12.31.2025 - Twice

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by an old favorite, Mitch Albom.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

When he is eight years old, Alfie discovers that he has a special power that both his mother and grandmother also shared.  This power allows him to get a second chance at anything that happens in his life by simply saying "twice."  He uses it to correct all those awkward teenage moments and as a "Groundhog Day" way to learn about people and make interactions better or different.  This power has one caveat - his true love can only love him once, and his mother and grandmother warned him to be careful.

It's been a minute since I read a Mitch Albom book, but this one was one of my favorites.  It's a sweet look at something we have all wished for at one time or another - being able to have a do over.  The story plays out in a usual way - Alfie has kept composition notebooks of all his do overs, and they are being read by a detective as Alfie is accused of a crime.  This book definitely will make you think about the important things in life; it's not repeating the same mistakes until we get them perfect.  Rather, it's learning from our mistakes, embracing them, and doing better.  Wise words to end this year.

12.29.2025 - The Castaways

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic | Atlantic Crime for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful thriller by Lucy Clarke.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Two years ago, a small plane disappeared over Fiji.  Erin has been obsessed ever since because her sister, Lori, was on the plane. They were supposed to go on the trip together, but the sisters had an argument the night before and Erin didn't show up to board.  Then the pilot of the missing plane shows up, still in Fiji, with no memory of the crash.  Erin is determined for answers and travels to Fiji to investigate.  

This book is the definition of a page-turner thriller.  Told between the POVs of both Lori (then) and Erin (now), I was on pins and needles at the end of each chapter to see how things were going to play out.  Lori's chapters start right before she boards the plane.  In the present, Erin has put her life on hold, full of grief and guilt, and desperate for answers.  It's atmospheric, tense, gripping, twisty, and completely satisfying at the end.  A must read but maybe don't read it on a plane!

12.27.2025 - Life as Planned

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK | Lake Union Publishing, and Brilliance Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by Amanda Prowse, with the audiobook narrated by the author.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

 

The trajectory of the lives of identical twins Remy and Ashleigh with one childhood decision.  It’s an act of love, but one that will affect their lives for decades.  As the years go by, their lives take very different paths.  Ashleigh has a big career, the perfect house and family, but things may be different between the scenes.  Remy stays close to home, very happy with her more simple life, but weighed down with the expectations others had for her.  Can they find their way back together?

 

Amanda Prowse has the gift of writing relatable characters and situations in her family dramas.  I really liked how this book played out – it followed the twins by decade, showing the changes in their lives and of those around them.  This one will make you think about those small decisions we make that have the potential to be life altering.  You’ll also think about the power of forgiveness and of the bonds of family, especially twins.  The author did a wonderful job of narrating the audiobook as well.

12.26.2025 - Pam Kowolski is a Monster

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and RDS Publishing | Raw Dog Screaming Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this short story by Sarah Langan.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Janet Chow didn't have a positive experience in high school, and her college journalism plans were thwarted by a bad recommendation.  Over two decades later, she's stuck.  Then she sees her high school enemy on TV - Pam Kowolski - and she's a very successful online psychic.  How did this happen?  Janet knows she is lying about her powers and sets out to write an expose.  But she'll have to go deep into her past, and that's scary indeed.

This was a wild book and I was there for all of it!  As soon as I saw that cover and title, I knew I had to read it   I've loved Langan's last two books and this was no exception, although it's quite different.  But she still excels at delving into the human personality.  This book centered on past trauma and how it shapes our memories and lives, as well as friendship.  It was full of dark, snarky humor, which I always like, but heart too.  

12.25.2025 - What If It's You?

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

Laurel finds a ring in her boyfriend Ollie's sock drawer and instead of being thrilled, she's terrified and left wondering what if.  Specifically, what if she acted upon her work crush Drew's offer of a date right after her and Ollie started dating?  That thought becomes reality when she tests a new alternate reality project at her work.  When it actually works, Laurel finds herself waking up into her life with Drew.  Then she continues to slip back and forth between realities.

This was an interesting mix of romance, sci fi, time travel, and magical realism.  It's kind of heavy on the possible physics involved so you have to suspend reality a bit, but what I really liked was the character development.  We've all thought about other paths we could have taken in life, leaving us wondering what that life would look like.  But what if it's not the actual life that changes, but us?  We get to see Laurel grow and become more self-aware.  Lots of things to think about.  While romance isn't always my top reading genre, I always enjoy Gagnon's books.

12.22.2025 - The Burning Side

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read an early copy of the sophomore book by Sarah Damoff, author of The Bright Years, one of my top reads for 2025.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 bright stars (can I give it more?).

Young parents April and Leo are at a crossroads in their marriage when their house catches on fire.  They take refuge with April's parents, Deb and Billy, who are going through a crisis of their own, as Billy has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's.  

I typically try to review books close to their publication date.  But when I was approved for an advanced copy of this book, I just couldn't resist starting it since I loved her debut so much.  And trust me when I say that this one is even better.  I am not a crier, but I found myself in tears throughout this book, as well as highlighting so many passages that just touched my soul.  While I'm personally dealing with a mother with Alzheimer's, this book will touch everyone because it deals with human issues and emotions.  Told from multiple POVs with flashbacks to how these relationships started, so many themes are dealt with in such quiet ways, focusing on family and all that is required to stay in a loving, healthy, long marriage.  I loved both these couples and especially felt for Deb.  I finished this book, cried, and wanted to read it again.  This is an absolute must read - preorder it, do whatever you have to in order to get it in your hands as soon as possible.  Bravo!

12.20.2025 - The List of Suspicious Things

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Tantor Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this debut novel by Jennie Godfrey, narrated by the cast of Joanne Froggatt; Mark Noble; Asif Khan; Gemma Whelan; and Simon Harvey.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Set in the time when the Yorkshire Ripper was at large, 11-year-old Miv is struggling.  Her mom is sick and her aunt has moved in to help.  Her dad is talking about moving.  Everyone is scared.  Miv is best friends with Sharon, and she just can't fathom moving.  She thinks if she is able to solve the case of the disappearing women, just maybe they could stay put.  Miv and Sharon make a list of all the suspicious people and things in their community and begin investigating.

This was a fabulous book - a mix of coming-of-age, thriller, mystery, history, but most of all, friendship.  It brings back thoughts of Nancy Drew, as these young girls see their neighborhood people and happenings with such innocence.  The audiobook production was fabulous, because the story is told by Miv's voice in first person, and through others in third person, so the cast narration was perfection.  But it's not a fluffy tale as themes of racism, abuse, bullying, and mental health figure prominently.  The pace was perfect and I never guessed that ending.  Bravo for a fabulous debut!