A breathtakingly beautiful second chance romance that completely stole my heart! The Summers Between Us is a tender, emotional, and gorgeously writtenA breathtakingly beautiful second chance romance that completely stole my heart! The Summers Between Us is a tender, emotional, and gorgeously written story about love, identity, cultural expectations, and finding your way back to the parts of yourself you thought were lost.
From the first chapter, I was completely immersed in Lia’s world. She’s the definition of the “perfect daughter”—successful, polished, following all the rules laid out by her immigrant parents. But when she’s drawn back to her family’s summer cottage on Pike Bay, she also returns to the memories, heartbreak, and unresolved feelings tied to her first love, Wes. The way the past and present unfold side by side is masterfully done. I found myself eagerly flipping pages, needing to know what tore them apart years ago and whether they could rebuild something from the ashes now.
The chemistry between Lia and Wes is undeniable—soft, aching, and deeply genuine. Their emotional connection felt so raw and real, and I was rooting for them with every ounce of my heart. I also appreciated how their individual growth was handled. Lia’s internal struggle—between who she was expected to be and who she wants to become—resonated so deeply, especially as she reevaluates her career, her family obligations, and her definition of happiness.
Noreen Naji’s prose is rich and lyrical, painting the lakeside setting with such care that Pike Bay becomes a character in itself. The slow-burn storytelling, dual timelines, and exploration of cultural identity and emotional healing made this story feel incredibly grounded and relatable. It’s not just about romantic love—it’s about self-love, forgiveness, and reclaiming your voice.
If you're a fan of emotional second chance romances, friends-to-lovers tropes, and soul-deep character journeys set against a dreamy, nostalgic backdrop, this book is absolutely for you. I laughed, I teared up, and I finished it with a full heart.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada (Adult) | Random House Canada for sharing this sweet, heartwarming romance’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions. This is a summer read you won’t forget!
I think Playing Nice absolutely earns a place on the throne as my favorite Rachel Harrison book to date! Maybe it’s my lifelong obsession with hauntedI think Playing Nice absolutely earns a place on the throne as my favorite Rachel Harrison book to date! Maybe it’s my lifelong obsession with haunted house stories, demons, and all things paranormal—an obsession probably sparked (or scarred) by The Exorcist ruining my childhood in the best possible way. Or maybe it’s my soft spot for dark, dysfunctional family dramas, where the real horrors lie in the emotional wounds, bottled resentments, and the silence that festers between relatives over time. Either way, this book checked every box for me.
At 25, Clio (Cici) Louise Barnes is living a carefree, self-indulgent life in New York as a fashion influencer, funded generously by her father's wealth. But her carefully curated world gets turned upside down when she learns that her estranged mother, Alex—a woman long believed to be mentally unstable—has died of a heart attack in their childhood home. This isn’t just any home, though. It’s the infamous “haunted house� their mother always insisted was possessed by a demon targeting her and her daughters.
Clio returns to her small hometown for the funeral, only to find herself pulled back into a past filled with unresolved trauma and painful family history. Her two older sisters, Leda and Dafty, still hold deep resentment toward their mother, recalling her alcoholism, erratic behavior, and one particularly terrifying incident where she chased a young Clio with a knife—an event eerily reminiscent of The Shining. After losing custody of her children, Alex spiraled further, aligning herself with a cultish demonologist named Roy and publishing a tell-all memoir about the haunted house that all three daughters swore they’d never read.
Despite the sisters� vow to stay far away from their mother’s delusions, Clio is intrigued when she learns the house has been left to them. Sensing an opportunity, she decides to renovate it and document the process for her social media followers—maybe even flip it for a profit. But as she settles into the house, strange things begin to happen. She discovers marked-up versions of her mother’s book with notes eerily specific to Clio’s past. Smiley faces begin appearing in unsettling places—on walls, in notes left behind—and a creeping suspicion takes root: what if her mother wasn’t delusional after all? What if the true story was buried beneath her father’s carefully curated version of events?
As Clio digs deeper into the mysteries of the house and her own past, she begins to question her sanity. The lines between reality and the supernatural blur, and she realizes that in order to confront whatever entity may be haunting the house, she must first face the demons she’s been avoiding all her life.
I was especially blown away by the final act—it’s packed with psychological tension and full-on horror that had me literally flinching from the page. The relationship dynamics between the sisters felt painfully real, layered with old wounds, jealousy, and unspoken loyalty. Clio is a complicated protagonist—often unlikable but completely compelling—and her emotional unraveling was written with such nuance. Dafty plays the diplomatic middle child, while Leda is the sharp-edged, brittle eldest who pulls no punches. And can we take a moment to appreciate Austin? The cinnamon-roll side character you just want to hug for putting up with this chaotic trio!
This book was a wild, twisty, emotionally gutting ride, and I devoured it in one sitting. It’s eerie, emotionally charged, and beautifully written—a perfect blend of paranormal suspense and psychological drama.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the digital reviewer copy of this brilliant thriller in exchange for my honest thoughts!
If you love haunted house mysteries, family trauma, and slow-burning dread that explodes into jaw-dropping horror, Playing Nice needs to be at the top of your TBR.
I’ve read previous works by Tiffany D. Jackson and I’m always excited to dive into anything she writes—even if I’m older than the target age group, heI’ve read previous works by Tiffany D. Jackson and I’m always excited to dive into anything she writes—even if I’m older than the target age group, her storytelling never fails to hook me. With The House Before Last, she brings her signature brilliance to middle grade in a way that’s equal parts sharp, suspenseful, and heart-filled.
This gripping mystery drops Brooklyn native Kaylani into the pristine, privileged world of Martha’s Vineyard, where a summer that was supposed to offer rest and fun takes a dark and dangerous turn. A local teen dies under mysterious circumstances—was it an accident, or something far more sinister? As Kaylani searches for answers, she uncovers layers of secrets that shake everything she thought she knew about the people around her—and even herself.
Kaylani is a standout protagonist: intelligent, observant, and determined, with a fierce moral compass and an unwavering loyalty to her father, who’s incarcerated for a crime she believes he didn’t commit. Her curiosity and courage make her impossible not to root for, and watching her navigate a world so different from her own—wealthy, entitled, and filled with judgment—is compelling from start to finish.
Even though this book is geared toward a younger audience, I found the writing style, the clever pacing, and the emotional depth incredibly engaging. Jackson masterfully balances real-world issues like class, incarceration, and identity with fast-paced mystery, all wrapped in an atmospheric island setting that feels vivid and alive.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for sharing this thrilling, heart-pounding digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions. If you love layered mysteries, bold heroines, and a summer story with real stakes—don’t miss this one!
Under the pen name Holly James, I’ve already read three of this author’s books—and enjoyed every single one! In fact, she even references the plot of Under the pen name Holly James, I’ve already read three of this author’s books—and enjoyed every single one! In fact, she even references the plot of Name Your Price as the reality show Emmy watches at home, which made me smile. She’s an auto-approve author for me, and this book had all my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, workplace romance, forced proximity, You’ve Got Mail vibes, witty dialogue, undeniable chemistry between Gabe and Emmy, and a refreshing twist with a female sports statistician in a male-dominated field. It’s a formula I absolutely devoured!
It all kicks off when Emmy Jameson receives a random text: “Last night was fun!� Assuming it’s from her useless landlord, she responds—only to discover the guy on the other end was actually ghosted with a fake number by his date. But instead of ending the conversation, Emmy keeps texting him. He’s funny, sweet, and adorably awkward. They quickly form a quirky rapport—she jokingly saves his number as “Axe Murderer,� and he calls her “Bird Girl.�
Meanwhile, Emmy’s struggling to keep her cool at work with her arch nemesis, Gabe Olson—a charismatic ex–baseball player and fellow sports statistician. He constantly seems to get credit for Emmy’s hard-earned successes and is her main competition for a big promotion. Emmy knows he can play dirty, and in their male-dominated field, she’s determined to fight tooth and nail for what she deserves—without letting him intimidate her.
As pressure mounts to bring a plus-one to her sister’s upcoming wedding—and with the added sting of her ex attending with his new girlfriend—Emmy makes a bold move. She asks her mystery texter (a.k.a. “Axe Murderer�) to be her date. He’s the unexpected bright spot in her days, and she likes him more than she anticipated. But when she finally agrees to meet him in person� surprise! Her texting buddy turns out to be none other than Gabe. All the signs were there—they just both missed them. But hey, desperate times call for desperate measures. Emmy can’t show up solo to her sister’s big day, and what happens in Mexico stays in Mexico, right?
Well� maybe not. And maybe—just maybe—her arch nemesis might be the one guy she shouldn’t let slip away.
Overall: This is a sweet, entertaining, heartwarming romcom that I wholeheartedly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for sharing a digital review copy of this gem with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Well, let me kick this off with a little confession: I didn’t exactly fall in love with Phantasma. In fact, I struggled with it and found myself hesitWell, let me kick this off with a little confession: I didn’t exactly fall in love with Phantasma. In fact, I struggled with it and found myself hesitating to dive into the second book of the Wicked Games series. I kept wondering—does this sequel really deserve all the hype? But then, one of my guilty pleasures came to mind: Ready or Not—especially that iconic line: “� Jesus Christ, what happened to you? � In-laws!� That movie is pure gold, and the pitch “Ready or Not meets Throne of the Fallen� felt like a siren song I simply couldn’t resist. Add in the fact that purple is my absolute favorite color (and that cover? Drop-dead gorgeous!), I thought: “What have you got to lose?�
And wow—was I glad I gave it a chance! This book completely exceeded my expectations. It delivered all my favorite tropes in one go: enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, a marriage of inconvenience, and yes—my beloved locked room mystery vibes. Oh, and let’s talk about the chemistry. Rowin and Genevieve brought the heat—so much steam, the pages practically fogged up! I’m a sucker for spice, and this one had enough to make you sweat, gasp, and maybe fan yourself a little. ...more
Oh boy! Can we all agree that this book’s cover deserves to be framed and hung on our walls? It's absolutely stunning—so mesmerizing that you’ll want Oh boy! Can we all agree that this book’s cover deserves to be framed and hung on our walls? It's absolutely stunning—so mesmerizing that you’ll want to pause your screen time just to stare at it. Gorgeous doesn’t even begin to cover it!
Now let’s talk about what’s inside—and wow, what a deliciously dark, twisty ride! With its captivating blend of dark academia, murder mystery, ghostly hauntings, ancient curses, forbidden love, and paranormal romance, this book is the ultimate recipe for a thrilling, gothic page-turner that grabs you from the very first line.
We follow Violet Harper, a scholarship student who’s just landed a spot at an elite academy typically reserved for the ultra-wealthy. But Violet isn’t just here for education—she has a hidden mission: uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of Emoree, a fellow student who allegedly jumped from the clock tower. Violet doesn’t buy the suicide story, especially when Perceval, the headmistress’s son and Emoree’s boyfriend, suspiciously disappears from campus.
As Violet digs deeper, she finds herself pulled into the orbit of Calvin Lockwell, the enigmatic and brooding younger brother of Perceval. Her investigation leads her straight into a secret society at the academy, made up of its most powerful students, and soon Violet discovers that the school is hiding much more than just a cover-up. There’s a chilling family curse tied to the Lockwell bloodline, and to solve it, Violet must team up with Calvin—whether she trusts him or not.
Oh, and did I mention there’s an actual ghost? Yes! The vengeful spirit of Anastasia Hart, a once-betrayed soul with a bleeding heart (literally and metaphorically), roams the academy grounds, adding a delicious layer of gothic horror to the already tangled web of lies and secrets.
While the pacing dips a little in the middle, the unraveling of mysteries—from Violet’s personal losses to Emoree’s demise and the truth behind the Lockwell curse—builds into an emotionally satisfying and action-packed climax. And let’s not forget the slow-burn romance! The chemistry between Violet and Calvin crackles with intensity, complicated by the very curse they’re trying to break.
Overall: this is a fast-paced, atmospheric, emotionally rich read that combines romance, danger, secrets, and supernatural thrills in one addictive package. If you love your mysteries with a side of ghosts and forbidden attraction, don’t miss this one!
A very big thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group / Viking Books for Young Readers for sharing this alluring digital ARC with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. I can’t wait to see what this author writes next!
I was so invested in this book as a devoted lover of binge romance reading. I also read the previous works of Marisa Kanter and enjoyed them, which maI was so invested in this book as a devoted lover of binge romance reading. I also read the previous works of Marisa Kanter and enjoyed them, which made me extra enthusiastic about this book. But... yes, a big but coming up...
I made the mistake of requesting this one without reading the plot first—rookie move, I know—only to realize it shares a strikingly similar premise with Would You Rather by Allison Ashley, a book I absolutely adored and rated five stars. In both stories, we have lifelong friends entering a marriage of convenience: one needs health insurance, the other needs to keep a roof over their head. When plots echo each other this closely, it’s hard not to compare, and unfortunately, Friends with Benefits didn’t shine as brightly in that comparison.
The biggest hurdle for me was the protagonist, Evie Bloom. I wanted to like her. Her job as a Foley artist (seriously cool!) had the potential to bring something really fresh and quirky to the story, but her personality came off as too chaotic and self-centered for me to emotionally connect. Her inner monologue often felt more exhausting than endearing, and some of her choices made it hard to root for her. It’s not that she had flaws—I like flawed characters—but she didn’t seem to grow in a way that made those flaws feel purposeful or redemptive.
On the flip side, Theo was an absolute sweetheart. As an elementary school teacher facing eviction, he felt grounded, kind, and genuine. His soft-spoken, supportive nature was exactly what Evie needed—but sometimes it felt like he got lost in the whirlwind of her drama. I would have loved to see more of his perspective, more fire from him, and a better balance between their emotional journeys.
I do want to acknowledge one of the book’s strengths: the honest and much-needed representation of chronic illness and the broken healthcare system. Evie’s health struggles gave the story a real-world urgency, and I appreciated how the author didn’t shy away from showing the messy, stressful realities of living with a chronic condition. That layer added substance to the otherwise rom-com-style plot.
The friends-to-lovers dynamic had sweet moments, and some flashbacks were lovely, but overall, the pacing dragged for me, and the chemistry just didn’t feel strong enough to carry the story. I found myself wanting more connection and less over-explaining of every detail (seriously, I didn’t need to know every character’s drink order!).
In the end, this was a solid three-star read. It had potential, and there were moments that hit the right notes, but as a whole, it didn’t sweep me off my feet. Still, I know many romance readers will find charm and warmth in these pages—and I’ll absolutely keep an eye out for what Marisa Kanter writes next.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for sharing this romance's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I admit this book has incredibly intriguing and smart plot line! The puzzle mysteries, mind games, locked room mystery concept are coming with perfectI admit this book has incredibly intriguing and smart plot line! The puzzle mysteries, mind games, locked room mystery concept are coming with perfect package. But unfortunately too many things going on at the same time and let's be honest this book too long and even some subplot lines needed to be omit. Because of too much subplots the main plot line starts to drag that makes you brain foggy and makes you hard to concentrate and reach the finish line. That's why even though I had high expectations as a big lover of mysteries, I graded with solid three stars.
Destiny Whip had me hooked right away—former child prodigy, brilliant enigmatologist, all alone in the world, and suddenly swept into the strange, secretive world of the Scruffmore family on a stormy, eerie island? Yes, please! The story sets the stage for something really unique: a mix of puzzles, riddles, a looming murder that hasn’t happened yet, and a heroine you want to root for.
But as much as I loved the setup, the story started to get a little too tangled for its own good. There were so many moving parts—magical elements, cryptic visions, a ghost friend, a mysterious past, family drama, and interactive puzzles—that it started to feel like the book was trying to juggle too much at once. I found myself getting lost in all the subplots, and at times I just wanted the core mystery to shine through without all the extra noise. I genuinely think with a tighter focus and a bit of trimming, it could’ve been a knockout.
That said, I really admire how ambitious and creative the concept is. The puzzles were fun and clever, and I loved trying to solve them alongside Destiny. I just wish the narrative had been a little more streamlined so that all those great ideas didn’t end up competing with each other.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for sharing this mystery book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Bring out your popcorn boxes and favorite refreshments! Cancel your entire schedule, camp out on your cozy couch, and wrap yourself into a human burriBring out your popcorn boxes and favorite refreshments! Cancel your entire schedule, camp out on your cozy couch, and wrap yourself into a human burrito with the softest, fluffiest blanket you own—because once you open this book, you won’t be able to put it down. Get ready to dive into a locked-room mystery that’s smart, layered, and overflowing with tension. It’s a puzzle box of secrets stacked inside even more secrets, filled with "wait—what?!" moments, creepy surprises, and a brilliant guessing game that dares you to figure out who the real threat is before the last page.
I’ve always been a sucker for stories where a group of people is trapped in a single setting and forced to spill their darkest secrets, especially when the stakes are high and the secrets are deadly. Mark Edwards masterfully takes this setup and cranks it up with dual timelines, psychological suspense, and enough red herrings to keep you dizzy. The tension never lets up, and the pacing is near-perfect, gradually tightening the noose around each character until there’s no escape—literally and emotionally.
The story centers around six friends who, back in 1999, were university students working on a dating app with their charismatic psychology professor, Sebastian Marlowe. The project took a dark turn when they combined the app with a controversial psychopathy test—and then something so disturbing happened that Sebastian abruptly ended the whole thing. Twenty-five years later, the group—now mostly estranged—receives an invitation from Georgina and Theo, the power couple who ran with the idea and built a tech empire, to attend a dinner party in honor of Sebastian, who has recently passed away.
Each of the old friends comes with baggage:
Will, a failed writer now teaching and still haunted by what could have been.
Sophie, Will’s former flame, who inherited a quiet life from her grandmother but feels aimless.
Rohan, now married with kids, is battling financial struggles and hoping for a bailout from Theo.
Lily, the brilliant mind of the group, recently divorced with two children, is working on a top-secret tech innovation that could change everything.
Georgina and Theo seem successful and picture-perfect, but beneath the surface lies a gut-wrenching family tragedy that’s already fraying their bond. And then there’s Fin, a mysterious man who claims to have worked with Sebastian. His presence raises eyebrows—especially for Will, who notices Fin behaving oddly, almost too comfortably with the catering staff. He whispers with them, seems to know more than he lets on, and gives off a distinct vibe that something deeper is going on.
And then—bam! The doors are locked. Cell reception disappears. Strange voices echo through empty rooms. A chilling realization sets in: they are trapped. Not by accident, but by design. One of them holds a terrible secret from 1999—something that’s been buried too long. Until it's confessed, they cannot leave.
As tensions rise, friendships unravel, and paranoia kicks in, it becomes clear that someone among them is not who they seem. The group must reckon with the truth they’ve all been avoiding, but only one of them is keeping the most damning, life-altering secret—and that secret is the key to their survival.
The final reveal is a total knockout. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out, the rug gets pulled from under you in the best way possible. The ending is clever, satisfying, and darkly poetic, tying the mystery together in a way that lingers after the last page.
Overall, this book is an adrenaline-fueled rollercoaster of suspense, packed with clever clues, deep character work, and nonstop thrills. It’s fun, eerie, and completely addictive—the kind of story you’ll want to finish in one breathless sitting. I absolutely loved it and am happy to give it five locked-room stars!
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this thrilling mystery’s digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. I truly appreciate the opportunity!...more
Imagine a perfect world where women are the stronger sex—protectors of men, leaders of armies, rulers of empires. They have their own harems, and if tImagine a perfect world where women are the stronger sex—protectors of men, leaders of armies, rulers of empires. They have their own harems, and if they want a husband, they simply kidnap a prince from a rival kingdom. Yes, this girl-powered concept deserves a standing ovation! Tricia Levenseller brings this thrilling, feminist romantasy to life, and it’s absolutely irresistible.
The fierce characterization, the empowering world-building, the sizzling chemistry, the throne-room politics, forbidden love, and high-stakes intrigue—all of it was executed so well. I devoured this book in one sitting.
The story centers on Olerra, the warrior princess of Amara, who is locked in a battle for the throne against her scheming cousin—who is guided by her ruthless, power-hungry mother. Meanwhile, Sanos, heir to the Kingdom of Brutus and the eldest of five brothers, has spent years being abused by his tyrant father, King Atalius. He stays quiet, refusing to rebel for the sake of protecting his mother and younger sister.
To win the throne, Olerra plans to kidnap Prince Andrastus, the second-born son of their greatest enemy. He’s known to be soft, poetic, and more easily manipulated. But her plan backfires when, during a drunken night at a brothel, it’s actually Sanos who ends up being taken in Andrastus’s place.
Waking up in a carriage with Olerra and her best friend Ydra, Sanos immediately begins plotting his escape—terrified that his absence will give his cruel father the chance to hurt the people he loves. He’s determined to resist Olerra’s forced marriage plans, but as the days pass, he begins to see another side of the warrior princess. And as sparks fly, he finds himself drawn to the fierce woman who stole him away. The chemistry is undeniable—but Sanos is hiding a secret that could destroy everything between them. And he’s not the only one—Olerra is also harboring a truth that could hand her enemies the power to destroy her.
Will they be able to find happiness and claim the power they both deserve? Or will they be forced to choose between love and victory, each option carrying its own heartbreak?
Overall: I’m rounding my 4.5 stars up to a solid 5 for the fresh, feminist concept and the red-hot chemistry between Olerra and Sanos. I also definitely wouldn’t say no to a sequel about Ydra—I’d love to return to this girl-powered universe again! I’ve enjoyed Tricia Levenseller’s YA books before, but her adult romantasy work has me hooked. I’m eagerly looking forward to whatever she writes next.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends for sharing this delightful romantasy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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If you told me a small-town prank war could somehow spiral into a cursed, spine-tingling mystery full of cryptic poetry, supernatural symbols, and heaIf you told me a small-town prank war could somehow spiral into a cursed, spine-tingling mystery full of cryptic poetry, supernatural symbols, and heart-thumping romance—I wouldn’t have believed you. But here I am, absolutely consumed by The Executioners Three and ready to shout about it from the rooftops.
Susan Dennard doesn’t just craft a story—she summons it, and this one rises from the foggy woods with the perfect mix of eerie folklore and 90s teenage chaos. At the center of it all is Freddie Gellar, a delightfully stubborn amateur sleuth with a nose for weirdness and a tendency to find herself in the worst kind of trouble. She’s the kind of character you want to sit next to at lunch and solve a mystery with after school.
What starts as a well-intentioned 911 call turns into a wildfire of secrets, ghost stories, and grisly discoveries. And as Freddie digs deeper, you start to feel the creeping dread inching up your spine right along with her. There’s something ancient at play in this town—something that hums through the trees and watches from the shadows.
The book doesn’t just deliver on scares (and it definitely delivers), it also nails the emotional heartbeat of its characters. The banter, the crushes, the friendships—it’s all so vivid and real. Freddie’s bond with her best friend Divya? Pure gold. And Theo? Let’s just say he’s the kind of rival/love interest that makes you swoon one page and question his motives the next. Delicious.
This is one of those rare reads where the mystery is just as fun as the characters, and every twist feels like a jolt of adrenaline. The town’s dark past, the curse, the haunting references to “The Executioners Three”—it’s all layered so beautifully, I couldn’t look away. And yes, I stayed up way too late flipping pages with a flashlight app and second-guessing every creak in my house.
If you love your thrillers with a nostalgic twist, clever protagonists, and just the right amount of supernatural horror—this book will absolutely grab you by the collar and not let go.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group / Tor Teen for sharing this unputdownable teen fantasy novel's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts that I highly appreciate.
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Oh my god! This book perfectly brought back the old-school Stephen King vibes. It took me on a quick trip back to my teenage years, when I would lock Oh my god! This book perfectly brought back the old-school Stephen King vibes. It took me on a quick trip back to my teenage years, when I would lock myself in my bedroom, disconnect from the world, and devour the latest King supernatural horror all night—reading until the next school day. This book gave me that same sensation I’ve missed so much.
It’s scary. Sinister. Unpredictable. It paints a vivid portrait of a small town and a rich cast of characters. Everything moves at a slow burn, the tension gradually building. You can almost hear the choo-choo of a train approaching—closer, louder, more urgent—until you're hiding under a blanket or behind the couch, wherever feels safest. And yet, even when you're scared out of your mind, you cannot put this book down.
Anything can happen. Don’t get attached to any of the characters—one might suddenly die, and next thing you know, you’re screaming at the pages like a lunatic. It gave me chills. It ran my blood cold. It’s the best kind of old-school horror: the kind that gets under your skin. Even though it's dark, the villain is dangerously unsettling, and some scenes are truly gory, that's exactly what makes it so perfect.
The story is told through two timelines, following two different people who are seemingly unconnected—except for the unexplainable things happening around them and the constant, eerie sound of whistling trains.
Annie Blunt is having the worst year of her life. A famous children’s book author and illustrator, she's devastated when a young boy—who idolized her flying penguin character, Pierce—jumps off a roof with wings he made at home, believing he could fly. While Annie is drowning in guilt, her loving husband becomes the victim of a hit-and-run. Her agent and close friend, Finn, intervenes and rents a Victorian house in a quiet upstate New York town, hoping it’ll be a peaceful break from the chaos—and good for Annie’s grieving young son, Charlie.
Once they move into the house, they meet their neighbors, including Dolores, a woman suffering from amnesia, traumatized after working at the very same house during a previous rental. Charlie discovers a locked shed with a mysterious train toy set inside. From then on, Annie starts hearing ghostly train whistles—even though there are no running trains nearby, and the town’s station has been shut for years.
We also meet Harry, the chief officer of the Lucknow Police Department. He’s married to Janice and father to young Dylan. Harry is investigating several bizarre missing persons cases: two men and a goat vanish. One of the men is later found in a horrifying state—left in the middle of the road, his body completely stripped of hair and bones. The goat is discovered in the same grotesque condition. Soon after, the town is plagued by abrupt suicides, aggressive dogs, and eerie disturbances. All the chaos seems to have started when a strange new shop opened: Choo Choo’s Trains, run by the enigmatic Edwin Nabler.
Who is this man with odd motives? Could he be a psychopath hiding behind an innocent facade?
How do these two timelines connect? Can Harry save his town from spiraling into darkness? Did Annie unknowingly place her family in danger by moving to this seemingly quiet town? As the whistling grows louder, one thing becomes clear: something terrifying is coming—and it’s speeding up.
Overall: This book was an absolute delight. I enjoyed every second of it and proudly give it five blazing choo choo stars!
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this fantastic horror thriller with me in exchange for my honest thoughts—I truly appreciate it!
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I’ve been a longtime fan of Falon Ballard’s witty, heartwarming romcoms, so when I heard she was venturing into the romantasy genre, I was genuinely cI’ve been a longtime fan of Falon Ballard’s witty, heartwarming romcoms, so when I heard she was venturing into the romantasy genre, I was genuinely curious—and excited—to see how her signature charm would translate into a world of magic, rebellion, and dark seduction.
Let’s start with the obvious: the cover is absolutely stunning. It instantly pulled me in and set my expectations sky-high. And while the opening chapters promised intrigue and heat, with a high-stakes premise involving political assassinations and magical courtesans, I have to admit� this one didn’t fully land for me.
The Moulin Rouge-meets-Macbeth concept is undeniably bold, and I appreciate the ambition it took to weave those inspirations into a fantasy setting. There are glimmers of originality, especially in the setting of La Puissance and the emotionally-charged dynamic between Callum and Caterine. And of course, the spice is turned all the way up—fans of steamy scenes won’t be disappointed.
But for all the sizzle and style, I struggled to connect with the world itself. The political system, the rebellion, the motivations—none of it felt quite fleshed out enough to ground me in the story. It was as if I’d been dropped into a dramatic play without fully understanding the stage or the stakes. I also found myself wishing for more nuance in the characters� emotional arcs and a deeper, more believable development of their bond.
That said, I truly admire Ballard’s willingness to take creative risks and step into new storytelling territory. It’s something I’ve seen many of my favorite romance authors do—genre-hopping to explore darker themes and bigger worlds. Even though this one wasn’t quite for me, I know there are plenty of readers who will enjoy the seductive atmosphere, fast-paced drama, and star-crossed intensity of it all.
This book may not have cast the strongest spell on me, but I’m still cheering for Ballard as she explores new realms, and I’ll absolutely be back for whatever romcom magic she conjures up next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam’s Sons for sharing this digital review copy of Something Wicked with me in exchange for my honest thoughts—I truly appreciate the opportunity!
Hmm� I don’t usually like to focus on the negatives. I’m the kind of reader who sees the bright side—rose-tinted glasses on, full-on Pollyanna mode! EHmm� I don’t usually like to focus on the negatives. I’m the kind of reader who sees the bright side—rose-tinted glasses on, full-on Pollyanna mode! Especially when it comes to books. Enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity are my all-time favorite tropes, and even though I live in the overly polished, fake-smiled world of La La Land, as a born-and-bred New Yorker, the Big Apple will always have my heart. I’ll read anything set in NYC—it’s like I soak in the city’s vibrant, chaotic, magnetic energy through the pages.
Let’s start with the good stuff, shall we? The setting absolutely delivered. The city came alive in the story, buzzing with that familiar cultural and emotional complexity I adore. But then� we get to the characters.
Oh boy. I wanted to scream from the rooftops—Elle drove me absolutely crazy! I seriously dreamed of tossing her off a skyscraper (okay, not literally—but you get the point). She was so frustrating. I thought Shauna from Yellowjackets was the most annoying fictional character I’d ever encountered, but Elle’s over-the-top hatred for money? It just made my blood boil.
Now Parker, on the other hand, was more solid. I liked him� for the most part. But sometimes he felt a bit extreme too—like throwing money around as if he were Richie Rich in the middle of a midlife crisis. His gestures were grand, sometimes eye-roll-worthy (especially one in the last quarter—no spoilers, but come on, man!). It was frustrating because he knew how Elle would react, and yet, there we were again� diving into more drama.
Honestly, Elle came across as too prideful and grumpy, and Parker started to feel a little one-dimensional beside her.
That said, if you can look past the characters, the plot itself is still enjoyable. Elle is a screenwriter with serious writer’s block, forced to write a romance film while wrestling with unresolved trauma from her past. She returns to New York to housesit her sister’s luxurious apartment—her sister who’s off traveling the world and pregnant. Their father is out of the picture, and their mother’s memory still looms large, shaping Elle’s (not-so-healthy) worldview.
Enter Parker Warren: tech billionaire, and surprise!—Elle’s neighbor. He also just so happens to be her disastrous stairwell hookup from two years ago, which she assumed was a one-night stand with a bodyguard. Turns out, not so much. Now he wants her to be his fake girlfriend over the summer. Why? Because Elle’s one of the only people who doesn't care about his wealth or power—and she could use the access to locations for her screenplay.
Did I mention she wrote her most successful script after their infamous hookup? He’s basically her secret muse, and around him, she starts to come alive—running at dawn, making new friends, hitting karaoke bars. But being with him would mean going against everything her late mother believed in. Can she allow herself a shot at real happiness� not just for a summer, but beyond?
Overall, despite my strong dislike for Elle, I was ready to give this four stars for the love letter it writes to New York alone. The chapters capturing the city’s magic were brilliant. But the last quarter lost me—some of the character choices felt forced, like a third-act twist that didn’t quite land. Still, I appreciated the character’s personal journeys, especially Elle’s self-discovery and the slow unraveling of her secret identity.
In the end, it's a solid three stars from me—and I’m definitely still interested in reading more from this author in the future.
I'm a longtime fan of Hank Phillippi Ryan, and once again, she absolutely delivers with All This Could Be Yours. From the very first chapter, I was hoI'm a longtime fan of Hank Phillippi Ryan, and once again, she absolutely delivers with All This Could Be Yours. From the very first chapter, I was hooked—not because it starts with a bang, but because it simmers with that quiet, creeping tension that only a seasoned master of suspense can pull off. This book is the definition of a slow-burn thriller that rewards patience with jaw-dropping payoff. The premise alone—an author on a glamorous national book tour suddenly realizing someone from her past is watching her, waiting to strike—is already chilling, but the execution? Flawless.
We follow Tessa Calloway, a breakout debut novelist who should be living her dream: packed book events, sold-out crowds, adoring readers. But beneath the surface of all that success is a woman desperately trying to hold her picture-perfect life together while it slowly begins to unravel. Tessa's past, which she’s worked so hard to bury, starts clawing its way back in the most terrifying ways. Notes. Questions. A stalker who seems to know everything. And the worst part? She has no idea who it is—or how far they’re willing to go.
What really impressed me is how seamlessly Ryan blends psychological depth with a classic suspense plot. The emotional stakes are as high as the physical danger, and you can feel Tessa’s fear, guilt, and desperation on every page. There’s also something deeply compelling about watching her grapple with the choices that led her here—choices she believed were behind her, but that now threaten not just her career, but her family, and her life.
I also have to say—my thriller radar is usually pretty sharp, but Hank totally fooled me this time. I had several theories about who the stalker might be, and I was wrong on all counts. That twist hit hard in the best possible way. The misdirection was smart, subtle, and earned. I love when a writer stays steps ahead of me, and Ryan clearly knows the game better than most.
If you enjoy stories where ambition, fame, and secrecy collide in unpredictable, pulse-pounding ways, All This Could Be Yours will not disappoint. It’s an expertly layered mystery that asks how far you’ll go to protect the life you've built—and what happens when the past won’t stay buried.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press / Minotaur Books for the digital reviewer copy of this unputdownable thriller in exchange for my honest thoughts. I’m so grateful for the opportunity—and I can’t wait to see what Hank Phillippi Ryan writes next!
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Oh my goodness! This book is a hidden gem I need to put on your radar! So many jaw-dropping twists, so many mind games that’ll have you fidgeting in yOh my goodness! This book is a hidden gem I need to put on your radar! So many jaw-dropping twists, so many mind games that’ll have you fidgeting in your seat—and when you reach the end, you’ll be screaming, “What the hell did I just read?!� It’s cunning, entertaining, full of clever schemes, and absolutely mind-blowing. While the last quarter drags a bit and gives off strong K-drama vibes, the pacing quickly picks up again, delivering a perfect conclusion that’ll have you jumping in your seat with delight.
The story follows Jae-Young, a woman trapped in an abusive relationship. After a brutal fight, she escapes by boarding a train—carrying a terrible secret that could destroy her future. In her cabin, she meets a young mother who shares her heartbreaking story: her husband left her for another woman, and she’s traveling to meet her wealthy father-in-law for the first time. But when Jae-Young returns from the restroom, the woman has vanished, leaving behind only her crying baby and a chilling note asking Jae-Young to deliver the child to the father-in-law’s remote home.
Believing she’ll just drop off the baby and disappear, Jae-Young soon finds herself drawn deeper into the family's world. The brother-in-law mistakes her for the child’s mother, and their lavish mansion, dripping in luxury, starts to feel like the perfect place to hide from her past. But nothing is as it seems. The family is haunted by secrets, deaths, and tragedies, and when a mysterious caregiver enters the picture, things take a darker turn. Jae-Young realizes she may have made the biggest mistake of her life by stepping into this role—and now, with nowhere left to run, she must play along with monsters just to survive.
This is one of the wildest rides I’ve read in ages—and I wholeheartedly recommend it! It’s highly addictive and impossible to put down. I’ll definitely be reading more Korean thrillers after this!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Bantam for providing me with a digital review copy of this secret gem in exchange for my honest thoughts!
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The Compound is one of those rare reads that grabs you by the collar, pulls you in with its glossy premise, and refuses to let go until long after theThe Compound is one of those rare reads that grabs you by the collar, pulls you in with its glossy premise, and refuses to let go until long after the last page. On the surface, it's flashy and voyeuristic—twenty contestants trapped in a remote desert compound, filmed 24/7, competing for luxury prizes and basic necessities while the outside world quietly collapses. But underneath the shiny veneer of lipstick rewards and lawn furniture is something far more chilling: a sharp, timely commentary on performance, power, and the way we consume both fame and human emotion like entertainment.
Lily, our reluctant antihero, is not your typical protagonist. She’s passive, disillusioned, emotionally detached—at times frustratingly so—and that’s exactly the point. You watch her, just as the cameras do, wondering what she’s really thinking, what she’s hiding, and what it’s going to take to wake her up. As the show’s rules shift, boundaries blur, and manipulations deepen, the question becomes less about who will win and more about what winning even means.
Aisling Rawle's writing is addictive and razor-sharp, playing with pace and structure in ways that mirror the disorienting rhythm of the show itself. It’s a little bit Love Island, a little bit Black Mirror, and a whole lot of existential dread dressed up in millennial pink. Some chapters simmer with unease, others hit you with a twist that feels like a slap. The tension builds not from explosions or violence, but from the quiet horror of realizing just how much we’re willing to tolerate—for attention, for survival, for a sliver of meaning in a chaotic world.
This book will absolutely mess with your head—in the best way. It’s weird, eerie, biting, and absolutely perfect for fans of psychological thrillers that make you squirm while also forcing you to think. I couldn’t stop reading, and when it was over, I just sat there stunned, asking myself what I’d just experienced.
Massive thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this erratic, fascinating debut in exchange for my honest thoughts—I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to read something this bold and unforgettable.
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I can’t even see what I’m typing—my tears are pouring like a torrent. I’m crying like a baby with colic, and one thing is for sure: I just finished thI can’t even see what I’m typing—my tears are pouring like a torrent. I’m crying like a baby with colic, and one thing is for sure: I just finished the BEST DEBUT FICTION of the year. The other thing? My heart is completely shattered.
One family. Three perspectives—mother, father, and daughter. Broken hearts, grief, abuse, resentment, secrets, forgiveness, addiction, second-chance love, pain, sadness, invisible scars, child abandonment, teen motherhood, hope, promises—this book tackles so many triggering yet deeply thought-provoking themes through the epic, dramatic, raw, and profoundly emotional story of the Bright family.
Ryan and Lily Bright’s first meeting in a library feels like the perfect rom-com "meet-cute," the beginning of a love story between two flawed people, each hiding secrets that will shape their future in unexpected ways. Ryan comes from a broken home; his mother escaped an abusive relationship and raised him alone. He’s a photographer with big dreams of opening an art gallery, and though he vows to be a better man for Lily and a better father to their daughter, Georgette (aka Jet), he eventually falls into the same destructive patterns as his own father. Alcoholism steals him away from the life he tried to build, and one tragic mistake forces him to step back from his family.
Lillian, too, carries a heavy secret—she gave up a child for adoption as a teen mom after her first love chose music over fatherhood. She thought she’d found her second chance with Ryan, but now watches helplessly as the man she once loved disappears into someone unrecognizable.
Georgette is mostly raised by her Nana Elise, Ryan’s mother, and harbors deep resentment toward her parents for the secrets they kept. When she meets Davis—her mother’s adopted son—she begins to see the bigger picture and discovers the possibility of creating her own chosen family. As she begins to understand the weight of her parents� decisions, her perspective begins to shift.
No words I write here can truly do justice to how powerful this book is. It turned me into a red-eyed, heart-wrecked mess. I deeply empathized with Lillian, Ryan, and Jet—their mistakes, pain, love, and longing—and it all resonated with my own feelings, regrets, and hopes. This story reminds us that no family is perfect, and no parent has all the answers. But love means showing up, trying again, and holding on, even when it’s hard.
What more can I say? I’m speechless. I wholeheartedly loved every chapter, every character, every ache, and every word in this book. It’s already etched into my heart, and without a doubt, it’s my pick for Best Debut of the Year.
Ten gazillion stars.
Endless thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this stunning debut in exchange for my honest thoughts. I’m beyond grateful.
Joanna Miller’s The Eights is a breathtaking, deeply moving novel that swept me away from the very first page. Set in 1920, at a time when women were Joanna Miller’s The Eights is a breathtaking, deeply moving novel that swept me away from the very first page. Set in 1920, at a time when women were just beginning to carve out space for themselves in academic institutions that had long shut them out, this story follows four remarkable young women who find themselves bound together by both circumstance and an unshakable friendship.
Beatrice, Dora, Otto, and Marianne—each carrying their own burdens, secrets, and dreams—become known as "The Eights" when they move into neighboring rooms in Oxford’s Corridor 8. But what begins as a simple coincidence quickly transforms into something far more profound. Through heartbreak, personal loss, academic battles, and the ever-present weight of societal expectations, these women find strength in one another, forming a sisterhood that feels both fragile and indestructible all at once.
Miller’s writing is nothing short of mesmerizing, balancing historical accuracy with raw, emotional depth. She doesn’t just tell us about the struggles these women face—she makes us feel them. We walk alongside Dora as she wrestles with grief, knowing she is only here because war stole the lives of the men in her family. We hold our breath as Marianne desperately hides a truth that could upend everything she has worked for. We ache with Otto as she tries to reclaim pieces of herself after serving as a war nurse, and we cheer for Beatrice as she refuses to let misogynistic professors and sneering male students determine her worth.
What makes The Eights so special is the way it captures the resilience of women—how they hold each other up, how they push back against a world that insists on diminishing them, and how, despite everything, they refuse to back down. It’s an ode to the power of education, to the fire that burns in those who dare to demand more, and to the kind of friendships that leave an imprint on your soul.
This novel will stay with me for a long time. If you love historical fiction that is both beautifully written and deeply resonant, if you adore stories of determined women standing together in the face of adversity, then The Eights is a book you absolutely cannot miss.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for sharing this remarkable historical fiction's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Does a person truly feel a void that only darkness can fill?
Equation is a riveting psychological thriller that masterfully blends mystery, crime, and Does a person truly feel a void that only darkness can fill?
Equation is a riveting psychological thriller that masterfully blends mystery, crime, and the human psyche’s darkest corners. It raises thought-provoking questions about morality, the power of suggestion, and how far a person will go when pulled into a web of manipulation. With the gripping investigative depth of Numb3rs and the eerie, mind-bending intrigue of Robert Rodriguez’s Hypnotic, this novel keeps readers hooked from start to finish.
The story follows Detective Jaydon Lynch, a determined investigator whose life takes a devastating turn when his young daughter, Sophia, is kidnapped by the notorious Doll Face killer. As he hunts for answers, Jaydon becomes entangled in a perplexing series of crimes, all seemingly disconnected—except for one chilling detail. Three ordinary individuals—Caitlyn Colburn, a dedicated mother and aspiring lawyer; Isaac Carpenter, a Catholic doctor committed to his patients; and Harold Mansfield, a high-ranking pharmaceutical scientist—each commit shocking acts of violence with no history of aggression, no clear motive, and no external influences like drugs or mental illness. The only link between them? A cryptic phone call that triggers their actions and a mathematical equation left behind at every crime scene, marking their sins like an ominous signature.
As Jaydon delves deeper, he realizes that these crimes are mere fragments of a much larger and more sinister puzzle. The true mastermind—a highly intelligent and ruthless killer—operates from the shadows, orchestrating chaos with chilling precision. But this case is more than just another investigation; for Jaydon, it’s personal. Solving this mystery might be his only chance to find Sophia and face the trauma that has haunted him for years. However, the closer he gets to the truth, the more he realizes that catching this elusive predator is far more dangerous than he ever anticipated. What if the key to stopping the killer means confronting his own darkest fears?
Overall Thoughts:
Equation is an intense, thought-provoking thriller that explores ethics, the influence of science on the human mind, and the blurred line between justice and revenge. With themes of grief, trauma, and manipulation woven throughout the narrative, this book doesn’t just deliver suspense—it challenges the reader to consider the psychological and moral implications of the crimes committed.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its intricate plot, which keeps the reader guessing at every turn. The pacing is relentless, with short, impactful chapters that create a sense of urgency, making it nearly impossible to put down. The writing style is cinematic, almost reminiscent of a thriller screenplay, pulling readers into a fast-moving narrative filled with action, suspense, and unexpected twists. The final revelation is cleverly executed, providing both a satisfying conclusion and subtle hints at a potential sequel.
However, if there’s one drawback, it’s the sheer number of characters and subplots. While each character’s backstory is compelling, the narrative occasionally becomes overcrowded with dramatic personal histories, including Jaydon’s colleagues, Gavin’s struggles, Berg’s sister’s illness, and even the villains� pasts. At times, these additional layers, while interesting, can slightly overshadow the central mystery. Similarly, the frequent flashbacks—though effective in building depth—can disrupt the flow of the present-day storyline, making certain moments feel abrupt or disorienting.
That said, these minor issues do not take away from the novel’s overall brilliance. Equation is a gripping, high-stakes thriller that delivers a unique and compelling mystery. Its fast pace, original concept, and mind-bending twists make it a must-read for fans of psychological crime fiction. I highly recommend it, and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store next!...more
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