8.10.2026 - Under the Falls

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Richard Russo.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Tyler Sinclair left Stone Mountain at 18 with no plans of returning.  Now, he's the famous frontman of a band called Stone Mountain, and he's returning to his hometown for the first time for a benefit to support his friend, Doc.  The concert doesn't go as planned and things go terribly wrong afterwards.  

After I read the prologue of this book describing Upstate NY, I was sold.  Okay, I think the internet folks have said that this book has some questionable events and might well have been better suited to the TV series it was first imagined for.  But I still thoroughly enjoyed it and could easily overlook the supposed flaws.  Because it was still an interesting story, with morally gray characters and behaviors, in a setting that doesn't always allow for more.  I'd bet it would make a really good TV series too.

8.10.2026 - Brimstone Hollow

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the 2nd book in the Annie Gore series, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Emily Pike Stewart.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Katie May's estranged father is one of Appalachia's last snake-handling preachers, but when she learns that he has been fatally bitten and a funeral held within 24 hours, she is rightly questioning just what happened.  She hires PI Annie Gore to take the case.  When Annie arrives in the small Eastern Kentucky town, she realizes that this won't be a quick trip and that someone is looking to stop her investigation.

Another wonderful book following her debut, The Witch's Orchard.   I loved heading back to the Appalachian Mountains with Annie in her beloved Datsun 260Z named Honey (BTW, my husband has a 280Z!).  Annie is the perfect PI - a tough, ex-Air Force investigator, with her own past to reckon with.  The small town atmosphere keeps the plot swirling with secrets and tension, and the characters all feel realistic.  I highly recommend the audiobook for both of these books - the narrator is wonderful and I will forever get chills thinking about her snake noises!  

8.9.2026 - Most Ardently Yours

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Freya Sampson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Zoe dreams of being a romance writer, but her ex-boyfriend convinced her she wasn't good enough.  Now she's sworn off men except for fictional ones, and of course her favorite is Austen's Mr. Darcy.  She stumbles across a bookshop in London and the owner, Nick, refuses to sell romance novels.  When she finds a copy of Pride & Prejudice on a top shelf, she takes it.  But after reading from it, she realizes she has summoned Mr. Darcy to the present day.  Can he ever be as good as he is in the novel?  

I'm surprised that this one is not getting better reviews, because even as someone like me who is not an Austen superfan enjoyed it!  Yes, it's filled with magical realism but it's also filled with all those things that Freya Sampson does so well - found family, charming characters, and just a fun storyline.  Pick this up when you need an escape from reality that will surely bring a smile to your face.

8.9.2026 - When Lemons Give You Life

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the sophomore book by Anna Johnston.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Retired Michelin-star chef Griff Barlow has lost his appetite for life.  He's living in an aged care facility and decides to make himself one last meal - a lemon tart.  But the act of cooking brings a spark back to his life, and he's soon sneaking in the kitchen regularly, while trying to maintain a big secret from the staff and his sister, Lisa.  Lisa has her own troubles but feels brighter with a new man in her life.  Can these siblings make things right before it's too late?

I was a huge fan of Johnston's debut, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, and this book was similarly wonderful.  Johnston has a gift of writing about older characters that will steal your heart, while at the same time imparting wisdom into their care.  I fell in love with these flawed characters as they try to deal with many complex issues in the best way they can.  Of course. you have to suspend some belief, but that's the magic of fiction.  The story spools out between Griff and Lisa's POV over various time periods, giving the reader needed background into just how they ended up where they are.  I loved the compassion Griff showed to the residents and how he stressed their worth, no matter what.  Definitely something we all need to remember.  Be sure and read the author's note at the end.  

8.8.2026 - Sex on Murder Island

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of the second in the Luella van Horn series by Jo Firestone.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars!

Marie Jones (aka PI Luella van Horn) finds herself on the verge of eviction when she gets a call that changes everything.  She's asked to find evidence of a woman having an extramarital affair.  The job requires her to go to Murder Island, a private island for the very rich just outside of NYC.  Then the suspected lover is found murdered and she soon finds herself in the midst of another crazy investigation.

This series is crass and crazy, but there's something about the snarky voice of Luella that has me laughing out loud.  These books are not for the delicate among us, but they are a riot and do leave me wanting more.  I liked that Luella gathered a few friends in this investigation as well.

8.8.2026 - Getting Away With Murder

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Shari Lapena.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Jill and Ted are happily married, love their renovated NY brownstone, and have money to spare.  Well...not really.  Unbeknownst to Jill, Ted's inheritance is almost gone and his sure-fire investment tanked.  How can they maintain their home and lifestyle?  If Ted's brother was gone, Ted would inherit all his money which would solve all their problems.  But can they get away with murder?

This was a fun, fast-paced thriller where you know from the start who did it.  The only question is if they can get away with it.  There aren't any likable characters here and you may find yourself resenting the rich person privilege most of these people have.  But watching them try to stay out of trouble is lots of fun.  There were a few jaw-dropping scenes that I wasn't expecting, but no spoilers here.  Pack this along in your beach bag for some summer thriller fun!

8.7.2026 - Time to Burn

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by the writing duo known as Ellery Lloyd.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Controversial tech entrepreneur Inigo Frank offers the very wealthy a chance to go back in time to witness pivotal moments in history through his company Tempus Tours.  To showcase his achievement, Frank hires filmmaker Phoebe Hunt to create a documentary.  On her first day, she is set to witness the return of a property developer and his family from their trip to the past.  But instead, she sees the group arriving bloodied and traumatized, with one of their party missing.  Phoebe also recognizes the missing woman and realizes she's not who she claims to be.  

I have a love/hate relationship with time travel, going back decades to watching Star Trek spinoff episodes that left my head spinning.  Thankfully for my brain, this book is more of a mystery with time travel elements, although the end had my head spinning a bit.   It's more about the consequences of time travel than the possible science that would make it possible.  That said, I felt that the 1940s time period was done really well and I almost did feel like I was back in time.  There's also a cult theme, which I always like.  Very intriguing read!