12.9.2025 - Loves of Our Lives

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Simon Element for gifting me a physical and digital copy of this gorgeous book by Josie Balka.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

I was a huge fan of Balka's book, I Hope You Remember, buying copies for myself and as gifts.  I will be doing the same with this new book of poems, covering the entire human spectrum of love.  With chapters exploring Romantic Love, Lost Love, Family Love, Toxic Love, Friendship Love, and Self-Love, you will find yourself laughing, crying, reflecting, feeling.  I'm not typically a poetry person, but Balka will touch you with this collection in so many ways.  Highly recommended!

12.9.2025 - Spasm

Many thanks to NetGalley and GP Putnam Sons for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by a long time favorite, Robin Cook.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

NYC Medical Examiner Jack Stapleton gets a call from an old medical school friend, Dr Robert Neilson, about some strange happenings in his small town located in the Adirondacks.  His wife, Laurie Montgomery, Chief ME in NYC is ready for a break, so the two head upstate to see if they can assist.  But trouble is brewing in Essex Falls with a homegrown militia group with foreign assistance training in the woods.  It soon appears that a dangerous bioweapon might be in play as well.

This book is number 15 in the Jack Stapleton & Laurie Montgomery series, which I've read most of, but you could certainly read this as a stand alone.   Robin Cook is a master at medical thrillers, typically involving current topics that make the reader feel scared about the real life possibilities of such issues.  Such is the case here, with fanatical people with weapons and terrorist infiltration. The possibilities are more than frightening.  I liked the Adirondack setting and enjoyed getting reacquainted with these characters.  More please!

12.9.2025 - Dark Sisters

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Brilliance Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this fascinating book by Kristi DeMeester, with the audiobook narrated by Austenne Grey.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars rounded up!

A curse bridges generations, binding the fates of three women.  In the 1700s, Anne Bolton is a healer facing persecution for witchcraft who bargains with a dark entity for protection.  In the 1950s, Mary Shephard is the perfect wife in a suffocating religious community, who falls for Sharon and begins a forbidden affair that could destroy them both.  In present time, Camilla Burson, the daughter of a preacher, defies all the expectations put upon her to uncover an ancient power.

 

When I started this book, I wasn’t sure what I was reading, but I was soon completely enthralled in these different worlds.  The point of view is told through these three different timelines and women, each captivating in their own right, and woven through each is the legend of the Dark Sisters.  The more recent timeframes also take place within a religious cult.  There’s a lot to unpack here, but I couldn’t stop listening to this one.  With realistic themes of misogyny, religious fanaticism, purity rituals, this book is atmospheric, scary, creepy, and the horror kept building.  The audiobook narration added to the creep factor and I couldn’t look away.  

 

12.7.2025 - Dark Humor

Many thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Matt Goldman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Private investigator Nils Shapiro has decided to take the law into his own hands.  It's been two years since his wife was killed, and despite the efforts of law enforcement and FBI, her killer, Sammy Sykes is still on the loose.  A trip to see Sammy's daughter in prison opens up a potential lead into finding Sykes' location.  His hunt takes him from Minnesota to Europe, but can he both survive and ensure his daughter's safety while bringing down this murderer?

I'm a huge fan of Goldman's stand alone books, so I requested this one without delving too deep.  I didn't realize it was #5 in a series, although it's apparently been a while since #4, so if they are like me, everyone has forgotten most of the details!  But never fear, I enjoyed this book thoroughly, even not knowing what happened before.  It has spurred me to read those other four books though.  This book was filled with great characters, gritty action and suspense, and Goldman's trademark dark humor (hence the title).  Loved it.

12.7.2025 - The Pursued

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me an audio ARC of this fascinating true crime story by Corey Mead, narrated by Nikki Zakocs.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

From 1977 to 1981, Ruth Finley, an ordinary wife and mother from Kansas, was tormented by an elusive maniac known as the Poet. The police, already on edge from BTK’s reign of terror, spent years searching for the stalker. Meanwhile, his cryptic letters in rhymed verse grew more disturbing and violent, spilling into deeds like stabbing and kidnapping.

Go into this one as blind as possible if you can.  I hadn't heard of this case before and it made for a more compelling narrative.  I appreciated the perspective from the police and detectives who worked doggedly on this case, while at the same time the BTK serial killer was still at large.  I can't imagine the pressure and fear they felt, as did the community.  Taking place well before cellphones, they did everything they can to uncover the perpetrator.  I felt for all involved.  If you are a true crime buff, this one is for you.

12.6.2025 - The Time Hop Coffee Shop

Many thanks to NetGalley, Park Row and Harlequin Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest book by Phaedra Patrick, with the audiobook narrated by Nicola Barber.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

 

Greta Parks once starred in the famous Maple Gold coffee commercials, along with her husband and daughter.  Now, her fame has faded, her marriage is unraveling, and her teenage daughter is distant.  When Greta stumbles upon a mysterious coffee shop, a magical brew suddenly transports her to the picture-perfect town of Mapleville.  There, her life and relationships are always perfect.  But what happens when Greta is forced to choose between these two realities?

 

I have been a huge fan of everything that Phaedra Patrick has written and enjoyed this magical realism story centered around the reminder to be careful what you wish for.  Greta is certainly relatable as she looks back on her past thinking how much better it was than the present.  The coffee commercial world was also a look into how cultures have changed. This was a light-hearted book about second chances.  The narration was great and I enjoyed listening to this one.

12.3.2025 - Needle Lake

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | Dial Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the sophomore book by Justine Champine.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Ida is a teenager, neurodivergent and with a hole in heart, bullied at school and just never fitting in.  Her only place of solace is Needle Lake, where she can escape by diving into the lake and staying under as long as possible.  Her older cousin, Elna, comes to stay with Ida and her mom, opening her up to new experiences.  Ida is captivated.  Until an event forces them to take a road trip to San Francisco where nothing will be the same.

I loved this book.  Told from Ida's perspective in her thoughts, we are privy to a young susceptible girl who is entranced by this more-worldly cousin.  It's atmospheric with beautiful prose, and very character driven.  It's a short novel, but one that packs an emotional punch.  It's suspenseful, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful.