9.14.2026 - Dead Happy

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Nick Spalding, with a cast narration of Maxim Reston, Eilidh Beaton, and Simon Mattacks.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Alex believes that taking risks adds to life, even though his daughter, Hannah, is concerned about him.  He's also determined to show Hannah that she needs to take risks too.  But then Alex takes things too far and the past comes to the surface.

The first part of this book was funny, but it did get a bit repetitive, with Alex taking more and more crazy risks.  But a shift in the story gives it a whole different feel.  It's a moving story about family, guilt, and trying to move forward.  Always look forward to this author's next book!

9.14.2026 - Something of a Calling

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Zoje Stage, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Jenn Lee.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Detective Andy Cooper is days away from retirement, not quite sure what her plans are after that.  After losing her daughter and getting divorced, her job is all she has.  Then bodies begin to turn up.  Murdered, but not by any obvious means.  A chance encounter with a stranger in town leads to an unexpected friendship, even though the two women are very different.  But Fiona has a secret too.

I listened to the audiobook for this one, and the narrator's voice was perfect for this story.  This one will make you think about our world in a very different way.  It's horror light, more quiet and thoughtful.  Always anxious to read anything from this author!

9.14.2026 - The Me I Used to Be

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Lake Union Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Kristan Higgins.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In high school, Audrey, Micah, Jasmine and Beck were known as the Core Four, and they promised to be best friends forever. But the night after graduation, they’re in a devastating accident, and the friendship that seemed unbreakable is shattered.  Twenty-five years later, the four women agree to reunite for their high school reunion. None of them is where they hoped to be way back when, and all have scars and secrets. 

I'm not a crier, so when a book has me in ugly sobs, it's an automatic 5 star for me.  But because it's a Kristan Higgins book, there is plenty of humor and lightness to counteract the hard parts.  Told from the POV of the four friends in different timelines, we learn what happened to break up their friendship and what life was like for them afterwards.  This would be a great book club pick as well, with themes of friendship, parenthood, forgiveness, and making peace with the past.  Fabulous - highly recommended!

9.13.2026 - The Wonder of One

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Lake Union Publishing, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest novel by Suzanne Redfearn, with the audio wonderfully narrated by Natalie Naudus and JD Jackson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Vivien Kendall was born with a birthmark covering much of her face, and has been the target of much bullying and mistreatment, even by her own mother.  Thankfully, she was shown love from her Somalian nanny and her early teacher.  A chance encounter with an ice skating coach sets her dreams to skate in the Olympics.  Along the way, she'll discover the wonder of one - the power within each of us to change things.

This was another inspirational book by Redfearn, and a glorious coming-of-age story.  It's filled with themes of childhood trauma, parental neglect, prejudice, bullying, but also strength and determination, and a found family that will always have your back.  Told in varying timelines and from the POV of both Vivien and the local sheriff, there's also a murder to be solved..  The narration was beautiful although I always startled a bit when the deep voice of Jackson appeared!  A great read.  

9.12.2026 - The Witches of Cambridge

Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Alice Hoffman, the first in a new series, and this month's Read with Jenna book club pick.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

In 1950's Cambridge, Massachusetts, Ava and Lauren meet at Radcliffe College.  Both are recruited to join the Lilith Society, a secret organization of witches dating back to colonial times.  As they learn more about their legacy, they form a close bond that will be put to the test.  They also realize that the witch trials of the past may not be as deeply buried as they once believed.

Alice Hoffman is the master of creating magical worlds where witches move among us, and I always look forward to immersing myself in her latest work.   This book certainly explores witches, but also the dark side of academia, friendship, love, and those outside the societal norms.  It's also a strong nod to strong female friendships, even as they ebb and flow.  Plus there are crows that just add to the atmospheric feel of this novel.  I'm excited that this is the start of a new series, and will be anxiously awaiting the next chapter.

9.11.2026 - Lump

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Allison Sweet Grant.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

It would be a rare person today who hasn't been touched by cancer, either personally or through someone they love.  Allison Sweet Grant was not even 40, married with 3 children, when diagnosed with breast cancer.  Writing was her means of processing, and she has done a huge service to all the rest of us.  I'm not typically one who seeks out poems but Sweet Grant is now added to my list of poets that I won't miss whatever they write, like Josie Balka and  Maggie Smith.  Just like with their books, I will be buying Lump for myself and to give to others.  It's beautiful, heartbreaking, full of strength and compassion.  Absolutely a must read for all of us.

9.10.2026 - We Already Dug the Grave

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Emma C. Wells.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

The Robinson women have a reputation - those of them that have the sight at least.  Milly did, but since an incident in a Tennessee meadow a decade ago, she stays away from reading tea leaves.  That incident also left her estranged from the rest of her family - her aunts and her sister, Francis.  But then Francis shows up on her doorstep, begging for Milly's help escaping her husband.  They'll both have to go back home, where all their secrets are buried.

This had such a good, southern Gothic feel to it and you can't help but get pulled into the story.  The relationships between the Robinson women is fascinating - they will go to the ends of the earth to protect each other, even if that means leaving each other alone.  There are supernatural elements passed down in the family, adding even another creepy feel to this story.  Told from the two timelines of Then and Now, I was quite surprised at the way things turned out.  This book is a perfect start to the spooky reading season.