3.11.2026 - Darkening Song

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Saturday Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful novel by Delphine Seddon, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Cherise Silvestri, Mei Mei MacLeod, and Milly Oldfield.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Eva is just 18 years old and an intern at a record label when she discovers 16-yer-old Alora online.  When no one at her label is interested, Eva takes matters into her own hands.  She offers Alora representation as her manager, with neither of them knowing what's involved.  But Eva was right and Alora is soon a superstar.  But fame is difficult and soon their lives start to unravel.

Novels set around music acts are a hit or miss for me, because it's sometimes hard to relate to that world.  But this novel pulled me in from the beginning as these two teenagers take on the male-dominated music industry.  There are heartbreaking moments, past trauma that rears its head, and ambition taking center stage over friendship.  This is a cautionary tale in a profession that values fame at all cost, and we've seen real life examples forever.  There are a lot of trigger warnings to pay attention to if needed, but the darker parts of this book were important and the ending was pitch perfect.  The audiobook production was wonderful and included songs, which further pulled me in, and I would highly recommend this book in that format.  

3.11.2026 - All the World Can Hold

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster | 37 Ink for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Jung Yin.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

This book follows three main characters who were scheduled to take a cruise to the Bahamas, leaving out of NYC, the week following the 9/11 attacks.  They leave instead on the Sonata out of Boston, boarding with all the weight of the world.  We meet Franny, who has gathered her family on the cruise to celebrate their mother's 70th birthday.  Doug is an aging actor and former star of Starlight Voyages, the Love Boat-style tv series filmed on the Sonata.  Lucy is the only Black female grad student in her department at MIT, who took her roommate up on the offer of a free cruise, right when tech companies are trying to hire her.

While this is not a 9/11 book per se, the way the world changed on that day hangs over the pages and characters.  But even so, life goes on, and we follow these characters with their own personal baggage.  While these characters' storylines don't really interact, I was invested in each one.  It reminded me once again that all those revolving around us have private stories behind the facade presented to the world.  I also appreciated how the end of the book was an update on the world after 9/11, bringing the novel back into the real world. 

3.10.2026 - A Far-Flung Life

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for gifting me a digital ARC of the new novel by M.L. Stedman, author of the wonderful The Light Between Oceans.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

This is a sweeping and epic story of a family, a tragedy, and the aftermath that reverberates for decades set in remote Western Australia beginning in 1958.  The MacBrides have lived on a vast sheep station, Meredith Downs, comprising of over a million acres.  The lives of the family are changed on a sunny afternoon when a tragedy befalls them.  Matt, the youngest MacBride, is plunged into a moral and emotional dilemma that will haunt him throughout his life.  How do you choose between love and duty, sacrifice and happiness?

At its heart, this is a book about people just trying to do the best they can in their circumstances, not even knowing what the right path would be, and the secrets they hold dear to protect those they love.  I was transported to a different time and place, and felt the weight of the characters' decisions along with them.  While this could be a depressing story, it was hopeful and showed the strength and resilience of our human souls.  I loved the multi-generational aspect of this story and these characters will stay with me.  Highly recommended!

3.10.2026 - She Fell Away

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books | Emily Bestler Books for gifting me a digital and physical ARC of the debut thriller by Lenore Nash.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Lake Harlowe is working as a State Department diplomat in Wellington, New Zealand, running away from her past, hoping for a calmer posting than her last.  But then a young man is found dead in his AirBnB and soon after an exchange student, Bowie Bishop, vanishes.  Lake becomes obsessed trying to find Bowie before time runs out.

I'm so excited with the hope that this is the first in a new series because I loved it.  I'm not sure I've read a book about the duties of diplomats working to protect American citizens overseas, and it was an interesting storyline.  Lake is a wonderful character = multilayered, willing to go outside the lines when she feels it's necessary, full of secrets from a complicated childhood, determined to get answers.  The mystery kept me intrigued from the beginning and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

3.8.2026 - The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this debut novel by Elizabeth Arnott - this month's Good Morning America Book Club pick.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

In California in 1966, three women, Beverley, Elsie, and Margot, form an unlikely friendship after the discoveries that each of their husbands are convicted killers.  With those husbands either dead or behind bars, the women attempt a new future for themselves.  They each struggle with the fact that everyone questions how they couldn't have known about their husbands' crimes.  When a string of killings hits the news, the three women figure that who is better to catch a killer than those who have lived with one?

Another fabulous book to review on International Women's Day because this book at its heart is a story of female friendship and empowerment.  In the time period, women were definitely second class citizens, and it was so fun to see these women take on the investigation of these murders.  They were not about to accept society's opinions of them and supported each other to the end.  It was also interesting to see the fallout on the families after these husbands were convicted.  Wonderful debut!

3.8.2026 - Served Him Right

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row Books and Megan Beatie Communications for gifting me both a digital and physical ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Lisa Unger.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Ana Blacksmith has gathered her closest friends and sister Vera for a brunch to celebrate her recent breakup from her boyfriend Paul. But when shocking news about Paul arrives, all eyes are on Ana, the angry ex with a bad reputation. Suspicions only intensify when Ana’s best friend falls deathly ill after the brunch.  But Ana is not the only one who had a score to settle with Paul. 

This is the perfect book to review on International Women's Day, as it showcases strong women taking back control of their lives.  While this is a bit more of a slow-burn thriller than normal for Unger, I was there for all of it.  I loved the coven and their poisonous/medicinal herb garden, explained perfectly by this quote - "Girls, remember this, the only difference between poison and medicine is the dose."  Be sure to read the author's acknowledgement at the end for the real-life inspiration for this novel.  This was a great revenge novel - Paul was a horrible human and there are many suspects lining up to do him harm, so it will keep you guessing until the end.  

3.7.2026 - This Story Might Save Your Life

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Flatiron Books | Pine & Cedar, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this wonderful debut novel by Tiffany Crum, narrated by the fabulous duo of Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Best friends Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host a very popular podcast about surviving, finding humor in near-death experiences.  Joy's husband, Xander, is their manager.  However, the next survival story may be their own.  When Benny arrives at Joy and Xander's house to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house.  Benny will stop at nothing to find them, even as the police zero in on him as their prime suspect.

This was a fabulous debut and just a wonderful listening experience.  The narrators are top notch, of course, and the sound effects just totally immersed me into the story.  This book has it all - mystery, suspense, romance - and it kept me guessing until the end.  Told from Joy's POV before and Benny's POV afterwards, the podcast is a major character and there are plenty of other shady characters as well.  I truly felt invested in this story and characters, and it's a true testament to friendship.  Plus - extra points for all the Happy Days references!  Bravo to all involved for a fabulous debut!