Alex Crespo

Okay, I really loved this one, although that could have been influenced by how many really heavy stories I've read as of late. This book was a romp, despite the plot aspects involving familial homophobia; the support and love coming from the rest of Joaquin's large family was such a strong counterweight to the negativity and hurt from his mother that I nearly cried out of joy at multiple points. Of course, I also came near to tears at the pivotal confrontation with his mother, when Joaquin show more finally told her about the damage her words and actions had caused to their relationship and about how much she had hurt him and was still hurting him, but it was such a necessary and cathartic part of the story that having it reach that level of emotion was crucial.

The petty part of me did sort of want to see how Joaquin's very public happily-ever-after moment was taken by Caleb, Felix's smarmy ex-boyfriend, the book was probably better off without that bit. I can accept that, since Joaquin and Felix are apparently bigger people than me. show less

A new foster teen in town wanders into the creepy nearby wood and gets supernaturally stuck inside a scary house. Another teen boy finds him and promises to help get him out. This second boy seeks out the help of a teen girl/witch, and together the three of them spend the length of the plot trying to figure out how to get him out. In the meantime, the two boys fall in love.

A fun read, but I finished it two days ago and really had to think hard to remember the details of it just now, so show more ultimately not terribly memorable, at least for my brain. show less

Interesting and well developed characters and good writing but terrible plot?? Not awful to read but tbh I kinda felt like I was reading fanfic. I could tell the author had talent and a strong vision for their characters but the story just wasnt working.