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!

6.19.2026 - The View From Here

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest book by Rachel Howell Hall, narrated by the author.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Nicole and her husband, Truman, have been married for 11 years and cracks are showing.  Then Truman is lost and presumed dead during a scuba diving accident.  Nicole is devastated by his loss and the fact that she was keeping secrets from him.  She stops sleeping and taking care of herself, consumed with grief.  Then strange occurrences start sending her over the edge, and she starts losing her grip on reality.

This was captivated me from the start and I listened to it all day.  It's such a good mix of psychological creepiness - just what's happening?  Is the house haunted?  Is Nicole losing her mind?  Is she taking too many drugs?  I loved the supernatural twist and the unreliable narrator, keeping me on the edge throughout the story.  The author did a fabulous job narrating.  I've read a few of her books lately and have enjoyed them all.  This one explores guilt and trauma in the creepiest of ways.

6.19.2026 - Little Wonder

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Thousand Voices (Jenna Bush Hager's new imprint) for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book, also an Oprah's Book Club pick for the spring.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

We meet Song in a small town Chinese village, living with her parents, brother, husband, and son, River.  Money is tight so her husband travels for construction work, and they reunite only once a year.  River is gifted with perfect pitch and soon becomes a piano prodigy.  Song and River travel to Beijing, but get separated at the train station.  We follow along for the next six years, in alternate POV from Song and River, as they try and make their way back to each other.

What a beautiful but heartbreaking story.  The characters truly come to life and you can feel the anguish from both mother and son.  While it's sad, it's also very hopeful as a variety of characters open their hearts to help.  It's a fascinating look into the Chinese culture, especially as the pandemic hits, and the disparity of the wealthy and the poor in society.  It's an immersive read and you will see the pollution in the air, smell and taste the food, see the sights, and hear the beautiful music.  Bravo!

6.18.2026 - The Frenzy

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | Hogarth for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest work by Joyce Carol Oates.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

This is a fabulous selection of short stories - the perfect combination of dark, creepy, tense, intriguing - that each left me both satisfied and wanting more.  Since I'm not always a huge fan of short stories, that's saying something, but these are by Joyce Carol Oates, so enough said.  It's like she looked into our collective dark side and explored just what might happen, so they feel very real.  While they aren't interconnected, the tension just continues to build throughout the collection.  Wonderful!