Your Lonely Nights Are Over was one of my most anticipated books of 2023 and I am overjoyed by the fact that it not only met my expectations but completely soared over them. This book takes the best parts of films like Scream and Mean Girls and puts them in a setting that seems familiar, yet fresh and new.

The slasher aspects of the book were surprisingly tame with most of the deaths not being described in detail but this allowed the two protagonists to be put into a bigger focus, something which greatly benefited the book. As a slasher, the novel was effective (the killer in particular uses one of the most creative weapons I’ve ever read about) but the book truly shone in the moments related to the characters themselves.

Overall, this is a book that is on the same level as the original Scream, maybe even exceeding when it comes to the characters. Highly recommend this one to anyone looking for an inclusive slasher read, or anyone who just wants to marvel at the writing.

When I read this was supposed to be Clueless meets Scream I knew I needed to request it and I’m so glad I did! This was so much fun. Cole and Dearie are two bitchy, sex positive, queer teens being framed for murder determined to find the real killer. It is was very much like a typical slasher but also had humour and a lot of heart. I would probably call it Scream and Mean Girls but still excellent!

I love queer horror and teen slashers, and Your Lonely Nights Are Over is the perfect combination of those two things. The book follows Cole and Dearie, two out gay students who are being blamed for the return of a serial killer called Mr. Sandman. They need to figure out who is actually behind the killings to clear their own names and make sure that nobody else from the school’s Queer Club dies.

Cole and Dearie were such great characters. I loved how they were already out and owned their sexuality, they have guys that they hook up with and stand up to the people who try to slut shame them. While it’s not the main focus of the book, there are some good conversations that they bring up about respectability politics and how they shouldn’t have to behave a certain way in order to look like “one of the good ones” for straight people.

There are a lot of highly suspenseful scenes and exhilarating bursts of action. But because the book is over 400 pages there’s also a lot of time to build up the side characters in addition to Cole and Dearie. Sometimes with slashers it can be hard to care about the people dying because you don’t know anything about them, so I’m glad that Adam Sass took the time to flesh everyone out.

I do think that some of the reveals are a bit obvious, but that didn’t hinder my overall enjoyment of the book. Also, I did roll my eyes at the overuse of the word “flop,” but in the end I think it was wrapped up nicely. It was just so much fun to see these two gay best friends at the center of a slasher story. Definitely check this out if you’re a fan of queer horror and/or teen slashers.

I'm not sure that the comparisons of SCREAM and CLUELESS totally match this book, as I thought that it was a pretty easy to solve mystery and the characters were more MEAN GIRLS-esque rather than Cher or Dionne. As a slasher it had some gnarly deaths and some suspenseful moments, as well as characters who were pretty clearly there to pad the body count. This very well be due to the fact that I'm not part of the target audience, or because I've been reading and watching slashers and stories like this for a few decades. But what I did really, really like about this book was the way that it addresses loneliness, especially the unique kind of loneliness that can be prevalent in the queer community. Sass really has an eye and a way of addressing this theme, and makes a certain poignancy that underscores the horror themes, and how solidarity and finding your people can act as a way to combat the horrors of the world, whether they are a slasher killer or just the realistic horrors of real life. I was definitely rooting for Dearie and Cole to get out of this alive, because their connection and friendship was so real and so charming, and a testament to queer companionship, platonic or otherwise.

I enjoyed this ode to slasher films so much! A great LGBTQ+ mystery for teens! I would recommend this to teens and to adults alike. Highly enjoyable!

Adam Sass and easily one of the most slept on authors out right now—Surrender your Sons made him a go to author for me and ‘Your Lonely Nights are Over’ is honestly perfect! I love the high stakes of this book—plus, it’s a queer book that’s a complete thrill ride from start to finish. Adam Sass you gave another hit on your hand and I can’t wait to share this book with my friends looking for something awesome to read during spooky season.

Pulling in the story of the serial killer,Mr. Sandman this story gripes you. This thriller set in a high school about a Queer group that is under the eye of the famous serial killer Mr. Sandman who will he go after next? This book kept me turning the page to figure out who was behind it all. I definitely would read it again. If you love thrillers with a horror vibe this book is for you

Both of the Adam Sass books I've read have managed to find me exactly when I needed them. I loved this book that is aptly described as Scream meets Clueless. While it mainly remains a slasher novel with the tone of Clueless, it has some really important messages about the power of community, that felt more relevant than ever in today's world. I struggled a bit with the first portion of the book when I was still getting used to the characters, however, after the short time-skip, once things pick up they never stop. I read most of this book in one sitting because I just could not bring myself to put it down. If you enjoyed Sass's debut novel, I would highly suggest picking up this one too.

Your Lonely Nights are Over featuring two high school seniors Cole and Dearie; two friends who are so close that half the school is unsure whether or not they're boyfriends. They're beautiful, flirtatious, wealthy, cunning, and sassy, ready to read a room of flops to filth at a moment's notice. They're hated but envied, and now they're at the forefront of an FBI investigation.
The Queer Club at Stone Grove High School is being hunted by the famous, never-been-caught serial killer Mr. Sandman, and half the school thinks Cole and Dearie are behind the killings.

This book reads like a cult classic, very much serving Scream meets Clueless.
The bodies kept piling up, and I became engrossed in the race against the clock of WHO exactly was the killer. I think the dual perspectives could keep me on the edge of my seat at times, especially when the action was ramping up.

I felt Adam Sass did a fantastic job crafting an inclusive novel, but there were certain instances where I felt the protagonists were put in unrealistic circumstances. Overall, I FLEW through this novel because I simply couldn't put it down, and I had to know WHO MR. SANDMAN WAS. The twists certainly twisted with this one.

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, Viking Books for Young Readers, and Adam Sass for providing a copy of this book for me to read and review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Scream meets Clueless is such a great description for this queer YA horror book! It had all the great elements of a slasher movie combined with an unreliable narrator and tons of great queer rep! This would be perfect for a spooky fall night!

"Your Lonely Nights Are Over" by Adam Sass is a spine-chilling YA novel. The book's atmospheric writing and LGBTQ+ representation added depth to the gripping horror, creating an unforgettable reading journey.

I would like to thank Penguin Young Readers group and netzalley for an ARC of Your Lonely Nights are over.

This is Scream meets Mean Girls. It follows two gay teens Dearie and Cole as a serial killer is targeting their school's Queer Club.

This was such a good read. The characters are self aware like the teens in Scream but catty as the teens in Mean girls. Adam Sass brings to life a nuanced story with a look at how trauma effects a small friend group. The story is well paced I could not put it down. I was invested in these characters.

I love the interactions between Dearie and Cole. They are true friends. They have a language that is just for them and they have a connection that most don't understand. They're messy and realistic not shying away from talks about their sexuality. Its a good portrayal of teen queer relationships.

There are twists that I didn't see coming and the ending was unexpected. It is a witty fast pace read that I cannot recommend enough.

"Your Lonely Nights are Over" by Adam Sass is an exhilarating rollercoaster ride that expertly merges the thrills of "Scream" with the charm of "Clueless." From the very first page, I was hooked by the heart-pounding suspense and the witty banter between the dynamic duo, Dearie and Cole. The plot centers around their unbreakable friendship, which is put to the ultimate test when their school's Queer Club becomes the target of a chilling serial killer, Mr. Sandman. The story takes you on a wild journey as Dearie and Cole race against time to unmask the killer before their own lives and those of their friends are in jeopardy.

What makes this book truly exceptional is the way it keeps you guessing at every turn. Throughout the story, I found myself playing detective alongside the characters, piecing together clues and forming theories about the identity of the killer. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the plot would twist in unexpected ways, leaving me eager to devour each page in anticipation.

Dearie and Cole are protagonists who feel remarkably real and relatable. Their alternating points of view offer readers a fascinating glimpse into their contrasting perspectives, shaped by their distinct identities as Dearie is white and Cole is Afro-Latino. The author skillfully weaves their experiences into the narrative, shedding light on how their backgrounds influence their reactions to the escalating danger. This depth adds layers to their characters that go beyond mere clichés, making their friendship even more endearing.

The heart of the book lies in the profound bond between Dearie and Cole. In a refreshing departure from the norm, their relationship isn't romantic but rather a testament to the power of platonic love between gay men. This exploration of a different kind of connection adds a unique flavor to the narrative, breaking away from the traditional focus on romantic relationships in queer literature.

As the climax approaches, the revelations start pouring in, and the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. While I may have predicted some of the twists, the brilliance lies in how Adam Sass executes them. The final act is a masterclass in storytelling, offering resolutions that are satisfying yet shockingly unexpected. And that ending—oh, what an iconic and flawless conclusion it is! "Your Lonely Nights are Over" is a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling, inclusive, and utterly captivating YA horror novel that will leave you both breathless and deeply moved.

THOUGHTS

This book is voicey. It's slasher-y. It's a nice escape, one that's fueled by a very real cultural obsession with serial killers and crime shows. It feels real in a lot of respects, even with the over-the-top gory death scenes the genre demands. I'm happy with what I got, even if I wanted more.


PROS
Hooked: This is one of those rare books that hooked me right from the beginning. Dearie as a main character adds such a great voice. The opening pulled me in, and it didn't let me go. Everything from page one had me on the hook, and there's nothing better than that.

Splattered: This book is splattered in blood--literally. Not only is the slasher aesthetic upheld in the blood-gushing, razor-wire-induced death scenes that feel so much like watching a horror film, but the book design itself reflect this, from the cover to the blood-splattered chapter endings. There's something so fitting about one part ending and another beginning with splatter across the page. This design choice is top notch.

Unreliability: One of the best things a thriller author can do is plant the seeds of doubt when it comes to our protagonist(s), especially when that main character is also the narrator. There are some significant gaps in Dearie's recollection. He's sweet and innocent. Nobody suspects him, but... he's not been entirely honest with us. He can't quite remember (or says he can't quite remember) certain details of key moments... And it all just makes you wonder, right? No spoilers, of course!


CONS
Apt Teenagers: There are certainly teenagers out there who are confident in themselves and their sexual abilities, but these boys felt a little bit too confident. They felt too experienced to be, you know, seventeen. It didn't make sense that they would be so savvy, able to navigate a whole landscape of hookups and hotties from other schools. Would they really have such a wide network of possible options in high school? It felt off. It felt like it was aspiring too much, leaning into sexual liberation at the cost of realism.

Slow: The biggest downfall in this book is that there's a lot of downtime. The voice is great. The characters are interesting. But everything takes too much time to develop. There's a lot of space between character deaths, and it really does feel like it. Pacing in a thriller is of the utmost importance, and this book never quite hit that thrilling level. Don't get me wrong. There's a lot to like here. I just never hit that thriller high that I hoped for.

Jumpy: Unfortunately, I don't mean "jumpy" in a spooky way. I mean there are time jumps here, gaps in the narrative that make the whole plot feel a little too extended. This adds to the slow factor. The timing of things was off. Everything in a thriller should be snappy, back-to-back-to-back, and that's not what I just here. I got poorly constructed jump cuts instead.


Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7/10
Fans of Ripley Jones's Missing Clarissa will like this dynamic best friend duo. Those who enjoyed Kathryn Foxfield's Come Out, Come Out, Whatever You Are will like the campy, slasher feel to this thriller.

The queer scream-inspired book horror fans deserved!
This was everything I wanted it to be and I had a tremendous amount of fun the whole way through!
This is a must read for queer horror fans this fall.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group, for giving me an eArc of this book in exchange for my honest review! Quotes are not final as I had an uncorrected copy.

This book releases on September 12, 2023.

Entertaining, funny, scary, heartwarming, lovable, twitter & tik-tok worthy, reflective and refreshing novel. I had SO much fun reading this book! Adam Sass hits and does not miss. I loved the 99 Boyfriends of Micah .

"....this book is a mix of Scream and Mean Girls." This statement is very accurate if you like both movies, as I do, then you will love this book.

This book takes place in Stone Grove High, in Arizona and features the school's queer club, the two main characters are Cole Cardoso and Frankie Dearie. These out and proud teenagers are the popular mean it gworls of their school. However things go really left (in a bad way) when an old has-been serial killer returns after their popular documentary on Netflix is aired. The boys are labeled as the main suspects (jealous much?) and have to fight some old dude in a clown mask (copy much?) whilst trying to clear their names and having to see their peers & hookups be picked off one by one.

The commentary/Message: on loneliness and the queer community, with the title and the killer in the book only going after the lonely people, and finds a buffet in the queer community. Was chef's kiss. "....loneliness kills/ queer loneliness is healed by the queer community." AMEN!!! Louder for those in the back b/c IKTR!! There was also commentary on domestic violence, which of course I hate to read/see it but I'm surprised that not a lot of gay/queer media touch on DV between same-sex couples. Also the message that platonic friendships are life saving along with community was amazing to read. I love to see it. Cole & Dearie are the epitome of friendship goals! There were so many tropes that were turnt tabled in this book, it was so refreshing to read.

The Characters: I loved the way Cole & Dearie were written. They were so fleshed out and complex and jumped off the page. It makes me wish that I had shredded my own internalized queerphobia, and joined my school's gay club. I really want to hang out with Cole, like he seems like so much fun! Someone to kiki with, & have fun yet who will keep it one hundo with you!

The writing: Simple, fun and engaging!

The pace: fast, as it is a slasher type novel.

All in all this book is amazing and I am so glad to add two gay boys to my final girls list! so RUN in them kitten heels to pick up the physical copy at your nearest bookstore. You will NOT regret it.

When a book is described as Scream meets Clueless, the expectations for it are VERY high. Luckily for me, overall, those expectations were met. I thought this book was an absolute blast. The suspense, the humor, the friendship, the queer representation, the twist, all very on point. I liked getting both Cole and Dearie’s POVs, especially with how different they were. Their friendship definitely had notes of a queer Cher and Dionne from Clueless and I loved it. I liked the exploration of the queer community and the bullying/abuse that can take place inside of it. Also, the theme of being single not equating loneliness was really well done. The big twist at the end, I legitimately didn’t see coming and I thought it was wild in the best way. I highly recommend this one for fans of YA mysteries with great queer representation and a really fantastic friendship.
TW: Murder, emotional abuse, homophobia, bullying


Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

Your Lonely Nights Are Over is the perfect queer slasher. It was full of humor, queer joy, love, and friendship/community. It was also filled with loneliness, loss, emotional abuse/manipulation, and bullying. These were seamlessly blended together that it made the book hit harder than most.

Dearie and Cole deserve the world. They went through so much in this book that I just want to hug them. I won’t speak on the characters much due to this being a slasher. This group of characters might possibly be one of my favorites. Each character is well developed and add so much depth and humor to this book.

Now, on the topic of loneliness. While this book talks about all types of loneliness, I’m gonna focus on the loneliness queer people often feel. Queer loneliness is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Especially the loneliness that closeted queer people face. There is this preconceived idea, that most queer people are often raised with or told, that we are meant to be alone or don’t fit in anywhere. This book explores how coming together as a community can be enlightening and create a sense of belonging. It also explores *why* people are considered to be lonely. I think this book will resonate with a lot of people just with this topic alone.

I highly recommend this book. I couldn’t have enjoyed this more. Your Lonely Nights Are Over deserves all the stars. Don’t be a Flop, read this book! (Check CWs first!!) Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.

*disclaimer: I was gifted an advanced readers copy of this book by netgalley and I'm voluntarily leaving a review*
The tagline about this having scream vibes is SO spot on. Scream is my favorite franchise so I had to pick this up. Couple that with it being a queer YA book and it was fate that I would find it. I am most definitely buying a physical copy of this book (9/12/23 release date). This book is so good.
I wanted to touch on the recurring theme of queer loneliness real quick because it is so true. I didn't have a queer club in high school, and think that would have made a big difference about my self esteem and identity. It is lonely being queer, especially when you don't have community. Cole and Dearie are in the queer club, but for most of the book their only community is really each other. They got along with the others in the club (at least on a surface level) but at the end of the day they can only trust each other. So when they're faced with dark truths--about themselves and about the people around them--they go to each other for comfort. And their friendship remains stronger than ever, even when they don't know who in the queer club will be found with a razorblade necklace next.

I knew that I would love this… I didn’t realize the intensity in which I would love it!

Sass explains in the beginning, before the book starts, that in this story, he depicts the vast differences one of the main characters is treated than the other. I find the awareness of that in books, in life, is realistic and powerful in its injustice! Keep reminding people of it! Keep throwing that disgustingness in people’s faces and maybe it’s step for a change to be made!

Cole and Dearie are besties, twin souls, sassy queers with the kind of friendship everyone should envy. When The Sandman, a killer in a grim mask, resurfaces years after their reign of terror, targeting the queer club, Cole and Dearie are implicated. They have to race against time to save not only their friends, but themselves…

This book was wild! The way in which this person kills, TERRIFYING! And people are dropping like flies. Dearie, white, and the son of the police detective on the case isn’t treated the same way as Cole, with his brown skin… and this book is very aware of it. He has to work harder, be better… but it doesn’t matter how smart he is, how good he is. He was implicated and it’s enough to put a dark spot on his innocence.

My favorite thing about Your Lonely Nights Are Over, Cole and Dearie!!!! Their bond is unique. They love each other fiercely! They each always have a quip to toss out in any situation. And no matter the amount of death they see, they maintain their hilarious horny queer thirst… it never abated and I loved it!!