9.15.2026 - I Am the Monster Under the Bed

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this debut thriller by Emily Zinnikas with the audio narration by Jenn Lee.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Willa always had a monster under the bed, one that taught her to read and was there for her.  Until the one night that a group of teens went into the woods behind her house, and Willa was the only survivor.  Years later, Willa comes back to town to attend the funeral of her mentor and teacher.  Staying in her old home, she hears noises from the basement and feels called back into the woods.  

What a strong debut - I loved the creepy feel to it with monsters under the bed and noises from the basement.  Willa is a strong character whose life has been changed by the tragedy when she was a teen, and the townspeople's opinions of her.  This book has the perfect combination of mystery, tension, supernatural vibes, and small town gossips and it kept me glued to the pages.  The audiobook production and narration was wonderful too, just amping up the creep factor.  Can't wait to read more from this author! 

9.15.2026 - One Split Second

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Thomas and Mercer, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book in the Tracy Crosswhite series by Robert Dugoni, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Emily Sutton-Smith.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Detective Tracy Crosswhite is determined to help an old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, who has been charged with murder for shooting an unarmed veteran.  Tracy's husband, Dan, has stepped up to defend Jenny in court.  Meanwhile, Tracy's investigation draws her back to a cold case of a missing teenager that still haunts the community.  Could these two crimes be connected?

One of my absolute favorite series by a favorite writer, it's so nice to just slide back into this world with its familiar characters and see what's happening.  This book is the perfect combination of legal thriller, police procedural, and mystery.  It shows how a crime can have such long-reaching effects on a community and its residents.   It will work well as a stand alone, but getting to follow along with these characters has been a privilege, so I would highly recommend starting at the beginning!  I mostly listened to this one and the narration and production were top notch as well.  I'm here anxiously awaiting for more.

9.14.2026 - Dead Happy

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Nick Spalding, with a cast narration of Maxim Reston, Eilidh Beaton, and Simon Mattacks.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Alex believes that taking risks adds to life, even though his daughter, Hannah, is concerned about him.  He's also determined to show Hannah that she needs to take risks too.  But then Alex takes things too far and the past comes to the surface.

The first part of this book was funny, but it did get a bit repetitive, with Alex taking more and more crazy risks.  But a shift in the story gives it a whole different feel.  It's a moving story about family, guilt, and trying to move forward.  Always look forward to this author's next book!

9.14.2026 - Something of a Calling

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Zoje Stage, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Jenn Lee.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Detective Andy Cooper is days away from retirement, not quite sure what her plans are after that.  After losing her daughter and getting divorced, her job is all she has.  Then bodies begin to turn up.  Murdered, but not by any obvious means.  A chance encounter with a stranger in town leads to an unexpected friendship, even though the two women are very different.  But Fiona has a secret too.

I listened to the audiobook for this one, and the narrator's voice was perfect for this story.  This one will make you think about our world in a very different way.  It's horror light, more quiet and thoughtful.  Always anxious to read anything from this author!

9.14.2026 - The Me I Used to Be

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Lake Union Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Kristan Higgins.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In high school, Audrey, Micah, Jasmine and Beck were known as the Core Four, and they promised to be best friends forever. But the night after graduation, they’re in a devastating accident, and the friendship that seemed unbreakable is shattered.  Twenty-five years later, the four women agree to reunite for their high school reunion. None of them is where they hoped to be way back when, and all have scars and secrets. 

I'm not a crier, so when a book has me in ugly sobs, it's an automatic 5 star for me.  But because it's a Kristan Higgins book, there is plenty of humor and lightness to counteract the hard parts.  Told from the POV of the four friends in different timelines, we learn what happened to break up their friendship and what life was like for them afterwards.  This would be a great book club pick as well, with themes of friendship, parenthood, forgiveness, and making peace with the past.  Fabulous - highly recommended!

9.13.2026 - The Wonder of One

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Lake Union Publishing, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest novel by Suzanne Redfearn, with the audio wonderfully narrated by Natalie Naudus and JD Jackson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Vivien Kendall was born with a birthmark covering much of her face, and has been the target of much bullying and mistreatment, even by her own mother.  Thankfully, she was shown love from her Somalian nanny and her early teacher.  A chance encounter with an ice skating coach sets her dreams to skate in the Olympics.  Along the way, she'll discover the wonder of one - the power within each of us to change things.

This was another inspirational book by Redfearn, and a glorious coming-of-age story.  It's filled with themes of childhood trauma, parental neglect, prejudice, bullying, but also strength and determination, and a found family that will always have your back.  Told in varying timelines and from the POV of both Vivien and the local sheriff, there's also a murder to be solved..  The narration was beautiful although I always startled a bit when the deep voice of Jackson appeared!  A great read.  

9.12.2026 - The Witches of Cambridge

Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Alice Hoffman, the first in a new series, and this month's Read with Jenna book club pick.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

In 1950's Cambridge, Massachusetts, Ava and Lauren meet at Radcliffe College.  Both are recruited to join the Lilith Society, a secret organization of witches dating back to colonial times.  As they learn more about their legacy, they form a close bond that will be put to the test.  They also realize that the witch trials of the past may not be as deeply buried as they once believed.

Alice Hoffman is the master of creating magical worlds where witches move among us, and I always look forward to immersing myself in her latest work.   This book certainly explores witches, but also the dark side of academia, friendship, love, and those outside the societal norms.  It's also a strong nod to strong female friendships, even as they ebb and flow.  Plus there are crows that just add to the atmospheric feel of this novel.  I'm excited that this is the start of a new series, and will be anxiously awaiting the next chapter.