7.2.2026 - The Housewife

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Natalie Barelli.  All opinions expressed in this book are my own - 4.5 stars!

Jodie has always wanted to be a housewife and has perfected her skills in cooking, cleaning, and being the perfect mate.  After a quick romance, she marries psychologist Dr Roy Davies and moves into his perfect Beverly Hills home.  But reality is a bit different - his friends think she's a gold digger, Roy still has pictures of his late wife, Deborah everywhere, and even Marie, the housekeeper, doesn't like her.  But Jodie is keeping her own secrets.

I love dark, sarcastic humor and this book was filled with it.  Add to that a twisty thriller that kept me flipping the pages and you have the perfect summer thriller.  The short chapters continue to build the tension as Jodie sneaks around the house trying to find answers to all her questions, with the fear of someone always looking over her shoulder.  Jodie is the kind of character that you can't help but root for, even when she behaves badly - she had me laughing out loud at her witty commentary and behavior.  If you love your domestic suspense on the dark side, this one's for you!

7.1.2026 - Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Paul Tremblay.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Julia is a former gamer, now working menial jobs and living with her uncle.  Her estranged mother, a CFO for a big tech company, reaches out and offers her a temporary job with a payday she can't refuse.  All she has to do is chaperone a man in a vegetative state - one who has proprietary AI implanted.  But what if he's not really dead?

Worry.  Worry more.  Because the best sci-fi novels are the ones that feel way too real, and with AI, all bets are off.  This book has Trembley's trademark humor mixed in with the terror, and characters that you will love.  Julia names her charge Bernie, and we hear from his POV as he struggles with memories, only knowing that he needs to find someone.  As Julia learns more about the company's intentions and Bernie's condition, she turns her back on everything to help him.  Fascinating.

6.30.2026 - Gray After Dark

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for gifting me both a physical and audio ARC of the latest thriller by Noelle W. Ihli.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Miley's dreams of Olympic gold are sidelined after a tragic accident.  She takes a summer job at a mountain guest lodge, hoping to heal and train.  She ignores the local lore about a staffer who died years ago.  But then she's abducted during a morning run and held captive in an off-the-grid cabin.  She'll have to do everything she can to escape.

I hadn't even heard of this author a year or so ago, and now I'm completely obsessed.  Every book I read seems better, and that's saying something.  This book grabbed me by the throat and would not let go.  It's so frightening and because it's based on a true story, it feels incredibly real.  It's dark, but it's also the story of resilience and strength.  Grab this one and clear your calendar!

6.30.2026 - Rules for Aging and Larceny

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the new novel by Julia London.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Frances just got the diagnosis no one wants, and she's feeling every bit of age, longing to feel vibrant again.  What she really wants just one more time is to plan and execute the perfect heist with her group of friends.  The problem is that they haven't seen each other in decades.  Can she get the gang back together one more time to right a wrong?

This sure was fun - I love books about older women being vibrant, strong, and taking on the world, or in this book, the bad guys.  As the story plays out, we learn more about each woman and what happened long ago to break them apart.  Of course, it's a bit unrealistic, but it's so much fun!  It's funny, it's sweet, it's life-affirming.  Sometimes age is a superpower.

6.29.2026 - Come Back to Me

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me an audio ARC of this rerelease of the debut novel by Sara Foster, narrated by Flora Ogilvy.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

At a work party, Mark introduces his date to a colleague, Chloe, and her husband, Alex.  Immediately he knows something is wrong.  Alex and Julia pretend not to know each other, but their faces tell a different story.  That story began a decade ago and ended with tragedy.  Now Alex has to decide how to handle knowing that Julia is back.  Meanwhile, Chloe has her own secrets.

This was a wonderful psychological drama and it had me glued.  There are so many different layers to the characters and their stories, as well as a romantic connection running through the four people.  The past tragedy combined with the current relationships made for such a compelling and tense read.  This was such a strong debut and it's no wonder that Sara Foster is a must read author for me!  The narration was perfect and the narrator did a great job with all of the characters.

6.29.2026 - The Top of the World

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Scribner for gifting me a digital ARC of the new novel by a favorite, Ethan Joella.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Told over two summers in 1974-1975, we meet siblings Maggie and Chip Bishop.  Chip is only 18 and has been diagnosed with terminal leukemia, prompting him to leave home for a few months to try and live a little before he dies.  The next summer, Maggie has just graduated but stuck in grief for Chip.  Maggie's search for where he spent his last months leads her to a resort in the Poconos.  She travels there to learn about her brother's final days.

I am always so honored to read Joella's latest book, knowing that it will push all my emotional buttons in the best of ways.  While this book is heartbreaking, it's also beautifully hopeful.  It's that reminder we all need that personal connection is what makes us the best humans.  This was also nostalgic in the best of ways.  I remember as a teenager seeing the ads for the heart-shaped tubs in the Poconos, thinking that to be the epitome of romance.  If you lived through these times, this book will take you back to a time where you could escape and no one would know where you were.  Once again, Joella writes about grief, loss, family, found family, and hope in the most beautiful of ways.  Highly recommended. 

6.28.2026 - Wasp's Nest

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the debut novel by Kat Stoddard, wonderfully narrated by the cast of Eric Yang,Major Curda, and Mia Wurgaft.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Tess is getting married for the second time; this time, to a soon-to-be state senator. and steady man.  Her first husband, Peter, hasn't seen Tess in years, so he's surprised to receive an invitation to her society wedding.  He decides to attend with Mitch, a handsome younger man, as his plus one.  Let the fireworks begin!

This was a messy, dysfunctional bunch of wealthy people so of course it was a fun read!  This is being promoted as a modern retelling of The Philadelphia Story, but since I am not familiar with that story besides the title, I can't address it.  But it stands well on its own, sort of like watching one of the Real Housewives.  I started reading this one, but switched to the audiobook because I love when there are multiple narrators.  They all did a great job bringing this story to life.  Looking forward to more from this author!