10.23.2026 - Everyone's a Liar

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Recorded Books Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this stand-alone book by Alexandra Ivy, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Susan Bennett.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Livia's ancestors, the Benoit, have been powerful landowners in the Louisiana Bayous, and the Willows is a massive mansion and the jewel of their empire.  Livia's grandfather's will specifies that each family member is required to gather at the Willows every summer in order to receive their yearly trust fund share.  But that's not an easy ask for Livia.  Her mother died by suicide there and the family has not been kind to her.  Livia feels the place is cursed and she wants no part of it, but she won't allow her relatives to win by not showing up either.  

This was so atmospheric, with a creepy mansion surrounded by swamps, and mean and nasty relatives with greed their only priority.  Livia is a great character, as is her long-ago friend, Bryce, now a local sheriff.  These are strong women who won't take bad behavior from others sitting down, even when it threatens their own safety.  They can't be bought and pushed aside.  There are parts that feel a bit slow, but everything ramps up to full speed at the end.  The narrator did a great job with all the voices and kept me interested throughout.

10.23.2026 - I'm Here to Help

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Lake Union Publishing, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest psychological thriller by Victoria Helen Stone, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Paige Reisenfeld.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Melody Stanford  is a trusted therapist and tries to be a good person.  She's a loving wife, mother, and friend, but inside she's raging at the stories she hears from vulnerable women about the terrible crimes committed against them by men.  She decides she must take action, but just how much will she risk?

This was a fast-paced novel, with an intriguing premise, with real-world issues that would make any woman stand up and say enough is enough.  It's an outlet in itself to be privy to Melody's thoughts as she tries to do what she thinks is right, while still honoring the rules of her profession, but concerned more with the women who seek her help.  I always like a book that will put you in the mindset of a character, and you'll feel Melody's rage as she is tired of men behaving badly.  The narration by Reisenfeld was great - you could feel all the different emotions that Melody was experiencing and it just added to the story.

10.23.2026 - Her Last Christmas

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Claire McGowan.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Emma joins her new boyfriend, Michael, for a Christmas celebration with his college friends and one of their homes in the Alps.  But Emma doesn't fit in, the friends aren't nice to her, and she can't ski.  She finds herself wishing for a boring Christmas back at home with her mom.  But things soon turn from uncomfortable to deadly, and the group turns on Emma.  In the midst of a blizzard, she must find a way out.

This was a quick read locked-room mystery book, complete with a blizzard, and full of completely unlikable uber-rich characters.  But that's what makes it fun!  It's a cautionary tale to not try to force yourself to fit in boxes set by other people - peer pressure can be real no matter what age you are.  As the weather cools down, never too early to start on Christmas-themed books!

10.22.2026 - An Unlikely Visitor

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Scribner for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful novel by Joanna Cannon.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Derek and Margaret never got over the loss of their 11-year-old daughter, Jeanie, decades ago, especially since her disappearance was never solved.  But after Derek's death, life is just too hard and Margaret loses her zest for life. When she returns home one day to an unlikely visitor, things look up for Margaret.  Maybe now she can figure out what happened to Jeanie all those years ago.

Any widowed or long-married person is going to relate so much to Margaret, and it will break your heart.  You will see yourself taking over "his" jobs and being kind of mad about that.  You'll feel the ache of loneliness in all the every day events.  But this book is also hopeful, and a good reminder that those we love never really leave us.  Full of reality and magical realism, mystery, and so much love, this book is a treasure and I loved spending time with it.  Highly recommended!

10.20.2026 - The Joy of Cookies

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morris | Harvest for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful cookbook by Joanne Chang.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

What a beautiful cookie cookbook!  The title couldn't be more perfect - I have to say you just feel the joy coming off the author in the photographs.  She just looks so incredibly joyous!  I loved the introduction pages and the photography of the final recipe results is gorgeous.  Each recipe includes a bit of a story first, a picture that will have you salivating, an easy-to-follow recipe, and storage hints.  I feel this cookbook would be perfect for almost any level of baker - for the most part, there are no weird ingredients or difficult steps.  There are drop cookies, bar cookies, rolled cookies, frosted cookies, sandwich cookies - whatever is your favorite, you'll find it here!  I'm definitely buying a copy of the finished book to have in my cookbook library!

10.20.2026 - I Never Knew You at All

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

Simone gave up her once promising career as a journalist to support her husband, Alex, and raise their son.  Alex is finally taking over the family business of high-end grocery stores that his grandfather started.  But when her college ex, Kwame, resurfaces in her life, old feelings come back.  Kwame has the journalist life Simone dreamed up, and he is now investigating a cold case of the disappearance of a young Black man from The Tate School, which is where Alex's family attended for generations.

This is both a mystery and a family and personal drama story, and I enjoyed both parts.  I especially felt for Simone, trying to do right for Alex's family, while still doing right.  Meanwhile Alex seems to be imploding.  How race and racism affects generations of people is explored, as well as classism.  Can people really change and do they deserve forgiveness?  How do we reconcile our own beliefs against family?  Definitely a worthwhile read.

10.20.2026 - The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest historical fiction novel by Heather Morris, with the audiobook beautifully narrated by Saskia Maarleveld.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.75 stars!

In 1942, the Nazis come for a Jewish family living in the Montparnasse area of occupied Paris.  In the chaos of their arrest, eleven-year-old Josephine does what she's been taught and runs to the only person she can trust: her piano teacher, Andrée Levallois, a secret French Resistance operative. Andrée takes her in as a member of the family, spreading their rations and risking everything to keep her safe. But soon the authorities close in, and both Andrée and Josie are caught in a desperate race to stay alive.

Once again, Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, has given us a horrific story, made beautiful by the actions of people who tried to do everything they could to help others.  In addition, the book stresses how important music is, bringing light into the darkest places.  Based on real people, be sure to read the author's notes.  Books based on the atrocities of WWII are always so difficult to read, but they are also a testament to the human spirit and innate goodness in most people.  The audiobook was a joy to listen to because of Marrleveld's narration.