I messaged a friend after a couple of eps to tell them: "widow's bay is delightful, it delights me" and I stand by this.

I don't have a very in depth review but some general impressions:

My tastes sit right in the middle of the venn diagram it drew of funny/spooky. I laughed out loud a LOT, half the time for the actual jokes and the other times because I was tickled by a reveal (or sometimes just a particular line read).

I adored the general weirdness established in the first couple of eps and even though things escalated there was still that attention to small weirdnesses throughout. There were so many smart little details to try and notice, so many moments and images that lodged themselves in my head.

A part of me wishes it was longer so we could get more slow build up (plus the quiet horror of a mayor running a cursed town is a wonderful setup) but maybe this length/timescale was best to keep the momentum going...........and keep up the production values.

I know we're getting a second season so I presume we'll dig into some of the mystery a little more, but I'm happy leaving some things hanging. It feels intriguing rather than frustrating - it leaves room for speculation.

A really great bunch of characters, everyone had stand out moments so I won't try to list them all here.

Glass Heart: Finished!!

Ooooh I enjoyed this one! A lot of fun, got fully swept up in the adventures of a musical cryptid forming a band/polycule in order to express his greatest love: Music

Now to string some bits of thoughts together (took me a couple of days to make this vaguely coherent - had a lot of little observations/feelings):

I'm not always a big fan of music/band narratives especially, they need another hook to get me interested - luckily this had "these weirdos are weird about each other" in spades which did the trick.

Their relationship chart is less a venn diagram and more a screensaver where a bunch of circles ping around and overlap in various combos (and they're all inside a bigger circle labeled "Music")

[Now a cut because this got looooong]

Everyone, i mean everyone excluding Tylar and Dez who were living their lives around the world, was going through it. I had been sobbing for Stacey and Kade. They were subject for so much abuse. Holyshit I hate Archie and Bernie and Chris. They were the devils. THEY DISGUST ME. They are the WORST. I am so glad they suffered.

Anyway, gosh, Stacey and Kade are just perfect for each other. I am so happy that they got to have their good and happy ending. They deserve everything and so much more. Also, FUCK, I really love Tobias Mitchel. He is so fatherly when he is a psycho. I love a loving psycho. Like actually he is fucked up BUT the way he loves is incredible. It is so endearing. Every time he is mentioned, I am sat.

Also, GOSH, I need Base and Luciella's story. Give it to me. I heard it will be a duet, but there was another book set to be release before it?? Not sure, I am not too updated.

I had a good time! I have some disjointed thoughts:

I'm not always a big fan of superhero narratives, think this filled my quota for a while so won't be rushing out for another one BUT every now and then they can be fun! I wanted a change of pace and this delivered.

A lot of what makes a story like this work is the characters at the centre. I feel like the main gang here were balancing along the line between annoying/endearing (with some wobbles along the way) but they were fun together and landed on the right side more often than not. There were a lot of small moments that hit for me and the thread of a romance plot was sweet (I'm NOT going to go into all my embarrassingly predictable feelings about Cute Boy TM but they knew what they were working with and gave the audience what we wanted)

It felt like a few different genres crashing together in the middle which I actually think makes it work and gives it the energy that held everything together.

Some parts felt a bit under-explored, but I'm glad they spent time focusing on the main groups dynamic. There's a whole list of hanging threads/plot gaps that I can't be bothered to think about or write - I don't know if a second series would help fill these in or if stretching the plot out would just make these gaps more obvious? Either way - I'd happily watch more………when I'm next in the mood.

Any superhero stuff usually falls apart a bit at the end by relying on a Big Fight with lots of spectacle but not a lot of stakes I actually care about - this kept the end interspersed with enough personal moments to keep me interested. It was also nice to take a moment and point out that they were protecting their neighbours and people they actually knew……there just wasn't enough time in 8 eps for us to get to know all these people too which lessened the impact a bit.

I've ended up a bit torn between wanting more room to explore parts of the world and characters BUT also knowing that having 8 eps to cram it all in probably helped keep the momentum up.

I found that for me personally a lot could be forgiven by going "yeah, but it was fun" when something didn't exactly make sense.

Basically; if you've ever enjoyed a "weirdos get superpowers" story then give this one a go!

(Same disclaimer as before...Disclaimer: I have no clue if there were issues/controversy about the books and/or authors. I just read whatever that I come across of. Honestly, I don't really wanna know too coz I just read and be horny.)

Painter's Obsession Volume I and II by Luna K Wicked. (Erotic Horror, MM, SMUT)

This is my first erotic horror and I finished it. Author described it as "static white" which was darker than pitch black and I agree. It is dark. It does not have a HEA, but the way it ended was arguably a good ending in a way. It is actually super, extremely, fucking dark. Everything was open-door. It is depraved. It is horrifying. I was wincing and hiding behind my sheets most of the time, but FUCK, I couldn't stop turning the pages. I am so glad I didn't neglect the TW/CW because it helped me stomach the scenes. 10 out of 10 would recommend but you must read the warnings and be strong!

The Hunters Series by TL Smith. (Dark Romance, MF, SMUT)

There are three standalone books here. I'll discuss it. They are all touch her and die type even among each other lmao.

Moments of Malevolence was about Zuko and Alaska. Talk about uncommunicated kinks such as knife and breath play. Alaska loved it but she went all angry and crazy at Zuko for it. I love that hehe. I love when men get put in their place. Moments of Madness was about Kyson and Kalilah. This is the only book that got a safeword between the couples and I LIKE IT. I mean for the two others, they would stop if their girlies say so, but I love a detail of safewords. This got a slight pregnancy trope at the end tho yet it is my favorite out of the three. Moments of Mayhem was about Kenzo and Mayve. They were going for the marriage of convenience. It is nice, yes. Kenzo went all pathetic when Mayve "didn't" want him. But gosh, it is kinda not hitting something. I think I was just so into Kyson lmao.

The Pucking Wrong Rookie by CR Jane.

Logan York, the rookie with so much money but still ended up doing a funny burger commercial so he could afford to pay for that service but it is for Sloane so he did it! I am horrified (like always for FMC's circumstances in this series) for Sloane and her job. I am so happy that Logan got to whisk her away from that and of course, I love Lincoln MMC for The Pucking Wrong Number) still being the freaking best ever. I like it. I hope Everett suffered more though (he makes me so sick). ANYWAY, YAY!

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Dystopia, Young Adult)

I am still reading this. GOSH, I am so scared for the heartache so my reading is super slow. Like actually, I only have ever read a page or two per day. I AM SO SCARED but I know it will be good. I am gonna continue reading this.

In the Dark by Chelsea Curto (Dark Romance, MF, SMUT)

Stalker: Check. Masked man: Check. "Red flag": Check. Hunter is so not a red flag but he does have a stalker and vigilante tendency. HE IS PERFECT. I need a man who will fill up my fridge, do my laundry, fix things, and communicate his kinks and let me explore my freaking kinks. I NEED HIM. PLEASE. I AM BEGGING. 1000000 out 10, give him to me.

Bleed for Me by Hargrove Reverie ((Paranormal) Romance, MF, Slight SMUT)

The whole premise of having a contract with a vampire who wanted to suck your blood exclusively is hot and hold so much potential, but the writing is a bit off. The pace--the build up, the conflict, the everything--was wrong. I think it is because it is so short or idk. Not so sure. Not for me, i think.

That Sik Luv by Jescie Hall (Dark Romance, MF, SMUT)

I fear I might DNF this or start again from the beginning. I just can't do anything with religious trauma thing. I shall see what I'll do.

Daddy's Sinner: The Sinner & Dove by Luna K. Wicked.

(Disclaimer: I have no clue if there were issues/controversy about the books and/or authors. I just read whatever that I come across of. Honestly, I don't really wanna know too coz I just read and be horny.)

Kiss the Villain by Rina Kent (Dark Romance, MM, SMUT, Age Gap)

I freaking love Gareth and his brat-iness. Like, GOSH, so bratty. I love how Kayden was able to tame him like putting him in his place. Brat and the Brat Tamer. I LOVE IT. I love how the Gareth was extremely possessive (they both are for each other) but something about his obsessive possession was tugging something inside me like he gets so consumed by it. I can't explain. I love Gareth so much (also Kayden but GARETH).

Hunt the Villain by Rina Kent (Dark Romance, MM, SMUT)

It just keeps getting better and better, the MM romance of Rina Kent. I LOVE Vaughn and Yulian. The obsession. The possession. The insane and mind-bending love. Yulian loves Vaughn ever since and he gave everything. I'm so happy they got together at the end after that conflict. I'm so happy that...fuck...slight spoiler: Idk why but I actually crashed out when Vaughn was outed and talked with his parents. To be accepted like that...I want that.... ANYWAY, I LOVE THEM.

Quiet Obsession by IA Dice (Dark Romance, MF, SMUT)

I like it but GAWD the threesome scenes. I died. I fear it was so hot. The first scene was not for the main couple but I got so hot and bothered that I had to take a cold shower. I kinda forgot why Millie became selective mute (I also need to research on that) but yeah, it is so endearing that Creed was losing it coz she wasn't talking to him lmao.

Silent Vows by Jill Ramsower (Dark Romance, MF, SMUT, Arranged Marriage)

I honestly don't remember besides the fact that Conner was such a MAN. I like it, I guess.

Highland Hideaway by Lily Gold (Romance, MFMM (No swords crossed), SMUT)

When I saw this, I jumped coz I am obsessed with Lily Gold's Why Choose/RH standalones. There is the golden retriever, the silent and grumpy acts of service man, and the apprehensive (idk the word) one. YET THEY LOVE HER. HEHE.

Karma by KA Knight (Dark Romance, MFMM (no swords crossed; brothers), SMUT)

I love a very strong FMC, Karma. Gosh, I want her actually. Like "Step aside, sai brothers. Give her to me." She is just so strong and she got that reputation. I like that she also some "weakness" about the main antagonist and gosh, she sorted it out yay. Anyway, I love her. Give her to me.

Delightful Sins by Lola King (Dark Romance, MFM (no swords crossed; brothers), SMUT

I guess I liked the spicy scenes, but I must say...I hate that people don't believe Jade. Everything just circled around that. I've read darker books than this but I kinda don't like it. I finished it though. There is a good ending, of course, it's just...idk.. too much but also not. Something is missing. I might not read the other books of this series.

Older by Jennifer Hartmann (Romance, MF, SMUT, Age Gap (kinda forbidden?))

This is a reread. I am freaking out. It was just different from my usual age gap romances (like mmc is just 21 or something then mmc is on 30-50 etc), coz this started with them meeting with Halley as a 17-year-old that pretended she is older but she immediately got discovered lol so nothing really happened then. Alarm bells, mayhaps, yet it didn't feel dirty or disgusting? It felt somehow real especially when Halley was getting trained (martial arts) by Reed. She is getting stronger. She came a long way from how "broken" she was from her abusive father. Idk, it really was such a read. I can't explain. Just happy they got together in every way they did.

Twisted Pawn by LJ Shen (Dark Romance, MF, SMUT)

All I remember was the time Achilles who tried too hard at the beginning like going to full degradation route coz he knew Tierney likes that with her previous partners but wrong move for him coz communication is the first thing about kinks. Poor man but also he deserve it. Anyway, good ending. I liked it ig.

Blood King by Natalie Kane (Dark Romance, MF, SMUT, Mafia, Age gap)

IN JULIAN, WE TRUST. I fear I need to read the other books for these series since this is technically book 2, but it is a standalone. He is just so protective and so strong. BUT I think he didn't grovel enough after the fuckass thing he did. It took him WEEKS to pull up the tapes?? Like man, are you insane? More grovel!!! LONGER GROVEL!!! Anyway, I even read the bonus chapter so I like it!