8.9.2026 - Most Ardently Yours

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Freya Sampson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Zoe dreams of being a romance writer, but her ex-boyfriend convinced her she wasn't good enough.  Now she's sworn off men except for fictional ones, and of course her favorite is Austen's Mr. Darcy.  She stumbles across a bookshop in London and the owner, Nick, refuses to sell romance novels.  When she finds a copy of Pride & Prejudice on a top shelf, she takes it.  But after reading from it, she realizes she has summoned Mr. Darcy to the present day.  Can he ever be as good as he is in the novel?  

I'm surprised that this one is not getting better reviews, because even as someone like me who is not an Austen superfan enjoyed it!  Yes, it's filled with magical realism but it's also filled with all those things that Freya Sampson does so well - found family, charming characters, and just a fun storyline.  Pick this up when you need an escape from reality that will surely bring a smile to your face.

8.9.2026 - When Lemons Give You Life

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the sophomore book by Anna Johnston.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Retired Michelin-star chef Griff Barlow has lost his appetite for life.  He's living in an aged care facility and decides to make himself one last meal - a lemon tart.  But the act of cooking brings a spark back to his life, and he's soon sneaking in the kitchen regularly, while trying to maintain a big secret from the staff and his sister, Lisa.  Lisa has her own troubles but feels brighter with a new man in her life.  Can these siblings make things right before it's too late?

I was a huge fan of Johnston's debut, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, and this book was similarly wonderful.  Johnston has a gift of writing about older characters that will steal your heart, while at the same time imparting wisdom into their care.  I fell in love with these flawed characters as they try to deal with many complex issues in the best way they can.  Of course. you have to suspend some belief, but that's the magic of fiction.  The story spools out between Griff and Lisa's POV over various time periods, giving the reader needed background into just how they ended up where they are.  I loved the compassion Griff showed to the residents and how he stressed their worth, no matter what.  Definitely something we all need to remember.  Be sure and read the author's note at the end.  

8.8.2026 - Sex on Murder Island

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of the second in the Luella van Horn series by Jo Firestone.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars!

Marie Jones (aka PI Luella van Horn) finds herself on the verge of eviction when she gets a call that changes everything.  She's asked to find evidence of a woman having an extramarital affair.  The job requires her to go to Murder Island, a private island for the very rich just outside of NYC.  Then the suspected lover is found murdered and she soon finds herself in the midst of another crazy investigation.

This series is crass and crazy, but there's something about the snarky voice of Luella that has me laughing out loud.  These books are not for the delicate among us, but they are a riot and do leave me wanting more.  I liked that Luella gathered a few friends in this investigation as well.

8.8.2026 - Getting Away With Murder

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Shari Lapena.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Jill and Ted are happily married, love their renovated NY brownstone, and have money to spare.  Well...not really.  Unbeknownst to Jill, Ted's inheritance is almost gone and his sure-fire investment tanked.  How can they maintain their home and lifestyle?  If Ted's brother was gone, Ted would inherit all his money which would solve all their problems.  But can they get away with murder?

This was a fun, fast-paced thriller where you know from the start who did it.  The only question is if they can get away with it.  There aren't any likable characters here and you may find yourself resenting the rich person privilege most of these people have.  But watching them try to stay out of trouble is lots of fun.  There were a few jaw-dropping scenes that I wasn't expecting, but no spoilers here.  Pack this along in your beach bag for some summer thriller fun!

8.7.2026 - Time to Burn

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by the writing duo known as Ellery Lloyd.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Controversial tech entrepreneur Inigo Frank offers the very wealthy a chance to go back in time to witness pivotal moments in history through his company Tempus Tours.  To showcase his achievement, Frank hires filmmaker Phoebe Hunt to create a documentary.  On her first day, she is set to witness the return of a property developer and his family from their trip to the past.  But instead, she sees the group arriving bloodied and traumatized, with one of their party missing.  Phoebe also recognizes the missing woman and realizes she's not who she claims to be.  

I have a love/hate relationship with time travel, going back decades to watching Star Trek spinoff episodes that left my head spinning.  Thankfully for my brain, this book is more of a mystery with time travel elements, although the end had my head spinning a bit.   It's more about the consequences of time travel than the possible science that would make it possible.  That said, I felt that the 1940s time period was done really well and I almost did feel like I was back in time.  There's also a cult theme, which I always like.  Very intriguing read!

8.6.2026 - The Vampire's Cult

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for gifting me a digital ARC of this true crime story by Chet Hardin.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

After a Tinder date, 24-year-old Sydney Loofe disappeared without a trace from Wilber, Nebraska.  Days later, her dismembered body was found scattered across nearby fields.  This is the story of the perpetrators of that horrendous crime and how they lured vulnerable young women into their world, with deadly consequences.

I had not heard of any part of this story before, but it's a wild one.  I felt the investigation, reporting and writing of this book were all very well done.  It does focus almost solely on Aubrey Trail, an aging con man, that somehow convinced women that he was all-knowing and all-being, the head of a coven of witches; and Bailey Boswell, the woman who worked by his side.  It's truly amazing how horrible people like this are able to convince others to go along with what they did, that people are willing to override common sense, especially when this was not a charming, charismatic man as so many cult leaders are but the polar opposite who showed no signs of his apparent wealth.  A sad story indeed and definitely yet another cautionary tale to social media!

8.6.2026 - Homewrecker

Many thanks to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Becky Mandelbaum - my pick for Camp NetGalley and it was a great choice!  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

When your ex-boyfriend offers to pay you to move in with him and his fiancée, you should definitely say no. Piper says yes.  She picks up her sad life in Kansas and moves to Washington to help his fiancée illustrate her book, putting her own book dreams in the past, along with the rest of her troubles.  But will it all come crashing down?  

I’m sometimes annoyed with characters that cheat on their partners and then wonder why their lives are a mess.  But I absolutely loved this book!  It was written in a light tone, with supernatural elements and deeper themes of grief, loss, and betrayal.  This book pulled me in, and I was so invested in Piper’s story that I couldn’t put it down until I knew the ending.  Which of course I loved.  I’m trying to gush without saying too much to ruin the experience for anyone else.  Just read this book!