, into the house—and orbit—of his father, John, a deeply religious crofter who loves him and hurts him in the same breath. Around them, you get this whole web of island life: Ella, Cal’s iconic, vulgar, half‑Gaelic grandmother; Doll, the friend he left behind; Innes, John’s steady neighbour who sees more than he says; and the shadow of Cal’s mother, Grace, who isn’t there but is everywhere. The writing is honestly stunning. The Gaelic, the Free Church atmosphere, the crofting, the gossip networks—it’s dense, sometimes a bit of work to follow, but it feels so lived‑in and specific that you just sink into it. Stuart never over‑explains. He lets tiny details, dialogue, and body language do the heavy lifting, and it’...

Marooned by Ben Chalfin My rating: 3 of 5 stars Rating: 2.75 ⭐ (rounded to 3 ⭐ on platforms without half-stars) Marooned is a contemporary LGBTQ+ romance set on a reality competition show in the vein of Survivor. The premise is fun: Ryan Levine enters the game determined to win the million-dollar prize at any cost, but his plans are derailed when he meets Cole Walker, a charming and distractingly attractive tribemate. What follows is a mix of strategic gameplay, budding romance, and survival challenges on a deserted island. The setup has real potential. A queer romance unfolding amid the chaos of a reality competition should be compelling, and there are moments where it works. The romance between Ryan and Cole has sweet, tender beats that provide some genuine emotional highlights. There are also some fun structural choices that shake things up and keep the story from becoming too stagnant. However, the execution falls short in several key areas...

The Disaster Gay Detective Agency by Lev A.C. Rosen My rating: 4 of 5 stars Rating: 4 ⭐ The Disaster Gay Detective Agency is a refreshingly fun and chaotic queer mystery that follows four messy, lovable friends—Brandon, Ollie, Nicole, and Ian—as they stumble into a murder investigation after Brandon's one-night stand with a hotel guest named Jon turns into something far more dangerous. The book switches between four character perspectives, and for the most part, the narrative juggling works beautifully. Each character feels vivid and fully realized with their own messy lives, struggles, and growth arcs. Brandon is the hopeless romantic who falls hard and fast (sometimes frustratingly so). Ollie, a trans man dealing with grief and loneliness, became my absolute favorite—his emotional depth and relatability hit close to home. Nicole is the overworked lawyer sacrificing her present for a future that keeps slipping away. And Ian, a nonbinary dr...

Want to Know a Secret? by Freida McFadden My rating: 4 of 5 stars Rating: 4.5 ⭐ Want to Know a Secret? is a compulsively readable suburban thriller that feels like Desperate Housewives with extra darkness and suspense. Freida McFadden drops you into a picture-perfect neighborhood where every house hides something, and no one is as innocent as they appear. We follow April Masterson, a YouTube baker with a seemingly perfect life—successful channel, devoted husband, sweet son, and a curated suburban existence. When she starts receiving anonymous text messages threatening to expose her secrets, the façade begins to crack. From there, the story spirals into affairs, manipulation, and murder, all set against PTA meetings, book clubs, and carefully manicured lawns. What really worked for me was how layered and morally gray every character is. April’s obsessive need to please and her perfectly polished online persona immediately feel just a bit “off....

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides My rating: 3 of 5 stars The Maidens is a gripping psychological thriller that pulls you in from the very first page. Alex Michaelides delivers a fast-paced mystery centered around a prestigious Oxford college where a group of young women fall victim to a charismatic and enigmatic professor. The atmosphere is tense and intriguing, keeping you engaged throughout. The protagonist, Mariana, is a complex and compelling character. As a psychotherapist, she brings depth to the narrative, and her personal journey adds emotional weight to the mystery. However, her character arc feels somewhat uneven—there are moments where her decisions feel frustratingly prolonged, and you wish she'd push harder to uncover the truth earlier. That said, her struggles feel human and real, which makes her ultimately likable despite her flaws. The pacing is consistently fast, which is one of the book's strongest assets. Michaelides keeps t...