What the hell did I just read—in the most astonishing way possible? This book is gloriously, unapologetically messy, and that’s exactly why it works sWhat the hell did I just read—in the most astonishing way possible? This book is gloriously, unapologetically messy, and that’s exactly why it works so brilliantly. The characters are cracked open, raw, flawed to the core, and in some cases even morally damaged. They repeat mistakes, sabotage themselves, and stumble through life because they are carrying grief, trauma, and heavy baggage that no human being could shoulder without breaking. And yet—because of all this imperfection—the story becomes achingly real.
It’s a rollercoaster of emotions that refuses to sit neatly in one category. At times it’s sad and devastating, at others hilariously funny and painfully awkward. It’s sharp and smart, yet sentimental and heart-wrenching. One page makes you teary, the next makes you laugh out loud. This isn’t just a romance, a rom-com, or even a rom-dramedy. It’s a slice of life—messy, chaotic, and honest—filled with the contradictions we all know: joy and despair, hope and heartbreak, light and darkness. That’s what makes this novel so special. It doesn’t pretend to be perfect—it embraces imperfection and turns it into art.
Honestly, it deserves to be made into an independent film. It’s the kind of tragic, funny, deeply human story that deserves to be on screen rather than another forgettable, formulaic rom-com. Rosie Storey has created something bold and authentic here, the kind of fiction that reminds us why we read in the first place.
The characters are unforgettable case studies in grief, identity, and the search for love. Poppy is a mess—grieving her sister, confusing stability with love, clinging to a controlling partner who doesn’t fulfill her. She doesn’t know where she’s headed in life, and in her grief she slips into her sister’s shoes—literally—by pretending to be Dandelion on a dating app. Jack, meanwhile, is newly divorced, spending weekends with his sweet son Billy, awkwardly navigating his ex’s quirky new yogi boyfriend, and trying to survive the digital dating world. He’s charming in a broken, bumbling way—a mix of Nick Miller from New Girl and a younger, messier Jason Sudeikis.
When Poppy and Jack meet—under the messy, drunken lie of Poppy pretending to be Dandelion—something clicks. There’s attraction, vulnerability, and an honesty beneath the dishonesty. Poppy leaves quickly, weighed down by the guilt of her secret and the pressure of her current relationship. But when she and Jack cross paths again, the pull between them is undeniable, even as the web of lies grows tighter. Watching them fall into connection while trapped in grief and deception is heartbreaking, funny, and completely addictive.
The supporting characters add so much richness. Jetta is the kind of fierce, loyal, badass friend you wish you had by your side. And though she’s gone, Dandelion’s presence is everywhere—erratic, chaotic, and selfish at times, but also luminous, reminding everyone around her to seize life even if imperfectly. She embodies both joy and destruction, light and darkness, and her absence becomes the haunting heartbeat of the story.
Rosie Storey’s writing is unflinching. She doesn’t sugarcoat grief or loss, nor does she glamorize it. Instead, she shows how it shapes, bends, and breaks people, and how even in that pain, there’s room for humor, connection, and growth. The pacing is masterful—the story gives space for both wild, laugh-out-loud moments and quiet, devastating reflections.
By the end, I felt like I’d lived inside these characters’ lives, sharing their highs and lows, their tears and their laughter. It’s rare for a novel to feel this alive, this brutally honest, and this emotionally affecting. Rosie Storey is now firmly on my auto-read list. I cannot wait to see what she creates next.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this perfectly messy, beautifully imperfect, tragic yet entertaining digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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What an absolute delight this book turned out to be! Love on Ice perfectly captures the whirlwind chaos of teenage life, from awkward first crushes toWhat an absolute delight this book turned out to be! Love on Ice perfectly captures the whirlwind chaos of teenage life, from awkward first crushes to laugh-out-loud pranks gone way too far. Sara Ney has given us a rom-com that sparkles with humor and warmth, while still holding on to that honest, slightly messy charm that makes YA so irresistible.
Harper stole my heart from page one — smart, witty, and just a little mischievous in the best way. The moment she finds Easton, the hockey team’s golden boy, sneaking through her backyard with a stolen mascot in tow, I knew this was going to be fun. Their deal to fake-date for prom is the kind of setup that makes you grin even before the sparks start flying, and watching their “arrangement” tumble into something much more real was pure swoony joy.
What I loved most is how authentically teen this book feels. Harper and Easton bicker, banter, stumble, and surprise each other in ways that felt so true to first love. The story doesn’t rush their chemistry — it lets it build in sweet, awkward, and hilarious moments that had me smiling nonstop. Add in Harper’s ride-or-die friendship with Macy, and you’ve got a story that balances romance with the kind of friendships that shape who you are in high school.
If you’re craving a rom-com that’s both funny and heart-fluttery, this one will absolutely hit the spot. It’s playful, it’s heartfelt, and it reminds you of just how big prom, first dates, and those life-changing teenage decisions can feel.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Romance for sharing this lovely romance’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. I had so much fun with Harper and Easton, and I can’t wait to see what Sara Ney does next!
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If you’re craving a fairytale that feels both whimsical and dangerous—where every kiss could be salvation or betrayal—The Swan’s Daughter will sweep yIf you’re craving a fairytale that feels both whimsical and dangerous—where every kiss could be salvation or betrayal—The Swan’s Daughter will sweep you away.
Every once in a while, a book comes along that makes you forget the world outside its pages. The Swan’s Daughter did that for me. From the very first chapter, I felt like I’d stepped into a fairytale spun from moonlight and shadows—full of glittering ballrooms carved into emerald caves, glass boats drifting across dreamlike waters, and a love story that feels both impossibly fragile and earth-shatteringly powerful.
At its heart, this is the story of Prince Arris and Demelza, two characters so vividly drawn that they linger long after you close the book. Arris, cursed to know that marriage means murder, carries his fate with a sort of reckless charm—savoring every laugh, every stolen glance, every moment of beauty as though it might be his last. Demelza, with her truth-singing voice and a life spent fighting to be heard, is raw, fierce, and deeply human. Their connection begins as a bargain, but every page peels away another layer until what’s left between them is something much more dangerous: love, hope, and the unbearable risk of losing it all.
What struck me most was how Roshani Chokshi writes with such lush beauty while never losing sight of the darkness beneath the glitter. There’s whimsy here—talking swans, jeweled menageries, kisses that spark like flint—but there’s also betrayal, fear, and the question of whether love is strong enough to rewrite destiny. That contrast made the story feel richer, like stepping into a fairytale told by candlelight, where you’re just as likely to swoon as to shiver.
I found myself holding my breath through the bride tournament, turning pages as though the book itself had enchanted me. The suspense was sharp, the betrayals cutting, and yet what I carried with me most was the tenderness between Arris and Demelza. The small moments—an unexpected laugh, a truth spoken at the worst possible time, the silent courage in a shared glance—felt more powerful than any spell.
As someone who has devoured every one of Roshani Chokshi’s novels, I can say this might be her most enchanting work yet. It reminded me of why I fell in love with her storytelling in the first place: the prose that feels like music, the worlds that feel achingly alive, and the characters who bleed and hope and love in ways that make your chest ache. This isn’t just a book you read—it’s a book you live inside for a while.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A gorgeously crafted, heart-tugging romantasy that blends beauty with danger, whimsy with truth, and leaves you believing—against all odds—that love might just be worth the risk.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books for sharing this remarkable romantasy’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts that I highly appreciated. I am, and will always be, a devoted fan of Roshani Chokshi’s magical worlds.
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If you love Chuck Wendig’s Staircase in the Woods, classic small-town horror in the tradition of old-school Stephen King, and the chilling retellings If you love Chuck Wendig’s Staircase in the Woods, classic small-town horror in the tradition of old-school Stephen King, and the chilling retellings this author is already known for, then this book is bound to hit every one of your expectations. It delivers on haunted house terror, slow-burn mystery, and that delicious sense of dread that keeps you turning the pages long into the night.
The story unfolds on an ordinary Chicago street, where the infamous McIntyre residence still stands. Once home to Glen McIntyre—an abusive patriarch whose brutality culminated in the massacre of his own family—the house has become a grim neighborhood legend. Children dare each other to enter its rotting halls, but when 13-year-old Jessie Campanelli, grounded for smoking, jokingly challenges her 8-year-old brother Paul to sneak inside, she never dreams he’ll take her seriously. He goes with friends Jake and Ritchie… but only Jake stumbles back out, missing an arm, while Ritchie emerges unharmed yet shattered. Paul vanishes forever. The boys claim the house has a mouth with razor-sharp teeth, one that devoured Paul whole. Could such horror be real? The police believe a hidden kidnapper lurked inside—but Paul is never found. And soon, the McIntyre house claims more victims.
Jessie’s world fractures in the aftermath. Her family unravels, her mother drifts away in apathy, and Jessie finds fragile connections in her neighbors—Sheila Riley, single dad Ted Dobrowski, his troubled son Alex (for whom Jessie feels a confusing crush), and Frances Pandini. Together, they form a makeshift family, united by one purpose: keeping everyone else out of that cursed house. Yet guilt hangs over them like a shroud. They live with the knowledge they couldn’t save the McIntyres, couldn’t save Paul. Still, none of them ever leave the neighborhood. Instead, they stay—almost as penance—as the house itself lurks like a living, breathing organism, waiting for the next soul to consume.
Years later, Jessie is a mother herself. Her little boy, E. F., is the same age Paul was when he disappeared, and uncannily resembles him. The house has its eyes on him now. Jessie has lost too many people already, and this time she is determined to fight back. But how can anyone defeat a house that resists fire, bulldozers, and every attempt to destroy it? How do you stop something that isn’t just haunted—but hungry?
Overall: I tore through this supernatural thriller with equal parts dread and delight. I loved its blend of haunted house chills, sibling bonds, found family, and motherhood themes. Fans of atmospheric, character-driven horror will be absolutely hooked.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with this gripping horror/paranormal mystery in exchange for my honest review.
Michael Connelly has done it again. With The Proving Ground, he not only reaffirms why Mickey Haller remains one of the most compelling voices in legaMichael Connelly has done it again. With The Proving Ground, he not only reaffirms why Mickey Haller remains one of the most compelling voices in legal thrillers, but also proves that his characters are capable of evolving with the times while staying true to the sharp edges that made us fall in love with them in the first place.
This book is urgent, fearless, and brimming with tension. It pushes Mickey out of his usual comfort zone of criminal defense and into the world of public interest litigation, pitting him against one of the most powerful—and most terrifying—forces shaping our present and future: artificial intelligence. After years of watching Haller charm juries from the backseat of his Lincoln, it’s fascinating to see him step into a case where the real battle isn’t just about guilt or innocence, but about accountability in an era where technology has outpaced morality.
As a longtime fan of Connelly’s universe, I found this story electric. Harry Bosch has always embodied the relentless pursuit of justice, Renee Ballard carries the fire of persistence in a system that often resists change, and Mickey Haller brings the blend of charisma and cunning that makes a courtroom feel like a stage. In The Proving Ground, Mickey embodies all of these qualities at once. He thrives in the spotlight, yes, but beneath the theatrics lies a lawyer who knows how to dig, how to strategize, and how to play the long game—even against billion-dollar corporations with everything to lose. Watching him peel back the layers of an AI empire, uncover hidden truths, and gamble on high-stakes moves in the courtroom reminded me why he’s one of Connelly’s most enduring creations.
But what makes this book more than just a legal thriller is the way Connelly anchors it in reality. The AI lawsuit doesn’t feel like fiction—it feels like tomorrow’s headline. The moral questions raised are haunting. What happens when machines convince us of things that no human being ever should? Who is responsible when tragedy springs from algorithms written in cold code? Connelly isn’t afraid to let those questions hang heavy over the story, even as he keeps the pacing taut and the drama explosive.
The subplot involving Jack McEvoy also adds a fascinating texture, bridging the line between journalism and justice, and reminding us how truth is uncovered not just by lawyers but by those willing to chase stories into dark corners. The whistleblower reveal crackles with suspense, offering the kind of twist that makes Connelly’s writing so addictive.
And then there’s the personal layer woven into the backdrop of the LA wildfires—Connelly doesn’t just tell a story, he sets it against the raw, unpredictable forces that mirror the characters’ struggles. It adds atmosphere, depth, and consequence, turning the book into more than a courtroom drama—it’s a reflection on resilience, risk, and what it costs to stand up against overwhelming odds.
I’ve said before that I could read thousands of books about these characters and never get tired of them. The Proving Ground is exactly why. Connelly gives us a legal thriller that is as timely as it is timeless, as entertaining as it is unsettling, and as personal as it is universal. Mickey Haller may call himself the Lincoln Lawyer, but in this case, he becomes something more—a fighter for truth in a world where truth itself is under siege.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for sharing this mind-blowing legal thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions—I truly, truly appreciated it.
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I certainly loved The Last Thing He Told Me. It’s one of those novels I proudly keep on my shelf, a forever favorite. That heartbreaking ending left mI certainly loved The Last Thing He Told Me. It’s one of those novels I proudly keep on my shelf, a forever favorite. That heartbreaking ending left me sobbing for hours—like shards of glass stabbing straight into the heart. But tell me honestly: how many of you begged for closure? For a second chance for Owen and Hannah—even though he put her in danger, abandoned her in the dark, and left her to pick up the pieces? Did you secretly wish they might find their way back to each other, that Hannah would be strong (or vulnerable) enough to forgive him because she loves him with her whole heart? Well, I’ll admit it—my answer is a resounding hell yes! Give this miserable reader a happy ending!
I don’t want to give too much away about the sequel, but I can say this: it’s pure adrenaline. The kind of book you inhale like your favorite snack—you keep reaching for just one more handful until suddenly, the box is empty. I couldn’t stop; my heart was in my throat, my pulse racing, like being in a car flying down the highway without brakes toward the cliff.
The story picks up exactly where the first book left off: Hannah, stunned, meets an older, worn-down Owen at the gallery opening, his cryptic words cutting the air. Why would he reappear after five years, just as she and Bailey finally started to heal and move forward? Hannah has built a quiet life in California, Bailey graduated, wrote her first musical, and found her first real job. Together, with Nicholas—the loving grandfather who shielded them like a fortress—they’ve created a fragile but steady family. But Owen’s return threatens to shatter all of it.
Then, the suspense ignites: a supposed gas leak, a text from an unknown number (almost certainly Owen’s) urging Hannah to run, and Nicholas’s sudden, suspicious death. Before we can breathe, Hannah and Bailey are once again thrown into chaos—on the run, chased by old enemies and new threats. With Frank’s vengeful children bent on finishing what their father started, the danger escalates. Can Owen’s brilliant mind devise a way to keep them safe, or will he sacrifice himself for their future? Every page burns with the question: is there still hope for this family—and maybe, finally, a long-awaited happy ending?
Overall: If you’re anything like me—a fangirl screaming from the rooftops for this sequel—you need to grab it immediately. It’s gripping, twisty, exhilarating, and utterly unputdownable. Five blazing stars from me!
And a very heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for sharing this ARC with me. I was praying to get my hands on it, and devouring it was an absolute gift.
Some books slip quietly into your hands, and some completely sweep you off your feet. The Odds of You did the latter for me—it’s heartfelt, sparkling,Some books slip quietly into your hands, and some completely sweep you off your feet. The Odds of You did the latter for me—it’s heartfelt, sparkling, and brimming with the kind of emotional depth that makes you believe in second chances, serendipity, and love that refuses to play by the rules.
We meet Sage Collins, a once-steady data analyst turned breakout author who now feels paralyzed by the fear of being a “one-hit wonder.” Enter Theo Sharpe—charming, golden-boy actor with that mix of vulnerability and confidence that makes you lean in closer. Their “accidental” meet-cute on a flight is the perfect spark, but what follows is more than a tropey celebrity-author romance. It’s a layered journey of self-discovery, grief, ambition, and the terrifyingly beautiful gamble of opening your heart again.
What struck me most about this book wasn’t just the romance (though, trust me, the chemistry between Sage and Theo is magnetic). It was how real and raw the characters felt. Sage’s anxiety and self-doubt weren’t glossed over—they pulsed on the page in ways that felt achingly relatable.
And Theo? Beneath his charisma lies a man carrying loss, responsibility, and the pressure of public scrutiny. Watching them slowly unravel their fears while leaning into each other was as tender as it was powerful.
And can we talk about the settings? From Comic Con chaos to the windswept beauty of Scotland, Kate Dramis paints backdrops that breathe life into every scene. The Scottish chapters especially felt like a balm—you could almost feel the mist, hear the crunch of gravel paths, and taste that fresh air Sage desperately needed.
Yes, this is a romance with sizzling tension and swoony banter, but it’s also a story about identity, creativity, and healing. It’s about learning that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is let ourselves be seen—not as the version we think the world wants, but as our truest selves.
Kate Dramis has given us a love story that’s equal parts witty, poignant, and soul-stirring. If you adore celebrity romances, fake dating gone wrong (or right), heartfelt character growth, or simply want to believe in the magic of unlikely encounters, this is a story worth betting on.
✨ A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | St. Martin’s Griffin for sharing this beautiful romance’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts—I feel lucky to have read it early!
Yes! Rachel Hawkins has done it again! She crafted a pitch-perfect locked room mystery set in a historic Alabama inn during storm season, and I devourYes! Rachel Hawkins has done it again! She crafted a pitch-perfect locked room mystery set in a historic Alabama inn during storm season, and I devoured it in one sitting. But here’s the brilliant twist: the storms themselves—named after women, Daphne, Audrey, and Marie—become leading characters in the story. Each storm through the years is bound to a tragedy, weaving a thread that ties the fates of those who can never fully escape St. Medard Bay.
At the heart of it all are three childhood friends: Lo, Ellen, and Frieda—the wild one, the good one, and the odd one. Their lives have been scarred by a chain of devastating events. For Lo, the turning point was 1984’s infamous Hurricane Marie. At just nineteen, she was entangled with political heir Langdon Fitzroy, who died under suspicious circumstances. Lo became the prime suspect. After a mistrial and lack of evidence, she walked free, though the powerful Fitzroy family tried to destroy her reputation forever.
In the present day, we meet Geneva Corliss, owner of the Rosalie Inn. Returning home to take over the family business after her mother’s Alzheimer’s worsens, Geneva finds herself adrift—dumped by her longtime boyfriend (who ironically pushed her to run the inn) and struggling to stay afloat. Her saving graces are her loyal sidekick Eddie and an intriguing new long-term guest: August Fletcher, a writer with a suspicious interest in the town’s history. But August doesn’t arrive alone—he brings Lo Bailey, the infamous woman still haunted by accusations of murder. Lo insists she’s here to clear her name, yet her presence stirs old wounds and buried secrets Geneva never knew existed.
Soon, Geneva discovers shocking connections between Lo, her mother, and the inn itself—where Langdon Fitzroy’s body was once found. Is Lo seeking redemption? Or revenge? And what unfinished business threatens to claim more lives before the truth finally comes to light? As Geneva is forced to confront painful truths, she realizes the story of her own life may not be what she always believed—and learning the truth will come at a cost.
Overall: This is an utterly gripping and fast-paced thriller. I loved the layered backstories of the three women and how the tragedies of the past were seamlessly tied to the storms. That symbolic connection was the highlight of the book for me—so haunting and beautifully executed. Even though I correctly guessed several twists, the ride was no less thrilling, and Hawkins’s storytelling kept me hooked throughout.
This is another must-read from Rachel Hawkins that I highly recommend.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this perfectly addictive thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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I don’t even know where to start with An Archive of Romance. Reading this novella felt like being handed a treasure chest filled with all the pieces oI don’t even know where to start with An Archive of Romance. Reading this novella felt like being handed a treasure chest filled with all the pieces of Effy and Preston’s love story that I always wished I could hold in my hands. Letters, poems, sketches, diary entries—every single page felt like opening a window into their private world, and I couldn’t stop lingering over every detail.
What made this such a powerful experience for me wasn’t just Ava Reid’s words (though they’re as haunting and lyrical as ever), but the way the art and text come together to create something alive. Each illustration is stunning—truly a masterpiece. It’s rare that I pause just to stare at a page, but this book made me stop, breathe, and let myself be transported back into that darkly magical universe.
And oh, Effy and Preston. Their story has always tugged at my heart, but seeing their love unfold here—the tenderness, the vulnerability, the survival, the way they still choose each other—was a gift.
As someone who devoured A Study in Drowning and A Theory of Dreaming, finally getting to read the long-hinted love story of Effy and Preston excited me beyond words.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins for sharing this remarkable and very heartfelt novella's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts that I highly appreciated. Every illustration felt like a work of art that swept me deeper into Effy and Preston’s world. As one of the biggest fans of A Study in Drowning, I can’t describe how lucky I felt to read the love story I had been so intrigued about from the very beginning
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Ever since No Exit, I’ve been one of Taylor Adams’ most loyal fans — and with Her Last Breath, he’s done it again, proving he’s the master of the smarEver since No Exit, I’ve been one of Taylor Adams’ most loyal fans — and with Her Last Breath, he’s done it again, proving he’s the master of the smart, heart-pounding locked-room thriller. Just when I thought his stories couldn’t get more intense, this one swept me into a world of shocking twists, claustrophobic suspense, and relentless action that kept me breathless from beginning to end.
The book opens with an unforgettable sequence: a young woman trapped in a remote cave system on the Cascade Range, entombed in darkness as rock collapses around her. The descriptions of her eighteen-hour ordeal are so vivid, I felt my chest tightening and my pulse racing — a visceral reading experience that left me almost gasping alongside her.
Detective Layla Washington arrives on the scene and soon becomes the listener to a harrowing survival tale. Tess, the survivor, recounts not only her fight for life but also the complicated history that led her underground: a lifelong bond with Allie, a charismatic influencer who built a brand around high-stakes adventure, and the strained dynamic that recently tested their friendship. Tess, carrying the scars of her own traumatic childhood, had long been embraced as family by Allie’s parents, but now finds herself pulled into Allie’s risky orbit once again when she agrees to a caving trip.
What should have been a chance for the two women to reconnect turns into a nightmare when a mysterious caver begins shadowing them — a stranger who soon reveals far more sinister intentions. Stalked, hunted, and forced into a deadly cat-and-mouse game in the depths of the earth, Tess relies only on her instincts, scraps of survival knowledge, and the imagined encouragement of her friend’s voice in her head.
But as Tess emerges battered and shaken, Detective Washington senses that the story isn’t over. Why was Allie being targeted? What dangerous secrets was she involved in — secrets serious enough to draw federal investigators into the case? And even though Tess survived the cave, could she still be in danger?
Adams balances the relentless suspense with razor-sharp plotting and haunting questions, making this more than just a thriller — it’s a story about friendship, betrayal, and how far someone will go when pushed to the brink.
Overall: Her Last Breath is a pulse-pounding, claustrophobic, brilliantly engineered thriller that fans of Adams — and any lover of tightly wound mysteries — will devour. It’s fierce, smart, emotionally charged, and unforgettable.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this freaking fantastic thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Daphne du Maurier has always had an unparalleled gift for weaving the unsettling into the everyday, and After Midnight is a masterclass in that hauntiDaphne du Maurier has always had an unparalleled gift for weaving the unsettling into the everyday, and After Midnight is a masterclass in that haunting craft. This collection of thirteen chilling tales slips effortlessly between the eerie, the macabre, and the breathtakingly human, each story a slow-burn descent into shadows you didn’t realize were gathering until it’s too late. From the creeping menace of The Birds to the surreal unease of The Blue Lenses, du Maurier’s prose is sharp as a knife’s edge, cutting into the delicate fabric of reality and revealing the darkness beneath. Her characters—whether ordinary men making terrible choices, lovers stumbling into danger, or wanderers lured by strange mysteries—are drawn with such precision that their fears feel like our own.
The beauty of this collection lies in its range: there are stories steeped in supernatural dread, others anchored in psychological tension, and all are layered with the author’s uncanny ability to evoke dread from a single image, gesture, or twist of fate. These are not just ghost stories or thrillers; they are portraits of human vulnerability, jealousy, obsession, and the fragile line between reason and madness. Every page carries the signature du Maurier atmosphere—moody, cinematic, and unshakably tense.
Whether you are discovering her short fiction for the first time or returning to these classics with fresh eyes, After Midnight is an unforgettable reminder of why Daphne du Maurier remains one of the most influential voices in gothic and suspense literature. Each tale lingers like the echo of a whispered warning, urging you to read just one more—long after midnight.
Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for granting me the opportunity to experience this remarkable collection early. I’m deeply grateful for the chance to revisit du Maurier’s genius in such a stunning edition, and I cannot recommend it highly enough to fans of dark, atmospheric storytelling.
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Sue Lynn Tan has once again proven why she’s a master of weaving myth, magic, and heart-stopping romance into breathtaking fantasy. Never Ever After iSue Lynn Tan has once again proven why she’s a master of weaving myth, magic, and heart-stopping romance into breathtaking fantasy. Never Ever After is not just a Cinderella retelling—it’s a bold, intoxicating reinvention steeped in Chinese folklore, brimming with political intrigue, and wrapped in the kind of lyrical, transportive prose that makes you want to live between its pages forever.
From the very first chapter, Tan sweeps you into the unforgiving Iron Mountains, where Yining—a sharp-witted thief with a survivor’s instincts—navigates loss, betrayal, and the shadows of her past. Her journey to reclaim an enchanted ring stolen by her cruel step-aunt takes her deep into the glittering, treacherous heart of the empire. There, she becomes entangled with two equally dangerous men: the magnetic, ruthless Prince Zixin and the calculating, secretive Jin, advisor to a rival court. Every encounter crackles with tension, every alliance feels as fragile as spun glass.
This is where Tan’s brilliance truly shines. Her worldbuilding is lush yet razor-sharp—palaces shimmer with dangerous beauty, whispers of magic curl through every shadow, and the political games are as captivating as they are cutthroat. Her mythological influences pulse through every scene, making the world feel ancient, alive, and endless.
The romance? A slow-burn delight. Tan doesn’t rush it; she lets it simmer beneath layers of mistrust, stolen glances, and the kind of unspoken longing that makes your chest ache. And while the romantic threads are intoxicating, they never overshadow the story’s deeper currents of power, survival, and self-discovery.
I’ve adored Tan’s Celestial Kingdom series—it remains one of my all-time favorites—and this new duology opener feels like a thrilling evolution of her craft. Her signature mystical, poetic style is all here: the vivid imagery, the emotional precision, the way she can make a single line feel like it holds the weight of a legend.
Never Ever After starts with a spark, builds into a storm, and ends with the kind of twist that makes you gasp out loud. It’s fierce, enchanting, and utterly addictive. By the final page, I was already desperate for book two.
A huge, heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for sharing this mesmerizing fantasy and unforgettable Cinderella reimagining with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. If you love richly imagined worlds, complex characters, and romance that feels like destiny, prepare to lose yourself in Yining’s story.
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Hepworth is, without question, my reigning Australian thriller queen (sorry, Liane Moriarty—Sally has absolutely earned this crown!). With her latest Hepworth is, without question, my reigning Australian thriller queen (sorry, Liane Moriarty—Sally has absolutely earned this crown!). With her latest novel, she doesn’t just deliver another solid story—she delivers her masterpiece. From the moment I finished it, I wanted to stand on the rooftops and shout, “All rise for Queen Sally!” because this book has officially become my favorite of hers.
It’s everything I love about Hepworth’s writing: a perfectly balanced mystery that teases and twists until the very end, layers of questions that keep forming in your mind, and, this time, a tidal wave of emotion that caught me completely off guard. For the first time in a Hepworth novel, I found myself teary-eyed, glassy-eyed even, overwhelmed by the tenderness and heartbreak woven into the suspense. Beyond the thrills, it’s a story about friendship, honesty, resilience, and the power of a community that holds each other close—even when secrets threaten to tear everything apart.
At the heart of the novel is Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, one of the most fascinating characters I’ve encountered in years. She’s 81 years old, whip-smart, sarcastic, sturdy, resilient, and unapologetically grumpy in a way that makes her unforgettable. But she’s also a woman who has lived her entire life under the shadow of a cruel legend: Mad Mabel. As a child, after surviving a tragic accident, Elsie’s appearance and aloofness made her an easy target. Whispers grew into gossip, gossip hardened into myth, and soon she was the neighborhood scapegoat—a girl supposedly cursed, dangerous, unstable. It’s heartbreaking to see how her story was twisted by others, how she was villainized from such a young age. But as readers, we’re left wondering: was Elsie ever “mad” at all? Or was she simply misunderstood, punished because people needed someone to blame for their own fears and weaknesses?
In the present day, Elsie has been living peacefully for six decades, content to keep to herself—until everything comes crashing down again. A neighbor who always treated her coldly dies mysteriously, and Elsie is the one to find the body. Suddenly, she’s thrust back into the spotlight, her old nickname dragged up and her reputation shredded once more. This time, though, Elsie is determined not to be silenced. She decides to tell her own story, choosing two bold young podcasters as her confidants—the only ones brave enough to sit across from her and listen. And through her voice, we’re forced to ask ourselves: is she the monster the town has always painted her to be, or the tragic heroine of her own misunderstood life? The beauty of this book lies in the way Hepworth refuses to make it simple. Elsie is complicated, contradictory, deeply human. Why do her neighbors adore her if she’s truly as dangerous as they say? Why does little Persephone never leave her side? Why would a supposedly cold woman open her home to a barking dog she once despised, simply because he lost his owner? Every act of kindness, every sharp remark, every moment of vulnerability adds to the puzzle, forcing us to confront whether she’s truly capable of the darkness people have long accused her of—or whether she’s simply been carrying a false narrative for decades.
This is not just a thriller—it’s a character study, a meditation on truth, bias, and the stories communities tell about those who don’t fit the mold. It’s haunting, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s undeniably gripping. Hepworth delivers action and mystery, yes, but she also gives us one of the most emotional, deeply felt stories she has ever written. By the final chapters, I was shaken to my core, napkin in hand, heart pounding.
So buckle up for this ride. This is Sally Hepworth at the very height of her powers, blending sharp suspense with raw, emotional depth. I can confidently say this is one of the best books of 2026 and deserves not just five stars but five gazillion stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this marvelous book from one of my all-time favorite authors in exchange for my honest thoughts. I loved every single page, and I will be talking about Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick for a long, long time.
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There’s something about The Shark House that latches on from the very first chapter and refuses to let go. Sara Ackerman’s storytelling carries you stThere’s something about The Shark House that latches on from the very first chapter and refuses to let go. Sara Ackerman’s storytelling carries you straight to 1998 Hawai‘i, where the scent of saltwater hangs in the air, the horizon feels endless, and the ocean hides as much as it reveals. This isn’t just scenery—it’s a living, breathing presence in the book, one that shapes the people who live beside it, for better or worse.
At the heart of the story is Minnow Gray, a marine biologist whose quiet strength is tested the moment she steps onto the Kohala coast. A string of shark attacks has everyone on edge, and she’s there to find answers. But this isn’t a simple case of predator and prey—Ackerman makes it clear early on that there’s more at stake, and much more to uncover beneath the surface. What kept me hooked wasn’t just the mystery of the shark, but the way Minnow’s journey through the water echoed her journey inward. Her work forces her to confront a past she’s tried to outrun, and the bravery it takes to face that—while surrounded by doubt, danger, and a field still dominated by men—makes her story both empowering and deeply human.
One of the things I loved most is how Ackerman treats the sharks themselves. They’re not monsters here; they’re powerful, complex creatures, and the book treats them with the kind of respect and realism you rarely see in fiction. The underwater scenes pulse with tension, but they’re also full of awe, and you can feel the author’s knowledge and care in every detail.
This book isn’t just about the science or the danger—it’s about connection. Connection to the natural world, to the ghosts of our past, and to the pieces of ourselves we’ve hidden away. By the final chapters, I wasn’t just rooting for Minnow to find her shark—I was rooting for her to find her way back to herself.
If you’re looking for a story that blends atmospheric suspense with heartfelt character growth, The Shark House is a journey worth taking. It’s as much about survival and resilience as it is about the beauty and ferocity of the ocean. And it’s the kind of novel that leaves you thinking about what you’d be willing to risk to make peace with your past.
Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for sharing this engaging, inspirational women’s fiction novel’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Lost Girls of Hollow Lake is the kind of haunting thriller that doesn’t just keep you on edge—it gets under your skin and lingers long after the finalLost Girls of Hollow Lake is the kind of haunting thriller that doesn’t just keep you on edge—it gets under your skin and lingers long after the final page. From the eerie whispers of the Island to the fractured memories of the survivors, Rebekah Faubion crafts a chilling tale about what it means to survive... and what surviving actually costs.
Evie, our brave and haunted narrator, is still reeling from a school trip that ended in tragedy and silence. Three girls were left behind on a mysterious, cursed island—and the five who made it home didn’t return whole. Now, one by one, someone—or something—is coming for them. When Evie receives a terrifying message, she realizes there’s only one way to stop the cycle of death: return to the place that broke them.
What follows is a dark, immersive journey that blends supernatural horror with emotional depth. The Island is more than just a setting—it’s a force, a character, a mirror of the trauma these girls carry. Faubion explores the weight of guilt, the resilience of sisterhood, and the idea that sometimes, confronting the past is scarier than any monster.
With sharp pacing, eerie imagery, and heart-pounding twists, Lost Girls of Hollow Lake is a wild ride through grief, mystery, and survival. Fans of Yellowjackets, The Forest, and I Know What You Did Last Summer will find themselves obsessed.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books | Delacorte Press for sharing this unforgettable, darkly emotional YA thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts!
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Anyone who offers me a dark academia, twisty mystery laced with paranormal events and my all-time favorite romance trope—enemies to lovers—has my fullAnyone who offers me a dark academia, twisty mystery laced with paranormal events and my all-time favorite romance trope—enemies to lovers—has my full attention and immediate celebration mode activated!
This one is a heady mix: think A Deadly Education meets Katabasis, draped in Tim Burton’s Wednesday aesthetic (minus the outsiders, plus the wealthy elite), with a dash of a certain famous Christopher Nolan film’s energy. I can’t tell you which Nolan movie—it’s tied to the book’s biggest twist—but trust me, when you hit that final third, you’ll know exactly what I mean. The atmosphere is dark, tense, and deliciously intriguing, the storytelling a slow burn that still manages to pull you under almost immediately.
At first, we follow Ellory Morgan—a scholarship student, mostly solitary except for her loyal friends Tai and Cody—returning to Warren Academy after three years away caring for her ailing aunt. She’s immediately confronted by her academic arch-nemesis, Hudson Graves: rich, intimidating, maddeningly smart, and infuriating from their very first encounter. Life on campus unfolds with vivid details—her run-ins with her selfish roommate Stasie, her ambition to join the school newspaper (against her aunt’s wishes), and eerie flashes of déjà vu that make her question reality. She remembers places, events, even Hudson’s exact coffee order, despite never having learned it.
The turning point comes when she attends an exclusive dinner party as Hudson’s plus one—a chance to mingle with academic power players. But a strange reflection in the mirror and an unsettling handwriting discovery in a book confirm her suspicions: the bizarre events aren’t in her imagination. They’re real. And the only person who can help her? Hudson Graves.
Reluctant alliances form, complicated by her dating his ex-roommate Liam, and the mystery deepens. Eight student deaths have haunted Warren Academy over the years, and Ellory begins to suspect the anomalies she’s facing are connected. Solving this puzzle might be the only way to save herself—and those she loves—from a deadly fate.
I’ll be honest—the first half is a slow build, with the real fireworks arriving in the second half. But once the pace kicks in, the story takes wild, unexpected turns that hit you in the face and pull the rug out from under you. It’s twisty, surprising, and brilliantly wrapped up in a finale that left me both satisfied and impressed. I’m glad I kept reading—because when it finally takes off, it’s mind-blowing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sharing this smart and gripping dark academia fantasy’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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J.T. Ellison is one of those authors I trust blindly—an auto-read queen of mystery whose books I devour thStarted with a Click… and Ended with a Chill
J.T. Ellison is one of those authors I trust blindly—an auto-read queen of mystery whose books I devour the second they land in my hands. Her latest thriller was no exception. From the first chapter, I was hooked. The opening? Quick, intense, and gripping. I didn’t even realize I’d flown past the first fifty pages. The setup was deliciously sinister: an aspiring forensics specialist blindsided by a scandal, a ruined career, a failing marriage, and a phone call from her injured father that draws her back into the shadows of her past. What’s not to love?
But as Halley’s investigation into her origins deepened—plunging into cults, family secrets, and eerie disappearances—I started to feel the plot stretching a bit thin. The mystery remained intriguing, but the layers became heavy, almost overstuffed. The middle sagged under the weight of too many characters, shifting POVs, and a cult subplot that felt more exaggerated than chilling. Still, just when I feared it might unravel, the ending pulled it all together with a blood-chilling punch. That finale absolutely delivered.
So I’m rounding my 3.5 stars up to 4, thanks to its psychological suspense, intense paranoia, and a villain that’ll definitely haunt your dreams.
The Plot (spoiler-light version!): Meet Halley James—mid-thirties, brilliant, and loyal to her forensics lab. She’s expecting a promotion, but instead, she's fired over a suspicious cyberattack she’s blamed for. Oh, and she’s reeling from a divorce from Theo, her ATF agent husband, who broke her heart by refusing to start a family.
Then comes the call: her father’s been in an accident. She returns to Marchburg, Virginia—the town where she was raised after a tragic car crash took her mother and sister. But once home, a horrifying discovery unravels everything she thought she knew: newspaper clippings hidden in her father’s files hint that her mother was murdered by Halley’s own sister… who also tried to kill Halley.
Her father changed their identities and homeschooled her to keep them both safe. But now the truth is clawing its way to the surface. Halley’s sister—Catriona—was last seen in Brockville, Tennessee, where she’d enrolled in a prestigious writing program. But she vanished, and nobody has heard from her since.
Driven by fury, curiosity, and the need for closure, Halley heads to Brockville. But the quaint town holds more than a writing retreat—it harbors a dark, secretive cult tied to the influential Brockton family. And the more Halley digs, the more she realizes: she’s in way over her head. The truth may finally be within reach... but so is danger. Deadly danger.
Final Thoughts: This book may not be Ellison’s tightest work, but it’s still an engrossing, slow-burning psychological thriller that delivers the dark twists her fans crave. A little long? Sure. A little exaggerated? Maybe. But still creepy, compelling, and absolutely worth reading—especially for lovers of thrillers drenched in paranoia and family secrets.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this chilling, twist-filled thriller!
A cutting-edge dystopian thrill that blends cyberpunk aesthetics, raw emotion, and sharp social commentary.
Wow, what a ride! Coldwire by Chloe Gong isA cutting-edge dystopian thrill that blends cyberpunk aesthetics, raw emotion, and sharp social commentary.
Wow, what a ride! Coldwire by Chloe Gong is a fiercely imaginative, beautifully layered dystopian tale that feels both terrifyingly futuristic and hauntingly familiar. It’s the kind of story that grabs you with sleek worldbuilding and keeps you turning the pages with relentless tension, political intrigue, and characters teetering on the edge of survival.
Set in a fractured future where most of society lives in an immersive virtual “upcountry” while the less fortunate are left to rot in the collapsing “downcountry,” Coldwire plunges us into a world where truth is blurred, loyalties are tested, and rebellion simmers just beneath the surface. From the very beginning, I was struck by how real this world felt—like something that could be waiting for us just a few short decades down the line. The technology, the class divide, the surveillance state—it all felt eerily possible.
I loved the dual narratives of Eirale and Lia. Their perspectives were so different, yet strangely complementary. Eirale’s gritty journey on the ground contrasted powerfully with Lia’s calculated moves in the virtual academy, and watching their stories unfold in parallel—knowing they were destined to collide—made for a gripping experience. Chloe Gong has a gift for tension and timing, and she uses both here to fantastic effect.
That said, there were moments when I struggled to keep up with all the world-specific jargon and complex political layers, especially early on. The pacing could be jarring at times, with quick POV shifts that left me scrambling to reorient. But once I settled into the rhythm of the story, I appreciated the ambition behind it. Gong doesn’t spoon-feed the reader—she trusts us to catch up, and that challenge ended up being one of the book’s strengths.
The emotional beats were subtle, but they landed. There’s a raw, unpolished vulnerability to the characters that really shines through beneath all the chaos. The hints of romance added just enough warmth to balance the darker themes, without ever hijacking the main plot. And the ending? Whew. Let’s just say I’m not emotionally okay and desperately need Book Two.
This book is a bold, smart, and timely addition to the YA dystopian genre. It tackles themes like social inequality, capitalism, climate collapse, and identity with intelligence and nuance—and it never forgets the humanity at its core.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing | Margaret K. McElderry Books for sharing this exhilarating digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. Coldwire left me breathless, thoughtful, and just a little haunted. Bring on the sequel—I’m ready.
A dark, bone-chilling fantasy with gorgeous ideas, but I struggled to connect
I wanted so badly to love this one — with necromancy, gods, a grieving siA dark, bone-chilling fantasy with gorgeous ideas, but I struggled to connect
I wanted so badly to love this one — with necromancy, gods, a grieving sister, a deadly island, and magic systems steeped in death and sacrifice, Mistress of Bones had a setup that absolutely screamed my name. It promised epic stakes, lush worldbuilding, layered politics, and morally complex characters. And to its credit — it delivered on many of those fronts. The prose is atmospheric and haunting, the world imaginative and intriguing, and the themes around sisterhood, power, and defiance of divine forces were right up my alley.
But the execution left me feeling… adrift. The constant shifts in timelines and POVs pulled me out of the story more often than they pulled me in. I often found myself flipping back to figure out where I was, whose head I was in, and how it tied to the previous chapter. And for a character-driven reader like me, that made it difficult to build emotional investment — even in Azul’s compelling arc. I wanted to feel her desperation, to root for her fight against death itself. But with the structure jumping so rapidly, it was like trying to hug a ghost — beautiful, but never quite tangible.
Still, there were moments that glimmered. The bones-as-magic concept is original and haunting, and I truly appreciated the Spanish-inspired mythos. Characters like Azul, Nereida, and Enjul had the strongest emotional presence, and I’m hoping the sequel gives them even more room to grow. There's so much promise buried in these pages, and despite my disconnect this time around, I'm tempted to revisit the story once book two is out — maybe it’s the kind of duology that reveals its magic better in hindsight.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Wednesday Books for sharing this teen fantasy romance digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Some books don’t just tell a story — they reach inside you, stir up feelings you didn’t know were buried, and gently remind you that healing is never Some books don’t just tell a story — they reach inside you, stir up feelings you didn’t know were buried, and gently remind you that healing is never linear, but always possible. Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen is one of those rare novels that feels like a warm hand on your shoulder during a moment of reckoning.
At 26, Cricket Campbell isn’t a fresh-faced heroine chasing her dreams — she’s stuck. Lost in the fog of unresolved grief, stalled potential, and a tragedy she’s never really made peace with. When her older sister decides it’s time to move their father Arthur, who’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, into a memory-care facility, Cricket steps in. Not because she’s ready — but because somewhere deep inside, she knows she needs to be.
What follows is not a straightforward journey of redemption, but a layered, funny, and quietly aching late coming-of-age story. Returning to her childhood home on Catwood Pond is like opening a time capsule sealed with emotion — familiar, yet hauntingly changed. Arthur, once unreachable, now carries a surprising gift: as his memories fade, he begins predicting the future. This beautiful twist doesn’t just serve as a whimsical plot device; it becomes a mirror through which Cricket is forced to confront her own truths — and perhaps for the first time, allow herself to rewrite them.
The brilliance of this book lies in how effortlessly it weaves humor into heartbreak. I found myself laughing out loud on one page and wiping away unexpected tears on the next. Hoen’s writing is whip-smart, lyrical, and profoundly observant. She captures the subtle nuances of family — the silence between words, the inherited habits, the unsaid regrets — with so much grace and accuracy, it made me pause more than once just to breathe it all in.
Cricket’s relationship with Arthur is the heart of this novel. It’s raw, layered, and astonishingly tender. Watching their roles shift — daughter becoming caretaker, father becoming prophet — is both devastating and deeply human. Their connection reminded me that even in the face of illness and memory loss, love doesn’t disappear. It simply changes shape.
Before I Forget isn’t just about Alzheimer’s. It’s about what we remember and what we choose to forget — and how both can shape the stories we tell ourselves. It’s about home, grief, time, identity, and above all, hope. That elusive, quiet kind of hope that whispers: you can still begin again.
This novel left a mark on me. Not with flashy plot twists or dramatic crescendos, but with the slow, steady unfolding of emotional truth. It’s the kind of book that feels like it was written just for you — like someone reached into your chest, found your most hidden hurt, and gave it space to exhale.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this embracing, emotional women’s fiction digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. This story will stay with me for a long, long time — and I feel incredibly lucky to have read it.