6.24.2026 - It Could Have Been Her

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new thriller by a favorite, Lisa Jewell.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Jane is feeling unsettled.  Her house is falling apart and she feels that she doesn't have a purpose.  While out on a walk, she finds a small white dog and tracks down the owner.  When she goes to deliver the dog to its owner, she realizes that they live in a house that's haunted her nightmares for decades.  And something just doesn't feel right.  Along with her stepson, Jane begins investigating.

You know it's going to be a good day when you have a new Lisa Jewell book to read!  This one veered toward her darker side with family dysfunction in spades, and I loved it.  I especially liked Jane's character - a smart, older woman who is tired of sitting on the sidelines and wants to make a difference.  You do have to pay attention because there are multiple POV and timelines, but it's definitely worth it!  It's creepy, haunting, atmospheric and just so good.  

6.24.2026 - Trash!

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me an audio ARC of this insightful book by  Simon Paré-Poupart, narrated by Jean Brassard.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

The author has spent 20 years in waste management while also completing higher education, including a Master's degree.  Starting at 18, it was a way to make money for school; it became a way of life.  In between, he has amassed a true knowledge of how people treat the workers who pick up what we no longer want as well as the ever-present mindset we have of out of sight, out of mind when it comes to trash.  It's fascinating and you can easily read or listen to it in one sitting.  Narration was wonderful.

  

6.23.2026 - Nine Lives

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Catherine Steadman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Frankie moves to a posh little development in London after a divorce and job loss knocked her for a loop.  When her cat, Blue, comes home from a night out snooping, he has two words scratched into his collar - Help me.  Frankie puts a cat cam collar on Blue to see if she can figure out what's going on.  She starts getting glimpses of just what's going on behind her neighbors' doors, but their secrets could bring terror to her own door.

What a unique premise - absolutely was glued to this one!  Loved the chapters from the cat cam, as Blue roamed the neighborhood and even got into people's homes.  Told over nine days, Frankie is not sleeping and becoming paranoid, adding to the unreliable narrator feel.  Loved all the neighborhood drama and the suspense just kept building.  And that end was chef's kiss.  A must read for this summer!

6.22.2026 - Backstabbers

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of this debut novel by Eliza Jabore.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Three best friends - Jade, Stef, and Zoe - go on a trip together every year.  This year, they are hiking Washington's Bones Hollow Trail, while also  listening to a true crime podcast about the serial killer who once roamed this same forest.  Then when Stef twists her ankle—badly—there's no one to hear them scream for help. The only sign of life for miles is a cabin that looks to be straight out of a horror movie, with a man who's all too eager to invite them in.  But things soon take a chilling turn.

This is a book that encompasses all the horror movies, true crime shows and podcasts you've inhaled, while you're screaming at the characters to not make such crazy decisions.  It's campy, twisty, over the top, and just so much fun!  It's got everything - creepy cabin in the woods, serial killers, toxic friendships - what's not to love?  Can't wait for more from this author!

6.22.2026 - Whisper Creek

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Allison Brennan, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Amanda Stribling.  All opinions expressed din this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

After the sudden death of her husband, Ellen McKenna is doing everything she can to keep her Texas farm afloat and her 4 children okay.  Money is tight for her and her neighbors, and some are agreeing to sell their land to a local businessman.  But Ellen refuses.  Then a storm threatens their farm and their safety.

This was such an atmospheric, tense book and I loved it!  Ellen is such a strong female character - grieving her husband, still helping her neighbors when they need her nursing experience, she's running the farm, taking care of her kids, trying to let them live their lives without the pressure of staying on the farm to help.  That's a lot for any shoulders to bear.  Then there are the businessmen looking to take advantage and a storm threatening their land and home.  The storm is a character in itself, and you'll feel the tension and fear as it makes its mark.  The family is separated, isolated, and in danger.  The narrator did a wonderful job and I loved her Texan accent.  Don't miss this one!

6.21.2026 - Gutted

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and She Writes Press for gifting me a digital and physical ARC of the debut novel by Maida Korte.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

When a lifelong city dweller follows her husband's dream of country living, the love/hate affair with a century home begins.  But as the restoration of the home begins, so does the settling of her soul.

This was a book that spoke to my life.  My husband dreamed of again building a house, but this time, 500 miles away from all that we had built and established.  This was a man who also took my children into his heart when he married me, so I owed him this dream.  And it turned into the best thing ever - we both found peace and solace in building our house on a gorgeous piece of land where we can't see a neighbor.  Where hard work every day leads to celebrating those accomplishments at its end.  We spent years building - only using contractors to pour concrete slabs that were too big for just us, and for digging our well,  Everything else was just us.  (I'm sure there's a book there if any publisher is interested - ha!). So of course I'm going to love a book that mirrored our journey, although my husband will always say that he would much rather build new than refurbish old.  But the heart and hard work are the same - and what it does to your soul changes you.  I loved the author's feelings towards her husband - her love shone through every page.  I'm wishing their family many years of happiness in their home.  Loved the book!

6.21.2026 - Restless Bones

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Gillian French, and the second in the Shaw Connolly Mystery series.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Fingerprint analyst Shaw Connolly has a new case to deal with - a missing woman's body discovered in a submerged car.  But she's also still dealing with a past that won't let her rest - her sister's killer, Anders Jansen, has finally been caught and is in jail.  But now, awaiting trial, he claims responsibility for more murders of young women.  His condition is that he will only speak and work with Shaw on the search for the bodies.  Shaw can't stomach the thought, but also can't put any more families in the position hers was in with her missing sister.  

I love this series and I raced through this book.  Shaw is such an intriguing character with so many layers - still dealing with guilt and grief, taking care of her dad, separated from her husband, and dealing with teenage boys, one of whom is struggling.  She has a smart, snarky mouth that tends to get her in trouble, but will leave you rooting for her strength and conviction.  It's also a fascinating police procedural from the fingerprinting side of things.  I liked the rural Maine setting as well.  A must read series and I'm anxious for more!