Book Review: This is Not a Horror Movie

Hello pornies! I hope you are feeling great today, because I come with a great book I hope you will fall in love with! I don't usually read young adult books, but I like to make an exception now and then, even more when it's a good author, ahem. People, I bring you This is Not a Horror Movie, by Sara Dobie Bauer. Thanks to Gay Book Promotions for sending me a review copy!

• Print Length: 280 pages.
• Publisher: Self-Published (May 13, 2021)
• Publication Date: May 13, 2021.
• Genres: Drama, Gay, Horror, Humor, Romance, Young Adult.
• Rating: 4 / 5 stars.

Emory Jones loves two things: horror movies and Connor Nichols.

For the past four years, Emory, Connor, and their families have vacationed side by side on Longboat Key, Florida. Eighteen-year-old Emory has pined for his neighbor from behind the covers of Stephen King books, but college boy Connor has never noticed him. Probably because Emory looks like Jack Skellington with good hair.

Emory anticipates another predictable summer of sunburn and disappointment. Instead, he ends up with a mystery on his hands when a beloved beach bum goes missing, and Connor volunteers to help with the search. Turns out it’s not just scary movie cops who are worthless, so the boys start an investigation of their own—leading them straight to an abandoned beach resort.

Despite the danger, Emory and Connor grow closer, but as Emory’s gay dreams start coming true, so do the horror movie tropes he so loves. Even though he knows that sex equals death in slasher flicks, Emory can’t keep his hands off the guy of his teenage dreams.

This is Not a Horror Movie is a 78,000-word new adult gay rom-com… with a monster.

"In This is Not a Horror Movie, you have two highly engaging characters and a mysterious and funny horror story that simply oozes summertime spirit." - bestselling author Lily Morton.

The synopsis will give you a good idea of what to expect from this novel, and yet there are a few surprises waiting in there. As expected from Sara! Like, really, this woman has nothing else to do but to feck your mind! She build an entire world and then add a little too much spice to make it all the more interesting, but who am I to complain? In fact, who is anyone to complain?

These surprises are not plot twists or crazy AF ideas in This is Not a Horror Movie, but bits and pieces, interesting ideas and scenes you wouldn't expect coming all of a sudden. I admit the idea of the monster and disappearances was left a little behind with a strong focus on the romance, but you can be sure you won't notice at all because of how sweet and funny it is.

However, there is no sex in this book (and here I was, expecting hot, wild, twink sex; how dare you, Sara, how?! *CriesInThirsty*) and it is written mostly for guys around 18. I found myself in Emory, many of my insecurities, fears, hoped his experiences had been mine, but is was healing nonetheless, so another good thing!

The only real problem I have, and it's small compared with the rest of the book, is that the ending was a little bit rushed. Those final scenes were too short for me, and I feel the characters needed a bit more action (you will hate me after reading the book, but I'm not changing my mind btchs *snaps his fingers*). Addictive style, charming characters, interesting plot and a healthy, nice line, This is Not a Horror Movie  is a mandatory reading for this pride season!

About Sara Dobie Bauer:

Sara Dobie Bauer is a writer, model, and mental health advocate with a creative writing degree from Ohio University. Her short story, "Don't Ball the Boss," was nominated for the Pushcart Prize, inspired by her shameless crush on Benedict Cumberbatch. She lives with her hottie husband and two precious pups in Northeast Ohio, although she'd really like to live in a Tim Burton film. She is the author of the paranormal rom-com Bite Somebody, among other ridiculously entertaining things. Read more at SaraDobieBauer.com.

Have you read this book? Would you recommend it or not? Let me know in the comments! Kinky regards, K!

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