Strange Lights

by Mira González

Parenting is never easy, but it’s a hell of a lot harder when your toddler is a chupacabra.

Paranormal investigator and cryptozoologist Reggie has embraced her fate as parent to an adopted toddler, Eldi—a blood-sucking chupacabra with a fondness for goats. Reggie wants nothing more than to put her complicated past in the rearview mirror and fade into as much obscurity as her toddler will allow. But a rash of UFOs in the night sky and a couple of crop-circle-carving Roombas force Reggie into an investigation that attracts the attention of an old enemy, an anti-supernatural agency hunting for creatures like Eldi. To outwit them, Reggie must team up with Calvin: a podcaster-turned-werewolf whose charm is a real threat to Reggie’s rule against romantic attachments.

With Reggie’s history quickly catching up to her and Eldi in the agency’s crosshairs, any shred of normalcy evaporates. Reggie must decide: Can she confront her dark past to save Eldi—and an entire alien species—from getting wiped out of the universe?

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction

464 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 8, 2026

About the author

Mira González is a full-time chaos manager of three small humans and the author of Strange Lights. You can find her escaping into novels when she isn’t traveling. Mira currently resides in Fiji, but she grew up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and worked on oil rigs under the northern lights in Alaska. Equal parts personal experience and a wildly overactive imagination inspire her stories, which center the queer and diverse characters she relates most to.

Though her children are the inspiration for the monster toddler in her book, her husband is regrettably not a werewolf, and she can only dream of a sentient Winnebago.

Reviews

[Nora (NoraLeest) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood-sucking toddlers, an undead raccoon, aliens, werewolves, magic, a strange self-driving RV with hidden backrooms

"I was never waiting for you to be good enough. Love isn't perfection."

Going into this book I expected a light hearted, quirky book about cryptids. Although it started out that way, I am so happy it turned out to be so much more than that. In this book we follow Reggie, a paranormal investigator with an adopted toddler. Not a normal toddler, though, her daughter is a blood-sucking chupacabra (and I love her). Reggie mainly attempts to make people believe cryptids are hoaxes, while Reggie in fact knows they are as real as can be.

The story quickly picks up pace and develops into a wonderfully exciting, emotional and raw story. What it means to be human, blood ties and found family ties are explored in a very intricate way. The story occasionally shifts perspective, which keeps the reader engaged and allows us to understand the perspectives and experiences of other characters. This is done in such a wonderful way that really adds to the story, rather than taking you out of the flow.

This is such an exceptionally wonderful, heartfelt and hilarious story and so much more than I anticipated before picking it up. I'm so glad I got to read this!

"And what's in this bag?"
"Dead mice. From the walls."
"You hit me with a bag of dead mice?"

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC copy.

[Kels Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to start by expressing my gratitude to NetGalley and Bindery Books for granting me access to this ARC. Additionally, I want to thank the author for crafting such a cool and cosmic story; I truly enjoyed it!

Summary - A story revolving around Eldi, a chupacabra adopted by Reggie, a paranormal investigator who has retired from a hectic past, only to be thrown back in when strange UFO activities start happening. She has to face old enemies, an anti-supernatural agency, and Calvin, an old nemesis turned friend turned lover? What happens when he threatens her strict rules of no romantic attachments? Oh, and he has turned into a werewolf. Together, they must protect those they love against the threat that will tear them apart. Follow Reggie, Eldi, and Calvin on a paranormal adventure to save worlds.


Thoughts - As soon as I saw this on NetGalley and that it was from Bindery Books, I knew I wanted to read it. Cryptids and paranormal activity? Yes, please! It started off great, and I loved it so much. The world of cryptids with chupacabras, werewolves, and the adventure of riding around in a Winnebago to investigate activity was such a fun vibe. I loved the different relationships created and the dysfunctional elements portrayed within the story. I, however, did find Reggie extremely frustrating as a character. I understand the reason for her being the way she is; however, I found her character development slow. That was the only downside to this, and maybe not enough cryptids. The first part was great, but as it dove deeper into the story, it kind of veered away from those elements and more toward everyone's backstories.


Now, while I normally hate being in the middle of a book and then suddenly being thrown into the past with backstories, the author did well in how this book was written. I was always captured within the pages, and the little twists and mysteries really emphasised the plot. Mira created complex yet vulnerable characters in her process, and each was relatable in some way, even when they had many layers. The worldbuilding and the paranormal parts of this book were outstanding.

While I do not want to give away spoilers, I will say that in this book, the relationships were frustrating and brilliant all in one. As I said, I felt Reggie's character development was quite frustrating; she often felt as if she had a chip on her shoulder. She was always negative, almost mean, and unnecessary in parts. I just wanted her to chill. That being said, I didn’t hate her at all, and I empathised with her after finding out her past. I just wish she weren’t so "woe is me" right until the very end. I loved how the author wrote about Reggie's family and past—very clever and well done.

The relationship between Eldi and Reggie was both cute, heartwarming, and sad. I loved that she adopted her, and their bond really showed, as well as the love they expressed in their own ways. It wasn’t easy for either of them, and with Eldi's lack of vocabulary, it was hard for them to communicate, but they both cherished one another, and Reggie really stepped up as a mother to Eldi.

It was also sweet Eldi was attached to her toy goat and her relationships with the mismatched weird creatures within the Winnebago. The whole magical RV and its counterparts really made the fun and exciting elements pop, especially when Reggie and Eldi went werewolf hunting and paranormal investigating. Speaking of werewolves, they take center stage in the story, especially when Calvin accidentally transforms into one. He sneaks after Reggie and Eldi to a werewolf pack, attempting to protect Reggie as chaos ensues and gets bit. This marks the beginning of Calvin's adventures in the supernatural realm. It’s particularly amusing that Calvin runs a podcast aimed at debunking the existence of the paranormal and supernatural.I think he will have to change his content.

Calvin and Reggie were an ideal pairing, and I initially felt a pang of sadness for him because, honestly, Reggie was quite challenging. However, as their relationship blossomed throughout the story, it was wonderful to witness how Calvin helped Reggie emerge from her shell. Their love was unique, and in the best possible way—especially with Luca joining the mix. Reggie and her sisters, truly embodied the essence of sisterhood. Although they weren’t related by blood, their bond was unbreakable; no one could take that away from them.

But I think what really made this story stand out from it all was Orion's backstory and what Eldi and Orion went through when they were just babies themselves. The brutality of it and how this was such a big part of the book, with so many backstories and the main story starting differently from where it finished, the Orion backstory was the link to bring them all into place, helping readers to understand what was happening and how it all fit into the main plot. It gave you a much clearer understanding of the antagonist, the relationship between all characters, and the answers to a lot of questions. It was a different sort of sci-fi paranormal plot that I enjoy immensely.

[Michael Chew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC copy.

I thought this was an excellent debut novel!! What a fun and cozy story that really had it all. A grumpy detective with a cryptid child that eats goats, werewolves, alien technology, magic, a TARDIS-like sentient Winnebago, and a podcasting bro who lives to debunk myths that are right under his nose!

I could not put this book down! I'm not typically looking for found family stories, but this one had me on the edge of my seat. I can't get over how fun and whimsical the journey was.

[hon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Mira Gonzalez, Bindery Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

Strange Lights is a mysterious, supernatural and emotional story following Reggie, a paranormal investigator who travels from case to case in their sentient Winnebago with her adoptive daughter Eldi, a feisty, little gremlin of a thing—taking terrible twos to a whole new meaning—and not exactly human. Calvin is a podcaster and a skeptic who takes on cases to go and investigate—and disprove—all things paranormal and supernatural. Reggie knows the supernatural is real all too well and spends her time investigating cases and secretly helping keep the supernatural under control on the side. Reggie and Calvin began things on less than friendly terms when meeting in a gay bar, as Calvin believed Reggie was a crook taking advantage of unsuspecting customers, but eventually finds out that behind Reggie’s unbothered and distant facade, there’s a big heart—even if he still tries to disprove all of the cases they come across. It’s not just them on their travels though, they have Eldi with them, although she doesn’t need much taking care of than making sure she actually wears clothes, has her teddy “Goat” and the occasional live goat for dinner. Eldi is a Chupacabra with inhuman glowing eyes, fanged teeth and oh, has been a toddler for the seven years she’s lived with Reggie. Life is good, a little chaotic but in the wide scheme of things, good. That’s until there’s a sudden spike in supernatural cases and sightings, genuine ones, and a visit from Reggie’s past—a past she’d rather forget. This is a story of mystery and the supernatural, but more than that it’s a story of dark secrets, of familial abuse, of sort of found family and of overcoming your fears and your past.

I picked this story mostly due to its description. It sounded right up my alley—queer, mystery, supernatural, non-human family members and just the right amount of humour. It started out how I was imagining. The beginning is very fun and I enjoyed getting to know the first three main characters. I liked Reggie and could see the mask she put on, pretending to be a tough wall of stone, uncaring and unbreechable. It’s clear when you see her around Eldi though, that this is not the case. They definitely have a bit of mystery around them and their past is unknown but clearly dark, and I was interested in finding out more about her. Eldi is a very funny and endearing character and a total little demon, but what toddlers aren’t. Her few dialogue lines always had me smiling, she’s definitely a bit of comedic relief within the book. Calvin’s character felt a little less dimensional but I liked him and would have loved to have seen more of him. I enjoyed the back and forth between him and Reggie and the sprinkles of romance they had. As we got more into the supernatural aspects of it, I really started enjoying the book and it felt like a really strong start to the book. Then we get the flashback.

This takes up a huge portion of the book and unfortunately, I didn’t really enjoy much of it. It isn’t necessarily bad in itself, but feels like it’s an entirely different book and should have been a prologue, although I understand why it was needed for the story. While the rest of the book was fun and felt genuinely unique, the flashback felt like it was ripped right out of any average YA dystopian. I did enjoy parts of this section and liked to get a look into why Reggie is the way she is and her bonds with certain people in her past and her inner battle with what to do in the situation she is stuck in, as well as the magical aspects, but it just went on forever. It did give you a good character to hate though, I’ll give it that, and we do meet one of my favourite characters in it—shout out to Meredith. I just feel like a lot of the rest of the book felt rushed and less fleshed out because of how long the flashback section was and I honestly found myself waiting for it to be over.

The section after this was alright and got us back close to the fun feeling the book originally had and we delve into what the book is really about, but it still fell a little short for me to what I was expecting from its strong start. There was one twist near the end of the book that genuinely surprised me and was quite an interesting direction to go, but all in all the ending was happy but predictable. I think I could have loved this book, but the characters, while likeable, fell flat and some parts of the book felt random or without a point. I did however love the quirky, silly characters living inside the Winnie. I would still recommend this book to someone that’s interested in finding a queer, supernatural and extraterrestrial read—maybe it’ll be your next favourite!

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange Lights follows Reggie, a paranormal investigator and also adoptive parent to Eldi, a toddler who is maybe a chupacabra and who definitely has an affinity for goats. An investigation brings Reggie face-to-face with her past and leads her to team up with Calvin, a podcaster suffering from a case of lycanthropy.

Upon reading the synopsis for this book, I felt like it was immediately going to be right up my alley. Unfortunately, something just did not click for me.

Positively, González’s writing is punchy and easy to get into. There are also some very fun and funny tidbits sprinkled throughout this book. I quickly fell in love with Eldi, who is both adorable and terrifying, and the cast of characters in Reggie’s Winnebago - including a skeleton and two very loyal Roomba’s - were absolutely hilarious. From these early introductions, I had anticipated getting lost in a book heavily focused on found family.

Instead of found family, however, the book takes a pretty sharp turn into Reggie’s kind of checkered past. At the most climatical part of the story, we enter a flashback that explains how Reggie got to this point in their life, and we’re there for about a third of the book. Frankly, I expected this bit to be more of a training montage, possibly similar to what was shown in the Black Widow film, but instead there was a lot of talk about babies and nannies. Even when Reggie’s big first mission begins, it didn’t feel like much was explained. This part of the book really shifted the novel into a place I was not anticipating it to go.

I also wish I felt more connected to the adult characters in this book, most particularly Reggie and Calvin. Even their relationship with each other felt incredibly surface level. Where I anticipated a bit of a slow burn romance, the two of them really quickly got together, got it on and then immediately began attached at the hip. Honestly, I wanted more of Eldi, her rather possessive Roomba friends, and the rest of the crew of the Winnebago. That’s a story I think I really would have gotten enjoyment out of.

I had really anticipated enjoying this novel, and I’m disappointed that it didn’t work for me. I do think that if you’re a fan of TJ Klune or enjoy books with quirky found families, then you should still look into this book! Thank you Bindery Books and NetGalley for letting me give this one a try.

[J. Blake Myersmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I adored the first two parts of this book. Found family monster-hunting travelogues are my jam, and the cast was SO unique. A non-binary investigator with a mysterious past, a chupacabra/alien in the form of a toddler with a foul mouth, and a Scully-esque thirst trap podcaster with a heart of gold, all traveling in a magic Winnnebago that's bigger on the inside and contains its own cast of minor freaks? Sign me up! The dynamic between Reggie and Calvin is delicious, both from a practical (I need to hide the real magic from this skeptic) and the romantic.

The mysteries are compelling and the action sequences are exciting and visceral! This novel is just dripping with character, and even the single-scene "NPCs" feel three-dimensional (please help me with my haunted vaccuum - I've tried everything, including reading the instructions). Reggie would fit right in with Sam and Dean Winchester, and their episode of Supernatural would be one of the best in the series, I'm positive.

But when the third part began and we flashed back to Reggie's abusive DECADES with the Agency the entire book screeches to a halt. It's not that this section is poorly written - there are some beautiful passages and I feel like it's a grounded description of parental abuse, but it just doesn't fit with the story I'd been reading. I struggled a lot, and nearly made it to the end of the flashback chapters, but I eventually had to stop. When I realized that 1) this had become a completely different book over the course of this QUARTER of the page count, and 2) that it could not going to go back to the kind of book it was in the first half when we eventually jumped back to the present.

I generally don't review books that I don't finish, but since NetGalley and the publisher were so gracious to provide an ARC, I was convinced to adjust that personal rule. Perhaps there's still time to adjust before publication, perhaps not, but at least folks will know going in. If you enjoy the extended flashbacks for the immortals in Buffy and Angel, or perhaps the Six Months Ago episode of Heroes, you may like this book!

[erica utti-hodge ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

strange lights is a relatively fast-paced novel that is equal parts plot- and character-driven. our main character, reggie, is a sort of paranormal investigator on the side of the paranormal. she is likable (most of the time) and funny. calvin is her foil, a fellow paranormal investigator and podcaster. i enjoyed the banter between characters and reggie and her family are extremely funny at times. reggie's daughter feels strangely real considering she's not human--its really noticeable how well gonzalez can write children. this novel is full of fun twists, weird characters, and different cryptids.

however, a few things fell short, most of which i think could be solved if this book was split in half or published as a short series. i'm typically accustomed to more serious horror, so this was fun to read, but the metaphors and similes often felt forced and were a bit distracting. further, i feel like this book is slightly too long, but also not long enough. i think this would have worked wonderfully if the first book was all about reggie's adventures as an investigator so that we could get a better feel for who she actually is. then, the second half of the book felt too rushed--it would have been helpful to see more of the interactions between reggie and luca, because their devotion to each other didn't really make sense given the evidence within the story. it feels like every roadblock was too quickly put in place and knocked down, so tension never really gets a chance to build as much as it could, which is a disservice to the great concepts in the novel.

overall, i would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a light, feel-good read that enjoys horror themes and tropes.

[BB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you both the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to read Strange Lights as a free ARC and share my thoughts about the book.

“Paranormal investigator and cryptozoologist Reggie has embraced her fate as parent to an adopted toddler, Eldi—a blood-sucking chupacabra with a fondness for goats.”

I was sold when I read that first sentence of the description. Add scifi and LGBTQIAP+ tags to that and there is no way that I wouldn’t place something like that to my TBR. But I have to admit that I have some mixed feelings after reading the book.

It started so well. Honestly, give me a funny MC, quite accidental child adoption situation, one goat-eating chupacabra child, a weird car, magical roombas and a funny bantering with a good-looking main love interest and I’m sold. It was funny, snarky, humorous yet quite heart-warming. We were driving on a road to the 5 star read, but it didn’t fully hold that vibe, which is a bit of a shame.

In the middle of the book we travelled back in time, and while that background story explained things and I feel like some parts of it were definitely important to tell the story, I kinda lost it. It had a bit too YA dramatic style in it and it lasted for quite a long time, and after it, the story didn’t quite catch the same vibe as at the beginning of the story.

However, I really enjoyed the book anyway. There was a lot going on. Magic. Aliens. Blood-sucking. Werewolves. Feelings. Accidental parenthood which is one of my favorite things in the stories. Humour. A little bit of flirting. I really enjoyed it and I think the story stayed well on the road although there was so much going on. It’s a shame that it didn’t hold the same vibe throughout the book, but I still feel like it was definitely worth reading.

[Mya Joan Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange Lights by Mira Gonzalez is an unforgettable, quietly powerful book that completely exceeded my expectations. From the very first page, it establishes a tone that is intimate, unfiltered, and strangely comforting in its honesty. It feels less like reading and more like being allowed into someone’s unguarded thoughts at 2 a.m.—raw, self-aware, and piercingly real.

Gonzalez has a remarkable ability to capture complex emotional states in deceptively simple language. The writing is spare yet incredibly layered, exploring loneliness, desire, insecurity, mental health, relationships, and the surreal absurdity of modern life. There’s a dry, almost deadpan humor threaded throughout, which makes the heavier themes hit even harder. You might find yourself laughing at a line, only to feel it settle into something much deeper moments later.

What stands out most is the emotional precision. Nothing feels exaggerated or melodramatic. Instead, there’s a steady, deliberate honesty that makes every page feel authentic. Gonzalez doesn’t try to resolve the messiness of being human or (non human)—she presents it plainly, and that directness is what makes it so powerful. The vulnerability never feels performative; it feels lived-in.

It manages to feel deeply personal while also being universally relatable, which is a rare and special balance.

Strange, tender, funny, and devastating in equal measure, Strange Lights is a five-star read through and through. It’s a book I know I’ll return to again—and one I’ll be recommending to anyone who appreciates writing that is bold in its vulnerability and fearless in its truth.

[Caitlin Teaches · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love a weird, fun, creepy vibe with just enough high strangeness and cryptids to soften the edges of deeper metaphors, this is for you. If you have ever loved a monster of the week show or Welcome to Nightvale, this book is for you. If you want to read a story where a haunted mannequin and undead raccoon are charming background characters, this story is for you.

Mira Gonzalez has built out a world that feels rich and real and lays the setting for a deeply engaging and funny story. The focus on found and fought for family with a queer lead is a gift that avoids a lot of troublesome tropes while still allowed the characters to be complicated. Reggie is definitely shaped by their relationships and trauma, and the exploration of exactly what that means kept me coming back page after page. Their love for Eldi (and others) is never perfect but always real and meaningful. Especially if you've ever had to be caretaker on your own worst days.

My one critique is that there are two extended flashbacks that feel like being dropped in a different book for a while. The sudden shift in pace and focus, as well as genre in one case, was a bit disorienting. I ended up racing to get back to the main story lines were I could see the impact on the characters I was already invested in.

The overall exploration of hope and growth in the face of terrible and unknowable things feels very valuable. So does the representation of growth in queer relationships. The book always feels like a ride, not a lecture, and I can't wait share it.


Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

[tinysparkreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐Primarily First Person POV
⭐Chaotic Family Dynamics
⭐Adventuring in a Winnebago

This is a departure for me from my usual sapphic books. In saying that, I really enjoyed reading this book. I’m always down for a good adventure storyline and this definitely delivered on that.

Reggie “I do not care to be perceived” Quinn is parent to a toddler unlike most. Unless most toddlers like to suck the blood out of goats that is. Eldi is a toddler that looks to be around 2 years old, but is actually a Chupacabra. Reggie with Eldi in tow, spends their time roaming around the country solving paranormal mysteries in their very magical somewhat sentient Winnebago. Calvin St. James is a podcaster/science sleuth who debunks paranormal mysteries online. Occasionally they work together to investigate the paranormal.

I felt like the story was really fun and original. There was a big element of found family. There were a few different instances of multi-chapter flashback scenes, that I thought added some really good context and information about what happened to the characters and what made them the way they are now.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun queer sci-fi romp around the place. It also has some darker elements though, so be aware of potential triggers of child abuse.

Rep: Non-binary/gender-fluid MC

Thanks to Mira González, Bindery Books, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book.

[Katie Petriella · Rating 4 out of 5]

a blood-sucking toddler, a sentient Winnebago, and an undead raccoon walk into a book... and somehow it works??

Strange Lights had absolutely no business being this heartfelt. I went in expecting quirky paranormal fun and got genuinely emotional about found family and what it means to be human (and, you know, not human). Mira González nailed the tone. It's funny without ever undercutting the moments that matter, which is so hard to pull off.

the characters are the real star here. Reggie is great, Eldi is an icon (she eats goats. she's a baby. I love her), and the whole cast that grows around them feels natural and earned in a way that so many found family stories just don't manage.

the worldbuilding is also just fun. cryptids and aliens and magic all sharing one story and it somehow never tips over into too much, which honestly feels like a small miracle.

my one gripe: the flashbacks. they pump the brakes on a book that otherwise clips along really nicely, and every time one popped up I was counting the pages until we got back to the main story. not a dealbreaker but definitely noticeable.

really impressive debut. if González writes a sequel I'm first in line.

4 stars.

(thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC copy. all thoughts are my own.)

[RosewynReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a unique and well-written story it just wasn’t the right fit for me personally.

Our main FMC is caring for a child who… eats goats because she’s a Chupacabra. And yes, I had to look up what that was, so you can imagine my genuine shock as I started piecing things together. That alone tells you how original this book is.

On top of that, her best friend is also supernatural, and the house she lives in carries its own kind of magic.

I read the whole book because the writing itself is strong and intriguing it kept me curious but I never fully felt invested in the story. It didn’t emotionally pull me in the way I hoped it would.

That being said, the Roomba's and the mannequin were such a funny, The unexpected touches genuinely made me smile.

Overall, this was well written, imaginative, and bold just not a story that personally clicked with me. I would absolutely try another book by this author because the uniqueness and writing style are definitely there.

[Giggles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for letting me read this early ☺️


this isn't my type of book at all. but the thing that drew me in & made me want to read this book was on the synopsis where it said - Reggie has embraced her fate as parent to an adopted toddler- a blood- sucking chupacabra 👀 so I'm thankful i got approved to read this book as i was really intruiged by that sentence 😂
but overall i loved this book i loved that it had
-short chapters
-"some people collect coffee mugs, i collect tattoos"- I loved this quote so much 😆
-I loved reggie , her attitude & her personality
she had me laughing loads.
-I loved the other characters they all had their own personalities & none of them annoyed me.
It was a really interesting read & i loved the book , it had me hooked & i was finding myself wanting to know what happened next.
I've never heard of the author but after reading this i will be checking out their other stuff in the future ☺️

[frey · Rating 4 out of 5]

(thank you for the opportunity to read this as an ARC)

What a unique read!

So, on paper, this plot sounds insane. It’s gripping and humorous and mysterious, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little worried going in.

Because I feel that sometimes, when a plot sounds this wacky, it’s easy for the execution to fall short.

However that was not the case here. We have the Chupacabras, the rogue Roombas, the UFOs and crop circles and werewolf podcasters all balanced alongside a story about finding connections and building family. It was actually really heartwarming and if you’re a fan of ‘found family’ stories, it’s hard to go wrong here.

The only real critique I have here is that (and this could be personal because I admit, I’m not a fan of flashbacks) there is a lengthy flashback in the middle of the book that I felt wasn’t entirely necessary.

Other than that, I really enjoyed this read and think it’s well worth checking out!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well. I have had a multitude of thoughts while reading this, and now I'm finding it hard to put them together in a cohesive way. Actually, that's a good segue to this book. As a youngster I would have paid a high price for a story that somehow included werewolves and aliens and shapeshifters and magic? and mysterious women with a tragic backstory and babies who are adorable and also monsters. Now, it just seems hard to follow. Seems like this book couldn't find a genre to sit in, and so it tried to do it all. It was frustrating to see how little foreshadowing was involved with the many plot twists and made the story seem jumpy and disorganized. Also the tone shift partway through the book really caught me off guard. BUT I do love a found family story, and these characters really do a lot of the heavy lifting. Plus, I love the cover. If you can dig in deep enough, you can really see that the message is "Be yourself, love everyone, make mistakes, and take big chances."

[Tilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this arc copy

Going into Strange Lights by Mira Gonźalez I was expecting a light hearted funny story about a paranormal investigator who found herself caring for a chupacabra toddler named Eldi, what I got was so much more intense and detailed than that!

What really blew me away in this story was the characters relationships and their arcs throughout the book. Each character has so much life and is written in such a believable way that I found myself loving almost everyone and rooting so badly for them to all come out of the story on top. I love found family tropes and this story did not disappoint on that front.

This is such a lovey heartfelt yet fast paced story that keeps the reader guessing and on their toes, I cannot wait to recommend it to my friends when it’s published!!

[Lisa Crandall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange Lights by Mira Gonzalez
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Thank you to @NetGalley for the advance copy of Strange Lights. I truly didn’t know what to expect when I opened this book, and that sense of uncertainty ended up being part of the charm.
This was an odd, imaginative, yet surprisingly relatable story that explores love, life, family, parenting, and the complexities of relationships. Beneath its quirky and sometimes surreal elements, the novel thoughtfully touches on mental health awareness and the emotional weight that can come with raising children and navigating adulthood.
The concept of paranormal toddlers adds a unique twist, blending the strange with the everyday in a way that feels both entertaining and meaningful. If you enjoy stories that mix the unusual with heartfelt reflections on family and connection, this one is definitely worth picking up.
A solid 4-star read for me!

[Adri Holt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reggie investigates the things that go bump in the night. They travel around the country in their magical Winnebago, with their adopted Chupacabra daughter, Eldi, zombie raccoon, and bartending mannequin.

Calvin St. James, Reggie’s hot frenemy, has his own podcast debunking a lot of the things that go bump in the night. Reggie and Calvin show up at a lot of the same haunts, areas, and sightings, and will team up together. The one that creates a real mystery is the case of the Roomba that does not vacuum. Instead, it burns cryptic markings into the flooring and carpet. Could this piece of technology connect to something larger?

If you like Supernatural, X-files, and queer characters, this is the one for you. To be fair, I found the first half more interesting than the second, even though the latter got more into Reggie’s backstory.

#ThxNetGalley #MiraGonzalez #StrangeLights

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up at a solid 3 stars for Strange Lights. The beginning felt like a 5-star read for me. I loved the found family dynamic, queer relationships, and sharp banter which immediately caught my eye. The characters all had endearing quirks and qualities.
Where the book lost momentum for me was the middle. The flashbacks slowed the pacing quite a bit and made the story drag in places. By the time the plot picked up again, the ending felt rushed and wrapped up faster than I expected.
That said, I really appreciated the mix of sci-fi and paranormal elements. It’s a blend you don’t see as often right now, and it added a cool layer to the story. Even with the pacing issues, there were parts of this that I genuinely enjoyed.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Bindery for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just another one of those books that I expected a lot more vibes from.

I really love the premise of this, I thought it sounded like so much fun. But it just didn't hit the mark for me.

This has aliens, the undead, werewolves, chaotic toddlers, a spooky RV, creepy environments, and just so much going on.

But I just couldn't get invested. I just couldn't get behind the characters. I was kind of annoyed with them. Their personalities just didn't work for me.

This does have multiple mysteries that are fun and chaotic though.

I do think that if you like the How to Survive Camping series, you should check this out. It has a very similar vibe to that.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Ana Rita | The Book Stalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be the most unusual and out-of-the-box book I’ve ever read. It has a bit of everything: aliens, chupacabras, werewolves, magic, clones, magical robots, and even a magical Winnebago… It tells an incredible story about how we are more than our DNA — where we come from matters less than who we choose to be in the world and how we love.

Brilliantly written, full of unexpected twists, and with a story that keeps you completely hooked as you try to uncover how everything will end. It’s the kind of book that surprises you again and again, blending absurdity, emotion, and imagination in a way that feels entirely unique. A reading experience no one will want to miss.

[Kristin Valdez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this from Edelweiss Plus in exchange for my honest review!

This was a lot of fun, sad and heartbreaking but fun! We have aliens and werewolf’s, magic and Chupucabaras. This is about a gender fluid human, just trying to find herself and save those around her. It’s about love and what you think it is and what it actually is.


The only reason it isn’t five stars is because in the middle it got a little convoluted. Not sure if maybe there was a mistake in one part but it jumped scenes within the sentence… I still was able to follow along but just got a little dizzying for a minute there.

I think this is going to be a lot of people’s favorites book of the year! I know I’ll pick up anything this author writes next!!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I love this cover! So many colors and so bright, it's going to look amazing on my shelves! This was also an excellent read. So much action and adventure, twists and turns. Elements of Supernatural, Dr. Who, and with a touch of Batteries Not Included. It also reminded me a little bit of Light From Uncommon Stars. YA, standalone with closed door romance. This book is more about love than lust. Found family and acceptance. It's cozy with fire and gore, if that makes any sense.

Thank you to Bindery and NetGalley for my EARC!

[Jill Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this one! The story is strange and original and full of characters who were dynamic and engaging and battered and bruised - but still standing, page after page, and that was delightful to see. I loved the snarky dialogue and quirky personalities, and the world-building was phenomenal. (I want a Winnie of my own!) The plot and pacing were engaging and held my attention throughout - even through the extended backstory/flashback, and that is often a place where an author/story loses steam. Not so here, as there was as much going on back in time as there was in the contemporary bits.

I wasn't sure what to expect going in, and that turned out to be a good thing because what I got was so unique that I'd never have imagined it. This was a wild ride that I thoroughly enjoyed. I hope González turns this into a series - there are definitely more opportunities for adventure with Reggie and crew, and I for one am signed up for anything!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.

[Ashleigh Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of found family, aliens and the supernatural. Honestly had no idea what to expect going into this, wasn’t anymore enlightened by the half way point BUT that is not a bad thing. A lot of twist and turns that led to a fulfilling, hopeful story.

Strange Lights questions what it is to be human, or monster (or both), and the choices you make that lead you there.

[I received an ARC from NetGalley.]

[vaqhma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange Lights was such a fun read that ran the gamut from comedic (alien vacuums and chupacabra toddlers, what more can I say?), suspenseful, and emotional. And I adore the found family that was formed. It did feel a little slow in the beginning and repetitive at times, but Gonzalez more than makes up for it in the last half of the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a fun sci-fi adventure than gives you all the feels.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started and ended well but the middle just didn’t hole my attention as well. I pushed through because I was intrigued and wanted to see how it ended. It was worth taking the time but I’m not sure if it’s a story I would revisit.

Thanks to NetGallery and the publisher for this Arc in exchange for my honest review

[CJ Alberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for work, a book about a sentient RV and toddler chupacabra that will make you cry lowkey!!

[Tatiana Schlote-Bonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to blurb this one! A fantastic and fun romp full of cryptids and found family.