Praise
Phenomenal. Absolutely freaking phenomenal.
The pacing was phenomenal for this book. Nothing felt rushed, but I was never waiting around for something to happen either. The sexual tension and buildup, the humor, the emotions, the character development, the SECRETS…it all worked together so damn well. I laughed. I cried. I got all hot and bothered. Basically, Bernie put me through every possible emotion and I happily let it happen.
Five stars without hesitation.
You know when you read a book and it's clear the author viewed every single little detail as a piece of art itself? That's how Stillwater feels. From the writing to the character development to the chapter headers, all of it feels so cohesive and treated with care and creativity.
This second-chance, heart wrenching, horror filled, sexy book is definitely one of my favorites. there are times throughout this book where i felt unsettled, in the best way. bernie really has a gem with this one. i am so excited this will be a series, because i was unable to put this book down.
Stillwater was a wild ride of romance and horror. I don't often get creeped out reading but this one might be best with the lights on!
I wasn't bored for even a minute reading this, it captured my attention from the very first page. I don't think I've taken as many notes for a book as I have this one simply because there were so many moments and special little things about them that I just had to write it down.
As someone who grew up watching Ghost Whispers and several other paranormal/supernatural TV shows and movies, I will always love a good paranormal romance. Make it M/M, and you've got me completely SAT! The blurb alone drew me in, and then once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I was absolutely obsessed with the characters' dynamics and storylines. This book scratched that witchy and spooky itch
LOVED getting to see Bellamy grow into himself and become more confident not only in his magic, but in himself. Its clear Bels has been hurt in the past, in multiple ways, and seeing him lower some of the walls he'd been forced to put up to protect himself from getting hurt again and let Sunday back in was SO heartwarming. I am a queer, mixed guy adopted by a white mormon couple, so growing up I often felt I was either too white for some groups, too black for others, too gay for church, always either too much, or too little, and seeing Bels growth into being unashamed of who he is (and then being accepted by Sunday) was really...cathartic. All in all. AMAZING debut from Bernie Brackford!