Review: Dead Fake (Bleak Haven #1) by Vincent Ralph

Title: Dead Fake

Series: Bleak Haven #1

Author: Vincent Ralph

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: January 2026

Published by: Wednesday Books

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Would you Swipe to Die?

When the new craze takes over Bleak Haven High, Ava Wilson refuses to join in. As the niece of an infamous murderer, it’s the last thing she needs.

The mysterious website allows people to view their own ‘death’ – an AI generated version of their final slasher-movie-moments. But, when some of her classmates’ deepfakes are replicated in real life, Ava can either catch the killer... or be the next victim.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

I freaking loved this book! And the main reason why is because it gave me modern Fear Street vibes! You guys know I LOVE Fear Street!

Review: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Title: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl #1

Author: Matt Dinniman

Genre: Adult, fantasy, sci-fi, apocalyptic, adventure

Publication date: September 2020

Published by: Ace

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: The apocalypse will be televised! Welcome to the first book in the wildly popular and addictive Dungeon Crawler Carl series—now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition.

You know what’s worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what’s worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction of all man-made structures on Earth, and the systematic exploitation of all the survivors for a sadistic intergalactic game show. That’s what.

Join Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world—or just get to the next level—in a video game–like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. Exploding goblins. Magical potions. Deadly, drug-dealing llamas. This ain’t your ordinary game show.

Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the Dungeon. Survival is optional. Keeping the viewers entertained is not.

Includes part one of the exclusive bonus story “Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret.”

My rating: ★★★★⯪

I had been seeing a lot of my friends on Goodreads raving about this series, and one day while I was at B&N I saw this book, and I was like, "Hey thats the one!" The new neon cover is what definitely caught my attention. But I'm glad to have finally gotten on the bandwagon because I had a lot of fun reading it!

Review: Fake Skating by Lynn Painter

Title: Fake Skating

Author: Lynn Painter

Genre: YA, contemporary romance

Publication date: September 2025

Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies Lynn Painter comes a heartfelt and banter-filled rom-com about childhood sweethearts whose icy reunion in their hockey-loving hometown unexpectedly thaws when they fake a romantic relationship.

Growing up, Dani couldn’t help but follow around the adorable son of her mom’s best friend. Funny, kind of nerdy, and a little soft, Alec was always down to hang with Dani when they were little. From play dates on the playground to sneaking into movie theaters, Dani and Alec were inseparable. Until Dani moved away. Alec promised they’d stay in touch—except, they didn’t.

Flash forward and Dani is back in Minnesota for her senior year, she and her mom living with her grandfather. Dealing with the fallout of her parents’ devastating divorce, Dani wouldn’t mind a nerd-out with the cozy and comforting Alec (and maybe a chance to confront him on his MIA status for all these years). But teenage Alec is nothing like the kid Dani remembers. He’s a hockey star in a town where hockey players are worshiped as gods. Dani’s place as his shadow has been taken up by drooling female fans... and he loves it.

Dani is resolved to ice out her former best friend until an unlikely series of events brings them together—and forces them to fake being a couple. Once forced together, the former childhood sweethearts begin to reconnect, unearth complicated family secrets, and face their true feelings towards each other…including the real reason Alec has been pushing Dani away all these years.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

I don't read many romances, but damn if I don't love a Lynn Painter book! 😍 Over the years, I've come to discover what I like and don't like in a romance, and for me, Lynn Painter just does romance right! They're so cute!

Review: Only Rogue Actions (Galactic Bonds #5) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Only Rogue Actions

Series: Galactic Bonds #5

Previous books in this series: Only Bad Options (#1) | Only Good Enemies (#2) | Only Hard Problems (#3) | Only Cold Depths (#4)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, fantasy

Publication date: October 14th 2025

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC for review from author

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Synopsis: A WOMAN WHO DREAMS OF THE FUTURE...

Once upon a time, I was Vesper Quill, a lowly lab rat using my seer magic and engineering skills to repair broken appliances at a Regal-owned corporation. These days, I’m one of the most infamous and wanted fugitives in the Archipelago Galaxy, along with Kyrion Caldaren, my partner.

Kyrion and I are hiding out on a distant planet when we are offered a chance to train at a prestigious facility in hopes of better understanding our truebond, the psionic connection that lets us share thoughts, feelings, skills, and more.

Mastering our magic is the only way we can hope to defeat our many enemies and make my dreams of a safe future a reality, so Kyrion and I accept the invitation. But evil forces are at work, and our training exercise is not what it seems, plunging us both into another deadly situation with only bad options.

A MAN WHO CAN’T ESCAPE HIS PAST...

I’ve always been Kyrion Caldaren, a Regal lord with telekinesis, telepathy, telempathy, and other powerful psionic abilities. I might have gone rogue from the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite warriors, but my fighting skills are as sharp and deadly as ever.

Vesper Quill and I need help with our truebond, so we agree to participate in a rigorous training exercise designed to test the depths of our connection. But a new enemy has other plans, and we’re soon separated and confronted with one dangerous obstacle after another.

But my love for Vesper is stronger than any forces set against us, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make my way back to her—and kill anyone who gets in my way.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

This is one of my favorite series because I love the blend of sci-fi and fantasy... and this is also by one of my favorite authors 😆

Review: Full Speed to a Crash Landing (Chaotic Orbits, #1) by Beth Revis

Title: Full Speed to a Crash Landing

Series: Chaotic Orbits #1

Author: Beth Revis

Genre: Adult, sci-fi

Publication date: August 2024

Published by: DAW

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: A high octane sexy space heist from New York Times-bestselling author Beth Revis, the first in a novella trilogy.

Ada Lamarr may have gotten to the spaceship wreck first, but looter’s rights won’t get her far when she’s got a hole in the side of her ship and her spacesuit is almost out of air. Fortunately for her, help arrives in the form of a government salvage crew—and while they reluctantly rescue her from certain death, they are not pleased to have an unexpected passenger along on their classified mission.

But Ada doesn’t care—all that matters to her is enjoying their fine food and sweet, sweet oxygen—until Rian White, the government agent in charge, starts to suspect that there’s more to Ada than meets the eye. He’s not wrong—but he’s so pretty that Ada is perfectly happy to keep him paying attention to her—at least until she can complete the job she was sent to pull off. But as quick as Ada is, Rian might be quicker—and she may not be entirely sure who’s manipulating who until it’s too late…

A phenomenally fun novella that kicks off a trilogy of sexy space heists and romantic tension, Full Speed to a Crash Landing is packed with great characters and full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

One goal. Full speed until you get it. It’s the only way.

Omg, this book was SO much fun! I loved it! I have been on such a sci-fi kick lately and I knew I had to read this book in particular when I found out that not only did the author basically write this series out of spite when some rando told her she couldn’t write (reader: she absolutely can write! 🙌), but that she basically also mocks Elongated Muskrat. That’s amazing! Especially in this political climate.