The comparison to scream meets clueless pulled me in, and yet it was so many more I could feel within the pages. Much more gruesome than my normal reads, and if this were written in a contemporary style I think a serial killer targeting members of the LGBTQ community would not be accepted so warmly but it works. It's interesting, original, feels like you are watching a movie, and it kept me interested

Your Lonely Nights Are Over by Adam Sass was a SCREAM ! It was a gay best friend scary good time. Thanks to Adam Sass, Viking Group for Young Readers /Penguin Group and NetGalley for the ARC. 4.5 stars rounded up. Minus half star for the Flops. So sad to demoralize the normies when you could have propped up the besties!

Thank you Net Galley for giving me the ARC!

4 Stars!

It's like you put classic 90s horror and comedy together, add in some LGBTQ+, and that's exactly what this is! As someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ and horror communities, I really enjoyed this one. The characters were entertaining and the entire book had TONS for you to be on the edge of your seat with its fast paced action scenes. Overall this will be a perfect and palate-cleansing fall read to get you in the mood for my favorite ghostly Halloween season.

Cute and quirky and funny YA LGBTQ horror book. Fun characters and entertaining twisty plot. Not a fan of miscommunication trope though.

I've never seen Clueless, but I am a huge fan of the Scream franchise. When I saw the comparisons, I knew that I had to get my hands on Your Lonely Nights are Over. It mostly didn't disappoint, and it definitely gives off Scream vibes without being a rip-off.

Following Cole and Dearie through this YA slasher novel was a fun ride with a few twists and turns. I don't read mysteries or thrillers with an intent on trying to solve anything before the book does. With that being said, my enjoyment of a book usually plummets when the solution is obvious enough for me to guess early on. Sadly, I saw the outcome from a mile away (it was rather obvious, in my opinion). Thankfully there were some other mysteries going on that weren't so straightforward, so I still found quite a lot of enjoyment during my time in Stoney Grove.

Our two POV characters were campy and provided ample laughs through their internal and external dialogues. Neither is by any means perfect (who is), but both readers and the book's denizens warm up to them. In the first third of the book I had difficulty remembering which POV we were following (both characters use first-person); the characters are very similar in a lot of ways. As the chapters progressed I felt each character come into themselves a little more, and it helped that they were more often in different locations. Cole's obsession with the word "flop", however, was grating.

The other characters were largely forgettable, but they were a good time while we had them. In many ways we don't get to know most of the other characters apart from their physical description. Both Cole and Dearie constantly use hair, clothing, and body size as major descriptors for the other Queer Club members, including themselves, and there are very few non-Sandman related conversations with the other members.

I think this would be a great read for the upcoming fall/Halloween season, despite being set in the spring. I found it easy to root for Cole and Dearie and was touched by their arcs. Your Lonely Nights are Over touches on societal issues - such as racism, queerphobia, and police brutality - that I feel incredibly under qualified to discuss. Adam Sass handled these issues in a way that makes me feel they have firsthand experience with many of the same things the characters undergo. I recommend reading the introduction before diving in.

I had high expectations, since this was comped to two of my absolute favorites: SCREAM and CLUELESS. I mean, come on. I’m SO GLAD it didn’t disappoint. This book is both funny and horrifying, extremely well crafted, and the characters were adorably likable. I was rooting for Dearie and Cole the entire time! Friendship stories are my favorite. Also, slashers.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book. Opinions are my own!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for the e-ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This slasher novel is a dual POV. It follows queer teen besties, Cole and Dearie, who find themselves investigating the resurfacing of a serial killer. A serial killer who seems to be targeting their school’s Queer Club.

Intriguing from the start, this book was suspenseful, funny, and also quite deep. I really enjoyed the bond between Dearie and Cole. It was their own, and it didn’t matter that others didn’t get their relationship because all that mattered was that they themselves did.

Many of the characters we meet in the book were messy and you know, that was part of their charm. Cole was my favorite. He was so unapologetically himself and I loved that. Also, I feel like the author did a decent job at giving them all a reason for the reader to remain suspicious of them.

The dialogue did seem cringey at times, but it went well with the campy teenage drama feel that the book was going for. Though, I am gonna need a small break from the word flop after reading this.

Anyways, this book did a great job in keeping me engaged and I would definitely recommend.

CW/TW: vomit, blood, gore, anxiety, trauma, grief, physical violence, gun violence, stalking, injury, murder, attempted murder, toxic relationship, emotional abuse, gaslighting, bullying, outing, racial profiling, queerphobia, and some mild sexual content

When people say that this book is “Scream meets Clueless” it’s exactly that, but queerer. It’s equal parts hilarious, terrifying, and heartfelt.

Your Lonely Nights are Over follows two gay besties as their school’s queer club is threatened and picked off by a serial killer. Told in dual POV, Dearie and Cole have to try and prove their innocence in these murders as the evidence starts pointing towards them and their friendship is put to the test.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. I’ve read it twice. Adam Sass is able to craft a story that not only keeps readers guessing, but offers up a nuanced perspective on the effects of trauma. There are lines in here I still think about on a daily basis. The plot is well-paced and each chapter leads into the next one so flawlessly that you can’t help but feel compelled to keep going. It is a perfectly executed horror book.

More than anything, I fell in love with the characters in this book. Dearie and Cole are tried and true best friends, connecting in ways that those around them don’t understand. They look out for each other and love each other as only the truest of best friends can. They’re open about who they are both as a pair, and individually, something that rubs everyone the wrong way since neither of them shies away from sex. This leads to a really interesting and necessary portrayal of not only queer friendships, but queer relationships as a whole. I found Cole and Dearie to be messy, realistic, and just so well-developed. Sass is a master of voice, knowing exactly how each of these boys speaks, their mannerisms, and the reader is left feeling as if they’ve known Dearie and Cole for longer than the 416 pages of this book.

During the third act when everything starts coming together, I looked at my watch to see what my heart rate was since my heart felt like it was about to beat out of my body. It was at 112bpm, and let me tell you. It didn’t go back to normal until after I had finished at one in the morning. That’s how invested I was in this story, these characters, and trying to figure out how it was all going to come together.

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of reading this book, of noticing new things in each of the details. In fact, I might start it again right now.

5 stars!

Scream meets clueless but make it gay and that is essentially Your Lonely Nights are Over! This was a fun queer YA horror novel. The characters were fun and some good action scenes. Pacing sometimes was a little slow and the serial killer story line/motivation were confusing at times and I found myself saying this does not make sense. Overall this will be a great fun fall read to get you in the mood for spooky season.

What a wild ride this book was! And I loved every single second! Adam took everything I love about slashers and made it so unapologetically queer and I was living for it! It takes you on a wild ride with MANY twist and turns that keep you guessing what’s gonna happen next.
This book also did a great job of looking at racism and showing how quick cops are to point their fingers at anyone who isn’t white. It also does a beautiful job showing the harm and trauma manipulative relationships can give you.
My favorite part of this book though was the relationship between Dearie and Cole! They have such a beautiful intimate platonic friendship that just worked so perfectly for me! It also really helped at hurting me more anytime Dearie defended the characters being cruel, racist and committing micro aggressions against Cole.
Last thing I want to say is I love Benny! I would die for Benny!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

This book was really good, but not for me. I liked the plot and characters, but I wasn't super into it. If the description sounds interesting to you, I'd say go for it! I'm just not really the target audience.

This book grabbed me at Scream meets Clueless. The cover is beautiful. This is the perfect spooky read.

I loved this book. While some of the dialogue is cringey, it worked with the campy high school drama vibe. I love a good Scream-esque horror comedy, and this absolutely delivered.

Like any good slasher, the author does a great job at giving every character plausible motive. While I did end up guessing the killer, I enjoyed all the twists and turns so much that I didn’t care. The pace is quick, starting off with a kill at the beginning of the novel and keeping the tension going until the very end.

One of the things I appreciated most about this book was the way it depicted queer loneliness and how everyone deals with it differently. One of the most isolating experiences is being a queer teenager and, having lived through it, I could see myself in a lot of these characters. The cast is very “Breakfast Club” but, while leaning into some of the tropes, none of the characters felt two-dimensional. I cared about the majority of them, and that’s not something you often find in slasher media.

Another thing I loved about this book was the friendship between Cole and Dearie. They are two very different people, but they are fiercely loyal to each other. They are always there for each other, no matter what. I loved seeing their friendship develop throughout the book, and I was rooting for them to the very end.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It's a fun and suspenseful read. I would highly recommend it to fans of slasher films and queer YA fiction.

Queer, campy slasher with a good dose of social commentary. I loved the suspense of figuring out who the killer was and was surprised at the reveal. There is a great group of characters (the Queer Club kids) that is diverse and fun. I love the exploration of queer friendship and queer community.

Some important topics are covered in this book that make it so much better than just a thriller. From racism to emotional abuse/manipulation to slut shaming, this book was brimming with important conversations and reflections.

My few issues with the book are that sometimes the "flop" comments were a little too much and also that it took me about a third of the book to really feel the tension and suspense. Otherwise I loved this book, it's going up towards the top of my favourites list this year.

This is terrific teen slasher book. Not quite Clown in a Cornfield, but still fantastic. Slasher horror is probably my favorite subgenre of YA, but it wasn't the action that won me over. That prize goes to Dearie and Cole. Their relationship is so unique for a YA book. People don't have to be falling in love with their best friend all the time! Friends can just be friends, and these guys prove it. Their friendship is pure and unshakable. I kept waiting for stupid cupid to come along, but my cynicism was not rewarded.
The rest of the story is great, too. The kills really rack up at the end.

Your Lonely Nights Are Over by Adam Sass is a teen queer slasher book that offers an entertaining mix of "Scream Queens" and "Glee" vibes, minus the music. The humor throughout the book is a definite highlight, reminiscent of the charm found in late 1990s slasher movies. While the storyline may be somewhat predictable, it still manages to capture the addictive elements of classic slasher films.

However, the book does have its drawbacks. The comedic elements tend to overshadow the serious themes of bullying and emotional abuse, making it challenging to fully take those issues seriously. Additionally, the secondary characters lack distinction, making it easy to forget who's who in the story. Furthermore, while real-life references can be enjoyable, some of the references used in the book might make it feel dated in the years to come.

Overall, Your Lonely Nights Are Over earns a 3 out of 5 stars rating. Despite its flaws, it remains an enjoyable read and would be a suitable recommendation for younger family members and friends.

Loved this campy thriller. It's a master class in horror, turns tropes on their heads and delivers in astounding ways. I couldn't put this one down until the last page.

Your Lonely Nights Are Over🫣🫣🫣🫣

Reminds me of: Fear Street 1984.
Keeping up with the kardashian.
Scream

Remake of Scream if it had gay Kardashians as the main characters.


Rating first reading the book: uncertain… if I had to guess maybe 3.5- 4.5/5
Actual Rating after reading book: 5/5

The Sandman last killed fifty years ago in San Diego, California. His victims were people that recently were broken up with. He’d leave a message on the victim that said, “your lonely nights are over,” and a drawing of a tragedy mask. His murders never solved because he was never found and the police did not keep thorough evidence in those days. Fifty years later, in the quiet town of Stone Grove, Arizona, two teenagers in the Queer club are found murder in the hallway. Cole and Dearie, two besties, are the lead suspects since flip phones containing messages to the dead teens were found in their lockers.

In order to clear their names, they’ll have to figure out who the killer is and get rid of them.



Comments:
I loved this book. It has a “warm and fuzzy” epilogue that I wish all books ended with.
That books start to get really good around the Chapter 14-15 mark. Then it just takes off and doesn’t stop. It had me ripping the pages off to get to the next page. I kept wondering who it was, then they would die, then I would suspect someone else and then something would happen. It always kept me guessing as to who the killer was and how they committed the crimes. This book is perfect if you’re looking for gay fiction.
Your Lonely Nights Are Over deals with abusive relationship and about how sometimes being lonely is better than being with the wrong person. It shows how one person in a friend group can turn people on each other making the whole friend group toxic or making people hate each other for petty reason. I love the message that through tragedy, it brings unity to our LGBT communities but, we should always be united because we’re strong together than apart.
I hated the side characters when I first started the book and ended the book rooting for their survival. I love an author who has their character grow and show that they’re willing to change even if it takes time to rid oneself of petty squabbles.
I would have loved this book in high school. I would give this to my high school self if I could time travel and make him read it. It is definitely YA. As Scream seems more leaned towards adults, this was reminding me more of Fear Street: 1984 and AHS 1984.

I was 100% cole when I was younger. I always thought I was older. I walkways wished I wasn’t in high school and I was free to do what I want to do.
Stu’s dinner - another homage to scream!

Benny and Cole are end game.

Favorite Lines From This Book:

“It’s the worst,” I moan. “Whoever the killers are, one thing’s super obvious.” “What?”“They’re obsessed with us.” Cole snorts and kisses my nose. “What else is new?”
Dead ass.this is so funny,

Benny tugs me aside. His eyes are wide and furious. “You snooped around a spooky house, killer on the loose, with two white people?” he asks, beside himself. “Are you trying to become dead?!” - my favorite line.

Character List:
(Frankie) Dearie - besties with cole, gay, blamed for death threats to school, lazy - blames it on senioritis, got accepted to top theater school in LA. Has to be the bottom. Friend zones Cole.
Cole crodoso - besties with dearie, gay, blamed for death threats to school, Hispanic/Latinx. 18. Inky black hair, light brown skin, handsome face. Has to be the vers top. Dead lifts. Takes care of his skin. His mom is a surgeon. Has had sex with Justin. Nickname given to by dearie, Cole slaw.
Mr. Kirby - omage to scream, AP Bio teacher obsessed with the murder.
Em - sophomore trans, silvery hair, white girl, cheerleader.

Grover Kendall - Queer Club’s secretary. They received a texts from mr sandman sayin gathering lonely nights would be over. Used to be friends with cole and dearie the. Started shit talking about them in high school. Posted a tiktok saying dearie and Cole were harassing them and sending them death threats. 100% bitchy top.

Gretchen Applebaum - queer club treasurer. They received a texts from mr sandman sayin gathering lonely nights would be over.

Lucy - the club’s vice president.

Ms. Drake - a fortysomething white woman. our librarian and the Queer Club’s faculty sponsor.

Dearies mom - a detective
Coles mom Frederica - a surgeon Portuguese

Monica—Cole’s birth mother—is Mexican American, darker-skinned, and smaller.

Benny Prince - a young boy with thick glasses and light, tawny-brown skin. Dead 💀 his nickname is Benito… bad bunnnnnnyyyyy.

Lucy Kahapana—a small girl with light bronze skin, a side-buzz haircut, and rumpled skater boi clothes.

Mike Mancini - a short and cubby Italian senior with swooping black hair and a patchy half beard. He’s single-handedly destroying the myth of the fashionable queer. Bisexual.
Theo - small, white nonbinary senior with short, choppy red hair and a flair for fashionable bow ties.

Justin Saxby - a senior I’ve mistaken for Grover a million times. Blame it on white-boy-face blindness, but they’re both tall and vaguely husky blondies. Only Justin is much cuter (and nicer), with a small shamrock tattooed on his upper thigh. A boring hook up according to Cole.

Leo - exhusband I think to ms. Drake. Was accused of being the killer fifty years ago but his alibis were tight.

Griffin Bateman - a short, cubby, white rich kid with impeccable style. A little bland, but he’s nice and has beautifully soft hands.

Kevin Benetti, the local medical examiner. Kevin, unlike Astadourian, has taken my mom up on dinner invitations plenty of times. He’s white, with darkly tanned skin, a shaved dome, and a salt-andpepper beard. His dress shirt sleeves are always rolled above his elbows like he’s running for governor.

Fernando - cole’s uncle.

If Scream and Mean Girls were queer(er) and had a baby, it would be this book.

I started and finished it in the same day and when I tell you I could not put it down, I am not exaggerating.

Messy, real, and relatable Cole and Dearie are the perfect unreliable narrators. I loved the alternating pov chapters and how they showcased how different these two besties were, but how fiercely they loved and fought for (and with) one another.

Sass does an excellent job keeping the twist and turns coming, and I was on the edge of my SEAT so many times. You think you have it figured out, then, surprise bitch, guess again!

Sass nails the perfect balance of messy, horrifying, and heartwarming. You won't be able to stop until you figure out just what is really happening in this small town, so clear your day. I ate this campy, heart-pounding, thrill ride of a horror story UP and I am already excited to read it again.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review!
 
Your Lonely Nights Are Over follows Deari and Cole as they battle being framed by a mysterious killer back from retirement.
 
I really enjoyed the setting and atmosphere of Your Lonely Nights Are Over. There was literally a graveyard movie theatre!? Which was so cool! I really enjoyed the queer representation and how slut-shaming was shown in a negative light. The plot was interesting enough.
 
The characters were, quite frankly, forgettable. Characters kept blending together for me and I didn’t really give a crap about any of them. Even Dearie and Cole’s narration was so similar that without the name before each chapter, I wouldn’t have been able to tell them apart. The plot twist didn’t make any sense and was disappointing. It was unexpected and not in a good way; it didn’t make me think "Oh, I should’ve seen that" it made me think "Wow, this was pulled out of thin air".
 
I was overall just not invested and was glad to finish Your Lonely Nights Are Over. Even if it wasn’t for me, people who enjoy thrillers where the suspect could be anyone might want to give this book a try!