
Member Reviews

There is nothing that I’ve desired more in literature than a queer slasher - and Sass delivered that with this incredible work of art.
This book managed to be a page-turner while simultaneously making you care about/suspect each intricately written character.
The suspense within these pages kept me reeled in the entire time. Sass’ ability to pen a story that read like a movie is beyond impressive.
This is the type of story that has been missing from the shelves. I will forever have Dearie & Cole in the back of my mind as some of my favorite characters I’ve ever read.
If I had to compare this masterpiece to anything, it would be ‘Scream’ meets ‘Geography Club’.
If you like slashers - you’ll LOVE this.

I could tell from the first chapter that I was going to love All Your Lonely Nights are Over by Adam Sass, and it totally lived up to my expectations. This is the kind of book that leaves you craving more – a definite book-hangover kind of a book, in the very best way.
The plot follows two queer friends, Cole and Dearie. They’re ostracized by their school’s Queer Club for being too promiscuous – going on dates with boys from other schools – and are labeled bullies for calling out their fellow students. When a tv series on a local, never-caught serial killer, Mr. Sandman, starts airing, the killer reemerges and begins targeting members of the Queer Club. Cole and Dearie are accused of being behind these new attacks and must find out who the real killer is and clear their names before they become the next targets.
Like the best slasher films, you might be able to guess who did it. I certainly had a good idea from early on. But it doesn’t make finding out how everything will play out any less satisfying. I honestly felt like the resolution couldn’t have been better.
I really appreciated how the book also tackled issues around racism and gender, as well as having a focus on the pressure to conform to heteronormative relationships and puritanical values in the queer community. This last focus, developed through the other characters’ judgement of how Cole and Dearie date different guys as well as their close relationship with each other, was particularly well done and it’s something I’ve rarely seen addressed in fiction – particularly in YA.
This book might address these issues that sometimes divide our community, but it’s equally a celebration of queer love in many different forms, and ultimately a celebration of community. I think the nuanced friendship between Cole and Dearie was particularly well done.
Overall, I honestly couldn’t have loved this book more. If you’re into teen slashers, horror, and queer kids kicking ass, maybe this one’s for you too! Thanks so much to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC!
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TW: violence, depictions of racism, homophobia, slut-shaming, and an abusive relationship.

Thank you Netgalley and PenguinTeen for the ARC!
I couldn't put this book down. It was very much a who done it thriller. Makes you think of Scream except there are two! You should definitely read this if your into suspense and love to keep guessing who the killer is. The fact this also delt with the lgbtq community is chiefs kiss!
The humor was on point and the over all drama was perfect for me. This also made me think of more adult like Scooby-Doo without the dog as they tried to put clues together as they work on figuring out who's behind the mask.
I honestly could read this book again and again I just enjoyed it so much.

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group for kindly providing me with an e-arc!
This was a really fun ride! I enjoyed our two main characters Deary and Cole, their snark and whit was really refreshing.
This was said to be a cross between Scream and Clueless and I completely agree with that. The snark and murder was balanced really well.
This story also kept me guessing at who the killer was. I guessed just about every character but was satisfied with the final ‘whodunnit’. Overall I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and fast packed thriller.

A funny and exciting page-turner. The twist was well done and genuinely surprised me despite having seen way too many slasher movies in my life. My only two major criticisms are 1. there could have been more kills, especially in the first half of the book 2. Calling people "flops" got annoying after a while and didn't really feel authentic to the characters or the demographic.

I was very excited for this because I had seen it described as a queer Scream meets Clueless, but I was disappointed on all counts. I found the writing to be pretty cringey, I didn't like any of the characters or find them easy to root for (except for Kevin, who was an adult side character, not even one of the teens), and I didn't find the solution to the mystery to be very interesting. There were also a lot of random major time jumps early in the book that were jarring and seemed like basically portions of the book had just been cut out to keep it from being 600 pages long.

Here’s the thing with this one…I desperately wanted to like this. I’ve been dying to get my hands on a juicy gay thriller for awhile now. This being marketed as “Scream” meets “Clueless” in a very queer way made me excited. The problem lies in the characters. Wow, did I not enjoy either Cole or Dearie. Both of these boys are so self centered they do not care about how they treat others, openly mocking and teasing their fellow queer club members and labeling them “flops”. While morally grey protagonists are nothing new, it felt like these two were actively trying to make the reader not like them. The selling point being the ending, and their reaction and almost joy of having to kill. We spend the whole book talking about how unhinged this killer is (rightfully so) to then celebrate a kill at the hands of the protagonist’s. The ending was a bit trifle as well, I would of preferred these two separate because wow do they need to be away from each other, but alas they speed off into the sunset together. If you’re just looking for a fave value thriller, this isn’t terrible in that respect. If you’re character driven, like myself, this one’s hard to get through

I really enjoyed this one. It was such a good quest YA mystery/thriller read. I highly suggest this one.

Great queer representation. But me in the mindframe of the scream films. Kept my attention throughout and was a fun read.

I really wanted to like this book. I adore a slasher and a queer led horror feels right up my alley, but I just struggled to get into it. I think the biggest thing is things don't happen fast enough to keep the heightened stakes feeling heightened, which is quintessential for a good slasher. The anticipation can build up too much and then the pay off really falls flat It was incrediblyrefreshing for this to not result in a the two best friends realize they are in love with a killer after them thing though. It was well written but the whole thing just dragged on for me a little too much

Your Lonely Nights are Over is the slasher novel that I can't wait to tell everybody about!!
This story is fun and gory, and it delivers on its promise of being the LGBTQIA+ Mean Girls and Scream crossover. This story follows the Sandman, a serial killer with a haunting calling card. A calling card that once received, signs your death warrant. As someone who personally believes that the comedy/tragedy masks are inherently terrifying, this story gave me the thrills and chills I wasn't expecting at first. I loved a masked killer and this story gave me twist after twist as I raced to finish it.
Adam Sass's writing style is one that grabs you quickly and doesn't let go until the very last page. Whether they want their readers to feel grief, happiness, or in this case terror, Sass takes you there! I promise you will be cheering, crying, frustrated all of the emotions as you read this novel. I don't want to say too much about this because these twists are ones that I never saw coming and I don't think readers will see them either. You won't see this ending coming until it's right BEHIND YOU!
Check this book out because you won't be disappointed!

Reminiscent of a Scream but for the gays and theys, this slasher/mystery is as full of sass as the author’s last name. The story is told from dual/BFF POVs. One is Cole, the resident “mean queen” with the confidence of someone twice his age—who’s also the prime suspect. The other is (Frankie) Dearie, the more internalized friend. But perhaps they are best described by Dearie: “Cole is a scuffed-up fist. I’m a glistening dagger.”
Not only was the dual POV masterfully handled, but the whodunnit aspect was gripping and the story was incredibly inclusive. With this book, you get sex-positive rep from all over the 🏳️🌈 spectrum, AND the mother figures all all represented as present, badass women who are detectives, doctors, moms who feed and teachers who provide safe spaces for queer kids.
Loved this book.

I was incredibly excited about this book. And I was not disappointed. On the contrary!
A queer Young Adult slasher - like the Scream series but make it gay.
Okay, maybe it was a no-brainer because: I love slashers, being an 80's kid's.
Also, Young Adult Slasher/Horror are currently on the rise and Adam contributes a contender for my written top spots. Because "Your lonely nights are over" really thrilled and convinced me. It has great, extremely likable characters that feel so refreshingly real and, most importantly, relatable. These characters weren't just written queer, they are queer through and through. So authentic and tangible. And I love it!
In addition to the characters, the typical YA themes of self-discovery, upcoming (college) move, relationships, and friendships were able to draw me in a lot.
Plus, there's the sass-y (see what I did there?) way the main characters in particular think and talk - and I was totally into that!
Of course, otherwise it wouldn't be a slasher, the murder elements don't come up short either. I could imagine that some (adult) reader could wish for more slash/horror, but personally I find it a successful mix for a Young Adult book. Adam mixed the important YA themes with queerness and slasher elements, so that in the end it was well rounded, exciting and extremely entertaining for me.
"Your lonely nights are over" is definitely already one of my queer book highlights of 2023. 🫶

"Scream" is my favorite horror movie of all time, so when I read the blurb for "Your Lonely Nights are Over" (and having been a big fan of Sass's previous novel "The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers"), I was super excited to dive in. It did not disappoint, with its original slasher/true crime mystery, the constant anticipation of "who's next", and lots of twists/misdirections along the way. All leading to a satisfying conclusion. The main characters are lovable with a charming friendship, the dialogue is witty and fun, and the exploration of queer loneliness (at all ages) is thoughtfully portrayed. There are a few side characters I would have liked to spend more time with, so they didn't just feel like potential fodder. But all in all, this a great YA/LGBT horror story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

I’ve been meaning to pick up a book by Adam Sass for a while now, and I was not disappointed. As I soon as I saw this book being marketed as Scream meets Clueless, I knew it was going to be a book for me. I grew up loving the Scream movies so I was expecting a very campy horror novel, and that is exactly what Sass delivered.
I loved the friendship between Dearie and Cole, it felt authentic, and I was very glad to finally read a novel where two gay best friends can be exactly that, best friends and not lovers. I love friends to lovers, but it’s just really refreshing to see.
I thought the murder/horror plot was very engaging and well thought-out. I did guess a few of the reveals ahead of time (but I am someone who have analyzed the Scream movies for all the hints, so it’s really hard to stump me!), but that did not change my enjoyment of them nor the novel. This novel definitely keeps your on your toes throughout the book, and I had a very hard time putting it down because I wanted to see what will happen next.
I can’t wait to dive into another one of Adam Sass’ books!
Thank you Netgalley and PenguinTeen for the e-Arc!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!
To paraphrase Ms. Spears, this [book] is dangerous, and I’m loving it.
From the very first line of the summary, Your Lonely Nights Are Over had me hooked. “Scream meets Clueless?” You have allllll my attention. Those are some pretty high standards to aspire toward: two of the most iconic 90’s films out there, including one of the greatest slashers of all time.
This book doesn’t just meet those expectations, though; it exceeds them.
Bloody, thrilling, and hilarious, Your Lonely Nights Are Over gives new meaning to the phrase “page-turner.” The whole time I was reading, I found myself caught between wanting to live inside this story forever and needing to know what happened. I found myself flying through scenes and then going back to re-read just to make sure I didn’t miss a word.
It’s not all murder and mayhem, though — beneath the blood and guts, this is a story with a real heart to it. Heavy topics are handled with all the tenderness and care that they deserve. Discussions on queer loneliness especially made me feel seen — and more than that, they made me feel less alone. That, to me, is the mark of a truly special book.
Your Lonely Nights Are Over is definitely not a flop. I couldn’t recommend this book more if I tried.

Your Lonely Nights Are Over is a fun, timely story of the strength of friendships, especially when tested by a murderer. The characters are authentic and jump off the page, representing a vast number of identities and backgrounds. Cole and Dearie are real, flawed kids with good intentions, and their alternating POVs offers insight into where each character makes mistakes and falls short. Ultimately, a great, fast read with lots of twists, and a nostalgic nod to Scream.

I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you!!!
I absolutely loved this book. I’ve never really read into any type of crime or mystery book before and this book had me absolutely hooked, I couldn’t wait until I had an opportunity to read it every chance I got.
Maybe it’s because I’m new to this genre or maybe the author did a really great job throwing twists and turns in, but I absolutely did not see the ending of the book coming. I think this was a stellar read and I only wish there was more of the story!
I loved the characters and I think they were portrayed in very realistic ways - I just wish we got to see more of the side characters because they were really interesting in their own rights. A really beautiful story that was compelling and also a dive into some of our darker emotions. Found family, feelings of loneliness, I think are something anyone in the LGBT+ community faces and I think the author did a great job portraying what loneliness is and how it can all affect us differently.

This book really was like a queer scream, full of suspense and twist, I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next and who the Sandman was.
But beyond that it’s a book about what community coming together can help you solve a mystery.
Disclaimer: I got an ARC through NetGalley.

First -- I need to thank NetGalley for an advance copy of the book in exchange for a review! It is June, and I am so happy I got this before it hits the shelves in September.
Y'all, I am obsessed with this book. The premise was described as Scream meets Clueless / Heathers / Mean Girls, and Adam Sass delivered on that.
Over the last few years, there has been such a resurgence of queer horror literature. Ever since movies like the Fear Street series, further Scream films, and X, novels have followed suit. What I loved most about Your Lonely Nights Are Over was that it wasn't a copycat of any of these. There were clear influences and homages to this style of 1990's horror throughout the story. It's incredibly meta and it's well aware that it's emulating the movies it was inspired by while still remaining something all its own. (That murder weapon? Holy shit. Brutal.)
Scream is my all-time favorite movie. It's been 3 months since Scream VI was released and I've had a Scream hangover since then -- this book mended that hangover. There's something so fun about trying to solve a slasher mystery before the big reveal. This book had red herrings, misdirects, and fake-outs -- the hallmark of any great serial killer mystery. And let me say this. Scream is infamous for its wild, chaotic third act bloodbaths. Your Lonely Nights Are Over ran with that, and has a third act that did NOT disappoint.
In addition to being fun, creepy, and unique, the book gives us something important -- something meaningful. It gives us commentary on society. (We love elevated horror!) The book ends up exploring the way that trauma, emotional abuse, and gaslighting affects others, especially in the queer community. It looks at racism in the justice system, and that element in specific is done so effectively. The strength of queer community is an enormous focus on the book, and it proves that when LGBTQ folks band together, nobody, even a cold-blooded killer -- can stop us.
TLDR -- This love letter to slashers was absolutely incredible. It keeps you guessing, it makes you outraged at the injustice of it all, and it makes a statement. I was a huge fan of The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers, but Adam outdid himself with this one.
Horror fans, this is for you!