12.20.2025 - The List of Suspicious Things

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Tantor Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this debut novel by Jennie Godfrey, narrated by the cast of Joanne Froggatt; Mark Noble; Asif Khan; Gemma Whelan; and Simon Harvey.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Set in the time when the Yorkshire Ripper was at large, 11-year-old Miv is struggling.  Her mom is sick and her aunt has moved in to help.  Her dad is talking about moving.  Everyone is scared.  Miv is best friends with Sharon, and she just can't fathom moving.  She thinks if she is able to solve the case of the disappearing women, just maybe they could stay put.  Miv and Sharon make a list of all the suspicious people and things in their community and begin investigating.

This was a fabulous book - a mix of coming-of-age, thriller, mystery, history, but most of all, friendship.  It brings back thoughts of Nancy Drew, as these young girls see their neighborhood people and happenings with such innocence.  The audiobook production was fabulous, because the story is told by Miv's voice in first person, and through others in third person, so the cast narration was perfection.  But it's not a fluffy tale as themes of racism, abuse, bullying, and mental health figure prominently.  The pace was perfect and I never guessed that ending.  Bravo for a fabulous debut!

12.20.2025 - The Water Lies

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer for gifting me both a physical and digital ARC of this book by Amy Meyerson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

Tessa, pregnant with her second child, can’t understand why her toddler is throwing a tantrum at their local coffee shop, shouting “Gigi” to a woman Tessa has never seen before.  But the next morning, that woman is found dead in the canal in front of Tessa’s home.  The dead woman’s mother, Barb, won’t believe that her daughter’s death was an accident, and heads to CA for answers.  Together, the two women hunt for the truth.

This was a book that sucked me in from the very beginning.  Told from each woman’s POV, you couldn’t help but feel for both Tessa and Barb.  Each woman was on a different point of their motherhood journey, and their fear, pain, love, and grief were palpable.  It was so atmospheric; I had never heard of the Venice Canals in LA, but the author painted such a picture of them that they were part of the story with the tourists and neighbors as constant voyeurs.  I admired both women for believing in their instincts, even when no one else did.  They sure found plenty of suspicious people though and I didn't guess the culprit.  Loved Barb’s book club friends too.  I’m looking forward to more thrillers from this author!

12.16.2025 - The Cut

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this creepy horror novel by C.J. Dotson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars!

Sadie flees her abusive fiancé with her toddler once she finds out she's pregnant, fearing for all of them.  She ends up at a historical hotel along Lake Erie, working as a housekeeper which allows her to stay for free at the hotel.  But there are so many weird happenings from the beginning - people going missing, strange noises, drips in the walls, strange creatures, and even a too-helpful older woman who cares for Izzy, her young daughter.  

I really enjoyed the premise of this book - I felt for Sadie as she tried desperately to get away from Sam and raise her children in safety.  The old hotel felt so creepy and scary.  Sam consistently gaslighted Sadie, so she didn't push back much when no one believed her about the hotel happenings.  But then it seemed to get repetitive, even though it's not a very long book.  There were flashbacks to Sadie's life with Sam showcasing the abuse, which I'm not sure were completely necessary.

12.16.2025 - She's Going to Pay

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this thriller by Alexandra Ivy.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Jesse Hudson left her small hometown of Canton, Missouri, behind, and has been trying to find a place to land ever since.  Her mom died when she was very young, and when she was a teenager, her stepmother and stepsister disappeared.  Her beloved dad, Mac, became a murder suspect but he too vanished.  Jesse is back in Canton to try and sell her dad's old bar and declare him dead so that she can move on for good.  But things don't go quite as expected.

The latest pick of the Between the Chapters Book Club, this is a twisty mystery that had me questioning every character for their part in the story.  The story had a little bit of everything - mystery, suspense, creepy happenings, even a hint of romance.  It kept me quickly turning the pages to figure out all the twists and the ending was satisfying.  Jesse was a relatable character, damaged by her childhood trauma, but desperate to find meaning and validation.  You'll be rooting her on to find out all the answers she's been seeking.  

12.15.2025 - The Heir Apparent

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Cardinal and Hachette Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the December Reese Book Club Pick by Rebecca Armitage, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Shakira Shute.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Lexi is in her second year of her medical residence in Australia and lives on a farm with her two best friends, Finn and Jack, and hoping to become more than friends with Jack.  Then the news hits that her father and twin brother have been killed in a skiing accident.  Suddenly, Lexi is whisked back to England, because her grandmother happens to be Queen, and now Lexi, or Princess Alexandria, is next in line for the throne.  This is a role she publicly disavowed, and the public is not thrilled that she's back.  Her grandmother needs an answer, her sister-in-law is grieving, her uncle is determined to oust her and claim the throne, and Lexi's world in Australia with Jack feels very far away.

This may seem at first glance like just a light-hearted book, but it really delves into a lot of territory.  There's loss, grief, family secrets, loyalty, and self-discovery all wrapped up in a really good story.  If you are intrigued by the Royal Family (and who isn't?), you'll see obvious parallels and learn a lot about traditions and expectations.  But there are terrific characters in their own right in this book, and you'll be rooting for them. The narration and production were great and I loved the accents of the different characters.

12.14.2025 - The Birdwatcher

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Jacquelyn Mitchard.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

Felicity Wild and Reenie Bigelow were childhood best friends, although they grew apart as they got older.  But when Felicity is on trial for a double murder, Reenie knows she didn't do it.  A journalist for a woman's magazine, she convinces her boss to let her investigate for a story she will write on the case - a brilliant grad student turned high-priced escort, now charged with murder.  

This is a slow-burn mystery, with an emphasis on female friendship.  I really liked how each chapter begins with a description of a unique and fascinating bird and their behavior, symbolically relating it to the story.  As with all Mitchard novels, the story rich in character development and those relationships are more important than the mystery of exactly how the two men died.  Felicity stays silent through her defense, highlighting the mystery, but it's the characters you will be invested in.  Beautiful writing.

12.13.2025 - Crush

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group | Viking Penguin for gifting me a digital ARC of this book by Ada Calhoun.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars rounded up.

A couple has been married for a while, with a teenage son.  The wife is a flirt and men always respond.  Her husband, Paul, who doesn't work, enjoys watching her flirt and asks her to consider opening their marriage, as long as she tells him about it later.  The wife isn't particularly interested, although she misses kissing, but soon starts up an online relationship with David, a college professor from her past.  It doesn't get physical because they are geographically far apart, but David soon occupies all her thoughts.  

This is apparently semi-autobiographical, and was an interesting take on marriage and relationships.  There's even a trip to a counselor and best friend nearby to unpack their issues.  It's also a book big on books, with lots of quotes and passages from other books that she shares mostly with David.  It's written in a conversational tone and thankfully doesn't get graphic.  Thought provoking for sure!