4.25.2026 - Dark is When the Devil Comes

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new novel by Daisy Pearce, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Catrin Walker-Booth.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Hazel comes back to her small hometown to housesit for her parents and hopefully reconnect with her sister, Cathy.  The sisters arrange to meet for lunch but then Hazel fails to show.  Things just aren't feeling right, and Cathy enlists her friend, Suzie, to investigate.

There is a lot going on in this book - so atmospheric, with a small town closeness, creepy woods, folklore passed down, family drama, and even supernatural elements.  The horror is spun out slowly, the scare factor inching up the entire time until you can't quite catch your breath.  The villain is horrible and will make your skin crawl, while reminding you that monsters live among us and aren't always easy to recognize.  I felt for the sisters, juggling all those sibling tensions, and liked Suzie's character as well.  Even Cathy's kids will warm your heart.  he narration was wonderful with all the characters and again upped the creep factor.  Another wonderful book by this author and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

4.25.2026 - The Wedding Vow

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the re-release of this thriller by Dandy Smith.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

 

Verity and Linden Lockwood are the perfect couple, until Linden is brutally murdered in their home.  One year later, her world is shattered again when she discovers evidence that Linden was not the man she thought he was; he had been having an affair.  Determined to find out the identity of the other woman, Verity delves deep into their lives.  Everyone is a suspect, but the truth may be more dangerous than she realizes.

 

Told from alternating chapters of The Wife and The Other Woman, there were so many twists and turns in this book that I had a bit of trouble keeping them all straight.  But that didn’t lessen the fun; this was a quick read that had me questioning everyone until that last shocking twist!

4.24.2026 - Everything Has Happened

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for gifting me a digital and physical ARC of the latest novel by a favorite, T. Greenwood.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars! 

In 1986, Edie Marshall dreamed of escaping her small Vermont town, anxious for a bigger life.  But then her little brother, Charlie, vanished on his walk home from camp and nothing was ever the same.  In 2023, Edie is teaching at her old high school and has returned to her childhood home to take care of her mother.  Then a call comes in on their old tip line from Jericho, the brother of her estranged best friend and the only person of interest ever identified, who believes he found something of Charlie’s on his property.  Suddenly, everything in the past comes back.

 

I loved this book – Greenwood has such a way with her words.  Told from these dual timeframes, we see Edie come of age in the 1980s and it is certainly nostalgic and will take you back in time.  You can feel the angst of Edie’s long-ago decisions and secrets and how they have affected her present life.  I also related to her taking care of her mom, with all the feelings that invokes.  The mystery was compelling, but it’s the characters that really shine.  I was sad when it was over.

4.24.2026 - Big Nobody

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Alex Kadis.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

It's 1974 in London and Connie Costa is miserable.  She blames her dad, whom she refers to as The Fat Murderer" for the death of her mom and younger brothers in a car accident.  Her dad rules the roost with an iron fist, and Connie spends her time talking to the rock star posters in her room.  The bright spot in her life is her burgeoning relationship with Vas.

This book melds a couple of strong themes - it is a funny coming-of-age story as we get Connie's stream of consciousness about her life.  But it's also a book about childhood and generational trauma and abuse, and how to survive.  Connie's character was so bright and vibrant and you will be cheering her on throughout the book.  It was quite nostalgic as well, as I was Connie's age in 1974.  Loved the dark humor.  Wonderful debut - will be anxious for more from this author!

4.23.2026 - Ms Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block

 

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

Mebel is a self-proclaimed trophy wife, but when her husband of more than 40 years announces that he's leaving her for their private chef, her world is turned upside down.  But she has the perfect plan - go to culinary school to be able to create a perfect meal and win back her husband.  Four days later, she finds herself in a small village outside of Oxford, surrounded by. much younger classmates.  

This was fun - full of laughs and adventures, but also with a more serious theme of self-discovery, no matter what age.  It's definitely a story of found family and being there for each other.  There's a bit of mystery involved as one of the students disappears, and no one but Mebel is willing to do anything about it.  I especially liked how the changed Mebel interacted with her daughter-in-law.  

Jesse, if you are reading this review, hello Carrie Breadshaw! 

4.23.2026 - This Song is About Me

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Little A, and Brilliance Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Melissa de la Cruz, with the audiobook narrated by Dominique Salvacion.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars rounded up.

It's award night, and as soon as she walked off the stage, Ryan Holding, the biggest star in the world, disappeared.  Six years later, there is still no trace of her.  What happened?  Reporter Elyse James wants the truth, and interviews everyone to try and find out the answers.

I really liked the way this story was told, through interviews from multiple points of view, giving us an oral history.  I thought the narrator did a great job doing all the different voices.  However, it was not even a veiled retell of the story of Taylor Swift, although with a different ending as of now!  While I like some of her songs, I'm way too old to be a Swiftie, so I probably wasn't the target audience for this book.  It would definitely work as YA.  It certainly showcases the dark side of fame and how the public feels entitled to every bit of a celebrity, made worse with social media.

4.22.2026 - The Mountains We Call Home

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the third book in this wonderful series by Kim Michele Richardson. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Following in line with the first two books in this series, this book goes back to the story of Cussy Lovett.  We learn about her time in prison, bringing hope to the incarcerated women, while yearning for her husband and daughter.  

I waited to read the second book so that I could read these two in order, and the story really resonated that way.  You can read any of these books as a stand alone, but I'd highly recommend immersing yourself in this Kentucky world.  While once again showcasing the themes of prejudice (Cussy has hereditary methemoglobinemia, giving her skin a blue color) and the lack of women's rights, in addition to poverty and illiteracy, this book really focuses on the effects of incarceration on the families of the poor and powerless.  But it also focuses on the resiliency of the human spirit, how found family can change our lives, and the power of books.