en-US Thu, 21 Nov 2024 15:17:28 -0800 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg 61258011
The bodies belong to the parents of Ezri, Eve and Emmanuel, who have long since abandoned the childhood home in which their parents remained all these years. A home that has haunted and hollowed them throughout their lives, in a neighbourhood where they grew up as the only Black family, hoping to survive a place that wanted to claim them, expel them and ruin them all at once.

In the wake of their parents’ death, Ezri and their siblings are forced to confront the reasons they left, the nightmares that have held them captive and the possibility that realities exist beyond those that have forged them.

Bold and tender, Model Home is a powerful meditation on the power of memory, loss and identity.]]> 304 Rivers Solomon 1529901693 Dennis 3 2024-pub, 2024-read 3.86 2024
author: Rivers Solomon
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/11/21
date added: 2024/11/21
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read
review:

]]> 203579071 A brilliant queer dystopian novel from the author of Yours for the Taking, following a cast of characters on the margins of a strange and exclusive new society.

The year is 2041, and it's a dangerous time to be a woman driving across the United States alone. Deadly storms and uncontrollable wildfires are pummeling the country while political tensions are rising. But Kelly's on the road anyway; she desperately needs to get back to her daughter, who she left seven years ago for a cause that she's no longer sure she believes in.

Almost 40 years later, another mother, Ava, and her daughter Brook are on the run as well, from the climate change relief program known as The Inside Project, where they've spent the past 22 years being treated as lab rats. When they encounter a woman from Ava’s past on the side of the highway, the three continue on in a journey that will take them into the depths of what remains of humanity out in the wilderness.

At the same time, way up North, weather conditions continue to worsen and a settlement departs in search of greener pastures, leaving behind only two members, drawn together by a circumstance and a mystery they are destined to unravel together.

Set in the world of Gabrielle Korn's Yours for the Taking, The Shutouts tells the captivating story of those who have been shut out from Inside, their fight to survive, and an interconnectedness larger than all of them.]]> 304 Gabrielle Korn 1250323487 Dennis 4
This book is highly politically driven and I really resonated with this book a lot. It's a bit of a slow burn, but I think this book takes on serious issues dealing with climate change and the political actions of corruption and greed. I think if you have been triggered by the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, this book would also trigger you as well but also give you the urge to continue to fight for human rights and climate change action. This book is the follow up to the author's last book, but I didn't read that one nor had any issues following this one. The non-binary and LGBTQ+ representation in this book was a great addition to the storytelling. I really enjoyed the audiobook of Gabrielle Korn's writing style and would definitely be interested in seeing what this author has for readers next.]]> 3.77 2024
author: Gabrielle Korn
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/21
date added: 2024/11/21
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, apocalyptic, dystopian, lgbt
review:
It’s 2041, and the U.S. is a dangerous place for a woman traveling alone, with deadly storms, wildfires, and rising political tensions. Still, Kelly’s on the road, desperate to reunite with the daughter she left behind seven years ago for a cause she no longer believes in. Meanwhile, Ava and her daughter Brook have spent 22 years as unwilling participants in The Inside Project, a climate change relief program, and are now on the run. Their paths cross with someone from Ava’s past, setting them on a journey through the wilderness, just as up North, worsening weather drives a settlement away, leaving two people to unravel a shared mystery.

This book is highly politically driven and I really resonated with this book a lot. It's a bit of a slow burn, but I think this book takes on serious issues dealing with climate change and the political actions of corruption and greed. I think if you have been triggered by the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, this book would also trigger you as well but also give you the urge to continue to fight for human rights and climate change action. This book is the follow up to the author's last book, but I didn't read that one nor had any issues following this one. The non-binary and LGBTQ+ representation in this book was a great addition to the storytelling. I really enjoyed the audiobook of Gabrielle Korn's writing style and would definitely be interested in seeing what this author has for readers next.
]]> 203579103 Alex Segura, LA Times Book Prize–winning author of Secret Identity, returns with a clever and escapist mystery set in the world of comic books. In the present day, a comics legend is given the chance to revive a beloved but forgotten character. But at what price?

Annie Bustamante is a cultural force like none other: an acclaimed filmmaker, an author, a comic book artist known for one of the all time best superhero comics in recent memory. But she’s never been able to tackle her longtime favorite superhero, the Lethal Lynx. Only known to the most die-hard comics fans and long out of print, the rights were never available―until now.

But Annie is skeptical of who is making the offer: Bert Carlyle's father started Triumph Comics, and has long claimed ownership of the Lynx. When she starts getting anonymous messages urging her not to trust anyone, Annie’s inner alarms go off. Even worse? Carlyle wants to pair her with a disgraced filmmaker for a desperate media play.

Annie, who has been called a genius, a sell-out, a visionary, a hack, and everything else under the sun, is sick of the money grab. For the first time since she started reading a tattered copy of The Legendary Lynx #1 as a kid, she feels a pure, creative spark. The chance to tell a story her way. She's not about to let that go. Even if it means uncovering the dark truth about the character she loves.

Sharply written, deftly plotted, and with a palpable affection for all kinds of storytelling, Alter Ego is a one-of-a-kind reading experience.]]> 320 Alex Segura 125080177X Dennis 4 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller
I've been wanting to read Alex Segura's books since his last book, Secret Identity, so I made sure to prioritize this one. You do not need to read Secret Identity to follow this book as I was easily able to follow. This book was such a freaking blast! I highly encourage you to listen to the audiobook as it felt like I was listening to a Marvel movie on my headphones. They really go the extra mile in this narration. This story really dives into the world of comics and superheroes, but also about mothers and daughters and some other themes throughout the story. If you like X-Men, Marvel, The Boys, or comics in general, Secrety Identity is a MUST READ. I cannot wait to read the next Alex Segura novel!]]> 3.81 2024
author: Alex Segura
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/13
date added: 2024/11/13
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller
review:
Alex Segura’s Alter Ego dives into the comic book world, where Annie Bustamante—a big-shot filmmaker and comic artist—finally gets a shot at reviving her favorite superhero, the Lethal Lynx. But things get shady fast when the offer comes with strings attached, plus some creepy anonymous warnings to boot. Annie’s tired of cash grabs and ready to tell this story her way, no matter what dark secrets she uncovers.

I've been wanting to read Alex Segura's books since his last book, Secret Identity, so I made sure to prioritize this one. You do not need to read Secret Identity to follow this book as I was easily able to follow. This book was such a freaking blast! I highly encourage you to listen to the audiobook as it felt like I was listening to a Marvel movie on my headphones. They really go the extra mile in this narration. This story really dives into the world of comics and superheroes, but also about mothers and daughters and some other themes throughout the story. If you like X-Men, Marvel, The Boys, or comics in general, Secrety Identity is a MUST READ. I cannot wait to read the next Alex Segura novel!
]]> 199532079
Julie’s mother Kate is a force of nature––a glamorous woman of seventy, a self-made real estate developer, a grande dame in Florida society, and a power broker in Florida politics. It wasn’t easy for Julie to grow up in the shadow of such a dynamo, but she loves her mother, and she and her husband Eric are thrilled when Kate marries her long-lost high school sweetheart, a salt-of-the-earth man named Charlie.

But their storybook romance ends abruptly. On their wedding night, Kate calls the police in hysterics to report that Charlie just confessed to a notorious unsolved crime from decades before. 

Charlie says she imagined it. Eric says that Kate has dementia. And the FBI says that Charlie couldn’t possibly have committed that crime.

Julie doesn’t know what to believe. Is her brilliant mother losing her mind? Or is sweet, lovable Charlie gaslighting Kate to gain control of her fortune?

As Julie tries to navigate through this maze of paranoia and mind games, cracks start to develop in her own marriage as it seems that Eric is keeping secrets . . .

Set against a backdrop of rampant development and devastating climate change, Shell Games is a psychological thriller that will make your head spin and the pages turn as you wonder exactly who is doing what to whom.]]> 320 Bonnie Kistler 0063378965 Dennis 3
As the story ventures into chaos, Julie starts noticing cracks in her own marriage, adding layers of distrust and paranoia. Even her husband, Eric, seems to be hiding something, leaving Julie unsure who to believe or trust. The book heavily relies on gaslighting themes, adding tension but sometimes veering into over-the-top territory. Yet, the final twist hits hard, truly winning me over in the end.]]> 3.55 2024
author: Bonnie Kistler
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/11/11
date added: 2024/11/11
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller, domestic-thriller
review:
Shell Games follows Julie, who’s caught in the chaos when her uber wealth and influential mother, Kate, marries her high school sweetheart, Charlie. Kate’s an influential real estate mogul and political figure in Florida, and Julie’s thrilled her mom seems happy—until their wedding night when Kate accuses Charlie of confessing to an old crime, throwing everyone into confusion. While Kate insists it happened, Charlie claims she’s delusional, and others suggest she might be showing signs of dementia. Julie’s stuck wondering if her mom’s truly losing it or if Charlie’s just pulling off an elaborate scheme.

As the story ventures into chaos, Julie starts noticing cracks in her own marriage, adding layers of distrust and paranoia. Even her husband, Eric, seems to be hiding something, leaving Julie unsure who to believe or trust. The book heavily relies on gaslighting themes, adding tension but sometimes veering into over-the-top territory. Yet, the final twist hits hard, truly winning me over in the end.
]]> 206180583 In this highly atmospheric thriller from the Bram Stoker Award–nominated author of The Violence, a young woman hopes to reinvent herself at an isolated artists’ colony . . . only to be drawn into its dark, twisted past.

Sarah Carpenter is starting over.

She’s on the run—leaving behind her unsupportive, narcissistic ex-boyfriend and alcoholic, abusive mother—and headed for a new beginning at Tranquil Falls, a secluded artists’ colony on the grounds of a closed hotel. There, with no cell signal or internet to distract her, she hopes to rediscover her love for pottery and put the broken pieces of her life back together.

But when Sarah uncovers the body of a young woman while digging a hole for a pit kiln, things start to fall apart. Her fellow artists begin to act in troubling ways. The eccentric fiber artist knits an endless scarf. The musician plays the same carousel song over and over until his fingers bleed. The calligrapher grins with ink-stained teeth. Not to mention the haunting dreams Sarah has night after night.

When she discovers glass shards in her clay, Sarah wonders if someone is out to get her—or if she’s losing her grip on reality out here in the wilds, where the pounding of the waterfall never, ever fades. As she investigates the beautiful valley and the crumbling resort looming over them all, she unearths a chilling past that refuses to remain buried . . .]]> 368 Delilah S. Dawson 059315665X Dennis 3
Dawson once excels at immersing readers in her richly described settings, making the eerie artists' retreat vivid and tangible. The retreat, set deep in a rural setting, provides a claustrophobic and ominous environment as the suspense begins to unravel. The story’s atmosphere is very strong, but slow moving, so you really get a feel about Tranquil Falls, but I did want the story to move faster.

The story moved beyond Sarah’s artistic journey into chilling topics that may need Trigger Warnings (message me if you want them). Though suspenseful, the ending didn’t quite hit me in a very profound way. Although I wanted a more satisfying ending, I think the author's note provided me with context with why the book developed the way it did. While IT WILL ONLY HURT FOR A MOMENT fell a bit short of the two previous books I've read by this author, THE VIOLENCE and GUILLOTINE, I do really enjoy her writing style and I will continue to pick up what she has coming up next for readers. ]]> 3.64 2024
author: Delilah S. Dawson
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/11/06
date added: 2024/11/06
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, mystery, slow-burn, gothic
review:
In this atmospheric thriller by Delilah S. Dawson, a young woman named Sarah Carpenter arrives at an isolated artists' colony, hoping to leave behind her painful past and find solace in her pottery. Escaping an emotionally abusive mother and a toxic ex-boyfriend, she’s drawn to the quiet of Tranquil Falls, an abandoned hotel turned artists’ retreat with no cell signal or internet. But instead of achieving peace and tranquility, Sarah finds herself uncovering a body and gradually becoming suspect of the unsettling behaviors of her fellow artists and the dark history haunting the the complex.

Dawson once excels at immersing readers in her richly described settings, making the eerie artists' retreat vivid and tangible. The retreat, set deep in a rural setting, provides a claustrophobic and ominous environment as the suspense begins to unravel. The story’s atmosphere is very strong, but slow moving, so you really get a feel about Tranquil Falls, but I did want the story to move faster.

The story moved beyond Sarah’s artistic journey into chilling topics that may need Trigger Warnings (message me if you want them). Though suspenseful, the ending didn’t quite hit me in a very profound way. Although I wanted a more satisfying ending, I think the author's note provided me with context with why the book developed the way it did. While IT WILL ONLY HURT FOR A MOMENT fell a bit short of the two previous books I've read by this author, THE VIOLENCE and GUILLOTINE, I do really enjoy her writing style and I will continue to pick up what she has coming up next for readers.
]]> 203579200 From international bestselling authors James S. Murray (better known as "Murr" on the hit TV show Impractical Jokers) and Darren Wearmouth, comes You Better Watch Out, a suspenseful, serial killer thriller that leaves you wondering, is Christmas really the best time of the year? Forty-eight hours until Christmas, Jessica Kane wakes up with blurred vision, ears ringing, and in excruciating pain. A gash in her head and blood running down her face, the last thing she remembers is going for a run and something or someone hitting her in the head. It doesn't take her long to realize she is trapped in an unknown, deserted town with five other strangers who share similar stories of being attacked and stranded there. Unsure why and how they got there, she knows one thing for certain, she has to find a way out. That becomes nearly impossible when someone is meticulously orchestrating their deaths, one by one, and the only thing Jessica can do is watch the life leave their eyes. The fenced-in town is the killer’s very own playground and there's nowhere left to hide... she better watch out because she could be next.]]> 240 James S. Murray 1250286263 Dennis 3 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror 3.61 2024
author: James S. Murray
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/27
date added: 2024/10/27
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror
review:

]]> 209336456 160 Nat Cassidy 1959565362 Dennis 4 3.66 2024
author: Nat Cassidy
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/10/23
date added: 2024/10/23
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror, novella
review:
Abe is a young musician and he finds himself trapped in a gas station bathroom at night, caught between the horrors outside the door and the terrifying creatures crawling inside. This horror novella, perfect for Halloween season. It stressed me out and made me vow never to stop at a rest stop again without my phone. Abe’s desperate fight for survival while battling his own mind was fascinating, though the mind-bending ending left me feeling confused—in the best way possible. The story is funny, gross, gory, and intensely anxiety-inducing as things spiral from bad to worse. It was a quick, and fun read for sure.
]]> 199797559 “It’s impossible to know another person, isn’t it? To step past that locked door of their secretive inner self. . . . But honestly, do you even want to know?”

One sunny morning in June, Margaret Carpenter wakes up to find a new iPhone on her doorstep. She switches it on and is greeted by a text from her best friend, Charity Atwater. The problem is, Charity’s been missing for over a month. Most people in town – even the police – think she’s dead.

Margaret and Charity have been lifelong friends. They share everything, know the most intimate details about each other . . . except for the destructive secret hidden from them both. A secret that will trigger a chain of events ending in tragedy, bloodshed, and death. And now Charity wants Margaret to know her story – the real story.

In a narrative that takes place over one feverish day, Margaret follows a series of increasingly disquieting breadcrumbs as she forges deeper into the mystery of her best friend – a person she never truly knew at all. . . .]]> 374 Nick Cutter 1668020971 Dennis 4
The novel's tension escalates to a fever pitch, with an ending that is brutal and wild. Cutter's knack for relentless horror left me numb by the conclusion. Although the book takes place over the course of a day, the book is a very slow-burning horror, so just pace yourself and you'll be fine. For fans of his work, I highly recommend it.]]> 3.54 2024
author: Nick Cutter
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.54
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/10/23
date added: 2024/10/23
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, science-fiction, horror
review:
Nick Cutter is a very well-known horror author, especially after his massive hit The Troop, so I was very excited to pick up his upcoming novel, THE QUEEN. Thank you @gallerybooks for this gifted copy! THE QUEEN is another installment of Nick Cutter's most disturbing body horror novels for sure. The novel showcases intense and graphic insectile body horror and it delves into Cutter’s signature dark and twisted storytelling. Set over the course of a single day, the story follows a teenage girl as she unravels life-altering secrets about her recently disappeared friend. The revelations are devastating and will have a lasting impact on her life and everyone connected to her.

The novel's tension escalates to a fever pitch, with an ending that is brutal and wild. Cutter's knack for relentless horror left me numb by the conclusion. Although the book takes place over the course of a day, the book is a very slow-burning horror, so just pace yourself and you'll be fine. For fans of his work, I highly recommend it.
]]> 203579244 Never been kissed.
About to get screwed.

A virus is spreading across America, transforming the infected and making them feral with lust.

Sophie, a good Catholic girl, must survive the hellscape of the Midwest to try to save her twin brother while the world around her burns. Along the way she discovers there are far worse fates than dying a virgin. . . .

Neil Gaiman’s American Gods meets The Last of Us in this epic and sweeping novel about the end of the world as we know it.]]> 370 C.J. Leede 1250857929 Dennis 3
I didn’t love Maeve Fly, so I was apprehensive. That being said, my opinion on this book was mixed. The first 40 pages really hooked me in, but then it slowed down so significantly that I wanted to put it down multiple times. At times, the plot was difficult to immerse myself in and was very frustrating.

However, the latter part of the book picked back up for me, especially when it delved into themes of religious trauma. I enjoyed the apocalyptic setting and appreciated the tension created by the virus's sexual component, which added to the horror. Though the writing style felt choppy and could’ve used an edit of maybe 100 pages shorter, the intense conflict did hold my attention even when I wanted to DNF. This book is getting a lot of 5-star reviews and it dives into unique storylines and metaphorical themes, so if you’re interested in the synopsis, it definitely is worth picking up. STARS: 3, PUB: out now!]]> 4.02 2024
author: C.J. Leede
name: Dennis
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/18
date added: 2024/10/18
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror, slow-burn
review:
I was so excited to pick up American Rapture after hearing that Rachel Harrison absolutely loved it. A deadly virus is sweeping across America, turning the infected into feral, lust-driven creatures. Sophie, a devout Catholic girl, must navigate the nightmare of a collapsing Midwest as she searches for her family amidst the chaos. As the world around her crumbles, she soon realizes that there are far worse horrors than dying a virgin.

I didn’t love Maeve Fly, so I was apprehensive. That being said, my opinion on this book was mixed. The first 40 pages really hooked me in, but then it slowed down so significantly that I wanted to put it down multiple times. At times, the plot was difficult to immerse myself in and was very frustrating.

However, the latter part of the book picked back up for me, especially when it delved into themes of religious trauma. I enjoyed the apocalyptic setting and appreciated the tension created by the virus's sexual component, which added to the horror. Though the writing style felt choppy and could’ve used an edit of maybe 100 pages shorter, the intense conflict did hold my attention even when I wanted to DNF. This book is getting a lot of 5-star reviews and it dives into unique storylines and metaphorical themes, so if you’re interested in the synopsis, it definitely is worth picking up. STARS: 3, PUB: out now!
]]> 207299448
Though the authorities rule Liam's death accidental, Nora and her estranged brother, Sam, believe otherwise. As they form an uneasy alliance to unpack the mystery, they start putting together the pieces of their father’s past and uncover a family secret that changes everything.

With Laura Dave’s “signature blend of pulse-pounding suspense” (PEOPLE) and “trademark emotional heft” (The New York Post), The Night We Lost Him is a “propulsive” (Oprah Daily) must-read, with a heartbreaking final twist you’ll never see coming.]]> 298 Laura Dave 1668002930 Dennis 3 3.55 2024
author: Laura Dave
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/17
date added: 2024/10/17
shelves: 2024-read, 2024-pub, character-driven, light-mystery
review:

]]> 203664996 The Santa Clause meets Husband Material in this delightful holiday novel!

Fixing Christmas? Easy. Fixing their marriage? Not so much.

Patrick Hargrave and Quinn Muller have been married for less than a year, but their passionate romance is cracking under the pressures of domestic life and a cumbersome mortgage. That's until Christmas Eve when Patrick wakes Quinn up 'I think I've killed a man.'

Quinn realizes the 'burglar' Patrick knocked out is none other than Mr. Claus himself. Instructed by a harried elf to don the red suit and take the reins of the reindeer-guided sleigh up on the roof, Quinn and Patrick work together to save Christmas.

But as the sun rises on Christmas morning, the sleigh brings them back to the North Pole instead of New Jersey, and they're in for a massive shock. The couple must assume the roles of Santa Claus and the first ever Merriest Mister or Christmas will be cancelled . . . permanently.

With Christmas - and their marriage - on the line, Patrick and Quinn agree to stay together for one year. But can running a toy shop together save their relationship, or will Patrick and Quinn be stuffing coal in each other's stockings come next Christmas?]]> 320 Timothy Janovsky 125033893X Dennis 4 3.69 2024
author: Timothy Janovsky
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/10/02
date added: 2024/10/02
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, lgbt, gay, romance
review:

]]> 209878228 352 Alaina Urquhart 1638931240 Dennis 4 3.93 2024
author: Alaina Urquhart
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/24
date added: 2024/09/24
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, detective, horror, police-procedural
review:

]]> 201751226 From the celebrated author of The Other Half comes a fabulous whodunit about two cold cases in which things go a fourteen-year-old girl and a multi-million-dollar pension fund.

Early one morning, a men’s rowing team discovers a body floating face down in the Thames. Many years before, the chief executive of a clothing manufacturer walked off with a multi-million dollar corporate retirement fund and disappeared without a trace. Now, the discovery of this body has reopened that cold case.

Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp has his own evening at the theater upended by the discovery of a dead body just a few seats away. Two decades ago, Eliza Chapel, a fourteen-year-old student at a girls boarding school in Cornwall, disappeared in the middle of the night under dubious circumstances. A second body and a second cold case reopened.

As DI Caius Beauchamp—along with his associates Matt Chung and Amy Noakes—investigates these parallel missing persons cases, he finds himself ensnared in the unexpected political machinations of a duke-in-waiting. This is yet another masterful mystery from Charlotte Vassell that is every bit as pointed as it is poignant.]]> 432 Charlotte Vassell 0593685970 Dennis 4 3.85 2024
author: Charlotte Vassell
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/23
date added: 2024/09/23
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, police-procedural, mystery
review:

]]> 202204691 Ask Cordelia Black why she did it. The answer will always be: He had it coming.

Cordelia Black loves exactly three things: Her chosen family, her hairdresser (worth every penny plus tip), and killing bad men.

By day she's an ambitious pharma rep with a flawless reputation and designer wardrobe. By night, she culls South Louisiana of unscrupulous men—monsters who think they've evaded justice, until they meet her. Sure, the evening news may have started throwing around phrases like "serial killer," but Cordelia knows that's absurd. She's not a killer, she is simply karma. And being karma requires complete and utter control.

But when Cordelia discovers a flaw in her perfectly designed system for eliminating monsters, pressure heightens. And it only intensifies when her best friend starts dating a man Cordelia isn't sure is a good person. Someone who might just unravel everything she has worked for.

Soon enough Cordelia has to come face to face with the choices she's made. The good, the bad, and the murderous. Both her family, and her freedom, depend on it.]]> 432 Emma C. Wells 1464218625 Dennis 3 3.64 2024
author: Emma C. Wells
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/09/19
date added: 2024/09/19
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, psychological-thriller
review:

]]> 202490408 The Menu meets Ready of Not in this dark tale of opulent luxury and shocking violence from the New York Times bestselling author of Bloom.

Thrift fashionista Dez Lane doesn't want to date Patrick Ruskin; she just wants to meet his mother, the editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine. When he invites her to his family's big Easter reunion at their lake retreat, she's certain she can put up with his arrogance and fend off his advances long enough to ask Marie Caulfield-Ruskin for an internship someone with her pedigree could never nab through the regular submission route.

When they arrive at the enormous mansion on an island in the center of a Georgia lake, Dez is floored―she's never witnessed how the 1% lives before in all their ridiculous, unnecessary luxury. But once all the family members are on the island and the ferry has departed, shit gets real. For decades, the Ruskins have made their servants sign contracts that are basically indentured servitude, and with nothing to lose, the servants have decided their only route to freedom is to get rid of the Ruskins for good…]]> 208 Delilah S. Dawson 1803368349 Dennis 4
Thrift fashionista Dez Lane isn't interested in dating Patrick Ruskin; she just wants to meet his mother, the editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine, to secure an internship she couldn't get through normal channels. When Patrick invites her to his family's Easter reunion at their lavish lake mansion, Dez is prepared to tolerate his arrogance to achieve her goal. However, once they're isolated on the island, she discovers the dark reality of the Ruskin family's treatment of their servants, who have been forced into near-slavery for decades and are now seeking deadly revenge. As Dez witnesses the gruesome fallout and learns the truth, her desire to work for Marie Caulfield-Ruskin fades—leaving her with the urge to strangle Marie with her own chunky pearls.

I really had a blast reading this novel—it's being labeled as The Menu meets Ready or Not, which totally makes sense! I loved GOOD RICH PEOPLE (Eliza Jane Brazier) and THE FAMILY GAME (Catherine Steadman), so if you enjoyed those books, you MUST pick up GUILLOTINE. Dez is such a likeable protagonist and the commentary throughout the book really makes you think. I alternated reading this book via audiobook through @librofm and the physical copy and I recommend doing either since they're both great journeys. Delilah S. Dawson continues to slay the horror game and I'll continue to be along for the ride. ]]> 3.94 2024
author: Delilah S. Dawson
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/16
date added: 2024/09/16
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror, thriller
review:
Delilah S. Dawson is a well-known horror author, but I ultimately discovered her after reading and loving THE VIOLENCE in 2022. After reading THE VIOLENCE, I fell in love with Dawson's use of metaphorical messaging in her stories, so I knew I needed to dive into her latest horror novel, GUILLOTINE. The book is just over 200 pages, so you can easily read this in one sitting.

Thrift fashionista Dez Lane isn't interested in dating Patrick Ruskin; she just wants to meet his mother, the editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine, to secure an internship she couldn't get through normal channels. When Patrick invites her to his family's Easter reunion at their lavish lake mansion, Dez is prepared to tolerate his arrogance to achieve her goal. However, once they're isolated on the island, she discovers the dark reality of the Ruskin family's treatment of their servants, who have been forced into near-slavery for decades and are now seeking deadly revenge. As Dez witnesses the gruesome fallout and learns the truth, her desire to work for Marie Caulfield-Ruskin fades—leaving her with the urge to strangle Marie with her own chunky pearls.

I really had a blast reading this novel—it's being labeled as The Menu meets Ready or Not, which totally makes sense! I loved GOOD RICH PEOPLE (Eliza Jane Brazier) and THE FAMILY GAME (Catherine Steadman), so if you enjoyed those books, you MUST pick up GUILLOTINE. Dez is such a likeable protagonist and the commentary throughout the book really makes you think. I alternated reading this book via audiobook through @librofm and the physical copy and I recommend doing either since they're both great journeys. Delilah S. Dawson continues to slay the horror game and I'll continue to be along for the ride.
]]> 199347538 Somewhere Beyond the Sea is the hugely anticipated sequel to TJ Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea, one of the best-loved and best-selling fantasy novels of the past decade. Featuring gorgeous orange sprayed edges!

A magical house. A secret past. A summons that could change everything.

Arthur Parnassus lives a good life built on the ashes of a bad one.

He’s the master of a strange orphanage on a distant and peculiar island, and he hopes to soon be the adoptive father to the six dangerous and magical children who live there.

Arthur works hard and loves with his whole heart so none of the children ever feel the neglect and pain that he once felt as an orphan on that very same island so long ago. He is not alone: joining him is the love of his life, Linus Baker, a former caseworker in the Department In Charge of Magical Youth. And there’s the island’s sprite, Zoe Chapelwhite, and her girlfriend, Mayor Helen Webb. Together, they will do anything to protect the children.

But when Arthur is summoned to make a public statement about his dark past, he finds himself at the helm of a fight for the future that his family, and all magical people, deserve.

And when a new magical child hopes to join them on their island home—one who finds power in calling himself monster, a name that Arthur worked so hard to protect his children from—Arthur knows they’re at a breaking point: their family will either grow stronger than ever or fall apart.

Welcome back to Marsyas Island. This is Arthur’s story.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a story of resistance, lovingly told, about the daunting experience of fighting for the life you want to live and doing the work to keep it.]]> 416 T.J. Klune 125088120X Dennis 5 4.15 2024
author: T.J. Klune
name: Dennis
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/15
date added: 2024/09/15
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, fantasy, gay, lgbt
review:

]]> 204316865 A Hitchcock fanatic with an agenda invites old friends for a weekend stay at his secluded themed hotel in this fiendishly clever, suspenseful new novel.

Alfred Smettle is not your average Hitchcock fan. He is the founder, owner, and manager of The Hitchcock Hotel, a sprawling Victorian house in the White Mountains dedicated to the Master of Suspense. There, Alfred offers his guests round-the-clock film screenings, movie props and memorabilia in every room, plus an aviary with fifty crows.

To celebrate the hotel’s first anniversary, he invites his former best friends from his college Film Club for a reunion. He hasn’t spoken to any of them in sixteen years, not after what happened.

But who better than them to appreciate Alfred’s creation? And to help him finish it.

After all, no Hitchcock set is complete without a body.]]> 352 Stephanie Wrobel 059354711X Dennis 3
The book’s premise is intriguing, especially for Hitchcock fans. The hotel’s atmosphere and the numerous Hitchcock references were highlights that added to the story's charm. However, the mystery itself was somewhat underwhelming, with a slow burn delivery. The characters, including Alfred, were difficult for me to love or love to hate.

Despite these flaws, the book was still an enjoyable read, particularly for fans of Hitchcock and Stephanie Wrobel's work. The setting and concept made it engaging, even if the mystery didn't fully deliver. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys revenge-driven murder mysteries in a suspenseful, isolated setting—just keep in mind there are spoilers for a few Hitchcock films.]]> 3.56 2024
author: Stephanie Wrobel
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.56
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/09/11
date added: 2024/09/11
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller, whodunnit
review:
Thank you to Stephanie Wrobel and Berkley Publishing for this gifted copy! The story centers on a reunion weekend at the Hitchcock Hotel, a Victorian mansion themed after Alfred Hitchcock, complete with movie props, screenings, and an aviary full of crows. Alfred, the hotel’s owner and a former member of the Film Club, invites his old friends for the hotel’s first anniversary, despite years of estrangement. As expected, the weekend takes a dark turn, culminating in a murder, just like a classic Hitchcock film.

The book’s premise is intriguing, especially for Hitchcock fans. The hotel’s atmosphere and the numerous Hitchcock references were highlights that added to the story's charm. However, the mystery itself was somewhat underwhelming, with a slow burn delivery. The characters, including Alfred, were difficult for me to love or love to hate.

Despite these flaws, the book was still an enjoyable read, particularly for fans of Hitchcock and Stephanie Wrobel's work. The setting and concept made it engaging, even if the mystery didn't fully deliver. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys revenge-driven murder mysteries in a suspenseful, isolated setting—just keep in mind there are spoilers for a few Hitchcock films.
]]> 204593562 B&N Best Horror of 2024
A Golden Poppy Octavia E. Butler Award Finalist
A Book of the Month Club Pick

A new mom in need of help opens her door to her long-estranged mother—only to invite something much darker inside—in this "fast-paced and frightening debut" (Rachel Harrison) about the long shadows cast by family secrets, perfect for readers of Grady Hendrix or Ashley Audrain.

Flora is a new mom enamored of her baby girl, Iris, even if she arrived a few weeks early. With her husband still deployed, Flora navigates the newborn stage alone. But as the sleepless nights pass in the loneliness of their half-empty home, the edges of her reality begin to blur.

Just as Flora becomes convinced she is losing her mind, a surprising guest shows up: Flora’s own mother, to whom she hasn’t spoken in years. Can they mend their fraught relationship? Or is there more Flora’s mother isn’t telling her about the events that led to their estrangement?

As stranger and scarier events unfold, Flora begins to suspect the house is not as empty as she once thought. She must determine: is her hold on reality slipping dangerously away? Or is she, in fact, the only thing standing between a terrifying visitor and her baby? ]]> 297 Jacquie Walters 0316580295 Dennis 4 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror
Flora, left to care for her six-week-old daughter alone while her husband is deployed, is overwhelmed by loneliness, guilt, boredom, and exhaustion. Desperate for help, she longs to reconnect with her estranged mother. As Flora's stress heightens, she starts seeing her childhood imaginary friend, experiencing strange dreams, and hearing voices on the baby monitor, prompting her to finally reach out. DEAREST is reminiscent of Ashley Audrain’s The Push, which we all know I didn't enjoy, but adds a supernatural twist which kept me hooked from start to finish. DEAREST is able to weave in supernatural horror elements that give this story a unique flair. I really enjoyed the audiobook, and tried to not binge too much on it. I highly recommend listening to DEAREST if you enjoy audiobooks. The story is a bit slower paced and I did feel that the chaotically fun ending could have been a bit longer, but the payoff in the end was totally worth it. I'm very excited to see what Jacquie Walters has for readers next.]]> 3.50 2024
author: Jacquie Walters
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/03
date added: 2024/09/03
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror
review:
I usually stay away from horror/thriller novels that involve mothers and their children, because it usually bores me to no end, but when I saw this beautiful cover, I knew I needed to pick up DEAREST. Jacquie Walters' fantastic horror debut delivers a haunting tale of hidden family secrets and the challenges of new motherhood.

Flora, left to care for her six-week-old daughter alone while her husband is deployed, is overwhelmed by loneliness, guilt, boredom, and exhaustion. Desperate for help, she longs to reconnect with her estranged mother. As Flora's stress heightens, she starts seeing her childhood imaginary friend, experiencing strange dreams, and hearing voices on the baby monitor, prompting her to finally reach out. DEAREST is reminiscent of Ashley Audrain’s The Push, which we all know I didn't enjoy, but adds a supernatural twist which kept me hooked from start to finish. DEAREST is able to weave in supernatural horror elements that give this story a unique flair. I really enjoyed the audiobook, and tried to not binge too much on it. I highly recommend listening to DEAREST if you enjoy audiobooks. The story is a bit slower paced and I did feel that the chaotically fun ending could have been a bit longer, but the payoff in the end was totally worth it. I'm very excited to see what Jacquie Walters has for readers next.
]]> 203579177 From the bestselling author of Hidden Pictures comes a breathtaking work of suspense about a father trying to save his daughter from a life-altering decision that will put everything he loves on the line.

Frank Szatowski is shocked when his daughter, Maggie, calls him for the first time in three years. He was convinced that their estrangement would become permanent. He’s even more surprised when she invites him to her upcoming wedding in New Hampshire. Frank is ecstatic, and determined to finally make things right.

He arrives to find that the wedding is at a private estate—very secluded, very luxurious, very much out of his league. It seems that Maggie failed to mention that she’s marrying Aidan Gardner, the son of a famous tech billionaire. Feeling desperately out of place, Frank focuses on reconnecting with Maggie and getting to know her new family. But it’s difficult: Aidan is withdrawn and evasive; Maggie doesn’t seem to have time for him; and he finds that the locals are disturbingly hostile to the Gardners. Frank needs to know more about this family his daughter is marrying into, but if he pushes too hard, he could lose Maggie forever.

An edge-of-your-seat thriller that delves deep into the heart of one family, The Last One at the Wedding is a work of brilliant suspense from a true modern master.]]> 338 Jason Rekulak 1250895782 Dennis 5
Frank Szatowski is stunned when his daughter Maggie contacts him after three years of silence to invite him to her wedding in New Hampshire. Upon arriving, he discovers the event is at a secluded, luxurious estate and learns Maggie is marrying Aidan Gardner, the son of a tech billionaire. Feeling out of place, Frank tries to reconnect with Maggie and get to know her new family, but he faces resistance from Aidan, who is distant, and the hostile locals. As he digs deeper into the Gardners, Frank must tread carefully or risk losing Maggie forever.

THE LAST ONE AT THE WEDDING is a mystery/thriller suspense novel and reminded me of old school Ruth Ware or Riley Sager. This book was so much fun and I wanted to investigate along with Frank. The background of Frank's career as a UPS driver can be a character of its own and I loved the backstory of Frank and his family. Some characters were "love-to-hate" pivotal antagonists, but the story is soooo immersive. I haven't connected with a thriller like this in awhile, so I definitely think anyone who follows my account should prioritize this book. It'll be in the top reads of the year for me, for sure.]]> 3.60 2024
author: Jason Rekulak
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.60
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/08/26
date added: 2024/08/26
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller, mystery
review:
Hidden Pictures was one of my top reads of 2023, so I just knew that I had to read Jason Rekulak's newest thriller, THE LAST ONE AT THE WEDDING! This book is very different from Hidden Pictures, but still has that flair for suspense you have come to expect.

Frank Szatowski is stunned when his daughter Maggie contacts him after three years of silence to invite him to her wedding in New Hampshire. Upon arriving, he discovers the event is at a secluded, luxurious estate and learns Maggie is marrying Aidan Gardner, the son of a tech billionaire. Feeling out of place, Frank tries to reconnect with Maggie and get to know her new family, but he faces resistance from Aidan, who is distant, and the hostile locals. As he digs deeper into the Gardners, Frank must tread carefully or risk losing Maggie forever.

THE LAST ONE AT THE WEDDING is a mystery/thriller suspense novel and reminded me of old school Ruth Ware or Riley Sager. This book was so much fun and I wanted to investigate along with Frank. The background of Frank's career as a UPS driver can be a character of its own and I loved the backstory of Frank and his family. Some characters were "love-to-hate" pivotal antagonists, but the story is soooo immersive. I haven't connected with a thriller like this in awhile, so I definitely think anyone who follows my account should prioritize this book. It'll be in the top reads of the year for me, for sure.
]]> 204294824
Dark and twisting at every turn, fans of Catriona Ward will love this chilling new tale from the deviously inventive horror author that Peter Farris calls the “clear heir to Stephen King.”

Beware the one who got away . . .

Father Silence once terrorized the rural town of Twisted Tree, disguising himself as a priest to prey on the most vulnerable members of society. When the police finally found his “House of Horrors,” they uncovered nineteen bodies and one survivor–a boy now locked away in a hospital for the criminally insane.

Nearly two decades later, Father Silence is finally put to death, but by the next morning, the detective who made the original arrest is found dead. A new serial killer is taking credit for the murder and calling himself the Outcast.

The detective’s daughter, Tess Claibourne, is a detective herself, haunted by childhood trauma and horrified by the death of her father and the resurgence of Father Silence’s legacy.

When Tess’s daughter is kidnapped by the Outcast, Tess is forced to face her worst fears and long-buried memories. With no leads to follow, she travels back to Twisted Tree to visit the boy who survived and see what secrets might be buried in the tangled web of his broken mind.

With captivating prose and an old-school horror flair, Sleep Tight is a must-read, haunting tale from a true master of the genre.]]> 336 J.H. Markert 1639108734 Dennis 3 3.63 2024
author: J.H. Markert
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.63
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/08/22
date added: 2024/08/22
shelves: dark, police-procedural, 2024-read, 2024-pub
review:

]]> 202775007 A young woman gets her dream job working for a famous designer—and discovers the dark side of the glamorous world of fashion—in this gorgeously sinister novel of supernatural suspense.

Fashion-obsessed Samara finally has the life she’s always dreamed of: a high-powered job with legendary designer Antonio Mota. A new home in sunny California, far away from those drab Jersey winters. And an intriguing love interest, Brandon, a wealthy investor in Mota’s fashion line.

But it’s not long before Samara’s dream life begins to turn into a living nightmare, as Mota’s big fashion show approaches and the pressure on Samara turns crushing. Perhaps that’s why Samara begins hearing voices in the dark in her room at night—and seeing strange things that can’t be explained away by stress and anxiety, or by the number of drinks she consumes every night.

And it may not only be Samara’s unraveling psyche, because she soon discovers hints that her new city—and the house of Mota—may have been built on a foundation of secrets and lies. Now Samara must uncover what hideous truths lurk in the shadows of this illusory world of glamor and beauty, before those shadows claim her…]]> 240 Lilliam Rivera 0593600479 Dennis 3 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror 3.17 2024
author: Lilliam Rivera
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.17
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/08/19
date added: 2024/08/19
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror
review:

]]> 202082991 Perfect for fans of Kiersten Modglin’s The Arrangement, The Widow on Dwyer Court is a sexy psychological thriller that will leave you breathless.

Thirty-six-year-old stay-at-home soccer mom Kate Burke is happily married to Matt Parsons, although their marriage looks very different behind closed doors. Kate is no longer interested in having sex with her husband. So, while they still love each other madly, they make an arrangement: Matt can have one-night stands with other women on work trips, but when he returns home, he has to tell Kate about them—every juicy detail.

Because Kate has a secret life writing erotic romance novels, and Matt’s adulterous affairs are her bread and butter.

The family equilibrium is upset, however, when Annie Meyers, an eccentric young widow, moves to town with her daughter. At first Kate is smitten with this wild, witty woman, who gives her a much-needed break from the other picture-perfect suburban moms, although she’s not sure how much of her secret life she’s willing to share with her new friend. But it turns out Annie has secrets too—big ones that could destroy all their lives.]]> 306 Lisa Kusel Dennis 4 3.50 2024
author: Lisa Kusel
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/01
date added: 2024/08/15
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, psychological-thriller, domestic-thriller
review:
Lisa Kusel’s newest novel dives into the world of romance author Kate Burke and her husband Matt Parsons. They have a loving marriage, yet very unorthodox. Kate chooses to not have sex with her husband and in return, he’s allowed to have an open marriage as long as he tells her all the details. Kate’s novels dive into Matt’s escapades and have become very successful, but when a new neighbor moves in, things may take a turn for the worst. This book triggered me so much, but it’s bonkers and so unique. I had a blast with it and LOVED the ending.
]]> 201632539 In this emotionally raw and propulsive folk horror-mystery, a journalist goes to a small town and unravels a dark secret that the women have been keeping for generations.

Marshall is still trying to put the pieces together after the death of her husband. After she is involved in a terrible accident, her editor sends her to the small, backwards town of Raeford to investigate a clearly ridiculous rumor: that a horse has given birth to a healthy, human baby boy.

When Marshall arrives in Raeford, she finds an insular town that is kinder to the horses they are famous for breeding than to their own people. But when two horribly mangled bodies are discovered in a field—one a horse, one a human—she realizes that there might be a real story here.

As she’s pulled deeper into the town and its guarded people, her sense of reality is tipped on its head. Is she losing her grip? Or is this impossible story the key to a dark secret that has haunted the women of Raeford for generations?

Unbearably tense and utterly gripping, this atmospheric tale of female rage, bodily autonomy, and generational trauma hails the arrival of a masterful storyteller.]]> 320 Leslie J. Anderson 1683694295 Dennis 3
THE UNMOTHERS is very interesting, but I did feel that the story lacked the horror elements that I expected with this story. It's more of a mystery-driven character-based fiction novel. At times, I felt lost within the story and had to reread it a few times, but I did feel engaged while reading this story. I did feel a bit of a distance with the storyline—I didn't feel fully immersed and feeling a bit like I was being told a story versus witnessing it—but I do believe this is a very strong debut. Horror is hit or miss with me because I definitely expect deeply rooted suspense, so this may be a horror novel, so if you are interested, definitely consider picking this one up!]]> 3.29 2024
author: Leslie J. Anderson
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.29
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/08/15
date added: 2024/08/15
shelves: 2024-read, 2024-pub, character-driven, horror, light-mystery
review:
THE UNMOTHERS is a truly unique story, but I don't think it's really horror and more so a mystery/literary fiction folklore. The story surrounds Marshall after reeling from the death of her husband. She is sent by her editor to the small, backward town of Raeford to investigate a seemingly absurd rumor that a horse has given birth to a healthy human baby boy. Upon arrival, she finds a town more concerned with its famous horse breeding than with the welfare of its own people. However, when two horribly mangled bodies—one human and one horse—are discovered in a field, Marshall begins to suspect there’s a real story to uncover. As she delves deeper into the town and its secretive inhabitants, her grip on reality falters. Is she losing her mind, or has she stumbled upon a dark secret that has haunted the women of Raeford for generations?

THE UNMOTHERS is very interesting, but I did feel that the story lacked the horror elements that I expected with this story. It's more of a mystery-driven character-based fiction novel. At times, I felt lost within the story and had to reread it a few times, but I did feel engaged while reading this story. I did feel a bit of a distance with the storyline—I didn't feel fully immersed and feeling a bit like I was being told a story versus witnessing it—but I do believe this is a very strong debut. Horror is hit or miss with me because I definitely expect deeply rooted suspense, so this may be a horror novel, so if you are interested, definitely consider picking this one up!
]]> 193544856
Rose Aslani is mid-bikini wax when her phone lights up with a notification: Famed scam artist Poppy Hastings will be released from prison today.

It's been two years since Rose―a first-generation Middle Eastern American, functional trainwreck, and reporter for online journal The Shred―wrote the investigative article that exposed Poppy as a socialite grifter. Normally, one of her articles going viral would be cause for celebration, but the highly publicized trial that followed turned Poppy into the internet's favorite celebrity. And Rose has been reeling from the aftermath ever since. Although Poppy served her time for defrauding some of the richest, most powerful men in the world, Rose knows this is only the tip of the iceberg for Poppy's crimes. She just can't prove it yet… At least not without the help of a devilishly handsome FBI agent gone rogue.

As Poppy's star rises as an influencer and pop-culture icon, Rose quickly descends into a downward spiral of guilt and obsession. Her article created Poppy's fame, so Rose needs to right her wrong by exposing Poppy for the monster that she is. But it's not going to be easy taking down the most famous girl in the world.

Campy, satirical, and utterly hilarious, The Most Famous Girl in the World is both a scathing indictment of modern celebrity and a thrilling rollercoaster ride of unhinged hijinks that will keep you gasping at every turn of the page.]]> 384 Iman Hariri-Kia 1728270618 Dennis 4
It's been two years since Rose wrote an article about Poppy Hastings―a socialite grifter who defrauded some of the most wealthy and influential people in the world. Poppy has turned into a celebrity, causing Rose to realize that her article backfired. When Poppy is released from prison, Rose begins to unravel. Rose knows that Poppy is responsible for more crimes, but she can't prove it. Rose decides to investigate with the help of FBI agent Simon, and the two forge a chaotic path towards exposing Poppy and getting revenge on how Poppy affected their lives since her fame took off. The duo knows that taking down someone this famous will be difficult, but they did not realize how much of an adversary Poppy actually is.

THE MOST FAMOUS GIRL IN THE WORLD reminded me so much of Anna Delvey and you can totally see the inspiration there. This book was definitely a satire about social media and pop culture. I loved Rose and loved her banter with Simon. I thought this book was such a good escape from heavier reads that I've picked up recently as well. It was a refreshing take on the thriller genre for sure. There's a bit of smut and romance, but it's short lived so if you're not a romance fan, don't fret! This book won't be for everyone, but that's ok because I don't believe the author intended for this book to be for everyone. All I know is that this book is for me and I can't wait to see what Iman Hariri-Kia comes up with next.]]> 3.23 2024
author: Iman Hariri-Kia
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.23
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/12
date added: 2024/08/12
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, mystery, thriller, romance, satire
review:
Iman Hariri-Kia's sophomore fiction novel, THE MOST FAMOUS GIRL IN THE WORLD, is a ridiculously fun, wild ride! The cover immediately drew me in, but the story is over the top thrills and laughs.

It's been two years since Rose wrote an article about Poppy Hastings―a socialite grifter who defrauded some of the most wealthy and influential people in the world. Poppy has turned into a celebrity, causing Rose to realize that her article backfired. When Poppy is released from prison, Rose begins to unravel. Rose knows that Poppy is responsible for more crimes, but she can't prove it. Rose decides to investigate with the help of FBI agent Simon, and the two forge a chaotic path towards exposing Poppy and getting revenge on how Poppy affected their lives since her fame took off. The duo knows that taking down someone this famous will be difficult, but they did not realize how much of an adversary Poppy actually is.

THE MOST FAMOUS GIRL IN THE WORLD reminded me so much of Anna Delvey and you can totally see the inspiration there. This book was definitely a satire about social media and pop culture. I loved Rose and loved her banter with Simon. I thought this book was such a good escape from heavier reads that I've picked up recently as well. It was a refreshing take on the thriller genre for sure. There's a bit of smut and romance, but it's short lived so if you're not a romance fan, don't fret! This book won't be for everyone, but that's ok because I don't believe the author intended for this book to be for everyone. All I know is that this book is for me and I can't wait to see what Iman Hariri-Kia comes up with next.
]]> 208503280 She's looking for the perfect man. He's looking for the perfect victim.

Sydney Shaw, like every single woman in New York, has terrible luck with dating. She’s seen it men who lie in their dating profile, men who stick her with the dinner bill, and worst of all, men who can't shut up about their mothers. But finally, she hits the jackpot.

Her new boyfriend is utterly perfect. He's charming, handsome, and works as a doctor at a local hospital. Sydney is swept off her feet.

Then the brutal murder of a young woman―the latest in a string of deaths across the coast―confounds police. The primary suspect? A mystery man who dates his victims before he kills them.

Sydney should feel safe. After all, she is dating the guy of her dreams. But she can’t shake her own suspicions that the perfect man may not be as perfect as he seems. Because someone is watching her every move, and if she doesn’t get to the truth, she’ll be the killer’s next victim...

A dark story about obsession and the things we’ll do for love, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden proves that crimes of passion are often the bloodiest…]]> 368 Freida McFadden 1728296226 Dennis 4 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller
I almost gave this book 5 stars because it was so much fun, but I immediately clocked what was going to happen (for the most part) early on. That didn't take away from my enjoyment, but I wish the secrets were held a bit better. This book is juicy and fun in all the best ways, and I did get tricked with one of the twists, so I was pleasantly surprised at some of the developments. This is an easy read for sure and won't be anything you haven't seen before in thrillers, but the way the story is told really is a fun journey. I definitely would recommend any Freida fans to pick this one up because it really is a fun, mindless, escape. I definitely needed this read to take my mind of ~life~ lately. This book will be perfect for a vacation read or a rainy day read because you will get lost in the story. I have mixed opinions about this author, but I definitely do not with THE BOYFRIEND.]]> 3.95 2024
author: Freida McFadden
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/12
date added: 2024/08/12
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller
review:
THE BOYFRIEND is my favorite Freida McFadden to date. I said what I said. I've really been enjoying thrillers that infuse dating/romance/dark f'd up partners lately (I wonder why) and THE BOYFRIEND fits the bill! The story is centered around Sydney Shaw, a mid-30s year old woman living in New York trying to navigate online dating. When a date goes awry, Sydney ends up meeting someone who ends up being everything she'd want in a relationship. He is charming, handsome, confident, and a physician. As the two begin to date, Sydney starts suspecting that her new relationship isn't as stable as she thought it was, especially when a string of deaths start popping up. These murders involve women around her age demographic.

I almost gave this book 5 stars because it was so much fun, but I immediately clocked what was going to happen (for the most part) early on. That didn't take away from my enjoyment, but I wish the secrets were held a bit better. This book is juicy and fun in all the best ways, and I did get tricked with one of the twists, so I was pleasantly surprised at some of the developments. This is an easy read for sure and won't be anything you haven't seen before in thrillers, but the way the story is told really is a fun journey. I definitely would recommend any Freida fans to pick this one up because it really is a fun, mindless, escape. I definitely needed this read to take my mind of ~life~ lately. This book will be perfect for a vacation read or a rainy day read because you will get lost in the story. I have mixed opinions about this author, but I definitely do not with THE BOYFRIEND.
]]> 199561184
As if my life doesn’t suck enough already, my insufferable new roommate, Miller MacAvoy, seems determined to make things weird. He watches me all the time, grinning at me like a beautiful idiot, eyes boring holes into me every time I turn my back on him.

It’s the last thing I need. Things haven’t been going well. College isn’t working out at all like I’d hoped. I’m drowning in debt, waiting tables every shift I can get, and falling behind on my studies.

Something’s got to give.

I can’t go on like this much longer.

Miller, being the out-of-touch rich boy he is, keeps offering to throw cash my way. Obviously, I’d rather die than accept charity from him.

Still, he watches and waits. Insisting again and again that I have something he wants to buy. It’s insane. I have nothing of value to sell. Absolutely nothing. My phone screen is cracked and my truck could easily be mistaken for scrap.

Wait.

No!

Surely not.

He can’t possibly be thinking that.

Can he?]]> 413 Jesse H. Reign Dennis 5 3.98 2024
author: Jesse H. Reign
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/08/04
date added: 2024/08/06
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, dark, gay, mm-romance
review:
When college student, awkward and shy Ryan, is assigned a new dorm roommate, he did not expect it to be Miller MacAvoy. Miller is gorgeous, athletic, confident, and wealthy. Miller is the only person Ryan knows that doesn’t get any
]]> 195790531
A young nanny who plunged to her death, or was she pushed? A nine-year-old girl who collects sharp objects and refuses to speak. A lawyer whose job it is to uncover who in the family is a victim and who is a murderer. But how can you find out the truth when everyone here is lying?

Rose Barclay is a nine-year-old girl who witnessed the possible murder of her nanny - in the midst of her parent's bitter divorce - and immediately stopped speaking. Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney, appointed to serve as counsel for children in custody cases. She never accepts clients under thirteen due to her own traumatic childhood, but Stella's mentor, a revered judge, believes Stella is the only one who can help.

From the moment Stella passes through the iron security gate and steps into the gilded, historic DC home of the Barclays, she realizes the case is even more twisted, and the Barclay family far more troubled, than she feared. And there's something eerie about the house itself: It's a plastic house, with not a single bit of glass to be found.

As Stella comes closer to uncovering the secrets the Barclays are desperate to hide, danger wraps around her like a shroud, and her past and present are set on a collision course in ways she never expected. Everyone is a suspect in the nanny's murder. The mother, the father, the grandmother, the nanny's boyfriend. Even Rose. Is the person Stella's supposed to protect the one she may need protection from?]]> 341 Sarah Pekkanen 125028399X Dennis 4
I don't want to dive too much into the story, but I got such old school BA Paris vibes from this book, in the best way possible. The story of Elizabeth and Ian Barclay's divorce plays a big role into this story and it's a bit longer than it needed to be, but the mystery is front and center. While Stella tries to determine which parent would be the ideal fit for sole custody of Rose, the reader quickly sees her dive further into the chaos of this family. This whodunnit is pretty fun and the book is very atmospheric. It's hard not to root for Stella and see her battle the Barclay family. The title comes from the fact that this family does not own any glass within the house, which was a unique and oddly satisfying aspect to the mystery. The ending really was a perfect bow to the story. I will gladly pick up the next Sarah Pekkanen novel!]]> 3.83 2024
author: Sarah Pekkanen
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/06
date added: 2024/08/06
shelves: 2024-read, 2024-pub, contemporary, light-mystery, light-thriller
review:
I've always been a fan of Sarah Pekkanen's writing, but this will be my first venture into her solo works. I heard amazing things about her 2023 release, Gone Tonight, so I was very excited to dive into her 2024 thriller, HOUSE OF GLASS. This story is centered around the death of a nanny, witnessed by nine year old Rose Barclay. Rose is dealing with the trauma of her nanny's death, but also with her parents going through a divorce. When attorney Stella Hudson is assigned to this case, she realizes that the Barclay family is hiding secrets of their own. Stella is in over her head and quickly believes that this family is more sinister than she ever suspected.

I don't want to dive too much into the story, but I got such old school BA Paris vibes from this book, in the best way possible. The story of Elizabeth and Ian Barclay's divorce plays a big role into this story and it's a bit longer than it needed to be, but the mystery is front and center. While Stella tries to determine which parent would be the ideal fit for sole custody of Rose, the reader quickly sees her dive further into the chaos of this family. This whodunnit is pretty fun and the book is very atmospheric. It's hard not to root for Stella and see her battle the Barclay family. The title comes from the fact that this family does not own any glass within the house, which was a unique and oddly satisfying aspect to the mystery. The ending really was a perfect bow to the story. I will gladly pick up the next Sarah Pekkanen novel!
]]> 199373500 An extraordinary debut novel in which the transforming love and friendship between two young men during one unforgettable teenage summer in rural New England haunts them into adulthood

It took three car crashes to kill Jake.

Theron David Alden is there for the first two: the summer they meet in rural New Hampshire, when he’s fifteen and anxious, and Jake’s seventeen and a natural; then six years later in New York City, those too-short, ecstatic, painful nights that change both their lives forever—the end of the dream and the longing for the dream and the dream itself, all at once.

Theron is not there for the third crash.

And yet, their story contains so much joy and the glorious, stupid simplicity of a boyhood joke; the devastation of insecurity; the way a great song can distill a universe; the limits of what we can know about each other; the mysterious, porous, ungraspable fault line between yourself and the person you love better than yourself; the beautiful, toxic elixir of need and hope and want.]]> 320 August Thompson 0593656563 Dennis 3 4.00 2024
author: August Thompson
name: Dennis
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/08/05
date added: 2024/08/05
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, character-driven, lgbt, literary-fiction, coming-of-age
review:

]]> 196674793
But for those desperate to experience parenthood, there is an alternative. For a monthly subscription fee, clients can create a virtual child from scratch who they can access via the metaverse and a VR headset. To launch this new initiative, the company behind Virtual Children has created a reality tv show. It will follow ten couples as they raise a Virtual Child from birth to the age of eighteen but in a condensed nine-month time period. The prize: the right to keep their virtual child or risk it all for the chance of a real baby . . .

Set in the same universe as John Marrs's bestselling novel The One and The Marriage Act, The Family Experiment is a dark and twisted thriller about the ultimate 'tamagotchi' - a virtual baby.]]> 457 John Marrs 1035016974 Dennis 4
THE FAMILY EXPERIMENT is a bit slower paced than Marrs' other novels, but I think it's more character-driven. You learn who each of the couples are and their motives; you feel for them; you hate them; you root for them. I loved seeing the developments within each couple and the flawed personalities, while also understanding their actions during this experiment. I love this dystopian world and wish the Netflix show The One developed these stories as additional seasons of the show because there's so much world building as Marrs continues in this universe. The Family Experiment ties in those books better than ever and it makes me want to do re-reads. All I know is that after reading this book, I'll continue to be childless and I'll continue to read anything John Marrs writes!]]> 4.18 2024
author: John Marrs
name: Dennis
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/05
date added: 2024/08/05
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, dystopian, thriller, character-driven
review:
I love when John Marrs writes stories in this dystopian universe he's created since his super smash novel, The One. THE FAMILY EXPERIMENT is in the world of The One, The Passengers, and The Marriage Act, and I couldn't be more excited to have this book. In a world where virtual children are able to be created due to the UK's overcrowded cities and economic disparity, a reality show has been created to bring popularity to this new development. The Family Experiment is similar to Big Brother, where fans can watch 24/7 while couples compete raising virtual children in a fast-paced competition, with the winning couple being awarded a prize or the right to keep their virtual child. However, parenthood isn't easy and some of these couples have hidden motives as to why they are part of this new reality television phenomenon.

THE FAMILY EXPERIMENT is a bit slower paced than Marrs' other novels, but I think it's more character-driven. You learn who each of the couples are and their motives; you feel for them; you hate them; you root for them. I loved seeing the developments within each couple and the flawed personalities, while also understanding their actions during this experiment. I love this dystopian world and wish the Netflix show The One developed these stories as additional seasons of the show because there's so much world building as Marrs continues in this universe. The Family Experiment ties in those books better than ever and it makes me want to do re-reads. All I know is that after reading this book, I'll continue to be childless and I'll continue to read anything John Marrs writes!
]]> 202468451 From a #1 internationally bestselling author comes an atmospheric, chilling novel about a family who thinks there's someone hiding in their attic.

“Andrea Mara is a star.” —Lee Child

You thought you were home alone.

Anya is enjoying a relaxing bath when she hears a noise coming from the ceiling. Through the open bathroom door, she sees the attic hatch swing down, and a masked figure drops to the floor. Thirty seconds later, Anya is dead.

You're not afraid of being alone in the dark. You're afraid you're not alone.

Across town, Anya's old school friend, Julia, sees an online video of a masked figure climbing out of an attic. She suddenly realizes why the footage is eerily familiar: it was filmed inside her house in a luxury gated community, designed to keep intruders out.

And now your worst fears are coming true.

Why would a stranger target Julia? Unless of course, it's not a stranger at all.]]> 368 Andrea Mara Dennis 3 3.63 2024
author: Andrea Mara
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.63
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/08/03
date added: 2024/08/03
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, contemporary, light-mystery, light-thriller
review:

]]> 202468441 When cracks start forming in an influencer’s curated life, she finds out that jealousy is just as viral as a video in this riveting suspense novel by bestselling author Jesse Q. Sutanto.

Influencer Meredith Lee didn't teach Aspen Palmer how to blossom on social media just to be ditched as soon as Aspen became big. So can anyone really blame Mer for doing a little stalking? Nothing serious, more like Stalking Lite.

Then Mer gets lucky; she finds one of Aspen's kids' iPads and swipes it. Now she has access to the family calendar and Aspen's social media accounts. Would anyone else be able to resist tweaking things a little here and there, showing up in Aspen's place for meetings with potential sponsors? Mer's only taking back what she deserves—what should have been hers. 

Meanwhile, Aspen doesn't understand why her perfectly filtered life is falling apart. Sponsors are dropping her, fellow influencers are ghosting her, and even her own husband seems to find her repulsive. If she doesn't find out who's behind everything, she might just lose it all. But what everyone seems to forget is that Aspen didn't become one of TikTok's biggest momfluencers by being naive.

When Meredith suddenly goes missing, Aspen's world is upended and mysterious threats begin to arrive—but she won’t let anything get in the way of her perfect life again.]]> 336 Jesse Q. Sutanto 0593546946 Dennis 4 3.61 2024
author: Jesse Q. Sutanto
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/01
date added: 2024/08/01
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, light-mystery, light-thriller
review:

]]> 201102399 The new binge-worthy novel from the “queen of the one-sit read,” and New York Times bestselling author of The Couple Next Door

Nothing ever happens in sleepy little Fairhill, Vermont. But this morning that will change. And one innocent question could be deadly. What have you done?

The teenagers get their kicks telling ghost stories in the old graveyard. The parents trust their kids will arrive home safe from school. Everyone knows everyone. Curtains rarely twitch. Front doors are left unlocked.

But Diana Brewer isn’t lying safely in her bed where she belongs. Instead she lies in a hayfield, circled by vultures, discovered by a local farmer.

How quickly a girl becomes a ghost. How quickly a town of friendly, familiar faces becomes a town of suspects, a place of fear and paranoia.

Someone in Fairhill did this. Everyone wants answers.]]> 307 Shari Lapena 0593489969 Dennis 3
The story takes place in a small town in Vermont called Fairhill. Nothing really happens in this small rural town, but when popular teenager Diana Brewer is found in a hayfield dead, this town gets turned on its head. The synopsis is very vague, so I will continue to keep it that way. The story is a neighborhood whodunnit and there's many suspects at play.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? is not Lapena's strongest work, but her fans will probably enjoy this book regardless. The story is very slow and the reveal wasn't much of a shocker to me, but what makes this book enjoyable to me were the characters. We get several point of views and each and everyone one of them has a unique voice that I found engaging. This book has a ghost aspect that I haven't seen the author utilize in the past, but it works! Some people may not like that subtle que in the book, but I actually felt that it added to the suspense of the story. Again, I quickly was able to figure out the evolution of the story, so I had to be honest with my review of this book. I will continue to read Shari Lapena's books, but this was definitely one that I will forget about in the future. ]]> 3.72 2024
author: Shari Lapena
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/07/30
date added: 2024/07/30
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, slow-burn, light-mystery, light-thriller, whodunnit
review:
Shari Lapena is a stable in the whodunnit thriller genre and her books are always on the top of my priority TBR list. These whodunnits usually are a slow building reveal, but always pay off in the end, so I was excited to pick up her newest book, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

The story takes place in a small town in Vermont called Fairhill. Nothing really happens in this small rural town, but when popular teenager Diana Brewer is found in a hayfield dead, this town gets turned on its head. The synopsis is very vague, so I will continue to keep it that way. The story is a neighborhood whodunnit and there's many suspects at play.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? is not Lapena's strongest work, but her fans will probably enjoy this book regardless. The story is very slow and the reveal wasn't much of a shocker to me, but what makes this book enjoyable to me were the characters. We get several point of views and each and everyone one of them has a unique voice that I found engaging. This book has a ghost aspect that I haven't seen the author utilize in the past, but it works! Some people may not like that subtle que in the book, but I actually felt that it added to the suspense of the story. Again, I quickly was able to figure out the evolution of the story, so I had to be honest with my review of this book. I will continue to read Shari Lapena's books, but this was definitely one that I will forget about in the future.
]]> 199798497 The author of the “clever, atmospheric, and creepy” (Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author) The Golden Spoon returns with a sly and addictive new mystery about an advice columnist searching for answers about her predecessor’s murder.

Alex Marks’s move to New York City is supposed to be a fresh start. She plans to lay low with her mundane copywriting job but the news of the murder of her childhood hero, Francis Keen, throws her for a loop. Beloved staff writer and the woman behind the famous advice column, Dear Constance , Keen’s death is a shock to her countless fans and readers.

When Alex sees an advertisement searching for her replacement, she impulsively applies, never expecting to actually get the job. But almost immediately, she begins to receive strange letters at the office and soon, Alex wonders why the murderer has never been found. Worse, she can’t help but question if her new boss and editor-in-chief, Howard Dimitri, was involved with Keen’s death.

As she starts her own investigation, the dark secrets of her own past rise to the surface and soon, Alex finds herself trapped in a dangerous and potentially deadly mystery. Will she solve the murder and save her own skin? Or will Alex face a similar fate?]]> 304 Jessa Maxwell 1668008033 Dennis 3
Everyone was raving about Jessa Maxwell’s debut, The Golden Spoon, last year, but it just didn’t sound like the right fit for me. However, when I heard about Maxwell’s sophomore novel, I NEED YOU TO READ THIS, I was intoxicated with excitement over a murder in the world of Dear Abby (well, in this case, Dear Constance). I used to love reading those columns in the newspaper and so did my mom. Thank you @atriabooks for this gifted copy!

As mentioned, I NEED YOU TO READ THIS dives into the world of Dear Constance, a popular newspaper advice column (think Dear Abby!). However, when Francis Keen, the person behind Dear Constance, is murdered, it takes front and center on the news. Given that the position is now open, Alex Marks applies for the position and learns that she is offered the position (it doesn’t hurt that it’s two times the salary she was making and this will change her life). Alex is excited to start her role, but her excitement completely does a 180 when she starts receiving increasingly intensely dark letters and starts feeling that her safety is at jeopardy. As Alex delves deeper into her Francis’ murder, she begins to wonder if she herself is a target as well. Could someone the newspaper be involved, someone from her past, or someone out there lurking…

First and foremost, this book is not a thriller. It’s a light mystery slow burn. That being said, it is a totally fine read for what it is. The idea is such a cool spin on the mystery genre, but the execution left a bit more to be desired. I felt that things were much tamer than I expected and the book told us what was happening versus letting us read into and imagine it. It’s hard to explain, but if you know you know and if you don’t you don’t. The plot was unique, but the story heavily involved slow moving plot points that left the characters a bit underwhelming. Overall, if you want something unique and lighter than the typical thriller coming out this year, I NEED YOU TO READ THIS is up your alley! STARS: 3, PUB: 8/13
]]> 3.40 2024
author: Jessa Maxwell
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.40
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/07/24
date added: 2024/07/24
shelves: 2024-read, 2024-pub, light-mystery, slow-burn
review:
I NEED YOU TO READ THIS

Everyone was raving about Jessa Maxwell’s debut, The Golden Spoon, last year, but it just didn’t sound like the right fit for me. However, when I heard about Maxwell’s sophomore novel, I NEED YOU TO READ THIS, I was intoxicated with excitement over a murder in the world of Dear Abby (well, in this case, Dear Constance). I used to love reading those columns in the newspaper and so did my mom. Thank you @atriabooks for this gifted copy!

As mentioned, I NEED YOU TO READ THIS dives into the world of Dear Constance, a popular newspaper advice column (think Dear Abby!). However, when Francis Keen, the person behind Dear Constance, is murdered, it takes front and center on the news. Given that the position is now open, Alex Marks applies for the position and learns that she is offered the position (it doesn’t hurt that it’s two times the salary she was making and this will change her life). Alex is excited to start her role, but her excitement completely does a 180 when she starts receiving increasingly intensely dark letters and starts feeling that her safety is at jeopardy. As Alex delves deeper into her Francis’ murder, she begins to wonder if she herself is a target as well. Could someone the newspaper be involved, someone from her past, or someone out there lurking…

First and foremost, this book is not a thriller. It’s a light mystery slow burn. That being said, it is a totally fine read for what it is. The idea is such a cool spin on the mystery genre, but the execution left a bit more to be desired. I felt that things were much tamer than I expected and the book told us what was happening versus letting us read into and imagine it. It’s hard to explain, but if you know you know and if you don’t you don’t. The plot was unique, but the story heavily involved slow moving plot points that left the characters a bit underwhelming. Overall, if you want something unique and lighter than the typical thriller coming out this year, I NEED YOU TO READ THIS is up your alley! STARS: 3, PUB: 8/13

]]> 199797698 A group of wealthy Manhattanites escapes to an astrology-themed retreat, where simmering resentments and long-held secrets lead to a shocking death.

Margot needs a minute. She’s been working eighty-hour weeks as a newly minted partner at her law firm. She’s disconnected from her brother, the only family she has left. And she’s still not pregnant after years of trying.

Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat promises rest, relaxation, and wisdom for Margot and her friends. With Instagram-worthy views and nightly astrology readings in an impeccably restored waterfront Victorian house, this getaway should be nothing but idyllic fun. For Margot’s brother, Adam, it’s the perfect opportunity to rekindle the romance that fuels his writing, but his wife, Aimee, hides the darkness of her past with a beautiful social media feed. Their friend, Farah, is a successful doctor who cannot admit she’s losing control. But no one holds a greater secret than their astrologer host, Rini. She has a plan for all her guests, and one won’t be leaving Stars Harbor alive.]]> 307 Carinn Jade 1668045966 Dennis 4
THE ASTROLOGY HOUSE is centered around several wealthy New Yorkers heading to an astrology-themed retreat at the Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat. Margot and her friends need this time to disconnect with their own dramas, but at the same time reconnect with each other. The story is told between multiple POVs with a big cast of characters, but when secrets start simmering to the top, we are given a shocking death and everyone is a suspect.

THE ASTROLOGY HOUSE definitely gave me Lucy Foley vibes so if you like that author, you will most likely enjoy THE ASTROLOGY HOUSE. The astrology spin and content was a lot of fun and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. Its slower paced and more of a drama than expected since the book isn't too long, so it did take me longer than expected to listen to the audiobook. The drama and juice were slightly triggering for me as this book dives into very detailed relationship dramas, but I did appreciate how the story evolved. The audiobook was incredible and you can definitely see Carinn Jade's storytelling take center stage. I will gladly read this author's next book as I definitely feel she has found a niche subgenre within the mystery/thriller fiction world. ]]> 3.46 2024
author: Carinn Jade
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.46
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/22
date added: 2024/07/22
shelves: 2024-read, 2024-pub, character-driven, contemporary, drama, light-thriller, light-mystery
review:
Carinn Jade's debut novel, THE ASTROLOGY HOUSE has been buzzing around social media for the last couple of months, so I was very excited to pick up the audiobook via @librofm. The cover is gorgeous and the whole astrology spin sounded utterly unique!

THE ASTROLOGY HOUSE is centered around several wealthy New Yorkers heading to an astrology-themed retreat at the Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat. Margot and her friends need this time to disconnect with their own dramas, but at the same time reconnect with each other. The story is told between multiple POVs with a big cast of characters, but when secrets start simmering to the top, we are given a shocking death and everyone is a suspect.

THE ASTROLOGY HOUSE definitely gave me Lucy Foley vibes so if you like that author, you will most likely enjoy THE ASTROLOGY HOUSE. The astrology spin and content was a lot of fun and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. Its slower paced and more of a drama than expected since the book isn't too long, so it did take me longer than expected to listen to the audiobook. The drama and juice were slightly triggering for me as this book dives into very detailed relationship dramas, but I did appreciate how the story evolved. The audiobook was incredible and you can definitely see Carinn Jade's storytelling take center stage. I will gladly read this author's next book as I definitely feel she has found a niche subgenre within the mystery/thriller fiction world.
]]> 199222233
For Jolene “Jo” Baker, the least she can do for her adoring husband, Dominic, is give unwavering support for his North Carolina gubernatorial run. He is not only the love of her life, he's also helping her prove that she's far more than just a pampered trophy wife. With huge crowds showing up at Dominic’s speeches and the polls consistently in his favor, she's never been happier to stand proudly by his side . . .

Until she and Dominic start seeing the same, strangely ominous woman turning up all along the campaign trail. Until their tour starts becoming a nightmare of botched events, crucial missed information, and increasingly dangerous “accidents.” Suddenly Jo can't get any answers from Dominic—or understand why he is acting so paranoid and terrified . . .

What Jo can do is start digging into his past—one she's never really questioned beyond his perfect image and dazzling accomplishments. What results is an alarming series of events that leave her Good friends turn into enemies, truths are revealed to be lies, and all clues lead back to one secret, shattering weekend that changes Jo’s entire life. With her world splintering into pieces, can Jo risk trying to set things right? Or will hiding the bitter truth by any means necessary destroy her as well?]]> 320 Shanora Williams 1496745825 Dennis 4
The story is centered around Jolene and Dominic Baker and his gubernatorial run for North Carolina governorship. Jolene and her husband look like the perfect couple—having met in college and married—Jolene fully supports her husband's campaign. As the campaign continues to move forward, Dominic and Jolene start seeing hurdle after hurdle getting more and more intense, especially when the two feel that their lives may be in trouble. When Jolene starts digging into her husband's past, secrets begin surfacing to the top. So many secrets, but what will Jolene do after finding out?

THE BITTER TRUTH is the ultimate popcorn thriller. I actually read this book in two sittings and it was so much fun. The ending is a bit over-the-top and too obvious, but I love the dark sinister secrets within this book. This book did take turns I didn't expect as the story evolved, which I really appreciated. If you need something fast paced and fun, THE BITTER TRUTH is your novel! This book is absolutely perfect for the beach or the poolside with an aperol spritz. ]]> 3.85 2024
author: Shanora Williams
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/18
date added: 2024/07/18
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, light-thriller, domestic-thriller
review:
Shanora Williams always has the best popcorn thrillers and I was so excited to read THE BITTER TRUTH. I was a bit hesitant after reading the synopsis in seeing that this book could involve some spousal issues as I am struggling with my divorce, but after asking my friend @shellysbookcorner , I felt more confident that I wouldn't be triggered by this book. Shelly was right, this book was so much fun!

The story is centered around Jolene and Dominic Baker and his gubernatorial run for North Carolina governorship. Jolene and her husband look like the perfect couple—having met in college and married—Jolene fully supports her husband's campaign. As the campaign continues to move forward, Dominic and Jolene start seeing hurdle after hurdle getting more and more intense, especially when the two feel that their lives may be in trouble. When Jolene starts digging into her husband's past, secrets begin surfacing to the top. So many secrets, but what will Jolene do after finding out?

THE BITTER TRUTH is the ultimate popcorn thriller. I actually read this book in two sittings and it was so much fun. The ending is a bit over-the-top and too obvious, but I love the dark sinister secrets within this book. This book did take turns I didn't expect as the story evolved, which I really appreciated. If you need something fast paced and fun, THE BITTER TRUTH is your novel! This book is absolutely perfect for the beach or the poolside with an aperol spritz.
]]> 203608552 A woman must learn to take life by the throat after a night out leads to irrevocable changes in this juicy, thrilling novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Such Sharp Teeth and Black Sheep.

Sloane Parker is dreading her birthday. She doesn’t need a reminder she’s getting older, or that she’s feeling indifferent about her own life.

Her husband surprises her with a birthday weekend getaway—not with him, but with Sloane’s longtime best friend, troublemaker extraordinaire Naomi.

Sloane anticipates a weekend of wine tastings and cozy robes and strategic avoidance of issues she’d rather not confront, like her husband’s repeated infidelity. But when they arrive at their rental cottage, it becomes clear Naomi has something else in mind. She wants Sloane to stop letting things happen to her, for Sloane to really live. So Naomi orchestrates a wild night out with a group of mysterious strangers, only for it to take a horrifying turn that changes Sloane’s and Naomi’s lives literally forever.

The friends are forced to come to terms with some pretty eternal consequences in this bloody, seductive novel about how it’s never too late to find satisfaction, even though it might taste different than expected.]]> 290 Rachel Harrison 0593642546 Dennis 4
The story is centered around Sloane Parker and her friend Naomi. Sloane is about to celebrate her birthday and when her husband Joel surprises her with a weekend getaway with her friend Naomi, Sloane feels a bit concerned that he didn't want to spend it with her. Regardless, Sloane is excited to catch up with her chaos addicted friend and the two spend a weekend away at a nice bed and breakfast while enjoying wine tastings and relaxation. When Naomi plans a night out with Sloane, the two meet a group of people at the bar and are invited to their house for a party, but it quickly takes an unexpected turn. Sloane and Naomi must come to terms with what their new normal will be whether they like it or not.

SO THIRSTY is unique because it's a story about people turning into vampires and coming to accept it. There's so many metaphorical messages within this center of conflict that ring true for different types of things going on within peoples' lives. I found the journey of these new vampires utterly intriguing and also very satirical that I couldn't put it down and finished within two sittings. The is the ultimate testament to a good novel! I did not looooove the ending, as I felt like it ended a bit too early, but overall this book is an amazing installment in Rachel Harrison's rolodex of supernatural modern-day horror reads. If you've read and enjoyed any of this author's previous works, you will hands-down love this one. Rachel Harrison has become an auto-read author for me, so make sure you put this one on your TBR! ]]> 3.48 2024
author: Rachel Harrison
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.48
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/17
date added: 2024/07/17
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, contemporary, horror, light-thriller, drama, comedy
review:
I love Rachel Harrison's books so much and when I heard about her latest novel, SO THIRSTY, I knew that I wanted to prioritize it as soon as possible. Rachel Harrison creates the perfect cocktail of horror, contemporary fiction, feminist-empowering stories I've read in recent years, and and SO THIRSTY is no exception!

The story is centered around Sloane Parker and her friend Naomi. Sloane is about to celebrate her birthday and when her husband Joel surprises her with a weekend getaway with her friend Naomi, Sloane feels a bit concerned that he didn't want to spend it with her. Regardless, Sloane is excited to catch up with her chaos addicted friend and the two spend a weekend away at a nice bed and breakfast while enjoying wine tastings and relaxation. When Naomi plans a night out with Sloane, the two meet a group of people at the bar and are invited to their house for a party, but it quickly takes an unexpected turn. Sloane and Naomi must come to terms with what their new normal will be whether they like it or not.

SO THIRSTY is unique because it's a story about people turning into vampires and coming to accept it. There's so many metaphorical messages within this center of conflict that ring true for different types of things going on within peoples' lives. I found the journey of these new vampires utterly intriguing and also very satirical that I couldn't put it down and finished within two sittings. The is the ultimate testament to a good novel! I did not looooove the ending, as I felt like it ended a bit too early, but overall this book is an amazing installment in Rachel Harrison's rolodex of supernatural modern-day horror reads. If you've read and enjoyed any of this author's previous works, you will hands-down love this one. Rachel Harrison has become an auto-read author for me, so make sure you put this one on your TBR!
]]> 199236713 A previous cover edition for this ASIN can be found here

When an heiress goes missing, her best friend races to unravel the secrets behind her disappearance using clues left behind in an explosive manuscript…

Gia and Abby have been best friends since they were girls, forever bonded by the tragedy that unfolded in Greece when they were eighteen. In the aftermath, bookish Abby threw herself into her studies while heiress Gia chronicled the events of that fateful summer in a salacious memoir.

Twelve years later, Gia is back in Greece for the summer with her shiny new husband and a motley crew of glamorous guests, preparing to sell the family estate in the wake of her father’s death. When Abby receives an invitation from Gia to celebrate her birthday in September beneath the Northern Lights, she’s thrilled to be granted the time off from her high-pressure job. But the day of her flight, she receives a mysterious, threatening email in her inbox, and when she and Gia’s brother Benny arrive at the Swedish resort, Gia isn’t there. After days of cryptic messages and unanswered calls, Abby and Benny are worried enough to fly to Greece to check on her.

Only, when they arrive, they find Gia’s beachfront estate eerily deserted, the sole clue to her whereabouts a manuscript she wrote detailing the events leading up to her disappearance. The pages reveal the dark truth about Gia’s provocative new marriage and the dirty secrets of the guests they entertained with fizzy champagne under the hot Mediterranean sun. As tensions rise, Gia feels less and less safe in her own home. But the pages end abruptly, leaving Abby and Benny with more questions than answers.

Where is Gia now? And, more importantly, will they find her before it’s too late?]]> 357 Katherine Wood Dennis 3 3.80 2024
author: Katherine Wood
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/07/15
date added: 2024/07/15
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, light-mystery, light-thriller
review:

]]> 200555213 Bestselling and award-winning author David Ellis delivers a fast-paced, twisty thriller that will surprise readers at every turn.

Leo Balanoff is a diagnosed pathological liar with unthinkable skeletons in his family's closet. He's also a crusading attorney who seeks justice at all costs. When a ruthless drug dealer is found dead and Leo’s fingerprints show up on the murder weapon, no one believes a word he says. But he might be the FBI’s only shot at taking down the dealer’s brutal syndicate.

Risk his life going undercover for the feds or head straight to prison for murder? Leo accepts the FBI’s offer—but it comes with a price, including a collision course with his ex, Andi Piotrowski, a former cop and “the one who got away.” Forced to walk a tightrope between an ambitious FBI agent and a cruel, calculating crime boss, Leo’s trapped in a corner. But he has more secrets than anyone realizes, and a few more cards left to play …]]> 373 David Ellis 0399170936 Dennis 4
The story is centered around attorney Leo Balanoff seeking justice for his client, but when he is accused of murdering a high-profile drug dealer and human trafficker, he is left to take matters in his own hands. Leo was diagnosed as a pathological liar in the past and the FBI offers him an opportunity for justice. Leo must walk a fine line between going undercover and also protecting his ex, Andi Piotrowski, at all costs.

I don't want to dive too much into the story because I actually didn't even read the synopsis! I just knew that I needed to read another David Ellis novel. This one is much more of a Harlan Coben vibe than his last book—dark, gritty, and more crime-focused than his last book. This story involves serious topics such as human trafficking, sex crimes, and violence, but it's needed to tell the story carefully. We have multiple POVs, but Leo's is 100% hands down my favorite and if Ellis just stayed with him, this book would be 5 stars. There's so many unique characters in this novel and I loved some, hated others, and loved to hate a few as well. David Ellis is an amazing author and has become an auto-read author for me!]]> 3.85 2024
author: David Ellis
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/10
date added: 2024/07/10
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller, crime-fiction
review:
David Ellis was brought to my attention last year with his 2023 release, Look Closer, which was a top read of 2023 for me, so when I heard about his upcoming novel, THE BEST LIES, I jumped at the chance to read it! Look Closer was a very popular, yet polarizing read due to the amount of twists it took, but THE BEST LIES is much more straightforward.

The story is centered around attorney Leo Balanoff seeking justice for his client, but when he is accused of murdering a high-profile drug dealer and human trafficker, he is left to take matters in his own hands. Leo was diagnosed as a pathological liar in the past and the FBI offers him an opportunity for justice. Leo must walk a fine line between going undercover and also protecting his ex, Andi Piotrowski, at all costs.

I don't want to dive too much into the story because I actually didn't even read the synopsis! I just knew that I needed to read another David Ellis novel. This one is much more of a Harlan Coben vibe than his last book—dark, gritty, and more crime-focused than his last book. This story involves serious topics such as human trafficking, sex crimes, and violence, but it's needed to tell the story carefully. We have multiple POVs, but Leo's is 100% hands down my favorite and if Ellis just stayed with him, this book would be 5 stars. There's so many unique characters in this novel and I loved some, hated others, and loved to hate a few as well. David Ellis is an amazing author and has become an auto-read author for me!
]]> 61467820
There’s a reason people call Miami Beach “a sunny place for shady people.”

Welcome to Sunset Academy, the most coveted elementary school in Miami Beach, where there are three categories of families: rich, wealthy, and ultra-wealthy.

Perfectly tanned and smiling Charlotte Giordani is Sunset Academy’s alpha mom. With a sleek blowout and relentless charm, Charlotte’s brashness serves her well. She’s up for election as the PTA president and is riding high, having just secured a massive donation from billionaire Don Walker and his socialite wife Patricia. Don and Patricia are philanthropists, media darlings, and the owners of Villa Rosé, a newly built modern glass house that everyone is talking about. (It’s either spectacular or a tacky eyesore, depending on how you feel about billionaires.)

Enter Melody Howard, a wide-eyed transplant from Wichita, Kansas. At first a skeptic about Miami Beach and its endlessly hashtaggable social scene, Melody finds herself sucked into the glossy, frenetic world of Sunset Academy moms. Melody’s easygoing manner and background in nonprofit management make her an asset to the PTA. But when she emerges as a rival for the PTA presidency, Charlotte begins to unravel. Even the most powerful players on the social scene prove to be vulnerable when an investigation into white-collar crime—triggered by another school mom, the formidable Jamaican-American Judge Carol Lawson—threatens to take down the whole institution. No amount of rosé can soothe tensions as the drama builds to a shocking crisis point.

Told in rotating first person voices, Pink Glass Houses is an irresistibly voyeuristic peek into the lives of the rich and infamous, where cocaine playdates, $100,000 kiddie birthday parties, and relentless social climbing are a way of life.]]> 272 Asha Elias 0063312794 Dennis 4
PINK GLASS HOUSES dives into the world of a group of wealthy PTA moms of Sunset Academy, an elite elementary school in Miami Beach, Fl. The families belong in three different categories: rich, wealthy, and ultra-wealthy. The story focuses on several women, but specifically Charlotte Giordani and Melody Howard. Charlotte is charming and cunning, and she's up for election as the PTA president. She has secured a lot of support from some of the most wealthy locals, but when Melody shows up, everything gets thrown for a loop. Melody and her family just recently moved into the neighborhood from Wichita, KS, and has won over many in the school district. When Melody becomes a powerful foil to Charlotte's candidacy, the struggle between the two begins to grow. While Charlotte begins to unravel, Melody realizes that she has entered a world she's never seen before—a world she may never leave.

PINK GLASS HOUSES is a satirical thriller with so many moments that really entertained me. It's campy, juicy, and theatrical. I loved the audiobook cast and highly recommend you choose that option if you have the ability to choose between the physical and audio. If you like over-the-top soapy thrillers, PINK GLASS HOUSES will be perfect for you. GIVE ME ALL OF THE DRAMA.]]> 3.39 2024
author: Asha Elias
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.39
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/09
date added: 2024/07/09
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, popcorn-thriller, domestic-thriller
review:
I was immediately hypnotized by the cover for Asha Elias' debut novel, PINK GLASS HOUSES. It'll definitely be in my top covers for 2024, I mean come ON! The story reminded me of Desperate Housewives meets Big Little Lies, so I was really excited to pick it up. I alternated between the audiobook via @librofm and the physical copy, and I really enjoyed being able to navigate the two options seamlessly.

PINK GLASS HOUSES dives into the world of a group of wealthy PTA moms of Sunset Academy, an elite elementary school in Miami Beach, Fl. The families belong in three different categories: rich, wealthy, and ultra-wealthy. The story focuses on several women, but specifically Charlotte Giordani and Melody Howard. Charlotte is charming and cunning, and she's up for election as the PTA president. She has secured a lot of support from some of the most wealthy locals, but when Melody shows up, everything gets thrown for a loop. Melody and her family just recently moved into the neighborhood from Wichita, KS, and has won over many in the school district. When Melody becomes a powerful foil to Charlotte's candidacy, the struggle between the two begins to grow. While Charlotte begins to unravel, Melody realizes that she has entered a world she's never seen before—a world she may never leave.

PINK GLASS HOUSES is a satirical thriller with so many moments that really entertained me. It's campy, juicy, and theatrical. I loved the audiobook cast and highly recommend you choose that option if you have the ability to choose between the physical and audio. If you like over-the-top soapy thrillers, PINK GLASS HOUSES will be perfect for you. GIVE ME ALL OF THE DRAMA.
]]> 195790870 From Chuck Tingle, author of the USA Today bestselling Camp Damascus, comes a new heart-pounding story about what it takes to succeed in a world that wants you dead.

Misha is a jaded scriptwriter who has been working in Hollywood for years, and has just been nominated for his first Oscar. But when he's pressured by his producers to kill off a gay character in the upcoming season finale―"for the algorithm"―Misha discovers that it's not that simple.

As he is haunted by his past, and past mistakes, Misha must risk everything to find a way to do what's right―before it's too late.]]> 295 Chuck Tingle 1250874653 Dennis 3 4.11 2024
author: Chuck Tingle
name: Dennis
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/07/08
date added: 2024/07/08
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, gay, horror, lgbt
review:

]]> 199797651 This chilling, sizzling, and addictive thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Vi Keeland follows a New York psychiatrist’s dark descent into dangerous obsession.

This isn’t a love story.

It’s a story about obsession.

After experiencing a terrible loss, New York City psychiatrist Meredith McCall feels painfully adrift. When she crosses paths with a man with whom she has a tragic connection, she follows him, sparking an unhealthy obsession with Gabriel Wright. How is he doing so well while her life is in shambles?

But when Gabriel walks into her office as a patient, seemingly unaware of who she is, she knows it crosses all ethical and moral bounds to treat him. Yet, Meredith can’t bring herself to turn him away and becomes further entangled. With her life and career continuing to unravel, it appears that things could not get any worse…until they do.]]> 291 Vi Keeland 1668046857 Dennis 4
You can totally tell that Vi Keeland is a romance author in the way she weaves this story around. It's truly a wild, fun ride. I love thrillers with a heavy romantic/sexual tone to it, and THE UNRAVELING is definitely that. This book dives into grief a LOT and I won't say what happened to have our characters grieving, but from someone grieving over the last couple of months, I fully related to Meredith's unhealthy and unorthodox methods of self-care and coping. It's hard to move on from something life changing and devastating and THE UNRAVELING truly dives into that. I really enjoyed this book and will totally prioritize Vi Keeland's next thriller if she chooses to continue down this path.]]> 3.82 2024
author: Vi Keeland
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/08
date added: 2024/07/08
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, suspense, light-mystery, light-thriller
review:
Vi Keeland is a very well-known romance author, with a ton of books in her roster, but THE UNRAVELING is her first (to my knowledge) mystery-thriller release. I immediately got tuned into this novel based on the synopsis—when Meredith McCall (our protagonist) experiences a painful loss (you'll find out exactly what), she begins struggling in her as a psychiatrist and trying to move forward with her life. Grief-stricken, she begins an obsession with Gabriel Wright—following him around and becoming unhinged. As Meredith's obsession continues to grow, Gabriel ends up walking into her office as a patient, not knowing that she has become fully immersed in his life privately. When Meredith and Gabriel begin to get to know each other on a deeper level, boundaries are crossed and Meredith starts unraveling (hehe) her entire life. Is Gabriel worth risking everything?

You can totally tell that Vi Keeland is a romance author in the way she weaves this story around. It's truly a wild, fun ride. I love thrillers with a heavy romantic/sexual tone to it, and THE UNRAVELING is definitely that. This book dives into grief a LOT and I won't say what happened to have our characters grieving, but from someone grieving over the last couple of months, I fully related to Meredith's unhealthy and unorthodox methods of self-care and coping. It's hard to move on from something life changing and devastating and THE UNRAVELING truly dives into that. I really enjoyed this book and will totally prioritize Vi Keeland's next thriller if she chooses to continue down this path.
]]> 199698485 When a teenager vanishes from her Adirondack summer camp, two worlds collide

Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. Barbara isn’t just any thirteen-year-old: she’s the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara’s older brother similarly vanished fourteen years ago, never to be found.

As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. Chasing down the layered secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow, Moore’s multi-threaded story invites readers into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances. It is Liz Moore’s most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet.]]> 490 Liz Moore Dennis 3
Liz Moore's previous novel, Long Bright River, was really engaging and unique for a mystery novel, so I was very excited to pick up her latest, THE GOD OF THE WOODS. The story is centered around the disappearance of Barbara Van Laar in 1975 at a sleepaway camp in upstate New York. Barbara isn't just a typical teenager, but the daughter of the family who owns the summer camp that is a big influence in the area's economy. Barbara's brother also disappeared years ago in a similar fashion. The entire locality begins to investigate and search for Barbara, however in doing so, Barbara's family becomes front and center, slowly unraveling the Van Laar family.

THE GOD OF THE WOODS is very slow moving and character-driven. It's beautifully characterized and well written, but it takes a long time to get going. I felt at times that I was trying harder than I needed to when reading this book so I alternated between reading the physical book and listening to the audiobook. Both options are enthralling, yet slow moving. Barbara's disappearance is the catalyst for a much larger story, but the ending was a great way to tie things together. THE GOD OF THE WOODS really dives into the themes of wealth and power and family trauma. This isn't the mystery novel you may suspect if you enjoyed Long Bright River, but I appreciated the pivot that the author provided with this book. I am unsure if I'd read another book like THE GOD OF THE WOODS, but I think that readers of slow burn mysteries will enjoy this book.]]> 4.14 2024
author: Liz Moore
name: Dennis
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/07/02
date added: 2024/07/02
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, character-driven, historical-fiction, slow-burn, mystery
review:
3.5 stars

Liz Moore's previous novel, Long Bright River, was really engaging and unique for a mystery novel, so I was very excited to pick up her latest, THE GOD OF THE WOODS. The story is centered around the disappearance of Barbara Van Laar in 1975 at a sleepaway camp in upstate New York. Barbara isn't just a typical teenager, but the daughter of the family who owns the summer camp that is a big influence in the area's economy. Barbara's brother also disappeared years ago in a similar fashion. The entire locality begins to investigate and search for Barbara, however in doing so, Barbara's family becomes front and center, slowly unraveling the Van Laar family.

THE GOD OF THE WOODS is very slow moving and character-driven. It's beautifully characterized and well written, but it takes a long time to get going. I felt at times that I was trying harder than I needed to when reading this book so I alternated between reading the physical book and listening to the audiobook. Both options are enthralling, yet slow moving. Barbara's disappearance is the catalyst for a much larger story, but the ending was a great way to tie things together. THE GOD OF THE WOODS really dives into the themes of wealth and power and family trauma. This isn't the mystery novel you may suspect if you enjoyed Long Bright River, but I appreciated the pivot that the author provided with this book. I am unsure if I'd read another book like THE GOD OF THE WOODS, but I think that readers of slow burn mysteries will enjoy this book.
]]> 199927990 A young woman wins the role of a lifetime in a film about a legendary heroine — but the real drama is behind the scenes in this sumptuous historical epic from the author of Mexican Gothic.

1950s Hollywood: Every actress wants to play Salome, the star-making role in a big-budget movie about the legendary woman whose story has inspired artists since ancient times.

So when the film’s mercurial director casts Vera Larios, an unknown Mexican ingenue, in the lead role, she quickly becomes the talk of the town. Vera also becomes an object of envy for Nancy Hartley, a bit player whose career has stalled and who will do anything to win the fame she believes she richly deserves.

Two actresses, both determined to make it to the top in Golden Age Hollywood—a city overflowing with gossip, scandal, and intrigue—make for a sizzling combination.

But this is the tale of three women, for it is also the story of the princess Salome herself, consumed with desire for the fiery prophet who foretells the doom of her stepfather, Herod: a woman torn between the decree of duty and the yearning of her heart.

Before the curtain comes down, there will be tears and tragedy aplenty in this sexy Technicolor saga.]]> 336 Silvia Moreno-Garcia Dennis 3
In her newest novel, THE SEVENTH VEIL OF SALOME, the story takes place in 1950s Hollywood where the production team is trying to find the cast for a new film, The Seventh Veil of Salome. The leading actor is a big name in Hollywood and this is planned to be a big-budget film about a legendary woman whose story has inspired artists since ancient times (think of mythology/theology). The firm's director eventually casts Vera Larios, a no-name Mexican actress, for the leading role of Salome. Vera gets intertwined with Nancy Hartley, a bit player who is jealous of Vera's opportunity. When the two actresses begin to compete for success during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the women realize that this world may not be exactly what they think it may be.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of my favorite authors, but this book was a bit unexpected for me. I wanted a bit more horror and supernatural to this story, but this is a very strong historical fiction, women's fiction novel. I think if I went into this novel differently, I would have had my expectations at ease. The book's set up at times is a story within a story, which is a plot point that I do not enjoy. I tend to get confused when authors use this type of writing style. Overall, I loved the 1950s Hollywood gossip and scandal and appreciated the author's ability to writing varying genres in such an entertaining way. I hope the author goes back to horror and science fiction, but will gladly pick up anything Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes—whether I feel it's my type of genre of not.]]> 3.75 2024
author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/06/27
date added: 2024/06/27
shelves: 2024-read, 2024-pub, character-driven, historical-fiction
review:
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is an auto-read author for me through and through. Not only does she come up with such original stories to share with readers, the design team really goes the extra mile to design the most gorgeous covers! Moreno-Garcia is infamous for her supernatural and paranormal stories, but sometimes she throws a curveball and leans into historical fiction (for example, Velvet Was the Night).

In her newest novel, THE SEVENTH VEIL OF SALOME, the story takes place in 1950s Hollywood where the production team is trying to find the cast for a new film, The Seventh Veil of Salome. The leading actor is a big name in Hollywood and this is planned to be a big-budget film about a legendary woman whose story has inspired artists since ancient times (think of mythology/theology). The firm's director eventually casts Vera Larios, a no-name Mexican actress, for the leading role of Salome. Vera gets intertwined with Nancy Hartley, a bit player who is jealous of Vera's opportunity. When the two actresses begin to compete for success during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the women realize that this world may not be exactly what they think it may be.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of my favorite authors, but this book was a bit unexpected for me. I wanted a bit more horror and supernatural to this story, but this is a very strong historical fiction, women's fiction novel. I think if I went into this novel differently, I would have had my expectations at ease. The book's set up at times is a story within a story, which is a plot point that I do not enjoy. I tend to get confused when authors use this type of writing style. Overall, I loved the 1950s Hollywood gossip and scandal and appreciated the author's ability to writing varying genres in such an entertaining way. I hope the author goes back to horror and science fiction, but will gladly pick up anything Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes—whether I feel it's my type of genre of not.
]]> 202102003 How far would you go to belong?

Maya has returned to Princeton for her college reunion - it's been a decade since she graduated, and this visit is special because she will also be attending the graduation of her little sister, Naomi.

But what should have been a dream weekend becomes Maya's worst nightmare when she receives the news that Naomi is dead. The police are calling it an accident, but Maya suspects that there is more to the story than they are letting on.

As Maya pieces together what happened in the months leading up to her sister's death, she begins to realise how much Naomi hid from her. Despite Maya's warnings, Naomi had joined Sterling Club, the most exclusive social club on campus - the same one Maya belonged to. And if she had to guess, Naomi was likely tapped for the secret society within it.

Maya knows that her sister isn't the first person in the society to turn up dead. Now every clue is leading Maya back to the past . . . and to the secret she's been keeping all these years.]]> 384 Lauren Ling Brown 059372335X Dennis 4
This book gave me In My Dreams I Hold a Knife vibes! I really had a blast reading this one. This book touches on race and privilege while in college which I felt was a compelling aspect of the book that also helped form the mystery in ways I didn’t expect. This book moved rather quickly and left for many different scenarios for the reader to keep on guessing. I don’t always love dark academia stories, but SOCIETY OF LIES was very compelling. I highly recommend putting this book on your TBR and picking it up once it releases later this summer! STARS: 4, PUB: 8/13]]> 3.47 2024
author: Lauren Ling Brown
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.47
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/06/09
date added: 2024/06/27
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, light-mystery, light-thriller
review:
I’m saying it now—2024 reads have so far been my overall best year since I’ve started my bookstagram! Lauren Ling Brown’s debut, SOCIETY OF LIES, immediately captured my interest with this stunning cover. Thank you @randomhouse for this gifted copy! The story is centered around Princeton alumni Maya and her investigation into the mysterious death of her sister Naomi. Naomi was supposed to graduate Princeton and Maya was looking forward to reconnecting back to her college days, but Maya is stunned to find out that her sister joined the Sterling Club, the mysterious and exclusive social club on campus. Maya warned her about the Sterling Club since she had joined back in her college days. Maya can’t help but think this club has something to do with Naomi’s death.⁣

This book gave me In My Dreams I Hold a Knife vibes! I really had a blast reading this one. This book touches on race and privilege while in college which I felt was a compelling aspect of the book that also helped form the mystery in ways I didn’t expect. This book moved rather quickly and left for many different scenarios for the reader to keep on guessing. I don’t always love dark academia stories, but SOCIETY OF LIES was very compelling. I highly recommend putting this book on your TBR and picking it up once it releases later this summer! STARS: 4, PUB: 8/13
]]> 198563729 Daphne and Amber Parrish are thrust back into each other’s lives upon the resurgence of a long-forgotten threat, forcing a vicious game of cat and mouse where everything is on the line, in this thrilling sequel to the million-copy-bestselling Reese’s Book Club pick The Last Mrs. Parrish.

Amber Patterson Parrish has come a long way from being an invisible wallflower. Her hard work and immaculate planning have paid off now that she’s a prominent socialite, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been bumps along the way. Less than a year since her husband Jackson’s tax-evasion scandal, Amber is still at the top of the Bishops Harbor community pecking order, free to do as she wishes while Jackson sits in prison. But that freedom is quickly coming to an end. With Jackson getting released from prison, Amber’s time—and money—is vanishing.

Meanwhile, Daphne Parrish left Bishops Harbor after her divorce from Jackson Parrish, swearing she would never go back. But when one of her daughters runs away from home, desperate to see her father, Daphne agrees to return for the summer to allow him supervised visits. Once out of prison, Jackson swears he’s a changed man, but Daphne knows all too well that he can’t be trusted.

When a ghost from Amber’s past emerges looking for revenge, the three of them find unlikely allies in one another, but who is playing who? When all is said and done, they’ll have to fight tooth and nail for everything they have left in this zero-sum game.

With shocking turns and entertaining characters, The Next Mrs. Parrish will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about duplicity and betrayal.]]> 336 Liv Constantine 0593599926 Dennis 4
Daphne and Amber are back into each others' lives after one of Daphne's daughter runs away looking for her father, Jackson Parrish. Jackson and Daphne are divorced after she fled and Amber married him in a twist of a fate from Book 1. However, while Jackson is in prison, Amber is enjoying the wealth that being a Parrish brings. Jackson is a terrible human, both being involved in tax-evasion, but also as an abuser. When Daphne returns back to Bishops Harbor, she realizes that leaving this time might be more difficult. While Jackson swears that he's a changed man, Daphne knows that she should trust her gut. Amber, on the other hand, deals with someone from her past looking for revenge.

Liv Constantine always knows how to write a juicy over-the-top story. Reading THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH, it reminded me of how much Frieda McFadden's The Housemaid really took too much subject matter from Constantine's predecessor The Last Mrs. Parrish. If you like The Housemaid and the sequels, you MUST read this series. Also, if you're new to Liv Constantine, THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH can be easily read as a standalone. I can 100% confirm that because I forgot a lot of the ins and outs of it's previous installment and not only does Constantine weave in the story effortlessly, it fully revitalized parts of the book that I had forgotten. Both books are a lot of fun and have tons of juicy, soapy, chaos. Personally I love Daphne so much, but I also find Jackson to be such a chaotic, evil, and fun to watch (in the most f'd up of ways) character. I'd love to see these characters play out on the screen. Highly recommend that you pick up THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH! ]]> 3.75 2024
author: Liv Constantine
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/06/24
date added: 2024/06/24
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, domestic-thriller
review:
Liv Constantine's newest release, THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH is full on juicy fun. I was cautiously excited about reading this one because I do remember The Last Mrs. Parrish (book 1) and was concerned that this book wouldn't read well as as standalone. I can tell you right now that is definitely not something anyone should be worried about.

Daphne and Amber are back into each others' lives after one of Daphne's daughter runs away looking for her father, Jackson Parrish. Jackson and Daphne are divorced after she fled and Amber married him in a twist of a fate from Book 1. However, while Jackson is in prison, Amber is enjoying the wealth that being a Parrish brings. Jackson is a terrible human, both being involved in tax-evasion, but also as an abuser. When Daphne returns back to Bishops Harbor, she realizes that leaving this time might be more difficult. While Jackson swears that he's a changed man, Daphne knows that she should trust her gut. Amber, on the other hand, deals with someone from her past looking for revenge.

Liv Constantine always knows how to write a juicy over-the-top story. Reading THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH, it reminded me of how much Frieda McFadden's The Housemaid really took too much subject matter from Constantine's predecessor The Last Mrs. Parrish. If you like The Housemaid and the sequels, you MUST read this series. Also, if you're new to Liv Constantine, THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH can be easily read as a standalone. I can 100% confirm that because I forgot a lot of the ins and outs of it's previous installment and not only does Constantine weave in the story effortlessly, it fully revitalized parts of the book that I had forgotten. Both books are a lot of fun and have tons of juicy, soapy, chaos. Personally I love Daphne so much, but I also find Jackson to be such a chaotic, evil, and fun to watch (in the most f'd up of ways) character. I'd love to see these characters play out on the screen. Highly recommend that you pick up THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH!
]]> 199026522 In the latest jaw-dropping thriller from New York Times bestselling author Riley Sager, a man must contend with the long-ago disappearance of his childhood best friend—and the dark secrets lurking just beyond the safe confines of his picture-perfect neighborhood.

The worst thing to ever happen on Hemlock Circle occurred in Ethan Marsh’s backyard. One July night, ten-year-old Ethan and his best friend and neighbor, Billy, fell asleep in a tent set up on a manicured lawn in a quiet, quaint New Jersey cul de sac. In the morning, Ethan woke up alone. During the night, someone had sliced the tent open with a knife and taken Billy. He was never seen again.

Thirty years later, Ethan has reluctantly returned to his childhood home. Plagued by bad dreams and insomnia, he begins to notice strange things happening in the middle of the night. Someone seems to be roaming the cul de sac at odd hours, and signs of Billy’s presence keep appearing in Ethan’s backyard. Is someone playing a cruel prank? Or has Billy, long thought to be dead, somehow returned to Hemlock Circle?

The mysterious occurrences prompt Ethan to investigate what really happened that night, a quest that reunites him with former friends and neighbors and leads him into the woods that surround Hemlock Circle. Woods where Billy claimed monsters roamed and where a mysterious institute does clandestine research on a crumbling estate.

The closer Ethan gets to the truth, the more he realizes that no place—be it quiet forest or suburban street—is completely safe. And that the past has a way of haunting the present.]]> 367 Riley Sager 0593472373 Dennis 2 3.65 2024
author: Riley Sager
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.65
book published: 2024
rating: 2
read at: 2024/06/23
date added: 2024/06/23
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, slow-burn, whodunnit
review:

]]> 199757490 A chilling horror novel about a haunting told from the perspective of a young girl whose troubled family is targeted by an entity she calls “Other Mommy,” from the New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box
 
To eight-year-old Bela, her family is her world. There’s Mommy, Daddo, and Grandma Ruth. But there is also Other Mommy, a malevolent entity who asks her every day: “Can I go inside your heart?”  
 
When horrifying incidents around the house signal that Other Mommy is growing tired of asking Bela the same question, over and over . . . Bela understands that unless she says yes, soon her family must pay. 
 
Other Mommy is getting restless, stronger, bolder. Only the bonds of family can keep Bela safe but other incidents show cracks in her parents' marriage. The safety Bela relies on is on the brink of unraveling.  
 
But Other Mommy needs an answer. 
 
Incidents Around the House is a chilling, wholly unique tale of true horror told by the child Bela. A story about a family as haunted as their home.]]> 367 Josh Malerman 0593723120 Dennis 5
INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE is my favorite Josh Malerman novel yet. I really enjoyed Bird Box and I loved Malorie, but this book blows all of Malerman's previous books out of the water! This book is told through the eyes of an eight year old, so the POV is very unique and I think that Malerman portrayed it perfectly. I really felt that I was following Bela around during this time, which also led for a very scary horror novel experience. This book is scary, bookstafam! I was hypnotized and scared all at the same time. If you watched and enjoyed the movie Insidious, THIS IS YOUR BOOK! I loved the premise of this story and it kept me engaged the entire time. I read this book in one sitting and can guarantee that this book will be in my 2024 best reads of the year!]]> 3.59 2024
author: Josh Malerman
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/06/10
date added: 2024/06/10
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror, family-drama
review:
Bela is just your normal eight year old girl, living her her parents, Mommy and Daddo, with her Grandma Ruth also nearby. Bela is a resourceful and curious little girl who is much smarter than perceptive than anyone can imagine. She also sees another force within her familiar home, specifically her closet, named Other Mommy. Other Mommy visits Bela daily asking her "Can I go inside your heart?" Bela has refused this proposal each time, but Other Mommy is starting to get impatient and with her presence growing more and more intense, Bela understands that she must make a decision to save her family.

INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE is my favorite Josh Malerman novel yet. I really enjoyed Bird Box and I loved Malorie, but this book blows all of Malerman's previous books out of the water! This book is told through the eyes of an eight year old, so the POV is very unique and I think that Malerman portrayed it perfectly. I really felt that I was following Bela around during this time, which also led for a very scary horror novel experience. This book is scary, bookstafam! I was hypnotized and scared all at the same time. If you watched and enjoyed the movie Insidious, THIS IS YOUR BOOK! I loved the premise of this story and it kept me engaged the entire time. I read this book in one sitting and can guarantee that this book will be in my 2024 best reads of the year!
]]> 201101870 Two contract killers, each with a hit out on the other, must fight their growing attraction as they face off in an epic game of lust and murder across Western Europe.

When Eva and Jonathan hook up on the sleeper train from Florence to Paris, they think they’ll never see each other again. Which is too bad, because neither has ever felt a spark like this for another person. But love isn’t on the agenda in their line of work. 

Six months later, they run into each other in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. This meeting is not by chance, because Eva has been hired to kill Jonathan. She’s a contract killer, but what she doesn’t know is that he is too.

Their meeting kicks off a high-stakes cross-continent adventure across Western Europe. There will be tourism. There will be bodies.  Eva and Jonathan might even fall for each other.

As the two get closer to completing their assignments, it becomes clear that they are also being hunted—by something even more dangerous than love. . .]]> 383 Eliza Jane Brazier 0593438930 Dennis 5
Eva and Jonathan are two contract killers who meet unexpectedly on a sleeper train from Florence to Paris; unbeknownst to them about their secret career paths. Their chemistry is magnetic and the two hook up while on the train, but leave each other thinking they may never see each other again. When the two end up running into each other six month later in the Hall of Mirrors (my favorite place ever!!) in Versailles, the two's magnetic pull towards each other further is harnessed. However, Eva was contracted to kill Jonathan, leading to a total collision of their worlds in ways we would never expect.

I knew this book would be spicy but HOT DAMN did it get spicy! IT HAD TO BE YOU is the perfect combination of Carola Lovering meets Lisa Jewell. This book is sexy, wild, unhinged, amazing, spectacular, the moment, iconic, and a total blast. I read IT HAD TO BE YOU in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. I do think this book hits harder for me because it involves toxic romance and ummmm, I can relate! This book is so unique and hard to pinpoint how to categorize, but I think it's a romance-thriller? All I know is that Eliza Jane Brazier has busted the door down on a new subgenre that I want more of. Readers of this author must prioritize this—it's an amazing beach read. Expect IT HAD TO BE YOU to be in my top reads of the year!]]> 3.69 2024
author: Eliza Jane Brazier
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/06/04
date added: 2024/06/04
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, romance, thriller
review:
Everyone knows that Eliza Jane Brazier is a full-blown auto-read author for me and her latest 2024 novel, IT HAD TO BE YOU, further cements that. IT HAD TO BE YOU is the most unhinged, spicy, and BEST novel that she has ever written and I cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on this unique romance-thriller!

Eva and Jonathan are two contract killers who meet unexpectedly on a sleeper train from Florence to Paris; unbeknownst to them about their secret career paths. Their chemistry is magnetic and the two hook up while on the train, but leave each other thinking they may never see each other again. When the two end up running into each other six month later in the Hall of Mirrors (my favorite place ever!!) in Versailles, the two's magnetic pull towards each other further is harnessed. However, Eva was contracted to kill Jonathan, leading to a total collision of their worlds in ways we would never expect.

I knew this book would be spicy but HOT DAMN did it get spicy! IT HAD TO BE YOU is the perfect combination of Carola Lovering meets Lisa Jewell. This book is sexy, wild, unhinged, amazing, spectacular, the moment, iconic, and a total blast. I read IT HAD TO BE YOU in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. I do think this book hits harder for me because it involves toxic romance and ummmm, I can relate! This book is so unique and hard to pinpoint how to categorize, but I think it's a romance-thriller? All I know is that Eliza Jane Brazier has busted the door down on a new subgenre that I want more of. Readers of this author must prioritize this—it's an amazing beach read. Expect IT HAD TO BE YOU to be in my top reads of the year!
]]> 199534613
Now, at twenty, Margo is alone with an infant, unemployed, and on the verge of eviction. She needs a cash infusion—fast. When her estranged father, Jinx, shows up on her doorstep and asks to move in with her, she agrees in exchange for help with childcare. Then Margo begins to form a plan: she’ll start an OnlyFans as an experiment, and soon finds herself adapting some of Jinx’s advice from the world of wrestling. Like how to craft a compelling character and make your audience fall in love with you. Before she knows it, she’s turned it into a runaway success. Could this be the answer to all of Margo’s problems, or does internet fame come with too high a price?

Blisteringly funny and filled with sharp insight, Margo’s Got Money Troubles is a tender tale starring an endearing young heroine who’s struggling to wrest money and power from a world that has little interest in giving it to her. It’s a playful and honest examination of the art of storytelling and controlling your own narrative, and an empowering portrait of coming into your own, both online and off.]]> 304 Rufi Thorpe 0063356589 Dennis 4 3.85 2024
author: Rufi Thorpe
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/06/04
date added: 2024/06/04
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, comedy, satire
review:
I really enjoyed Rufi Thorpe's previous novel, The Knockout Queen, and was excited to get another story from this author. Rufi Thorpe is a one of a kind author and her newest book MARGO'S GOT MONEY TROUBLES is just that - unique and one of a kind! The story is centered around Margo Millet and her trying to get by financialy after getting pregnant by her married English professor. She decides to keep the baby and realizes how difficult it is to raise a child at such a young age. She decides to start an OnlyFans account and see if she can make money for her and her child, but when she starts realizing that it's been a total success, she realizes that it comes at a price. This book is darkly hilarious and such a good showcase of how society judges others for doing things to survive in this world financially. I had an absolute blast and it will really help change subconscious bias many readers may have with sex work.
]]> 199116301
Martha Ratliff conceded long ago that she’d likely spend her life alone. She was fine with it, happy with her solo existence, stimulated by her job as an archival librarian, constantly surrounded by thought-provoking ideas and the books she loved. But then she met Alan, a charming and sweet-natured divorcee with a job that took him on the road for half the year. When he asked her to marry him, she said yes, even though he still felt a little bit like a stranger.

A year in and the marriage was good, except for that strange blood streak on the back of one of his shirts he’d worn to a conference in Denver. Her curiosity turning to suspicion, Martha investigates the cities Alan visited over the past year and uncovers a disturbing pattern—five unsolved cases of murdered women.

Is she married to a serial killer? Or could it merely be a coincidence? Unsure what to think, Martha contacts an old friend from graduate school for advice. Lily Kintner once helped Martha out of a jam with an abusive boyfriend and may have some insight. Intrigued, Lily offers to meet Alan to find out what kind of man he really is . . . but what Lily uncovers is more perplexing and wicked than they ever could have expected.]]> 255 Peter Swanson 0063205033 Dennis 3 3.58 2024
author: Peter Swanson
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.58
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/06/03
date added: 2024/06/03
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, mystery, thriller
review:

]]> 201102394 Offered a dream job in Hollywood with a famous director and his actress wife, an insecure woman becomes their personal assistant where their secrets and lies place her in the crosshairs of a murder investigation.

Cassidy Foster is heartbroken, stuck in life, and getting a little too obsessed with plants. Then when a well-connected friend becomes sick of Cassidy’s moping and gets her a gig with famous Hollywood couple, Marisol and Nate Sterling, Cassidy jumps at the chance to move to sunny L.A. The Sterlings are warm and welcoming. A perfect couple. All Cassidy has to do is be available a few hours a week for errands. In return, she has access to luxury. Designer clothes. A sparkling pool. Great pay. When Nate takes interest in her, asking her to read scripts he’s written, Cassidy thinks this could be the key to kickstarting her writing dreams. As their business relationship grows, so does their attraction. Nate is sexy, talented, and Cassidy can’t believe her luck. Clearly, Marisol doesn’t know what she has. Maybe that’s why the two are always fighting when they think Cassidy isn’t around. But Cassidy learns she was hired for a different purpose. The Sterlings aren’t the perfect couple. Marisol isn’t the perfect wife. And when one of them is found dead, Cassidy becomes the perfect suspect.]]> 401 May Cobb 0593546822 Dennis 5
Cassidy Foster is left heartbroken after breaking up with her boyfriend Carter, but when her bff Lexie offers her a job placement in Los Angeles working as an assistant to actress Marisol Sterling and her director husband Nate, she jumps at the opportunity for a new beginning. The pay is great, Cassidy loves working for them, and she can finally clear her mind and start fresh. Marisol and Nate are the perfect couple and Cassidy is so intrigued by them. However, when Nate begins to show interest in Cassidy romantically, she realizes that their marriage may have some hiccups that she didn't expect. Nate is attractive and Cassidy clearly feels the same, but she knows that this relationship is inappropriate. When Cassidy finds out the true reason for her hiring, she must make the decision to continue with the Sterlings, especially when one of them is found dead.

This book is spicy, over-the-top dramatic, and all kinds of fun. This is the summer beach read of your dreams! THE HOLLYWOOD ASSISTANT is my favorite by May Cobb yet! I truly feel like Cobb is at her best with this book and you must prioritize it in your summer reading. THE HOLLYWOOD ASSISTANT will be in my top reads of the year for sure. ]]> 3.54 2024
author: May Cobb
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.54
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/05/28
date added: 2024/05/28
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller, psychological-thriller
review:
THE HOLLYWOOD ASSISTANT IS MAY COBB'S BEST BOOK YET. I said what I said. If you've been a fan of May Cobb since The Hunting Wives, you are in for a real treat.

Cassidy Foster is left heartbroken after breaking up with her boyfriend Carter, but when her bff Lexie offers her a job placement in Los Angeles working as an assistant to actress Marisol Sterling and her director husband Nate, she jumps at the opportunity for a new beginning. The pay is great, Cassidy loves working for them, and she can finally clear her mind and start fresh. Marisol and Nate are the perfect couple and Cassidy is so intrigued by them. However, when Nate begins to show interest in Cassidy romantically, she realizes that their marriage may have some hiccups that she didn't expect. Nate is attractive and Cassidy clearly feels the same, but she knows that this relationship is inappropriate. When Cassidy finds out the true reason for her hiring, she must make the decision to continue with the Sterlings, especially when one of them is found dead.

This book is spicy, over-the-top dramatic, and all kinds of fun. This is the summer beach read of your dreams! THE HOLLYWOOD ASSISTANT is my favorite by May Cobb yet! I truly feel like Cobb is at her best with this book and you must prioritize it in your summer reading. THE HOLLYWOOD ASSISTANT will be in my top reads of the year for sure.
]]> 197525313 “Holy City is an amazing piece of work. A Southern novel that examines the pathos and ethos of small-town life and the weight of both grief and hatred. Love it.”—S.A. Cosby 

No one innocent. No one free. Nothing sacred.

Holy City is the captivating debut from Henry Wise about a deputy sheriff who must work alongside an unpredictable private detective after he finds himself on the outs from his sheriff's department over his unwillingness to look the other way when an innocent man is arrested for murder.

After a decade of exile precipitated by the tragic death of his mother, Will Seems returns home from Richmond to rural Southern Virginia, taking a job as deputy sheriff in a landscape given way to crime and defeat. Impoverished and abandoned, this remote land of tobacco plantations, razed forests, and boarded-up homes seems stuck in the past in a state that is trying to forget its complex history and move on. 

Will’s efforts to go about his life are wrecked when a mysterious, brutal homicide claims the life of an old friend, Tom Janders, forcing Will to face the true impetus for his not to honor his mother’s memory, but to pay a debt to a Black friend who, in an act of selfless courage years ago, protected Will and suffered permanent disfigurement for it. 

Meanwhile, a man Will knows to be innocent is arrested for Tom’s murder, and despite Will’s pleas, his boss seems all too content to wrap up the case and move on. Will must weigh his personal guilt against his public duty when the local Black community hires Bennico Watts, an unpredictable private detective from Richmond, to help him find the real killer. It would seem an ideal pairing—she has experience, along with plenty of sand, and Will is privy to the details of the case—but it doesn’t take long for either to realize they much prefer to operate alone. 

Bennico and Will clash as they each defend their untraditional ways on a wild ride that wends deep into the Snakefoot, an underworld wilderness that for hundreds of years has functioned as a hideout for outcasts—the forgotten and neglected and abused—leaving us enmeshed in the tangled history of a region and its people that leaves no one innocent, no one free, nothing sacred.]]> 352 Henry Wise 0802162916 Dennis 3 3.44 2024
author: Henry Wise
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.44
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/05/21
date added: 2024/05/21
shelves: crime-fiction, police-procedural, 2024-read, 2024-pub
review:

]]> 200101541 A chilling twist on the “cursed film” genre from the bestselling author of The Pallbearers Club and The Cabin at the End of the World.

In June 1993, a group of young guerilla filmmakers spent four weeks making Horror Movie, a notorious, disturbing, art-house horror flick.

The weird part? Only three of the film’s scenes were ever released to the public, but Horror Movie has nevertheless grown a rabid fanbase. Three decades later, Hollywood is pushing for a big budget reboot.

The man who played “The Thin Kid” is the only surviving cast member. He remembers all too well the secrets buried within the original screenplay, the bizarre events of the filming, and the dangerous crossed lines on set that resulted in tragedy. As memories flood back in, the boundaries between reality and film, past and present start to blur. But he’s going to help remake the film, even if it means navigating a world of cynical producers, egomaniacal directors, and surreal fan conventions — demons of the past be damned.

But at what cost? 

Horror Movie is an obsessive, psychologically chilling, and suspenseful twist on the “cursed film” that breathlessly builds to an unforgettable, mind-bending conclusion.]]> 277 Paul Tremblay 0063070014 Dennis 3 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror 3.29 2024
author: Paul Tremblay
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.29
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/05/20
date added: 2024/05/20
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror
review:

]]> 199798083 A young father must clear his name and protect his queer son when his wealthy new wife’s televangelist grandfather is found murdered in this binge-worthy locked-room thriller from the acclaimed author of The Bright Lands—perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Paul Tremblay, and Alex North.

For years, single father Toby Tucker has done his best to keep his sensitive young son, Luca, safe from the bigotry of the world. But when Toby marries Alyssa Wright—the granddaughter of a famed televangelist known for his grandiose, Old Testament preaching—he can’t imagine the world of religion, wealth, and hate that he and Luca are about to enter.

A trip to the Wright family’s compound in sun-scorched Texas soon turns hellish when Toby realizes that Alyssa and the rest of her brood might have some very strange plans for Toby and his son. The situation only grows worse when a freak storm cuts off the roads and the family patriarch is found murdered, stabbed through the heart on the roof of the family’s mansion.

Suspicion immediately turns to Toby, but when his son starts describing a spectral figure in a black suit lurking around the house with unfinished business in mind, Toby realizes this family has more than murder to be afraid of. And as the Wrights close in on Luca, no one is prepared for the lengths Toby will go in the fight to clear his name and protect his son.]]> 416 John Fram 1668031442 Dennis 5
This book is very different than Fram's last book, THE BRIGHT LANDS, but the metaphorical messaging still gives you Fram vibes. Even with over 400 pages, I read this book in two sittings because I couldn't put it down. The action starts very early into the story and the twist is SO F**KING GOOD! I'm telling you now, you will never expect how this book develops. There's three characters who I absolutely loved (no spoilers), a lot of characters who I loved to hate, and a lot of twists and turns that I did not expect. I absolutely loved this book. John, please don't have us waiting four years ever again bb!]]> 3.62 2024
author: John Fram
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/05/16
date added: 2024/05/16
shelves: 2024-read, 2024-pub, family-drama, horror, queer, lgbt, gay, suspense, whodunnit
review:
After four years, John Fram is back ladies and gentlemen and he's better than ever! Fram's upcoming summer 2024 release, NO ROAD HOME, is the perfect combination of GOOD RICH PEOPLE (Eliza Jane Brazier) meets television series The Righteous Gemstones. The book is centered around Toby Tucker and his young son Luca. Toby and Luca have such an incredible bond and Toby is a dedicated and loving father, but his parenting comes into question after he marries Alyssa Wright. Alyssa is the granddaughter of Jerome Wright, the famous televangelist who uses religion as a basis of hate on his popular television program. The Wrights are extremely wealthy and live in a small town in Texas where they basically run the county. When Alyssa invites Toby and her new step-son Luca to her family home, Toby enters the lion's den. Alyssa claims that her family is "too rich to be bigoted" but when Toby and Luca arrive, they realize that something isn't adding up with the Wright family. The situation grows worse when a storm cuts off the transportation in/out of their home and they lose WiFi and Internet service and the family wakes up with a murder. When all suspicions lead to Toby, he must figure out who's really guilty while also protecting his son at all costs.

This book is very different than Fram's last book, THE BRIGHT LANDS, but the metaphorical messaging still gives you Fram vibes. Even with over 400 pages, I read this book in two sittings because I couldn't put it down. The action starts very early into the story and the twist is SO F**KING GOOD! I'm telling you now, you will never expect how this book develops. There's three characters who I absolutely loved (no spoilers), a lot of characters who I loved to hate, and a lot of twists and turns that I did not expect. I absolutely loved this book. John, please don't have us waiting four years ever again bb!
]]> 198137953
Two couples. One twisted game of love and obsession. A dark domestic thriller about the dangerous secrets that come to light when a wild fantasy turns sinister. . .

When young couple Elena and Adam are offered the chance to house-sit in their dream neighborhood for a few months, they jump at the opportunity. The leafy South London enclave is a world away from everything they know, complete with grand homes, lush gardens, and quaint local coffee shops.

Soon Elena crosses paths with the beautiful and enigmatic artist Sophia and her husband, Finn, and she and Adam are pulled into their orbit. Sophia is everything Elena isn’t—glamorous, alluring, successful—and Finn exerts a mysterious pull on Elena that she can’t seem to shake.

Elena’s infatuation with Finn grows stronger by the day, and when Sophia proposes a thrilling game to her new friend—to swap partners in secret—Elena quickly agrees. It’s not long before Elena experiences a sexual awakening that blossoms into an illicit love affair, but Sophia’s plans are far more dangerous than Elena could ever have imagined. . .]]> 384 Lily Samson 0593656016 Dennis 3 3.39 2024
author: Lily Samson
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.39
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/05/15
date added: 2024/05/15
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, domestic-thriller, slow-burn
review:

]]> 199282051 Is it better to believe a lovely lie or know the horrible truth?

1999: The night of their senior picnic, Scarlett Russo and her best friend Pepper were involved in a car accident that left two of their classmates dead. Afterward, they lied to the police, protecting each other from the consequences. Then Pepper left town and Scarlett never heard from her again…

Now: Twenty-two years later, Scarlett has buried that deadly incident deep in her mind and built a comfortable life for herself, working in a hotel on the west coast of Florida and raising her teenage son with her husband Vince. Her peace is disrupted, however, when Pepper’s daughter shows up with news of Pepper’s death. Zoey is twenty-one and studying to be an investigative journalist. She has a cryptic letter from Pepper addressed to Scarlett that alludes to the events of that fateful night and Pepper’s initial intentions to get an abortion. Now Zoey wants answers about her mother’s past. Who is Zoey’s father? And what really happened after the senior picnic? As Zoey continues to dig into the past, all of Scarlett’s buried secrets threaten to rise to the surface.]]> 312 Jaime Lynn Hendricks 1613165188 Dennis 4
The story is centered around Scarlett Russo and the secrets she kept buried with her old high school best friend Pepper. Scarlett has long since moved on from her senior year secrets with her husband Vince and their son Luke. However, when Pepper's daughter shows up asking for answers, specifically trying to get to the bottom of something she has always wondered, Scarlett's life begins to unravel. Pepper has died and her daughter Zoey wants to know what Pepper was hiding from her. As Zoey begins to dive into her mother and Scarlett's lives, Scarlett begins to wonder how long she can keep up the charade. What happened at their senior picnic that Scarlett wants to keep buried at all costs?

This book was so juicy and fun. I had such a blast getting to see Scarlett and Pepper's journey as teenagers and I loved to hate almost every single person here. This is juicy juicy JUICY fun. A LOVELY LIE is the perfect popcorn thriller to dive into when you are looking for something fast-paced. This will be the PERFECT beach read this summer!]]> 3.75 2024
author: Jaime Lynn Hendricks
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/05/13
date added: 2024/05/13
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller, popcorn-thriller
review:
Jaime Lynn Hendricks' upcoming thriller, A LOVELY LIE, is the anti-slow burn popcorn thriller of the year. I said what I said. This book had me racing through to the finish line without any pause or hesitation.

The story is centered around Scarlett Russo and the secrets she kept buried with her old high school best friend Pepper. Scarlett has long since moved on from her senior year secrets with her husband Vince and their son Luke. However, when Pepper's daughter shows up asking for answers, specifically trying to get to the bottom of something she has always wondered, Scarlett's life begins to unravel. Pepper has died and her daughter Zoey wants to know what Pepper was hiding from her. As Zoey begins to dive into her mother and Scarlett's lives, Scarlett begins to wonder how long she can keep up the charade. What happened at their senior picnic that Scarlett wants to keep buried at all costs?

This book was so juicy and fun. I had such a blast getting to see Scarlett and Pepper's journey as teenagers and I loved to hate almost every single person here. This is juicy juicy JUICY fun. A LOVELY LIE is the perfect popcorn thriller to dive into when you are looking for something fast-paced. This will be the PERFECT beach read this summer!
]]> 195830830
Packed with action, humor, sex, and big gay feelings, The Z Word is the queer Zombieland you didn’t know you needed.

Chaotic bisexual Wendy is trying to find her place in the queer community of San Lazaro, Arizona, after a bad breakup—which is particularly difficult because her ex is hooking up with some of her friends. And when the people around them start turning into violent, terrifying mindless husks, well, that makes things harder. Especially since the infection seems to be spreading.

Now, Wendy and her friends and frenemies—drag queen Logan, silver fox Beau, sword lesbian Aurelia and her wife Sam, mysterious pizza delivery stoner Sunshine, and, oh yeah, Wendy’s ex-girlfriend Leah—have to team up to stay alive, save Pride, and track the zombie outbreak to its shocking source. Hopefully without killing each other first.

The Z Word is a propulsive, funny, emotional horror debut about a found family coming together to fight corporate greed, political corruption, gay drama, and zombies.]]> 256 Lindsay King-Miller 1683694074 Dennis 4
Our main character Wendy is bisexual and struggling to find her place within the queer community in San Lazaro, Arizona. She has recently ended her relationship with her ex-girlfriend and is having a hard time with it. Wendy's journey towards freedom from this relationship and having her embrace her sexuality is a strong narrative within this story. When people start turning into zombies, Wendy and her clique, including drag queen Logan, silver fox Beau, sword lesbian Aurelia and her wife Sam, mysterious pizza delivery stoner Sunshine, and Wendy’s ex-girlfriend Leah, team up to try and find out exactly what is going on.

THE Z WORD is a hilarious, sexy, queer journey for readers who enjoyed Maeve Fly (CJ Leede) and Manhunt (Gretchen Felker-Martin) infused with the movie Zombieland. The social commentary and characterization of each of the main crew of characters is what makes THE Z WORD shine. It's hard not to love the characters in this book, even with all their drama. The book dives into serious issues with dark humor and wit. I very much am anticipating seeing what Lindsay King-Miller writes for readers next.]]> 3.40 2024
author: Lindsay King-Miller
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.40
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/05/08
date added: 2024/05/08
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror, lgbt, supernatural, science-fiction
review:
I was really excited to pick up Lindsay King-Miller's fiction debut, THE Z WORD. It sounded like a unique horror story that infused humor and sex and queer identity, and it is exactly that!

Our main character Wendy is bisexual and struggling to find her place within the queer community in San Lazaro, Arizona. She has recently ended her relationship with her ex-girlfriend and is having a hard time with it. Wendy's journey towards freedom from this relationship and having her embrace her sexuality is a strong narrative within this story. When people start turning into zombies, Wendy and her clique, including drag queen Logan, silver fox Beau, sword lesbian Aurelia and her wife Sam, mysterious pizza delivery stoner Sunshine, and Wendy’s ex-girlfriend Leah, team up to try and find out exactly what is going on.

THE Z WORD is a hilarious, sexy, queer journey for readers who enjoyed Maeve Fly (CJ Leede) and Manhunt (Gretchen Felker-Martin) infused with the movie Zombieland. The social commentary and characterization of each of the main crew of characters is what makes THE Z WORD shine. It's hard not to love the characters in this book, even with all their drama. The book dives into serious issues with dark humor and wit. I very much am anticipating seeing what Lindsay King-Miller writes for readers next.
]]> 199798953 Harkening to Agatha Christie’s classic And Then There Were None, this high-tension and ingenious thriller follows five couples trapped on a storm-swept island as a killer stalks among them.

Lyla is in a bit of a rut. Her post-doctoral research has fizzled out, she’s pretty sure they won’t extend her contract, and things with her boyfriend, Nico, an aspiring actor, aren’t going great. When the opportunity arises for Nico to join the cast of a new reality TV show, The Perfect Couple, she decides to try out with him. A whirlwind audition process later, Lyla find herself whisked off to a tropical paradise with Nico, boating through the Indian Ocean towards Ever After Island, where the two of them will compete against four other couples—Bayer and Angel, Dan and Santana, Joel and Romi, and Conor and Zana—in order to win a cash prize.

But not long after they arrive on the deserted island, things start to go wrong. After the first challenge leaves everyone rattled and angry, an overnight storm takes matters from bad to worse. Cut off from the mainland by miles of ocean, deprived of their phones, and unable to contact the crew that brought them there, the group must band together for survival. As tensions run high and fresh water runs low, Lyla finds that this game show is all too real—and the stakes are life or death.

A fast-paced, spellbinding thriller rife with intrigue and characters that feel so true to life, this novel proves yet again that Ruth Ware is the queen of psychological suspense.]]> 385 Ruth Ware 1668025590 Dennis 4
The story is very much a modern day And Then There Were None, taking place on an island in Indonesia, with several couples competing on a reality show for a final grand prize while also being awarded the "one perfect couple." Our main character, Lyla Santiago, is convinced by her longtime boyfriend Nico to join the show as he is an aspiring actor and believes this will jumpstart his career. Lyla is a scientist/virologist and did not have plans to do the show, but when in love, you make compromises with your partner, and doing the show is no exception. When they get to the set of Ever After Island, they meet four other couples—Bayer and Angel, Dan and Santana, Joel and Romi, and Conor and Zana. Each of the couples has their own unique stories and each of them have their own reasons for being on the show. However, after the first challenge on the show causes chaos, many are left wondering if this show is worth the drama. It gets even more chaotic when an overnight storm leaves the cast stranded. The show has now become a life-or-death situation.

This story was interesting because I didn't think that the twists were actually going to come because a big chunk of this book was the reality tv show set up and the storm. Ruth Ware uses setting as a character big time in this book and it definitely paid off. ONE PERFECT COUPLE is one of my higher ranked reads by Ruth Ware and I think a lot of people will love this book. It's pacing is a bit slower than I wanted it to be, but besides the pacing, it's a very fun and wild ride.

RUTH WARE RANKINGS:
1. The Woman in Cabin 10
2. The Death of Mrs. Westaway
3. The Turn of the Key
4. One Perfect Couple
5. In a Dark, Dark Wood
6. The IT Girl
7. Zero Days
8. One by One
9. The Lying Game]]> 3.59 2024
author: Ruth Ware
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/05/02
date added: 2024/05/02
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, mystery, thriller, whodunnit, slow-burn
review:
Ruth Ware is an auto-read author for me, however her last three books felt a bit rushed and I haven't really enjoyed one since Turn of the Key. That being said, I truly believe that ONE PERFECT COUPLE is heading the author we all love back on track.

The story is very much a modern day And Then There Were None, taking place on an island in Indonesia, with several couples competing on a reality show for a final grand prize while also being awarded the "one perfect couple." Our main character, Lyla Santiago, is convinced by her longtime boyfriend Nico to join the show as he is an aspiring actor and believes this will jumpstart his career. Lyla is a scientist/virologist and did not have plans to do the show, but when in love, you make compromises with your partner, and doing the show is no exception. When they get to the set of Ever After Island, they meet four other couples—Bayer and Angel, Dan and Santana, Joel and Romi, and Conor and Zana. Each of the couples has their own unique stories and each of them have their own reasons for being on the show. However, after the first challenge on the show causes chaos, many are left wondering if this show is worth the drama. It gets even more chaotic when an overnight storm leaves the cast stranded. The show has now become a life-or-death situation.

This story was interesting because I didn't think that the twists were actually going to come because a big chunk of this book was the reality tv show set up and the storm. Ruth Ware uses setting as a character big time in this book and it definitely paid off. ONE PERFECT COUPLE is one of my higher ranked reads by Ruth Ware and I think a lot of people will love this book. It's pacing is a bit slower than I wanted it to be, but besides the pacing, it's a very fun and wild ride.

RUTH WARE RANKINGS:
1. The Woman in Cabin 10
2. The Death of Mrs. Westaway
3. The Turn of the Key
4. One Perfect Couple
5. In a Dark, Dark Wood
6. The IT Girl
7. Zero Days
8. One by One
9. The Lying Game
]]> 196848553 A single mother working in the gothic mansion of a reclusive horror director stumbles upon terrifying secrets.

Harry Adams loves horror movies, so it’s no coincidence that she accepted a job cleaning house for horror-movie director Javier Castillo. His forbidding gray-stone Chicago mansion, Bright Horses, is filled from top to bottom with terrifying props and costumes as well as glittering awards from his career making movies that thrilled audiences—until family tragedy and scandal forced him to vanish from the industry.

Javier values discretion, and Harry always tries to keep the house immaculate, her head down, and her job safe. Then she hears noises from behind a locked door, noises that sound remarkably like a human voice calling for help. Harry knows not asking questions is a vital part of keeping her job, but she soon discovers that the house may be home to secrets she can’t ignore.]]> 317 Christina Henry 0593638212 Dennis 3 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror 3.19 2024
author: Christina Henry
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.19
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/04/30
date added: 2024/04/30
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror
review:

]]> 199798460
It’s been twenty years since Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s sister vanished when they were teenagers, and ever since she’s been searching: for signs, for closure, for other missing girls. But happy endings are rare in Chelsey’s line of work.

Then a glimmer: local teenager Ellie Black, who disappeared without a trace two years earlier, has been found alive in the woods of Washington State.

But something is not right with Ellie. She won’t say where she’s been, or who she’s protecting, and it’s up to Chelsey to find the answers. She needs to get to the bottom of what happened to Ellie: for herself, and for the memory of her sister, but mostly for the next girl who could be taken—and who, unlike Ellie, might never return.

The debut thriller from New York Times bestselling author Emiko Jean, The Return of Ellie Black is both a feminist tour de force about the embers of hope that burn in the aftermath of tragedy and a twisty page-turner that will shock and surprise you right up until the final page.]]> 299 Emiko Jean 1668023938 Dennis 4
THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK is beautifully written, with a powerful dual timeline (trust me when I say that you want the two equally). I was not able to set this book down, especially feeling the unnerving suspense while Chelsey and Ellie forged a bond through trauma. This is my first venture into this author's works, but it truly won't be my last. If you like The Unsub series and Strange Sally Diamond, you'll enjoy THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK!]]> 3.96 2024
author: Emiko Jean
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/04/22
date added: 2024/04/22
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, contemporary, dark, crime-fiction, police-procedural, psychological-thriller, thriller
review:
2024 has been a great year so far when it comes to reading (and only reading!), but Emiko Jean's upcoming novel, THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK, so such a winner for me. When Elizabeth (Ellie) Black is found after being missing for two years, the town is in a tailspin. Detective Chelsey Calhoun must figure out what happened to Ellie and catch who harmed her before he can harm anyone else. It's been 20 years since Chelsey's sister vanished when they were teenagers and she can't help but think that Ellie's disappearance could be related. However, Ellie is still trying to come to terms with what happened during those two years and Chelsey is in for a rude awakening if she thinks Ellie is ready to help with this case.

THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK is beautifully written, with a powerful dual timeline (trust me when I say that you want the two equally). I was not able to set this book down, especially feeling the unnerving suspense while Chelsey and Ellie forged a bond through trauma. This is my first venture into this author's works, but it truly won't be my last. If you like The Unsub series and Strange Sally Diamond, you'll enjoy THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK!
]]> 127280429 SISTERS, SECRETS, LOVE, AND MURDER... Sally Hepworth’s new novel has it all.

For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life.

But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects?

A thrilling page-turner of sisterhood, secrets, love, and murder by New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth.]]> 359 Sally Hepworth 125028452X Dennis 4
The story is centered around three women, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia. As young girls, they were rescued by their foster mother, Miss Fairchild, and are living in pretty questionable standards of living. Miss Fairchild has effectively changed the course of their lives forever with how they were raised and it definitely can be hard to hear about as we dive into each of their stories. Trigger warning for child abuse, just saying! It's hard to really go down the rabbit hole with this one, but use your imagination on how this could go, but the ending really sold it for me. With such a slow burn, sometimes the payoff isn't worth it, but it definitely is in DARLING GIRLS. If you've liked the author's previous works, you'll love DARLING GIRLS. Heck, it may be my favorite one by Sally Hepworth yet!]]> 3.97 2024
author: Sally Hepworth
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/04/22
date added: 2024/04/22
shelves: 2024-read, 2024-pub, slow-burn, suspense, women-s-fiction
review:
Sally Hepworth's upcoming novel, DARLING GIRLS, is definitely one of her stronger novels as of late. I usually struggle with some of her newer releases because they're such slow-burn suspense stories that take awhile to get into, but they always pay off in the end.

The story is centered around three women, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia. As young girls, they were rescued by their foster mother, Miss Fairchild, and are living in pretty questionable standards of living. Miss Fairchild has effectively changed the course of their lives forever with how they were raised and it definitely can be hard to hear about as we dive into each of their stories. Trigger warning for child abuse, just saying! It's hard to really go down the rabbit hole with this one, but use your imagination on how this could go, but the ending really sold it for me. With such a slow burn, sometimes the payoff isn't worth it, but it definitely is in DARLING GIRLS. If you've liked the author's previous works, you'll love DARLING GIRLS. Heck, it may be my favorite one by Sally Hepworth yet!
]]> 9547888 Is there a science to love?

In this groundbreaking book, psychiatrist and neuroscientist Amir Levine and psychologist Rachel S. F. Heller reveal how an understanding of attachment theory-the most advanced relationship science in existence today-can help us find and sustain love. Attachment theory forms the basis for many bestselling books on the parent/child relationship, but there has yet to be an accessible guide to what this fascinating science has to tell us about adult romantic relationships-until now.

Attachment theory owes its inception to British psychologist and psychoanalyst John Bowlby, who in the 1950s examined the tremendous impact that our early relationships with our parents or caregivers has on the people we become. Also central to attachment theory is the discovery that our need to be in a close relationship with one or more individuals is embedded in our genes.

In Attached, Levine and Heller trace how these evolutionary influences continue to shape who we are in our relationships today. According to attachment theory, every person behaves in relationships in one of three distinct ways:

*ANXIOUS people are often preoccupied with their relationships and tend to worry about their partner's ability to love them back.
*AVOIDANT people equate intimacy with a loss of independence and constantly try to minimize closeness.
*SECURE people feel comfortable with intimacy and are usually warm and loving.

Attached guides readers in determining what attachment style they and their mate (or potential mates) follow. It also offers readers a wealth of advice on how to navigate their relationships more wisely given their attachment style and that of their partner. An insightful look at the science behind love, Attached offers readers a road map for building stronger, more fulfilling connections.]]> 304 Amir Levine 1585428485 Dennis 4 4.11 2010
author: Amir Levine
name: Dennis
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2010
rating: 4
read at: 2024/04/17
date added: 2024/04/17
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, non-fiction
review:
I normally don’t review non-fiction books, but this was a real eye-opening experience for me. I did take half a star off because it predominately featured those who have an anxious attachment over the others, so I would’ve liked to hear more about avoidants and anxious-avoidants. I’d still like to learn more about attachment theory, so I’m open to your suggestions!
]]> 195790670
With no trace of Ali or the car, a cloud of suspicion hangs over Ryan. But with no proof and a good lawyer, he’s never charged, though that doesn’t matter to the podcasters and internet trolls. Now, Ryan has changed his last name, and entered law school. He's put his past behind him.

Until, on a summer trip abroad to Italy with his law-school classmates, Ryan gets a call from his father: Ali's car has finally been found, submerged in a lake in his hometown. Inside are two dead men and a cryptic note with five words written on the envelope in Ali’s handwriting: If something happens to me…

Then, halfway around the world, the unthinkable happens: Ryan sees the man who has haunted his dreams since that night.

As Ryan races from the rolling hills of Tuscany, to a rural village in the UK, to the glittering streets of Paris in search of the truth, he has no idea that his salvation may lie with a young sheriff’s deputy in Kansas working her first case, and a mobster in Philadelphia who’s experienced tragedy of his own.

In classic Alex Finlay form, If Something Happens to Me is told from several distinct, compelling characters whose paths intersect, detonating into a story of twist after pulse-pounding twist. The story cements Finlay as one of the leading thriller writers today.]]> 324 Alex Finlay 1250863791 Dennis 4 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller
The story is focused on many different prominent characters, but since the synopsis only mentions one, I will keep that in mind for my review. Ryan Richardson is a young man who witnessed his girlfriend Ali being kidnapped but there's no trace of his girlfriend and Ryan is suspected to be the main culprit. Ryan is never charged for the kidnapping, but he has had to go into hiding of his own to protect his safety. Ryan is trying to put the past behind him until one day he gets a call from his father that Ali's car has been found. Without going into details, Ryan is not thrust into a world he never expected to be in, with secrets oozing from the pages.

This book developed in ways I didn't expect, but also saw coming after I finished, if that makes sense. What makes a good thriller is a book that evolves in ways you are anticipating but don't expect, if you can understand what I mean. The story is very fast-paced, no lulls at all here. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME may be the anti-slow burn book of the year in my opinion. Alex Finlay is a terrific storyteller and if you like SA Cosby with a bit of Karen Slaughter, this book will be perfect for you!]]> 3.69 2024
author: Alex Finlay
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/04/15
date added: 2024/04/15
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller
review:
Alex Finlay is back thriller fans! IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME is the best release by him since his debut, Every Last Fear! This book is getting so much praise already and for good reason!

The story is focused on many different prominent characters, but since the synopsis only mentions one, I will keep that in mind for my review. Ryan Richardson is a young man who witnessed his girlfriend Ali being kidnapped but there's no trace of his girlfriend and Ryan is suspected to be the main culprit. Ryan is never charged for the kidnapping, but he has had to go into hiding of his own to protect his safety. Ryan is trying to put the past behind him until one day he gets a call from his father that Ali's car has been found. Without going into details, Ryan is not thrust into a world he never expected to be in, with secrets oozing from the pages.

This book developed in ways I didn't expect, but also saw coming after I finished, if that makes sense. What makes a good thriller is a book that evolves in ways you are anticipating but don't expect, if you can understand what I mean. The story is very fast-paced, no lulls at all here. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME may be the anti-slow burn book of the year in my opinion. Alex Finlay is a terrific storyteller and if you like SA Cosby with a bit of Karen Slaughter, this book will be perfect for you!
]]> 199797614
Gwen Turner has made a bloody mess of her life. She recently broke up with the best man she’s ever known for reasons even she can’t admit to herself and quit a lucrative job to open her own coffee shop. To top it all off, her best friend is getting married and leaving her behind in singlehood.

Along with too much cheap wine and bad reality TV, Gwen turns to a dating app to help fill the void in her life. Swiping through the few eligible bachelors left in town, she spends her evenings out on one disastrous date after another. But when a string of murders suddenly occurs in her small coastal English city, she’s shocked by the connection between each of the victims—they’ve all been on a date with her.

Before she knows what’s happening, Gwen finds herself the main suspect in a serial killer’s murderous spree, and the only way she can clear her name is to track down her former dates (even those that have ghosted her) and unmask a killer before it’s too late.]]> 304 L.M. Chilton 1668045702 Dennis 3 2024-pub, 2024-read Review to come. 3.41 2023
author: L.M. Chilton
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.41
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2024/04/10
date added: 2024/04/10
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read
review:
Review to come.
]]> 133286777 From the New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House, Hell Bent, and creator of the Grishaverse series comes a highly anticipated historical fantasy set during the Spanish Golden Age

In a shabby house, on a shabby street, in the new capital of Madrid, Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil as a scullion. But when her scheming mistress discovers the lump of a servant cowering in the kitchen is actually hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands Luzia use those gifts to better the family's social position.

What begins as simple amusement for the bored nobility takes a perilous turn when Luzia garners the notice of Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary to Spain's king. Still reeling from the defeat of his armada, the king is desperate for any advantage in the war against England's heretic queen—and Pérez will stop at nothing to regain the king's favor.

Determined to seize this one chance to better her fortunes, Luzia plunges into a world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, where the line between magic, science, and fraud is never certain. But as her notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition's wrath. She will have to use every bit of her wit and will to survive—even if that means enlisting the help of Guillén Santangel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both.]]> 379 Leigh Bardugo 125088425X Dennis 3
Very well crafted story, but takes awhile to get there.]]> 3.73 2024
author: Leigh Bardugo
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/04/09
date added: 2024/04/09
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, fantasy, historical-fiction, slow-burn, supernatural
review:
3.5 stars

Very well crafted story, but takes awhile to get there.
]]> 176443093
Patric Gagne realized she made others uncomfortable before she started kindergarten. Something about her caused people to react in a way she didn’t understand. She suspected it was because she didn’t feel things the way other kids did. Emotions like fear, guilt, and empathy eluded her. For the most part, she felt nothing. And she didn’t like the way that “nothing” felt.

She did her best to pretend she was like everyone else, but the constant pressure to conform to a society she knew rejected anyone like her was unbearable. So Patric stole. She lied. She was occasionally violent. She became an expert lock-picker and home-invader. All with the goal of replacing the nothingness with...something.

In college, Patric finally confirmed what she’d long suspected. She was a sociopath. But even though it was the very first personality disorder identified—well over 200 years ago—sociopathy had been neglected by mental health professionals for decades. She was told there was no treatment, no hope for a normal life. She found herself haunted by sociopaths in pop culture, madmen and evil villains who are considered monsters. Her future looked grim.

But when Patric reconnects with an old flame, she gets a glimpse of a future beyond her diagnosis. If she’s capable of love, it must mean that she isn’t a monster. With the help of her sweetheart (and some curious characters she meets along the way) she embarks on a mission to prove that the millions of Americans who share her diagnosis aren’t all monsters either.

This is the inspiring story of her journey to change her fate and how she managed to build a life full of love and hope.]]> 368 Patric Gagne 166800318X Dennis 3 3.73 2024
author: Patric Gagne
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/04/03
date added: 2024/04/03
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, non-fiction, audiobook
review:

]]> 199798006
As a young, queer couple who flip houses, Charlie and Eve can’t believe the killer deal they’ve just gotten on an old house in a picturesque neighborhood. As they’re working in the house one day, there’s a knock on the door. A man stands there with his family, claiming to have lived there years before and asking if it would be alright if he showed his kids around. People pleaser to a fault, Eve lets them in.

As soon as the strangers enter their home, inexplicable things start happening, including the family’s youngest child going missing and a ghostly presence materializing in the basement. Even more weird, the family can’t seem to take the hint that their visit should be over. And when Charlie suddenly vanishes, Eve slowly loses her grip on reality. Something is terribly wrong with the house and with the visiting family—or is Eve just imagining things?

This unputdownable and spine-tingling novel “is like quicksand: the further you delve into its pages, the more immobilized you become by a spiral of terror. We Used to Live Here will haunt you even after you have finished it” (Agustina Bazterrica, author of Tender Is the Flesh).]]> 308 Marcus Kliewer 1982198788 Dennis 5
The story is centered around Eve and her partner Charlie and their move to an old house to fix-up. The house is in a small town, with properties not so close, but the house has good bones and they want to renovate it for themselves. As the couple begins to work on renovations, they are greeted by a man and his family at their front door. The father tells Eve that he used to live in this house as a child and wanted to know if he could show his kids around. Eve reluctantly lets them view the home. As soon as Eve lets this family in, you'll be in for a wild ride! That's my synopsis review and I'm not going to divulge anymore.

Less is more when knowing what is detailed in this book. Holy cow was this such an incredible read. WE USED TO LIVE HERE is the modern horror novel story that I absolutely love. I was supposed to go to bed early, but I ended up reading this book in one sitting. You will question everything. Everything. This book is for sure in my top 10 reads of the year and I will question your judgement if you don't absolutely love this book. Hearing that they are making this book into a Netflix film has me all excited because it's absolutely deserving of a film adaptation. Ugh, I can't say more, but I loved it and Marcus Kliewer is a genius and I am now a superfan. That is all. ]]> 3.64 2024
author: Marcus Kliewer
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/04/02
date added: 2024/04/02
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror, psychological-thriller, suspense
review:
I DID NOT EXPECT TO LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! Wow, Marcus Kliewer's debut horror / psychological suspense novel, WE USED TO LIVE HERE, may be the best debut of the year. I said what I f'n said.

The story is centered around Eve and her partner Charlie and their move to an old house to fix-up. The house is in a small town, with properties not so close, but the house has good bones and they want to renovate it for themselves. As the couple begins to work on renovations, they are greeted by a man and his family at their front door. The father tells Eve that he used to live in this house as a child and wanted to know if he could show his kids around. Eve reluctantly lets them view the home. As soon as Eve lets this family in, you'll be in for a wild ride! That's my synopsis review and I'm not going to divulge anymore.

Less is more when knowing what is detailed in this book. Holy cow was this such an incredible read. WE USED TO LIVE HERE is the modern horror novel story that I absolutely love. I was supposed to go to bed early, but I ended up reading this book in one sitting. You will question everything. Everything. This book is for sure in my top 10 reads of the year and I will question your judgement if you don't absolutely love this book. Hearing that they are making this book into a Netflix film has me all excited because it's absolutely deserving of a film adaptation. Ugh, I can't say more, but I loved it and Marcus Kliewer is a genius and I am now a superfan. That is all.
]]> 127280459
It’s 1999 in Southeast Texas and the Evans women, owners of the only funeral parlor in town, are keeping steady with…normal business. The dead die, you bury them. End of story. That’s how Ducey Evans has done it for the last eighty years, and her progeny―Lenore the experimenter and Grace, Lenore’s soft-hearted daughter, have run Evans Funeral Parlor for the last fifteen years without drama. Ever since That Godawful Mess that left two bodies in the ground and Grace raising her infant daughter Luna, alone.

But when town gossip Mina Jean Murphy’s body is brought in for a regular burial and she rises from the dead instead, it’s clear that the Strigoi―the original vampire―are back. And the Evans women are the ones who need to fight back to protect their town.

As more folks in town turn up dead and Deputy Roger Taylor begins asking way too many questions, Ducey, Lenore, Grace, and now Luna, must take up their blades and figure out who is behind the Strigoi’s return. As the saying goes, what rises up, must go back down. But as unspoken secrets and revelations spill from the past into the present, the Evans family must face that sometimes, the dead aren’t the only things you want to keep buried.

A crackling mystery-horror novel with big-hearted characters and Southern charm with a bite, Bless Your Heart is a gasp-worthy delight from start to finish.]]> 304 Lindy Ryan 1250888883 Dennis 4
The story focuses on the Evans women, a family who runs a small Texan town funeral parlor. They have an interesting, yet pivotal role within their community. Their role within helping settle the dead becomes apparent when they have a body rise from dead and shows that the town is in trouble. It becomes clear to the Evans women that the Strigoi, the original vampire, is back and they're the only women who know how to fight back. As more bodies begin to pile up, the local police get into the crosshairs of the Evans women, but the two forces definitely have a contentious relationship and both want to keep their secrets buried.

This book was a bit slow, but a total fun ride. The audiobook's narration was expertly done and I really enjoyed how the story developed. The book alludes to this being a series and I definitely can see that being the case with how the book ended (although still can end as a standalone if needed). I am unsure I will continue with this possible series, but I can totally see this being a television or streaming series. Definitely a high-point for the year so far with my reading!]]> 3.57 2024
author: Lindy Ryan
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.57
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/04/01
date added: 2024/04/01
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, supernatural, light-mystery, humor, cozy-mystery, slow-burn
review:
Lindy Ryan's upcoming novel, BLESS YOUR HEART, is the perfect combination of Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series meets Grady Hendrix's A Southern Bookclub's Guide to Slaying Vampires. I knew this book would be a bit campy, but I had a total blast listening to the audiobook.

The story focuses on the Evans women, a family who runs a small Texan town funeral parlor. They have an interesting, yet pivotal role within their community. Their role within helping settle the dead becomes apparent when they have a body rise from dead and shows that the town is in trouble. It becomes clear to the Evans women that the Strigoi, the original vampire, is back and they're the only women who know how to fight back. As more bodies begin to pile up, the local police get into the crosshairs of the Evans women, but the two forces definitely have a contentious relationship and both want to keep their secrets buried.

This book was a bit slow, but a total fun ride. The audiobook's narration was expertly done and I really enjoyed how the story developed. The book alludes to this being a series and I definitely can see that being the case with how the book ended (although still can end as a standalone if needed). I am unsure I will continue with this possible series, but I can totally see this being a television or streaming series. Definitely a high-point for the year so far with my reading!
]]> 140111148
Meghan Michaels is trying to find balance between being a single mom to a teenage daughter and working as a full time nurse. While on duty at the hospital one day, a patient named Caitlin arrives in a coma with a traumatic brain injury, having jumped from a bridge and plunging over twenty feet to the train tracks below. 

But when a witness comes forward with shocking details about the fall, it calls everything they know into question. Was Caitlin  pushed  and if so, by whom and why? 

Meghan has always tried to stay emotionally detached from her patients, but this time, she mistakenly lets herself get too close until she’s deeply entangled in Caitlin’s and her family’s lives. Only when it’s too late, does she realize that she and her daughter could be the next victims.]]> 330 Mary Kubica 0778308065 Dennis 4
SHE'S NOT SORRY has a lot going on, but ultimately packs a punch that readers will dive right into. I read this book in two sittings! I see people calling this one a slow burn, but I think it's actually a suspense-driven psychological thriller. SHE'S NOT SORRY has suspense from all angles, so don't think you're going to escape the danger of the situation at hand. I was pleasantly surprised how the ending turns out. SORRY, I'M NOT SORRY FOR NOT SPOILING THE TWISTS. Mary Kubica continues to deliver and readers will surely eat this book up!]]> 3.76 2024
author: Mary Kubica
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/03/28
date added: 2024/03/28
shelves: 2024-read, 2024-pub, popcorn-thriller, psychological-thriller
review:
POPCORN THRILLER ALERT! Mary Kubica is back and better than ever with her fast-paced psychological thriller, SHE'S NOT SORRY! I know readers were polarized in her last book, but if you don't enjoy this one, I will question your reading tastes. This story is centered around 40-year old Meghan—an ICU nurse who is taking care of a patient, Caitlin, who fell off a bridge. Caitlin is in a coma and suffering from traumatic brain injury and Meghan is emotionally connecting with her situation and unable to compartmentalize. Meghan has her own life struggles between a divorce and raising her teenage daughter, but when police get involved in Caitlin's case, Meghan's life becomes consumed by Caitlin.

SHE'S NOT SORRY has a lot going on, but ultimately packs a punch that readers will dive right into. I read this book in two sittings! I see people calling this one a slow burn, but I think it's actually a suspense-driven psychological thriller. SHE'S NOT SORRY has suspense from all angles, so don't think you're going to escape the danger of the situation at hand. I was pleasantly surprised how the ending turns out. SORRY, I'M NOT SORRY FOR NOT SPOILING THE TWISTS. Mary Kubica continues to deliver and readers will surely eat this book up!
]]> 202514059
Maria, once an ambitious medical student, is a nanny for the super-rich. The money’s better, and so are the destinations where her work takes her. Just one more gig, and she’ll be set. Finally, she’ll be secure. But when her wards never show, Maria begins to make herself at home, spending her days luxuriating by the pool and in the sauna.

There’s just one rule: Don’t go in the basement. That room is off-limits. But her curiosity might just get the better of her.

And soon, she’ll wish her only worry was not getting paid.]]> 320 Catherine Steadman 059372576X Dennis 5
Treading lightly, Nina Hepworth just found out that her father has left her an estate in the British Virgin Islands in his will. Her father has recently passed away and Nina has never heard of this property—super luxurious, state-of-the-art smart home, with all the highest quality design and aesthetics. Why did her father keep this house a secret from her? Our other notable character (but there's definitely a few others who you'll be introduced to) mentioned in the synopsis is Maria. Maria is a nanny for the wealthy elite and is currently assigned a new job with a family living on a beautiful coastal estate. However, when the family doesn't show, she quickly makes herself at home. There's only one rule, don't go in the basement.

It's so hard to talk about this book because of the way it develops, so just hear me out! This book definitely teeters into horror territory (not in the supernatural sense) than her other domestic suspense/thrillers. This book is definitely batshit crazy in all the best ways and I have the dark circles to prove it! This book won't be for everyone, especially if you did not like the ending of THE FAMILY GAME. Ugh, I wish I could say more. TRUST ME! LOOK IN THE MIRROR further proves that Catherine Steadman is an auto-read author for me and I can't wait to see what she has next for readers. ]]> 3.56 2024
author: Catherine Steadman
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.56
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/03/28
date added: 2024/03/28
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller, horror
review:
Did Catherine Steadman enter into the world of...horror!?! I am a big Catherine Steadman fan after loving her last book, THE FAMILY GAME. If you enjoyed that book and especially the ending with the crazy chaos, you'll love her newest book, LOOK IN THE MIRROR. I can't go into the synopsis too much since there's MAJOR TWISTS that come out early on that I did not expect, so just trust me when I say, if you liked the last quarter of THE FAMILY GAME, this book is your jam!

Treading lightly, Nina Hepworth just found out that her father has left her an estate in the British Virgin Islands in his will. Her father has recently passed away and Nina has never heard of this property—super luxurious, state-of-the-art smart home, with all the highest quality design and aesthetics. Why did her father keep this house a secret from her? Our other notable character (but there's definitely a few others who you'll be introduced to) mentioned in the synopsis is Maria. Maria is a nanny for the wealthy elite and is currently assigned a new job with a family living on a beautiful coastal estate. However, when the family doesn't show, she quickly makes herself at home. There's only one rule, don't go in the basement.

It's so hard to talk about this book because of the way it develops, so just hear me out! This book definitely teeters into horror territory (not in the supernatural sense) than her other domestic suspense/thrillers. This book is definitely batshit crazy in all the best ways and I have the dark circles to prove it! This book won't be for everyone, especially if you did not like the ending of THE FAMILY GAME. Ugh, I wish I could say more. TRUST ME! LOOK IN THE MIRROR further proves that Catherine Steadman is an auto-read author for me and I can't wait to see what she has next for readers.
]]> 199797969
Reclusive, mysterious author Ginevra Ex is famous for her unusual approach to crafting her big bestselling she hires real people and conducts intensive interviews, then fictionalizes them. Her latest main character, Rory, is thrilled when Ginevra presents her with an extravagant bonus—a lavish trip along Italy’s Mediterranean coast on the famed, newly renovated Orient Express. But when Rory boards the train, she’s stunned to discover that her brother, her best friend, and even her ex-fiancé are passengers, as well. All invited by Ginevra, all hiding secrets.

With each stop, from Cinque Terre to Rome to Positano, it becomes increasingly clear that Ginevra has masterminded the ultimate real life twisty plot with Rory as her main character. And as Ginevra’s deceptions mount, and the lies and machinations of Rory’s travel companions pile up, Rory begins to fear that her trip will culminate like one of Ginevra’s with a murder or two. In the opulent compartments of the iconic train, Rory must untangle the shocking reasons why Ginevra wanted them all aboard—and to what deadly end.

Another stylish and compulsively readable mystery from Jaclyn Goldis, this is the perfect read for fans of Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, and Paula Hawkins.]]> 336 Jaclyn Goldis 1668013045 Dennis 3
Infusing the elements of Murder on the Orient Express, Everyone on This Train is a Suspect, and Who is Maud Dixon, THE MAIN CHARACTER takes place on a renovated Orient Express train through Italy. Rory was hired to help Ginevra Ex, a famous mystery author, for her next book. Rory is the inspiration for Ginevra's next book and as a gift, she gives her a ticket on this unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience. That is, until she discovers that her brother Max, her best friend Caroline, and her ex-fiancé Nathan are all aboard the train, all invited by Ginevra. As the journey from Rome to Positano continues, it becomes clear that this was a masterminded attempt for story, but nobody took into account what would happen when a murder happens aboard the train.

This book is similar to Goldis' debut in which it's a light mystery in a character-driven drama. The story slowly builds with each chapter, but it's definitely not the fast paced race-against-the-clock you may expect since we're in a locked room mystery. If you liked the books I mentioned above and Lucy Foley's novels, THE MAIN CHARACTER is definitely your speed. I had fun with this one and was glad that I picked it up at a time where I wanted more time to dive into a world with a book. I am excited to see what Jaclyn Goldis has in store for readers next. STARS: 3.5, PUB: 5/21]]> 3.29 2024
author: Jaclyn Goldis
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.29
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/03/28
date added: 2024/03/28
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, slow-burn, light-mystery, character-driven, drama
review:
Jaclyn Goldis has been on my radar ever since her debut novel, The Chateau, was released last year. Once I saw this gorgeous cover, I knew that THE MAIN CHARACTER (which I also call myself) was a book that I needed to read.

Infusing the elements of Murder on the Orient Express, Everyone on This Train is a Suspect, and Who is Maud Dixon, THE MAIN CHARACTER takes place on a renovated Orient Express train through Italy. Rory was hired to help Ginevra Ex, a famous mystery author, for her next book. Rory is the inspiration for Ginevra's next book and as a gift, she gives her a ticket on this unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience. That is, until she discovers that her brother Max, her best friend Caroline, and her ex-fiancé Nathan are all aboard the train, all invited by Ginevra. As the journey from Rome to Positano continues, it becomes clear that this was a masterminded attempt for story, but nobody took into account what would happen when a murder happens aboard the train.

This book is similar to Goldis' debut in which it's a light mystery in a character-driven drama. The story slowly builds with each chapter, but it's definitely not the fast paced race-against-the-clock you may expect since we're in a locked room mystery. If you liked the books I mentioned above and Lucy Foley's novels, THE MAIN CHARACTER is definitely your speed. I had fun with this one and was glad that I picked it up at a time where I wanted more time to dive into a world with a book. I am excited to see what Jaclyn Goldis has in store for readers next. STARS: 3.5, PUB: 5/21
]]> 199743738 Secrets. Lies. Murder. Let the festivities begin...

It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests’ healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.

But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. Something’s not right with the guests. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered.

THE FOUNDER * THE HUSBAND * THE MYSTERY GUEST * THE KITCHEN HELP

It all began with a secret, fifteen years ago. Now the past has crashed the party. And it’ll end in murder at… The Midnight Feast.]]> 354 Lucy Foley 0063003104 Dennis 4 3.54 2024
author: Lucy Foley
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.54
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/03/26
date added: 2024/03/26
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, character-driven, light-mystery, light-thriller
review:

]]> 127306128 An outsider threatens to expose the secrets at an elite private school in this suspenseful debut novel

Louise Manson is the newest student at Highfield Manor, Dublin’s most exclusive private school. Behind its granite walls are high-arched alcoves, an oak-lined library...and the dark secret Lou has come to expose.

Lou’s working-class status makes her the consummate outsider, until she is befriended by some of her beautiful and wealthy classmates. But after Lou attempts to bring the school’s secret to light, her time at Highfield ends with a lifeless body sprawled at her feet.

Thirty years later, Lou gets a shocking phone call. A high-profile lawyer is bringing a lawsuit against the school—and he needs Lou to testify. Lou will have to confront her past and discover, once and for all, what really happened at Highfield. Powerful and compelling, When We Were Silent is a thrilling story of exploitation, privilege, and retribution.]]> 320 Fiona McPhillips 125090823X Dennis 3
This is a mini review, but I had fun with this book, even though it wasn't very unique for a book in the #MeToo era. It's a bit slow and took awhile for me to really get invested. I listened to the audio and the narrator was hauntingly telling the story, so I think that helped me going. If you liked My Dark Vanessa and enjoy Irish mysteries, WHEN WE WERE SILENT will be a winner for you!]]> 3.54 2024
author: Fiona McPhillips
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.54
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/03/22
date added: 2024/03/22
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, slow-burn
review:
Dark academia is so hit or miss with me, but I was really excited to read Fiona McPhillips' upcoming release, WHEN WE WERE SILENT. I mean, look at this cover alone!! The story focuses on Louise (Lou) Manson at her new school, Highfield Manor. Lou comes from a working-class background, which makes her feeling distant from her other, upper class peers. However, (without going into details) Lou has secrets of her own that could affect the prestige of Highfield Manor, specifically secrets that could bring everything crashing down.

This is a mini review, but I had fun with this book, even though it wasn't very unique for a book in the #MeToo era. It's a bit slow and took awhile for me to really get invested. I listened to the audio and the narrator was hauntingly telling the story, so I think that helped me going. If you liked My Dark Vanessa and enjoy Irish mysteries, WHEN WE WERE SILENT will be a winner for you!
]]> 195820717 The truth is never skin deep.
 
It was supposed to be a romantic getaway weekend in New York City. Breanna’s new boyfriend, Ty, took care of everything—the train tickets, the dinner reservations, the rented four-story luxury rowhouse in Jersey City with a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline.
 
But when Bree comes downstairs their final morning, Ty is nowhere to be found and there’s a stranger dead in the foyer—the missing woman the entire Internet has become obsessed Janelle Beckett. Soon, both the police and an army of Internet sleuths are asking questions Bree doesn't know how to answer. Desperate to find Ty and to keep her own secrets buried, Bree realizes there’s only one person she can turn her ex-best friend, a lawyer with whom she shares a very complicated past. 

Fierce, smart, and thrilling to the end, Missing White Woman not only explores “Missing White Woman” syndrome and traveling while Black, but deftly inverts the hallmarks of the domestic suspense genre to How well can we truly know the people we love? And what happens to these stories when seen through the eyes of a Black woman?]]> 336 Kellye Garrett 0316256978 Dennis 5
The story is centered around Breanna (Bree) and her boyfriend Ty and the development of their relationship when a missing woman (Janelle Beckett) ends up dead in their airbnb. This woman has been in the news lately for her disappearance, and it has to be noted that the media attention has grown immensely because she's white. It's no secret that white women get more attention when missing than BIPOC women (look up the stats and don't drag me for telling the truth). Bree and Ty must navigate the insane media attention now thrust upon their lives. Bree realizes she must reconnect with an ex-best friend, attorney Adore. Adore joins the mix and the story begins a journey of investigation and discovery, dealing with matters that don't want to be exposed.

MISSING WHITE WOMEN dives into the complexities of "missing white woman" syndrome and the difficulties of being Black in America. It is also a compelling character-driven story, more so than any of Garrett's other releases, so if you want to read a slower-paced story, this is your book. That being said, I still read it in two sittings. MISSING WHITE WOMAN touches into everyday fears that many BIPOC women experience, so please go into this book knowing that as it could be triggering for BIPOC women. Bree is a fantastic protagonist and one you will root for from beginning to end. I can't wait to see what Kellye Garrett has in story next! ]]> 3.48 2024
author: Kellye Garrett
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.48
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/03/22
date added: 2024/03/22
shelves: 2024-read, 2024-pub, mystery, thriller
review:
Kellye Garrett is an auto-read author for me through and through. I fell in love with her storytelling after her previous novel, LIKE A SISTER, was released so I knew that I needed to read MISSING WHITE WOMAN. If you aren't on the Kellye Garrett train, all aboard!!

The story is centered around Breanna (Bree) and her boyfriend Ty and the development of their relationship when a missing woman (Janelle Beckett) ends up dead in their airbnb. This woman has been in the news lately for her disappearance, and it has to be noted that the media attention has grown immensely because she's white. It's no secret that white women get more attention when missing than BIPOC women (look up the stats and don't drag me for telling the truth). Bree and Ty must navigate the insane media attention now thrust upon their lives. Bree realizes she must reconnect with an ex-best friend, attorney Adore. Adore joins the mix and the story begins a journey of investigation and discovery, dealing with matters that don't want to be exposed.

MISSING WHITE WOMEN dives into the complexities of "missing white woman" syndrome and the difficulties of being Black in America. It is also a compelling character-driven story, more so than any of Garrett's other releases, so if you want to read a slower-paced story, this is your book. That being said, I still read it in two sittings. MISSING WHITE WOMAN touches into everyday fears that many BIPOC women experience, so please go into this book knowing that as it could be triggering for BIPOC women. Bree is a fantastic protagonist and one you will root for from beginning to end. I can't wait to see what Kellye Garrett has in story next!
]]> 186872450 A detective investigating a grisly crime in rural Alaska finds herself caught up in the dark secrets and superstitions of a small town in this riveting novel from the acclaimed author of The Chalk Man

Deadhart, Alaska. 873. Living.

In a small Alaska town, a boy is found with his throat ripped out and all the blood drained from his body. The inhabitants of Deadhart haven’t seen a killing like this in twenty-five years. But they know who’s responsible: a member of the Colony, an ostracized community of vampyrs living in an old mine settlement deep in the woods.

Detective Barbara Atkins, a specialist in vampyr killings, is called in to officially determine if this is a Colony killing—and authorize a cull. Old suspicions die hard in a town like Deadhart, but Barbara isn’t so sure. Determined to find the truth, she enlists the help of a former Deadhart sheriff, Jenson Tucker, whose investigation into the previous murder almost cost him his life. Since then, Tucker has become a recluse. But he knows the Colony better than almost anyone.

As the pair delve into the town’s history, they uncover secrets darker than they could have imagined. And then another body is found. While the snow thickens and the nights grow longer, a killer stalks Deadhart, and two disparate communities circle each other for blood. Time is running out for Atkins and Tucker to find the truth: Are they hunting a bloodthirsty monster . . . or a twisted psychopath? And which is more dangerous?]]> 336 C.J. Tudor 0593356594 Dennis 5 3.85 2024
author: C.J. Tudor
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/03/19
date added: 2024/03/19
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, dark, horror, supernatural, suspense, thriller
review:

]]> 192761618 Agatha Award Winner Best First Mystery

In this heart-pounding debut thriller for fans of Lisa Jewell and Celeste Ng, a first-generation Vietnamese American artist must confront nightmares past and present…
 
Annie “Anh Le” Shaw grew up poor but seems to have it all now: a dream career, a stunning home, and a devoted husband and daughter. When Annie’s mother, a Vietnam War refugee, dies suddenly one night, Annie’s carefully curated life begins to unravel. Her obsessive-compulsive disorder, which she thought she’d vanquished years ago, comes roaring back—but this time, the disturbing fixations swirling around in Annie’s brain might actually be coming true.

With dizzying twists, You Know What You Did is both a harrowing thriller and a heartfelt exploration of the refugee experience, the legacies we leave for our children, and the unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters.]]> 384 K.T. Nguyen 059347385X Dennis 4
K.T. Nguyen is an incredible storyteller. Right from the start, I was hooked by how she was weaving the story around. This book is at its core a thriller/suspense, but I also think that you could categorize it as a slow-burn horror. The first half of the book really sets the mood for the second half, so you'll need to pick this up when you're ready for a slower read. That being said, the second half (and particularly the ending) really hit home for me and I won't say why. Not only does this book deal with the affects of being a refugee and fleeing a country in turmoil, this book really dives into mental health. The ending really really really knocked me on my feet and I hope to speak with the author someday to tell her why.

Trigger Warning: There's a death of a dog.]]> 3.33 2024
author: K.T. Nguyen
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.33
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/03/14
date added: 2024/03/14
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller, mystery, slow-burn, suspense, horror
review:
K.T. Nguyen's debut novel, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID is a solid and fun thriller/suspense novel that deals with heavy topics, such as death of a family member and coming to America as a refugee. The main character, Annie (Anh Le) Shaw is navigating her life with her devoted husband Duncan and their daughter Tabitha (Tabby). They live a beautiful and financially successful life together, but when her mother, a Vietnam War refugee dies, Annie's life and mental state begins to suffer. Annie suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder and has carefully curated her life from the horrors of her upbringing and generational trauma. Annie begins to see the world around her crumble and she doesn't quite know how to navigate this new reality.

K.T. Nguyen is an incredible storyteller. Right from the start, I was hooked by how she was weaving the story around. This book is at its core a thriller/suspense, but I also think that you could categorize it as a slow-burn horror. The first half of the book really sets the mood for the second half, so you'll need to pick this up when you're ready for a slower read. That being said, the second half (and particularly the ending) really hit home for me and I won't say why. Not only does this book deal with the affects of being a refugee and fleeing a country in turmoil, this book really dives into mental health. The ending really really really knocked me on my feet and I hope to speak with the author someday to tell her why.

Trigger Warning: There's a death of a dog.
]]> 56197501 From the critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author of When No One Is Watching comes a riveting thriller about the new caretaker of a historic estate who finds herself trapped on an island with a murderer—and the ghosts of her past.

Years after a breakdown and a diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder derailed her historical preservationist career, Kenetria Nash and her alters have been given a second chance they can’t refuse: a position as resident caretaker of a historic home. Having been dormant for years, Ken has no idea what led them to this isolated Hudson River island, but she’s determined not to ruin their opportunity.

Then a surprise visit from the home’s conservation trust just as a Nor’easter bears down on the island disrupts her newfound life, leaving Ken trapped with a group of possibly dangerous strangers—including the man who brought her life tumbling down years earlier. When he turns up dead, Ken is the prime suspect.

Caught in a web of secrets and in a race against time, Ken and her alters must band together to prove their innocence and discover the truth of Kavanaugh Island—and their own past—or they risk losing not only their future, but their life.]]> 352 Alyssa Cole 006311495X Dennis 3 3.09 2024
author: Alyssa Cole
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.09
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/03/12
date added: 2024/03/12
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, slow-burn, psychological-thriller
review:

]]> 193781998 An exuberant debut, The Husbands delights in how do we navigate life, love, and choice in a world of never-ending options?

When Lauren returns home to her flat in London late one night, she is greeted at the door by her husband, Michael. There’s only one problem—she’s not married. She’s never seen this man before in her life. But according to her friends, her much-improved decor, and the photos on her phone, they’ve been together for years.

As Lauren tries to puzzle out how she could be married to someone she can’t remember meeting, Michael goes to the attic to change a lightbulb and abruptly disappears. In his place, a new man emerges, and a new, slightly altered life re-forms around her. Realizing that her attic is creating an infinite supply of husbands, Lauren confronts the question: If swapping lives is as easy as changing a lightbulb, how do you know you’ve taken the right path? When do you stop trying to do better and start actually living?]]> 352 Holly Gramazio 0385550618 Dennis 3
Holly Gramazio's debut novel, THE HUSBANDS, is getting SO.MUCH.BUZZ lately, so I knew I needed to read this one. I am going to be rating this both as a story and the enjoyment via listening on audio (thank you @prhaudio !). The story is centered around a main character named Lauren, who returns to her flat in London one night drunk and is greeted by her husband. However, she is gobsmacked as this man isn't her husband and she's never seen him before. After investigating on her own, she realizes that everyone in her life believes she's been with this man for awhile. As Lauren tries to uncover this bizarre situation, she realizes that once her husband goes into the attic, a new man emerges and her world is rearranged based on this new spouse. As Lauren realizes this is a continuous journey, she tries to figure out best to navigate this predicament.

As I mentioned above, I wanted to talk about the story and the listening experience. This book hardly features any of Lauren's husbands that comes through the attic, with over 200 coming and going. I think the story would have been stronger if less came to fruition and we got to know more of them. I almost gave up on this story, but the listening experience was more fun than the story for sure. Once I got halfway, the story picked up significantly. There wasn't enough "meat" in this story, in my opinion, but it still was very entertaining via audio. If you like satire and magical realism, THE HUSBANDS may be a book you'd want to read. I very highly suggest listening to the audiobook.

STORY: 3
AUDIO: 4
OVERALL RATING: 3.5]]> 3.50 2024
author: Holly Gramazio
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/03/08
date added: 2024/03/08
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, literary-fiction, satire, magical-realism
review:
3.5 stars

Holly Gramazio's debut novel, THE HUSBANDS, is getting SO.MUCH.BUZZ lately, so I knew I needed to read this one. I am going to be rating this both as a story and the enjoyment via listening on audio (thank you @prhaudio !). The story is centered around a main character named Lauren, who returns to her flat in London one night drunk and is greeted by her husband. However, she is gobsmacked as this man isn't her husband and she's never seen him before. After investigating on her own, she realizes that everyone in her life believes she's been with this man for awhile. As Lauren tries to uncover this bizarre situation, she realizes that once her husband goes into the attic, a new man emerges and her world is rearranged based on this new spouse. As Lauren realizes this is a continuous journey, she tries to figure out best to navigate this predicament.

As I mentioned above, I wanted to talk about the story and the listening experience. This book hardly features any of Lauren's husbands that comes through the attic, with over 200 coming and going. I think the story would have been stronger if less came to fruition and we got to know more of them. I almost gave up on this story, but the listening experience was more fun than the story for sure. Once I got halfway, the story picked up significantly. There wasn't enough "meat" in this story, in my opinion, but it still was very entertaining via audio. If you like satire and magical realism, THE HUSBANDS may be a book you'd want to read. I very highly suggest listening to the audiobook.

STORY: 3
AUDIO: 4
OVERALL RATING: 3.5
]]> 194020317
While going through their parents' belongings, the siblings stumble upon a collection of home videos and decide to revisit those happier memories. However, the nostalgia is cut short when one of the VHS tapes reveals a night back in 1999 that none of them have any recollection of. On screen, their father appears covered in blood. What follows is a dead body and a pact between their parents to get rid of it, before the video abruptly ends.

Beth, Nicole, and Michael must now decide whether to leave the past in the past or uncover the dark secret their mother took to her grave.]]> 9 Jeneva Rose Dennis 4 3.91 2024
author: Jeneva Rose
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/03/02
date added: 2024/03/02
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, family-drama, popcorn-thriller, psychological-thriller, suspense, thriller
review:

]]> 196614815 A young couple find themselves haunted by a string of gruesome murders committed along an old deserted road in this terrifying new novel.

July 1995. April and Eddie have taken a wrong turn. They’re looking for the small resort town where they plan to spend their honeymoon. When they spot what appears to be a lone hitchhiker along the deserted road, they stop to help. But not long after the hitchhiker gets into their car, they see the blood seeping from her jacket and a truck barreling down Atticus Line after them.

When the hitchhiker dies at the local hospital, April and Eddie find themselves in the crosshairs of the Coldlake Falls police. Unexplained murders have been happening along Atticus Line for years and the cops finally have two witnesses who easily become their only suspects. As April and Eddie start to dig into the history of the town and that horrible stretch of road to clear their names, they soon learn that there is something supernatural at work, something that could not only tear the town and its dark secrets apart, but take April and Eddie down with it all.]]> 341 Simone St. James 0593200381 Dennis 4 2024-pub, 2024-read, suspense
I not only read MURDER ROAD, but listened to the audiobook. I think that the audiobook's narration was incredible. I don't have many notes for this one, but I definitely enjoyed it. I would recommend the audiobook narration over the physical copy as I noticed my entertainment value stemmed mainly from the audio. I do think that this book will be more polarized than the author's previous works as she definitely ventures into thriller territory than her previous paranormal suspense novels. I will continue to read and recommend Simone St. James and I can't wait to see what readers think!]]> 3.66 2024
author: Simone St. James
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/03/01
date added: 2024/03/01
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, suspense
review:
Simone St. James is the queen of paranormal suspense and she is also the queen of the 4-star reads for me. I've read many of her books and they've always been solid 4-stars, and her upcoming novel, MURDER ROAD continues that trend with me. The story is centered around a young couple, April and Eddie, in 1995, where they take a wrong turn on the way to their honeymoon and end up seeing a woman walking alone and bloodied by herself. When April and Eddie try to get her help, they realize that she was attacked and try to take her to the hospital. When she dies at the hospital, April and Eddie find themselves in the crosshairs of the local police. As April and Eddie dig into the history of the town while the investigation begins, they start noticing that the town has some secrets of their own. Some secrets that they can't quite comprehend and April has secrets of her own that she doesn't want being discovered as well.

I not only read MURDER ROAD, but listened to the audiobook. I think that the audiobook's narration was incredible. I don't have many notes for this one, but I definitely enjoyed it. I would recommend the audiobook narration over the physical copy as I noticed my entertainment value stemmed mainly from the audio. I do think that this book will be more polarized than the author's previous works as she definitely ventures into thriller territory than her previous paranormal suspense novels. I will continue to read and recommend Simone St. James and I can't wait to see what readers think!
]]> 150246179 The Fallon Spring Reads Book Club Pick

A mother is forced to the breaking point when her life and the lives of her children are threatened by an intruder

Home alone with her young children during a blizzard, a mother tucks her son back into bed in the middle of the night. She hears a noise—old houses are always making some kind of noise. But this sound is disturbingly familiar: it’s the tread of footsteps, unusually heavy and slow, coming up the stairs.

She sees the figure of a man appear down the hallway, shrouded in the shadows. Terrified, she quietly wakes her children and hustles them into the oldest part of the house, a tiny, secret room concealed behind a wall. There they hide as the man searches for them, trying to tempt the children out with promises and scare the mother into surrender.

In the suffocating darkness, the mother struggles to remain calm, to plan. Should she search for a weapon or attempt escape? But then she catches another glimpse of him. That face. That voice. And at once she knows her situation is even more dire than she’d feared, because she knows exactly who he is—and what he wants.]]> 368 Tracy Sierra 0593654765 Dennis 3
I really loved the idea of this book and the present day POV was a lot of fun. I did feel that the book alternating between present and past made it feel disjointed. At times I was wondering why the author would take away from the action to go back in time, when it really didn't serve much of a purpose (IMO). That being said, the action and ending were so much fun and the total suspense-driven storyline that I expected from the synopsis. This book is a thriller novel through and through, and if you liked The Quiet Tenant, then I think this book is definitely for you. That should give you a better understanding of how the story focused on the timelines. I would definitely check out this author's future work and I think this unpopular opinion will be an outlier for readers. ]]> 3.78 2024
author: Tracy Sierra
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/02/26
date added: 2024/02/26
shelves: 2024-read, 2024-pub, thriller, slow-burn
review:
I was really excited to read Tracy Sierra's debut thriller, NIGHTWATCHING, after seeing it rated 5-stars by @meagansbookclub - she rarely, if ever, gives a thriller the stamp of a 5-star approval! The synopsis is pretty straightforward—a mother and her children are home alone during a blizzard and someone has broken into their home in the middle of the night. The story then moves between the past and present with the intruder sneakily invading this family's lives.

I really loved the idea of this book and the present day POV was a lot of fun. I did feel that the book alternating between present and past made it feel disjointed. At times I was wondering why the author would take away from the action to go back in time, when it really didn't serve much of a purpose (IMO). That being said, the action and ending were so much fun and the total suspense-driven storyline that I expected from the synopsis. This book is a thriller novel through and through, and if you liked The Quiet Tenant, then I think this book is definitely for you. That should give you a better understanding of how the story focused on the timelines. I would definitely check out this author's future work and I think this unpopular opinion will be an outlier for readers.
]]> 181350612
But one night, TJ’s world turns upside down after his older brother John confesses that he just murdered one of the clients, an accountant he’d confronted with proof of embezzlement. It seems impossible coming from John, the firstborn son and Most Valuable Devlin.

TJ plunges into the investigation, seizing the chance to prove his worth and save his brother. But in no time, TJ and John find themselves entangled in a lethal web of deception and murder. TJ will fight to save his family, but what he learns might break them first.]]> 384 Lisa Scottoline 0525539700 Dennis 3 3.67 2024
author: Lisa Scottoline
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/02/23
date added: 2024/02/23
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, character-driven, crime-fiction, family-drama, mystery
review:
I really enjoyed the audiobook for this one—a crime-fiction family drama and my first venture with this author. The story moves very slowly and ultimately made for my 3-star rating. I’d definitely recommend this book to people who enjoy slow burns and character-driven mysteries. I loved the protagonist TJ!
]]> 64798837 Parasite meets Such a Fun Age in a scorching debut that is as heartbreaking as it is thrilling, examining the intersection of race, class, and female friendship, and the devastating consequences of everyday actions.

After her best friend's mysterious death, Elizabeth Smith’s picture-perfect life in the Memphis suburbs has spiraled out of control—so much so that she hires a personal assistant to keep her on track. Composed and elegant, Brianna is exactly who she needs—she slides so neatly into Elizabeth’s life it's almost like she belonged there from the start, and proves herself indispensable. Soon, the assistant Elizabeth hired to distract her from her obsession with her friend's death is the same person working with her to uncover the truth behind it.

Because Brianna has questions, too.

She wants to know why the police killed her young Black son. Why someone in Elizabeth’s neighborhood called the cops on him that day. Who took that first step that stole her child away from her. And the only way she’s ever going to be able to find out is to entwine herself deep into Elizabeth’s life, where the answers to her questions lie. As the two women hurtle towards an electrifying final showdown, and the lines between employer and friend blur, it becomes clear that neither of them is what they first appear.]]> 304 Sara Koffi 0593714954 Dennis 4
The story focuses on Elizabeth Smith and her journey after witnessing her friend Patricia's death—the complete deterioration of her family and personal life, and her reputation around the neighborhood. As Elizabeth's spiral becomes unmanageable, she hires a personal assistant, Brianna, to help her get back on track. As Brianna begins to work for Elizabeth, she too is thrown into this mystery behind Patricia's death, because it somewhat relates to the death of her son. Brianna's Black son was killed by police during a confrontation started by someone in Elizabeth's neighborhood and she is going to find out who's responsible at any cost.

This book is a character-driven, voyeuristic, revenge story that uses tragedy and emotions to drive Elizabeth and Brianna forward. Obviously given the subject matter, this story has trigger warnings, so I encourage you to go into this story knowing that. This book dives into topics of female dynamics, toxic friendships, and neighborhood drama. WHILE WE WERE BURNING pushes forward how much racism and classism within communities can have a ripple effect. I am will definitely be tuning into whatever Sara Koffi writes next. ]]> 3.41 2024
author: Sara Koffi
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.41
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/02/22
date added: 2024/02/22
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, family-drama, light-mystery, character-driven
review:
When @rachkollercroft told me that I needed to prioritize Sara Koffi's debut novel, WHILE WE WERE BURNING, I immediately requested it from @putnambooks, thank you for the gifted copy! This story is a unique spin on mystery/thrillers in sadly an aspect that happens in American society.

The story focuses on Elizabeth Smith and her journey after witnessing her friend Patricia's death—the complete deterioration of her family and personal life, and her reputation around the neighborhood. As Elizabeth's spiral becomes unmanageable, she hires a personal assistant, Brianna, to help her get back on track. As Brianna begins to work for Elizabeth, she too is thrown into this mystery behind Patricia's death, because it somewhat relates to the death of her son. Brianna's Black son was killed by police during a confrontation started by someone in Elizabeth's neighborhood and she is going to find out who's responsible at any cost.

This book is a character-driven, voyeuristic, revenge story that uses tragedy and emotions to drive Elizabeth and Brianna forward. Obviously given the subject matter, this story has trigger warnings, so I encourage you to go into this story knowing that. This book dives into topics of female dynamics, toxic friendships, and neighborhood drama. WHILE WE WERE BURNING pushes forward how much racism and classism within communities can have a ripple effect. I am will definitely be tuning into whatever Sara Koffi writes next.
]]> 195967140 A mind-bending, psychological thriller from Freida McFadden, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Housemaid!

Lesson #1: trust no one

Eve has a good life. She gets up each day, gets a kiss from her husband Nate, and heads off to teach math at the local high school. All is as it should be. Except…

Last year, Caseham High was rocked by a scandal involving a student-teacher affair, with one student, Addie, at its center. But Eve knows there is far more to these ugly rumors than meets the eye.

Addie can't be trusted. She lies. She hurts people. She destroys lives. At least, that's what everyone says.

But nobody knows the real Addie. Nobody knows the secrets that could destroy her. And Addie will do anything to keep it quiet.

From the New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden comes a story of twisting secrets and long-awaited revenge.]]> 379 Freida McFadden 1728296218 Dennis 3
Trigger warnings: pedophilia and sexual relations with a minor. ]]> 3.81 2024
author: Freida McFadden
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/02/16
date added: 2024/02/16
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, domestic-thriller, popcorn-thriller, slow-burn
review:
Freida McFadden books are always fun, but you usually have to suspend reality and the twists usually come out of nowhere with no build up. THE TEACHER is no exception. It was a lot of fun (great narration), but the ending is over-the-top and pretty unbelievable. The story is very slow moving in the middle. If you enjoy her novels, THE TEACHER is one of her stronger ones.

Trigger warnings: pedophilia and sexual relations with a minor.
]]> 141236527 A stranger has infiltrated your family…and now he’s taking over.

Paul’s just here to help, or so he claims—sent by a charity for vulnerable people to do odd jobs for elderly widow Gwen. But for Gwen’s daughter Connie, there’s just something about Paul that rings alarm bells from day one. He’s a little too kind, a little too involved…Worse still, Gwen seems to have fallen under his spell.

The last thing Connie wants is a stranger meddling in the safe routine she’s built around Gwen. She loves being the one Gwen turns to for cooking, cleaning and company. But the more Paul visits, the more Gwen is relying on him. By the time he conveniently finds himself between homes and has no choice but to move in, Connie is certain he’s trying to push her out completely.

It’s her word against his, though, and as her attempts to unmask him become ever more desperate she’s not the only one left wondering if she’s lost her grip on reality. But when events start spiralling rapidly out of her control, should Connie wage all-out war on Paul and risk losing Gwen forever—or has that been his plan all along?]]> 347 John Marrs 1662506473 Dennis 4
THE STRANGER IN THE HOUSE is a story that you will not see coming. It's mainly centered around Connie and her journey taking care of her mother Gwen and her increasingly painful showing of Alzheimer's. Connie has given up romance and her career to care for her mother, but when she sees a new man doing jobs around the house, she begins to question why he's there. Paul is a handyman and has volunteered time to help Gwen, but his presence grows more and more intimate with Gwen. As Paul's visits increase more and more, Connie believes his motives aren't so selfless. Connie believes that Paul is trying to push Connie out of the way for his own benefit. As Connie investigates Paul, she realizes that this investigation could not only sever her relationship with her mother, but also start a war she wasn't prepared to tackle.

I was fully engrossed in this story! It's a bit slower for a domestic thriller for me, but I totally did not see the twists coming. John Marrs, you stumped me! This one really goes in directions that will make your jaw drop. If you liked old school Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell, THE STRANGER IN HER HOUSE is the book for you. John Marrs continues to entertain and provide unique stories in an oversaturated genre. I can totally see this book play out on tv or film and I can't wait to see what readers think of the characters. The ending completely blew me away and further cemented me as a fan of this author's works.]]> 3.94 2024
author: John Marrs
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/02/14
date added: 2024/02/14
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, domestic-thriller, psychological-thriller
review:
John Marrs is a busy man. He is constantly writing unique and innovative psychological thrillers and science fiction stories for readers; constantly pivoting to give all his fans a taste. I have been really excited to read his newest book, THE STRANGER IN THE HOUSE, since @reederthereader started raving about it. John Marrs is a staple in my TBR and I love both types of stories he gives readers.

THE STRANGER IN THE HOUSE is a story that you will not see coming. It's mainly centered around Connie and her journey taking care of her mother Gwen and her increasingly painful showing of Alzheimer's. Connie has given up romance and her career to care for her mother, but when she sees a new man doing jobs around the house, she begins to question why he's there. Paul is a handyman and has volunteered time to help Gwen, but his presence grows more and more intimate with Gwen. As Paul's visits increase more and more, Connie believes his motives aren't so selfless. Connie believes that Paul is trying to push Connie out of the way for his own benefit. As Connie investigates Paul, she realizes that this investigation could not only sever her relationship with her mother, but also start a war she wasn't prepared to tackle.

I was fully engrossed in this story! It's a bit slower for a domestic thriller for me, but I totally did not see the twists coming. John Marrs, you stumped me! This one really goes in directions that will make your jaw drop. If you liked old school Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell, THE STRANGER IN HER HOUSE is the book for you. John Marrs continues to entertain and provide unique stories in an oversaturated genre. I can totally see this book play out on tv or film and I can't wait to see what readers think of the characters. The ending completely blew me away and further cemented me as a fan of this author's works.
]]> 202468260 Locked in a toxic female friendship, two vampires careen toward catastrophe in this dark and dazzling page-turner, set amidst London's glittering disco scene.

London 1979. Two women with a deep love for disco meet one fateful night on the dance floor, changing the course of both their lives forever. Nicola, a beautiful and brooding vampire for nearly two centuries, can’t resist fun-loving and feisty Amber from America, ultimately offering an eternity together where the glamour of nightlife always takes center stage.

But not all is what it seems.

Nearly fifty years later, after an unexpected betrayal, Amber wants out from under Nicola’s thumb, but it won’t be so simple to break up this festering friendship when she learns others have done the same—and wound up dead. 

Sensing Amber’s restlessness and in one last play to keep her close, Nicola proposes they open a nightclub of their very own, hearkening back to their best days as dancing queens. Amber agrees but she’s secretly hatching a dangerous escape plan. And if she fails…the party is over for good.]]> 378 Rachel Koller Croft 0593547551 Dennis 5
Rachel Koller Croft excels at telling bitchy thrillers with camp, drama, and social dynamics between women and WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE is no different. In a voice you've come to love, Rachel's new novel focuses on two women, specifically Nicola and Amber. Nicola and Amber meet in 1979 and the bond they create becomes too magnetic to ignore. So much in fact that Nicola turns Amber into a vampire. Yes, Nicola is a vampire and now is Amber's maker. Hear me out thriller fans, the vampire story is a big theme throughout the book, but isn't the central one. While Amber and Nicola navigate throughout the years, they continue to bond over their love of disco and the nightlife. Nearly 50 years later, Amber is ready to break out of Nicola's shell. However, Nicola is a very powerful and influential vampire in the world that is thought to be make-believe. As Amber tries to hatch a plan for her freedom from Nicola, she has to watch closely, because Nicola has been around the block much longer than Amber and is prepared for anything.

WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE could be a cousin to Stone Cold Fox in voice and toxic female dynamics, but it's a very different type of story than the author's predecessor. WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE is a genre-mashup and hard to pinpoint down specifically where it gravitates to. I'm thinking a light thriller, women's fiction, drama, character-driven, vampire story. See! I had such a freaking blast reading this and my heart went out to one specific character so much. There's a bit of steam in this book, and a few hotties that I think I have a crush on! WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE is a the perfect combination of True Blood meets Studio 54 meets Thirteen (remember that movie?!). Rachel Koller Croft has quickly become my favorite author and I can't wait to see what's next for her. If WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE is any indication, I'm sure she will continue to keep readers guessing. ]]> 3.51 2024
author: Rachel Koller Croft
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/02/09
date added: 2024/02/09
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, light-thriller, women-s-fiction, drama, supernatural, coverporn, character-driven
review:
Rachel Koller Croft is one of my favorite authors and people ever. I became a stalker, I mean a fan of hers after reading and loving her debut novel, Stone Cold Fox, so when I was given the opportunity to show the cover reveal and read her new 2024 novel, WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE early, I knew I had to jump at the chance. Thank you @berkleypub for the gifted copy. If you're a fan of Stone Cold Fox, WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE will be the book for you.

Rachel Koller Croft excels at telling bitchy thrillers with camp, drama, and social dynamics between women and WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE is no different. In a voice you've come to love, Rachel's new novel focuses on two women, specifically Nicola and Amber. Nicola and Amber meet in 1979 and the bond they create becomes too magnetic to ignore. So much in fact that Nicola turns Amber into a vampire. Yes, Nicola is a vampire and now is Amber's maker. Hear me out thriller fans, the vampire story is a big theme throughout the book, but isn't the central one. While Amber and Nicola navigate throughout the years, they continue to bond over their love of disco and the nightlife. Nearly 50 years later, Amber is ready to break out of Nicola's shell. However, Nicola is a very powerful and influential vampire in the world that is thought to be make-believe. As Amber tries to hatch a plan for her freedom from Nicola, she has to watch closely, because Nicola has been around the block much longer than Amber and is prepared for anything.

WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE could be a cousin to Stone Cold Fox in voice and toxic female dynamics, but it's a very different type of story than the author's predecessor. WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE is a genre-mashup and hard to pinpoint down specifically where it gravitates to. I'm thinking a light thriller, women's fiction, drama, character-driven, vampire story. See! I had such a freaking blast reading this and my heart went out to one specific character so much. There's a bit of steam in this book, and a few hotties that I think I have a crush on! WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE is a the perfect combination of True Blood meets Studio 54 meets Thirteen (remember that movie?!). Rachel Koller Croft has quickly become my favorite author and I can't wait to see what's next for her. If WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE is any indication, I'm sure she will continue to keep readers guessing.
]]> 157979441
Being the daughter of the village Capuwa, or demon-priest, Amara is used to keeping mostly to herself. Influenced by the new religious practices brought in by the British Colonizers, the villagers who once respected her father’s craft have turned on the family. Yet, they all still seem to call on him whenever supernatural disturbances arise.

Now someone—or something —is viciously seizing upon men in the jungle. But instead of enlisting Amara’s father’s help, the villages have accused him of carrying out the attacks himself.

As she tries to clear her father’s name, Amara finds herself haunted by dreams that eerily predict the dark forces on her island. And she can’t shake the feeling that it’s all connected to the night she was recovering from a strange illness, and woke up, scared and confused, to hear her mother’s frantic cries: No one can find out what happened .

Lush, otherworldly, and recalling horror classics like Carrie and The Exorcist , Island Witch is a deliciously creepy and darkly feminist tale about the horrors of moral panic, the violent space between girlhood and adulthood, and what happens when female rage is finally unleashed.]]> 384 Amanda Jayatissa 0593549260 Dennis 4
ISLAND WITCH is Jayatissa's third novel and in my opinion, her best so far! ISLAND WITCH is inspired by Sri Lankan folklore, but the story is unique of its own. Our main character, Amara is the daughter of the village Capuwa (or demon-priest) of a small town in Sri Lanka. In a land that has been heavily influenced by British colonizers, the villagers are becoming more Christian and turning away from Amara and her family. However, when push comes to shove, the townsfolk still respect Amara's father's influence and power within his practice. As the town begins to get more and more influenced by colonization, the nearby jungle becomes a haven for crime. Men keep being attacked and killed, but when the villagers accuse Amara's father, she will do everything in her power to clear his name.

This book was a very slow burn. Let me just clear that now. If you can't do a slow burn, ISLAND WITCH isn't for you. About halfway through, I began questioning if the payout would be worth it. I really loved how it evolved and it definitely had nods to Carrie and The Exorcist. I felt that ISLAND WITCH was the perfect concoction between Sri Lankan folklore and 80s horror homage. I would love if the author continued down this route of supernatural horror because ISLAND WITCH will be a hit for readers of the genre. ]]> 3.61 2024
author: Amanda Jayatissa
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/02/07
date added: 2024/02/07
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror, historical-fiction, slow-burn
review:
In the same vein of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Isabel Cañas, Amanda Jayatissa's upcoming novel ISLAND WITCH is a historical fiction, supernatural, folklore, horror novel. That was a tongue twister, but this subgenre of horror has been emerging exponentially over the last few years and I am here for it!

ISLAND WITCH is Jayatissa's third novel and in my opinion, her best so far! ISLAND WITCH is inspired by Sri Lankan folklore, but the story is unique of its own. Our main character, Amara is the daughter of the village Capuwa (or demon-priest) of a small town in Sri Lanka. In a land that has been heavily influenced by British colonizers, the villagers are becoming more Christian and turning away from Amara and her family. However, when push comes to shove, the townsfolk still respect Amara's father's influence and power within his practice. As the town begins to get more and more influenced by colonization, the nearby jungle becomes a haven for crime. Men keep being attacked and killed, but when the villagers accuse Amara's father, she will do everything in her power to clear his name.

This book was a very slow burn. Let me just clear that now. If you can't do a slow burn, ISLAND WITCH isn't for you. About halfway through, I began questioning if the payout would be worth it. I really loved how it evolved and it definitely had nods to Carrie and The Exorcist. I felt that ISLAND WITCH was the perfect concoction between Sri Lankan folklore and 80s horror homage. I would love if the author continued down this route of supernatural horror because ISLAND WITCH will be a hit for readers of the genre.
]]> 127280032
Behind their façade of perfection, the Calhoun family has been keeping some very dark secrets. Parents who use money and emotional manipulation to control their children. Two sons, one the black sheep who is desperate to outrun mistakes he's made, and the other a new father, willing to risk everything to protect his child. And a an Instagram influencer who refuses to face the truth about the man she married.

As the investigation heats up, family tensions build, and alliances shift. Long-buried resentments surface, forcing the Calhouns to face their darkest secrets before it's too late.]]> 352 Aggie Blum Thompson 125089199X Dennis 3
I was immediately drawn by the cover of Aggie Blum Thompson's latest novel, SUCH A LOVELY FAMILY. It is absolutely gorgeous and I was definitely due for a family drama. This was my first venture with this author's work, but I do know that lots of readers love her books, so I was excited to dive in!

The story is heavily centered around the Calhoun family—a real estate magnate family that has become famous in their own way in the DMV area. The Calhoun family is nothing if not cutthroat and all about business. With three children, the family is destined to succeed at all costs. When new members join through marriage, each of these people quickly see how dangerous this family could be to protect their own.

Without going into too much detail, this murder mystery is a fun ride and so dang messy. The Calhoun family's unraveling during a murder at their annual cherry blossom party makes for such a fun popcorn thriller. I did guess the ending, which is why the rating isn't higher, but it doesn't take away from the fun vibes throughout. I highly recommend readers who enjoyed The Whispers (Ashley Audrain), Little Cruelties (Liz Nugent), or anything from Caz Frear, SUCH A LOVELY FAMILY is the perfect book for you.]]> 3.65 2024
author: Aggie Blum Thompson
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.65
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/02/01
date added: 2024/02/01
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, family-drama, drama, light-mystery, light-thriller
review:
3.5 stars

I was immediately drawn by the cover of Aggie Blum Thompson's latest novel, SUCH A LOVELY FAMILY. It is absolutely gorgeous and I was definitely due for a family drama. This was my first venture with this author's work, but I do know that lots of readers love her books, so I was excited to dive in!

The story is heavily centered around the Calhoun family—a real estate magnate family that has become famous in their own way in the DMV area. The Calhoun family is nothing if not cutthroat and all about business. With three children, the family is destined to succeed at all costs. When new members join through marriage, each of these people quickly see how dangerous this family could be to protect their own.

Without going into too much detail, this murder mystery is a fun ride and so dang messy. The Calhoun family's unraveling during a murder at their annual cherry blossom party makes for such a fun popcorn thriller. I did guess the ending, which is why the rating isn't higher, but it doesn't take away from the fun vibes throughout. I highly recommend readers who enjoyed The Whispers (Ashley Audrain), Little Cruelties (Liz Nugent), or anything from Caz Frear, SUCH A LOVELY FAMILY is the perfect book for you.
]]> 199378930 An introverted English professor falls for an enigmatic sophomore and is lured into a web of chaos and deceit.

Mark Lausson, a professor stuck in the middle of Ohio, is smart enough to get a job at an elite liberal arts college but not smart enough to know better when he meets charismatic sophomore Tyler Cunningham. In Tyler, Mark sees another way of being in the world—he finds Tyler’s self-possession both compelling and unsettling. Caught in the rush of sex and secrets, Mark ignores the increasing evidence that Tyler can’t be trusted. But by the time Mark comes to his senses, the irreparable damage is done. Providence shows how feeling trapped in our own lives can lead us to make choices we otherwise would not and the ways in which sexual desire can distort our senses of self and other, right and wrong.]]> 320 Craig Willse 1454951990 Dennis 4
The story is centered around Mark Lausson—an English professor at an elite liberal arts school in the middle of Ohio, who becomes infatuated with a sophomore soccer player, charismatic and handsome Tyler Cunningham. Tyler draws Mark in with his personality and looks in ways that Mark can't describe. Mark starts centering his life around Tyler's every move, becoming more and more ingrained into Tyler's world. Knowing that this relationship is unprofessional, Mark tries to fight back, but can't seem to let Tyler go. As the two forge a sexual relationship, Mark starts seeing that Tyler can't be trusted. However, once Mark is locked into Tyler's world, it's hard to escape.

This book was so much fun and I read it in two sittings. I normally don't prioritize dark academia books, but the cover and synopsis drew me in immediately. This book will turn in ways you won't expect and its steamy in all the right ways without going over the top. At its core, PROVIDENCE is a mystery/thriller, but there's moments in which we get social commentary on LGBTQ+ culture as well. I absolutely loved how the story ended and was surprised to see it go that direction (in a good way). I can't wait to see what Craig Willse has in store for readers next. ]]> 3.21 2024
author: Craig Willse
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.21
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/01/31
date added: 2024/01/31
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, mm-romance, dark, light-mystery, gay
review:
Craig Willse's dark academia gay thriller, PROVIDENCE, was a total blast—infusing The Talented Mr. Ripley, Saltburn, and Micah Nemerever's These Violent Delights into one wildly entertaining experience.

The story is centered around Mark Lausson—an English professor at an elite liberal arts school in the middle of Ohio, who becomes infatuated with a sophomore soccer player, charismatic and handsome Tyler Cunningham. Tyler draws Mark in with his personality and looks in ways that Mark can't describe. Mark starts centering his life around Tyler's every move, becoming more and more ingrained into Tyler's world. Knowing that this relationship is unprofessional, Mark tries to fight back, but can't seem to let Tyler go. As the two forge a sexual relationship, Mark starts seeing that Tyler can't be trusted. However, once Mark is locked into Tyler's world, it's hard to escape.

This book was so much fun and I read it in two sittings. I normally don't prioritize dark academia books, but the cover and synopsis drew me in immediately. This book will turn in ways you won't expect and its steamy in all the right ways without going over the top. At its core, PROVIDENCE is a mystery/thriller, but there's moments in which we get social commentary on LGBTQ+ culture as well. I absolutely loved how the story ended and was surprised to see it go that direction (in a good way). I can't wait to see what Craig Willse has in store for readers next.
]]> 200174176
Twelve million people were watching when Rhys Sutton died on camera, and someone must pay for the crime. The best friend, the rival, the girlfriend, the lover, and the sworn enemy are left standing. And of course, no one is talking. But how do you keep secrets when the world has been watching? Especially when, just a day before his murder, Rhys was the most hated man on television.]]> 432 Bea Fitzgerald 1728278759 Dennis 3 3.17 2024
author: Bea Fitzgerald
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.17
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/01/29
date added: 2024/01/29
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, beach-read, light-mystery, medical-thriller
review:

]]> 81231014
For readers of Rachel Hawkins and We Were Never Here comes a searing vacation thriller set on a remote island in Thailand following two mysterious women, a charismatic group of expats, and the one murder poised to bring their paradise crashing down.

Welcome to paradise. We hope you survive your stay...

There are three rules to follow during a vacation at the famous Koh Sang Resort

1 – Leave the past behind.

When Cass sets foot on the coast of Thailand's world-famous party island, she's searching for an escape. With dark secrets following her every move, Koh Sang becomes the perfect place to hide.

2 - Always be careful of who you trust.

Now, years later, Cass is a local dive instructor alongside the Permanents, a group of expats who have claimed the island as their own. The Permanents don't linger on who they were before the island. Simply because, like Cass, they all have something to outrun.

3 – If someone discovers who you really are, run.

But suddenly, a dive student is found dead and paradise comes crashing down. Because this isn't the first mysterious death on the island, and it won't be the last. Someone knows who Cass is and they're ready to make sure justice is finally served.]]> 375 Sara Ochs Dennis 3 3.82 2023
author: Sara Ochs
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2024/01/12
date added: 2024/01/22
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, light-mystery, light-thriller
review:

]]> 176451879
One dark evening on New York City’s Upper West Side, two strangers meet by chance. Over drinks, Amanda and Wendy realize they have much in common, especially loneliness and an intense desire for revenge against the men who destroyed their families. As they talk into the night, they come up with the perfect if you kill for me, I’ll kill for you.

In another part of the city, Ruth is home alone when the beautiful brownstone she shares with her husband, Scott, is invaded. She’s attacked by a man with piercing blue eyes, who disappears into the night. Will she ever be able to feel safe again while the blue-eyed stranger is out there?

Intricate, heart-racing, and from an author who “is the real deal” (Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author), Kill for Me, Kill for You will keep you breathless until the final page.]]> 340 Steve Cavanagh 1668049341 Dennis 5
Go into this book reading as little of the synopsis as possible, but the story is focused on a few different people, all living in fear and anger over crimes being committed against them. When Amanda meets Wendy at a support group, the two bond over their hatred over men who have killed their families and have gotten away with it. When they come up with the plan to kill the culprit for each other, they decide to enact revenge.

Ruth is one of the other POVs we get in this story (I think we have four in total) and she lives in a brownstone with her husband Scott. When she hears a break-in happening while Scott is away, she is attacked by a man with piercing blue eyes—she luckily survives, but lives in constant fear that this attacker is watching her every move.

I don't want to explain more, but this book obviously dives into revenge and fear. There's a lot of twists in this book (one that I called, but it didn't take away my experience), but there was one moment where I audibly gasped. I powered through this book as fast as possible because I truly needed to know what happened. I've never read anything by this author before, but I surely will now as KILL FOR ME, KILL FOR YOU will definitely be in my top reads for 2024. If you like Peter Swanson, Harlan Coben, and David Ellis, you'd be a fool not to read this book.]]> 4.12 2023
author: Steve Cavanagh
name: Dennis
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/01/11
date added: 2024/01/11
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, thriller, dark, mystery, crime-fiction
review:
If Peter Swanson, Harlan Coben, and David Ellis (Look Closer) had a love child, it would be Steve Cavanagh's upcoming thriller, KILL FOR ME, KILL FOR YOU. I had such a freaking blast reading this book!

Go into this book reading as little of the synopsis as possible, but the story is focused on a few different people, all living in fear and anger over crimes being committed against them. When Amanda meets Wendy at a support group, the two bond over their hatred over men who have killed their families and have gotten away with it. When they come up with the plan to kill the culprit for each other, they decide to enact revenge.

Ruth is one of the other POVs we get in this story (I think we have four in total) and she lives in a brownstone with her husband Scott. When she hears a break-in happening while Scott is away, she is attacked by a man with piercing blue eyes—she luckily survives, but lives in constant fear that this attacker is watching her every move.

I don't want to explain more, but this book obviously dives into revenge and fear. There's a lot of twists in this book (one that I called, but it didn't take away my experience), but there was one moment where I audibly gasped. I powered through this book as fast as possible because I truly needed to know what happened. I've never read anything by this author before, but I surely will now as KILL FOR ME, KILL FOR YOU will definitely be in my top reads for 2024. If you like Peter Swanson, Harlan Coben, and David Ellis, you'd be a fool not to read this book.
]]> 126918202 Jennifer Thorne skewers all-too-familiar family dynamics in this sly, wickedly funny vacation-Gothic. Beautifully unhinged and deeply satisfying, Diavola is a sharp twist on the classic haunted house story, exploring loneliness, belonging, and the seemingly inescapable bonds of family mythology.

Anna has two rules for the annual Pace family destination vacations: Tread lightly and survive.

It isn’t easy when she’s the only one in the family who doesn’t quite fit in. Her twin brother, Benny, goes with the flow so much he’s practically dissolved, and her older sister, Nicole, is so used to everyone—including her blandly docile husband and two kids—falling in line that Anna often ends up in trouble for simply asking a question. Mom seizes every opportunity to question her life choices, and Dad, when not reminding everyone who paid for this vacation, just wants some peace and quiet.

The gorgeous, remote villa in tiny Monteperso seems like a perfect place to endure so much family togetherness, until things start going off the rails—the strange noises at night, the unsettling warnings from the local villagers, and the dark, violent past of the villa itself.

(Warning: May invoke feelings of irritation, dread, and despair that come with large family gatherings.)]]> 296 Jennifer Marie Thorne Dennis 5
Think Jennifer McMahon meets One Italian Summer (Rebecca Serle) on an acid trip, DIAVOLA is a gothic modern horror intertwined with a deep rooted family drama story. Our main character, Anna Pace is the black sheep of her family. Anna, her parents, her sister Nicole and her husband and two kids, and her brother Benny and his boyfriend, are all headed to a remote villa in Monteperso for their family vacation. This gorgeous estate is secluded from the town, but everyone knows exactly about this property, just ask the locals. Infused with humor and horror, DIAVOLA shows exactly what to expect when vacationing with family in a possible haunted house. Is the villa haunted? What's going on with Anna and her family? More than meets the eye when reading this book.

DIAVOLA really is a family drama at its core. The story really dives into a toxic family dynamic that evolves as the mystery and suspense of this book goes on. As the family begins to experience paranormal activity, you can't help but feel like you're staying with this family. I mentioned above that this book has One Italian Summer vibes (on an acid trip), because a lot of the book also takes us around Monteperso and the local Italian scenic towns. I went to Italy last year and I felt like I was transported back to them. I was wondering how this book would end because the slow burn horror and suspense usually doesn't pay off for me, but the ending was more than I could have expected. I was shocked at some developments and loved the gritty and gruesome energy that this book took at its turn. If you like horror novels and hate family gatherings, DIAVOLA is for you!]]> 3.84 2024
author: Jennifer Marie Thorne
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/01/05
date added: 2024/01/05
shelves: 2024-pub, 2024-read, horror, family-drama, slow-burn, suspense
review:
Diavola is the best slow burn horror I've read in recent years. I usually despise any slow burn horror stories because I don't find the pay-off to be worth it. Most of my 2023 horror faves were fast-paced modern horror, but Jennifer Marie Thorne's newest novel, DIAVOLA, has now made me question what type of horror novels I usually enjoy because this pay-off was SO WORTH IT.

Think Jennifer McMahon meets One Italian Summer (Rebecca Serle) on an acid trip, DIAVOLA is a gothic modern horror intertwined with a deep rooted family drama story. Our main character, Anna Pace is the black sheep of her family. Anna, her parents, her sister Nicole and her husband and two kids, and her brother Benny and his boyfriend, are all headed to a remote villa in Monteperso for their family vacation. This gorgeous estate is secluded from the town, but everyone knows exactly about this property, just ask the locals. Infused with humor and horror, DIAVOLA shows exactly what to expect when vacationing with family in a possible haunted house. Is the villa haunted? What's going on with Anna and her family? More than meets the eye when reading this book.

DIAVOLA really is a family drama at its core. The story really dives into a toxic family dynamic that evolves as the mystery and suspense of this book goes on. As the family begins to experience paranormal activity, you can't help but feel like you're staying with this family. I mentioned above that this book has One Italian Summer vibes (on an acid trip), because a lot of the book also takes us around Monteperso and the local Italian scenic towns. I went to Italy last year and I felt like I was transported back to them. I was wondering how this book would end because the slow burn horror and suspense usually doesn't pay off for me, but the ending was more than I could have expected. I was shocked at some developments and loved the gritty and gruesome energy that this book took at its turn. If you like horror novels and hate family gatherings, DIAVOLA is for you!
]]> 156023123
She’s learning, too.

Doug says he loves that Annie’s artificial intelligence makes her seem more like a real woman, but the more human Annie becomes, the less perfectly she behaves. As Annie's relationship with Doug grows more intricate and difficult, she starts to wonder whether Doug truly desires what he says he does. In such an impossible paradox, what does Annie owe herself?]]> 231 Sierra Greer 0063312697 Dennis 3
As Annie and Doug's relationship grows, she learns organically about life and struggles to make sense of it all. This book is a manifesto of Annie's experience as a robot and companion and is extremely well characterized. It's safe to say that there's some triggers (sexual choice) so go into this book knowing that. This book is a combination of Westworld, My Dark Vanessa, and Docile so take those three aspects and you'll get ANNIE BOT in its entirety. At times cringy, but definitely honest. The ending didn't work for me, so that's why my rating isn't higher, but again, ANNIE BOT is a unique and particularly thought-provoking story. I listened to it on @libro.fm and I highly recommend the audiobook version.]]> 3.81 2024
author: Sierra Greer
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/01/04
date added: 2024/01/04
shelves: 2024-read, 2024-pub, audiobook, character-driven, contemporary, dystopian, drama, science-fiction, sci-fi
review:
As you know, I'm not a major science-fiction reader, but I definitely wanted to read Sierra Greer's debut novel, ANNIE BOT has been getting so much buzz, that I couldn't refuse to try it out for myself. ANNIE BOT is a book in which a world which has robot humans as companions, we are giving the incredible protagonist, Annie Bot. Annie was created to be the perfect girlfriend for her human owner, Doug. Doug loves that Annie's programming is similar to that of a real woman, including curiosity and emotional attachments, but that has left Annie with the flawed aspects of humans. Her AI is programmed to be a traditional wife (cooking for Doug and dressing how he likes), while also being set for Doug's sexual appetite.

As Annie and Doug's relationship grows, she learns organically about life and struggles to make sense of it all. This book is a manifesto of Annie's experience as a robot and companion and is extremely well characterized. It's safe to say that there's some triggers (sexual choice) so go into this book knowing that. This book is a combination of Westworld, My Dark Vanessa, and Docile so take those three aspects and you'll get ANNIE BOT in its entirety. At times cringy, but definitely honest. The ending didn't work for me, so that's why my rating isn't higher, but again, ANNIE BOT is a unique and particularly thought-provoking story. I listened to it on @libro.fm and I highly recommend the audiobook version.
]]> 127975602
Five contestants have been chosen to compete for ten million dollars on the game show One Lucky Winner. The catch? None of them knows what (or who) to expect, and it will be live streamed all over the world. Completely secluded in an estate in Northern California, with strict instructions not to leave the property and zero contact with the outside world, the competitors start to feel a little too isolated.

When long-kept secrets begin to rise to the surface, the contestants realize this is no longer just a reality show—someone is out for blood. And the game can’t end until the world knows who the contestants really are…]]> 320 Heather Gudenkauf 0778310795 Dennis 3
I haven't read a lot of Heather Gudenkauf's novels, but so many of my bookstagram friends, such as @beautyandthebook , love her so I was really excited to read her 2024 novel, EVERYONE IS WATCHING. After reading the author's acknowledgments, this book sounds like a major change of course and I'm hear for it!

EVERYONE IS WATCHING revolves around a reality show featuring five contestants, aptly nicknamed "The Best Friend, The Confidant, The Senator, The Boyfriend, The Executive"—they all have actual names, but it's easier to list them this way for now. Each of these five contestants were chosen to be on the new game show, One Lucky Winner, where they'll compete for $10 million dollars after a series of challenges. They'll be secluded at a private location in Northern California and isolated from the outside world (feels like Big Brother to me!). When the show begins, the contestants realize that this isn't just a reality show, this is dangerous. Especially when they find out that not everyone on this show isn't who they say they are.

This book is a popcorn thriller through and through! I was able to guess what was going to happen pretty early on, so that is the rationale for my rating, but this book is fast-paced and fun throughout the story. I love books centered around reality shows and EVERYONE IS WATCHING felt like they were competing on a Squid Game type of show which just adds more to the thriller aspect of the story. Readers of light popcorn thrillers will LOVE this book!]]> 3.61 2024
author: Heather Gudenkauf
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/01/04
date added: 2024/01/04
shelves: 2024-read, 2024-pub, popcorn-thriller, light-mystery, light-thriller
review:
3.5 stars

I haven't read a lot of Heather Gudenkauf's novels, but so many of my bookstagram friends, such as @beautyandthebook , love her so I was really excited to read her 2024 novel, EVERYONE IS WATCHING. After reading the author's acknowledgments, this book sounds like a major change of course and I'm hear for it!

EVERYONE IS WATCHING revolves around a reality show featuring five contestants, aptly nicknamed "The Best Friend, The Confidant, The Senator, The Boyfriend, The Executive"—they all have actual names, but it's easier to list them this way for now. Each of these five contestants were chosen to be on the new game show, One Lucky Winner, where they'll compete for $10 million dollars after a series of challenges. They'll be secluded at a private location in Northern California and isolated from the outside world (feels like Big Brother to me!). When the show begins, the contestants realize that this isn't just a reality show, this is dangerous. Especially when they find out that not everyone on this show isn't who they say they are.

This book is a popcorn thriller through and through! I was able to guess what was going to happen pretty early on, so that is the rationale for my rating, but this book is fast-paced and fun throughout the story. I love books centered around reality shows and EVERYONE IS WATCHING felt like they were competing on a Squid Game type of show which just adds more to the thriller aspect of the story. Readers of light popcorn thrillers will LOVE this book!
]]> 150343865 In this edge-of-your-seat psychological debut, a mother's experience with Vanishing Twin Syndrome triggers disturbing changes in her teenage daughter, perfect for fans of The Push and The Undoing.

When her daughter Eden came home from the hospital, Lucy was profoundly relieved. Eden had survived a drowning incident and had no apparent brain damage, no serious injuries, not even a scratch on her. Lucy fervently welcomed having a second chance at being the good mother she should have been before her teenager's accident.

Until Eden tells her that Eden isn't her name. Until she starts calling herself Eli. The name Lucy had reserved for Eden's unborn twin.

Don't worry, says the doctor. Eden is completely fine, says her husband. Of course I'm fine, Eden says, with that strange new smile of hers. I didn't die. I'm here.

But Lucy knows something's very wrong with Eden. She's not her maddening, complicated teenage girl anymore--this straight-backed, even tempered, steady-eyed child in her house is someone else entirely. Eden, it seems, is the twin who disappeared...


]]> 304 Eleanor Barker-White 006334128X Dennis 3 3.48 2024
author: Eleanor Barker-White
name: Dennis
average rating: 3.48
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2023/12/27
date added: 2024/01/04
shelves: 2023-read, 2024-pub, family-drama, light-mystery, light-thriller, 2024-read
review:

]]> 127279000 What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn't matter?

Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all and, if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. But after Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer.

It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life. But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast Listen for the Lie and its too-good looking host, Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one who did it.

The truth is out there, if we just listen.]]> 352 Amy Tintera 1250880319 Dennis 4
Our main character, Lucy Clase has been labeled as a murderer in her best friend's murder on a true-crime podcast. Lucy is an author who has tried to keep a low profile, but Ben Owens' "Listen for the Lie" has pulled Lucy out of hiding and forced her to confront the moments that she has tried to blank out of her memory forever. The night her best friend was killed.

LISTEN FOR THE LIE was so much fun and I did not expect it to turn out the way that it did. A bit slower than expected, but this book was such a great whodunnit. There's a good number of characters for readers to get lost into the mystery and hard for them to figure out how it ends, and each character is unique in their own way. Amy Tintera's writing style is sarcastic and funny at times, which gives you a break from the suspense at times and I personally loved it. LISTEN FOR THE LIE is the perfect cocktail between Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan is Killing It and Michelle Gagnon's Killing Me. I can't wait to see what Amy Tintera has for readers next!]]> 4.06 2024
author: Amy Tintera
name: Dennis
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/01/03
date added: 2024/01/04
shelves: 2024-pub, character-driven, crime-fiction, mystery, slow-burn, suspense, thriller, whodunnit, 2024-read
review:
A lot of YA authors have started to come out with adult mystery/thriller novels since last year and for the most part, I've loved them. Kate Marshall Alice, Ashley Elston, and now Amy Tintera have all successfully pivoted to this genre. LISTEN FOR THE LIE is a darkly comedic, fun and twisty whodunnit.

Our main character, Lucy Clase has been labeled as a murderer in her best friend's murder on a true-crime podcast. Lucy is an author who has tried to keep a low profile, but Ben Owens' "Listen for the Lie" has pulled Lucy out of hiding and forced her to confront the moments that she has tried to blank out of her memory forever. The night her best friend was killed.

LISTEN FOR THE LIE was so much fun and I did not expect it to turn out the way that it did. A bit slower than expected, but this book was such a great whodunnit. There's a good number of characters for readers to get lost into the mystery and hard for them to figure out how it ends, and each character is unique in their own way. Amy Tintera's writing style is sarcastic and funny at times, which gives you a break from the suspense at times and I personally loved it. LISTEN FOR THE LIE is the perfect cocktail between Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan is Killing It and Michelle Gagnon's Killing Me. I can't wait to see what Amy Tintera has for readers next!
]]>