This was such a good read! I’m a sucker for this type of book and it did not disappoint! I loved most of everything about it. The characters fell flat for me at parts, but overall it was a solid read!

I read part of this book but I wasn't able to get into it to finish it. I cannot write an honest review of this book because I wasn't able to fully experience it.

Arc provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

2.5 stars
Well, to be honest, I finished the book and totally forgot about the characters, the plot, the story, who loved who, who hurt who, everything.
This is really frustrating as this never happens to me, I usually get so involved with the stories that they stay with me, yet with this one, my mind is completely blank...i can't remember anything and honestly, I'm not sure I want to re-read it.
Hopefully, you were able to enjoy it more than I did.
Can't give it more or less stars...so Switzerland it is....

This title was a Did Not Finish. Unfortunately, I was unable to connect with it whether it be for characters, story-line or writing style.

Thank you for providing me with a copy.

This was such a great book! The characters were amazing and it was so much fun...I can't wait for more books by this author!

Okay, first things first. I LOVE THE COVER. IT IS SO DARK AND GRITTY. Gah! I love it! The cover drew me into the book in the first place and it is definitely one of those cover buy spurts we book mongers tend to have. I really adore the cover! 😀

What I liked about this book was the mystery. It was intriguing and kept up till the end so that the reader was hooked into reading. The first half was great, but towards the end, the book got extremely slow and I was just thinking that the author should hurry up and reveal the mystery already. Apart from that, I have no complaints!

I loved the characters so much. They weren’t overly done and just so real. I could imagine people like that and that was gratifying. I love that the book had a trigger warning in the beginning especially because it was for self harm. From what I know, it can be pretty triggering and anyone who is going into the book needs full disclosure. It was nice to see that that was the first page of the book.

It’s #OwnVoices because the author herself suffers from OCD and was into cutting like the MC Piper. I like how her character is handled. She is OCD. She knows it and she tries her best despite her circumstances. I like how her illness didn’t miraculously disappear on meeting her love interest or for whatever other reason because that is not how it happens. So, points for that. I absolutely loved that aspect of the book. Thank you, Wendy. I also like how the illness wasn’t demonized, how it didn’t seek to make Piper seem other. I also like how the author handled the issue of self harm. There aren’t many great ways to do it because at the end of the day self harm is self harm, but she did a pretty good job and for that I commend her. I also liked how these two things didn’t define who Piper is as an individual. She is strong and smart and intelligent and brave. I like her. I like her a lot.

Then, there’s Gris. He’s got the mysterious air to him. But, he’s sweet and caring. He doesn’t come off as arrogant or self centered and full of himself like boys in such novels usually are. So, I like that a lot. I like how dedicated he is. He’s ready to go to so many lengths to save Piper. And then, he’s on a mission to prove to his father that he is worthy enough. His struggles were showed nicely. I like how the author showcased that even he was insecure in himself and his capabilities. Frankly, we need more such boys because more often than not, the male MCs are shown as untouchable and arrogant and without a care in the world. And Gris was nothing like that which automatically put him in my good graces.

And then, there’s the shipping. It was a bit of an insta love with the enemies to lovers kind of trope but I enjoyed it. Their relationship was nice to read about as it unfolded and they had plenty of cute moments which made me all the more happy because I am such a sucker for romance. I like how things were tied up with their relationship in the end. It was a bit open ended but it was realistic because Gris was never meant to stay in Hidden Creek, so the hopeful note at which it ended where it could go on to be more but maybe not was fitting.

All in all, I really enjoyed the book. It had all the elements of an interesting read and I would recommend it to people who are looking for paranormal romance.

It’s a fun supernatural romance with witty dialogue and a plot that flows quickly. There are some scary parts, but they are evened out by the humor. It’s also original. I know they exist in literature, but a gargoyle shapeshifter has never come across my reading material before. One caveat: There is an animal death at the very beginning. If you can plow through that you’ll be ok. It isn’t gratuitous and pretty much fuels the rest of the plot.

I'm unable to provide a review at this time. Unfortunately, I DNFed this book in the first 17%. It just didn't grab my attention. I apologize for any inconvenience.

This was not meant for me at all. Definitely not.

I am a big fan of eerie and dark things. Theyre intriguing and I love it. Which is what I thought this was going to be! And its not what I got at all. The Gargoyle/Human lover aspect threw me off SO HARD. And just yeah I couldnt click with this book. I think lots will love it, but yeah no, not me.

Thank you for giving me the chance to read this though!

“Secrets of Skin and Stone” was the perfect palate cleanser and fun read after a series of lackluster novels that almost sent me into a reading slump. I would describe it as a young adult “Southern Ghost Hunters.”

It’s a fun supernatural romance with witty dialogue and a plot that flows quickly. There are some scary parts, but they are evened out by the humor. It’s also original. I know they exist in literature, but a gargoyle shapeshifter has never come across my reading material before. One caveat: There is an animal death at the very beginning. If you can plow through that you’ll be ok. It isn’t gratuitous and pretty much fuels the rest of the plot.

I recommend “Secrets of Skin and Stone” for anyone looking for a fun supernatural read. I also really hope the author plans a sequel.

PROS:

The gritty and graphic material. The descriptions are grotesque and disturbing. The occult stuff is awesomely weird and full on terrifying at times.

This version of a gargoyle is way different from what I’ve come to expect. It’s a little Anna Dressed in Blood meets Supernatural with a fierce guy who hunts down monsters as his birthright. He rides a motorcycle. He’s got razor-sharp claws. His sole purpose is to kill these gross and horrifying fiends that are far more powerful than your average ghost.

Depictions of a lesser known form of OCD were informative, researched, and necessary. Understanding the spectrum of disorders and not sticking everyone in a box is what Piper’s condition is all about. I loved that about this story. That it showed more than one form of OCD and how it can manifest in ways that are not obvious or expected.

I liked that this was old school sleuthing mixed with paranormal. There are still murders, vandalism, and missing people to contend with and Piper and Gris work together to tackle those mysteries.

CONS:

The pacing was abysmally slow. For subject matter that is so intriguing and mystery so bizarre, the book lacked the speed needed to keep my attention for long. Even with the driving need to uncover the mystery, the occult stuff, and the budding romance…it seemed like nothing really happened for several pages.

That Gris is trusted so easily is a little weird. He’s welcomed in Piper’s home after hardly any time. Their romance evolves quickly, though I did appreciate the fact that the author remarks on the timeframe and discusses how much of what they’re feeling could be lust and that they need to be levelheaded about their feelings.

Piper accepting the existence of fiends and gargoyles almost immediately is not at all realistic. I expected much more of a freak out at least.

The book does deal with self harm in the form of cutting, which the author addresses in the beginning for those who could potentially be triggered. The self harm, the fact that Piper can sort of turn it off by sheer willpower is strange to me. Every portrayal I’ve seen has been to the effect that it’s more than just a decision, that there’s a need or compulsion that cannot just be switched off because someone asks you to quit.

This was a solid, enjoyable YA read for the lower end of the spectrum. I found myself drawn in despite not really liking Piper as a character - or the way she excludes the reader from a lot of her inner narrative. Gris was an okay foil for her and the mystery was nicely paced. I haven't seen Gargoyles used as supernatural beasties in this way before so that made a nice change (although because I own to a certain amount of pedantry when it comes to words I winced when he called himself a gargoyle. Gargoyles are the stone carvings on buildings through which water from the gutters falls to the ground, often through carved mouths. If the author was talking about the large bewinged carved stone creatures that guard/ decorate old roof tops then she meant 'grotesques'. I know, I know this is my problem but saying Gris was a gargoyle just kept reminding me that we get the word 'gargle' from the same root word.) Anyway I can see this being a big hit with a lot of YA. Personally it was just ok for me. Mostly this is because I didn't warm to the author's style. But also since this book contained OCD and DSH (deliberate self-harm) I kinda wanted it to be grittier and it just wasn't. I felt divorced from the emotional side of those actions. Not a bad book but not for me.

I really tried to get into this one but something about just fell flat for me. It felt like I had been dropped onto a moving train with a story that was already in full motion. I wish that this book would have started out before it did as I think that would have worked up to the situation that the MC found herself in. For the most part the first part of it confused me even now as I look ever other people's reviews I swore this book started out with a girl on a motorcycle and not a dude.

If you don't mind being dropped into a story and a little confusion then check this one out. I would say that the beings were pretty interesting and I wish that I could have gotten into this one.

(I received a copy for review from Entangled Teen. All opinions are 100% my own.)

3.5 out of 5 stars

I haven't read a gargoyle book since the Dark Elements trilogy by Jennifer L. Armentrout and it's definitely a story topic that I find very interesting. The world of Secrets of Skin and Stone is set with gargoyles protecting the world from fiends, spirits that feed off dark energy and spread nightmares and fear. From the very beginning, the author sets a haunting tone for the rest of the novel and introduces our MC Gris as he enters the town of Hidden Creek.

Both the main characters are really great from Gris' protective demeanor to Piper's natural curiosity. They are absolutely adorable together and they have their individual quirks that make them an unstoppable pair. I really loved how Wendy Laine informed readers about the OCD spectrum through Piper's character and it really opened my eyes and revealed that I had a pretty one sided view of OCD. The one thing I will point out is that some of Piper's actions might be a bit triggering with her self-harm but it helps to build her character.

My only complaint is that the end happened too quickly. There are some things that I felt like were a bit out of place (view spoiler) but the pace of things just made everything more tense and suspenseful. I guess I just wasn't ready to say goodbye to the characters.

Overall, I liked this a lot. It was fun and intriguing and it teaches about OCD at the same time so it's a win-win situation.

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Addictive, new and unforgettable. This novel is just as promising as its mysterious cover and I couldn’t put it down.

Grisham is Watcher, he turns into a gargoyle to get ride of fiends. When his uncle requests his help in Hidden Creek, Gris slowly begins to realise that there is more to the town than meets the eye. Piper is the exemplary teenage girl: perfect grades, popular with the boys and she is more than ready to leave Hidden Creek to go the university. Haunted by nightmares and dealing with OCD, her life doesn’t get any easier, especially after the brutal murder of her dog Jester. Piper joins forces with Gris and together they try to solve the unexplained events that haunt the small town. From murder of animals to disappearances and grave robberies, nothing and no one are what they seem.

I got completely addicted to this book: the characters, the setting, the reality and the build-up of the mystery. The whole idea of gargoyles and fiends is brilliant and it was refreshing to read something a bit different when it comes to the YA genre. I also really enjoyed the mentioning of more sensitive topics like OCD and self-harm; it’s a way of showing the reality and the obstacles people with these issues have to go through every day. And the best part? It’s done brilliantly.

This novel mixes romance with mystery and supernatural in a unique way and it was impossible not to be pulled into the story and its characters.

I really enjoyed the setting of the story: Hidden Creek. Right from the beginning, the atmosphere around it, I could feel that there was something more about this town and it definitely set the mood for the rest of the novel.

The characters are very well-developed and they are unique in their own way. It’s impossible not to like them and to truly feel for them. I completely connected with them. It’s impossible not to like Piper: she is perfectly imperfect and that’s refreshing. She struggles with accepting herself but at the same time she’s beautiful, incredibly stubborn, honest and spontaneous. Reading about her burst of happiness and excitement, made me feel excited for her. Her knowledge on people and her gift to detect lies is brilliant to read as well as her connection with Gris. I think they perfectly balance each other out. Gris is an amazing male protagonist: even though he is a gargoyle, he feels deeply and struggles to accept what he is, something he has in common with Piper. He is head-strong, very loyal and always whiling to help. I absolutely loved the chemistry he has with Piper, they are perfect for one another.

Overall, a great read that I recommend to all the fans of supernatural YA. This is definitely a book that I get my hands on as soon as it comes out!

I really don't understand the crab mentality of people. Maybe it's human nature, maybe that's just how it is. Of all the fantasy book I've read, no wonder if faes or other-worldly being is there, they can and will play with human emotions. Piper is a smart girl with high standard, and people on their town can't take that...and didn't understand. And Grisham or Gris, a city boy, of course will fall for Piper since he is more open minded than most people in that town. 

I just realized the title is of the secrets of both Gris and Piper. Some parts are just not clear like, what happened to Critch, what of his aunt? Why Danny did that? what killed the previous watchers? what happened to Critch's child? Why Piper? what's wrong with her? is there something in her blood? It is not clear, is it just because of her emotions? There 's a lot of question on this thing but..., It was a quick read. I am hooked. And since it's new, atleast for me, the characters were fascinating...

.....Gargoyles..

This was an ARC from Entangled Publishing. I liked this book, but I didn't love it, and I really wanted to love it. The cover made me think it was going to be pretty dark, but even though it touched on some dark subjects, I don't feel like the writing justified those subjects.

What I did like:
- Gargoyles (I haven't had the chance to read anything with gargoyles in it, but I liked how the author depicted them).
- I liked that Piper had a mental disorder and that Gris loved her anyways

What I didn't like:
- I'm not a big fan of the older southern culture feel. It might be for some, but I'm from the west coast and I like my women more independent.
- I wasn't a fan of the characters. They were good characters, but just not for me.
- It wasn't scary. I wanted it to me scary. :(

Overall, I think there will be people who love this book and people who don't. The writing style was good and the wold building was too, it was just missing something for me.

This book was amazing! It had everything I love in a scary story! Can't wait to read it again and recommend it to everyone

* I Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review *

WARNING-This book talks about self harm, but does not glorify it.

Since I am from Alabama, when I saw this story was set in my home state I knew I had to read it. Plus I love how creepy the cover looks. The story follows Grisham Caso, or Gris as he likes to be called, and Piper Devon. The book alternates chapters between their perspectives.
Gris is a watcher, he can shift into a gargoyle like creature that hunts fiends. Fiends are described as being a ghostlike version of Gris's watcher form, only they don't have wings. Gris is able to manipulate darkness as well.
Gris comes to the town of Hidden Creek when his uncle tells him they have a fiend problem. When he gets to town, he finds a large amount of fiends. And they seem to be focused on Piper Devon. After the murder of her dog, Gris becomes a protector for Piper. The two come together to solve the mystery and save their town.
One aspect of this book deals with Piper and her OCD. She has anxiety and cuts herself due to that and her OCD. The author did a great job of getting inside Piper's head and allowed you to understand why she did what she did. The author didn't glorify the cutting, she just helps you understand the perspective of someone in that situation.
Overall the story is great. It kept me guessing until the end as to who the culprit was. Everything was wrapped up nicely, but could also allow for more books if she decided to do a series. The characters were believable and felt really well developed.
I only had a few problems. I did get tired of the word "bedeviled," as it was used often. Sometimes I felt like she tried to make them sound too southern.
In the end, this is a quick read and would be perfect for fans of The Legion series by Kami Garcia.

Very hot protective gargoyle, Gris and Piper are a very interesting couple, they have secrets, they think a bit a like, a very sweet relationship with a lot of drama that will keep you reading. Piper is a strong heroine and Gris is trying to get rid of the demons as he is a gargoyle. This YA paranormal romance is amazing. I will be looking forward to see if there is another book I need more.