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Flutter
The question isn’t why he’s killing them, but why he’s keeping her alive.
Seventeen-year-old Daphne Pencast saw the gruesome her teacher’s body, broken and bloodied beneath the cemetery trees. Now the attacks are growing more violent, and every victim seems to have one thing in her.
With rumors of a serial killer sweeping the town, Daphne’s father—the mayor—locks down the streets and surrounds her with guards. Isolated and restless, she turns to Gabriel, an old crush now acting as her bodyguard. But as the killer draws closer, Gabriel starts to feel more like a warden than a protector.
And then there’s the Poppy Killer.
Untraceable. Unstoppable. Always one step ahead. He kills without mercy—except when it comes to her.
Determined to uncover the truth, Daphne digs into Gilia Dune’s dark past. But the more she uncovers, the more twisted the truth becomes. Because this killer might not be entirely human… and he might not be the real monster after all.
As the killer’s obsession tightens around her, Daphne must decide who to
The boy who swore to keep her safe—
Or the killer who refuses to let her go.
Seventeen-year-old Daphne Pencast saw the gruesome her teacher’s body, broken and bloodied beneath the cemetery trees. Now the attacks are growing more violent, and every victim seems to have one thing in her.
With rumors of a serial killer sweeping the town, Daphne’s father—the mayor—locks down the streets and surrounds her with guards. Isolated and restless, she turns to Gabriel, an old crush now acting as her bodyguard. But as the killer draws closer, Gabriel starts to feel more like a warden than a protector.
And then there’s the Poppy Killer.
Untraceable. Unstoppable. Always one step ahead. He kills without mercy—except when it comes to her.
Determined to uncover the truth, Daphne digs into Gilia Dune’s dark past. But the more she uncovers, the more twisted the truth becomes. Because this killer might not be entirely human… and he might not be the real monster after all.
As the killer’s obsession tightens around her, Daphne must decide who to
The boy who swore to keep her safe—
Or the killer who refuses to let her go.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 8, 2025
3 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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October 23, 2025
──⟡⋆˙✩ 2 stars ✩ ⋆˙⟡──
*ੈ✩‧₊˚ "𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣, 𝙈𝙧. 𝙋𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙆𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧? 𝙉𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙚'𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮, 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙖𝙮?" *ೃ༄
Funny story.
I went into this thinking it was a thriller. Because the synopsis was LITERALLY talking about a killer on the loose who’s apparently obsessed with the FMC, Daphne. But then it was really boring for a thriller, I felt no thrill reading it. But then… but then… The killer got WINGS.
Apparently he’s an ANGEL. And he wants her help.
Yeah. Don’t even talk to me right now.
This is completely bonkers and ridiculous. And my poor brain is still trying to process the plot of this book.
"𝕐𝕠𝕦'𝕧𝕖 𝕘𝕠𝕥-𝕠𝕙 𝕞𝕪 𝔾𝕠𝕕, 𝕪𝕠𝕦'𝕧𝕖 𝕘𝕠𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤. 𝕀𝕤𝕟'𝕥 𝕚𝕥 𝕓𝕒𝕕 𝕖𝕟𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒 𝕜𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣? 𝔻𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕥𝕠𝕠?"
"𝕀 𝕨𝕒𝕤𝕟'𝕥 𝕘𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕞𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕠𝕗 𝕒 𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕚𝕔𝕖."
Many thanks to netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚ "𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣, 𝙈𝙧. 𝙋𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙆𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧? 𝙉𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙚'𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮, 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙖𝙮?" *ೃ༄
Funny story.
I went into this thinking it was a thriller. Because the synopsis was LITERALLY talking about a killer on the loose who’s apparently obsessed with the FMC, Daphne. But then it was really boring for a thriller, I felt no thrill reading it. But then… but then… The killer got WINGS.
Apparently he’s an ANGEL. And he wants her help.
Yeah. Don’t even talk to me right now.
This is completely bonkers and ridiculous. And my poor brain is still trying to process the plot of this book.
"𝕐𝕠𝕦'𝕧𝕖 𝕘𝕠𝕥-𝕠𝕙 𝕞𝕪 𝔾𝕠𝕕, 𝕪𝕠𝕦'𝕧𝕖 𝕘𝕠𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤. 𝕀𝕤𝕟'𝕥 𝕚𝕥 𝕓𝕒𝕕 𝕖𝕟𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒 𝕜𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣? 𝔻𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕥𝕠𝕠?"
"𝕀 𝕨𝕒𝕤𝕟'𝕥 𝕘𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕞𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕠𝕗 𝕒 𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕚𝕔𝕖."
Many thanks to netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
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June 16, 2025this showed up in my inbox so here i am 😀👍
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November 18, 2025Daphne and her best friends stumble upon a gruesome murder scene that sets off a string of mysterious deaths in the small town of Gilia Dune. While the town blames a mountain lion, Daphne soon meets the real killer—an Angel named Sebastian—and finds herself caught in an otherworldly war between celestial beings.
This ARC had an intriguing premise—angels, murder, small-town secrets—but the execution missed the mark for me. I ran into multiple grammar and spelling errors (normally I let that slide, but there were just too many), and the plot was riddled with inconsistencies and unexplained moments. Characters knew things they had no way of knowing, and some events (like a robbery that never happened??) left me confused and frustrated.
The world-building also lacked depth. The motives behind the angelic war didn’t fully make sense, and the villain’s “save humanity” spiel felt empty—especially since he was busy murdering humans. Make it make sense!
Oh, and the romance? Weird. Gabriel flip-flopped between overprotective big bro and maybe-love-interest—and was described as a father figure at one point. That officially shut it down for me.
Overall, I had high hopes but had to tap out before the halfway mark. A solid concept that just didn’t get the development it needed.
*Thank you to Netgalley and OCS Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This ARC had an intriguing premise—angels, murder, small-town secrets—but the execution missed the mark for me. I ran into multiple grammar and spelling errors (normally I let that slide, but there were just too many), and the plot was riddled with inconsistencies and unexplained moments. Characters knew things they had no way of knowing, and some events (like a robbery that never happened??) left me confused and frustrated.
The world-building also lacked depth. The motives behind the angelic war didn’t fully make sense, and the villain’s “save humanity” spiel felt empty—especially since he was busy murdering humans. Make it make sense!
Oh, and the romance? Weird. Gabriel flip-flopped between overprotective big bro and maybe-love-interest—and was described as a father figure at one point. That officially shut it down for me.
Overall, I had high hopes but had to tap out before the halfway mark. A solid concept that just didn’t get the development it needed.
*Thank you to Netgalley and OCS Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
3 stars
The book description was very intriguing. The plot was fast-paced, which sometimes made it hard to digest what was actually happening. It reminded me of those 2010s paranormal books we all used to love. The mystery could have been stronger, but I still enjoyed the concept. The last 20–30% was well written, and I especially liked the bickering between Romy, Bo, and the FMC. Romy ended up being my favorite character—even though she was passed out for half the book.
Now, about the FMC… she seriously thought everything revolved around her. Gabriel, Gabriel, Gabriel—there wasn’t a single moment she didn’t mention him, and it got frustrating fast. It was implied early on that she had to grow up quickly, but her actions didn’t reflect that. She came across as a spoiled brat who constantly dragged her friends into trouble.
The world-building and character development felt a bit scattered, and the explanations were uneven—missing where they were needed and excessive where they weren’t. How did they even travel from the stones to that village? So yeah, there were plot holes. And Dustin’s death could have hit harder with some flashbacks or emotional buildup.
Overall, the first half could have been more polished, and the second half just needed a few tweaks. Despite its flaws, it held my interest, and I wanted to know what happened next.
3 stars
The book description was very intriguing. The plot was fast-paced, which sometimes made it hard to digest what was actually happening. It reminded me of those 2010s paranormal books we all used to love. The mystery could have been stronger, but I still enjoyed the concept. The last 20–30% was well written, and I especially liked the bickering between Romy, Bo, and the FMC. Romy ended up being my favorite character—even though she was passed out for half the book.
Now, about the FMC… she seriously thought everything revolved around her. Gabriel, Gabriel, Gabriel—there wasn’t a single moment she didn’t mention him, and it got frustrating fast. It was implied early on that she had to grow up quickly, but her actions didn’t reflect that. She came across as a spoiled brat who constantly dragged her friends into trouble.
The world-building and character development felt a bit scattered, and the explanations were uneven—missing where they were needed and excessive where they weren’t. How did they even travel from the stones to that village? So yeah, there were plot holes. And Dustin’s death could have hit harder with some flashbacks or emotional buildup.
Overall, the first half could have been more polished, and the second half just needed a few tweaks. Despite its flaws, it held my interest, and I wanted to know what happened next.
June 27, 2025
Review TLDR: This book…going to be polarizing. I don’t recommend buying outright when it comes out. Maybe wait and see if Kindle Unlimited picks it up.
Overall: My TLDR may seem harsh, but please understand this: its writing is inconsistent in quality, has characters whose motivations and actions do not seemingly match, and is low-key a partial rip-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer*. I’m sorry to say that this is only my third official online review, but the first book I just cannot recommend to anyone who isn’t interested in a strange, oddly written act of plot plagiarism.
*Spoilers: The book is set in Southern California, the FMC has two friends (one is a boy and the other a girl), her one female friend is a member of an ethnic minority (and pretty clearly bi), the so-called baddie is actually, get this, an angel who has a self-appointed mission to destroy the other vamp-I mean, his own kind, and his plan is dependent on recruiting her to his cause. You know, because she is special. He totally doesn’t have a crush on this underage girl he has been stalking for a while. You know, because that would be creepy.
Pacing: Actually, this is the only part of this book I think holds up. The author goes for a break-neck pace with one major event happening right after another, but the writing supports this with events that drive the plot forward quickly and with purpose. Odd that one of the hardest parts of writing seems to come so naturally to Ms. Percario. If anything, it suffers a bit from the fast pace as the reader isn’t given time to digest any of the plot points and so it can get a bit confusing what happens when and how.
Character Development: None to speak of. The characters begin the plot with one personality and end it with the same personality. Which is to say, everyone acts like a Marvel character who thinks its okay to make bad jokes over their friends/family/fellow townsfolk who are dying in front of them. No, I am not kidding. At first, I thought the author might have been setting the main character up at the villain when she started making “aren’t I just so clever” style quips over the body someone she knows (who, again, is dying in front of her). They make the jokes before they even call 911. These are not “I’m giggling because I’m traumatized and this is how I’m coping” type jokes. But, sadly, no. She is not the villain. She’s just a psychopath in need of a serious smack upside the head. The other characters are no better.
Plot Problems: Normally I wouldn’t list this in such a blatant manner, but this plot has holes in it so large I could drive a Stryker through ‘em. First, the bodyguard character is an 18 YO male former classmate of the FMC. I say again, a teenage boy has been assigned as the sole protector, with access to the FMC’s bedroom day and night sans her father’s supervision, for this teenaged girl. No father who does not have burning aspirations of becoming a grandfather in the next 10 months would allow this. Next, the bodyguard does not actually do a good job and the FMC is constantly being put in danger…while he kindly finds reasons to fuck-off so the FMC can be in danger/alone with the serial killer. At least one other character comments on this serious lack of talent in his one job, but I don’t know if self-awareness of a plot hole makes it less of one. At no point is he actually punished for being so bad at his job. I have more, but I think the point is made.
Filler/Padding: There is some light padding, but mostly for setting up the next relevant scene – so, again I have to note that the aspect of writing that other authors normally struggle with is actually this book’s strong point. If you’re into the story (which I will admit, once I gave up reading as an editor and just as someone trying to finish the book, I actually did start to enjoy a bit) you will appreciate the author’s skill at keeping the tension high and the FMC moving.
Obvious Errors an Author/Editor Should Have Caught: a few minor mistakes, such as sentences that are not capitalized and should be, words missing in the middle of sentences, the occasional mention of a draught immediately followed by mentions of recent rain, etc. As this book is still yet to be published, I cannot comment too harshly on this. It’s likely it’s still being reviewed for such things.
Overall: My TLDR may seem harsh, but please understand this: its writing is inconsistent in quality, has characters whose motivations and actions do not seemingly match, and is low-key a partial rip-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer*. I’m sorry to say that this is only my third official online review, but the first book I just cannot recommend to anyone who isn’t interested in a strange, oddly written act of plot plagiarism.
*Spoilers: The book is set in Southern California, the FMC has two friends (one is a boy and the other a girl), her one female friend is a member of an ethnic minority (and pretty clearly bi), the so-called baddie is actually, get this, an angel who has a self-appointed mission to destroy the other vamp-I mean, his own kind, and his plan is dependent on recruiting her to his cause. You know, because she is special. He totally doesn’t have a crush on this underage girl he has been stalking for a while. You know, because that would be creepy.
Pacing: Actually, this is the only part of this book I think holds up. The author goes for a break-neck pace with one major event happening right after another, but the writing supports this with events that drive the plot forward quickly and with purpose. Odd that one of the hardest parts of writing seems to come so naturally to Ms. Percario. If anything, it suffers a bit from the fast pace as the reader isn’t given time to digest any of the plot points and so it can get a bit confusing what happens when and how.
Character Development: None to speak of. The characters begin the plot with one personality and end it with the same personality. Which is to say, everyone acts like a Marvel character who thinks its okay to make bad jokes over their friends/family/fellow townsfolk who are dying in front of them. No, I am not kidding. At first, I thought the author might have been setting the main character up at the villain when she started making “aren’t I just so clever” style quips over the body someone she knows (who, again, is dying in front of her). They make the jokes before they even call 911. These are not “I’m giggling because I’m traumatized and this is how I’m coping” type jokes. But, sadly, no. She is not the villain. She’s just a psychopath in need of a serious smack upside the head. The other characters are no better.
Plot Problems: Normally I wouldn’t list this in such a blatant manner, but this plot has holes in it so large I could drive a Stryker through ‘em. First, the bodyguard character is an 18 YO male former classmate of the FMC. I say again, a teenage boy has been assigned as the sole protector, with access to the FMC’s bedroom day and night sans her father’s supervision, for this teenaged girl. No father who does not have burning aspirations of becoming a grandfather in the next 10 months would allow this. Next, the bodyguard does not actually do a good job and the FMC is constantly being put in danger…while he kindly finds reasons to fuck-off so the FMC can be in danger/alone with the serial killer. At least one other character comments on this serious lack of talent in his one job, but I don’t know if self-awareness of a plot hole makes it less of one. At no point is he actually punished for being so bad at his job. I have more, but I think the point is made.
Filler/Padding: There is some light padding, but mostly for setting up the next relevant scene – so, again I have to note that the aspect of writing that other authors normally struggle with is actually this book’s strong point. If you’re into the story (which I will admit, once I gave up reading as an editor and just as someone trying to finish the book, I actually did start to enjoy a bit) you will appreciate the author’s skill at keeping the tension high and the FMC moving.
Obvious Errors an Author/Editor Should Have Caught: a few minor mistakes, such as sentences that are not capitalized and should be, words missing in the middle of sentences, the occasional mention of a draught immediately followed by mentions of recent rain, etc. As this book is still yet to be published, I cannot comment too harshly on this. It’s likely it’s still being reviewed for such things.
July 18, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and OCS Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Melody Percario’s “Flutter” dives into a darkly atmospheric YA thriller brimming with eerie small-town secrets, supernatural shadows, and a young heroine caught in the crossfire of murder and mystery. From the opening chapter, which involves a chilling murder discovered in the woods, the book aims to hook you with a combination of suspense and the fantastical.
At the center of it all is Daphne, the daughter of the town’s mayor, who lives under the tight watch of her overprotective father. When a serial killer dubbed the Poppy Killer begins targeting Daphne’s circle of friends, she’s assigned a bodyguard, Gabriel, whose intentions remain ambiguous. As bodies keep turning up, Daphne learns she may be the only person who can stop the killer, thanks to secrets lurking in both her family’s past and the town’s supernatural underbelly.
Percario crafts a strong, haunting atmosphere, particularly in the cemetery scenes and moments tinged with hints of the supernatural. There’s an appealing undercurrent of psychological tension as Daphne grapples with grief, fear, and distrust, all while being pulled between Gabriel’s mysterious protection and the killer’s eerie fixation on her. The fantastical elements involving angels and hidden town histories hold tantalizing promise and add a unique twist to the thriller formula.
However, it didn’t seem as though “Flutter” was able to fully deliver on its captivating premise. There were some issues with pacing; the plot takes a long time to gain momentum, with significant developments not arriving until over halfway through the book. Early sections linger on Daphne’s personal life and romantic tensions with Gabriel, leaving the murder mystery and town secrets frustratingly sidelined.
Characterization, particularly of Daphne herself, was a bit mixed. While I did appreciate her emotional vulnerability, she felt a bit too passive and lacking in curiosity, missing opportunities to investigate the sinister happenings around her. I wished for the story to focus more on Romy, Daphne’s sharp and proactive friend, who emerges late in the book as an unexpected bright spot, revealing that she’s been independently digging into the town’s dark past.
Similarly, while the romance between Daphne and Gabriel offers flickers of sweetness, it often comes across as underdeveloped and confusing, shifting unpredictably between protective dynamics and hints of romance without clear emotional payoff. The supernatural elements, though intriguing, felt inconsistently woven into the plot. Key twists and backstory revelations arrived late or lacked sufficient explanation, leaving lingering questions about character motivations and world-building logic.
Despite its flaws, “Flutter” has glimmers of beauty and genuine emotion, particularly in moments of Daphne’s introspection and the moody, evocative writing style. It’s a book with undeniable potential and a vivid sense of atmosphere, though it may leave some readers wishing for sharper focus, stronger character development, and a more cohesive plot.
Overall, “Flutter” is an ambitious YA thriller blending small-town murder mystery with supernatural intrigue. For those who enjoy atmospheric tales with secrets lurking beneath the surface and who don’t mind a slower build it may offer an engaging escape.
Melody Percario’s “Flutter” dives into a darkly atmospheric YA thriller brimming with eerie small-town secrets, supernatural shadows, and a young heroine caught in the crossfire of murder and mystery. From the opening chapter, which involves a chilling murder discovered in the woods, the book aims to hook you with a combination of suspense and the fantastical.
At the center of it all is Daphne, the daughter of the town’s mayor, who lives under the tight watch of her overprotective father. When a serial killer dubbed the Poppy Killer begins targeting Daphne’s circle of friends, she’s assigned a bodyguard, Gabriel, whose intentions remain ambiguous. As bodies keep turning up, Daphne learns she may be the only person who can stop the killer, thanks to secrets lurking in both her family’s past and the town’s supernatural underbelly.
Percario crafts a strong, haunting atmosphere, particularly in the cemetery scenes and moments tinged with hints of the supernatural. There’s an appealing undercurrent of psychological tension as Daphne grapples with grief, fear, and distrust, all while being pulled between Gabriel’s mysterious protection and the killer’s eerie fixation on her. The fantastical elements involving angels and hidden town histories hold tantalizing promise and add a unique twist to the thriller formula.
However, it didn’t seem as though “Flutter” was able to fully deliver on its captivating premise. There were some issues with pacing; the plot takes a long time to gain momentum, with significant developments not arriving until over halfway through the book. Early sections linger on Daphne’s personal life and romantic tensions with Gabriel, leaving the murder mystery and town secrets frustratingly sidelined.
Characterization, particularly of Daphne herself, was a bit mixed. While I did appreciate her emotional vulnerability, she felt a bit too passive and lacking in curiosity, missing opportunities to investigate the sinister happenings around her. I wished for the story to focus more on Romy, Daphne’s sharp and proactive friend, who emerges late in the book as an unexpected bright spot, revealing that she’s been independently digging into the town’s dark past.
Similarly, while the romance between Daphne and Gabriel offers flickers of sweetness, it often comes across as underdeveloped and confusing, shifting unpredictably between protective dynamics and hints of romance without clear emotional payoff. The supernatural elements, though intriguing, felt inconsistently woven into the plot. Key twists and backstory revelations arrived late or lacked sufficient explanation, leaving lingering questions about character motivations and world-building logic.
Despite its flaws, “Flutter” has glimmers of beauty and genuine emotion, particularly in moments of Daphne’s introspection and the moody, evocative writing style. It’s a book with undeniable potential and a vivid sense of atmosphere, though it may leave some readers wishing for sharper focus, stronger character development, and a more cohesive plot.
Overall, “Flutter” is an ambitious YA thriller blending small-town murder mystery with supernatural intrigue. For those who enjoy atmospheric tales with secrets lurking beneath the surface and who don’t mind a slower build it may offer an engaging escape.
July 12, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley & The Publisher for allowing me a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I don't know what to rate this one. It's like a 3.5 to me, I guess. I debated on rounding up or rounding down, but I think ultimately it should be rounded down.
This book felt like it didn't know what it wanted to be, or how it wanted its characters to be. Daphne felt all over the place, and the plot felt confusing and messy at times. However, as soon as Sebastian TRULY entered the scene, everything shifted & got more interesting. It just happened late, and by then, I'd spent the first 20% of the book trying to figure out if this was a murder mystery or a romantasy, which completely lost me. I actually started the book then ignored it for 2 weeks or so. The looming release date pushed me to pick it up again. Ultimately I'm glad I did, but I'm inclined to agree with a lot of points that most of the 2 star reviews bring up. I don't think this book deserves that low of a rating - I just think its lacking editing/polish.
Character consistency was one of my major issues in this book. It didn't feel glaring but Daph did feel like a completely different person at 3 separate times in the novel. I could see one of those shifts being intentional, but a character should be similar at its core, and she was not. She was constantly defiant, but always caving and never reacting or at least not actionably, then snarky, but constantly being gaslit, downplayed, belittled, and led around physically by her wrists.
That said, after the revelation at the end, the author did Gabe dirty a little bit too. Now THAT was a roller coaster for me for several reasons.
Then there was pacing issues. As stated, first 20% I legit thought I'd picked up a book from the thriller genre. It felt so stale to me, I was dreading reading the rest. But once I picked it back up I realized what it was trying to do, it just went about it in such a weird way. The world building was kinda confusing, but ultimately what messed me up was just the entire shift(s) in direction throughout. The last 10% of the book made it feel like I was reading a completely different book than the one I started. In a good way though, because I actually care enough at this point to read a sequel.
I think ultimately at its core, I like the concept and where it is currently headed, but it is predictable at this point (at least the romance part anyway) and it just took too damn long to get where I wanted to be. That said, I can see what book 2 has in store for me & I agree with the direction fully. I just wish we had a little bit moooooooore of a glimpse into it than just the last 10%.
Sebastian - ("Bas") - I'll see you in book 2 👀
I don't know what to rate this one. It's like a 3.5 to me, I guess. I debated on rounding up or rounding down, but I think ultimately it should be rounded down.
This book felt like it didn't know what it wanted to be, or how it wanted its characters to be. Daphne felt all over the place, and the plot felt confusing and messy at times. However, as soon as Sebastian TRULY entered the scene, everything shifted & got more interesting. It just happened late, and by then, I'd spent the first 20% of the book trying to figure out if this was a murder mystery or a romantasy, which completely lost me. I actually started the book then ignored it for 2 weeks or so. The looming release date pushed me to pick it up again. Ultimately I'm glad I did, but I'm inclined to agree with a lot of points that most of the 2 star reviews bring up. I don't think this book deserves that low of a rating - I just think its lacking editing/polish.
Character consistency was one of my major issues in this book. It didn't feel glaring but Daph did feel like a completely different person at 3 separate times in the novel. I could see one of those shifts being intentional, but a character should be similar at its core, and she was not. She was constantly defiant, but always caving and never reacting or at least not actionably, then snarky, but constantly being gaslit, downplayed, belittled, and led around physically by her wrists.
That said, after the revelation at the end, the author did Gabe dirty a little bit too. Now THAT was a roller coaster for me for several reasons.
Then there was pacing issues. As stated, first 20% I legit thought I'd picked up a book from the thriller genre. It felt so stale to me, I was dreading reading the rest. But once I picked it back up I realized what it was trying to do, it just went about it in such a weird way. The world building was kinda confusing, but ultimately what messed me up was just the entire shift(s) in direction throughout. The last 10% of the book made it feel like I was reading a completely different book than the one I started. In a good way though, because I actually care enough at this point to read a sequel.
I think ultimately at its core, I like the concept and where it is currently headed, but it is predictable at this point (at least the romance part anyway) and it just took too damn long to get where I wanted to be. That said, I can see what book 2 has in store for me & I agree with the direction fully. I just wish we had a little bit moooooooore of a glimpse into it than just the last 10%.
Sebastian - ("Bas") - I'll see you in book 2 👀
July 11, 2025
“I saw him as he entered: death personified, gliding on shadows”
In the small, quiet town of Gilia Dune, there’s a serial killer on the loose. Named the Poppy Killer, the murderer leaves orange poppies on their bloody victims as a calling card and disappears without a trace. One night, when Daphne Pencast happens upon the body of her teacher in the cemetery, it becomes apparent that she is the other common thread between the victims. As the daughter of the mayor, the hired security around Daphne confines her, and the protection tightens as the killer’s obsession with her becomes known. One of these people is her bodyguard, Gabriel, an old friend and now crush. As Daphne comes face-to-face with the killer, the supernatural secrets of her town and the murderer’s motives start to unravel, making her question everything she knows.
When I picked up this book, I wasn’t expecting this small-town murder to turn into such a large-scale war between supernatural creatures—the “angels”—that Daphne is in the midst of. It threw me for a loop at first, and while, in concept, the shift was interesting, I don’t know if I was ever completely on board with the story after that. Certainly, there were aspects of the story that kept me reading. For one, Daphne and her friends are on the cusp of adulthood, and their struggles with growing up, facing loss, being an adult, or even being human against the backdrop of fantasy give the story emotional weight. The quick narrative pacing also felt natural, which emphasized the tension and high-intensity scenes that propelled the story. However, without any major character developments, Daphne and the cast fell flat, even as the action escalated. What’s more, sometimes the characters' attitudes felt incongruous with the situation at hand, like Daphne’s witty remarks to the killer after witnessing him murder people she knows in front of her. At times, I was also confused by the angels, as their powers, conflicts, and motivations became increasingly complicated. This led to an undeveloped plot I didn’t always understand. Deciding who Daphne can trust is also central to the novel, yet the novel’s romance is uncomfortable and problematic. Ultimately, while I love small-town mysteries and found the book’s angel representation engaging, I won't readily pick up the sequel in this series.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and OCS Publishing for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
In the small, quiet town of Gilia Dune, there’s a serial killer on the loose. Named the Poppy Killer, the murderer leaves orange poppies on their bloody victims as a calling card and disappears without a trace. One night, when Daphne Pencast happens upon the body of her teacher in the cemetery, it becomes apparent that she is the other common thread between the victims. As the daughter of the mayor, the hired security around Daphne confines her, and the protection tightens as the killer’s obsession with her becomes known. One of these people is her bodyguard, Gabriel, an old friend and now crush. As Daphne comes face-to-face with the killer, the supernatural secrets of her town and the murderer’s motives start to unravel, making her question everything she knows.
When I picked up this book, I wasn’t expecting this small-town murder to turn into such a large-scale war between supernatural creatures—the “angels”—that Daphne is in the midst of. It threw me for a loop at first, and while, in concept, the shift was interesting, I don’t know if I was ever completely on board with the story after that. Certainly, there were aspects of the story that kept me reading. For one, Daphne and her friends are on the cusp of adulthood, and their struggles with growing up, facing loss, being an adult, or even being human against the backdrop of fantasy give the story emotional weight. The quick narrative pacing also felt natural, which emphasized the tension and high-intensity scenes that propelled the story. However, without any major character developments, Daphne and the cast fell flat, even as the action escalated. What’s more, sometimes the characters' attitudes felt incongruous with the situation at hand, like Daphne’s witty remarks to the killer after witnessing him murder people she knows in front of her. At times, I was also confused by the angels, as their powers, conflicts, and motivations became increasingly complicated. This led to an undeveloped plot I didn’t always understand. Deciding who Daphne can trust is also central to the novel, yet the novel’s romance is uncomfortable and problematic. Ultimately, while I love small-town mysteries and found the book’s angel representation engaging, I won't readily pick up the sequel in this series.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and OCS Publishing for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
July 10, 2025
Arc Review
Thank you to the author Melody Percario @netgalley for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Flutter is a dark, atmospheric YA thriller that hooks you from the first page with a chilling murder and keeps the tension tight throughout. Melody Percario creates a haunting mood with vivid imagery—particularly in the eerie cemetery scenes—and the idea of an untraceable, possibly non-human killer adds a creepy, supernatural edge that’s both intriguing and unsettling.
I appreciated the emotional vulnerability of Daphne, a protagonist thrust into isolation by her father’s over protection, then pulled between two dangerous forces: Gabriel, her assigned protector with unclear motives, and the mysterious Poppy Killer, who seems obsessed with her but may not be the true threat. There’s a strong undercurrent of psychological tension in how Daphne navigates fear, grief, and mistrust.
That said, the novel didn’t fully stick the landing for me. The pacing was uneven—slow in parts where it should’ve built momentum, then rushed in others where deeper emotional payoff was needed. Daphne's relationship with Gabriel felt underdeveloped and at times frustratingly one-sided, which made it hard to invest fully in their dynamic. Meanwhile, the killer’s fascination with Daphne, while initially compelling, occasionally veered into melodrama, muddying the sense of real danger.
Some of the twists—especially related to Gilia Dune's past—were intriguing, but not all were well-executed or clearly explained. I often found myself needing more clarity on key motivations and backstory, particularly regarding the supernatural elements, which felt introduced late and somewhat inconsistently.
Overall, Flutter is an ambitious and atmospheric read with moments of brilliance, especially in its world-building and eerie tone. But a few key elements—pacing, character depth, and plot cohesion—held it back from fully soaring.
Thank you to the author Melody Percario @netgalley for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Flutter is a dark, atmospheric YA thriller that hooks you from the first page with a chilling murder and keeps the tension tight throughout. Melody Percario creates a haunting mood with vivid imagery—particularly in the eerie cemetery scenes—and the idea of an untraceable, possibly non-human killer adds a creepy, supernatural edge that’s both intriguing and unsettling.
I appreciated the emotional vulnerability of Daphne, a protagonist thrust into isolation by her father’s over protection, then pulled between two dangerous forces: Gabriel, her assigned protector with unclear motives, and the mysterious Poppy Killer, who seems obsessed with her but may not be the true threat. There’s a strong undercurrent of psychological tension in how Daphne navigates fear, grief, and mistrust.
That said, the novel didn’t fully stick the landing for me. The pacing was uneven—slow in parts where it should’ve built momentum, then rushed in others where deeper emotional payoff was needed. Daphne's relationship with Gabriel felt underdeveloped and at times frustratingly one-sided, which made it hard to invest fully in their dynamic. Meanwhile, the killer’s fascination with Daphne, while initially compelling, occasionally veered into melodrama, muddying the sense of real danger.
Some of the twists—especially related to Gilia Dune's past—were intriguing, but not all were well-executed or clearly explained. I often found myself needing more clarity on key motivations and backstory, particularly regarding the supernatural elements, which felt introduced late and somewhat inconsistently.
Overall, Flutter is an ambitious and atmospheric read with moments of brilliance, especially in its world-building and eerie tone. But a few key elements—pacing, character depth, and plot cohesion—held it back from fully soaring.
June 23, 2025
"Okay so it's ACOTAR meets Twilight but with ~angels~. I haven't really thought through any of the characters' motivations yet but I'll just start writing and see where it takes me" - How I imagine the pitch for Flutter went.
2/5
I really wanted to like this. I pushed through to finish it and I'm glad I did - the final third of the novel made me give it a whole extra star - but it was an EFFORT to get there.
Daphne is the mayor's daughter in a small town that even now I can't remember the location of (America? But also lots of references to Ireland so it's in the UK? But there's a chief of police?? I'd have to read it again to find out so I guess I'll never know). Reeling from recent tragedy, the town is adamant it will move on but Daphne, while commemorating her friend's life, literally stumbles onto a body that opens a whole arse can of worms.
The difficulty I had with Flutter at every level was the believability. Obviously it's fantasy so not everything is meant to be realistic but the world building is not there, events regularly seem to happen outside of the narrative, never to be explained, and the characters....
These characters are not grounded in their choices:
- oh, Gabriel is Daphne's love interest? but also she describes him as being a father figure? cool cool
- the mysterious killer could just tell Daphne the full truth (no spoilers as to what that is) the first time they meet? they have time to have a full chat but he just talks in riddles instead and doesn't even point her in the right direction, just lets her flounder? nice one.
- Romy and Bo only exist when Daphne is in the scene and otherwise are just... around? doing things? we'll never know.
The idea and plot of Flutter genuinely has a lot of promise (present tense as the author is clearly gearing up for this to be a series) but I will not be picking up the next book merely for the fact that I have no connection to any of these characters and because I cannot read a book with this many typos and grammatical errors again.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC.
2/5
I really wanted to like this. I pushed through to finish it and I'm glad I did - the final third of the novel made me give it a whole extra star - but it was an EFFORT to get there.
Daphne is the mayor's daughter in a small town that even now I can't remember the location of (America? But also lots of references to Ireland so it's in the UK? But there's a chief of police?? I'd have to read it again to find out so I guess I'll never know). Reeling from recent tragedy, the town is adamant it will move on but Daphne, while commemorating her friend's life, literally stumbles onto a body that opens a whole arse can of worms.
The difficulty I had with Flutter at every level was the believability. Obviously it's fantasy so not everything is meant to be realistic but the world building is not there, events regularly seem to happen outside of the narrative, never to be explained, and the characters....
These characters are not grounded in their choices:
- oh, Gabriel is Daphne's love interest? but also she describes him as being a father figure? cool cool
- the mysterious killer could just tell Daphne the full truth (no spoilers as to what that is) the first time they meet? they have time to have a full chat but he just talks in riddles instead and doesn't even point her in the right direction, just lets her flounder? nice one.
- Romy and Bo only exist when Daphne is in the scene and otherwise are just... around? doing things? we'll never know.
The idea and plot of Flutter genuinely has a lot of promise (present tense as the author is clearly gearing up for this to be a series) but I will not be picking up the next book merely for the fact that I have no connection to any of these characters and because I cannot read a book with this many typos and grammatical errors again.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC.
July 8, 2025
Spoilers ahead.
The plot sounded good, but it was executed in a poorly way. This book reminded me of Crescent City, but worse. We have our fmc Daphne who is a 17 year old girl and the mayors daughter. While Daphne and her friends are commemorating their friend’s death the group stumbles upon a dead body. They are now involved in the drama with this serial killer. Who isn’t actually a serial killer, but a savior. Then out of nowhere we have angels disguised as humans who are just using regular humans to fuel their energy. Then the serial killer is like I’m not killing people I’m saving them from the angels. Lost me at that moment because it made no sense. Daphne herself is too dense. She has zero self awareness and doesn’t know anything that goes on. A few examples of this are not knowing her own mother’s name or when her mother died. She also doesn’t know her best friend’s grandmother is dead. The only character I liked was her best friend Romy. At least she’s questioning everything that’s going on in their town. She has a good head on her shoulders. Don’t get me started on Gabriel. One moment he loves Daphne and the next he’s the overprotective big brother. Pick a struggle are you the love interest or not. The grammar is not the best and there are so many plot holes. The characters need more depth and the world building isn’t the best either. This book is a fantasy, but it’s written very poorly. I almost stopped reading, but didn’t to give it a fair chance. Unfortunately, I will not be continuing this series. I do thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read this arc. Two stars because the premise has potential.
The plot sounded good, but it was executed in a poorly way. This book reminded me of Crescent City, but worse. We have our fmc Daphne who is a 17 year old girl and the mayors daughter. While Daphne and her friends are commemorating their friend’s death the group stumbles upon a dead body. They are now involved in the drama with this serial killer. Who isn’t actually a serial killer, but a savior. Then out of nowhere we have angels disguised as humans who are just using regular humans to fuel their energy. Then the serial killer is like I’m not killing people I’m saving them from the angels. Lost me at that moment because it made no sense. Daphne herself is too dense. She has zero self awareness and doesn’t know anything that goes on. A few examples of this are not knowing her own mother’s name or when her mother died. She also doesn’t know her best friend’s grandmother is dead. The only character I liked was her best friend Romy. At least she’s questioning everything that’s going on in their town. She has a good head on her shoulders. Don’t get me started on Gabriel. One moment he loves Daphne and the next he’s the overprotective big brother. Pick a struggle are you the love interest or not. The grammar is not the best and there are so many plot holes. The characters need more depth and the world building isn’t the best either. This book is a fantasy, but it’s written very poorly. I almost stopped reading, but didn’t to give it a fair chance. Unfortunately, I will not be continuing this series. I do thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read this arc. Two stars because the premise has potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am giving Flutter by Melody Percario 2 stars. At first, this sounded totally up my alley…small-town murder mystery, secrets, angels, supernatural drama. I went in wanting to love it…but it just didn’t work for me.
The concept has potential, but the pacing was slow, and the real action didn’t kick in until halfway through. There were also confusing details like characters knowing things they shouldn’t, or random changes like outfits or cars mid-chapter that pulled me out of the story.
The angel war world-building sounded cool but lacked depth. One side wants to “protect” humans through control, while the other wants to “save” humans…by killing them? It didn’t quite make sense.
The romance was also all over the place. Gabriel flip-flopped between protective big brother vibes and maybe-love-interest, while Sebastian added more possible chemistry, turning it into a muddled, unofficial love triangle that felt unresolved. I was unsure what was happening romantically here.
Daphne as a character didn’t fully work for me either. She felt too passive and oblivious to everything happening around her, while her friend Romy seemed far more interesting and proactive. I wish the story had focused more on Romy’s investigation instead of endless dinner dates and crush drama.
Overall, Flutter has intriguing ideas, but it just didn’t click for me.
Quote:
“You could inspire loyalty, in the same way your father commands fear. If you stopped letting them box you into their world.”
I am giving Flutter by Melody Percario 2 stars. At first, this sounded totally up my alley…small-town murder mystery, secrets, angels, supernatural drama. I went in wanting to love it…but it just didn’t work for me.
The concept has potential, but the pacing was slow, and the real action didn’t kick in until halfway through. There were also confusing details like characters knowing things they shouldn’t, or random changes like outfits or cars mid-chapter that pulled me out of the story.
The angel war world-building sounded cool but lacked depth. One side wants to “protect” humans through control, while the other wants to “save” humans…by killing them? It didn’t quite make sense.
The romance was also all over the place. Gabriel flip-flopped between protective big brother vibes and maybe-love-interest, while Sebastian added more possible chemistry, turning it into a muddled, unofficial love triangle that felt unresolved. I was unsure what was happening romantically here.
Daphne as a character didn’t fully work for me either. She felt too passive and oblivious to everything happening around her, while her friend Romy seemed far more interesting and proactive. I wish the story had focused more on Romy’s investigation instead of endless dinner dates and crush drama.
Overall, Flutter has intriguing ideas, but it just didn’t click for me.
Quote:
“You could inspire loyalty, in the same way your father commands fear. If you stopped letting them box you into their world.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2025
This book is a little difficult to decide how I feel on, because it’s clearly book 1 of a new series and spends most of its time setting the scene and giving the details that the rest of the series will rest on.
I’m not sure how I feel about the characters, because it’s honestly pretty apparent who you shouldn’t trust from the start and yet the FMC doesn’t seem to notice. She doesn’t seem to notice a lot, actually. I’m baffled as to why she never even asked what her mother’s name was. Wild
“Confession? She’s kinda cute, in that I-know-how-the-world-will-end-because-I-intend-to-cause-it sort of way.”
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️Random notes from my read: CAN BE CONSIDERED SPOILERY⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
* Already don’t like Gabriel
* She should have pointed out that Romy only lived cause she asked him not to kill her and that he was clearly not interested in hurting Daphne
* I wasn’t expecting that
* Does she not think it’s fishy that she woke up as soon as the IV was unhooked? Hmmm
* Romy is wise
* Ew no, not a chance. Girl, he’s so toxic
* I knew he was bad
* Um, are you going to tell Theo what Gabriel did???
Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC and allowing me to provide my honest review
I’m not sure how I feel about the characters, because it’s honestly pretty apparent who you shouldn’t trust from the start and yet the FMC doesn’t seem to notice. She doesn’t seem to notice a lot, actually. I’m baffled as to why she never even asked what her mother’s name was. Wild
“Confession? She’s kinda cute, in that I-know-how-the-world-will-end-because-I-intend-to-cause-it sort of way.”
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️Random notes from my read: CAN BE CONSIDERED SPOILERY⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
* Already don’t like Gabriel
* She should have pointed out that Romy only lived cause she asked him not to kill her and that he was clearly not interested in hurting Daphne
* I wasn’t expecting that
* Does she not think it’s fishy that she woke up as soon as the IV was unhooked? Hmmm
* Romy is wise
* Ew no, not a chance. Girl, he’s so toxic
* I knew he was bad
* Um, are you going to tell Theo what Gabriel did???
Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC and allowing me to provide my honest review
July 1, 2025
Firstly I would like to thank Netgalley and the author and publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Secondly, I would like to apologize for this honest review. I am going to leave this as spoiler free as possible.
the book starts with our female main Character and her friends stumbling across a murder scene. Right from the beginning I was so confused what was going on or who any of the characters were and kept the faith that it would be explained or introduced better later on. It never did. I made it about 55% into the book before DNFing because I could not push through this any more.
I know this is harsh but I would not spend money to buy this book. I believe this is not ready to be published. The plot holes in this book are so large that it was impossible to follow what was going on. It was impossible to have any attachment to the characters because they had no growth and felt extremely flat. the love interest was ?? okay I suppose.
I understand this is fantasy but it was so insanely unbelievable that I couldn't continue on with it. the premise felt great and I was excited for it but the execution fell flat.
Rated 1.5 🌟, rounded up to 2 for goodreads for the premise of the story.
Secondly, I would like to apologize for this honest review. I am going to leave this as spoiler free as possible.
the book starts with our female main Character and her friends stumbling across a murder scene. Right from the beginning I was so confused what was going on or who any of the characters were and kept the faith that it would be explained or introduced better later on. It never did. I made it about 55% into the book before DNFing because I could not push through this any more.
I know this is harsh but I would not spend money to buy this book. I believe this is not ready to be published. The plot holes in this book are so large that it was impossible to follow what was going on. It was impossible to have any attachment to the characters because they had no growth and felt extremely flat. the love interest was ?? okay I suppose.
I understand this is fantasy but it was so insanely unbelievable that I couldn't continue on with it. the premise felt great and I was excited for it but the execution fell flat.
Rated 1.5 🌟, rounded up to 2 for goodreads for the premise of the story.
July 5, 2025
This book has a great concept, however there were too many inconsistencies to make great sense. There was a lot of information needed to be added or explained for us to full understand what was going on. I don’t understand the reasoning behind the war. One side wants to hoard humans and have an angel safe utopia and the other side wants to save humans but also kills humans. Like make it make sense. There were also quite a few mistakes though out the book with changing what they was wearing half way through a chapter and driving a different car and you just started flipping back and fourth thinking you’d missed something.
The story has great potential and could become a great book but I just think more needs to be added to execute it better. Daphne annoyed me with how she just hid her head under the sand and just not asked questions a lot more like how much she lacked the information about her mum and didn’t seem to notice anything happening around till someone else brought it to her attention. Gabriel blowing hot and cold all the time just gave me whiplash. I still finished the book and still would like to know me so it’s not totally but me off reading the next book.
Thanks to the book sirens for the arc copy of flutter and the opportunity to give my honest review.
The story has great potential and could become a great book but I just think more needs to be added to execute it better. Daphne annoyed me with how she just hid her head under the sand and just not asked questions a lot more like how much she lacked the information about her mum and didn’t seem to notice anything happening around till someone else brought it to her attention. Gabriel blowing hot and cold all the time just gave me whiplash. I still finished the book and still would like to know me so it’s not totally but me off reading the next book.
Thanks to the book sirens for the arc copy of flutter and the opportunity to give my honest review.
July 30, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and OCS Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Flutter” begins with the promise of a classic whodunit and quickly moves into territory far more complex than the synopsis suggests; however, the execution often falters. While the concept is intriguing, hinting at a world that would be an amazing series, the characters and narrative is difficult to connect with.
Despite the high stakes and the novel’s somber undercurrent, the protagonists are never quite believable. Their reactions to traumatic events are not at all how someone would respond e.g. finding people shot and then having a conversation with the killer like she met him on the street and isn’t scared? This tendency saps the tension from moments that should be gripping and immersive. That said, the villain of the story was intriguing and grew throughout the novel enough that I felt empathy for him, and I'd like to see how that is further developed.
The narrative, too, is bogged down. Rather than letting scenes unfold organically, the story frequently opts to tell rather than show, diminishing reader engagement and slowing the pace. This is made worse by the plot’s unlikely scenarios, such as a teenager being assigned an eighteen-year-old bodyguard who repeatedly leaves her unprotected—especially when a parent seems unfazed by these lapses. The romance between this so-called protector and Daphne also falls flat (for me).
The connections between events can feel illogical, with “A” not always leading convincingly to “B.” Greater attention to the logic of character motivations and reactions would lend the story a much-needed sense of realism and emotional depth. The last 20% or so leads me to believe that the sequel is one I would want to read, if only to see how Sebastian is developed.
Nevertheless, “Flutter” is not without merit. Its premise is promising, and the concluding chapters hint at a richer, more dynamic sequel. With more character development that focuses on emotional depth and believability, this could become the strong start to a series that its concept deserves.
“Flutter” begins with the promise of a classic whodunit and quickly moves into territory far more complex than the synopsis suggests; however, the execution often falters. While the concept is intriguing, hinting at a world that would be an amazing series, the characters and narrative is difficult to connect with.
Despite the high stakes and the novel’s somber undercurrent, the protagonists are never quite believable. Their reactions to traumatic events are not at all how someone would respond e.g. finding people shot and then having a conversation with the killer like she met him on the street and isn’t scared? This tendency saps the tension from moments that should be gripping and immersive. That said, the villain of the story was intriguing and grew throughout the novel enough that I felt empathy for him, and I'd like to see how that is further developed.
The narrative, too, is bogged down. Rather than letting scenes unfold organically, the story frequently opts to tell rather than show, diminishing reader engagement and slowing the pace. This is made worse by the plot’s unlikely scenarios, such as a teenager being assigned an eighteen-year-old bodyguard who repeatedly leaves her unprotected—especially when a parent seems unfazed by these lapses. The romance between this so-called protector and Daphne also falls flat (for me).
The connections between events can feel illogical, with “A” not always leading convincingly to “B.” Greater attention to the logic of character motivations and reactions would lend the story a much-needed sense of realism and emotional depth. The last 20% or so leads me to believe that the sequel is one I would want to read, if only to see how Sebastian is developed.
Nevertheless, “Flutter” is not without merit. Its premise is promising, and the concluding chapters hint at a richer, more dynamic sequel. With more character development that focuses on emotional depth and believability, this could become the strong start to a series that its concept deserves.
June 24, 2025
Daphne and her friends find a body in the woods and get caught up in the drama of a "serial killer" in town. The book doesn't start to get interesting until the 60% mark. And that is only when Daphne's friend Romy reveals she's been investigating town secrets on her own. One of the biggest misses for me was Daphne herself. She wanted to keep her head in the sand. Why wasn't the beginning of the book about Daphne and Romy looking into the town's past (which the blurb alluded to)? But no. Daphne was too busy having dinners with her crush/bodyguard. Daphne mentions her mom died "a few years after her birth" at least twice. What a strange way to refer to when your mom died. Why wouldn't she know how old she was when it happened? Or her mom's name? Daphne has no sense of curiosity or awareness. She didn't even know her friend's grandmother had died. After an entire book I feel like the only thing I know about Daphne is that she is a bit dense. I don't know if I'm interested enough in the story and mysteries to pick up the sequel when it comes out. At this point, I would say probably not.
Thanks to Netgalley and OCS Publishing for an ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and OCS Publishing for an ARC.
July 22, 2025
Title: Flutter
Author: Melody Percario
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This story had a lot of promise. Probably rate between 3.5-4 stars. I feel that there were certain elements of the story that were never really explained, and as a reader, we had to decide for ourselves what each element was and adapt as the story went on.
All that aside, I loved the story. I loved the secret supernatural aspects of the story. I really enjoyed the mystery behind the Poppy killer, and why he was killing, but leaving our girl alive, while at the same time, falling her for childhood crush. Later, as more and more truths are revealed, I was not expecting the betrayal we experienced. They say the truth rarely needs defending, and this was a perfect example of that.
I liked the little bit of background/history we received and hope that is expanded more in book 2. War is coming, and I want more Daphne and Sebastian.
Perfect if you love morally grey men, secrets, lies, betrayal, axe-wielding women, and guardian angels masquerading as serial unalivers!
Author: Melody Percario
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This story had a lot of promise. Probably rate between 3.5-4 stars. I feel that there were certain elements of the story that were never really explained, and as a reader, we had to decide for ourselves what each element was and adapt as the story went on.
All that aside, I loved the story. I loved the secret supernatural aspects of the story. I really enjoyed the mystery behind the Poppy killer, and why he was killing, but leaving our girl alive, while at the same time, falling her for childhood crush. Later, as more and more truths are revealed, I was not expecting the betrayal we experienced. They say the truth rarely needs defending, and this was a perfect example of that.
I liked the little bit of background/history we received and hope that is expanded more in book 2. War is coming, and I want more Daphne and Sebastian.
Perfect if you love morally grey men, secrets, lies, betrayal, axe-wielding women, and guardian angels masquerading as serial unalivers!
June 27, 2025
I have been having a hard time knowing what to write about this book...
- On one hand the plot was really interesting and initially what drew me into reading this and I was really excited for it. It had a lot of potential and I can see where the author was trying to go with it.
- On the other hand I think this book could have had clearer writing. For how in depth some of the descriptions were I felt like it was missing half of what I needed to know to make this a more enjoyable read.
I feel like during most of the book I was going "Wait what? How do we know this? Am I supposed to already know this? When did this happen?"
Th MFC is very naive and it wasn't a character I particularly liked or even understood as she went back and forth so much with how she felt about everything I couldn't keep up and got whiplash.
The main love interest (if you can even call it that) they had no chemistry and no positive interactions it just did not make any sense whatsoever!
- On one hand the plot was really interesting and initially what drew me into reading this and I was really excited for it. It had a lot of potential and I can see where the author was trying to go with it.
- On the other hand I think this book could have had clearer writing. For how in depth some of the descriptions were I felt like it was missing half of what I needed to know to make this a more enjoyable read.
I feel like during most of the book I was going "Wait what? How do we know this? Am I supposed to already know this? When did this happen?"
Th MFC is very naive and it wasn't a character I particularly liked or even understood as she went back and forth so much with how she felt about everything I couldn't keep up and got whiplash.
The main love interest (if you can even call it that) they had no chemistry and no positive interactions it just did not make any sense whatsoever!
June 23, 2025
I read this as an eARC - Flutter introduces a whimsical, magic-touched world through the eyes of Daphne, a young woman grappling with family secrets and the weight of self-discovery. The premise is promising, and there are sweet, sincere moments that shine—especially in Daphne’s quieter reflections and relationships.
That said, the book didn’t quite land for me. The pacing felt uneven in places, and I struggled to fully connect with the world and its stakes. Some elements felt underdeveloped, and I found myself wanting more depth and clarity as the story unfolded.
Still, Flutter has heart, and I can see it appealing to readers who enjoy gentle, introspective fantasy with a strong focus on personal growth. It simply wasn’t the right fit for my taste, but I appreciate the imagination behind it.
That said, the book didn’t quite land for me. The pacing felt uneven in places, and I struggled to fully connect with the world and its stakes. Some elements felt underdeveloped, and I found myself wanting more depth and clarity as the story unfolded.
Still, Flutter has heart, and I can see it appealing to readers who enjoy gentle, introspective fantasy with a strong focus on personal growth. It simply wasn’t the right fit for my taste, but I appreciate the imagination behind it.
July 2, 2025
Some days you’re really feeling a story and other days you’re not. It took me a long time to get through this book as I just wanted pulled in. I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and I’m appreciative for that, so here’s my honest opinion.
Reading is subjective and these are just MY thoughts.
This book did not hit the mark for me. I couldn’t get past the plot holes. That is a main contention. I was lost at times bc of how things were playing out and very confused on how some of the characters knew things with zero explanation. It just didn’t make sense. The characters were very surface level in terms of development. Not much depth. I was intrigued at the premise and thought it had potential but unfortunately it fell short.
Again, just my opinion and someone else may love it. But for me it was a No.
Reading is subjective and these are just MY thoughts.
This book did not hit the mark for me. I couldn’t get past the plot holes. That is a main contention. I was lost at times bc of how things were playing out and very confused on how some of the characters knew things with zero explanation. It just didn’t make sense. The characters were very surface level in terms of development. Not much depth. I was intrigued at the premise and thought it had potential but unfortunately it fell short.
Again, just my opinion and someone else may love it. But for me it was a No.
July 15, 2025
This book honestly didn't hit the mark for me. I give it a solid 3 stars…. maybe 3.5. I don't recommend buying it, honestly wait for it to go on Kindle Unlimited. The writing is inconsistent in quality, the characters movtivations and actions are inconsistent. The FMC is honestly unbearable. She just seems weak and hopeless almost the entirety of the book. As for pacing the book goes from snail pace plot, to everything all at once. I wish the last like 6 chapters were the majority of the book. After the first few chapters, I almost DNF'd. There is almost no character development. There are just way to many plot holes. Firstly, young man crush bodyguard just has Unlimited access to his bosses daughter who he is supposed to protect, yet somehow she gets away from him even though he is a supernatural being. I just, I don't know. It was definitely a disappointment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 30, 2025Unfortunately, at 31% I am unable to continue this story.
While the premise, a serial killer who kills everyone but her, sounded promising, the execution was lacking. To be honest, I was very confused majority of the time. The plot bounced all over the place and there were lots of inconsistencies. One second Daphne hates Gabriel and the next she's lusting after him. The one thing that kept me going was the amount of action. Major events were happening left and right that kept me going but in the end, as the plot holes continues to add up, I had to stop.
While this story was not for me, that doesn't mean someone else won't enjoy it.
*Thank you to Netgalley, OCS Publishing, and the author, Melody Percario, for the ARC. Opinions expressed are solely my own.
While the premise, a serial killer who kills everyone but her, sounded promising, the execution was lacking. To be honest, I was very confused majority of the time. The plot bounced all over the place and there were lots of inconsistencies. One second Daphne hates Gabriel and the next she's lusting after him. The one thing that kept me going was the amount of action. Major events were happening left and right that kept me going but in the end, as the plot holes continues to add up, I had to stop.
While this story was not for me, that doesn't mean someone else won't enjoy it.
*Thank you to Netgalley, OCS Publishing, and the author, Melody Percario, for the ARC. Opinions expressed are solely my own.
October 14, 2025
THIS BOOK!! This book! Has sparked a love for new wings!
Recently dragons have become the IN THING, now don’t get wrong, dragons are my favourite fantasy animal (apart from Pegasus) but everyone or every book seems to have a dragon ….
ENTER THE CHAT! Angels!
Holy cow! The best read I’ve had in months!!
I genuinely couldn’t get enough.
The twist! The characters! I’m gutted it’s over and have to wait for the next book. Leaving on a cliffhanger is both so heartbreaking but exciting at the same time.
The way the writer took us straight in, dropped us in the middle of a war! Had me in a hold. I won’t leave any spoilers here, please just read the book. I can’t wait to have the book in my hands. Will definitely read again and hopeful for an audiobook? Genuinely 5 star read of 2025
Recently dragons have become the IN THING, now don’t get wrong, dragons are my favourite fantasy animal (apart from Pegasus) but everyone or every book seems to have a dragon ….
ENTER THE CHAT! Angels!
Holy cow! The best read I’ve had in months!!
I genuinely couldn’t get enough.
The twist! The characters! I’m gutted it’s over and have to wait for the next book. Leaving on a cliffhanger is both so heartbreaking but exciting at the same time.
The way the writer took us straight in, dropped us in the middle of a war! Had me in a hold. I won’t leave any spoilers here, please just read the book. I can’t wait to have the book in my hands. Will definitely read again and hopeful for an audiobook? Genuinely 5 star read of 2025
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July 3, 2025Flutter left me feeling… well, fluttered in the most confusing way. From the first few scenes, I found myself struggling to make sense of the plot, and the pacing didn’t help matters. It dragged just enough to break any momentum, making it hard to stay invested. I kept waiting for that moment when things would click, but it never quite arrived. The characters felt more like outlines than fully developed people, which made it hard to connect with them or care about their outcomes.
Honestly, with some tighter editing and a deeper exploration of the characters’ motivations and relationships, this could’ve been a much more compelling and emotionally engaging story.
Thank you for the earc.
Honestly, with some tighter editing and a deeper exploration of the characters’ motivations and relationships, this could’ve been a much more compelling and emotionally engaging story.
Thank you for the earc.
July 6, 2025
I picked this up as I was intrigued by the premise of 'he kills without mercy—except when it comes to her'.
I normally enjoy reading YA books, but I am a little too old to be the target audience for this one.
While she has experienced loss, Daphne is still a naive 17 year old, and the story is told in first person through her. At times she is an unreliable narrator with false bravado and jumpy information.
Her understanding of the world changes as she learns the truth about those she thought she knew.
There could be promise in a second book as she matures and discovers more about this new world she has been thrust into.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
I normally enjoy reading YA books, but I am a little too old to be the target audience for this one.
While she has experienced loss, Daphne is still a naive 17 year old, and the story is told in first person through her. At times she is an unreliable narrator with false bravado and jumpy information.
Her understanding of the world changes as she learns the truth about those she thought she knew.
There could be promise in a second book as she matures and discovers more about this new world she has been thrust into.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
June 23, 2025
This book was like small town murder mystery meets Supernatural. A 17 year old is the mayor’s daughter and doesn’t have much freedom in her tiny town. When people connected to her start being murdered, she gets suspicious about what is really going on. She has to come to terms with everything she believes might not be the whole truth. It was an interesting read and I liked the unique take on the supernatural.
August 10, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and OCS Publishing for the e-arc
I wanted to like this so bad. The description reminded me of that random time in 2006-2014 when ever supernatural being was getting a teen romance book written about them. I was so excited for the nostalgia to hit! Unfortunately this read like it was written in the earlier 2006. The FMC is just insufferable. I don't understand her at all. She is what really killed the book for me.
I wanted to like this so bad. The description reminded me of that random time in 2006-2014 when ever supernatural being was getting a teen romance book written about them. I was so excited for the nostalgia to hit! Unfortunately this read like it was written in the earlier 2006. The FMC is just insufferable. I don't understand her at all. She is what really killed the book for me.
June 28, 2025
I had to DNF this book…. At no point did the book grab my attention. The characters were all so flat and honestly idiotic. I had high hopes for this book when I first read the synopsis but getting almost half way through and it gave ✨ nothing ✨
Do yourself a favor and just don’t even give it a try.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
Do yourself a favor and just don’t even give it a try.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
July 2, 2025
Yeah…. I really don’t know what to say about this.
To begin with, the opening of the story showed great promise. Not sure what happened after that.
The relationship between Gabriel and Ophelia was all over the place. One minute he was very brotherly and the next it was romantic between them 🫣
The story is a bit hit or miss.
I really wanted to enjoy it but it wasn’t for me.
To begin with, the opening of the story showed great promise. Not sure what happened after that.
The relationship between Gabriel and Ophelia was all over the place. One minute he was very brotherly and the next it was romantic between them 🫣
The story is a bit hit or miss.
I really wanted to enjoy it but it wasn’t for me.
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