7.14.2026 - Country People

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Daniel Mason, this month's Good Morning America Book Club Pick.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Kate and Miles move with their two children, Olive and Wesley, from California to rural Vermont, where Kate has received a one-year visiting professorship position at a small college.  Miles has been working on his PhD dissertation for years, with no paying job to his name.  The culture shock from organic liberal California to the country is big, but the family and their dog, Giuseppe, enjoy exploring their new world.  In fact, Miles gets involved with a group searching for a mythical world below ours as well.

This is not always an easy read, and there's no real extreme plot.  But I liked the immersion into the every day of their lives into their new world, because it's the every day that makes up our lives.  The intermittent transcripts of radio calls added satire and humor into the sometimes difficult topics of Russian folktales and literature.  What sold me was the family and community bonds, and I closed the book with a smile on my face.

7.13.2026 - By the River's Edge

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest true crime novel by Gregg Olsen.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

In 1990 in Washington state, three women's bodies were found on the banks of the Spokane River. They were part of a close-knit alliance of sex workers whose oath to protect each other was, in the end, hopeless. For twenty-two years their brutal murders went unsolved.  In 2012, a DNA cold hit pointed to Douglas Perry.  A repeat offender, he was currently incarcerated in Texas.  But there was a twist - the facility was for female prisoners.  The man they were hunting was now a woman.

I will always read anything Gregg Olsen writes - and I've read a lot of his books.  The subject matter is always meticulously researched and, especially important in this book, sensitively written.  The story of the nation's first transgender serial killer is a wild one, and it is most definitely sad.  It showcases how mental illness, addiction, and poverty cause so many to live on the fringes of society, always in harm's way, and how evil people exploit that.  The true heroes of the story were the law enforcement officers who were diligent about keeping the women's names and stories in the forefront for decades, wanting to bring some semblance of peace to their families.  

7.13.2026 - The Forest Becomes Her

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful novel by Julie Carrick Dalton.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

In Concord, Massachusetts, a centuries-old forest has been removed to make way for a new, eco-friendly housing development.  The locals are upset, but out-of-towners are flocking to put down roots in their dream homes.  A tragedy soon leaves one of those new residents unmoored, and she feels the pull of the absent forest.  And she's not alone - two other women are experiencing their own trauma and relationship to the land.  They are drawn to save the last remaining oak tree.

This story really touched me, with the three main women characters going through the natural stages in life – adolescence, pregnancy, menopause, illness, grief, guilt, death.  These themes are all entwined with our obligation to take care of our natural world as well.  I felt for each of these characters and loved how they helped each other.  There’s plenty of magical realism here, but it fits in well with the characters’ paths and their connections to each other as well as to nature.  Plus, there’s the underlying mystery of the development and the desecration of the forest.  Fascinating!  The audiobook production and narration were very well done.

7.12.2026 - In Wonderland

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little A for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by one of my favorite authors, Joyce Maynard.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

It's 1986, and 14-year-old Frances has always dreamed of a different life, away from her parents too busy fighting with each other to pay attention to her.  When she gets the opportunity to go to the Maine summer home of her dad's childhood friend, Forrest, and spend the summer being a mother's helper, she feels like she stepped into her dream.  But nothing at Wonderland is quite what it seems.

I'm a huge fan of Joyce Maynard, and she has yet again shown why.  While this is a relatable and heart-breaking coming-of-age story and a nostalgic look at a time before our electronic screens took all of our attention, it's also a perfectly-written psychological thriller.  I felt so much for Frances, longing for love and desperate to be an adult, not quite realizing that the adult world and relationships can be so complicated.  She gets drawn into the relationship between Forrest and his wife, Regina, not realizing the consequences.  It explores themes of manipulation, neglect, classism, family secrets.  Absolutely loved the ending.  This is a book that I couldn't put down and is absolutely a must read.

7.11.2026 - Sisterhood Above All

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Saturday Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by Kathleen Barber, this one co-written with #BamaRush content creator Amayah Shaienne.  The audiobook production featured a full cast narration, which I'm a huge fan of.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Ava has dreamed of being a Gamma at Southern State University forever.  It's the last connection she has to her late mother and she's determined to wear the Gamma letters.  But prospective pledges are expected to earn their spots, so when president Madison asks her for a special favor, she grudgingly goes along with it, only for there to be disastrous consequences.  Rival sorority Theta president Shay tries to rise above all the hyper-rush mentality, but she and Madison have a grudge that goes way back.  

Sisterhood above all - whew!  There is enough drama and mean girl behavior in these pages to curl your hair!  I do love an academic thriller, and this certainly gave a different side of college life.  I have zero experience with Greek life, but appreciate what it should be.  It was good to see some of that positivity and supportive behavior from some of these women.  But reality aside, this was a soapy, fun thriller. - perfect for a summer beach read!

7.10.2026 - Hot Girl Murder Club

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by Ashley Winstead, with the audiobook narrated by the wonderful Brittany Pressley.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars rounded up!

Scout Sage, is still grieving the death of her sister 10 years ago at a Hollywood party.  Now an aspiring pop star, Scout becomes the prime suspect in a string of Hollywood murders and all her dreams as well as justice for her sister take back seat.  The young detective assigned to the case begins to unearth secrets about fame and power in Hollywood.

This was entertaining, with lots going on and multiple POV and timelines, as well as focusing on lots of important issues, such as exploitation and harassment, and female empowerment.  I liked Grey, the detective, and her dedication to investigating her own past trauma.  I mostly listened to Brittany Pressley narrate this story, and she was as brilliant as always.

7.8.2026 - The Man

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Laura Sims.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

It's the 1960s, and Judith Stanley wants to do something just for her.  She takes a photography class at the local junior college, and when she shows her professor, Paul Sorenson, her work, he says that she is extraordinary.  He wants her to consider publication, but she refuses.  But she begins receiving strange phone calls and knows that someone is following her - his shadow shows up in every picture.  She's sure that her attacker from the past is back.  

This book was wonderful in all the best, creepy ways.  You could feel the fear and tension pouring off of Judith, as she tries to pursue her passion.  She's unaccustomed to the praise she receives from Paul, but is frightened and not willing to take things further.  In the second part of this book, things have taken a turn, and we see how quickly ambition can take over our morals.  It left me questioning just what was real and what wasn't, and the ending just added to that feeling.  It's a psychological suspense novel that will leave you looking over your shoulder.   I loved this author's previous book, How Can I Help You, and this was another winner.