Have you ever heard of cozy horror? Would you like to learn what cozy horror would even be then this is the book for you!
This book is definitely dark and gory and has some pretty great body horror which i loved. This is a solid horror book even if that was all it had been but it wasn't! This book has so much more to offer. This book also had a beautiful romance at its core and the writing just felt warm and cozy in a way that just felt like home. The way the author described the love interest just made her feel so warm and comfortable even with her being a strong and tough individual
This book has a solid fantasy base as well. The world Wiswell created for these characters was stunning. The monsters and magic were amazing and the plot twist had me gasping. Overall this was an amazing book and definitely something I had never seen before.

I am in TEARS!!! What a fantastic horror fantasy novel. Shesheshan is such a terrifying monster so it was incredibly fun to hear this story from her POV as she learns about herself and what it means for her to fall in love. I was also obsessed with the Baroness (any story that has a Baroness is chef’s kiss, honestly) and the naming conventions of her children were so up my alley. I recommend this so highly to anyone who likes horror/fantasy and unconventional love stories.

Shesheshen is a cute book with a plethora of exciting elements. I was over the moon to get my hands on this book, and I absolutely adore the concept and the cover art. Shesheshen is also an LGBTQIA+ lead character, which is fantastic and always a favorite. I enjoyed her character arc and development throughout the story and how she went from wanting to “build a nest” in her girlfriend to wanting to protect and be with her girlfriend.
My cons are that it was a little hard to follow what was happening for some reason. It felt like the story jumped around a little too much. Also, the narrator’s accent wasn’t my favorite, and she was a little too breathy.
That said, I strongly recommend this novel if you’re looking for a supernatural romance with some minor spice, an LGBTQIA+ lead, and a unique “monster” character I’ve never seen before.

Shesheshen is a monster in the forest feasting on the local villages and constituting herself of their various parts. After a night that did not go to plan she wakes up to Homily, a human woman, (unnecessarily) tending to her injuries. They embark on a journey together that starts out with Shesheshen having a snack-sized travel companion to her having the worst possible outcome: falling in love.

This book is funny and tender while also having disgusting bodily soup descriptions. The irreverent tone and fast-paced plot have you cheering for our monster for the entire book.

The audiobook for "Someone You Can Build a Nest In" whisked me away into a bizarre yet cozy fantasy world. At its heart is Shesheshen, a lovable monster navigating the complexities of romance within the human world.

The humor woven throughout the story kept me grinning from ear to ear, and Shesheshen's unique perspective on humanity added a refreshing twist to the romance genre. Despite minimalistic worldbuilding, the characters and their relationships shine brightly, particularly Shesheshen and Homily.

Carmen Rose's narration was impeccable, effortlessly bringing each character to life with distinct voices and inflections. Her performance enhanced the story's whimsical atmosphere, making it a delight to listen to. (She does have an accent so you may need to lower the playback speed.)

Overall, "Someone You Can Build a Nest In" is a delightful book that's perfect for anyone seeking a blend of humor, romance, and cozy fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my unbiased review.

📣📖 PUB DAY REVIEW 📖📣 Someone You Can Build A Nest In by John Wiswell 🪹🦌🌿🗡❤️

So, cozy horror is apparently a genre? This story somehow accomplishes being both horrifying and wholesome at the same time and I was absolutely delighted with the experience of it.

I requested this audiobook from Netgalley because 1) the title, 2) the cover, and 3) the whimsical vibe. Despite that it brings together two genres I usually don't read as much - horror and romance - this book with its clever tone and beautiful themes is a contender for making my list of 2024 favorites.

Don't get me wrong - this is a horror novel with viscera and death and bodily goo. The horror elements highlight the themes of the treatment of those who are different, and questioning what is it that makes someone a "monster." This story also depicted some of the most lovely depictions of a partner healthily caring for her partner who is actively dealing with trauma, encouraging healthy boundaries, and providing supportive space. And that partner returning the care to support the other navigating her own challenges, bodily and otherwise, while appreciating their differences. I didn't know a horror novel could be so heartwarming and even romantic.

The writing style is witty and whimsical and will make you laugh while also making you relish certain sentences for their meaning and their wording. I look forward to reading more from this author.

The audiobook is fantastic! The narrator Carmen Rose has a gorgeous, deep voice that fits the tone of the MC. I was captivated.

This is a unique read that would appeal to folks looking for something different and lovely but also a bit thrilling with some blood and goo.

Thank you to Tantor Media and Netgalley for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This book is witty and fun and I’ve never loved a blue bear and a worm so much. I didn't expect this to be 5 stars when I started, but man I LOVED this! :)

Thank you Tantor Audio and DAW/Astra House for my free copy of Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell — available Apr 2!

Read this if you:
👻 are into the "cozy horror" genre that's been a thing lately
😆 struggle to get along with your in-laws
❤️‍🔥 are looking for a unique version of a love story

Shesheshen is pursued by monster hunters one day and finds herself injured and in trouble. But a kindly female human stumbles across her and takes her in, and Shesheshen falls hard for Homily before she even understands what's happening. But humans and shapeshifting monsters love differently, and Shesheshen will need to figure out how to make this relationship work without eating Homily or laying carnivorous eggs inside her.

I didn't know what to expect based on the chaotic synopsis of this book, but it was SUCH a fun little story — charming, horrifying, and heartwarming in turn. Shesheshen learning how to love is everything. There are some characters you will love to hate, and this made it extremely easy to root for Homily and Shesheshen. It's an odd mashup of genres, but I think cozy horromantasy is probably the most apt description. If you enjoy Rachel Harrison books and/or The September House, you'll probably love this one too.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was an unexpected delight from beginning to end. Its premise is refreshingly unique: a shapeshifting monster, Shesheshen (shuh-SHE-shen), faces grave injury from a mob hunting her down. Nursed back to health by a woman who turns out to be a monster hunter, Shesheshen finds herself rapidly and unexpectedly falling in love. While I anticipated entertainment, I didn't foresee being so captivated, enchanted, and moved to tears.

Throughout the story, we delve into the mind of this unconventional 'monster,' gaining insight into her species' habits and needs, which are vastly different from humans'. Yet, we also discover her striking humanity: her desire to protect her home, her longing to know her absent mother, and her tumultuous journey of falling in love. Shesheshen makes for a compelling protagonist—unique enough to intrigue yet entirely relatable.

Her love interest, Homily, adds depth to the narrative with her insecurities, self-sacrifice, and profound affection, intensifying the stakes when conflicts arise. While some characters verge on being cartoonish, it adds to the charm and atmosphere, offering a welcome balance to the dark horror romance.

Admittedly, the audiobook narrator's style may initially be jarring, but after some time I realized that the more brusque/muted tone fit with that of a creature unfamiliar with human interactions.

This book navigates themes of gore, body horror, parental angst, and abusive relationships, including a detailed depiction of child deat.

Despite its dark moments, the book left me feeling warm, fuzzy, and hopeful. Wiswell crafts enjoyable characters whose observations and adventures feel fresh and significant. While the story stands on its own, the desire for more adventures with Shesheshen and company lingers. I'd love to read more about them. If you're drawn to tales of misunderstood monsters, unlikely romances, and resilient female characters, this book is a must-read! I can't wait to see more from this author.

Special thanks to NetGalley, John Wiswell, and DAW for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this ARC copy!

I really do not know what to say about this book. I don't usually read the synopsis about books because I like to be surprised and I am definitely surprised. I still dont really know what happened in this book or how we even got to the ending but I was entertained the whole time, and I still can not tell you what that book was even about.

There is a lot of body horror which does not bother me at all, but if it is definitely something you need to be comfortable with going into this story.

Someone You Can Build a Nest In cannot be summed up in any pithy manner, but I will try - this is a story with an immense amount of body horror, but also so much tenderness and care. It is an outsider story that explores humanity in literally trying to become a human. The story has a romance with an asexual love interest and found family. I have never read anything like it and am so incredibly glad to have found it. I truly cannot recommend it enough, maybe it could be best described as a cozy horror-romance.

Interestingly, I also saw parallels between Someone You Can Build a Nest In and Beautyland - the perspectives of the main characters as outsiders trying to understand humanity and why people function the way that they do. The stories are in completely different universes, but maybe those universes could be cousins.

I listened to this novel and highly recommend the narrator, she did an incredible job of bringing life to this story.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for providing me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Instant 5-star read. Profoundly funny and comically deep, this story surprised me in so many ways. Someone You Can Build a Nest In isn't the type of story you'd imagine when you hear about a monster romance, but it's one that I will recommend forever.

Our protagonist, Shesheshen, brings a uniquely just perspective to the lives of the humans she's all-too-eager to consume. When she meets Homily, we get to see how someone can love a person who doesn't have the strength to love themselves and she teaches us that generosity can be a symptom as much as a virtue.

Cozy horror is not something I thought I'd enjoy as much as I did, but then this book happened. This is the perfect mix of cute and weird, with that dash of gore to top it all off we love so much.
I absolutely loved Shesheshen's journey throughout the story. This book is also very funny, which I didn't expect at all but thoroughly enjoyed. I guesses the reveal quite early, which is fine because I've been guessing stuff for years.
I received an ARC for the audiobook and highly recommend it, the narrator did a fantastic job bringing all the characters to life.

Thank you Netgalley and Tantor for the ARC.

A wounded monster on the run encounters the daughter of a prestigious monster hunting family. Mistaking her for human, the daughter tends to her wounds as a friendship and then a romance develops. While at a glance this is a fantasy love story, however the author has a lot to say about loving and supporting someone who is being abused and loving and supporting someone who has survived abuse. Shesheshen and Homily's relationship felt real, lived in, and gut wrenching. Shesheshen as a narrator brought well needed humor to the story. Come for the monster love story, stay for the sneaky snark.

You'll want to build a nest in this cozy horror story.

When I say I loved this book, I am not overstating my joy in reading it. The story is so unique. The descriptions of humanity and society from our 'monster's' point of view are hilarious in how accurate they are. Our main character, Shesheshen describes kissing as, 'mutually failed cannibalism'. Where's the lie? lol.

There are aspects of light body horror, which I ate up for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is a love story between Shesheshen and a human woman she accidentally stumbles across that is so tender and beautiful that I couldn't look away.

This quote was everything to me:
"You will get me access to the building. If you do not I will pick an orifice of yours; you will discover which one I pick when you feel me climbing into you. Eventually you'll be less of a person and more of a suit of clothes. You will not believe the things I will do while I wear you."

I received an ALC from NetGalley and Tantor Audio, narrated by Carmen Rose. They did an amazing job. I haven't heard any other books they've narrated, but I'll definitely be looking for them going forwards.

This book is best read just before hibernating for the winter. Fingers crossed no one wakes you up, if they want to keep their bones where they left them.

The narrator was fantastic!

I did struggle a bit to get into it. I think the writing style is very intellectual which I do enjoy in sci-fi however I think the subject felt more fantasy than sci-fi. Overall I really enjoyed the premise though and thought Shesheshen’s alienness was really well communicated in her inner monologue.

Genre: horror romance, body horror

Shesheshen is an amorphous shape-shifting monster. Yes, she terrorizes and eats humans sometimes, but that’s really just for necessary nourishment. But the local landowning family, the Wulfyres, are out to kill her to break their family curse. She’s transformed herself to look a little like a human, or human enough to pass muster in town. An encounter with several hunters puts Shesheshen in a bad spot, and a young woman named Homily rescues her, nursing her back to health (unbeknownst to Homily, Shesheshen regenerates on her own, but she actually appreciates the attention). Even when Homily admits she’s out looking for ways to kill this monster, Shesheshen feels a bit like something warm and fuzzy is giving her feelings?! when she’s never had feelings before.

First off, this book was gross. Like body horror, regenerating shape-shifting monster gory details gross. Even for someone like me, for whom body horror is my favorite horror subgenre, there are some rough spots. You’ve been warned. But it was also funny. And heartfelt. And sweet. And insightful.

This is monster romance, not monster smut. And it warmed me to the core. It’s romantic in the way that Shesheshen learns to love Homily, but also to accept her changing body as a monster. (She loves being the monster she is, it just comes with some confusing feelings sometimes, you know?)

The driving Big Bad of the plot is venomous and spiteful, and not at all subtle in the ways it’s bad. Homily’s mother and sister rank up there with the more hateful mothers and sisters you’ll find in books. I, too, would like to tear them limb from limb.

Carmen Rose’s narration lends the book a smooth and humorous edge. Shesheshen’s name rolls off her tongue with just a bit of mischievousness and the sensitivity that I imagine our monster MC to have. If you can handle body horror in your ears, I recommend the audiobook!

This book is going to find a really niche home with certain readers and body-horror monster romance is apparently my new niche.

This was a fun and worthwhile entry in the "who, after all, are the REAL monsters" subgenre. Excellent depiction of a non-human protagonist.

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Media for an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review!

Someone You Can Build a Nest In was such a delightful surprise! Shesheshen is a shapeshifter whose life goes a little bit awry when hunters come to kill her, but she is ultimately found by Homily, a human woman who eventually becomes her girlfriend. Of course, Shesheshen is a monster, after all, and so while she wants to coparent with Homily, she also wants to consume her (or, rather—her children will consume her). But Homily doesn’t know that Shesheshen is a shapeshifter, and Shesheshen doesn’t know Homily is on a quest to hunt down the shapeshifter who cursed her family (which is a crime she’s sure she isn’t guilty of). Also: these two do not have similar ideas of what expressions of love should be.

Wiswell’s writing is funny and manages to portray the general horrors that being a shapeshifting monster can bring in a way that is both gruesome and charming. The overall story is quite sweet despite being tinged with violence, and I really enjoyed the fantasy/horror/romance blend. The plot developments were well done and well paced, and I found Shesheshen and Homily easy to root for. The atmosphere is almost fairytale-like, and honestly this is just a very fun read that tackles interesting questions (what makes a monster? do you love your partner for who they are?). I think I’ve made it previously known that cozy fantasy and I don’t get on too well, but while I think there are cozy elements here and cozy fantasy fans should definitely try it, there’s enough horror here to get me on board. Alix E. Harrow is right: this is a happily-ever-after with a higher-than-average body count, which is just absolute catnip to me.

The audiobook is also well done, though I did have to adjust to the narrator at the beginning. Carmen Rose does an excellent job, but she reads a little bit faster than your average narrator, so my usual listening speed felt a little faster than normal for a bit. Still, a delight.

All in all: I really enjoyed this and definitely see myself rereading it. I loved the writing and the characters and while I don’t always skew towards the cozy angle, this worked really well for me. Charming and a little gross, I am a fan.

This is up there with the weirdest books I’ve ever read. I loved it. It’s like bizarre horror, sci-fi, romance and fantasy all in one book. It addressed trauma and abuse, it all just worked some how. Now if gore scenes aren’t your thing this won’t be for you but it it was so good. An asexual romance that I didn’t know I needed. This is really one a of a kind. Weird as hell, but one of a kind.