6.28.2025 - Our Last Vineyard Summer

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Gallery Books for gifting me the sophomore novel by Brooke Lea Foster, author of Summer Darlings, which I also loved.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Set in dual timelines of 1964 and 1978, we follow a family of women at their family summer house on Martha's Vineyard.  In 1965, the story is mostly focused on Virgie and her relationship and marriage to Charlie, and their 3 daughters.  In 1978, the youngest daughter, Betsy, is struggling with grad school and has come back to the summer house along with her sisters after Virgie announces they must sell the house to pay off their father's debts.  What they find are family secrets, strained relationships, and facing the complicated legacy of both parents.

Well, no sophomore slump here.  I liked this one even more than her debut.  The setting is once again on the Cape Cod islands, and focuses on the strength of these women within their family and in the larger context of the times.  I really enjoyed the look back at women's rights and feminism in both of these timelines - some of it is eye-opening!  But where the book really shines is in its characters.  I so enjoyed getting to spend time with these women, as they held secrets within so as not to hurt the others.  One line really spoke to me about family relationships - "...my story is not your story.  You could write a different version of the same exact events, and they would still be true."  It was nostalgic, atmospheric, emotional and I thought it was wonderful.  It's the perfect book to pack along on your beach vacation!

6.25.2025 - El Dorado Drive

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, and Penguin Random House | Putnam Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Megan Abbott.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Harper is forced to move back in with her sister, Pam, because of financial issues.  Once there, she's surprised to see that Pam seems to be doing so well financially after a nasty divorce and her husband cleaning out their bank accounts and even the kids' money.  Pam shares her secret - a women's group called the Wheel, whose function is to lift each other up.  But when Harper and their other sister join, the sisters unleash a darkness within the group.

This is a slow burn thriller that leads up to quite the ending!  I liked the timeframe - in the 70s and 80s in Detroit after the crash of the car industry there.  It had a gritty, desperate feeling throughout when opportunities were few and people suddenly had to do without.  And just what would some people do to get money?  It was the perfect setup for groups such as Mary Kay, Amway, and the Wheel to come in and promise the world.  I liked the interaction between the sisters and Pam's daughter Vivian's storyline as well.  

6.25.2025 - All the Words We Know

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of All the Words We Know by Bruch Nash.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Rose is in her 80s, living in an assisted living facility, but she is still full of life.  She just can't always remember it.  When her friend is found dead after an apparent fall from a window, Rose is determined to uncover the truth.

Don't go into this thinking it's going to be a cozy mystery, because that's a small part of the book.  This is more a look at dementia from the inside, when someone just can't come up with the right word, so tries quite a few.  It will make you smile as Rose tries to understand the world around her, including her somewhat detached children and grandchildren.  She remembers love but not all the details.  As someone dealing with a parent with Alzheimer's, it seemed familiar in many ways, bringing some dignity to this illness, making the patient feel real and valued.  There were times when I was reading when I thought, Oh, I need to be mindful of saying things a certain way.  Creative and thoughtful.

6.25.2025 - Party of Liars

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the debut novel by Kelsey Cox.  The audiobook was fantastic because of the perfect narration by the full cast of Dan Bittner, Kate Handford, Pearl Hewitt, Saskia Maarleveld, and Suzy Jackson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars rounded up!

Today is Sophie Matthews’s sixteenth birthday party, an exclusive black-tie bash in the heart of the Texas Hill Country.  Sophie’s dad has spared no expense, and his renovated cliffside mansion—once thought haunted—is now hosting the event of the season. Then, just before the candles on the three-tiered red velvet cake are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the starlit dance floor below.

Bravo for a wonderful debut novel and fabulous audiobook production!  I was instantly intrigued by this story, told in different POV from Sophie’s mother, stepmother, her best friend, and the nanny for Sophie’s new stepsister, as well as in an 11-hour timeline of before, during, and after the party.  These women are all keeping secrets from each other and themselves, and none is a reliable narrator.  It’s a locked-room mystery that left me questioning so many and I never saw the ending coming.  There’s even a touch of superstition and folklore, as the house has the reputation of being haunted.  I can’t wait to read more from this author!

6.24.2025 - I'll Be Right Here

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Amy Bloom.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars!

In 1942 Gazala, seventeen, works for  Colette, a writer.  She immigrates alone from Paris to New York after WWII, and becomes friends with sisters Anne and Alma Cohen. Gazala’s adopted brother, Samir, later joins her and the two become lovers. These four characters become life long friends and a family to each other.

I have really liked all of the books by Amy Bloom that I have read, so I was very anxious to read her latest.  As expected, the writing was gorgeous but I struggled a bit to keep up with so many characters and many different timelines and locations.  At its heart, it's a beautiful story of found family and love in all forms.  There was a bit of a feeling though that there was a checklist nearby to include all forms that love may appear, which seemed a bit forced.  It was a short book, but felt longer because I struggled some.  It's getting good reviews, so be sure and read them as well.

6.24.2025 - The Homemade God

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | The Dial Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Rachel Joyce.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Famous artist Vic Kemp has relied on his four children since their mother died when they were young.  Netta, the oldest, is a lawyer and pseudo-parent to her siblings; Susan, married with two stepchildren who cooks and cleans for both her husband and father; Goose, a wanna-be artist who is relegated to working a menial job in Vic's studio; and Iris, the baby, who will do whatever Vic asks.  When Vic calls to announce he's getting remarried to a mysterious younger woman, Bella-Mae, things don't go well and he is soon found dead.  The siblings gather at the house on Lake Orta to figure out what happened.

This is a multi-layered family saga that is touching, emotional, and familiar to anyone with siblings.  It's a dysfunctional family, for sure, but I believe all families are dysfunctional in their own way.  It explores the notion that are parents are always right and we are always destined to fit neatly in the slots allotted to us in childhood.  It's a look at grief, in all its forms, and how we are always looking for answers when someone dies.  The writing is wonderful and atmospheric, and draws the reader in to another world, with characters that began to feel like family.

6.23.2025 - The Accidental Favorite

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the sophomore novel by Fran Littlewood, author of Amazing Grace Adams.  The audiobook was perfectly narrated by Fiona Button, especially when considering there were a lot of characters in this book!  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

 

Vivienne and Patrick Fisher have done an excellent job raising their three daughters, Alex, Nancy, and Eva. They’re well-adjusted women with impressive careers, caring partners, exciting hobbies, and sweet children.   The three generations gather at a beautiful glass rental home for a weeklong celebration of Vivienne’s 70^th birthday.  But when Patrick’s reaction to a freak accident on the first day of the trip inadvertently reveals that he has a favorite daughter, no one is prepared for the shockwaves it sends through the family.

This book really made me wish I had sisters (although I do have lots of sisters-in-law!) because these three women had such a complicated but unbreakable bond to each other.  I like books with a domestic/family theme, because it’s a good reminder that all families are messy in their own ways.  That was certainly the case here with everyone having secrets and issues.  I also liked the theme of family birth order and how that affects personalities.  This is definitely a character-driven story and I loved this look into the Fisher family.

6.22.2025 - Down to the Bone

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing | Citadel, and Tantor Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this true crime book by Caitlin Rother, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Christina Delaine.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

A Southern California family of four seemed to just disappear without a trace in 2010.  Everything at home looked normal with no signs of a crime, but the family was just gone.  Almost four years later, a motorcyclist found the McStays' remains in the desert, showing signs of murder.  A suspect was found, put on trial, and sentenced to death.  But is that the end of the story?

This was a very well-researched account of this crime, with questionable actions by the investigators, and a controversial trial.  The author did a great job of walking through the suspects, the crime scene and investigation, and trial.  It's such a sad story and leaves you questioning the system.  Pick this one up if you like a true crime mystery ripped out of the headlines.

6.22.2025 - Don't Let Him In

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Lisa Jewell.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

A very quick synopsis because you need to go into this one as blind as possible.  Nina and her two adult children, Ash and Arlo, are grieving the sudden death of her husband, Paddy.  Ash had been living back at home after a psychological breakdown and is having an especially difficult time when Nina takes up with a new man.  She has doubts about him right away, but can her doubts be trusted?

Lisa Jewell never fails to write a book that I have a hard time putting down, and this was definitely no exception.  Told in short chapters from multiple POVs (watch for the different font styles to keep people straight!), I was so involved with this story.  You'll be rooting for some characters, while despising others.  The plot just keeps getting more and more twisted until the end and I was on pins and needles.  Don't miss this one!

6.20.2025 - Free

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the new memoir by Amanda Knox.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Amanda Knox spent almost 4 years in prison and many more on trial for a murder she didn't commit.  Even when she was completely exonerated, she was still in a prison of a different kind - a tabloid story afraid to live her life.  This book looks into how she regained her life and her freedom, as well as a relationship she built with the man who sent her to prison.  It's a story of afterwards, and should bring hope to anyone trying to move past a life crisis of any kind.  I enjoyed hearing about her new family and life after the headlines.  

6.19.2025 - The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster | Gallery Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new historical fiction novel by Kristin Harmel.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars rounded up!

As a direct descendent of Robin Hood, Colette Marceau has been stealing jewels as long as she can remember, abiding by the code of honor to take only from the cruel and unkind and give to those in need.  Colette and her mother, Annabel, worked together in Paris to help fund the French Resistance.  But one night in 1942, Annabel was arrested by the Germans and Colette’s young sister disappeared, along with a diamond bracelet sewn into the hem of her nightgown. Seventy years later, Colette has done her best to move on, but when the long-missing bracelet turns up in a museum exhibit, she’s desperate to find out where it’s been and hopefully find answers about her sister.

Told in these two distinct timelines, this is another wonderful book by Harmel.  While the atrocities of WWII are on every page, the focus is on doing what’s right, a mystery, and the bonds of family.  While events may have unspooled a bit too perfectly, it takes nothing away from the beautiful story.  The descriptions of both the beautiful jewels and the stealing of them, was fascinating as well.  Be sure and read the author’s notes.

6.19.2025 - The Ghost Woods

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by C.J. Cooke.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

In the midst of the woods stands a house called Lichen Hall.  This place is shrouded in folklore—old stories of ghosts, of witches, of a child who was not quite a child.  Now the woods are creeping closer, and something has been unleashed.  Pearl Gorham arrives in 1965, one of a string of young women sent to Lichen Hall to give birth. And she soon suspects the proprietors are hiding something.  Then she meets the mysterious mother and young boy who live in the grounds—and together they begin to unpick the secrets of this place.  As the truth comes to the surface and the darkness moves in, Pearl must rethink everything she knew—and risk what she holds most dear.

This is the final book in a trilogy of gothic novels, although they are definitely all stand alones.  This one centered around Lichen House, a home for unwed mothers in Scotland, surrounded by woods.  It perfectly melds horror, the supernatural, and the all too real horrors that have occurred in places like this.  It looks at motherhood, both the joys and the shame and abuse that many have endured.  It’s creepy, tense, and the atmosphere is dark and feels alive.  Another great book by C.J. Cooke!

6.18.2025 - Murder Takes a Vacation

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of this charming story by Laura Lippman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Mrs. Blossom finds a winning lottery ticket that changes her life.  She books a cruise through France with a friend, but soon finds herself meeting handsome strangers and finding herself embroiled in a theft and murder plot.  

This was just lots of fun, owing mostly to Mrs. Blossom.  It's so lovely to read about a character who is older, but still is energetic and open to life and all it has to offer.  I honestly got a bit confused with the mystery part of this book, but that's minor because it was just a fun read.  Mrs. Blossom was a character in Lippman's popular Tess Monaghan series and she is certainly worthy of her own book and even - dare I wish? - her own series.  Be sure to read the author's note at the end.

6.17.2025 - Next to Heaven

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Authors Equity for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by James Frey.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

New Bethlehem, Connecticut is a picture perfect town where only the one percenters can live.  From the outside, they have it all.  But look a little closer, and everything is a mess.  It takes a key party - a swing party - carefully curated for a small group of couples to really stir things up.  And then there's a murder.

I'm going to get the controversy out of the way first - yes, James Frey has said he has used AI for research and maybe some of his writing.  While I'm not a proponent, I can't google something without AI giving me an answer, so I'm not sure how anyone can say they research without it.  And yes, James Frey's books are controversial but I've still enjoyed them all.  This one drew me in from the beginning.  There are not many likable characters and their behaviors are crude and atrocious, but it's written in a style that completely pulled me in to the story.  He gives us little bits and pieces about each of the characters' lives and actions, all barreling down to a conclusion that I loved.  

6.17.2025 - The Poppy Fields

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow and Harper Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful novel by Nikki Erlick, with the audiobook narrated by a fabulous cast.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

The Poppy Fields is a place of hope for battered hearts to heal.  In the CA desert, it's an experimental and controversial treatment center that allows those devastated by grief to sleep through the pain for a prolonged period of time.  But there are some side effects.  Four different strangers and a dog find themselves on a journey to the Poppy Fields for different reasons.

What a concept to ponder - in the woes of staggering grief, would we take the chance of alleviating some of that pain and waking up feeling healed and hopeful?  I really liked the way this book focused on these 4 different individuals, letting us in on their private grief paths and stories.  While a speculative fiction book, it felt real because all of us have experienced grief, and everyone processes loss in such vastly different ways.  Just as she did with her wonderful debut novel, The Measure, the author explores experiences and feelings that are very personal yet universal.  I alternated reading and listening to the audiobook, but the narration cast is spectacular and I felt more immersed in the story listening to individual voices.  Both are highly recommended - just like The Measure, this would be a great book club pick.

6.17.2025 - Someone Knows

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books | Emily Bestler Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new thriller by Vi Keeland.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

Elizabeth is a college English professor and enjoys her creative writing seminar.  Until she reads the first chapter of a story about a high school senior who has an affair with her teacher.  Elizabeth knows this story because she lived it.  Someone knows what Elizabeth did twenty years ago and is about to expose her, but just who is this mystery student?

 

This was lots of fun, even though the subject of abuse isn’t.  But it was a book-in-a-book format, as we periodically read chapters of the mystery student’s work that is way too familiar to Elizabeth.  There are plenty of suspects in this one, as well as a past that Elizabeth can’t escape.  There were a couple of shocking moments that I never saw coming – bravo!

 

6.16.2025 - Don't Open Your Eyes

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House | Ballantine | Bantam for gifting me a digital and physical copy of the latest thriller of the sister writing team known as Liv Constantine.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars rounded up!

Annabelle has everything she’s ever wanted. A devoted husband, two wonderful daughters, and a career she loves. But she keeps having terrible dreams that suddenly seem to materialize in real life.  Her present life soon becomes a nightmare of trying to keep herself and her family ahead of the trouble she sees.  Can she control the future?

I’m a big fan of the authors’ books, and this is the perfect summer thriller.  Told in different timelines and POV, I raced through this book, especially rooting for both Annabelle and her daughter, Scarlett.   Annabelle is haunted not only by her past but now also of the future.  The story was tense throughout, pulling from today’s headlines of the scary parts of social media.  Don’t miss this one!

6.16.2025 - Good Neighbors

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me an audio ARC of #5 of the Alibis Short Story Collection by Chad Zunker. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Kara is just trying to help out her neighbor, Mandy, who suspects her husband of having an affair.  So when she sees something suspicious, she goes over to investigate.  This was another good short story in this collection, and will definitely have you thinking that you should just mind your own business!

6.16.2025 - Small Things

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me an audio ARC of #6 of the Alibi Short Story Collection by Wanda M. Morris.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Hannah's only refuge from her life is her little shed in the yard where she makes jewelry.  But her husband resents every minute she spends there.  What's a girl to do?  I'm working my way through these short stories, and so far, this is my favorite!  Even in a short story, Morris is able to make you feel all the emotions.

6.15.2025 - Far and Away

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books | Emily Bestler Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Amy Poeppel.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Lucy lives in Dallas with her family, and her world is upended when her son makes a mistake that goes viral.  In Berlin, Greta's husband takes a dream job in Texas without even telling her.  She puts her flat online for a house swap, and the two women, complete strangers, make a deal.  But they get a lot more than they bargained for in the process!

This was such a fun and charming book!  It made me smile all the way through, as these two totally different women try to take back some control over their lives.  They each get plopped into a culture and home that they are totally unfamiliar with, and still try to keep their home and work lives going.  I loved both Lucy and Greta, but there is a cast of characters with sparkling personalities to fill out the book, and two completely different settings and experiences.  I laughed out loud more times than I can count - this is the perfect summer road trip book!

6.14.2025 - Death at the White Hart

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking | Pamela Dorman Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful novel by Chris Chibnall, creator of Broadchurch.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Detective Nicola Bridge moved back to Fleetcombe with her husband and son, to try and salvage their marriage.  Her new partner, Harry, is anxious to please and the match seems strong.  It needs to be because a man is found dead, tied to a chair in the middle of the road, with a stag's antlers on his head.  The dead man knew all the villager's secrets, so the suspect list is long.  

This was a wonderful, twisty novel and I had no clue who the perpetrator was and was completely shocked at the end.  But along the way, brace yourself for an intriguing mystery, set in a small town where everyone knows everyone, but there are still lots of secrets around.  It was atmospheric, and I loved the characters, especially Nicola and Harry, but there were plenty of other interesting folk.   It was dark, but not too dark, and the investigation kept me interested and guessing.  Would love for this to be a series!

6.14.2025 - His First Wife

 

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

Sophie fled to Sicily for an escape, wanting nothing more than a fresh start.  But then she meets Emilio, a professor working at the university where she has a summer job.  He seems perfect - too perfect?  What happened to his first wife, and is someone stalking her?  Just what has she gotten herself into?

I'm a big fan of Sue Watson's books.  She always comes up with a unique thriller that keeps me turning the pages, and I never quite figure things out completely.  This one had lots of interesting, though not always likable, characters, including her stalkerish friend/neighbor.  Everyone has secrets and you'll be wondering who you can trust until the last page.  The volcano storyline was apt, because you didn't know what was going to happen next!

6.12.2025 - Slow Burn Summer

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House | Ballantine | Dell for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest rom-com by Josie Silver.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Kate is a former soap opera actress whose life is falling apart.  She lands a job playing the part of a novelist for her former agent's son, Charlie, who has taken over for his dad.  The book is sure to be a hit, but the writer doesn't want to be known for writing a romance novel.  Kate gets to be the face of the book for interviews, social media, and signings - until things go wrong.  There's also sparks of romance between Kate and Charlie, but will the book come between them?

As you would expect from Josie Silver, this is a fun book that would be perfect for your summer reading list.  I liked the peek into the book publishing and promoting world, as well as the relationship between Kate and her sister.  Kate was a fun character, and her exploits will have you laughing along with her while also rooting for her.  Pack this in your beach bag!

6.13.2025 - Tell Them You Lied

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Laura Leffler.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Anna and Willow met at art school, and Willow quickly became the most important thing in Anna's world.  But 5 years later, both living in NYC, the cracks in their relationship have become too big to ignore.  A prank is supposed to send Willow running back to Anna, evening out the power between the two.  But that morning is 9/11 and Willow never returns home, leaving Anna to worry whether the prank went badly wrong.

This is a fascinating book, looking at a friendship that becomes fraught with envy and ambition, as well as how the art world views women.  Told from alternating timelines between their art school years and their lives in NYC, the story is told in both 1st and 3rd person format, which was interesting and pulled you into the current mystery a little bit deeper.  This book explores women's friendships at such a vulnerable time in their lives, when they are pulling away from home, wanting to be more, scared about the future, keeping secrets.  Add in the events of 9/11, with cell phones down and Willow missing, and it became a taut thriller with multiple twists.  Great debut and can't wait to read more from this author!

6.12.2025 - Kill Your Darlings

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Peter Swanson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Thom and Wendy Graves have been married for over twenty-five years. They live in a beautiful Victorian on the north shore of Massachusetts. Wendy is a published poet and Thom teaches English literature at a nearby university. Their son, Jason, is all grown up. All is well….except that Wendy wants to murder her husband.  What happens next has everything to do with what happened before. 

This was such a creative way to tell this story and I thought it was wonderful.  We begin in 2023 and work our way back to 1982, when Thom and Wendy were 14.  The reader is privy to the key moments in the couple's lives and that secret that they share.  This book makes you think, because each chapter backwards fills in more of the puzzle, all up to that final/beginning chapter.  I felt like I wanted to read it over again starting from the end to see if I missed anything, but bravo on such a creative twist!  

6.10.2025 - Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me a physical, audio and digital ARC of this debut adult mystery by Gillian French, with the audio perfectly narrated by Saskia Maarleveld.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Shaw Connelly is a fingerprint analyst, a mother, a devoted sister and daughter, semi-estranged from her husband.  But she's desperate to get answers to her sister's disappearance 16 years ago.  The not knowing has affected everyone in their family in different ways.  Shaw is also being taunted by Anders Jansen, who claims he has info about Thea's disappearance, but his stalking is becoming threatening.  

I really liked this family drama/mystery and its characters, especially Shaw and Gauthier, a young analyst Shaw is charged with mentoring.  These characters are not perfect nor do they make perfect decisions, but they felt real.  It's atmospheric and tense, as Anders seems to get closer and closer.  I thought the fingerprinting storyline was interesting as well.  But at heart, it's a story of grief and how differently people handle it, but especially the unfathomable grief that comes with a disappearance and no answers.  Looking forward to more from this author - this would be a great series!

6.10.2025 - King of Ashes

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest novel by the wonderful S.A. Crosby, narrated by the equal fabulous Adam Lazarre-White.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Eldest son Roman Carruthers returns home to Jefferson Run, VA, after his father is injured in a suspicious car accident.  Roman finds younger brother, Dante, in debt to dangerous criminals and his sister, Neveah, exhausted from running the family crematorium business.  Roman is a financial whiz and tries to buy his brother out of debt, but he realizes quickly that real gangsters don't play around.  The mystery of their mother's long-ago disappearance also continues to hang over the family.

Fabulous story and audiobook!  Once again, S.A. Crosby has written a dark, gritty thriller from which you won't be able to look away.  It's intense and beautifully written, and the narration just brings it all to life.  My heart was in my throat having a front row seat to this family drama that asks the question, What would you do for your family?  Full of characters that felt so scary real, the action is non-stop and I was shocked at the conclusion.  Highly recommended!

6.9.2025 - The Bachelorette Party

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Camilla Sten, with the audio wonderfully narrated by Laura Jennings.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Ten years ago, four friends meet every year on a secret remote island off the coast of Sweden.  One year, they disappeared.  Tessa has been consumed by the story of the missing four and even though she had a true crime podcast, could never figure out what happened to them.  Tessa's best friend, Anneliese, is getting married and they decide to have a bachelorette party on the island.  Tessa is determined to find out what happened to the women.

I love a locked room mystery and this book had two!  Told through dual timelines and multiple POV, this is a suspenseful read with plenty of twists and turns.  The remote island setting and lack of cellphones ramped up the tension until the very end.  None of the characters are extremely likable and they were almost interchangeable, but that didn't take away from the entertaining ride.  I did feel bad for Tessa and was rooting for her to solve the mystery of the missing women.  The audio narration was great and added to the enjoyment!

6.9.2025 - The Room on the Right

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Girl Friday Productions for gifting me a digital ARC of this memoir by Dr. Lawrence Mieczkowski.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

While on the surface, Dr. Mieczkowski was a successful physician and speaker, good father and husband, inside he was far from okay.  Then the Columbine shootings triggered something deep within, and he knew something needed to be done.  He sought out and began treatment for dealing with the abuse, neglect, and trauma he suffered as a young boy.

Such a tough story to read, but one that shows that there is help and hope on the other side of despair.  Reading such tales of abuse and neglect, as well as a family history of mental illness, will make you so very angry at his parents, and make you wonder how the doctor managed to get out of bed in the morning.  This is a good reminder that everyone has a story and we need to treat people accordingly.  Dr. Mieczkowski found the right person to listen to him and get him the help he needed, but he also had a very open heart towards his fellow family member survivors.  This story highlights that there is hope to be found in the darkest of places.

6.7.2025 - Her First Mistake

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Montlake and MB Communications for gifting me both a physical and digital ARC of the latest police procedural by a favorite, Kendra Elliott.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Thirteen years ago, Assemblyman Derrick Bell was murdered in his home by an intruder. His wife, Noelle Marshall, was left for dead. The crime was unsolved, but it wasn’t forgotten.  In the present, the FBI is taking a closer look at the case and especially at Noelle, now a detective for the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.  It's bringing up way too many bad memories for Noelle, who has been hiding something about the night Derrick died.

If you're a fan of Elliot's books like I am, you'll recognize some of these characters from previous books, but this is the first book in a new series starring Detective Noelle Marshall.  Elliot is a master of this genre and this was a tense, gripping novel that left me guessing until that shocking ending.  The story spools out between the past and present timeframes so we get Noelle's backstory before her marriage to Derrick and afterwards, as well as learning about her family.  Plus there are new characters that I can't wait to read more about in the next installment, No One Knew, which will come out next year.  Highly recommended!

6.6.2025 - Jill is Not Happy

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penzler Publishing | Scarlett, Highbridge Audio , and MB Communications for gifting me a physical, digital and audiobook of the latest psychological thriller by a favorite, Kaira Rouda, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Marnye Young.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Jack and Jill seem to be the perfect couple - childhood sweethearts with a daughter just off to college.  But Jill decides that a road trip would be the perfect way for them to reconnect.  Jack may have other ideas.

Ooh boy, this is just a wickedly fun read - a cat-and-mouse adventure into a couple that is staying together for all the wrong reasons.  There are some deep dark secrets preventing them from separating, and watch out when Jill is not happy!  Kaira Rouda wrote one of my all-time favorite books, Best Day Ever, along with its sequels, so trust me when I say that she has this dark humor, twisted storyline down to an art.  Go into it blindly and enjoy all of the craziness inside!  The audiobook was wonderful and I couldn't stop listening!

6.5.2025 - What Kind of Paradise

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of Janelle Brown's latest, and do I dare say, best, novel.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Jane grew up with her father in an isolated cabin in Montana in the mid-1990s.  She knows nothing of the outside world, is homeschooled by reading complex philosophy books, and has been trained to believe that technology is bad.  As she grows older, she begs to accompany her father when he takes occasional trips away from the cabin.  One such trip ends in disaster, and causes Jane to face unimaginable decisions.

This was a fantastic book.  I really enjoyed the settings - from the isolated cabin to the beginnings of the tech world in San Francisco.  It was so intriguing to look back on those early internet days and see how opinions varied about its value and effects on society..  Not too much different from today, with some of those worries coming true with the expansion of AI into our world.  But at heart, it's all about Jane.  Growing up kept away from anything worldly, with only her father's viewpoints, only to be thrust into a world where she understands nothing.  This is a beautifully-written, perfectly plotted book that will have you thinking about it long after you close it.  Be sure to read the author's note at the end as well.  Highly recommended!

6.4.2025 - Fifty Fifty

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Steve Cavanagh, part of the Eddie Flynn series.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Two sisters are on trial for the murder of their father.  They both call 911 and accuse each other.  One of them is a liar and a killer.  But which one?

Wow!  I'm a huge fan of Eddie Flynn, con man turned defense attorney, and have loved all the books I've read, even though I'm reading them out of order.  No matter - each can stand on its own, and this one will truly blow you away.  It was so creatively written.  We hear from both defense attorneys - Eddie and Kate - as well as from "she," one of the sisters.  This is a fabulous legal thriller, psychological thriller, and drama all rolled into one fabulous book.  Just like the title states, I flip flopped constantly as to who was the guilty party, and loved the way it all played out.  Kate is a fabulous new character and I'm anxious to learn more about her in future books.  

6.4.2025 - A Family Matter

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster | Scribner for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful debut novel by Claire Lynch, this month's Read With Jenna Book Club pick.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

In 1982, Dawn is married to Heron and mother to young Maggie, when she met Hazel and her world lit up.  Forty years later, Heron received news from his doctor that he knows he needs to share with Maggie, along with the other secret he's been keeping.

I loved the simple, powerful way this story was told and I was equally engaged in both timelines.  The world was different in 1982, when the courts and public opinion were not favorable to lesbian mothers.  This book explores the issues of motherhood, love and loss, and a hopeful look at moving forward from past trauma.  The writing was sparse, beautiful, poignant, and really delves into these characters.  I can't wait to read more from this author - a wonderful debut!

6.3.2025 - See How They Fall

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishing | Scarlett Suspense for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut thriller by Rachel Paris.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

A wealthy Sydney family gathers for Easter at their compound.  But soon one of the family members will be dead and another left fighting for her life.  Sergeant Mei O’Connor is assigned to investigate the incident and has to fight with her superiors when they want it brought to a quick close.

Go into this one as blind as possible to fully appreciate all the twists and turns.  I loved both the strong female main characters and their passion and diligence in doing the right things.  There are lots of secrets here, along with gaslighting and deceit, and you won't know who you can trust, and an ending that will truly shock and surprise you.  I thought the writing and pacing were perfect, the tension and suspense palpable.  Fabulous debut - can't wait to read more from this author!

6.3.2025 - False Note

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me an audio ARC of this short story, part of the Alibis Collection, by David Lagercrantz, narrated by Graham Halstead.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

William has a very toxic relationship with his father, a beloved opera singer.  He knows all his dark secrets and has kept his distance.  But when a new woman in his life wants to meet his father, he introduces the two of them.  

Whew - this was dark and neither character is likable.  But it's creepy and works well as a short story.  This is #3 in the collection and the first that I have listened to.  The narration was wonderful and added to the creep factor.

6.3.2025 - We Don't Talk About Carol

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House | Ballantine | Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful debut novel by Kristen L. Berry.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

When Sydney is helping to clean out her grandmother's house after her death, she finds a hidden photograph of a little girl who looks just like Sydney.  She soon learns that the girl is her aunt, Carol, who was one of six local North Carolina Black girls to go missing in the 1960s.  No one since then has talked about Carol.   Trying to start a family of her own, Sydney becomes determined to learn the truth of her aunt and the other missing girls.

This is a wonderful debut, combining a mystery and family saga.  We get glimpses of the past through a found diary, and through Sydney's dogged investigations.  This book delves into Sydney's personal issues with fertility and her indecision about motherhood that's causing issues in her marriage.  Of course, this book once again highlights the sad fact that missing Black women/girls do not garner the same press or interest from the police/public as young white females.  This story pulled me in from the very beginning and it was a wonderful journey.  Looking forward to more from this author!  Such a beautiful cover too.

6.1.2025 - The Expat Affair

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row, and Harlequin Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by Kimberly Belle, with the audio perfectly narrated by the duo of Jennifer Jill Araya and Marni Penning.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Rayna left her small town home in Louisiana for a fresh start after a nasty divorce, landing in Amsterdam.  When she accepts a Tinder date with the handsome and successful Xander, she never expected to wake up the next morning to find him dead on the shower floor and millions of dollars' worth of diamonds missing.  Willow is married to the heir to a diamond house who also happened to be Xander's boss.  The news shocks her and strains their already troubled marriage.  Soon both of these women are dragged into the dangerous world of the diamond market.

Once again, Kimberly Belle has created a fast-paced thriller, where the lives of these two expat women become entwined.  Told from their alternating POV, with family dysfunction and drama from beginning to end, and plenty of unsavory characters.  I enjoyed the Amsterdam setting as well as a peek into the diamond world - both were fascinating.  There are plenty of twists and turns and I especially enjoyed the ending.

6.1.2025 - The Ghostwriter

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Julie Clark.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont hasn't told anyone the truth about her past - that she is the only child of horror author Vincent Taylor, who was also the prime suspect in the brutal slaying of his siblings when they were all teenagers.  Desperate for money, Olivia agrees to ghostwriter her father's last book, but she'll have to deal with her past in order to do so.

Julie Clark knocked it out of the park yet again.  This was a fast-paced, multi-layered mystery that also explored the concept of memory.  Olivia's father tells his version of the events that occurred in 1975, but he is suffering from a form of dementia, so it's difficult for Olivia to discern the truth.  She's also under contract not to talk to other people to get their versions of the truth.  The story goes back in the past so that the reader hears about the events from multiple points of view as well.  This is a book filled with family secrets, both past and present, and a mystery waiting to be solved.  I couldn't put it down.

5.31.2025 - What Every Mother Needs

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest psychological thriller by Emily Shiner and including me on the book tour!  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Charlotte is alone with baby Jordan after her husband, Lawrence, died.  She's struggling on her own, so when Sophie shows up at her door saying she's Lawrence's sister and there to help, Charlotte is so grateful.  But then Charlotte finds Sophie going through her things and is worried about what she will find.  She wants her out of the house.  But Sophie is not going to go easily without getting what she came for..

Told from the POV of both Charlotte and Sophie, this book will have your head spinning, wondering which unreliable narrator you can trust!  We also hear from a third narrator, Her, giving us background information about Lawrence.  And Lawrence's behavior will definitely have you thinking that it's a good thing he's dead.  You may think you'll know what's going to happen in this one, but you'll be surprised at all the twists and turns.  As always, Emily Shiner has written a gripping, tense thriller!

5.30.2025 - Mansion Beach

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Meg Mitchell Moore.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

It's summer on Block Island, Rhode Island, and things are heating up.  Nicola is looking for a fresh start and some rest at her cousin David's cottage, but the parties happening next door pull her in.  That home belongs to Juliana, an entrepreneur with a mysterious past who is preparing for a major IPO.  But she's also hoping to rekindle a flame with a many who has connections to Nicola.  Taylor is David's wife; she has everything she planned for and won't let anyone take it away.  Then there's a dead body.

This is being touted as a take on The Great Gatsby, but although I'm sure I read that in high school, I don't remember enough of it to speak on that.  I had a bit of trouble figuring out the time switches as we learned about the characters’ pasts, but as soon as I got started in the chapter, it was easy to figure out.  This is a good book to escape into, a character study of classism, and how our secrets threaten us and hold us back.  None of the characters are extremely likable, but it's filled with scandals and messiness - just what you want for a summer beach read!

5.29.2025 - A Dead Draw

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest in the Tracy Crosswhite series by one of my favorite authors, Robert Dugoni.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Detective Tracy Crosswhite doesn't typically lose her cool.  But when an interrogation of a suspect in two cold cases, Erik Schmidt, shows that he has ties to the person who murdered Tracy's sister, memories start overwhelming her.  When she makes a critical mistake during a shooting exercise, she is forced to take some time off.  She heads to her hometown weekend house to regroup with her husband, daughter and their nanny.  But a legal glitch has set Schmidt free and he's on Tracy's tail.

I would read Robert Dugoni's shopping list if available - he can write any genre and I love all his books.  But this series has a special place in my heart - it's like connecting with old friends and memory slots me right back into the story and characters.  As always, this book is a tense, gripping, cat-and-mouse police procedural and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.  We are also introduced to a new character, Lydia, and I hope we hear more of her in future books.  As always with Dugoni's books, this is highly recommended.  

5.28.2025 - Whispers of Dead Girls

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this atmospheric thriller by Marlee Bush.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Ren Taylor is a new teacher at her old high school.  Ren is still haunted by the death of her teenage sister and the resulting scandal.  Ren meets physics teacher Bryson Lewis and is enchanted along with the rest of the staff, until she starts getting suspicious of him and a close relationship he has with a student.  Is history about to repeat itself?

This is a dark, twisty thriller that will have you questioning everyone.  Even Ren's murdered sister is a character, as Ren sees her everywhere and can't let the past lie.  The premise is frightening and familiar, with young women vulnerable and men potentially dangerous.  There's a strong need for justice and revenge over anything else.  It's a bit of a slow burn as the characters develop, but hold on because the twists are coming!  

5.28.2025 - It's a Love Story

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Annabel Monaghan.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Jane Jackson was a former teen TV character, but the experience left her scarred and feeling not worthy of love.  Twenty years later, she's desperate to get a movie made that she truly believes in, and just maybe someone from her old cast can help her.  But to make that happen, she has to turn to Dan Finnegan, the last person she wants to owe, for help.  

Because this book was written by Annabel Monaghan, you already know you're going to love it, and you will really love it!  Jane has let her past color all her future hopes of love as well as a good relationship with her mom.  Seeing Dan's big, loud family just amplifies what she doesn't have or feel worthy of.  You'll be rooting for and loving all of these characters, including the secondary ones (Dan's dad - swoon!).  Full of emotion as well as life lessons that had me alternately laughing out loud and in tears.  Be sure and add this one to your summer reading list.  

5.27.2025 - So Happy Together

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wild thriller by Olivia Worley, with the audiobook narrated by Michelle H. Lee.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Jane has only had 6 dates with Colin, but that's enough to know that he's the one.  So when he dumps her and starts dating Zoe, Jane is sure she can convince him that they belong together, even though Jane actually begins to like Zoe.  But when Jane breaks into Colin's apartment, she discovers something that will change all their lives.

Welcome to crazy town - the good kind of crazy - when nothing is as it seems, which is what makes this story fun.  So suspend real life and delve into this one as blind as possible, because the twists and turns keep coming.  A story of NYC ambition, obsession, with unreliable narrators.  The audiobook narration was great - plus that cover!

5.27.2025 - The Martha Vineyard's Beach and Book Club

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group | Ballantine Books | Megan Beatie Books for gifting me a physical and digital ARC of the latest historical fiction novel by a favorite, Martha Hall Kelly.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In 1942, the Smith girls - aspiring writer Cadence and younger sister Briar - are trying to keep their family farm together during WWII as the US Army arrives on Martha's Vineyard.  Their older brother, Tom, has gone off to war and their grandmother is in failing health.  To keep things normal, Cadence and her best friend, Bess, start a book club that catches the attention of a NY publisher.  But when a man washes ashore, their lives become filled with danger.  

Martha Hall Kelly has done it again - made a gripping novel about true events that happened on Martha's Vineyard.  Along with glimpses of the mystery continuing into 2016, we learn of the events during the war that shaped a family and an island.  While there are hints at romance and mystery, this book centers on the strong women who do what they think is right, especially when that involves making hard choices.  I like how the story played out, with characters in 2016 shining light onto what happened in the past and how it will affect the future.  It's also a story of the power of books.  Be sure and read the fascinating author's note at the end to see how much of this story is based in reality.  Love the beautiful cover too - highly recommended!

5.26.2025 - The Other Side of Now

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful book, written and narrated by Paige Harbison.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Meg Bryan has everything she has ever wanted - a leading role on a hit TV show, a relationship with a movie star, and plenty of money.  But she feels as fake as her stage name, Lana Lord.  After a breakdown at her 30th birthday party, she books a trip to a quaint Ireland village where she and her best friend Aimee always dreamed about living, a dream that dissolved when an accident claimed Aimee's life.  When Meg arrives, everyone treats her as a friend.  And when she looks in the mirror, she no longer sees the Hollywood version of herself but her real self.  Just what is happening?

I thought this book was absolutely charming and the author's narration (something I usually don't like) was spot on, including all the Irish accents.  This book had me feeling so much for the characters and I didn't want the story to end.  The descriptions of Avalon, the Irish village, felt so homey and comfy that I just wanted to stay in those moments.  While there was magical realism involved, nothing ever felt hokey or contrived; it was just a glimpse into another life.  It was also a good commentary on the ideals that women in Hollywood must attain, and it was so refreshing to see the other side of that.  This is a wonderful book about friendship, loss, grabbing onto that brass ring of life.  Highly recommended!

5.26.2025 - By the Time You Read This

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest in the Raisa Susanto series by Brianna Labuskes.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto thinks she’s through with the past now that her psychopathic serial killer sister, Isabel, is locked away forever. Then Raisa receives a letter from Isabel. It’s just a single message: By the time you read this, I’ll be dead.  Then Isabel is found dead in her cell.  Soon, Raisa and FBI forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny are back investigating who killed her and why, as well as finding her possible protege before someone else dies.

I have been a huge fan of this series.  While you could read this one as a stand-alone, don't - go back and enjoy the series because it's worth it. The story is wrapped up nicely with this book, but hope springs eternal that we haven't heard the last of Raisa and Callum!  Do pay close attention to the time periods stated before each chapter to alleviate confusion - but it’s such a great way to tell this story.  It's a fascinating look at forensic linguistics - something I had never heard about until this series.  Plus, there's the whole topic of nature vs nurture among the three sisters.  This is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you intrigued and guessing until the end.

5.25.2025 - Burned Bridges

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Recorded Books Media for gifting me an audio ARC of this first in a new series by John Gilstrap, perfectly narrated by Natalia Payne.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Former FBI Director Irene Rivers was anxious to get away from DC politics and settle into a quiet life in a small town in West Viriginia with her kids.  But when a dead body is found on her property, evidence points to murder and a cover up.  Soon the family is the target of threats and intimidation.  

 This was a new-to-me author, but I was looking for an audiobook and this was available to listen before its release date.  And I'm so glad that I picked it, because I was soon completely immersed in this gritty, West Virginia small town story.  It's action packed and thrilling, and it's going to make a great series.  Irene was such a strong woman main character, but the secondary characters, including her kids, were fleshed out and realistic.  Sign me up for the next in this series - I can't wait!

5.24.2025 - Murder in the Dollhouse

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this true crime story by Rich Cohen, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Edoardo Ballerini.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Everyone is probably at least vaguely familiar with the Jennifer Dulos story - it's been well publicized.  A wealthy suburban mother drops off her kids at school and has never been seen again.  In the midst of an ugly divorce from her husband, this is a gripping story that became national news.

This book covered the backstory of Jennifer, including the author's connection to her circle, as well as her marriage and murder, and the court case.  It's a story we're all familiar with, not only with Jennifer, but with countless women.  The fact that Jennifer was wealthy and beautiful, living what seemed to be a dream life, certainly thrust it into the headlines, but it's a case as old as time.  What struck me is that for all the protections her family sought to give her when she was young, they did nothing to prepare her for a real life monster she would invite into her world.  My heart goes out to her children.  Good read/listen for true crime fans.