1.10.2026 - Dandelion is Dead

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Rosie Storey.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Poppy is feeling stagnant in her personal life with her boyfriend, Sam, and utterly devastated over the loss of her sister, Dandelion.  She starts spending time at her sister's apartment and discovers Dandelion's phone, which contains unanswered messages from a stranger in her Hitch dating account.  She makes an impulsive decision to meet him just once to see how it would feel to be the much more adventurous sister.  Jake is also dealing with issues over his failed marriage and his unresolved grief over his mother's death and his father's abandonment when he was younger.  The connection between Poppy posing as Dandelion and unaware Jake is immediate and strong.  Poppy faces some huge choices.

I really liked this book and fell immediately into the story.  The writing is wonderful, making a book mostly about grief and resolving past trauma both funny and endearing.  While neither of these characters makes good choices, they are still relatable in their feelings.  Plus, who among us hasn't made bad decisions along the way?  There are plenty of other interesting characters too, from Jake's ex and her new boyfriend, to Dandelion's best friend.  Ultimately, it's a hopeful story about second chances and moving forward.  Will be anxiously awaiting more from this author - great debut!

1.9.2026 - Her Beautiful Life

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest book by Brianna Labuskes, narrated by Moniqua Plante, Jess Moran, and Maria McCann.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

When journalist Holland Tate is granted an interview with Catriona Bouchard, her former best friend turned mega-popular tradwife, she jumps at the chance to also possibly rewrite their bitter ending. But at the Bouchards’ gated compound, what she finds is not the independent woman she once knew. Cat may have six beautiful children and be married to the man she calls the love of her life, but she’s a ghost of her former self.

I'm a fan of this author and because of that, I chose this book as my Amazon First Reads pick, and was then thrilled to get the audiobook.  I love an audiobook with more than one narrator, and thought the audio production was wonderful.  Told in different timelines and from the voices of both Holland and Cat, there is also chapters from a detective's POV.  I appreciated the unreliable narrators and found myself second-guessing everyone and their motives.  There's also themes of domestic violence, parasocial behavior, social media, and female friendships.  I was quite surprised at the final twist!

1.8.2026 - Inside Man

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the second book in the Head Cases series by John McMahon, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by a favorite, Will Damron.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is an analytical genius with an affinity for puzzles. He heads up a team of equally brilliant and quirky agents known as PAR - Patterns and Recognition unit.  They solve cases that no one else can.  The team is now in Miami FL, investigating a militia group.  When their confidential informant is killed, it's clear that the militia didn't kill him.  In their investigation, they discover a mystery man that is connected to another FBI case - a series of unsolved murders of women buried in Florida.  Are these two cases related?

I have been anxiously awaiting this book, because I loved Head Cases.  These books are so unique because they are not just smart thrillers and police procedurals, but they highlight the different personality traits that make some people uniquely qualified for certain jobs.  It's just a different way of looking at things or remembering facts.  But it's also great that these characters realize their own shortcomings as well, making them feel real and multi-dimensional.  Plus, we get to see the personal and more fragile side of them.  The cases themselves are gripping, tense, and will keep you on the edge of your seat, but the characters really shine.  Now I'm back to anxiously awaiting the next book in this wonderful series!  Highly recommended but definitely start with the first book!  Will Damron again brought life into the story, and I loved having both versions of this book.

1.7.2026 - The Heart of Everything

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing and  Brilliance Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Marc Levy, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Simon Mattacks.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

There’s nothing too unusual about a father asking his son for a favor—unless, of course, the father in question has been dead for five years.  Thomas is a young, gifted pianist living a quiet life in France.  He's stun ned when his late father, Raymond, suddenly appears to him.  Not as a traditional ghost although no one else can see him.  But Thomas is able to talk to him and listen while Raymond asks for his help.

This is a sweet story and the audiobook is easily listened to in a day.  Full of magical realism and humor, it's also a poignant reminder of the important things in life, and that love endures even death.  This was Thomas' chance to know his father in a new way after his parents divorce, to ask those questions, and hear of regrets.  You'll laugh aloud at the hijinks that ensure when Thomas tries to fulfill his father's request.  

1.6.2026 - The Ice Angels

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Recorded Books Media for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest thriller and first in a new series by Caroline Mitchell, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Aryana Ramkhalawon.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Ten years ago, in the depths of the Finnish winter, Detective Elea Baker’s daughter, Liisa, was taken—and never found.  Elea has never been the same and holds onto the hope that her daughter is still alive.  Now, in the UK, girls are disappearing again.  When one is found alive but not speaking, detectives feel she may hold the answer if they can reach her.  Detective Swann calls his almost ex-wife Elea to help, because she knows more about the so-called Ice Angels than anyone.  

Wow - this was a gripping, atmospheric story.  You will feel the bone cold weather as well as the chilling events.  Told from the alternating perspectives of Elea in the present and Liisa in the past, I was emotionally pulled into these characters.  Elea is such a broken person but determined that she will bring Liisa home and prevent this from happening again.  The best part?  This is going to be a new series!  The interaction between Swann and Elea as well as the new detective on the scene was fabulous.  Caroline Mitchell is always a must-read author for me, because as a former police officer, she writes such realistic yet sensitive police procedurals.  Grab this one when it comes out!  The audiobook narration and production were top notch and just added to the listening experience.

1.6.2026 - Skylark

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest historical fiction novel by Paula McLain.  This was just picked as the January Good Morning America Book Club selection!  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In Paris in 1664, Alouette works in secret to make dyes from plants, while her father works as a dyer for the guild.  Women are not allowed or deemed able to create dye recipes, only to do all the manual labor involved in the process.  But when her father is accused of treason and taken away, both their lives are in jeopardy.  Alouette soon finds herself in a mental asylum, subjected to horrific "treatments."  During WWII as Hitler invades Paris, Kristof is working as an intern in a psychiatric facility, becoming alarmed at the "treatments" being inflicted upon the patients.  At home, he becomes friendly with the Jewish family living below him.  At night, a friend introduces him to Paris underground.

This is a beautiful novel of human determination, grit, and resiliency in the face of evil, as well as a reminder of what an impact small acts can make on the world.  I thought the exploration of the world beneath Paris was fascinating, and the dual timelines show how the tunnels were created and used.  Both timelines are taut with palpable fear and angst, and I was totally immersed in both.  I liked that not all of the stories within had clear endings, nor are the timelines specifically connected.  It added depth to the feelings of helplessness and lingering questions that especially the WWII generation experienced.  But the characters' spirits really shine in this novel, making this a must read!

1.5.2026 - The Odds of You

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Griffen and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this book by Kate Dramis.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

 

Sage did what her parents wanted and became a data analyst.  When she quit to become a writer, they were definitely not happy, even when her novel became a hit.  But now Sage is stuck and can’t make any headway on the novel’s sequel.  On a flight, she meets Theo, a Scottish actor who is up and coming in Hollywood.  Paparazzi catch a moment and their lives blow up.

This was a fun book – I liked both the main characters as well as Sage’s friends.  While it’s a cute rom com, it also touches on important subjects, like standing up for yourself regarding others’ expectations, ignoring the noise and not worrying about opinions of people who don’t matter.  This is the second book I’ve read recently that talks about parasocial behavior – something I had to look up the first time around.  You can definitely see how it’s becoming more prevalent that people think they “know” others through their online persona.  And – thank you Kate Dramis for being completely on the right side of the pop vs soda debate (pop all the way!).  The narration was great and loved the Scottish accent.