4.14.2026 - The Insomniacs

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me this wonderful novel by Allison Winn Scotch.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

In the wee hours of the morning, three people can't sleep and find each other on an online chat group.   Eventually, Zeke, Julian, and Sybil decide to meet in person at a diner in NYC, which is where they meet Betty, the waitress.  These four people become a family, watching out for each other, trying to help.  When one of them goes missing, they work together to find out what happened to her.

I really liked this story, told from multiple POV, progressing as the nights tick by and we begin to learn the characters' back stories and thoughts.  Things move quickly for this found family as they become close, and each character's personality and secret interacts with each other.  The long nights and the lack of sleep feel dark and claustrophobic, adding to the mystery.  There are a lot of subplots themes - childhood trauma, cults, marital and family issues.  I really felt like I got to know each of these characters and was invested in their story.  Great read!

4.13.2026 - Handle With Care

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction & Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Jane Oppenheimer.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

It's just a routine errand - going to the post office - but for the four women inside, things will never be the same.  Each of the women are mailing something that has the potential to change their lives, and each is conflicted about mailing their package.  Then the husband of the postal worker brings in a gun and barricades himself in with the women.  

I loved this story, told using chapters of the classic parts of a letter, which is so appropriate for it taking part in the post office.  The title is perfect as well, as this is how we need to treat each other as we all deal with our own stories.  We see the women gradually open up to each other, while simultaneously trying to do what they can to change their situation.  The negotiator is also a huge part of this story, and she's keeping her own secrets.  The story is tense, but quiet, with the action taking place with words rather than violence.  The narration was wonderful as well, as she gave each character their own voice.  Highly recommended!

4.12.2026 - Too Close to Home

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row Books, and Harlequin Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new thriller by Seraphina Nova Glass, with the audiobook narrated by a dream team of Brittany Pressley, Rebecca Lowman, and Karissa Vacker.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars rounded up!

 

Cloverhill Lakes is the perfect community – lakefront, elite, great schools, and safe.  The moms are all involved in the PTA and summer is filled with activities.  But when a car explodes at the annual Labor Day party, it seems as though the wrong person was killed.  Then another resident goes missing and all the dark secrets start surfacing.

 

Told from the POV of three moms – Regan, Sasha, and Andi – this is domestic suspense at its best.  Because, of course, nothing is as perfect as it seems behind closed doors.  Everyone is struggling and imperfect in their own way, and each is held captive by their secrets.  There are tense moments, moments of dark humor, some over-the-top moments, but I loved every bit.  I started reading this book, but when I was also approved for the audiobook, did an immersive read/listen, and that made the story really pop.  The production was amazing and I loved having a different narrator for each woman’s POV.  Domestic suspense is one of my favorite genres and this is definitely one to put on your summer reading list!

4.11.2026 - The Name Game

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Beth O'Leary.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Charlie Jones (he likes to be called Jones) has just arrived on the small island of Ormer to take a job as manager of a farm shop, only to find another Charlie Jones has just arrived for the same job.  It's agreed that they will both have a trial at the job but will have to share accommodations.  Both desperately needed a new start but just who is the real Charlie Jones?

What a fun, confusing premise and the perfect set up for a romance, although one with some heavy subject matters.  I really enjoyed how the back stories were presented - Jones wrote emails to himself (To Charlie Jones, From Charlie Jones), while Charlie kept a journal.  Plus there's a twist at the end that you certainly won't see coming.  Very atmospheric and I'm now anxious to go for a bike ride around a small island, stopping for some of those treats!   I'm always a fan of O'Leary's books, and this one is wonderful as well.

4.11.2026 - The Girls Trip

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the new thriller by Ally Condie.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Hope, Ash, and Caro met on line during the pandemic for a bookclub.  They decide to meet up in real life for a girls' trip, not telling anyone where they are going.  They each have secrets - Hope is a famous actress; Ash owns a flower business and her marriage is failing; Caro is a doctor who lost a patient.  Then an accident on their trip leaves one of them lost.

Told from each of the three women's POV, this is a page turner with plenty of questionable people and actions circulating to keep you flipping the pages.  There are also mystery POVs to keep things interesting and sometimes a bit confusing.  I liked the remote setting, but can't imagine hiking in this type of an area with my cellphone locked in a box away from me and no one knowing where I was!  Definitely themes of female friendship and the things we are able to hide behind our digital screens, even from ourselves.  

4.10.2026 - Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me both a physical and digital ARC of the new book by Mai Nguyen.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Cleo Dang and her best friend, Paloma, have done everything together and are now both married, neighbors, and expecting their first child at the same time.  But Paloma comes home with a baby and Cleo does not.  

This is a profound look at grief, one that will gut you but will also have you laughing out loud in spots.  We get a front row seat to Cleo's unimaginable pain and her struggle to exist.  We see the value of community when Cleo takes a job as an assistant at the funeral home that took care of her daughter, Daisy.  We also learn the things not to say to someone who is grieving.  This is a completely personal novel, as the author experienced losing her first daughter four days after her birth.  Heartbreakingly beautiful.  

4.9.2026 - The Book Witch

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest wonder by Meg Shaffer.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

No synopsis here because I'm afraid I would give something away.  Do you love books, authors, characters?  This is the book for you.  Once again, Meg Shaffer has made a totally immersive world for book lovers.  It has so many different themes, twists, and turns that just keep you enthralled.  I love the line - "All stories are love stories if you love stories."  This is a book for those who love stories and realize their importance in our lives and world.   It's magical and just like her previous books, highly recommended!