The Book Grind
  • Home
  • Book Reviews
    • By Title
    • By Author
    • By Year Read
    • By Series
    • Advanced Reader Copy Reviews
    • Archive (sortable)
  • Blog
  • Contact Me
    • Review Policy
Author

Jefferz

Jefferz

  • Book ReviewsARCHistorical FictionLGBTQ+

    Mark B. Perry: And Introducing Dexter Gaines Review

    by Jefferz January 19, 2025
    January 19, 2025

    The following review is based on a complimentary ARC provided by Smith Publicity / Amble Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. For all the glitz, glamour, power and fortune the film and greater entertainment industry of Hollywood offered in the 1950’s, it also served far more instances of lies, betrayals, pain, and in Mark B. Perry’s historical fiction novel, heartbreak. Arriving with naturally good looks and big dreams of stardom, And Introducing Dexter Gaines chronicles Dan Root’s life-changing meeting with Hollywood power couple Milford “Milly” Langen and Lillian Sinclair, his persona transformation into future leading man Dexter Gaines, and the harsh consequences that come with a life in the entertainment industry. Historically accurate (at least to my very limited knowledge of the Golden Age of Hollywood), dramatically narrated, and full of fun celebrity appearances, Perry’s novel is a solid historical fiction entry paired with a heartbreaking and moving LGBTQ+/Queer storyline. Well plotted and paced, thematically strong, and executed in an entirely tasteful and classy manner (more on that shortly), I thoroughly enjoyed Perry’s novel and found it to be a very well-rounded and satisfying read. Before getting into the actual review for And Introducing Dexter Gaines, there are…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsappEmail
  • Book ReviewsMagical RealismRomance

    Lana Ferguson: Under Loch and Key

    by Jefferz January 14, 2025
    January 14, 2025

    I will openly admit that I picked this up to read not because of the fantasy-flavored monster romance story, but out of gross curiosity as an env. science reader that enjoys reading about cryptozoology. While I do read romance novels, this is my first monster-themed romance novel and my first read by Lana Ferguson. Part spicy Scottish themed romance part magical realism fantasy tale, Under Loch and Key is an unusual novel that attempts to be a contemporary romance but also a more complex fantasy story involving curses, magic, Scottish folklore, and family secrets. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of detail and effort put towards the latter elements, going far beyond what I was expecting and required for a straightforward monster romance. When I read Ferguson’s opening dedication “for granting me forgiveness for giving Nessie a penis”, I wasn’t expecting much given her past novels sat comfortably in standard romcom territory. Though I originally thought the Nessie premise would be a simple one-trick pony gimmick with light Scottish flourishes, I was pleasantly surprised by how far Ferguson took the concept and expanded it with proper detailed and compelling lore. Rather than simply giving Nessie Lachlan all the exciting…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsappEmail
  • Blog

    2024 Reading Wrap Up’s

    by Jefferz January 9, 2025
    January 9, 2025

    Slightly late because of the holiday season rush but 2024 was a great year of reading, easily the highest total number of books read as well as total number of pages. While I use both Goodreads and Storygraph for tracking my reads and libraries, each platform has their own pro’s and con’s and their annual wrap ups are no exception. Check out the my full 2024 wrap up’s below!Goodreads 2024 Wrap UpStorygraph 2024 Wrap Up Scores and Ratings: According to my Storygraph wrap-up that allows for half-point ratings similar to TheBookGrind, my average score for 2024 was 3.57 which is a pretty notable jump from 2023’s 3.24. Not that I’m going soft, but this past year I read quite a few more sequel/series entries vs the previous year, the most notable being Pierce Brown’s Red Rising Saga and Martha Wells’ Murderot Diaries (I technically also read three entries in Ben Aaronvitch’s Rivers of London series but I had much more mixed feelings about them compared to the other two series). Compared to previous years, 2024 was also a year that I focused heavily on working through my extensive ebook library holds and wish list tag that somehow still keeps growing…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsappEmail
  • Book ReviewsThriller

    Riley Sager: Final Girls

    by Jefferz January 7, 2025
    January 7, 2025

    Continuing my reading journey through Riley Sager’s novels (completely out of order I may add), Final Girls is Sager’s first published thriller though technically not his first written novel as Sager is a nom de plume for Todd Ritter who had previously written a trilogy series and standalone book. The final girl is a common trope in various forms of slasher/horror media but Sager’s novel is an uncommon story that focuses on what happens to that said final girl after they experience one of the most traumatic moments of their life. Final Girls answers that question with Quincy Carpenter, a baking blogger who has put that traumatic event behind her until another mass slaying survivor Sam arrives at her apartment building’s front door. This is my fourth Sager thriller novel that I’ve read and despite it being published years before the other Sager novels, it showcases very similar hallmarks to what people have come to expect from his stories. Unfortunately this novel also has the same drawback as his other works, namely a slow beginning and a well-written, albeit uneventful first half. However like his other works, the strong and intelligent female main characters, twists on familiar narratives and scenarios,…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsappEmail
  • Book ReviewsRomance

    Emily Henry: People We Meet On Vacation

    by Jefferz January 5, 2025
    January 5, 2025

    There’s a reason that opposites attract is not only a common trope in media but also one that happens all the time in real life. Emily Henry’s People We Meet On Vacation runs with that theme and successfully pulls off the the deceptively difficult friends to lovers trope effectively. Of all of Emily Henry’s adult romance novel pairings, Poppy and Alex’s chemistry and dynamics might be my personal favorite that feels so natural, effortless, but most importantly, relatable. While People We Meet On Vacation‘s premise is more straightforward and less narratively ambitious compared to her other novels, the tone and vibe of the story is excellent, feeling warm and comforting throughout. Although the pacing and past vacation flashbacks occasionally dragged for me in places and this novel doesn’t hit the same dramatic highs as some of her other works, it’s still a well-rounded and solid read that has a lot going for it. Of the common romance genres meet-cute/progression scenarios, I personally believe that friends to lovers is one of the most difficult scenarios to pull off well due to character growth and tricky chemistry needed to make the shift feel believable. Narratively speaking, there needs to either be a…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsappEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts

☕ About Me

Reader & Coffee Connoisseur

Reader & Coffee Connoisseur


I am a reading enthusiast and book reviewer who enjoys reading with a warm latte in-hand, breaking down what I read in detail. Although my favorite genres are sci-fi, high/epic fantasy, mystery noir, and a sprinkle of contemporary romance, I consider myself a variety reader.


With a coffee (or favorite beverage) of choice, join me on The Book Grind as we read and sip our way through some great novels.

Professional Reader10 Book ReviewsFeatured Book Reviewer

☕ Currently Reading

Ava Reid: A Study in Drowning ReviewHayley Gelfuso: The Book of Lost Hours Review

☕ Recent Reviews

  • Miye Lee: The Dallergut Dream-Making District Review

    July 6, 2025
  • Kathryn Purdie: The Forest Grimm Review

    July 5, 2025
  • Chip Pons: Winging It With You Review

    July 1, 2025
  • Daria Lavelle: Aftertaste Review

    June 25, 2025
  • Holly Race: Six Wild Crowns Review

    June 19, 2025
  • Colin Searle: The Call of Abaddon Review

    June 15, 2025
  • Cara Bastone: Promise Me Sunshine Review

    June 9, 2025
  • Robert Jackson Bennett: The Tainted Cup Review

    June 7, 2025
  • Beth Cato: Cheddar Luck Next Time Review

    June 3, 2025
  • Holly Jackson: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Review

    June 1, 2025
  • John Scalzi: The Kaiju Preservation Society

    May 27, 2025
  • B.K. Borison: First-Time Caller Review

    May 25, 2025

☕ Recent Blog Posts

  • 2024 Most Disappointing Reads

    February 24, 2025
  • Kindle Unlimited Reading Marathon Picks

    February 9, 2025
  • 2024 Most Pleasantly Surprising Reads

    January 31, 2025
  • 2024 Reading Wrap Up’s

    January 9, 2025
  • Goodreads
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Email
Footer Logo

@2025 - All Right Reserved.


Back To Top
The Book Grind
  • Home
  • Book Reviews
    • By Title
    • By Author
    • By Year Read
    • By Series
    • Advanced Reader Copy Reviews
    • Archive (sortable)
  • Blog
  • Contact Me
    • Review Policy