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Tastes Like Candy 2: Viciously Sweet
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Five years ago, a group of teenage girls entered the Poison Apple Halloween Carnival for a scavenger hunt, and all but one died at the hand of a masked killer. Now, a copycat killer has emerged and is using a familiar cotton-candy-coated playbook to pick off a new group of girls one by one.
Meanwhile, the Scavenge's lone survivor—still haunted by ghosts from the past and unable to move on from her loss—begins receiving disturbing text messages, seemingly from beyond the grave. When someone from home contacts her for help, she realizes that she must return to the carnival to warn the new girls and stop the original killer's protégé, or they may suffer the same fate as the victims in the last Senior Scavenge.
There's just one According to the people of Belldam, the Senior Scavenge never happened.
Meanwhile, the Scavenge's lone survivor—still haunted by ghosts from the past and unable to move on from her loss—begins receiving disturbing text messages, seemingly from beyond the grave. When someone from home contacts her for help, she realizes that she must return to the carnival to warn the new girls and stop the original killer's protégé, or they may suffer the same fate as the victims in the last Senior Scavenge.
There's just one According to the people of Belldam, the Senior Scavenge never happened.
496 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 6, 2026
I’ve read all of Jessica’s (Ivy’s) Book so far and can confidently say that she is still one of my number one authors I’ll read/buy/recommend and that stays true for TLC2.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC for TLC2: Sugarless which was her first edit of this book. This version was a much different feel to it but, it was immensely better. It wrapped up a lot of questions I had in Sugarless.
To dive in, I loved the split perspective, I loved the dusty POV, the Violet POV and the newly added Blythe POV. It worked really well. One thing I liked in the first book was the inventive themed kills and how it was in your face. Very over the top violent. I didn’t feel like murder was the focus but more of a backstory in TLC2 and honestly I didn’t mind it. This book had a lot more feel to it and more emotions being played out. I found myself rooting for characters and wishing others were next on the chopping block. Going from the original carnival slaughter to the most recent and showing how hard it took Blythe to actually set up and do was a nice twist on things. I Loved the texting format and how well that played into the book. It didn’t make it choppy or incoherent. It provided a lot of internal dialogue that is needed in a book like this. I loved how characters from other books were integrated into this book and how well it worked as well as pull backs from previous novels (@Axeuquestion, Xylophone Man, Paulies Popcorn, Right Round Records) My jaw dropped when we heard from Josh and Ginny (if you know you know). Overall, I loved the book and had very little problems with anything. Even the ending … which I thought was much better this version than in Sugarless. A good continuation for Violet and Blythe. A good wrap up for Nolan which was a huge plot hole in Sugarless. Great send off for Nico.
Overall, this series still stands as one of my favorites in the horror genre. It’s just so Bitchy.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC for TLC2: Sugarless which was her first edit of this book. This version was a much different feel to it but, it was immensely better. It wrapped up a lot of questions I had in Sugarless.
To dive in, I loved the split perspective, I loved the dusty POV, the Violet POV and the newly added Blythe POV. It worked really well. One thing I liked in the first book was the inventive themed kills and how it was in your face. Very over the top violent. I didn’t feel like murder was the focus but more of a backstory in TLC2 and honestly I didn’t mind it. This book had a lot more feel to it and more emotions being played out. I found myself rooting for characters and wishing others were next on the chopping block. Going from the original carnival slaughter to the most recent and showing how hard it took Blythe to actually set up and do was a nice twist on things. I Loved the texting format and how well that played into the book. It didn’t make it choppy or incoherent. It provided a lot of internal dialogue that is needed in a book like this. I loved how characters from other books were integrated into this book and how well it worked as well as pull backs from previous novels (@Axeuquestion, Xylophone Man, Paulies Popcorn, Right Round Records) My jaw dropped when we heard from Josh and Ginny (if you know you know). Overall, I loved the book and had very little problems with anything. Even the ending … which I thought was much better this version than in Sugarless. A good continuation for Violet and Blythe. A good wrap up for Nolan which was a huge plot hole in Sugarless. Great send off for Nico.
Overall, this series still stands as one of my favorites in the horror genre. It’s just so Bitchy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire, NetGalley, and Jessica Lacy for gifting me an eARC of this fantastic slasher book!
I am a long time Jessica Lacy fan (back when she was a Ivy Tholen) and I read Tastes Like Candy 2 when it was indie published as TLC 2: Sugarless. I love all of Jessica's books and the new & improved version of the original Sugarless book is another perfect slasher, gory, fun read! Viciously Sweet is even better than the indie published version and I absolutely loved the Prologue Easter egg that is in this book! Jessica took an already amazing book and made it that much better!
If YA slashers are your thing, then you absolutely need to add Jessica's books to your TBR!
I am a long time Jessica Lacy fan (back when she was a Ivy Tholen) and I read Tastes Like Candy 2 when it was indie published as TLC 2: Sugarless. I love all of Jessica's books and the new & improved version of the original Sugarless book is another perfect slasher, gory, fun read! Viciously Sweet is even better than the indie published version and I absolutely loved the Prologue Easter egg that is in this book! Jessica took an already amazing book and made it that much better!
If YA slashers are your thing, then you absolutely need to add Jessica's books to your TBR!
April 9, 2026
Counting books in my reading challenge that I copyedited or proofread. It's only fair. It's a lot of reading I'm not including otherwise!
Nice to be back to a Jessica Lacy slasher - they're fun.
Nice to be back to a Jessica Lacy slasher - they're fun.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Viciously Sweet” by Jessica Lacy is one of those horror sequels that looks at the first book, cranks the chaos dial past maximum, snaps the dial off completely, and then asks, "What if we added killer technology, revenge plots, and even more unhinged teenage decisions?"
And honestly? It was a ridiculously entertaining ride.
Set five years after the massacre at the Poison Apple Carnival, the town of Belldam has essentially decided the best way to deal with horrific trauma is to pretend it never happened. Nothing suspicious there. Absolutely healthy behavior. Unfortunately, someone seems determined to make sure history repeats itself.
The story kicks off with an extended prologue that almost feels like its own mini slasher novel. There's blood, gore, bizarre deaths, and a new killer tying up loose ends among a fresh batch of graduating seniors. It immediately throws you back into the twisted carnival atmosphere that made the first book so much fun. The prologue probably could have been trimmed down a bit, but I was having too much fun watching the carnage to complain too much.
This time around, the main focus is Dusty, a teenager whose life is being ruined by her influencer mother. Between her terrible home life, the town's refusal to acknowledge the past massacre, and a growing suspicion that people are hiding the truth, Dusty finds herself digging into the murders that everyone wants forgotten.
And wow, does this town have issues.
One thing I really enjoyed was how different this book feels from the original. Instead of focusing primarily on the victims, we spend a lot more time inside the minds of those planning the violence. Watching the manipulation unfold was fascinating. The story dives deeper into Blythe's legacy and even explores parts of her backstory, showing how someone could be pushed toward becoming a monster. It doesn't excuse her actions, but it adds some interesting layers to the madness.
Dusty herself is not exactly Final Girl material.
In fact, one of the funniest aspects of the book is that she's absolutely terrible at being a killer. Blythe was methodical, intelligent, and terrifyingly efficient. Dusty is impulsive, emotional, wildly unprepared, and making terrible decisions every five minutes. Watching the contrast between them creates some surprisingly entertaining moments. Dusty's gradual descent into complete chaos is both horrifying and weirdly fascinating to watch.
Like the first book, the teenagers here make some spectacularly bad choices. The amount of teenage drama, bad judgment, and self-destructive behavior is honestly impressive. But that's also part of the charm. Everyone feels like an actual teenager rather than a perfectly rational horror protagonist, which means they're constantly making things worse.
The carnival setting remains one of the strongest parts of the series. An abandoned carnival is already creepy enough, but when you fill it with killers, revenge plots, and traumatized survivors trying to stop another massacre, it becomes the perfect slasher playground. The deaths are creative, over-the-top, and exactly what you'd want from a teen horror sequel.
The first half absolutely flew by for me. The pacing is fast, the dialogue feels natural, and there are enough twists and mysteries to keep you guessing. Is Blythe somehow alive? Is someone copying her? Is there something supernatural happening? The mystery surrounding who or what is behind everything kept me hooked.
Then comes Part Two.
And Part Two basically looks at reality, shrugs, and launches itself directly into chaos.
Suddenly we're dealing with hacked technology, smart devices turning deadly, delivery robots joining the body count, increasingly bizarre murder methods, and enough plot twists to give you whiplash. Some will absolutely love how bonkers it becomes. Others may find themselves staring at the pages wondering what just happened. I think I landed somewhere in the middle. It was entertaining, but there were definitely moments where I had to simply accept the insanity and keep moving.
The book also throws a ton of names, perspectives, flashbacks, and moving pieces at you in the second half. Occasionally it gets convoluted, and I won't pretend I fully understood every explanation by the end. But weirdly enough, that almost felt fitting. Horror sequels aren't exactly known for their restraint.
The finale is pure slasher sequel energy. Big reveals, ridiculous deaths, unexpected twists, and a final explanation that leaves you questioning whether you're reading a technological thriller, a supernatural horror novel, or some strange combination of both. The ending definitely left me with questions, but it also left me entertained, which honestly counts for a lot.
Overall, “Viciously Sweet” is messy, violent, ridiculous, confusing, hilarious, and wildly entertaining. It doesn't always make sense. It occasionally feels like three different horror movies smashed together. But it fully embraces its slasher roots and delivers plenty of gore, chaos, creative kills, and over-the-top fun along the way.
If you enjoyed the first book and want a sequel that's bigger, bloodier, stranger, and completely willing to go off the rails, you'll probably have a blast with this one. Just don't expect anyone to make smart decisions. That ship sailed long before the carnival reopened.
“Viciously Sweet” by Jessica Lacy is one of those horror sequels that looks at the first book, cranks the chaos dial past maximum, snaps the dial off completely, and then asks, "What if we added killer technology, revenge plots, and even more unhinged teenage decisions?"
And honestly? It was a ridiculously entertaining ride.
Set five years after the massacre at the Poison Apple Carnival, the town of Belldam has essentially decided the best way to deal with horrific trauma is to pretend it never happened. Nothing suspicious there. Absolutely healthy behavior. Unfortunately, someone seems determined to make sure history repeats itself.
The story kicks off with an extended prologue that almost feels like its own mini slasher novel. There's blood, gore, bizarre deaths, and a new killer tying up loose ends among a fresh batch of graduating seniors. It immediately throws you back into the twisted carnival atmosphere that made the first book so much fun. The prologue probably could have been trimmed down a bit, but I was having too much fun watching the carnage to complain too much.
This time around, the main focus is Dusty, a teenager whose life is being ruined by her influencer mother. Between her terrible home life, the town's refusal to acknowledge the past massacre, and a growing suspicion that people are hiding the truth, Dusty finds herself digging into the murders that everyone wants forgotten.
And wow, does this town have issues.
One thing I really enjoyed was how different this book feels from the original. Instead of focusing primarily on the victims, we spend a lot more time inside the minds of those planning the violence. Watching the manipulation unfold was fascinating. The story dives deeper into Blythe's legacy and even explores parts of her backstory, showing how someone could be pushed toward becoming a monster. It doesn't excuse her actions, but it adds some interesting layers to the madness.
Dusty herself is not exactly Final Girl material.
In fact, one of the funniest aspects of the book is that she's absolutely terrible at being a killer. Blythe was methodical, intelligent, and terrifyingly efficient. Dusty is impulsive, emotional, wildly unprepared, and making terrible decisions every five minutes. Watching the contrast between them creates some surprisingly entertaining moments. Dusty's gradual descent into complete chaos is both horrifying and weirdly fascinating to watch.
Like the first book, the teenagers here make some spectacularly bad choices. The amount of teenage drama, bad judgment, and self-destructive behavior is honestly impressive. But that's also part of the charm. Everyone feels like an actual teenager rather than a perfectly rational horror protagonist, which means they're constantly making things worse.
The carnival setting remains one of the strongest parts of the series. An abandoned carnival is already creepy enough, but when you fill it with killers, revenge plots, and traumatized survivors trying to stop another massacre, it becomes the perfect slasher playground. The deaths are creative, over-the-top, and exactly what you'd want from a teen horror sequel.
The first half absolutely flew by for me. The pacing is fast, the dialogue feels natural, and there are enough twists and mysteries to keep you guessing. Is Blythe somehow alive? Is someone copying her? Is there something supernatural happening? The mystery surrounding who or what is behind everything kept me hooked.
Then comes Part Two.
And Part Two basically looks at reality, shrugs, and launches itself directly into chaos.
Suddenly we're dealing with hacked technology, smart devices turning deadly, delivery robots joining the body count, increasingly bizarre murder methods, and enough plot twists to give you whiplash. Some will absolutely love how bonkers it becomes. Others may find themselves staring at the pages wondering what just happened. I think I landed somewhere in the middle. It was entertaining, but there were definitely moments where I had to simply accept the insanity and keep moving.
The book also throws a ton of names, perspectives, flashbacks, and moving pieces at you in the second half. Occasionally it gets convoluted, and I won't pretend I fully understood every explanation by the end. But weirdly enough, that almost felt fitting. Horror sequels aren't exactly known for their restraint.
The finale is pure slasher sequel energy. Big reveals, ridiculous deaths, unexpected twists, and a final explanation that leaves you questioning whether you're reading a technological thriller, a supernatural horror novel, or some strange combination of both. The ending definitely left me with questions, but it also left me entertained, which honestly counts for a lot.
Overall, “Viciously Sweet” is messy, violent, ridiculous, confusing, hilarious, and wildly entertaining. It doesn't always make sense. It occasionally feels like three different horror movies smashed together. But it fully embraces its slasher roots and delivers plenty of gore, chaos, creative kills, and over-the-top fun along the way.
If you enjoyed the first book and want a sequel that's bigger, bloodier, stranger, and completely willing to go off the rails, you'll probably have a blast with this one. Just don't expect anyone to make smart decisions. That ship sailed long before the carnival reopened.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. A very gorey sequel! It’s been 5 years since Blythe went on her murder spree but in the town of Belldam no one seems to remember her or what she did. Her online presence had been erased it’s almost like she never existed. Dusty is about to embark on her senior year and can’t wait. Her life with her horrible “influencer” mother sucks and the people she calls “friends” are all so toxic. But then an unknown number reaches out and begins to tell her a plan, one that involves a new scavenger hunt. Violet moved away from Texas and isn’t supposed to return, if she wants to stay safe. But when the little sister of one of her dead friends tells her a new scavenger hunt is happening she knows she has to return to stop it. She’s even more sure of that when Blythe starts texting her again. But who is it really, there’s no way Blythe is still alive, right? This has to be some kind of AI. As death once again falls on Belldam Violet will have to figure out what going on and who is behind Blythe in order to save lives. But will she be too late? This one was a page turner, Jessica Lacey had me hooked! Some of the POV’s in these one were really interesting because we are seeing how a killer becomes! Plus there’s more information about Blythe that we didn’t get in the first book. I love that these books feel like a mesh of a slasher and mean girls, and your both rooting for the girls to live and to die! It’s ridiculous, fun, violent, messy, and absolutely entertaining!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All thoughts are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5 ⭐️)
I loved this one just as much—if not more—than the first book! I flew through it in just a couple of sittings because I couldn’t wait to see how everything would unfold.
Returning to the Poison Apple Halloween Carnival was just as creepy as I hoped. The copycat killer storyline added a fresh twist while still tying everything back to the events of the first book. Every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, another twist proved me wrong.
I loved seeing familiar faces alongside a new cast of characters, and the eerie carnival atmosphere never let up. The fast pacing, constant suspense, and shocking reveals made this impossible to put down.
If you love YA horror, masked killers, creepy carnival settings, and twisty mysteries that keep you guessing until the very end, this series is definitely worth picking up.
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5 ⭐️)
I loved this one just as much—if not more—than the first book! I flew through it in just a couple of sittings because I couldn’t wait to see how everything would unfold.
Returning to the Poison Apple Halloween Carnival was just as creepy as I hoped. The copycat killer storyline added a fresh twist while still tying everything back to the events of the first book. Every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, another twist proved me wrong.
I loved seeing familiar faces alongside a new cast of characters, and the eerie carnival atmosphere never let up. The fast pacing, constant suspense, and shocking reveals made this impossible to put down.
If you love YA horror, masked killers, creepy carnival settings, and twisty mysteries that keep you guessing until the very end, this series is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really wanted to enjoy this sequel, especially because I enjoyed the gore and ’90s slasher nostalgia in the first book. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite have the same pull for me. There are some creative ideas here, but the story felt scattered and took a lot of different turns without ever fully pulling me in. Plus, it just felt long... like really long without a purpose.
I also found myself missing the gruesome kills and chaotic slasher energy that made the first book at least fun. This installment takes a more modern approach to the horror, and while I can appreciate the creativity behind it, it just didn’t have the same impact for me.
I think fans of the first book may still enjoy returning to this world and seeing where the story goes, but overall, this sequel fell short of what I was hoping for. It had some interesting ideas, but I ultimately didn’t find it as engaging or as entertaining as the first.
I also found myself missing the gruesome kills and chaotic slasher energy that made the first book at least fun. This installment takes a more modern approach to the horror, and while I can appreciate the creativity behind it, it just didn’t have the same impact for me.
I think fans of the first book may still enjoy returning to this world and seeing where the story goes, but overall, this sequel fell short of what I was hoping for. It had some interesting ideas, but I ultimately didn’t find it as engaging or as entertaining as the first.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Do not let the title fool you—there is nothing sweet about Tastes Like Candy 2. I went into this completely blind based on the cover alone, without having read the first book, and was instantly sucked into a total wild ride. The only thing "candy" here is the sinister carnival setting and the twisted props used for some of the most insanely creative kills I’ve ever read.
If James A. Janisse was doing a Dead Meat Kill Count on this book, it would easily take the Golden Chainsaw. The carnage is unhinged in the absolute best way possible. Beyond the top-tier slasher elements, the execution of the tech/AI-run-amok premise was fantastic from beginning to end. The shifting multi-POV dynamic kept the pacing razor-sharp, and the character development gave real weight to the intensity.
That ending left me completely stunned. I genuinely cannot believe where things were left, and I need the next installment immediately.
A massive thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
If James A. Janisse was doing a Dead Meat Kill Count on this book, it would easily take the Golden Chainsaw. The carnage is unhinged in the absolute best way possible. Beyond the top-tier slasher elements, the execution of the tech/AI-run-amok premise was fantastic from beginning to end. The shifting multi-POV dynamic kept the pacing razor-sharp, and the character development gave real weight to the intensity.
That ending left me completely stunned. I genuinely cannot believe where things were left, and I need the next installment immediately.
A massive thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
September 19, 2026So I’m not going to rate this one… yet! I am going to reread it when it’s published, and I already have the physical book and audio lined up. I struggled with the eARC I received from Sourcebooks via NetGalley, but that was a me issue, not a book issue.
I liked it enough that I absolutely want to reread it. For me, it was more about catching all the final details because I loved book one so much, and this one has those same vibes. I just found myself getting jumbled up and distracted because of my own reading disorder, and I don’t want that to influence my rating.
This installment definitely has more gore and less character development. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s just different from the first book and shifts the focus a bit.
So until I get the chance to reread it, do I recommend it? Absolutely. It has all the fun, 90s slasher-horror vibes I was hoping for, and I’m looking forward to giving it another go when I can experience the finished book and audio together.
I liked it enough that I absolutely want to reread it. For me, it was more about catching all the final details because I loved book one so much, and this one has those same vibes. I just found myself getting jumbled up and distracted because of my own reading disorder, and I don’t want that to influence my rating.
This installment definitely has more gore and less character development. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s just different from the first book and shifts the focus a bit.
So until I get the chance to reread it, do I recommend it? Absolutely. It has all the fun, 90s slasher-horror vibes I was hoping for, and I’m looking forward to giving it another go when I can experience the finished book and audio together.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I first read Tastes Like Candy a few years ago and it was an instant favorite. I wasn't a huge fan of Sugarless and when I saw a new sequel was coming out I wanted to know how similar it would be.
While Viciously Sweet is a better version with a clearer central theme, it still doesn't hit the "favorite" category for me. The plotline feels disjointed like separate stories brought together with little overlap. There are parts and voices, especially towards the end, that I wanted less of.
That being said, I did enjoy the story overall. I like that Blythe was given a chance to tell her story. I enjoyed spending more time with Violet and seeing how the Scavenger Hunt changed and impacted her life.
Overall, a fun read, if a little winded and drawn out.
I first read Tastes Like Candy a few years ago and it was an instant favorite. I wasn't a huge fan of Sugarless and when I saw a new sequel was coming out I wanted to know how similar it would be.
While Viciously Sweet is a better version with a clearer central theme, it still doesn't hit the "favorite" category for me. The plotline feels disjointed like separate stories brought together with little overlap. There are parts and voices, especially towards the end, that I wanted less of.
That being said, I did enjoy the story overall. I like that Blythe was given a chance to tell her story. I enjoyed spending more time with Violet and seeing how the Scavenger Hunt changed and impacted her life.
Overall, a fun read, if a little winded and drawn out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the advanced eReader copy in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an absolute blast! I loved the first book, but Viciously Sweet somehow managed to top it. The pacing is relentless, the kills keep coming, and the horror never lets you catch your breath.
I was so excited to return to the creepy carnival setting—it was the perfect backdrop for all the chaos and made this my first (and an excellent) Summerween read. If you’re looking for a fast-paced YA slasher packed with creepy vibes, plenty of twists, and nonstop fun, definitely add this one to your TBR!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an absolute blast! I loved the first book, but Viciously Sweet somehow managed to top it. The pacing is relentless, the kills keep coming, and the horror never lets you catch your breath.
I was so excited to return to the creepy carnival setting—it was the perfect backdrop for all the chaos and made this my first (and an excellent) Summerween read. If you’re looking for a fast-paced YA slasher packed with creepy vibes, plenty of twists, and nonstop fun, definitely add this one to your TBR!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I have to say I specifically sought out Viciously Sweet right after finishing book 1, Tastes Like Candy, and it did not disappoint! It was like “watching” a Wes Crave movie unfolding as I turned the pages, just when I thought I had things figured out someone gets cut in half or jumps off a Ferris wheel an I’m back to square one. From beginning to end I was on a literal carnival ride going through the twists and turns not knowing what’s coming next. Even after just finishing it I’m still reeling and wondering what the heck just happened! It’s the perfect Summerween book to add to your TBR!
I have to say I specifically sought out Viciously Sweet right after finishing book 1, Tastes Like Candy, and it did not disappoint! It was like “watching” a Wes Crave movie unfolding as I turned the pages, just when I thought I had things figured out someone gets cut in half or jumps off a Ferris wheel an I’m back to square one. From beginning to end I was on a literal carnival ride going through the twists and turns not knowing what’s coming next. Even after just finishing it I’m still reeling and wondering what the heck just happened! It’s the perfect Summerween book to add to your TBR!
August 30, 2026
Tastes Like Candy 2: Viciously Sweet was just as fun as the first book and was still so reminiscent of Fear Street.
I read that one immediately following the first, so everything was still fresh in my mind. This one takes place five years later with a new group of Belldam girls.
I honestly can’t get over how funny both of these books are. The humor really adds to the overall experience. And the 💀 scenes are SO creative.
The end of this one had a pretty unique twist and I’ll be curious to see if we will be getting a third.
I read that one immediately following the first, so everything was still fresh in my mind. This one takes place five years later with a new group of Belldam girls.
I honestly can’t get over how funny both of these books are. The humor really adds to the overall experience. And the 💀 scenes are SO creative.
The end of this one had a pretty unique twist and I’ll be curious to see if we will be getting a third.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, SOURCEBOOKS Fire for providing the copy of Tastes Like Candy 2: Viciously Sweet by Jessica Lacy. I loved Tastes Like Candy, but this one took some time to get involved with. About halfway through, it got more exciting. This is a straight up horror novel, and the blood and gore was over the top for me, and the ‘excitement’ reflected that. Lacy’s writing style kept me reading, and while I didn’t love it as much as Tastes Like Candy, I still enjoyed it. 3 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me this ARC for an exchange on a review. My thoughts and review are my own. Honestly, I prefer book 1 because book 1 was more gore. Book 2 felt like horror and I did like that. The one thing that I did not like about in this story is the adding the character AI in it. It does remind me of the movie “Five Nights at Freddy’s”. The plot was slow and frustrating. Overall, I did enjoy the story. I just wished that it was better.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing an eARC for my honest review.
The slasher at the carnival is back! A new group, a new villain, new murders, and new suspects.
The one thing that was hard for me was HAVING TOO MANY CHARACTHERS! Like, really a lot. Violet's group, Maddy's group, Dusty's group. There was not enough time to get to know each of them, they were just a blur of names.
But I must say, the second book is gorier and more violent.
And as for the finale of the book, it looks more like "End of Watch (Bill Hoghes #3) by Stephen King and a "Black mirror" episode.
The slasher at the carnival is back! A new group, a new villain, new murders, and new suspects.
The one thing that was hard for me was HAVING TOO MANY CHARACTHERS! Like, really a lot. Violet's group, Maddy's group, Dusty's group. There was not enough time to get to know each of them, they were just a blur of names.
But I must say, the second book is gorier and more violent.
And as for the finale of the book, it looks more like "End of Watch (Bill Hoghes #3) by Stephen King and a "Black mirror" episode.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was sent an early uncorrected pdf proof and devoured it in days!
It was a blast to hop back into the Poison Apple Carnival for another Senior Scavenge!
Definitely loved how brutal and twisted this follow up was, cannot wait to have it sit on my shelf.
It was a blast to hop back into the Poison Apple Carnival for another Senior Scavenge!
Definitely loved how brutal and twisted this follow up was, cannot wait to have it sit on my shelf.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you read this under her pen name pick it up! Its a different novel and worth the read. This is what I expected when I read the second book to Tastes like candy its creepy unsettling and why I read this author I get a touch of nostalgia because it reminds me of the slashers I read in the 90s.
June 13, 2026
4⭐️Got this as an ARC and I really enjoyed it!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A fun, intriguing slasher with some seriously gore-heavy moments. The interesting characters and plot twists kept me invested, and I was always curious to see what would happen next
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jessica Lacy just reinvented the wheel. One of the most innovative slashers written this century. Nobody can touch the queen of slashers and bubblegum horror.
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